72016723R00001 - Amendment 4 - Regional Program Support IDIQ RFP.pdf

RFP#72016723R00001-04

RFP Amendment 4 Date of Issuance Date: February 10, 2023

Proposal Submission Due Date: March 6, 2023 at 9am Kosovo Time

Subject: Amendment No. 4 to the Request for Proposals (RFP) #72016723R00001

Activity Title: USAID Balkan Regional Program Support Activity

The purpose of this amendment is to:

a) provide answers to the questions submitted by interested offerors;

b) to amend the solicitation; and

c) to extend the submission due date until March 6, 2023.

The original RFP #72016723R00001 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the attached RFP within this posting.

All changes in the amended solicitation are highlighted for easy reference.

Sincerely, Patricia Siaso Contracting Officer

Questions and Answers USAID Balkan Regional Program Support Activity

1. Question 1: There is a statement on Page 81, which notes, "This information is not included in the page limitation". Does it refer to the quality awards/certifications or also to the explanation how extraordinary problems will be addressed? (the whole p.2). Also, there is some contradiction: the list of information that will not be counted towards the page limit (on page 80) does not include awards/certificates and/or extraordinary problems.

Answer 1: Yes. USAID confirms that there is no page limitation on the Contractor Past Performance and Cost proposal. Section L.5 of the solicitation has been updated.

2. Question 2: Page 82: "The prime Offeror must provide a narrative justifying the labor rates for each labor category proposed with supporting information such as historical biodata forms used (within the past three years)". Does USAID expect that we will provide biodatas for specific proposed personnel as part of the Cost Proposal? If Yes, is there a list of key positions that should include biodatas of specific people?

Answer 2: USAID expects that Offeror provides a narrative justifying the labor rates for each labor category proposed with supporting information. Biodata forms are not required to be submitted; however, the Offeror may provide biodata forms as means to justify the proposed rates.

3. Question 3: The Cost and Price Evaluation Matrix. Are the proposed "50 person-days" provided per year (i.e., 50 LOE days per year) or as a total for five years (i.e., 10 LOE days per year)?

Answer 3: USAID confirms that ”50 person-days” are days per year. The 50 person-days per year is only illustrative for the USAID evaluation purposes.

4. Question 4: Page 79, Section L.4 states that the Past performance should be included in the cost proposal, however, page 80, Section L.5.1 states that past performance be part of the technical proposal. Could USAID please clarify whether offerors include past performance information in the technical or cost proposal?

Answer 4: Past performance should be part of the technical proposal and should be submitted as part of the technical part of the proposal. Section L.4 and L.5.1 of the Solicitation is updated.

5. Question 5: For the past performance information sheet, are we required to include 5 past project performance reports for the offeror AND each major sub or 5 projects TOTAL including both prime and subcontractors?

Answer 5: As stated in Section L.5.1.2, Contractor Past Performance Information, USAID confirms that Offeror should list no more than five (5) of the most recent past performance awards (acquisition and assistance may be listed) involving similar size and work as in Section C of this RFP, for itself and each major subcontractor (one whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost).

6. Question 6: May the offeror provide additional Labor categories to J.2 attachment or can adjust any of the labor categories?

Answer 6: No, Offeror may not provide additional Labor categories to Attachment J.2 nor adjust the labor category. The Offeror must submit a completed cost/price evaluation matrix pursuant to the template set forth in Attachment J.2 Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix.

7. Question 7: Pricing is not listed as a requirement in the IDIQ business volume instructions.

Please confirm there is no expectation for offerors to develop and submit labor rates or illustrative pricing?

Answer 7: As required in Section L.6, Offerors need to complete and submit the Attachment J.2 Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix. The overall price resulting from the attached matrix from the Offeror’s proposal will be used for evaluation purposes

8. Question 8: Please clarify the following statement on p. 41. H.16 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACTS. In accordance with Contract FAR clause 52.244-2, Subcontracts, no subcontracts have received prior consent.

Answer 8: Section H.16 of the Solicitation has been updated to provide clarity.

9. Question 9: Does USAID intend to approve subcontractors at IDIQ level, or do all subcontractors need to be approved at the Task Order level?

Answer 9: USAID may approve subcontractors at IDIQ level if proposed by Offeror.

10. Question 10: Now that the offerors are required to provide unburdened CDR rates that, for CCN and TCN, adhere to the limitations of the applicable Local Compensation Plans (LCPs), please provide LCPs for the anticipated project locations (Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia).

Answer 10: Offerors must provide rates consistent with their employee practices according to their documented employee policies in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007. All salaries must be in compliance with AIDAR 722.170.

11. Question 11: On p. 82 in Business Proposal Instructions: Offerors may not propose a variable “CST” in their proposals. – Can USAID please clarify “variable CST” in this context? Can USAID revise this section to allow offerors to state “CST in effect” as opposed to a specific dollar amount? This will remove an administrative burden of asking for approvals for the statutory CST as it changes.

