72016720R00005- 01.pdf

(Q&A) – SOL#72016720R00005

Economic Lead Growth (ELG)

Questions and Answers Round #1 SOL#72016720R00005 – Economic Lead Growth (ELG)

Q.1 Perusing the Draft RFP posted online (attached), we did not see any specific eligibility requirements/exclusions regarding nationality of the firm; could we kindly ask if European firms are eligible to bid on this project? Or if you may not reply, could you please direct us to where we could find these requirements/information?

A.1 See section H.5 of the RFP for eligibility. Offerors must meet the source and nationality requirements per regulation 22 CFR 228 for Geographic Code 937.

Q.2 We understand that the attached document is only a Draft; however it specifies 23 March, 2020 as the proposal submission date; is this date indeed final? Or will an updated/final RFP document be posted? Assuming the latter is true: when, please, would you expect the updated version to be posted and how much time would bidders have to prepare and submit their proposal?

A.2 This is not applicable at this stage as the RFP has been released.

Q.3 Perusing the attached document, we did not see any reference to specific activities to be implemented; is this an oversight on our part? If yes, could you please guide us to where the specific activities of the project are stated? If it is not, will the updated RFP contain these activities? Or is it up to bidders to define the entirety of the activities to implement in order to achieve the Purpose (C.2) all in “propos(ing) three sectors where the activity will focus” (L.6.1)?

A.3 No specific activities are mandated by the RFP, unless otherwise stated therein.

Q.4 The Cover Letter indicates that “USAID/KOSOVO estimates an award for the activity up to a ceiling price of $12,500,000”; however, section B.3(a) of the Draft RFP indicates no specific sum: “$TBD”. As we are new to USAID, we would kindly ask:

a. Is the ceiling price for this project indeed 12,500,000 USD?

A.4.a Yes. The ceiling price is $12,500,000. This is the maximum anticipated price, not a predetermined price.

b. If yes, will this be indicated in the Final RFP at point B.3(a)?

A.4.b The Ceiling Price will be negotiated with the successful Contractor and will be inserted in the award in B.3(a).

Q.5 Section J indicates a “List of Attachments”: but none are included; are we correct in assuming that those attachments will be included in the Final RFP? We understand that the Financial Proposal format will be included in these attachments – is our understanding correct please?

A.5 All attachments are included in the posted RFP.

Q.6 Are there administrative documents/templates to fill in? Assuming so, where could we find these please?

A.6 No there is no template except those provided in the final RFP.

Q.7 Section K.2 mentions the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN); assuming our Belgian firm is eligible to bid for the project, would we still need a TIN? If so, what is the process for obtaining one if this is possible for European firms that do not work in the US?

A.7 No. There is no need for TIN for non-US organizations. Please also note answer A.1.

Q.8 Section L.7(d)(1) states that “For contracts not in the Past Performance Information Retrieval

System (PPIRS), Offerors (including all partners of a joint venture) must use the “Past Performance Information Sheet”. Will USAID please confirm that past performance from cooperative agreements with a period of performance falling within the last five years from the date of the RFP release, and involving similar work as in Section C will also be accepted?

A.8 Yes. Past performance from cooperative agreements will be accepted. See Section L.7, Part 4 of the revised RFP.

Q.9 The same section L.7(d)(1) also states that the Offeror should submit “past performance information for “itself and each major subcontractor”. Will USAID please consider accepting past performance information from non-major subcontractors as well?

A.9 No.

Q.10 Will USAID please consider allowing Letters of Support from resource organizations and collaborating partners to be included in Section L.7(e) Letters of Commitment (Subcontractors) in addition to the letters of commitment from subcontractors?

A.10 No.

Q.11 Will USAID consider sharing an updated local compensation plan?

A.11 Yes. Please see attachment 6.

Q.12 Three days after the RFP release on March 10, 2020, Kosovo closed its borders to foreign citizens and established a 14-day quarantine for Kosovar citizens returning to the country on March 13, 2020 in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 within the country. In addition, Kosovo stakeholders’ focus has also rightfully shifted to maintaining their safety. The border closing prevented bidders from traveling to Kosovo and completing their final fact-finding efforts in an expeditious manner that would be required for a tight turnaround of five weeks. In light of these highly unusual circumstances, we request that USAID Kosovo grants a substantial extension of the deadline to ensure that all bidders are in a position to complete the necessary efforts and submit a high-quality proposal.

A.12 USAID understands that the response measures resulted in major impacts to normal operations.

However, no extension will be granted.

Q.13 The cover letter of the RFP states that “USAID is employing a build-to-budget approach.” Can USAID please elaborate on how this approach differs from the standard RFP budget ceiling?

A.13 They are two unrelated concepts. Via “build to budget”, USAID is merely providing Offerors with the anticipated maximum amount of available funding as a data point to inform the preparation of proposals. See also A.4a and A.4b.

