72026324R00001 Amendment 01_final.pdf

(x)

72026324R00001 x x copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

11435

720263

New Maadi, 11435, Egypt Off El Laselki St.

1A Ahmed Kamel St.

USAID/Egypt

07/15/20240001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

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AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

06/12/2024

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

The purpose of Amendment 01 is to: (a) extend the Request for Proposal closing date from

July 28, 2024 to August 5, 2024 at 3:00 pm (Ciro Local Time), (b) provide answers to the questions submitted in response to the subject RFP, and (c)amend the RFP as appropriate.

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

Matthew Courtad

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

Request for Proposal (RFP) Number: 72026324R00001 EconomyPlus activity

Consolidated Questions and Answers

A. Technical Related Questions

1. USAID/Egypt Macro-Economic Stabilization and Reform (MESR) Evaluation Report: In section C.4.b.2 Activity Components, page 15, USAID notes offerors should “integrate all lessons learned included in MESR final evaluation report”. This report is not available on the USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse. Will USAID please provide the report to offerors?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The final evaluation report for MESR can be found here.

2. MESR Year 6 Annual Report and Final Report: The Year Six Annual Report and Final Report for the USAID/Egypt Macro-Economic Stabilization and Reform (MESR) Activity are not available on the USAID DEC. Will USAID please provide offerors with the final reports in order for offerors to build on USAID’s previous investments?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The final evaluation report for MESR can be found here.

3. Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA): On page 17, in section C.4.b.2.iii, USAID states that offerors should “Comprehensively review the Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA) commissioned by USAID/Egypt.” The USAID DECA website has a number of country reports posted, but it does not include the Egypt DECA report. Will USAID please share the DECA report that USAID/Egypt commissioned?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The DECA can be found on the DEC here.

4. One pages 14-15 of the RFP, USAID notes, “Under each component, the Contractor must come up with focus areas, attributed interventions, relevant GOE partners, expected outcomes for each intervention, and relevant indicators for USAID approval”. Will USAID please confirm if all indicators must be included in the technical volume or if indicators may also be included in the work plan annex?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Indicators may be included in the work plan annex.

5. On page 13 of the RFP, USAID notes, “the following are the focus areas of technical assistance (TA) that the contractor should work on” and provides focus areas that align closely to the components provided on page 14. Page 14 of the RFP notes, “Under each component, the Contractor must come up with focus areas, attributed interventions, https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA021V2X.pdf https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA021V2X.pdf https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NjMzMDQ5&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= relevant GOE partners, expected outcomes for each intervention...” Will USAID please clarify if the focus areas required for each intervention should reflect those listed on Page 13? If not, can USAID please clarify what information offers should provide under each component to satisfy the requirement for focus areas?

USAID/Egypt Answer: USAID will change the language in the solicitation to differentiate between the two terms:

Page 13: Focus areas Page 14: the contractor must come up with specific technical assistance areas,

6. Who was the previous incumbent, and how long was the contract?

USAID/Egypt Answer: DAI was the incumbent and implemented for six years.

7. What areas did they excel in, and what were areas they failed to meet expectations?

USAID/Egypt Answer: They excelled in capacity building for different GOE counterparts but failed to meet expectations in areas related to higher macroeconomic results.

8. What has USAID/Egypt already attempted in terms of the implementation of EconomyPlus?

USAID/Egypt Answer: USAID/Egypt has worked in the areas related to Green Procurement and regulatory reforms in several sectors.

9. What challenges has USAID/Egypt faced in the process of this implementation?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Sustainability and the counterparts’ commitment and capabilities.

10.Would USAID provide the Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA) referenced in Section C.4, page 17, of the RFP?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The DECA can be found on the DEC here.

11. On page 14, Section C.4.b.2 Activity Components states that Activity results may be achieved using grant funds for “private sector partners, NGOs, or blended finance initiatives.”

a. Would USAID please clarify the technical areas for these grants?

b. Given that this Activity focuses on the enabling environment, would USAID please clarify how we would use grants for blended finance?

c. What types of entities does USAID envision as grantees? Does USAID envision these could grants go to Egyptian government agencies?