Answer 11: Section L.6 of the Solicitation has been updated to revise the language.

12. Question 12: We are requesting again that USAID consider removing the annual increases cap of 3% in Section H – Special Contract Requirements H.18 (d) Annual Salary Increases on p. 36. This section currently limits annual salary increases to “not more than 3% percent may be granted after the employee’s completion of each twelve-month period of satisfactory services under the contract.” We respectfully request again that USAID allow for salary increases to be in line with Contractor's compensation policies. This will contribute to Contractors' ability to attract and retain high quality staff and remain flexible to changing market conditions on this 5-year project. In Questions and Answers provided with Amendment 1, USAID responded that it will not remove the limitation of the annual salary increase; however, USAID will consider the internal Contractor compensation policies at the task order level. As the CDR rates are built and negotiated at the IDIQ level, not being able to build in an increase allowed by Contractors’ policies and procedures (if in excess of 3%) will result in fixing lower CDR rates and these CDRs and applicable IDIQ compensation limitation provisions will be automatically incorporated in any future task orders. We are concerned that this cap in the base IDIQ will limit the offerors’ ability to propose and negotiate annual increases in excess of 3% at a task order level.

Answer 12: USAID expects that offerors will propose salary rates and increases that are in accordance with their documented compensation policies in accordance with AIDAR

752.7007. Further, prudence is expected regarding cost control with US government funds and that all salary increases will be reasonable, justifiable, and consistent with market trends of the country in which the staff are employed and in compliance with AIDAR 722.170.

Section H.18 of the Solicitation has been updated.

13. Question 13: Section L.4 states, "The Technical Proposal shall address technical aspects, only, while the Business (Cost) Proposal shall present the price and address related issues such as past performance and responsibility." In the Q&A, USAID confirmed that past performance information should be included in the Cost Proposal: "Answer 42: Past performance must be submitted as part of the cost proposal." However, in Amendment 3, past performance information was added to L.5.1 Organization of the technical proposal (2.

Contractor Past Performance). Could USAID please clarify whether L.5.1.2 Contractor Past

Performance Information should be included in the Technical Proposal or in the Cost Proposal?

Answer 13: USAID confirms that Attachment J.1 - Past Performance Information Sheet must be submitted as part of the Technical proposal.

14. Question 14: Section L.5.1.2 also states, "This information is not included in the page limitation." Could USAID please confirm that L.5.1.2 Contractor Past Performance Information is not included in the 20-page limit for the Technical Proposal?

Answer 14: Yes. USAID confirms that Attachment J.1 - Past Performance Information Sheet is not included in the 20-page limitation. Section L.5.1.2 has been updated.

15. Question 15: Under recent procurements, USAID has agreed to remove the requirement for indirect rate ceilings (Section B.11) for small business applicants. Will USAID please consider removing the requirement for this RFP as well?

Answer 15: Section B.11 of the Solicitation has been updated.

16. Question 16: Pg. 9, Section B.9.1, Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates (CDRs) states in Note 1:

“The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates apply to all task order(s) that are awarded under this contract.” However, this is contradicted on page 10 in Note 4, which states “The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates above do not apply to fixed-price task orders.” Can USAID confirm that the Unburdened CDRs do not apply to fixed-price task orders, and revise the RFP to remove Note 1?

Answer 16: USAID confirms that “the unburden Ceiling Daily Rate above does not apply to fixed firm price Task Order.”

17. Question 17: Pgs. 11-12, Section B.9.1, Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates (CDRs), list the required years of relevant experience as 5-15 years for Level II and 15 years or more for Level III. This creates ambiguity regarding whether someone with 15 years of experience is considered Level II or Level III. Can USAID please clarify?

Answer 17: Section B.9.1 “list of the required years of relevant experience” of the Solicitation has been updated.

18. Question 18: With reference to the labor categories listed on Pgs. 11-12 in Section B.9.1, can USAID clarify if relevant education can be substituted for years of experience? For instance, can a Master’s degree be substituted for two years of experience and a PhD for four years of experience?

Answer 18: Yes, section B.9.1 of the solicitation has been updated.

19. Question 19: With reference to the labor categories listed on Pgs. 11-12 in Section B.9.1, there do not seem to be corresponding labor categories for the following services specified in Section C of the IDIQ: Outreach Information; Support Services. Would USAID consider adding labor categories to capture these services?

Answer 19: The list of labor categories is not exhaustive, rather illustrative. Further labor categories may be negotiated at the Task Order Level.