Q.14 Would USAID consider allowing both a cover letter of one page and an executive summary of two pages?

A.14 Yes. See Section L.6 of the revised RFP.

Q.15 Page 23, Section F.5 lists key personnel as “1) Chief of Party; 2) Deputy Chief of Party; and 3)

TBD…” Does USAID wish for the contractor to propose additional key personnel according to the technical approach? If so, is USAID looking for one additional position?

A.15 The Offeror may, but is not obligated to, propose additional Key Personnel. See L.6(2).

Q.16 Page 79, Section L.7 (d) lists Past Performance as Part 4 of the Cost Proposal. This is typically included in the technical proposal; please confirm whether USAID intended to include Past Performance Information in the cost proposal or the technical proposal.

A.16. Yes. Past performance is part of the cost proposal.

Q.17 Please confirm that to demonstrate Past Performance Information, USAID would like Offerors to complete the excel spreadsheet included as Attachment 3 and not a word document template as usual.

A.17 Offeror may use a self-generated Word template if it provides the same information as the Excel template. USAID reminds Offerors that this template is to be used only for past performance data not in PPIRS. See the revised RFP.

Q.18 Page 78, Section L.7 (g) requires Offerors to submit Section K. Do Offerors need to submit Section

K for major subcontractors as well, or only the prime?

A.18 Section K must be submitted only for the prime contractor.

Q.19 Are Offerors required to submit letters of commitment from Key Personnel?

A.19 See section L.7(h).

Q.20 Will USAID consider allowing an organizational chart to be included as an annex to the technical proposal, excluded from the page limit?

A.20 Yes. See section L.6 of the revised RFP.

Q.21 Page 16, C.8, Implementation Principles, describes the “freedom to fail” as an important principle in implementing this activity, specifically implying that failure is plausible and acceptable in some activities in order to “experiment with innovative approaches and pathways” given that the context is “unpredictable and difficult to replicate.” Attachment 2, page 3, Award Fee Evaluation Factors, states that 50% of the weight in evaluating the award fee is “The extent to which the contractor has, at the completion of the review period, exceeded the targets in Section F of the Contract.” Section F lists deliverables rather than performance targets. Given that the deliverables in Section F are required work plans and reports, and that the “freedom to fail” principle implies target output indicators for innovative activities may not always be met, can Offerors conclude that USAID will grant the award fee on the basis of satisfactory completion of all deliverables, and not on performance against target indicators developed in annual work plans?

A.21 The original Award Fee Plan language is accurate. See also C.7.3. “The target results must be approved by the COR and incorporated into Section F prior to starting any interventions in Step 4”.

Award fee will not be tied to work plans, reporting, and other administrative deliverables.

Q.22 Page 76, Section L.7, (b) 1 (v) states that “The cost proposal must include a compensation plan for all employee categories.” Will USAID explain parameters of designing the compensation plan for local employees? Will USAID consider providing the Local Compensation Plan for Kosovo?

A.22 Offerors should follow their own policies and procedures for compensation and adhere to applicable solicitation terms, such as AIDAR 722.170. See also answer A.11.

Q.23 Could USAID please provide the current mission Local Compensation Plan?

A.23 See answer A.11.

Q.24 Could USAID please provide their preferred exchange rate to all bidders (Euros to USD)?

A.24 USAID does not have any preferred exchange rate.

Q.25 On page 51, section H.27 states: “The main purpose of these sub-grants to local organizations is to target selected areas, including (but not limited to) election oversight, women’s empowerment, marginalized population rights, anti-corruption, and increased citizen oversight and/or provide practical experience for the capacity building training they will receive.” Given the technical focus of this project, please confirm that USAID does not expect sub-grants to be focused on election oversight, marginalized population rights, anti-corruption, and increased citizen oversight.

A.25 Apologies, this is an oversight. The language has been removed. USAID does not expect sub-grants to be focused on election oversight, marginalized population rights, anti-corruption, and increased citizen oversight. See the revised RFP, now H.26

Q.26 On page 73 and 74, sections L.5 and L.6, could USAID please clarify whether the cover letter specified in L.5 paragraph 1 is the same as the “cover letter or executive summary” listed under section L.6?

A.26 See A.14.

Q.27 On page 74, section L.6, could USAID please confirm that the CVs for key personnel may be presented in an annex that does not count against the page limit?

A.27 Correct. See Section L.6 of the revised RFP.

Q.28 On page 74, section L.6, may Offerors use size 10-point font for textboxes?

A.28 No. 10-point font can be used only in charts and graphs. See section L.6 of the revised RFP

Q.29 On page 74, section L.6, may Offerors include a list of acronyms that does not count against the page limit?

A.29 Yes. See Section L.6 of the revised RFP.

