SRMA RFP Answers to Questions.pdf

Questions and Answers:

Question 1:

Cover page: The cover page notes that “answers will be provided in the solicitation conference and Round 2 questions no later than stipulated in the top of the page.” Will USAID please provide offerors more information on the solicitation conference?

Answer 1:

Initially the conference was planned, but the Mission has since decided not to have the conference. This reference will be removed in the revised RFP amendment.

Question 2:

Section F. 6, page 13, and L.7, page 71, note that the offeror will work with “the GOR.” Will USAID please clarify if this should be the GONM or another agency?

Answer 2:

Government of North Macedonia (GONM)

Question 3:

Section F.6(a), page 10 and 11: Could USAID please confirm that the instructions in this section refer to the finalized MEL Plan that is to be submitted 60 days after the effective date of the Contract, and not with the draft MEL Plan submitted in the proposal as Annex J?

Answer 3:

Yes

Question 4:

Section F.6(a), page 11: The RFP notes that “the Contractor must complete a PIRS containing information such as indicator definition, rationale, baseline, data source, reporting frequency, disaggregation, etc.” Can USAID please confirm that PIRS are required with the finalized MEL Plan 60 days after the effective date of the Contract, and not with the draft MEL Plan submitted in the proposal as Annex J?

Answer 4:

Yes, we confirm that PIRS are required with the final MEL plan. The offerors are responsible for proposing indicators and a draft MEL plan as required in annex J that will sufficiently track USAID-funded activities’ outputs, outcomes and impact.

Question 5:

F.6(a).1, page 11: The RFP states that “The Contractor is required use the following indicators in its MEL Plan…” but does not follow with specific indicators. Could USAID please confirm if there are required indicators to be included in the draft MEL Plan to be submitted in the proposal as Annex J?

Answer 5:

There are no required indicators that must be included in the MEL plan. This language has been updated.

The offerors are responsible for proposing indicators and a draft MEL plan as required in annex J that will sufficiently track USAID-funded activities’ outputs, outcomes and impact.

Question 6:

Section F.6(a).1, page 12: The RFP notes that “The targets for each year will be negotiated with USAID based on an agreed phasing plan and/or baseline data. Further guidance will be provided by the COR and the M&E Specialist in the USAID/Program Office and must be incorporated by the Contractor into the annual Work Plan and MEL Plan, as well as any associated discussions.” Could USAID please clarify if the targets in the draft MEL Plan to be submitted in the proposal are illustrative targets that will be negotiated and agreed with USAID based on an agreed phasing plan, e.g., annually, after contract award?

Answer 6:

While the targets included in the draft MEL plan may be illustrative, offerors’ indicators and targets must be explained and based on reasonable expectations.

Question 7:

Section J, page 52: The RFP lists “Attachment 6: Salaries Table from Local Compensation Plan (LCP) for North Macedonia” in the list of attachments; however, this does not seem to be included. Could USAID provide offerors with a current FSN Scale?

Answer 7:

The Salary scale table is attached to the end of this amendment. Please note that the Pay Scale is Denominated in EURO and NOT in USD!

Question 8:

Section J, page 52, and Section L.11, pages 78 and 79, reference an attached Budget Template; however, this attachment was not provided. Could USAID kindly provide a budget template or clarify if USAID would allow offerors to use their own templates?

Answer 8:

The budget template is attached as a separate document.

Question 9:

Section L.6, page 69, requires offerors to submit the Technical Proposal Body in Word, and the entire proposal in PDF files. Is the “Technical Proposal Body” the same as the technical proposal, excluding annexes? Further, will USAID please clarify if the annexes should be submitted in PDF format only?

Answer 9:

The technical proposal body is the same as the technical proposal excluding annexes. Annexes should be submitted in PDF format.

Question 10:

Section L.6, page 69: Will USAID please clarify what part of the technical proposal counts toward the 20-page limitation? Page 69 references excluded documents that are not included in this section.

Answer 10:

This has been updated in the RFP amendment. Please see section L.6 of the revised solicitation.

Question 11:

Section L.6, page 69: The RFP notes that “These two parts together will constitute the offeror’s technical proposal (and be physically bound together, if possible, and electronically in a single .pdf document).”