20. Question 20: Pg. 12, Section B.9.2, Subcontractor Rates, states that (highlight ours) “The unburdened CDR’s for the prime contract apply to the new subcontractor. (ii) Prime subcontracts with a new subcontractor not yet approved and may or may not have a different cost accounting system that only processes fully burdened rates. Further, subcontractor proposes rates that are “above” the prime IDIQ rates. The Prime may then include in its task order proposal, (i) the fully burdened rate proposed to the Prime by the Subcontractor, (ii) allocation of the Prime’s indirect costs in accordance with established accounting practices, and (iii) a reasonable profit. If the rates proposed to USAID, inclusive of the Prime’s allocable indirect costs and a reasonable profit are above the Prime’s unburdened CDRs, the Prime must disclose the amount of the indirect costs, and the amount of the proposed profit that were added to the Subcontractor’s proposed rates. A reasonable fixed fee will be negotiated by the TOCO for the specific TO.”

This language implies that the subcontractor’s fully burdened labor rates would be accepted by USAID despite being above the Prime’s CDRs, as long as the Prime discloses their amount of indirect costs, and the proposed profit, and the proposed profit is reasonable.

However, the section then goes on to state, “The CDRs of the subcontractor must not exceed the prime’s CDRs in the IDIQ contract,” which seems to conflict with the preceding guidance. Can USAID please clarify?

Answer 20: Solicitation has been updated for clarity.

21. Question 21: Pg 12, Section B.10, Labor (Unburdened CDR) Rate Changes, states that Contractors may submit a proposal reducing the labor rates and/or indirect rates at any time during the life of the contract. Can USAID confirm that Contractors may also submit a proposal to raise the labor rates, for instance, to align them with increases in USAID’s Contractor Salary Threshold?

Answer 21: Yes, the rise of the labor rates to align with the USAID’s Contractor Salary threshold will be considered.

22. Question 22: Pg. 13, Section B.11, Indirect Cost and Advanced Understanding on Ceilings, contains a table for prime contractors and their major subcontractors’ indirect cost rates. Can USAID clarify if Offerors are meant to complete this table and submit it as part of their cost proposals? It is not referenced in Section L.6, Business (Cost) Proposal.

Answer 22: USAID confirms that the Offeror should submit a table of the Indirect Cost as part of the Indirect Cost in section L.6, Business (Cost proposal).

23. Question 23: Pg. 42, Section H.18(d), states “One annual salary increase not more than 3% percent may be granted after the employee’s completion of each twelve month period of satisfactory services under the contract.” Given unprecedented global inflation, we respectfully request that the annual salary increase of 3% be removed or increased to a minimum of 5% so as not to disadvantage personnel working on this contract (or encourage them to leave prematurely).

Answer 23: See answer to question number 12.

24. Question 24: Pg. 80, Section L.5.1, Organization of the Technical Proposal, states that the Technical Proposal should contain Contractor Past Performance. Can USAID confirm that Contractor Past Performance should be provided as an annex to the Technical Proposal and will not be subject to the 20-page limit?

Answer 24: USAID confirms that Past Performance is part of the Technical Proposal.

25. Question 25: Pg 84, Section L.6, states, “Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix Instructions: Small business prime Offerors must use their ceiling indirect cost rates for the cost/price evaluation matrix. The negotiated ceiling indirect rate will be incorporated into section B.11.” In our experience, small business Offerors are typically exempted from requirements to propose ceiling indirect cost rates. We respectfully ask that USAID revise this requirement and exempt small business Offerors from proposing ceiling indirect costs rates and using these ceilings in the Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix, and instead allow the use of provisional indirect cost rates in the Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix.

Answer 25: See answer to question number 15.

26. Question 26: Can USAID clarify if Attachment J.2, Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix, should be submitted in Excel for ease of review? If so, can USAID please provide the Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix in Excel format?

Answer 26: Attachment J.2 Cost/Price Matrix should be submitted in Word format.

27. Question 27: Amendment No. 3 RFP, Section B.9.1 Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates (CDRs), (3) Ceiling Daily Rate Levels, page 12 states that Level II labor categories are defined to have “5-15 years relevant experience” and that Level III labor categories are defined to have “15 years or more relevant experience”. Would USAID consider changing the definition of Level II to be “5-14 years of relevant experience” so that labor categories do not overlap?

Answer 27: See answer to question number 17.

28. Question 28: Amendment No. 3 RFP, Section B.11, Indirect Cost and Advanced Understanding on Ceilings, page 12, requires offerors to propose ceilings for their indirect rates. We are deeply concerned about the issue of cost recovery given recent experience with global factors over which contractors have no control, and which are entirely unpredictable.

These include the global COVID-19 pandemic, where project and headquarters operations around the world saw drastic changes in their models, with immediate and significant impacts on indirect cost rate structures. With time, implementing partners have been able to manage our response, but in the short term created real hardship and risk in our ability to implement programs on behalf of USAID. More recently, we have seen inflation reach record highs, not seen in over 40 years. In light of these factors, and that the cost-reimbursable contracting model is meant to allow for the recovery of all costs, both indirect and direct, we respectfully request that USAID consider:

Deleting Section B.11 requiring Ceiling Indirect Cost Rates, or Allowing offerors to use their US Government NICRA rates for the Cost Evaluation Matrix instead of the proposed ceiling indirect rates as required in Section J.2 Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix, Item 2, page 89. This would allow a more realistic assessment of probable costs over the life of the project.