USAID/Egypt Answer: a. Any potential technical area will be possible.

b. Blended finance could be used to alleviate the risks of major private sector investment in highly impactful sectors.

https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NjMzMDQ5&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL=

c. The Egyptian government is prohibited from receiving grants from USAID/Egypt. It is envisioned for associations and the private sector that have mutual development objectives that serve the purpose of this contract.

12. C.4.b.2.ii Activity Components (page 14). “This will be achieved through, but not limited to:…. (ii) Procurement of key software and equipment that will help to achieve the Activity’s objectives;”. Can USAID confirm that the contractor should not budget for counterpart technology procurement is outside the expected range for this project? If the contractor should budget for technology procurement, would USAID please provide an amount offerors should include in their budgets?

USAID/Egypt Answer: USAID will be looking at a comprehensive approach to achieve the intended results in any specific technical assistance area. This comprehensive approach will include a mix of TA, training, software, IT, grants, study tours, change of policies, TOT...etc. The inclusion of procurement or not will be based on the chosen technical assistance area and whether the procurement is a gap to attain results or not. In theory, any procurement will be part of the budget allocated to this project. Procurement could be to the government or association or wherever makes sense.

13. C.4.b.2.i Component 1: Improved fiscal and monetary policies to better manage economic fluctuations and support price stability (page 15). “The contractor must consider and build on successful initiatives, if they need additional resources, under the previous MESR activity and integrate all lessons learned included in MESR final evaluation report.” Would USAID please make available the MESR final evaluation report? If not, would USAID consider adjusting the requirement?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The final evaluation report for MESR can be found here.

14. C.4.b.2.iii Component 3: Improved regulatory and structural economic policies to foster broad base private sector-led development and attain sustainable economic growth (page 17). “Comprehensively review the Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA) commissioned by USAID/Egypt, including key recommendations that can advance the objectives of this Contract. The Contractor should develop relevant potential reform areas, key counterparts, and expected results, and how they would contribute to the contract objectives.” Would USAID please make this document available to bidders?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The DECA can be found on the DEC here.

15. C.3.b (Page 7) Can USAID provide a copy of the TIPE bilateral assistance agreement under which this project is going to be implemented to determine application of tax and exemptions to the project?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The TIPE Bilateral agreement can be provided upon award.

https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA021V2X.pdf https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NjMzMDQ5&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL=

16. C.3 (Pages 7- 11) Can USAID please provide the following documents? - A translated copy of Egypt 2030 - The MESR final evaluation report The Egypt Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment

USAID/Egypt Answer: The Egypt 2030 should be available on the Government of Egypt website.

17. C.3.d (Page 11) “USAID’s Business Egypt Project conducted technical activities that inform activities of this RFP. Activities cover investment, support for improving Egypt’s latest ranking for paying taxes and the e-tax system, IDA’s industrial licensing and registration process, introducing the climate finance accelerator for banks (capital markets), among others”. Could USAID provide updated quarterly and annual reports, as well as annual work plans for the USAID’s Business Egypt Project? Currently USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse has only four quarterly reports, the last from 2022.

USAID/Egypt Answer: The reports will be uploaded to the DEC in the near future

18. C.3.d (Page 11) “USAID’s Business Egypt project “developed a report identifying the five main authorities according to the Egyptian legal framework—IDA, GAFI, the Suez Canal Economic Zone, MSMEDA, and the Internal Trade Development Authority (ITDA)—in addition to the incentives that industrial projects are granted.” Could USAID provide a copy of the report to inform Component 2 activities on industrial policy?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The report will be publicly available soon.

19. C.3.d (Page 11) “USAID’s Trade Reform and Development in Egypt (TRADE) project deployed an investment promotion advisor in 2022 to support the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) to assess its gaps and outline an investment promotion strategy”.

Could USAID provide a copy of this report as it relates to support for Egypt’s industrial policy under Component 2?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The report is included as an attachment to this RFP Amendment.