Will USAID please confirm that offerors are to submit electronic proposals only?

Answer 11:

USAID confirms that offerors are to submit electronic proposals only. This language has been adjusted in the RFP amendment.

Question 12:

Section L.6, page 69 and page 70: The RFP notes that “the technical proposal must be organized according to the evaluation factors in Section M.2 and must address all evaluation factors in Section M.”

However, the RFP also states that “the technical proposal must be organized as follows: 1. Cover/Title page; 2. Table of contents; 3. List of acronyms; 4. Technical approach; 5. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan; 6. Personnel and Management Approach; 7. Past Performance; 8. Annexes.”

a. The organization for the technical proposal stated in Section L is different than the evaluation factors listed in Section M. Will USAID please clarify how offerors should organize the technical proposal?

Answer 12 a:

Please see changes to section L.6 in this solicitation amendment.

b. If the MEL Plan should be included in the Technical Proposal, and not only in Annex J, could USAID clarify that the MEL Plan to be included within the 20 pages of the technical proposal is a summary of the full MEL Plan to be included as Annex J?

Answer 12 b:

MEL Plan should be included within the 20 pages of the technical proposal as a summary of the full MEL Plan to be included as Annex J.

c. If the proposal is to be organized following the three components listed in Section M.2 (Technical Approach; Personnel and Management Approach; and Past Performance), could USAID confirm that the Organizational Chart mentioned in this section should appear in Annex G, and does not count toward the 20 page limit?

Answer 12 c:

The Organizational Chart should be included in Annex G, and therefore does not count towards the page limitation.

Question 13:

Section L.6, page 70, and Attachment 1, page 93: The RFP states that the Activity must develop a “non-partisan, clear set of criteria to identify participating local governments.” From this statement, we understand that offerors should propose a process for selecting a certain number of local government units to participate in SRMA. Could USAID confirm if this is the expectation? If so, could USAID provide guidance on the number of local governments to be selected for participation in SRMA?

Answer 13:

As stated, “The Activity must develop a non-partisan, clear set of criteria to identify participating local governments.” Offerors are encouraged to follow this guidance and include a proposed “selection process” and an illustrative target number of municipalities based on reasonable expectations.

Question 14:

Section L.6, page 71: The RFP notes that offerors should develop Annex K to “include the narrative described in Section L.10(d)(3)(A),” which is not included in the RFP. Would USAID please provide guidance on the content required?

Answer 14:

This language was an error and has been corrected in this amendment.

Question 15:

In Section L.7, page 72: The description of what should be presented for the Background section of the PWS does not seem to be in keeping with the technical scope of SRMA. It states “The Background section must present the problems the offeror intends to address in the North Macedonia financial sector, business development service sector, employment creation facilitation, and policy environment.” Will USAID confirm that these are the problems offerors should be responding to in the Background section?

Answer 15:

Please see the updated language. “The Background section must present the problems the Offeror intends to address in North Macedonia's municipal financial management systems and budget execution, and decentralization process and policy environment.”

Question 16:

Section L.9, page 75: Would USAID confirm that the three references for each Key Personnel do not count toward the two-page limit for each CV?

Answer 16:

Correct, the references do not count toward the two-page limit of the CV.

Question 17:

Section L.9, page 76: The RFP notes that “each large business will submit its Small Business subcontracting goals for ensuring the maximum practicable participation of Small Business concerns in the performance of the contract.” Where should this information be included, and is this part of the 20-page limit? Further, could USAID please confirm that the goals should be presented as percentages of overall subcontracting and not include values from the proposal budget?

Answer 17:

This part will be a part of the 20-page limit. USAID confirms that the goals should be presented as percentages of overall subcontracting and not to include values from the proposal budget.

Question 18:

Section L.10 (a), page 76: Will USAID please confirm that Attachment 4 (the Past Performance Information Sheet) should only be completed for projects that are not in CPARS?

Answer 18:

Correct. USAID confirms that Attachment 4 (the Past Performance Information Sheet) should only be completed for projects that are not in CPARS.