Q.30. In the solicitation cover letter, USAID states that it will employ a “build-to-budget approach” for this activity. Could USAID please clarify the procedures around this approach and how the final budget might differ from a standard proposal budget?

A.30 See A.13.

Q.31 In Section H.10(f), Consultants, (page 39) USAID states, “Unless the consultant is an employee of the contractor, they are considered subcontractors subject to the applicable clauses 52.244-2 requirements.” This language presents significant issues for many Offerors, particularly related to NICRAs and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). NICRAs are approved by USAID’s Overhead, Special Cost, and Closeout Branch Division and require many Offerors to treat consultants as short-term personnel and apply applicable indirect costs. Should an offeror begin to treat consultants as subcontractors and apply subcontractor-related indirect costs, this would be viewed as inconsistent treatment of direct costs across U.S. Government-funded contracts and would be in violation of the terms of an offeror’s NICRA and CAS. Further, it is industry standard to treat consultants as short-term personnel. Based on the above, we respectfully request the removal of language requiring the treatment of consultants as subcontractors so each offeror may classify consultants according to its own NICRA and CAS.

A.31 Non-employee relationships are subcontractors in the eyes of FAR 52.244-2. There is no third category between employee and non-employee. This requirement is not to imply that Offerors should violate their Disclosure Statements, but Offerors should review, and where necessary update, their DS to ensure that cost pools/bases accurately reflect consistent and appropriate treatment.

Q.32 Section H.10(h), Compensation of Cooperating Country and Third Country Nationals

(CCNs/TCNs), (page 40) states that TCN/CCN salaries must not exceed those under the USAID Local Compensation Plan for comparable positions without a Mission waiver. Could USAID please provide a copy of the current Local Compensation Plan for Kosovo?

A.32. The RFP has been corrected to reflect AIDAR 722.170. While the LCP may be a benchmark, there is no requirement to adhere strictly to it. See attached revised RFP.

Q.33 Section L.6, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, (page 74) lists the required order of proposal sections and indicates where the technical proposal page limit does not apply.

1. Could USAID please confirm that key personnel CVs should be presented as an annex to the technical proposal that does not count against the page limit?

2. Could USAID please confirm that the three references included for each key personnel do not count against the two-page limit for key personnel CVs?

A.33 See section L.6 of the revised RFP. The revised RFP reflects the changes.

Q.34 Section L.6 on page 74 does not list any annexes. Could USAID confirm that Offerors can include the following in annexes to the technical proposal that do not count against the page limit?

Signed letters of support from local organizations who have committed to working with the offeror upon contract award; and Data analyses to support the justification for the three selected sectors presented in the offeror’s “Sector Approach and Implementation” section.

A.34 Offerors may not include the proposed annexes.

Q.35 In Section L.6.1, Sector Approach and Implementation, (page 75) USAID states, “Offeror must propose illustrative indicators to measure expected results across the selected sectors and illustrative expected results that would best reflect systemic changes in the market system to achieve the Activity’s goal.” Could USAID please clarify whether Offerors should propose expected results aggregated across the three sectors as a whole or as individual sectors?

A.35 Aggregated.

Q.36 In the instructions for Section L.6.1, USAID states that the Sector Approach and Implementation section should include the “Offeror’s conceptual approach and methodology for the achievement of the overall Activity objectives.” The instructions for the Management and Staffing Plan section state that Offerors “must clearly discuss the approach for … achieving results (e.g., the methodology the offeror intends to use when conducting the subsequent analyses and interventions).” Could USAID further elaborate on the distinction between an approach and methodology for achievement of overall objectives in the first section and an approach for achieving results/methodology for conducting interventions in the second section?

A.36 The solicitation language has been updated. See the revised RFP.

Q.37 Section L.7(a) requires an original signature on the SF-33. Since proposals will be submitted electronically, could USAID please confirm that a scanned or electronic signature would be sufficient?

A.37 Scanned or electronic signatures of the SF-33 are acceptable.

Q.38 Regarding Section L.7(d), Part 4 – Past Performance:

a. Could USAID please confirm that Offerors can include quality awards information for projects that appear in PPIRS, in the past performance annex to be submitted with the cost proposal?

A.38.a Contract data in PPIRS should not be provided in the proposal.

b. If an offeror’s five most relevant contracts are included in the PPIRS (and thus are not to be submitted using the template provided in Attachment 3), could USAID please confirm that Offerors can provide a list of those projects with brief relevance statements in the annex to be submitted with the cost proposal?

A.38.b No, you may not include an annex.

Q.39 Section L.7(g) on page 78 requires Offerors to submit portions of Section K not available online.

However, there is no signature block at the end of Section K. Could USAID please update Section K to include a signature block?

A.39 Offerors should include any needed signature blocks.