20. C.3.d (Page 11) “USAID’s Trade Reform and Development in Egypt (TRADE) project has conducted technical activities that inform activities under Component 2 and 3 of this RFP.

Activities cover trade in services, sectoral based analysis (especially for ICT), and industrial policy and program support to GAFI”. Could USAID provide updated quarterly and annual reports, as well as annual work plans for this project? Currently USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse has only six quarterly reports, the last from 2022.

USAID/Egypt Answer: The reports will be uploaded to the DEC in the near future.

21. C.5.1 (Page 22) Can USAID provide more information on the process of obtaining GoE security clearance? Especially on the process, associated cost and timeline, and what information will need to be provided by the contractor?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Upon award, USAID will send a letter to the Ministry of international cooperation including the name of the winning contractor. The Ministry, then, takes the necessary steps to get the GOE security clearance. The time ranges from 6 months to one year.

22. F.5 (Page 37) “Assessments and Studies due 90 days after the effective date of this contract”. Can you USAID please clarify what is required as part of this deliverable.

USAID/Egypt Answer: If the winning offerors is planning to do any assessment or gap analysis that will be key in planning for potential interventions, these should be delivered in 90 days.

23. L.8.c (Page 108) “Technical Proposal Body – This section will include the following sections in the order indicated and are included in the 20-page limit:

• Technical Approach;

• Management Approach and Staffing Plan; and Past Performance”. Given the limited amount of space allowed for the technical approach, would USAID please allow offerors to address Past Performance entirely in Annex 6 rather than split between the Technical Proposal Body and Annex 6.

USAID/Egypt Answer: Offers may address Past Performance entirely in Annex 6.

24. C.4.b.2(Page 14- 15)“Based on these engagements, the Contractor will formulate a realistic comprehensive approach for achieving the three results considering the relevant international best practices successfully applied in countries with similar development contexts. Under each component, the Contractor must come up with focus areas, attributed interventions, relevant GOE partners, expected outcomes for each intervention, and relevant indicators for USAID approval”.

L.8.d (Page 109)“Describe the proposed high-level indicator(s) for each of the three results provided in section C.4.b.2, and whenever applicable, for the proposed activities. These indicators should be ambitious, realistic, obtainable and reflective of the results that will be achieved at the end of Activity implementation”.

Can USAID please confirm that what are listed as components in C.4.b.2 are the same as the expected results and that the offeror should propose a minimum of one outcome indicator for each component.

USAID/Egypt Answer: Confirmed.

B. Business (Cost) Related Questions

1. Section B.4 indicates that offers may not charge a fee on grants (page 4). This appears to be inconsistent with FAR 15.404-4 and ADS 302.3.6.8, which state, inter alia, that pre-negotiation fee objectives must be determined according to a structured approach that considers contractor effort, risk, and other special factors. Grants require significant effort to administer and carry risks for the contractor. In addition, the statutory underpinnings of fixed fee at 10 USC 2306(d) and 41 USC 254(b) discuss fee definitions and limitations in terms of total estimated cost, which would include grants in this case. Given this, we respectfully request that USAID reconsider its 0% pre-negotiation fee on grants and allow offerors to charge a fee that is reasonable and consistent with federal regulations.

USAID/Egypt Answer: USAID/Egypt is fully aware that Contractors incur administrative costs to award and manage a GUC program and it expects these costs to be tied to direct costs such as personnel. Contractors are allowed to realize indirect costs and fees tied to personnel costs related to administering a GUC program. In addition, Contractors are allowed to recoup indirect costs against the total amount of the GUC program as they would against subcontracts. Given these facts, USAID/Egypt respectfully declines the Offeror’s request to apply a fee against the pool of funds set aside for GUCs.

2. B.4 (Page 4) “USAID/Egypt will not allow the Contractor to earn fees on the proportion of the budget set aside for Grants Under Contracts (GUCs)”. Given the fact that administering the grant program effectively to ensure achievement of the program's ambitious outcomes while also minimizing the risk for USAID and the Contractor requires significant effort as well as large cash outlays by the Contractor, would USAID allow offerors to propose a fee on grants?