Question 19:

Section M.2, page 86, lists technical approach, personnel and management approach, and past performance as evaluation criteria, while Section M.4 on page 87 includes the criterion for evaluating the MEL Plan as well.

a. Could USAID confirm that these three evaluation factors are: Technical Approach; Personnel and Management Approach; and Past Performance (i.e., the proposal must have three main sections)?

b. Will the MELP in Annex J and/or other annexes be evaluated?

ANSWER 19:

Please see answers in question 12. In addition, please note that the evaluation factors in Section M apply to the proposal as a whole, not just what is included in the technical proposal body.

Question 20:

Past Performance Information – In section L, page 76 it is stated that the Offeror must “List in an annex to the technical proposal (Annex I) up to five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts, task orders, grants or cooperative agreements,” but on page 71, it lists Past Performance as its own section outside of the Annex and included in the technical approach. Please confirm that for Past Performance Information Attachment J.4 needs to be completed and included only in Annex I.

Answer 20:

USAID Confirms that for Past Performance Information Attachment J.4 needs to be completed and included only in Annex I.

Question 21:

The says to use 8 ½ x 11 or A4 paper size. Which is preferred?

Answer 21:

This language has been updated. A4 size is required.

Question 22:

P. 13 , second paragraph references “the three primary objectives identified in Section C of this solicitation”. The Fee Table in Section B.8 shows 4 objectives as does P. 93 of the SOO. Please confirm that the reference on page 13 should be to four objectives.

Answer 22:

Correct, it should read “4 primary objectives.” This has been changed in this solicitation amendment.

Question 23:

Please provide the Local Compensation plan so that Offerors may comply with the requirements of H.4.

Answer 23:

The LCP cannot be shared but the salary scale table is attached to the end of this amendment.

Please note that the PAY SCALE IS DENOMINATED IN EURO and NOT in USD.

Question 24:Is the Grants Under Contract estimate of $150,000 (page 73) a per year amount of total amount for the five-year contract period?

Answer 24:

$150,000 is a ceiling, not an estimate (i.e., it is not mandatory), and it is for the total contract period.

Question 25:

P. 77 states “Section B.4 should allocate costs to the six different types of costs specified therein.”

Thetable in B.4 includes “Direct Costs, Subcontracts, Indirect Costs and Fixed Fee”. Can USAID please clarify which six cost types it is referring to?

Answer 25:

This was a typo, and the RFP is revised as per B.4 that include only four cost types.

Question 26:

P. 78 references an Attachment 7 budget template, but no Attachment 7 is included. Can USAID please provide Attachment 7.

Answer 26:

See Answer 8:

Question 27: Section L.6(d) (pages 70-71) includes both a “Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan” as listed in item 5 (and section 2 of the Technical Proposal Body—between the Technical Approach and the Personnel/Management Approach) and a “Detailed MEL Plan” as Annex J (which is limited to 10 pages). Could USAID please clarify the intended difference between these two MEL Plan sections?

Answer 27:

See answer to question 12

Question 28:

Section L.9(a) (page 75), states, “Offerors may propose up to three additional key personnel roles. For each additional proposed key personnel, the Offeror must identify the position title and provide position descriptions, including roles and responsibilities and minimum or desired qualifications (experience, education, skills, etc.). The position descriptions will be provided as Annex D, if applicable.” Since Section F already includes the description of responsibilities and qualifications for the COP, please confirm that USAID does not expect Offerors to submit a position description for the COP in Annex D.

Answer 28:

USAID does not expect Offerors to submit a position description for the COP in Annex D

Question 29:

Please confirm that USAID will provide the Branding Strategy (which is referenced as Attachment 2, but was not posted with the RFP) when the apparently successful Offeror or Offerors in competitive range are requested to submit their Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan.

Answer 29:

Yes

Question 30:

Please confirm that the Offeror can submit an Executive Summary of up to two pages that will not count against the page limit for the technical proposal.

Answer 30:

No, an executive summary is not excluded from the page limitation.

Question 31:

The Statement of Objectives [Section J.1.2 (items 1-4 on page 91, “Purpose”) and Section J.1.5 (items i-iv on page 93, “Objectives”)] lists four (4) objectives to be accomplished under SRMA. Section M.3 (Page

87) lists only the first three of these as evaluation factors under the Technical Approach. Further, Section L.7 (Pages 72 and 73) makes several references to “three (3) objectives” in the SOO. Please confirm that Objective 4 of the SOO (“Decentralization Process Enhanced”) will be included in the evaluation of offers, as described in Section M.3 (Page 87).