Answer 28: Section B.11 of the Solicitation is updated to address the question.

29. Question 29: Amendment No. 3 RFP, Section L.5.1.2, Contractor Past Performance Information, Page 80, instructs offerors to “Please use the “Past Performance Information Sheet” (included as Attachment J.1) to list no more than five (5) of the most recent past performance awards…” We have the following related questions:

a) To improve readability and avoid formatting issues, may offerors submit Attachment J.1: Past Performance Information Sheet as a separate Excel file not included in the page limit?

Answer 29.a): Yes. There is no limit in the number of pages for past performance.

Solicitation has been updated accordingly.

b) If not, could USAID please confirm that offerors can submit the required past performance information (Attachment J.1: Past Performance Information Sheet) as an annex to the technical proposal that would not count toward the 20-page limit?

Answer 29.b): See answer to question number 29.a.

30. Question 30: Amendment No. 3 RFP, Section L.4, Proposal Submission, Page 79, states “Total email size cannot exceed 5 MB.” Would USAID consider increasing this limit to 15 MB or more to minimize the number of emails required to submit the cost and technical proposals?

Answer 30: USAID confirms that total email size cannot exceed 15 MB. Solicitation has been updated.

31. Question 31: Amendment No. 3 RFP, Section L.5, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, Page 80, states: "Technical proposals shall be...typed using 11-point font size..." Would USAID allow offerors to use a smaller font size for text boxes?

Answer: Yes, text in graphs and charts must not have a font size smaller than 9-point.

Solicitation has been updated.

32. Question 32: B.9.1 (3) Ceiling Daily Rate Levels (Pgs.11 and 12): While the years of relevant experience for each of the three levels is clearly stated, education criteria for each level only states, “Relevant education.” This leaves full latitude to offerors to determine what they deem to be “relevant” for each level and will likely result in extreme differences between those determinations across offerors. Ultimately, this will result in USAID receiving offers that are not genuinely comparable and hinder the evaluation process. Traditionally, USAID set both the expected years of experience and expected education for these types of cost evaluation exercises. Would USAID consider providing recommended education requirements for each of the three levels in order to minimize risk of inadequate information for evaluation purposes?

Answer 32: The solicitation has been updated.

33. Question 33: L.4 Proposal Submission (pg. 79), and L.5.1.2 Contractor Past Performance Information (pgs 80 and 81): In Section L.4, USAID states that their ”preference is that each technical and each Business (Cost) proposal be submitted as a single email attachment, e.g.

consolidate the various parts of a technical proposal into a single submitted as a single email attachment, e.g. consolidate the various parts of a technical proposal into a single document.”

In Section L.5.1.2, USAID instructs offerors to use the Past Performance Information Sheet (Attachment J.1), which is an Excel document. As the primary technical proposal will likely be submitted in Word or .pdf format, can USAID confirm if they would prefer two attachments (one Word or .pdf for the main technical proposal, and Excel for the Past Performance Information Sheet)?

Answer 33: USAID confirms that Past Performance sheet may be submitted in excel spreadsheet. Solicitation has been updated.

34. Question: Attachment J.2: Cost/Price Evaluation matrix: In Attachment J.2: Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix, offerors are requested to provide unburdened ceiling daily rates for each of five years. However, the actual cost and price evaluation matrix only utilizes Year 1 and Year 5 for the purposes of review. Would this not result in 60% of the data provided for ceiling daily rates being ignored for the purpose of evaluation? If so, does this not present a significant risk to USAID?

Answer 34: Attachment J.2: Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix has been updated to include all five years.

35. Question 37: Page 7, Section B.6, Maximum Contract Ceiling: Could USAID please provide the rationale for lowering the IDIQ ceiling to $20,000,000 from $25,000,000? Page 8, Section B.9.1, Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates, refers to compensation for Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs) and Third Country Nationals (TCNs). Could USAID please provide a copy of the local compensation plan(s) the contractor should use when considering rates for CCNs/TCNs?

Answer 37: Information is not available regarding the decrease in the ceiling from $25,000,000 to $20,000,000. USAID expects that offerors will propose salary rates that are in accordance with their documented compensation policies. All salaries must be in compliance with AIDAR 722.170.

36. Question 36: Page 18, Section C.4.3, Personnel Requirements, Could USAID please confirm if the contractor will need to plan for its own office facilities in the region or if contractor personnel will co-locate at USAID Missions as needed?

Answer 36: USAID confirms that there is no need for the office facilities in the region, nor personnel co-located at USAID Mission.

