72027819R00003-Amendment_1.pdf

Request for Proposal (RFP) 72027819R00003-Amendment#1 USAID/Jordan Management Engineering Services Contract (MESC) - Phase II

1. RFP Cover Letter

a. Closing Deadline: delete “July 11, 2019, 04:30 p.m. (Amman Time)” and replace with “July 18, 2019, 04:30 p.m. (Amman Time)”

b. Delete “Offerors must provide classification of “Grade 1A” in water projects from the Government Tenders Directorate (GTD) in Jordan or any equivalent international classifications. Offerors who fail to submit the said documentation shall be considered non responsive.” replace with the following:

“Prime local offerors must provide classification of “Grade 1A” in water projects from the Government Tenders Directorate (GTD) in Jordan. Other offerors must be registered under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 –Engineering Services. Offerors who fail to submit the said documentation shall be considered non responsive. In addition, offerors must be eligible in accordance with the authorized geographic code for this procurement which is 937.”

2. Section H. H.4 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION, Paragraph f. Delete in entirety and replace with the following:

“(f) Salary Ceiling. A ceiling has been established for international and CCN staff on the reimbursable base salary or wage paid to personnel under the contract. For international staff and Key personnel CCN staff, the ceiling is equivalent to the maximum annual salary of the established rate for agencies without a certified SES performance appraisal system (AWCPAS) referred to as the USAID Contractor Salary Threshold (USAID CST), published at http://www.opm.gov/oca/05tables/html/es.asp as amended from time to time, unless the Contracting Officer approves a higher amount in accordance with the Agency policy and procedures in ADS 302 “USAID Direct Contracting”. For CCN staff, the ceiling is JOD249.71 ($352.69) which is the maximum salary of the highest senior FSN position authorized under the Local Compensation Plan.”

3. Section K. K.2 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2011), paragraph (a)(1) delete “541310” and replace with “541330”.

4. Section L. L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL

PROPOSAL,

a. Paragraph a. Delete in entirety and replace with the following:

“Interested entities will respond to this RFP with a technical proposal. The technical proposal must include a demonstrated well-organized methodology with clear and succinct interventions and proper allocation of resources, skills and experiences to achieve project objectives in the required time.”

b. Paragraph d.

i. (7) Past Performance, add the following “Not Included in Page Limit”

ii. Delete the following: “(9) Security Plan (Not included in page limit)”

iii. Add the following: “Annex 3: Completed SF 330”

iv. (5) Personnel Qualifications and Experience Pages 88-90

1. Second paragraph, add the following at the end of the paragraph:

“Communication with local Jordanian stakeholders are expected to be predominantly in Arabic.”

2. Key Personnel: 2) Deputy Chief of Party/ Utility Specialist and 3) NRW Reduction Specialist. Delete: “Must be fluent in spoken and written Arabic.” and replace with “Fluency in spoken and written Arabic is preferable.”

Technical Questions and Clarifications

1. Question:

Given the interruption of the proposal preparation period due to travel and business closures surrounding the major US federal Independence Day holiday, we respectfully request that

USAID extend the due date from Thursday, July 11 to Tuesday, July 16.

Answer:

Closing date amended to July 18, 2019, 04:30 p.m. (Amman Time)

2. Question:

Is it possible for USAID to share with offerors the reports that were prepared by the Phase I

Consultant?

Answer:

Upon award of the Contract, USAID will share the relevant reports and data prepared by MESC Phase I.

3. Question:

Is it possible for USAID to provide any details on the number of ongoing projects/contracts within each utility (JVA, WAJ, AWC, etc.) that the successful offeror would be expected to monitor?

Answer:

There are approximately 20 Associate FARAs (projects) with total value of $212.5 million under the nation-wide NRW Project Phase I and II.

4. Question:

In the RFP cover letter (page 2), USAID states, “Offerors must provide classification of ‘Grade

1A’ in water projects from the Government Tenders Directorate (GTD) in Jordan or any equivalent international classifications.” Can USAID please define acceptable international classifications? Would USAID consider USAID’s Global Architect-Engineer Services II IDIQ

Contract to be an equivalent international classification?

Answer:

Grade 1A is required for local organizations. Other organizations must be registered under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 –Engineering Services.

5. Question:

We understand that details of Associate Fixed Amount Reimbursement Agreements (FARAs) to be implemented under the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Phase II Umbrella FARA have been developed with support from MESC I and may already be underway. Section C.1.2 (page 13) of the RFP includes a single sentence that describes the general scope of these planned interventions (e.g., NRW reduction equipment and structuring and isolation of District

Meeting Areas). Can USAID please share details regarding the NRW Phase II Associate FARAs to ensure all offerors have the same information and can tailor their proposals to the details of the expected Associate FARAs that MESC II will support?