Q.40 The USAID Business Forecast and the IEE (RFP Attachment 5) provide different start dates for this project. Could USAID please clarify the anticipated start date that Offerors should use for budgeting purposes?

A.40 USAID anticipates no later than July 2020.

Q.41 We interpret RFP Section B.8 (page 9, with reference to Section C.7.3) and Section L.7.b.1.ii (page

76) to mean that the Offeror’s total Fixed Fee is to be divided between portions based on submitted invoices and portions (no more than 10% of total fixed fee) based on the acceptance of deliverables noted in Section L.7.b.1.ii (page 76). Please confirm our understanding

A.41 Almost. The fixed-fee will be paid on a CPFF-completion basis per FAR 16.306. Thus the fixed fee payments will be linked with achievement of the targets after those have been negotiated after award. The exception to this is that the Offeror may, at its discretion, propose a portion of the total fixed fee with the two deliverables noted in L.7.

Q.42 Section B.9 of the RFP indicates that the first evaluation period for the award fee will be “Years 1-

2” and the second will be “Years 3-5;” however, Section III of RFP Attachment 2 (Award Fee Plan) lists the first period as “Months 1-30,” and the second as “Months 31-60.” Please confirm that Section B.9 is correct.

A.42 The Award Fee Plan has been updated. Attached Attachment 2 - Award Fee Plan

Q.43 Section L.5 (page 73) states “The proposal must be *accompanied by* a cover letter typed on official organizational letterhead and signed by a person who has signatory authority for the organization” (emphasis added). Section L.6 (page 74) shows a “Cover Letter or Executive Summary” as the second bullet in the proposal’s required order of elements. Please confirm that Offerors should include an Executive Summary within their proposal and submit a cover letter as a separate document.

A.43 See Section L.6 of the revised RFP and answer A.14.

Q.44 Section L.5 (page 73) states that proposals must be submitted using MS Word, Adobe PDF, *or*

MS Excel. Section L.6 (page 74) requires that technical proposals be submitted in MS Word. In order to comply with USAID’s stated preference (expressed on page 74) that each proposal volume be submitted as a single e-mail attachment, please confirm that Offerors may submit their technical proposals in PDF format.

A.44 Technical proposal must be submitted in MS Word only.

Q.45 Please confirm that tables and call-out boxes may use the same font specifications as charts and graphs.

A.45 See answer A.28.

Q.46 Please confirm that: a. Offerors must propose an Incentive Fund (as mentioned on Page 3 of the

IEE); and b. The Fund must be composed of GUC and sub-awards.

A.46 No. There is no requirement for an Incentive or GUC Fund. The IEE included mention of one only in the event that the successful Offeror’s proposed includes such an approach. Again, while Offerors may propose one, there is no requirement for an Incentive Fund or GUC Fund. See C.7.(4) and L.6(1). Note that technical proposals, whether they include such a fund or not, will be evaluated holistically per Section M.2.

Q.47 Page 3 of the IEE (RFP Attachment 5) states that the Incentive Fund will “…fund or cost share specific discretionary items that can lead to improvements in the overall competitiveness of the

*agriculture* sector…” (emphasis added). Since the RFP does not mention agriculture, please confirm that the cited paragraph is intended to refer to “…competitiveness of the three selected sectors.”

A.47 Correct, this is a mistake. There is no requirement for agriculture as a sector. Offerors are free to propose three sectors, which may or may not include agriculture. Any needed updates to the IEE may be made after award on the basis of the approved sectors.

Q.48 Section L.7.(b)(1) of the RFP (page 76) states “The base fixed fee shall be no greater than the award fee”. Please confirm if the “base fixed fee” is equivalent to “fixed fee.”

A.48 Correct.

Q.49 In order to ensure that the Offeror’s proposed compensation plan (required under Section L.7.b.1.v, page 76) aligns with the Mission’s compensation plan, can USAID please provide the current LCP matrix?

A.49. The salary scale is provided. See Answer A.11 as well as A.31.

Q.50 Section L.7(b)(iii) (page 77) of the RFP requires submission of audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements for each cost-reimbursement or time-and-material type subcontractor without a NICRA. Considering that many subcontractors may be small businesses and local partners (who may not meet auditing standard threshold), and to enhance USAID’s participation in the New Partner Initiative, please confirm that proposed subcontractors without *either* a NICRA *or* audited financials may submit alternate costing methodologies (such as De Minimis, directly charged methodology etc.) in order to justify their indirect rates.

A.50 Prime contractors must evaluate the risks and requirements for each subcontract type. For example, FAR 16.301-3(a)(3) limits the use of cost-reimbursement contracts to situations where the organization’s accounting system has been deemed adequate. This is why many firms opt for other-than-cost reimbursement mechanisms, such as fixed price. See the revised RFP.