37. Question 37: In relation to Page 90, the Cost and Price Evaluation Matrix, we have the following related questions:

Question 37.a): Could USAID please confirm what types of positions it anticipates being included in the “Other Labor” plug figure?

Answer 37.a): The plug figures are for evaluation purposes only. All plug figures i.e. Other Labor ($50,000), Other Direct Costs ($40,000), and one Subcontract ($50,000) included in the cost matrix below represent totals for the entire five year period.

Question 37.b): Could USAID please clarify that because the plug-figure for “$50,000” is for “Locally Hired Personnel Labor” as stated on Page 89, it is to be understood that all CDR labor is made up of expatriates/TCNs? Page 9 Note 2, states that CDRs apply to all labor including CCNs.

Answer 37.b): The plug figure label has been updated to “Other Labor” and the Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates apply to all labor (the prime Contractor, Third Country Nationals (TCNs), Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs), and consultant salaries). CCN and TCN labor are also governed by the local compensation plan limitations, and salaries for locally-hired personnel and other non-U.S. expatriates under this Contract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007

Question 37.c): Could USAID please confirm if inflation is included in the plug figure amounts, given that Year 1 and Year 5 are the same?

Answer 37.c): The plug figures are illustrative and for evaluation purposes only, and do not reflect inflation.

Question 37.d): Most organizations only offer fringe benefits to employees that work at least a 50% level of effort. The template includes instructions to apply fringe to CDR positions, which are all only budgeted at 50 days per year. This would typically not qualify someone to receive fringe benefits. Could USAID please confirm that it is up to the contractor to apply its fringe benefits rate according to its standard practices of application?

Answer 37.d): USAID confirms that it is up to the contractor to apply its fringe benefits rate according to its standard practices of application.

Question 37.e): Is the Cost and Price Evaluation Matrix template reflective of an actual task order?

Answer 37.e): Attachment J.2: The Cost and Price Evaluation Matrix template is only for evaluation purposes.

Question 37.f): What is the average period of performance for a task order?

Answer 37.f): Most of the Task Orders under this IDIQ are estimated to be firm fixed task orders. Period of performance for the firm fixed task orders are estimated to be 3-4 months.

End of Questions and Answers

RFP Amendment 4 Issue Date: February 10, 2023

Proposal Submission Due Date: March 6, 2023 at 9am Kosovo Time

SUBJECT: Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 72016723R00001-04 USAID Balkan Regional Program Support Activity

Dear Prospective Offeror:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance (ROAA) at the USAID Mission in Kosovo, is seeking proposals from international organizations to provide program support services for USAID Missions in the Balkan region.

USAID is contemplating awarding multiple indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts with a maximum ceiling of $20,000,000. There will be a minimum order guarantee of $50,000. The maximum aggregate dollar value of all task orders awarded to all contractors cannot exceed the ceiling amount. The ceiling is not being sub-divided among the number of awardees, nor is it being multiplied by the number of awardees. There is no guarantee on the number of task orders that the successful contractors will receive or the amount of money beyond the minimum order guarantee set forth in this RFP. Task orders may be either cost reimbursement or firm fixed price. USAID reserves the right to award the contract subject to availability of funds.

USAID will conduct this procurement as a full and open competition pursuant to the procedures set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this procurement is 541990. The applicable Geographic Code is 937.

USAID reserves the right to amend or rescind this solicitation at any time. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a contract nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the proposal. Furthermore, the Government receives the right to reject any and all offers, if such action is considered to be in the best interest of the U.S.

Government.

If substantive questions are received which affect the response to the solicitation, and/or if changes are made to the closing date and time or other aspects of the RFP, this solicitation will be amended and such amendments will be posted on www.sam.gov. Questions and proposals must be submitted only electronically via email on or before the due dates stipulated above to

Urime Abdyli at uabdyli@usaid.gov and Hiba Anwar at hanwar@usaid.gov and must conform to all requirements outlined in the solicitation.

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

Sincerely, Patricia Siaso Contracting Officer USAID/Kosovo mailto:uabdyli@usaid.gov mailto:hanwar@usaid.gov

Table of Contents

SECTION A – SF-33 6

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS 7

B.1 PURPOSE 7

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES 7

B.3 OBLIGATED AMOUNT 7

B.4 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 7

B.5 MINIMUM ORDER GUARANTEE 7

B.6 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING 7

B.7 FIXED FEE CEILING (Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Task Orders Only) 7 B.8 CONTRACT LINE ITEMS (CLINs) 8 B.9 LABOR (For Cost Reimbursement Task Orders Only) 8