Answer 31:

All four objectives should be taken into consideration. Please see the updated language.

Question 32:

Section L.6 (page 68) states that proposals must be typed using 11-point font. Please confirm that tables and graphics may use a font other than Times New Roman 11-point font, provided that they are clearly legible.

Answer 32:

Yes

Question 33:

Section L.6 (page 68) states that technical proposals shall be on A4-size paper whereas Section L.6(b) states that they must be on 8.5”x11” or A4 paper. Please confirm that submissions may use 8.5”x11” or A4 size paper.

Answer 33:

See answer 21

Question 34:

In Section L.6.d, on page 70, the instructions for Annex K state: “Provide a list of the recent eSRS reports …as set forth in Section L.10 below. Additionally, please include the narrative described in Section L.10(d)(3)(A).” We note that Section L.10 stops after subsection c, and respectfully ask that USAID provide the missing section(s).

Answer 34:

This was an omission therefore is deleted in the amended RFP.

Question 35:

Section L.7 (page 73, 2nd paragraph) says that a table of deliverables must be prepared according to instructions given in Section 4 of the SOO. We failed to locate a Section 4 with relevant instructions in the SOO. Please provide the instructions for the table of deliverables.

Answer 35:

This was an omission therefore is deleted in the amended RFP

Question 36:

Section L.11(a) 2. Indicates that there are “mandatory performance objectives, deliverables or outputs in the fee payment schedule as specified below.” We did not see a fee payment schedule in this location, and the table in Section B.8 (labeled “fee payment schedule”) has not been completed to show this information. Please clarify.

Answer 36:

This was an omission in the RFP the language is revised.

Question 37:

Section B.4 indicates that Subcontracts are separate from Direct Costs. The budget line headings listed in Section L.11(b)2. (p. 79) do not include subcontracts. Please clarify where Offerors should include subcontracts.

Answer 37:

Subcontracts can be inserted as a separate line, Question 38:

Section L.11(a)1. indicates that Offerors should allocate costs in B.4 to the “six different types of costs specified therein;” However, there are only five budget lines in the table in Section B.4. Please clarify.

Answer 38:

See answer 25

Question 39:

Section L.11(b) (p. 78) indicates that Offerors should budget using Attachment 7, but a budget template was not posted with the RFP. Please provide the template that Offerors should use.

Answer 39:

See Answer 8

Question 40:

Section L.11(b) (p.78) indicates that Offerors should include “Cost Agreements with subcontractors.”

Please clarify what specific document(s) should be provided for this.

Answer 40:

This would only be applicable in certain instances, such as when the offeror has negotiated special rates with a subcontractor that does not conform to market rates.

Question 41:

Section L.11 (b) indicates that biographical data forms should be included as supporting documentation and Section L.11(b) 7. (p.82) states that the Offeror must provide biographical data sheets for all named Key Personnel. Please confirm that biographical data sheets are not required for non-key personnel who are named in the budget.

Answer 41:

Confirmed.

Question 42:

Guidance on subcontract budget detail in Section L.11(b) 3. (top of p. 81) indicates it should follow Subsection L.12.(b)1. This subsection contains branding and marking, rather than cost instructions. a.

Please confirm what section this refers to. b. If this should be Subsection L.11.(b)1, please clarify if subcontractor budgets can be shown only by “all years” (rather than by the Section B.4 categories).

Answer 42:

The section reference was a clerical error, and RFP Section L.11.(b).3 has been amended to correct the error. Separate spreadsheets must be submitted for each subcontract with the same detail, organization and format as set forth above in Subsections L.11.(b)1 and 2. As noted in response to Question 8, a budget template has been included for reference. Subcontract budgets must be five-year, detailed budgets organized by cost elements per the budget template.

Question 43:

Please provide the Local Compensation Plan for North Macedonia, which is listed as Attachment 6, but was not posted with the RFP.