Q.51 Section L.7.b.3 (Award Fee), paragraph 2 states “See Section J for Award Fee Criteria and

Weights.” Please confirm that this refers to Attachment 2 (Award Fee Plan).

A.51 Correct. See Section L.7(b)(3) of the revised RFP.

Q.52 Section L.7.D (page 78) refers to “contracts” when requesting Offeror’s past performance information. Assuming that Offerors can provide all information requested in Attachment 3, please confirm that work performed under other types of mechanisms (such as Cooperative Agreements) can also be submitted as examples of relevant project experience.

A.52 Yes, see answer A.8.

Q.53 Please confirm that “Most Probable Cost” in section M.4 of the RFP is the same as “overall evaluated cost or price” referred in FAR part 15.506-d(2).

A.53 For any offeror where a cost realism analysis is performed per the RFP, this is correct. Note that this RFP does not involve trade-offs.

Q.54 In a recent RFP for a CPFF/CPAF contract from USAID/Kosovo (Justice Activity in Kosovo), USAID specified that the fixed fee was to be applied to CLIN 001, covering Objectives 1 and 2 of the project, while the award fee was to be applied to CLIN 002, covering Objective 3 of the project. For this RFP, which is also CPFF/CPAF, could USAID please clarify what the fixed fee and award fee are to be applied to? Further, please confirm that USAID will allow contractors to propose a base fee as part of the award fee, which would covers only the contractor's financing and other unallowable costs incurred in the ordinary course of business while still allowing space for award fee to incentivize contractors to take risks and exceed expectation?

A.54 See A.41 regarding fixed fee. No “base” is permitted in the manner you describe that is not associated with the achievement of any deliverable or target. The award fee is determined per the award fee plan, in parallel to any proposed fixed fee. The fixed fee is meant to reward achieving targets and the award fee to incentivize going above and beyond.

Q.55 Section F.6(d) notes that the deadline for the full work plan, including the final MELP, is 140 days after contract award. The deadlines for the preceding deliverables are:

1. Market System and Constraints Analysis: 60 days after contract award

2. Sector Assessment and Sector Action Plans: 60 days after acceptance of the Market System and Constraints Analysis

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan: 60 days after acceptance of the Sector Assessment and Sector Action Plans

These deadlines would put the MELP deadline at Day 180 of the contract at the earliest.

Kindly confirm whether the full work plan is due on Day 140 without the final MELP, or whether the full work plan deadline should be shifted.

A.55. Your bullet #3 is incorrect. The draft MELP is due 60 days after deliverable 1, not deliverable 2.

Thus the timelines for 1-3 are not additive. USAID expects that during the development of deliverable 2, the final MELP will be in process and thus can be submitted with the first year Work Plan.

Q.56 Section H.10(f) states, "All STTAs and consultants must be treated as subcontractors if they are not employees of the Contractor or subcontractors. The contractor must request Contracting Officer consent and submit the information required by the aforementioned clause for any subcontracts requiring consent but not listed above." Based on FAR 31.205-33 (a), we respectfully ask USAID to consider the following revision: "Unless the consultant is engaged as labor and hence considered contractor personnel, they are considered a subcontractor subject to the applicable clauses and requirements."

A.56 The original language remains. The intent is to reflect that personnel/labor or any similar term not engaged through an “employer/ee relationship” are subject to FAR 52.244-2 requirements.

Q.57 While the solicitation cover letter indicates that small and large businesses are eligible to compete, the RFP includes Section H.20, Limitation on Subcontracting to Non-Local Entities, which is applicable to solicitations that are only open to local organizations per ADS 302.3.5.17, Awards Limited to Local Competition. We request USAID's confirmation that Section H. 20 does not apply to this solicitation if U.S.-based and/or international firms are eligible to respond to this solicitation.

A.57 Correct, this was included in error. This has been removed. See revised RFP.

Q.58 Section L.7(d) asks Offerors to submit "no more than five Past Performance Information Sheets per proposal." Given that the Past Performance Information Sheet included with the RFP fits many contracts, did USAID intend to provide another template for the Past Performance Information Sheet, or should Offerors limit their entries on the single Past Performance Information Sheet to five projects?

A.58 See answer A.17. Only awards not in PPIRS should be submitted. See the revised RFP.

Q.59 Section L.7 (g), Part 7, states that Offerors must submit the portions of Section K not available online. Can USAID please provide an amended Section K that provides a place to sign?

A.59 See answer A.39.

Q.60 May Offerors include an organizational chart as an annex to supplement the Management and

Staffing Plan?

A.60 See answer A.20.

Q.61 May Offerors include an acronym list that does not count against the page limit to facilitate review of the technical proposal?

A.61 See answer A.29.