B.10 LABOR (UNBURDENED CDR) RATE CHANGES 13

B.11 INDIRECT COST 13

B.12 REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE SERVICES 14

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK 14

C.1 PURPOSE 14

C.2 BACKGROUND 14

C.3 TECHNICAL SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED 15

C.4 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 15

C.5 GEOGRAPHIC AREAS 19

C.6 COORDINATION 19

SECTION D – BRANDING AND MARKING 20

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993) 20

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY 20

D.3 BRANDING AND MARKING PLAN 20

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 22

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 22

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 22

E.3 RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL 22

SECTION F – DELIVERIES AND PERFORMANCE 23

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 23

F.2 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE 23

F.3 REPORTING REQUIREMENT 23

F.4 ALL ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION REPORTS, STUDIES, AND OTHER

WORK PRODUCTS 23

F.5 FINAL CONTRACT COMPLETION REPORT 24

F.6 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT 24

F.7 ORDERING PROCEDURES 24

F.8 752.242-70 PERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS (OCT 2007) 25

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 26

G.1 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998) 26

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY 27

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) 28

G.4 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID 28

G.5 PAYING OFFICE 29

G.6 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT 30

G.7 CONTRACTOR’S PAYMENT ADDRESS 30

G.8 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 30

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 31

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES 46

SECTION J – LIST OF DOCUMENTS EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS 68

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS 70

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 79

L.1 TYPE OF CONTRACT 79

L.2 FAR 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006) 79

L.3 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 80

L.4 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION 81

L.5 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL 82

L.6 BUSINESS (COST) PROPOSAL 83

SECTION M – EVALUATION CRITERIA 88

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION 88

M.2 EVALUATION FACTORS 88

M.3 COST/PRICE EVALUATION 89

M.4 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE: 89

M.5 SOURCE SELECTION 89

Attachment J.2: Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix 91

72016723R00001

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OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER15A. NAME

DATEAMENDMENT NO.DATEAMENDMENT NO.

and related documents numbered and dated):

amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

CALENDAR DAYS (%)30 CALENDAR DAYS (%)20 CALENDAR DAYS (%)10 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232.8)

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

CODE 24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

41 U.S.C. 253 (c) ( 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION20. AMOUNT19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED

AWARD (To be completed by government)

CODE

720167

USAID/Kosovo

3820 Pristina Place 20521 Washington DC see cover page

Urime Abdyli +38 73ext107 uabdyli@usaid.gov

3500500

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PAGE(S)

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _____180_______ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted x

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide services that fall within the Statement of Work (SOW) specified in Section C. USAID Contracting Officers (COs) will request the work through request for task order proposals during the ordering period as specified in Section F of the contract.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is a multiple-award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The Government will issue task orders that are from the cost reimbursement or firm fixed price family of contracts.

B.3 OBLIGATED AMOUNT

TBD to be inserted in the award.

B.4 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance (PoP) for this contract is five years from the date of award.

B.5 MINIMUM ORDER GUARANTEE

As required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 16.504(a)(1), the minimum amount of services to be ordered under this IDIQ is $50,000. Individual task orders will obligate funding for the services to be ordered, and the minimum obligated amount shall be applied toward the first task order. However, the Government is not obliged to order additional services above the minimum order guarantee.

B.6 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

The ceiling of the IDIQ is $20,000,000. The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded to all contractors must not exceed the contract ceiling. This ceiling is not being subdivided among the number of awardees nor is it being multiplied by the number of awardees.

B.7 FIXED FEE CEILING (Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Task Orders Only)

(a) For each task order issued under this IDIQ, the Task Order Contracts Officer (TOCO) and Contractor agree to negotiate a set dollar amount for a fixed fee. In negotiating the fixed dollar amount for fee, the TOCO must consider the policies and factors for establishing fee in

FAR 15.404-4.

NOTE: The ceiling on fixed fee does not apply to fixed price Task Orders.

(b) The Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee for each Task Order must be negotiated in accordance with the terms of this contract.

(c) Fixed Fee Payment. For any task order issued under this Contract, at the time of each payment of allowable costs to the Contractor, the USAID paying office ordinarily pays the Contractor a percentage of fixed fee that directly corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs being paid. Two exceptions to paying fixed fee in this manner apply:

(1) If the TOCO determines that this method results in paying a disproportionately higher ratio of fixed fee than the percentage of work that the Contractor has completed, then the TOCO may suspend further payment of any fixed fee until the Contractor has made sufficient progress to justify further payment, up to the agreed percentage.

(2) Because the clauses entitled “Allowable Cost and Payment” (FAR 52.216-7) and “Fixed Fee” (FAR 52.216-8) are incorporated into this Contract, the terms and conditions of these clauses apply.

B.8 CONTRACT LINE ITEMS (CLINs)

0001 IDIQ Minimum Order Guarantee $50,000

B.9 LABOR (For Cost Reimbursement Task Orders Only)

(a) Central management costs will be handled through the following method:

The Contracting Officer has determined that a key (full-time) technical manager is not necessary or required to administer the basic IDIQ. The Contractor will not be authorized to bill USAID for basic IDIQ management.