USAID/Egypt Answer: No. See the response to the previous question.

3. B.4. (Page 3) “Award Budget”. In order to facilitate the flexibility needed to respond to evolving Government of Egypt focus areas and priorities and to reduce the administrative burden on USAID, would USAID consider reducing the number of budget line items. For example, reducing the line items to only include Direct Costs, Indirect Costs, Grants Under Contract, and Fixed Fee?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Yes, the line items were reduced. The “Award Budget” in Section B.4 has been revised to reflect this change.

4. Per Section F.4, in addition to short-term expatriate consultants, would USAID consider authorizing a six-day workweek for third-country national and cooperating country national short-term consultants (not to exceed 120 days)?

USAID/Egypt Answer: USAID/Egypt will consider authorizing a six-day workweek after award.

5. H.6 B a) Personnel Approvals (Page 54) “a) CCN Employees Compensated below the FSN-9 Level Any approval required by the contract for any employee who is (1) a citizen of Egypt (Cooperating Country National) and (2) whose salary, stripped of benefits, is equivalent to or less than the compensation specified for Grade 8, Step 13 in the Egypt Local Compensation as long as the position (not necessarily the person) was either (i) included in the Contractor’s final cost proposal dated [TBD at the time of award] or (ii) received written concurrence from the COR”. Could USAID please provide the Local Compensation Plans for Egypt?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Because the LCP is a sensitive document and is just one factor in determining the prevailing wage, we will not provide it. We also have specified a specific salary level instead of the FSN-9 level as the dividing line between professional and non-professional employees. Section H.6.B.a) has been revised to reflect this change.

6. Per our understanding, Section H.6.B(a) on page 54 of the RFP requires contracting officer approval and COR concurrence for cooperating country national employees whose salary exceeds Grade 8, Step 13 in the Egypt Local Compensation (i.e., salaries at or above FSN-9 level). Will USAID please provide the USAID/Egypt local compensation plan or the threshold for future compliance with the stated clause (i.e., the FSN-9 level)?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Because the LCP is a sensitive document and is just one factor in determining the prevailing wage, we will not provide it. We also have specified a specific salary level instead of the FSN-9 level as the dividing line between professional and non-professional employees. Section H.6.B.a) has been revised to reflect this change

7. H.6 B b) Personnel Approvals (Page 55) “b) Professional Level Employees For all employees other than those specified above, if Contracting Officer approval is required, it is deemed provided if all of the following conditions are met: i. The Contractor obtains written concurrence from the COR for the employee or consultant (including those of subcontractors) proposed; ii. The proposed compensation for the employee or consultant, regardless of nationality, charged as a direct cost does not exceed the market value of the position; and iii. The Contractor retains a fully executed AID Form 1420, “Biographical Data Sheet”, along with market information and a certification that the proposed salary rate is consistent with market value. This documentation should be maintained in the Contractor’s files for audit and will be available to USAID upon request by the CO or COR”. Could USAID please confirm if CO approval is necessary for proposed salaries of positions aligned with FSN Level 9 or above if the proposed salary is within the LCP for the FSN levels in question?

USAID/Egypt Answer: CO approval is not necessary if the conditions outlined in this subsection are adhered to.

8. In Section H.8 on page 56 the RFP states “The Contractor may execute grants on behalf of USAID under the contract.” Will USAID confirm that offerors are required to budget $1,200,000 for a grants pool?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Yes, the offerors are required to budget $1,200,000 in Grants under Contract.

9. Section H.8(a) contains an outdated threshold for grants to U.S. organizations (page 56). In USAID’s update to ADS 302.3.4.13 on July 22, 2021, the value of a grant to a U.S.

organization was increased to the simplified acquisition threshold. Would USAID please modify the language in Section H.6 to incorporate this update?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Section H.8.(a) has been revised to reflect this change.