Request for Proposals (RFP) No.: 72016720R00005 Issue Date: March 10, 2020 Q&A and Revised RFP Issued: March 23, 2020 Proposals Submission Due Date: April 14, 2020, 2020 at 9am, Kosovo local time

SUBJECT: Request for Proposal (RFP) #SOL-72016720R00005 for Export-led Growth in

Kosovo (ELG) activity in Kosovo

Dear Prospective Offeror:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Regional Contracting Office in Kosovo, is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to implement the Export-led Growth (ELG) activity in Kosovo, as described in this solicitation.

Small and large businesses are eligible to compete. USAID encourages the participation to the maximum extent possible of local Kosovar organizations, small business concerns, veteran owned small business, service-disabled veteran small business, HUB zone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns and small business concerns in this activity as the prime contractor or as subcontractors. USAID discourages the use of exclusive agreements as this limits USAID’s and Kosovo’s ability to receive the best services.

This procurement will be conducted under full and open competition, pursuant to Part 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1), applying a “Highest Technically Rated with a Fair and Reasonable Price” source selection approach. USAID/Kosovo anticipates awarding one Cost-Plus- Fixed-Fee (CPFF)-Completion / Cost-Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract as a result of this solicitation covering an estimated period of five (5) years from the date of contract award. Subject to availability of funds, USAID/Kosovo estimates an award for the activity up to a ceiling price of $12,500,000, as USAID is employing a build-to-budget approach.

USAID reserves the right to amend or rescind this solicitation at any time. If substantive questions are received which affect the response to the solicitation, or if changes are made to the closing date and time, as well as other aspects of the RFP, this solicitation will be amended and amendments to this solicitation will be issued and posted on the www.beta.sam.gov. In order to be informed of changes that may affect proposal preparations, Offerors are encouraged to check http://www.beta.sam.gov periodically. It is the responsibility of the prospective Offerors of this solicitation to ensure that the solicitation has been received from the internet in its entirety. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

Questions and proposals must be submitted only electronically via e-mail on or before the due dates and times stipulated above to Urime Abdyli at: uabdyli@usaid.gov and Elyssa Jeter at: ejeter@usaid.gov and must conform to all requirements outlined in the solicitation. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID http://www.beta.sam.gov/ mailto:uabdyli@usaid.gov mailto:ejeter@usaid.gov

SOL-72016720R00005

Export-led Growth (ELG) activity in Kosovo to award a contract nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the proposal.

USAID appreciates the time and effort put into preparing proposals in response to this solicitation.

Good luck!

Carter Saunders Regional Contracting Officer

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Contents

PART I – SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE STATEMENT

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AWARD-FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

B.4 LINE ITEMS

B.5 INDIRECT COST

B.6 ADVANCE UNDERSTANDINGS ON CEILING INDIRECT COST RATES AND FINAL

REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIRECT COSTS

B.7 COST REIMBURSABLE

B.8 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

B.9 PAYMENT OF AWARD FEE

B.10 MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT AND CANCELLATION CEILING

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 TITLE

C.2 PURPOSE

C.3 MARKET SYSTEMS APPROACH

C.4 BACKGROUND

C.5 THEORY OF CHANGE

C.6 OBJECTIVE AND RESULTS

C.7 ACTIVITY PROGRESSION/CYCLE

C.8 IMPLEMENTATION PRINCIPLES

C.9 COORDINATION WITH OTHER USAID PROJECTS, DONORS, AND THE GOK

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.2 BRANDING

D.3 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F – DELIVERIES AND PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

F.2 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

F.5 KEY PERSONNEL

F.6 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

F.7 DISTRIBUTION OF PROJECT MATERIALS, PARTICIPATION PARTNER MEETINGS,

AND PUBLIC EVENTS

F.8 AIDAR 752.7005 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

DOCUMENTS (SEPT 2013)

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.4 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.5 PAYMENT AND INVOICES

G.6 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATED DATA

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

H.2 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

H.3 AIDAR 752.225-70 SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012)

H.4 INSURANCE AND SERVICES

H.5 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.6 LOGISTIC SUPPORT

H.7 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING

H.8 PROHIBITION AND ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKING

H.9 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JUL 2007)

H.10 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.11 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.12 CONFIDENTIALITY AND OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

H.13 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACTS

H.14 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL

H.15 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES OR PROPERTY

H.16 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND REQUIREMENTS

H.17 CROSS-CUTTING THEMES

H.18 USAID IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 508 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

AND FEDERAL ACQUISITION CIRCULAR (FAC) 97-27 "ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY

H.19 AIDAR 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY - ACQUISITION (DEC 2004)

H.20 ADS 302.3.5.19 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (NOV 2017)

H.21 ADS 302.3.5.21 SUBMISSION OF DATASTS TO DEVELOMENT DATA LIBRARY (OCT

2014) 46

H.22 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM

H.23 LIMITATION ON ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DEVIATION