Answer 43:

See answer 7

Question 44:

In Section L, top of page 69 It states the following: Required order: 1. Cover/Title page (not to exceed one [1] page); 2. Table of contents; 3. List of acronyms; 4. Technical Approach; 5. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan; 6. Personnel and Management Approach; 7. Past Performance; 8.

Annexes. Will USAID allow offerors to include an Executive Summary in between List of Acronyms and Technical Approach? Will USAID consider limiting the Executive Summary to two pages and exclude it from the 20-page limitation?

Answer 44:

No

Question 45:

In Cover letter Please submit all Round 1 questions regarding this RFP no later than stipulated in the top of the page. The answers will be provided in the solicitation conference and Round 2 questions no later than stipulated in the top of the page. Will USAID please provide the date and location of the solicitation conference?

Answer 45:

See answer 1

Question 46:

Section F.6(b), second sentence, second paragraph, page 13 Section L.7, Technical Approach, page 72 states “The work plans will list activities grouped according to the three primary objectives identified in Section C of this solicitation. The PWS must outline the proposed approach, methodologies, and interventions for addressing contextual challenges and achieving all three (3) objectives described in the SOO with deliverables, results, and deliverable metrics.

Will USAID please clarify the number and name of all the SRMA objectives?

Answer 46: Please see the updated language. “The work plans will list activities grouped according to the four primary objectives identified in Section C of this solicitation.”

Question 47:

Section L.8 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan, last sentence, page 74 The Offeror must be prepared to monitor and report results at the national level. Please clarify this sentence. Is this to say that SRMA should have indicators at the national level, too?

Answer 47:

This language has been updated. The proposed indicators and MEL plan should be sufficient to track USAID-funded activities’ outputs, outcomes and impact.

Question 48:

Section L.8 (a) Key Personnel, page 75, states: The position descriptions will be provided as Annex D, if applicable. Please confirm that the COP position description is excluded from Annex D as that description is given on pages 9 and 10 of this solicitation.

Answer 48:

Correct. The COP position description is given in Section F.5 of this solicitation and does not need to be repeated in Annex D.

Question 49:

Section L.8 (a) Key Personnel, Second paragraph, page 75. States: Each individual proposed must also provide three (3) recent references with name, position title, valid email address and telephone number, and the relationship to the proposed candidate. Please confirm that references only need to be provided for Key Personnel.

Answer 49:

Correct

Question 50:

Section L.8 (c) Management and Staffing, page 75 under Subcontracting Plan: Please confirm that small business offerors do not need to submit a Subcontracting Plan.

Answer 50:

Confirmed; small business offerors do not need to submit a Subcontracting Plan.

Question 51:

(i) Part 9 – Listing of all Subcontracts, Subawards, and Resource Partners, page 83 The Offeror must submit a separate list of all known subcontractors, sub awardees, as well as resource partners. Please confirm that this section only applies to the Offeror’s Subcontractors, Sub awardees, and Resource Partners being proposed on SRMA.

Answer 51:

Correct

Question 52:

M.2 EVALUATION FACTORS The evaluation criteria identified in this section, listed in decreasing order of importance, include: Technical Approach Personnel and Management Approach Past Performance; This list does not include Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. Please identify where Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning falls on this list.

Answer 52:

Section M.2 has been updated through this solicitation amendment.

Question 53:

VARIOUS SECTIONS- USAID posted the revised Biographical Data Sheet 1420-17 on Sep 10, 2019, removing the salary history requirement. Please confirm that the biographical data sheets required for SRMA may be met by using the September 2019 revised version.

Answer 53:

Please use the revised Biographical Data Sheet 1420-17 on Sep 10, 2019.

Question 54:

Objective 2 (Greater Amounts of External Funding Accessed) On pages 91 and 92, USAID raises excessive municipal debt as a major concern. On pages 87, 91, and 92, capital markets and banks (e.g., debt financing) are mentioned as a source of external funding that offerors should help municipalities pursue under SRMA. Could USAID please provide guidance as to whether municipal debt financing should be pursued through SRMA and if so, under what parameters?

Answer 54:

Within the stated parameters of this RFP, offerors are encouraged to include proposals on all components, including any work to increase municipalities’ access to all forms of external public, commercial, donor or any other external funds available to municipalities under the legal framework of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Question 55:

The first page of the RFP states that “The Activity will work with local and central governments …”.