10. H.10 Consent to Subcontract (Page 57) “Consent to subcontract to the organizations listed below that were proposed as part of the Contractor’s management team will be deemed to be granted at the time of contract award, unless the Contractor is otherwise notified by the contracting Officer in writing. Consent to subcontract will be required for all other subcontracts to the extent required by FAR Subpart 44.2”. For contractors with an approved purchasing system, would USAID consider advance notification, as per FAR 52.244-2 (Alternate 1), instead of detailed information to support consent for subcontractors, as required by the solicitation?

USAID/Egypt Answer: FAR 52.244-2 (Alternate 1) is part of the RFP and will apply to Contractors/Offerors with an approved purchasing system.

11. Could USAID provide a copy of the approved Initial Environmental Examination for this activity or other “approved regulation 216 environmental documentation,” as referenced in Section H.13(a)(3) of the RFP, pages 63-4?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The approved Determination of Categorical Exclusion (DCE) has been added to the list of attachments in Section J.

12. In Section I.1, USAID included AIDAR 752.7028 July 1996 for Differentials and Allowances;

would USAID please update this reference to the May 2024 version of this clause, which authorizes post differential allowances to be paid on the 31st rather than the 43rd day?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The AIDAR clause has been revised to reflect this change.

13. J1: Budget Items, Definitions and Template (Page 128) “Please include all detailed cost under the following cost categories and subcategories”. Not all of the anticipated subcontractors have adequate accounting systems to track costs as required by Federal rules to be engaged under cost plus fixed fee type subcontracts. Therefore, please confirm that Attachment J1:

Budget Items, Definitions and Template can be amended to present the subcontractor costs by disclosing their fully burdened fixed daily rates and breakdown of other direct costs, as applicable. This usually is the case for US based small businesses or local organizations which do not have NICRAS, do not have audited or “reviewed” financial statements or indirect cost rates audited by an independent party.

USAID/Egypt Answer: Confirm. USAID/Egypt is aware that not all proposed subcontractors (whether international or local firms) have NICRAs. Therefore, Offerors may provide fully burdened fixed daily rates and a breakdown of other direct costs. Please follow additional consent requirements for individual subcontracts as found in FAR Part 44.2.

14. In Section J.3 Contractor Biographical Data Sheet, the Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet is based upon the form with an expiration date of 3/31/2021. Is this the required form for this effort or may offerors use the form with the expiration date of 11/30/2024?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Yes, Section J.3. has been revised to reflect this change.

15. In section L.8.b on page 108, the RFP lists components of the Technical Proposal that will not count towards the 20-pages limit. Will USAID consider allowing offerors to an executive summary as a component that will not count towards the 20-page limit of the technical proposal? This will allow for adequate space for the full description of activities.

USAID/Egypt Answer: Offerors are allowed to include a 1-page executive summary that will not count towards the 20-page limit of the technical proposal.

16. L.8.b (Page 107) “Proposals should be written in Calibri Font, with no less than size 12.

Offerors should use only 8.5 inch by 11- inch (210mm by 297mm) paper, single-spaced pages with margins no less than one inch on each border. The font used in tables and charts may be adjusted as appropriate. Number each page consecutively”. Can USAID please confirm that font size smaller than 12 pt can be used in charts, tables, and figures as long as legible without magnification?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Offerors may use as small as 8 pt font for charts, tables and figures only.

17. L.8.b (Page 107)” Below are the components of the Technical Proposal that will not count towards the 20-pages limit:

• Cover Page

• Table of Contents

• Acronym list

• Dividers

• Annexes Can we include a 2 page executive summary outside of the 20 page limit?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Offerors are allowed to include a 1-page executive summary that will not count towards the 20-page limit of the technical proposal.

18. L.8.d. (Page 108) “Annex 5 – Statements of Qualifications and/or CVs”. Can USAID please clarify if there is a page limit for the Statement of Qualifications and/or CVs?