NOs. M/OAA-DEV-FAR-18-2c and M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-18-2c) (APRIL 2018)

H.24 AIDAR 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)

H.25 ACTIVITY ADAPTATIONS

H.26 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

PART II CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

I.2 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

1.4 FAR 52.204-1 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT (DEC 1989)

1.5 FAR 52.247-67 SUBMISSION OF TRANSPORTATION DOCUMENTS FOR AUDIT (FEB

2006) 55

1.6 AIDAR 752.245-70 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY – USAID REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

(OCT 2017)

PART III LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS

K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2 FAR 52.204-3, TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (OCT 1998)

K.3 FAR 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2020)

K.4 FAR 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (DEC 2019)

K.5 FAR 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018) 64

K.6 FAR 52.209-13 VIOLATION OF ARMS CONTROL TREATIES OR AGREEMENTS –

CERTIFICATION (JUN 2018)

K.7 FAR 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION

(OCT 2015)

K.8 FAR 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE--COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES

(APR 2005)

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.1 FAR 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998) 71

L.2 FAR 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

L.3 FAR 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

L.4 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.5 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL

SECTION M – EVALUATION CRITERIA

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.2 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.3 EVALUATION OF PAST PERFORMANCE

M.4 COST PROPOSAL EVALUATION

M.5 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE

M.5(a) STANDARD DEVIATION

M.6 SOURCE SELECTION

PART I – SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE STATEMENT

The purpose of the Export-led Growth Activity is to promote resilient, self-sustaining market systems, and to facilitate the private sector’s improved competitiveness in local, regional, and global markets.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF)-Completion / Cost-Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for an estimated duration of five (5) years. For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor shall provide the services and deliverables described in Sections C and F, and comply with all contract requirements.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AWARD-FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work require hereunder, exclusive of fee, if any, is $TBD. The fixed fee, if any, is $TBD. The maximum award fee, if any, is $TBD. The total estimated cost plus fixed fee and award fee, if any, is $TBD.

(b) The contractor will not be paid any sum in excess of the total estimated cost.

(c) Within the estimated cost plus fixed fee and award fee, specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is $[To be added upon award]. The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount unless authorized by the Contracting Officer pursuant to the clause of this contract entitled "Limitation of Funds" (FAR 52.232-22).

(d) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through [TBD].

B.4 LINE ITEMS

Line Item Total Direct Cost $[.] Indirect Cost $[.] Fixed Fee $[.] Award Fee (see B.9) $[.] Ceiling Price $[.]

These amounts may not be adjusted without a written modification signed by the Contracting Officer. The contractor will not bill any amounts against this contract in excess of the amounts specified for each line item as illustrated above.

B.5 INDIRECT COST

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs shall be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Description Rate Base Type Period

% 1/ 1/ 1/ % 2/ 2/ 2/ % 3/ 3/ 3/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

2/Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

3/Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

B.6 ADVANCE UNDERSTANDINGS ON CEILING INDIRECT COST RATES AND FINAL

REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIRECT COSTS

(a) Reimbursement for indirect costs shall be at the lower of the negotiated final (or predetermined) rates or the following ceiling rates:

Description Rate Base Period % 1/ 1/ % 2/ 2/ % 3/ 3/

1/ Base of Application:

Period:

2/ Base of Application:

Period:

3/ Base of Application Period

(b) The Government will not be obligated to pay any additional amount should the final indirect cost rates exceed the negotiated ceiling rates. If the final indirect cost rates are less than the negotiated ceiling rates, the negotiated rates will be reduced to conform to the lower rates.

(c) This understanding shall not change any monetary ceiling, obligation, or specific cost allowance or disallowance. Any changes in classifying or allocating indirect costs require the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

B.7 COST REIMBURSABLE

The U.S. dollar costs allowable will be limited to reasonable, allocable, and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, “Allowable Cost and Payment,” and FAR 52.232-22, “Limitation of Funds,”, and AIDAR 752.7003, “Documentation for Payment.”

B.8 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

a. USAID will pay a proportion of the contractor’s fixed fee pursuant to FAR 52.216-8, “Fixed Fee,” upon the receipt of an invoice deemed proper by the USAID Financial Management Office. The fixed fee will be paid based on the reasonable achievement of the activities’ performance standards to be verified by the COR and in accordance with the below fee schedule.

b. In the event the Contractor does not submit required deliverables in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, the Contracting Officer may adjust the fixed fee proportionately to the deliverables accepted.

c. The Contractor is not eligible for any payment of Fixed Fee until target results are established and incorporated into the award. [*The only exception is in the below note*]

[Insert Fee Schedule after completion of Section C.7.3, and *as proposed/accepted per Section L.7(b)(1)(ii) and inserted here at award*]

B.9 PAYMENT OF AWARD FEE

The Contractor may earn and be paid all or a portion of an award fee for performance under this contract.