However, the SOO (pages 91 – 94) seems to focus on municipal governments only. Does USAID see a role for SRMA in supporting the central government? If yes, could USAID please elaborate what this support might entail?

Answer 55:

Within the stated parameters of this RFP, offerors are encouraged to include any work with both the national and local governments to achieve the four stated objectives.

Question 56:

Section L.7 on page 72 states “Background: The Background section must present the problems the Offeror intends to address in the North Macedonia finance sector, business development service sector, employment creation facilitation and policy environment.”

- Could USAID please confirm that addressing problems in the business development service sector is linked to services provided to businesses by municipalities?

- Could USAID please elaborate what is meant by addressing problems in the finance sector in the context of SRMA?

- Could USAID please confirm that addressing problems in employment creation might be linked to activities that support private sector job creation in municipalities or build labor force skills?

- Could USAID please elaborate what is meant by addressing problems in the policy environment in the context of SRMA?

Answer 56:

Please see the updated language. “The Background section must present the problems the Offeror intends to address in North Macedonia's municipal financial management systems and budget execution, and decentralization process and policy environment.”

Question 57:

Section L.11.1 (page 77) states that… “Minimum targets for both sources of additional financing have been provided in the SOO.” However, we could not find minimum targets in the SOO for sources of additional financing. Could USAID please provide?

Answer 57:

This language has been updated. Offerors are encouraged to propose illustrative targets and/or vision of success for each of the components. These can be included in the technical proposal as well as the draft MEL plan. All indicators and targets must be explained and based on reasonable expectations.

Question 58:

Section L.10, page 76 states that offerors may provide up to five past performance references. Could USAID please confirm that the Prime and Major Subcontractors may each provide up to five past performance references?

Answer 58:

Yes

Question 59:

Section J on page 52- References – Attachment 6: Salaries Table from Local Compensation Plan (LCP) for North Macedonia Attachment 6 was not included. Will USAID please distribute?

Answer 59:

See answer 7

Question 60:

CV for the Chief of Party Will USAID consider increasing the page limit for the Chief of Party’s CV from two to three pages?

Answer 60:

No

Question 61:

May Offerors submit a two-page Executive Summary to the proposal in addition to the 20-page technical?

Answer 61:

Question 62:

Section L.6, page 68 states that proposals “shall be written in English on A4-size” paper. However, page 69, “Page Limitation” states that proposals can use 8.5” x 11” paper or A4 paper. Would USAID please clarify?

Answer 62:

See answer 21

Question 63:

Technical Approach Instructions, pages 72-73, includes a few references to SRMA having three (3) objectives. However, Attachment J.1 specifies four (4) objectives. Would USAID clarify that the Technical Approach instructions should reference four (4) objectives?

Answer 63:

Yes, all four objectives must be addressed. This typo has been corrected.

Question 64:

In section M.3. Technical Approach USAID-funded activities ch, page 87, USAID states that it will evaluate “creative approaches in the implementation of SRMA that lead to: enhance the quality of local tax and fee collection systems; increase local governments’ capacity to access external resources from the national government or international organizations’ funds and/or capital markets and banks; and improve local governments’ ability to plan, manage and implement public sector revenues in compliance with GoNM’s regulations.” This list appears to be missing any reference to the fourth objective in the SOO, Attachment J.1, to “enhance the decentralization process.” Would USAID clarify whether the fourth objective related to decentralization is being evaluated?

Answer 64:

All four objectives must be addressed. Please see updated language in Section M.3.

Question 65:

The PWS Instructions on page 72, states that the PWS should include a background section that addresses “the problems the Offeror intends to address in the North Macedonia financial sector, business development service sector, employment creation facilitation, and policy environment.” However, based on the information presented in Attachment J.1, “employment creation facilitation” does not appear to be an overall goal of SRMA. Would USAID clarify whether SRMA will focus on employment creation and, if so, under which Objective does employment creation fit?

Answer 65:

Please see the updated language. “The Background section must present the problems the Offeror intends to address in North Macedonia's municipal financial management systems and budget execution, and decentralization process and policy environment.”

Question 66:

Page 73 states that Offerors may propose a Grants Under Contract component. If Offerors choose to do so, should the Grants description be included in the PWS (Annex A), the main body of the technical approach, or both?