USAID/Egypt Answer: L.8.d. “Annex 5 – Statements of Qualifications and/or CVs” has been revised to reflect this change

19. In Section L.8.e on page 112, the RFP states “Annex 5 – Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) and/or CVs… In addition, for all other technical positions where a specific person is identified in the proposal, the Offeror must provide that individual’s CV.” Will USAID please confirm that CVs are only requested for named long-term staff and not necessary for short-term technical assistance?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Confirmed.

20. On page 110, Section L.8.e Further Guidance on Staffing states, “For Key Personnel proposed by the Offeror other than the Chief of Party, the Offeror must provide a list of criteria that this person must possess and the required qualifications. that key personnel are not required.” Would USAID please confirm that Offerors are only to provide criteria and are not permitted to include CVs or candidates for personnel other than the Chief of Party?

USAID/Egypt Answer: USAID/Egypt requests Offerors propose at least three Key Personnel positions and provide proposed candidates for each. One Key Personnel position and proposed candidate must be for a Chief of Party, the remaining two or more Key Personnel positions are at the Offeror’s discretion. USAID/Egypt requests that Offerors provide the CV of a proposed candidate to assist in evaluating the Offeror’s Management and Staffing Approach. However, USAID/Egypt does not require letters of commitment from candidates for Key Personnel positions.

21. L.8.e. Management Approach and Staffing Plan (page 111). “The Staffing Plan must also include a table with the anticipated Level of Effort broken down by type of proposed personnel [e.g., long-term expatriate (LTX), long-term local (LTL), short term expatriate (STX), short-term local (STL)] and stated results provided in Section C of the solicitation. The format for the table should be similar to the table provided below (Not included in page limitation):…”. Since this is a CPFF-completion contract and not CPFF-term, please confirm that the LOE table requested in Annex 4 is not required.

USAID/Egypt Answer: Confirmed. Annex 4 is not required and has been removed from the

RFP.

22. In section L.8.f on page 112, Annex 6 – Past Performance Information Sheets, the RFP states, “The Offeror (including all partners of a joint venture) must provide performance information for itself and each major subcontractor (one whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the proposed cost). The Offeror should include the completed form provided in Attachment J.5 in this Annex for up to five (5) of its most relevant contracts, orders or other mechanism for efforts of a similar size, scope and complexity to the work specified in Section C.” Will USAID confirm the 5 past performance information sheets are the combined total of both the offeror and the major subcontractor? Or does USAID require 5 past performance information sheets for both the offeror and major subcontractor?

USAID/Egypt Answer: USAID requires up to 5 past performance information sheets for both the prime offeror and each proposed major subcontractors.

23. On page 113, Section L.9, Part 1, requires Section K among other sections with no reference to subcontractors. Would USAID please confirm that these sections, particularly Section K, are not required to be completed by subcontractors before award?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Yes, Section K is not required to be completed by subcontractors before award. USAID/Egypt presumes that prime Offerors adhere to Section K requirements for its subcontractors prior to awarding individual subcontracts.

24. L.9.b.2 Budget Line-Item Headings (page 114). “Offerors should allocate the costs of all subcontracts that are not firm, fixed price to the appropriate cost categories below.” Would USAID please confirm that subcontract costs are to be presented in the same format as the prime offerors but in separate tabs?

USAID/Egypt Answer: This language has been removed from the RFP. However, subcontracts of cost or T&M type should be presented in the same format as the prime offeror but in separate tabs.

25. On page 115, Section L.9, Part 2.2 “Budget Line-Item Headings” does not include a section on Subawards. There is a note on page 115 indicating that subcontracts should be included in the relevant cost categories for each line item in the subcontractor’s budget. In addition, Attachment J-1 did not have a line item for Subawards, but requires subcontracts in Item 6, Contractual. Would USAID please confirm that Offerors are to add a section “f. Subawards” for longer-term cost-type subcontracts within the “6. Contractual” section

USAID/Egypt Answer: Offerors are to budget for proposed subcontracts and Grants Under Contracts. Subcontracts may include services supporting program implementation, training, consultants, etc.