The Government's purpose in granting an award fee is to encourage and reward superior contract performance.

The maximum award fee shall be made available for payment to the Contractor in two (2) increments: after the second year of implementation and at the end of implementation, coinciding with the two (2) evaluation periods expected under the contract as specified below:

Period of Performance

Period*

(Start/End date) Amount of Award fee available*

Years 1 - 2 /2020 - /2022 TBD Years 3 - 5 /2022 - /2025 TBD Maximum Award Fee Available

TBD

* Period and amounts will be completed upon contract award.

The determination of the award fee, if any, earned by the Contractor shall be in accordance with the Award Fee Evaluation Plan. Unearned award fee cannot rollover from the first award fee increment to the second award fee increment.

Payment of any award fee earned by the Contractor shall not be subject to the withholding provisions of the clause of this contract entitled "Allowable Cost and Payment" (FAR 52.216-7) clause.

B.10 MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT AND CANCELLATION CEILING

USAID/Kosovo considers this contract non-severable and is therefore a multi-year contract as defined in FAR 17.103. Therefore, this contract is subject to the requirements of FAR 17.106. However, as a cost-reimbursement contract, USAID/Kosovo will authorize the reimbursement for all allowable costs incurred by the Contractor pursuant to FAR 52.216-7, “Allowable Costs and Payment.” The Contractor will not incur any costs that require amortization or substantial upfront investment over the contract’s period of performance in the event that the Contracting Officer cancels the contract pursuant to FAR 52.217-2. Thus, $0 will serve as the cancellation ceiling for each cancellation date. Accordingly, no requirement to include cancellation dates in the contract exists.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 TITLE

USAID Export-led Growth (the “Activity”).

C.2 PURPOSE

The purpose of the USAID Export-led Growth activity is to promote resilient, self-sustaining market systems and to facilitate the private sector’s improved competitiveness in local, regional, and global markets.

C.3 MARKET SYSTEMS APPROACH

Market systems development is USAID’s evolved thinking around private sector development. Market systems are composed of vertically and horizontally linked firms and the relationships embedded in these linkages. These systems can be local, national, regional, or global. A market system includes end markets, input, and support service (technical, business, financial, etc.) markets; and the environments in which they operate, which may include sociocultural, geographic and political factors, infrastructure, and institutions.1 A strong market system is one that’s able to independently adapt over time, as needed, to sustain the benefits accrued by system actors as a whole. This approach is aligned with the Agency’s Private-Sector Engagement Policy, a mandate to work hand-in-hand with the private sector and pursue market-based approaches and investment as a means to accelerate countries’ progress toward self-reliance.

To succeed in global markets and to respond effectively to market needs, producers must be able to identify opportunities matching their current potential, and upgrade2 to deliver a product more efficiently, with better quality, in higher quantities, and/or in a more unique form, and at a competitive cost. As Kosovo becomes increasingly integrated within the global economy, firms - even in the domestic market - need to upgrade and compete with firms all over the world. The ability to do so depends on the entire health of the market system in which the firms operate, from conception to production to sale in their final markets.

To promote competitiveness through market system development, constraints that hinder private sector competitiveness should be assessed to identify how they can be eliminated or mitigated. At the same time, “positive deviants3” within the system must be examined to assess how and why they overcame these constraints, and whether those positive deviance can be augmented or replicated. The market systems approach recognizes that in order for a firm or stakeholder to invest in growth, that firm should understand the opportunity, as well as the incentives to invest by foreseeing an adequate return (whether that be decreased risk, increased revenues, and/or otherwise). The impacts from this approach are intended to support the health of the entire supply chain system, not only at the firm level.

1 https://www.marketlinks.org/sites/marketlinks.org/files/resource/files/Market_Systems_Framework.pdf

2 In the context of firms and sectors, upgrading is defined as change, improvement or innovation that increases competitiveness by delivering a product more efficiently, with better quality, higher quantities, and/or in a more unique form.

3 Positive deviance (PD) is an approach to behavioral and social change based on the observation that in any community there are people whose uncommon but successful behaviors or strategies enable them to find better solutions to a problem than their peers, despite facing similar challenges and having no extra resources or knowledge than their peers.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/usaid_psepolicy_final.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/usaid_psepolicy_final.pdf

C.4 BACKGROUND

Please see Attachment 1, Development Landscape for USAID’s understanding of the development landscape underlying the selection of objectives and results under this Contract.

In line with Kosovo’s Journey to Self Reliance and the USAID Private Sector Engagement policy, USAID/Kosovo is seeking to shift its support for private sector competitiveness to an increasingly facilitative approach.