Answer 66:

Offerors are encouraged to include all components of their proposed approach, including the use of Grants under Contract, as they deem appropriate to address the requirements for the Technical Approach and PWS as set forth in Section L.7 of the RFP.

Question 67:

Page 71 of the RFP references a Monitoring Evaluation and Learning plan in both the main body of the technical and in Annex J. Would USAID clarify which aspects of the MEL approach should be included in each section?

Answer 67:

See answer to question 12

Question 68:

Page 71 of the RFP references a Past Performance section in the main body of the technical, in addition to the Past Performance Information Sheets to be included in Annex I. Would USAID please clarify the requirements for the Past Performance section in the main body?

Answer 68:

Past Performance Information should only be included in Annex I to the technical proposal.

See revisions to Section L.6.

Question 69:

In reference to Section H.4 Personnel Approvals (b): as consultants do not receive salaries and are governed by a separate cost principle to personnel, may bidders include a table of daily rates and minimum qualifications for the purposes of compliance with §H.4(b)(2) and (3)?

Answer 69:

The proposed “table of daily rates” would meet the requirements of H.4(b)(2), but that the Contractor should still comply with the biographical data sheet requirement in Section H.4.(b)(3) in the event of award.

Question 70:

Section H.23 Limitation of Acquisition of Information Technology calls for rather broad approval requirements for IT assets under the subject contract. Would USAID kindly consider the inclusion of a pre-approved list of IT assets? Alternatively, for the purposes of an expeditious start-up, would USAID consider the inclusion of any named IT assets in the cost proposal to be pre-approved for the purposes of such approval requirements?

Answer 70: No. The contractor must comply with the requirements of the clause regarding requests for approval.

Question 71:

On page 11, Section F.6(a) the RFP states, “The Contractor is required to use the following indicators in its MEL Plan:” Would USAID please provide such indicators?

Answer 71:

There are no required indicators that must be included in the MEL plan. This language has been updated.

The offerors are responsible for proposing indicators and a draft MEL plan as required in annex J that will sufficiently track USAID-funded activities’ outputs, outcomes and impact.

Question 72:

Unfortunately, we are unable to access the attachments. In particular, we are unable to access the SRMA Branding Strategy, the Budget Template or the Salaries Table from Local Compensation Plan (LCP) for North Macedonia. Could USAID please advise or forward the attachments so that we have the complete package at hand?

Answer 72:

See answers 7 and 8

Question 73:

Does USAID expect to cover all 81 municipalities in Macedonia under SRMA activities?

Answer 73: “The Activity must develop a non-partisan, clear set of criteria to identify participating local governments.” Offerors are encouraged to follow this guidance and include a “selection process” and a target number of municipalities to be reached based on reasonable expectations.

Question 74:

Page 2, Section B.4 BUDGET states “The Contractor must not bill any amounts against this contract in excess of the amounts specified for each line item.” We request USAID to delete this clause, so as to have flexibility in moving funds from one category of the budget to another.

Answer 74:

No, the implementing partner needs to stick to the budget categories!

Question 75:

Page 3, Section B.8 Payment of Fee refers to payment of contractor fee tied to accomplishment of performance objectives and deliverables or outputs described in Sections C, D and F. Section D refers to Packaging and Marking only and does not refer to any performance objectives and deliverables or outputs. As such, we request USAID to delete reference to Section D.

Answer 75:

This reference in section D is deleted.

Question 76:

Is compliance with IT security requirements mentioned on page 40 and 41, Section H.22 (NIST, FISMA and FIPS) required for every task order or only those dealing with sensitive information?

Answer 76:

It is required for every Contract.

Question 77:

What type of documentation is required to provide proof of compliance with IT security requirements mentioned on page 40 and 41, Section H.22 (NIST, FISMA and FIPS)?

Answer 77:

Offerors should consult with their lawyers and/or IT advisors to confirm that they are in compliance with these requirements.

Question 78:

Does USAID have a specific time frame after award to provide proof of compliance with IT security requirements mentioned on page 40 and 41, Section H.22 (NIST, FISMA and FIPS)?