(b) The work day and work week policies and method of accounting for paid absences including holidays for the Contractor must be in accordance with the Contractor’s organizational policies and acceptable accounting procedures. Compensation of personnel under this Contract or any resulting subcontracts must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation (July 2007) (See Section H).

B.9.1 Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates (CDRs)

(1) The daily labor rates of a task order must not exceed the ceiling daily rates set forth in the table below.

Each CDR for personnel listed below is “unburdened” and must only include salary costs or consulting rates of the individual providing the services.

The CDRs for employees must not include the following:

● Payroll costs (fringe benefits, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), allowances, differentials, etc.);

● Indirect Costs applicable to labor; and

● Profit or fee, if any.

The CDRs set forth below are fixed for the contract period and are for a productive eight

(8) hours day, and apply to all subcontractors set forth in clause 52.244-2 in Section I. If a new subcontractor is proposed for a specific task order on other than a fixed-price basis, the CDRs set forth below will apply, and the subcontract is subject to consent by the TOCO in accordance with FAR Part 44.

Actual salaries for all personnel will be negotiated under task orders based on classification of positions, skills and experience, labor market rates, and AIDAR

752.7007 Personnel Compensation; and final approval is provided by the TOCO. The ceiling rates presented below do not constitute approval of salary rates above the Contractor Salary Threshold (CST) (see Automated Directives System (ADS) 302).

No.

Labor Category

Groupings Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rate

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Level I II III I II III I II III I II III I II III

1 Program Specialist

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist

Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Specialist

4 Technical Specialist

Note 1: The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates apply to all task order(s) that are awarded under this Contract.

Note 2: The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates apply to all labor (the prime Contractor, Third Country Nationals (TCNs), Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs), and consultant salaries).

CCN and TCN labor are also governed by the local compensation plan limitations as further provided in note 3 below.

Note 3: Locally Hired National Personnel or Other Non-U.S. Expatriate Rates --

Salaries for locally-hired personnel and other non-U.S. expatriates under this Contract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007, and should be based upon a combination of factors including the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating countries and consideration of the individuals’ education and work experience.

Unless otherwise authorized by USAID, the compensation for CCN and TCN labor must not exceed the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating countries as determined by USAID and must be paid in the currency of the cooperating countries.

Note 4: The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates above do not apply to fixed-price task orders.

Note 5: The CDR table is not considered a comprehensive list of expertise expected to be engaged on task orders. If the required expertise is not captured within the listed labor categories, no CDR will apply and rates will be negotiated based on the position requirements and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the IDIQ and task order.

(2) Definition of labor categories:

1. Program Specialist:

The Program Specialist must have knowledge of USAID’s Program Policy & Guidance and possess skill in applying demonstrated strategies, approaches, and tools/instruments. The Program Specialist may lead, facilitate, and/or provide discreet support in relation to Strategy, Project, and Activity design and development. This mainly includes but is not limited to support/services on problem and/or stakeholder analyses, development of a theory of change and the logic models that are commonly used at USAID. Familiarization of USG policies is essential along with effective communication and facilitation skills.

2. Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist:

The M&E Specialist must have appropriate technical knowledge and expertise on M&E and social science research methodologies and application. This will range from a variety of Monitoring (e.g., development/management/use of performance indicators and third-party and/or distanced/virtual monitoring), Evaluation (e.g., performance/impact, formative/summative, ex-post, and developmental evaluations), and/or other types of special studies (e.g., assessment and various types of cost-related analyses or other social science research) to determine outcomes and/or impacts throughout the project/program cycle; and will range from the Mission/Strategy, Project, and Activity levels. S/he should also be familiar with global and regional development indicators/indexes, as well as USAID Evaluation Policy, and USAID Monitoring and Evaluation Toolkits. In addition to leading/serving as a member of a monitoring, evaluation, and/or other types of special study team, s/he will provide inputs into design, work plan, and tool/instrument development of his/her responsible contract requirements. S/he may also be required to deliver various types of services related to M&E/research capacity strengthening that covers a broad range of activities for staff of USAID and/or USAID implementing partners (IPs)/stakeholders as well as organizational and/or program/project M&E system strengthening.

3. Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Specialist:

The CLA Specialist must possess competence and understanding of USAID’s CLA requirements and guidance. Tasks may include providing technical support on a broad range of CLA, knowledge management (KM), or organizational capacity building tasks such as creating, capturing, organizing, translating, sharing, and/or applying knowledge to develop, refine, and inform USAID strategies, projects, and activities; developing tools to promote institutional KM and strategic learning; building capacity of USAID and its partners/stakeholders for strategic collaboration, and adapting to new learning and changes in context through effective approaches; assessing, evaluating, and analyzing existing KM and learning plan frameworks; facilitating and/or developing mission-wide CLA plan/frameworks; and providing support to improve integration of learning strategies into the program cycle. The CLA Specialist must be familiar with USAID’s Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) Policy and Guidance, local system analysis/local solutions, and internationally-practiced approaches.