26. L.9, Part 2 – Proposed Cost (Page 115) “PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COSTS FOR COST-TYPE OR

T&M SUBCONTRACTS SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED HERE; INSTEAD, THOSE COSTS SHOULD BE

BROKEN DOWN AND ALLOCATED TO THE RELEVANT COST CATEGORIES FOR EACH LINE ITEM

IN THE SUBCONTRACTOR’S BUDGET (emphasis added)” Can USAID please clarify where Cost-Type and T&M subcontracts should be reflected in the Prime’s budget if Offerors should not include those costs as part of the Contractual line item.

USAID/Egypt Answer: This language has been removed from the RFP. However, subcontracts of a cost or T&M type should be presented in the same format as the prime offeror but in separate tabs.

27. In Section L.9.E.4, page 117, the RFP states “Pursuant to ADS 302.3.5.7, the magnitude of the requirement is between $29 and $30 Million for a six-year activity. This range is just an estimate provided for informational purposes and is not binding.” Will USAID confirm that offerors should use $30 million as the contract ceiling?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The total estimated cost of the requirement is between $25 and $30 million.

28. L.9, Part 2 – Proposed Cost (Page 118) “7. Supporting Documents – Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements (NICRA), from the offeror and all subpartners must be included in the Cost Proposal”. Can USAID restrict this requirement to just major subcontractors (one whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the proposed cost)?

USAID/Egypt Answer: USAID/Egypt requires NICRAs from the Offeror and any proposed subcontractor that will be billing indirect costs.

29. Cover page. Intro paragraph: “…with a total estimated cost between $25 - $30 million, covering a potential period of performance of six (6) years (four base years and two one-year option period).” -- L.9.(b).4 Fixed Amounts for the Cost Proposal (Page 117) “…the magnitude of the requirement is between $29 and $30 Million for a six-year activity”. Would USAID please clarify the total estimated range of the EconomyPlus project?

USAID/Egypt Answer: The total estimated cost of the requirement is between $25 and $30 million.

30.Will USAID please allow offerors to include an organizational chart in the technical volume that does not count towards page limits in order to allow reviewers to easily reference the staffing structure?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Yes, please use Annex 3 – Organizational Chart for the activity (Prime and subcontractors)

31.Will USAID please clarify if tables, charts, and graphics included in the technical volume should be included in the 20-page limit?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Yes, the tables, charts, and graphics should be included in the technical volume in the 20-page limit, with the exception of any that are part of the annexes.

32.Would USAID consider allowing offerors to include a one-page executive summary (not included in the 20-page limitation)?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Offerors are allowed to include a 1-page executive summary that will not count towards the 20-page limit of the technical proposal.

33. Could USAID provide clarification on bullet point number five, in Section M.2(a), page 109, regarding the evaluation criteria for Factor 1, Technical Approach?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Point 5 under M.2(a) is on page 124 of the RFP and is tied to point 5 under Section L.8.d is on page 109. These items are related to the Offeror’s proposed indicators that will measure its success against the activity components detailed in section C.4.b.2.

34. Would USAID please provide the most up-to-date LCP? Given the volatility of the conversion rate between the US dollar and Egyptian pound, would USAID please confirm that Offerors should include a Salary Scale for each position within the budget narrative?

USAID/Egypt Answer: Because the LCP is a sensitive document and is just one factor in determining the prevailing wage, we will not provide it. We also have specified a specific salary level instead of the FSN-9 level as the dividing line between professional and non-professional employees. Section H.6.B.a) has been revised to reflect this change. Yes, the Offerors should include a Salary Scale for each position within the budget narrative.

35.M.3 (Page 126) “The amount of fixed fee proposed and the advantageousness of the fee schedule proposed in terms of incentivizing achievement of meaningful results will also be considered in the evaluation of price/cost”. Can USAID delete the “Fee schedule” reference since the RFP does not ask for a Fee Schedule in the proposal?

USAID/Egypt Answer: This language has been removed from the RFP and section M.3 has been revised to reflect this change.