Answer 78:

The contractor must be in compliance from the start of the contract. There is no standard time frame to provide a proof of compliance, but in accordance with the clause, the contractor must give the Government access to verify compliance as requested.

Question 79:

Page 52, Section J states that a budget template has been provided. We request that USAID release the budget template with answers to questions.

Answer 79:

See Answer 8

Question 80:

Page 52, Section J states that a Salaries Table from Local Compensation Plan (LCP) has been provided as Attachment 6. However, Attachment 6 beginning on page 101 is small business veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business hubzone small business concerns, small disadvantaged business, and women owned small business model subcontracting plan outline. We request USAID provide the LCP as an additional attachment.

Answer 80:

See answer 7

Question 81:

Will USAID allow including a cover letter not counted against the page limit given on page 69, Section L.6?

Answer 81:

Yes

Question 82:

Will USAID consider allowing additional pages for an executive summary not counted against the page limit given on page 69, Section L.6?

Answer 82:

Question 83:

Page 69, Section L6 states that: “The technical proposal must be organized according to the evaluation factors in Section M.2 and must address all evaluation factors.” M.2. lists the three evaluation criteria as technical approach, personnel and management approach, and past performance. There is no reference to a MEL plan. The MEL plan is included in M4. Did USAID intend that the proposal have four main sections, including the MEL plan? Where is the MEL plan ranked in descending order of importance in relation to the technical approach, personnel and management approach, and past performance?

Answer 83:

See updated Section M.2 in this solicitation amendment.

Question 84:

Please confirm that Annex K, eSRS Reports/SF 294s (page 71, Section L.6) are a requirement that applies to large businesses only, and small business offerors will not be expected to submit a list of these reports.

Answer 84:

Correct

Question 85:

Page 72, Section L7, paragraph 2 refers to “all three (3) objectives described in the SOO.” On page 93, under section heading Objectives, the SOO refers to “measurably increase local governments’ own-source resources and external funds and increase their budget execution rate in compliance with the Government of North Macedonia’s (GoNM) budgeting and reporting requirements.” Further, the SOO states that, “The contractor will work with local and central governments to 1) enhance the quality of local tax and fee collection systems; 2) increase local governments’ capacity to access external resources from the national government or international organizations’ funds and/or capital markets and banks; 3) improve local governments’ ability to plan, manage and implement public sector revenues in compliance with GoNM’s regulations; and 4) enhance the decentralization process.” Would these last four items be referred to as tasks, rather than as objectives?

Answer 85:

There are four objectives.

Question 86:

Please confirm that the Evidence of Responsibility (page 82, Section L.11, (f) Part 6) is expected from the prime contractor only.

Answer 86:

Correct

Question 87:

Page 77, L.11 Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost Proposal: 1. Instructions for Section B.4 states “Section B.4 should allocate costs to six different types of costs specified therein.” However, only four different types of costs are specified. As such, we request USAID to change types of costs from six to four.

Answer 87:

See answer 25

Question 88:

Page 77, L.11 Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost Proposal: 1. Instructions for Section B.4 states “For purposes of the SRMA’s Activity, “leverage” is defined as resources that third-parties bring to the program that are expected to be applied to the program. The SOO (Attachment 1) uses the terms “leverage” and “additional financing” interchangeably and defines additional financing as “financing which would otherwise not have occurred without this activity.” The SOO breaks down the sources of additional financing into “lending” (or the expansion of loans) under Objective 1, and “private and commercial investment” (or an increase in privately-sourced financing) under Objective 2. Minimum targets for both sources of additional financing have been provided in the SOO.” Please explain the relevance of this paragraph.

Answer 88:

This paragraph was deleted in its entirety.

Question 89:

What is this RFP supposed to look like? Is there a template?

Answer 89:

There is no template for the RFP.

Question 90:

Do you have a list of recommended contractors the municipality should choose from?

Answer 90:

No

Question 91:

Do the Key Personnel need to be municipality staff?

Answer 91:

Question 92:

Should the technical and cost proposals be created by the contractor?

Answer 92:

Yes

Question 93:

What is all supposed to be completed for the RFP? (Technical Proposal, Cost Proposal, BIP and MP, and

PPI)

Answer 93:

Please read the RFP requirements.