4. Illustrative Technical Specialist:

The illustrative Technical Specialist (to be determined at the task order level) provides specific input to support program cycle, M&E, or CLA activities based on the required relevant area of expertise. This includes being well-versed in best practices as well as new approaches to effectively conducting their work. For the purposes of this IDIQ, please only provide proposed rates for an Economics Technical Specialist.

● Economics (including digital economy), Trade and Investment, Energy or Private Sector Engagement

Note: at the task order level, other Technical Specialists may be required but not limited to:

● Democracy, Human Rights, Rule of Law, Peace Building, or Conflict Management & Mitigation

● Agriculture or Food Security

● Environmental or Natural Resource Management

● Education, Training, Curriculum Development

● Social and Behavior Change Communications or Public Relations/Communications

● Vulnerable Populations or Gender & Inclusive Development

Rates for other Technical Specialists will be negotiated at the Task Order level.

(3) Ceiling Daily Rate Levels

Education + Experience Requirements

OR

Experience Requirements (Substitution of Relevant Work Experience in Lieu of a Degree)

Level Academic Degree*

AND minimum Years of Relevant Work Experience**

Years of Relevant Work Experience***

Level III

Ph.D. 8

JD/ABD 10

MS/MA/MB 12

BS/BA 15

Less than

BS/BA

Level II

Ph.D. 3

JD/ABD 5

MS/MA/MB 8

BS/BA 10

Less than

BS/BA

Level I

Ph.D. up to 3 up to 18

JD/ABD up to 5

MS/MA/MB up to 8

BS/BA up to 10

Less than

BS/BA

up to 15

Language fluency, relevant regional experience, and international development experience requirements will be specified in individual task orders.

*Highest degree obtained should be related to work being performed.

** Experience should be related to the work being performed.

***Relevant Work Experience is required for the levels indicated.

B.9.2 Subcontractor Rates

The following provides guidance for various subcontracting arrangements:

(i) The Prime subcontracts with an approved subcontractor from the original IDIQ competition

The unburdened CDR’s for the prime contract apply to the subcontractor.

-OR-

(ii) The Prime contracts with a new subcontractor not yet approved

The unburdened CDR’s for the prime contract apply to the new subcontractor.

-OR-

(iii) Prime subcontracts with a new subcontractor not yet approved and may or may not have a different cost accounting system that only processes fully burdened rates. Further, subcontractor proposes rates that are “above” the prime IDIQ rates.

The Prime may then include in its TO proposal, (i) the fully burdened rate proposed to the Prime by the Subcontractor,(ii) allocation of the Prime’s indirect costs in accordance with established accounting practices, and (iii) a reasonable profit. If the rates proposed to USAID, inclusive of the Prime’s allocable indirect costs and a reasonable profit are above the Prime’s unburdened CDRs , the Prime must disclose the amount of the indirect costs, and the amount of the proposed profit that were added to the Subcontractor’s proposed rates. A reasonable fixed fee will be negotiated by the TOCO for the specific TO. The CDRs of the subcontractor must not exceed the prime’s CDRs in the IDIQ contract.

B.10 LABOR (UNBURDENED CDR) RATE CHANGES

The labor ceiling rates are fixed for all contract years; however, the Contractor may submit a proposal reducing the labor rates and/or indirect rates at any time during the life of this Contract.

The Government will review these proposals and determine if the revised rates are realistic and in the best interests of the Government. If the rates are accepted, the Government will modify the Contract by incorporating the new rates into the Contract.

B.11 INDIRECT COST

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs must be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases for prime contractors and their major subcontractors (each subcontractor whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost). [Follow FAR 42.707 Cost Sharing Rates & Limitation on Indirect Ceilings for the establishment of the table below which may be edited as appropriate].

Contractor Fringe Rate %

Overhead Rate %

Overhead Ceiling Rate%

G&A Rate %

PRIME (Insert Name) Base of Application Source: (insert)

Period: (insert)

NOTE

NOTE: Insert additional indirect rates as needed for all primes. Subcontractor(s) rates will be on file with the Government and available for internal use only.

*Special Note: The indirect cost table above is the current approved indirect cost rates for the prime and major subcontractor(s).

The Contractor will make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect costs that impacts this contract without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

Note: Contractors are allowed to recoup indirect costs (OH, G&A, etc.) as other direct costs if it is part of the contractor’s usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31 and the contractor's NICRA.

B.12 REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE SERVICES

Per FAR 16.504(a)(1), the Contractor shall furnish any additional services ordered by USAID under this contract so long as the cumulative amount of all Task Orders does not exceed the maximum amount in Section B.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide support for program-related services to USAID Missions in the Balkans.1

C.2 BACKGROUND

For almost…