Answer:

Please refer to RFP Section C- Description/ Specifications/ Statement of Work, C.2 MESC Scope of Work.

6. Question:

A recent RFQ was issued in April for a Performance Based Contract (PBC) for reducing NRW in selected areas. This opportunity is supported by the USAID FARA funds and MESC1 is involved in supporting Miyahuna in the implementation and monitoring of this project. Can you please confirm if there is any conflict of interest for bidders to bid in MESC2 and the

NRW PBC together?

Answer:

There is no conflict of interest inherent in bidding on both MESCII and the NRW PBC.

However, due to potential organizational conflicts of interest or appearances thereof, the successful MESC II bidder might be precluded from bidding on or implementing future projects that are associated with the FARA, including the Performance Based Contract (PBC) for reducing NRW.

7. Question:

In Section B.5 (page 9), USAID states that indirect costs must be reimbursed based on negotiated indirect cost, NICRA. USAID also noted in Section H.15 (page 50) that indirect costs for non-US organizations are not encouraged under this task order but can be allowed subjected to a pre-award consent given by USAID. Can you please clarify if NICRA is mandatory for local firms bidding as prime?

Answer:

NICRA is not a mandatory requirement for bidding.

8. Question:

Regarding c) Activity Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Plan, will USAID be able to provide any data collected from other NRW projects for offerors to use as baseline for their

MEL plan?

Answer:

The draft Activity Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Plan is due to the COR within

120 days of the award. Offerors are not required to submit it as part of their proposals.

9. Question:

In Section F.7 (page 33) under m) Geographic Data Reporting Requirements, the RFP states:

“Activity Location Data (coordinates): The Offeror shall submit Activity Location Data which indicates the geographic location or locations where an activity is implemented.” Will USAID confirm this should be for the contractor, and not submitted at the proposal stage?

Answer:

Please refer to RFP Section F. Deliveries or performance, F.7 Reports and

Deliverables/Outputs, (m) Geographic Data Reporting Requirements which states “Activity

Location Data shall be submitted as part of the quarterly reports.” Offerors are not required to submit it as part of their proposals.

10. Question:

Paragraph F.4: Will there be flexibility for construction inspectors to work a 6 day work week and extended hours consistent with the construction contractor’s work schedule?

Answer:

Yes, offerors may propose positions on a 6-day work week schedule in accordance with their technical approach. Also refer to RFP Section F, Paragraph F.4, this will require prior written approval by USAID’s Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and no overtime is authorized under this contract.

11. Question:

Under (f) Salary Ceiling, it specifies that a ceiling has been established for international and

CCN staff on the reimbursable base salary or wage paid to personnel under the contract. It does not however give guidance pertaining to TCNs. Will they be subject to the same ceiling as CCNs?

Answer:

Yes, TCNs and CCNs are subject to the same ceiling that is JOD249.71 ($352.69). See amendment (f) Salary Ceiling.

12. Question:

This section states that USAID Mission Director approval is needed for several waivers (higher than ceiling base salary, allowance for TCNs, payment to TCN in other than local currency, etc.). In the event we are asked to prepare a cost proposal, should we include waiver requests along with it, or after the award?

Answer:

Yes, the highly rated offeror who will be requested to submit a cost proposal shall include waiver requests with it’s cost proposal.

13. Question:

In Section H.4 (page 43), the RFP mentions the Local Compensation Plan as Attachment J5.

There is no Attachment J5 included with this RFP. Will USAID please provide this attachment?

Answer:

The language was inadvertently left in the document. The Local Compensation Plan will not be provided. The Ceiling Daily Rate for CCN staff is JOD249.71 ($352.69).

14. Question:

"(page 66), USAID lists SF 330 – Architect-Engineer Qualifications as Attachment #3. The only instructions provided to offerors in Section L for completion of the SF 330 form are included under L.8.d(7) Past Performance (page 91). Are offerors to complete both SF 330 Parts 1 and

2? If so, the information requested in Part 1 constitutes elements also required for the technical proposal (incorporating resumes, past performance, etc.) under the relevant SF 330 sections. In addition to the SF 330, does USAID require offerors to complete a technical proposal as defined in Section L.8 of the RFP (page 86)? If offerors are required to submit the technical proposal as defined in Section L.8, please confirm that the SF 330 form is to be included as an annex that will not count against the 20-page limit."

Answer:

A complete SF 330 shall be included as Annex 3 and will not be counted in the 20-page limit.

15. Question:

Will USAID consider key personnel that do not have Arabic language fluency if the candidate(s) can sufficiently demonstrate that they have successfully worked on projects in

Arabic-speaking countries without being fully fluent themselves?

Answer:

Please see amendments to Section L.8 Key Personnel. Only the Chief of Party must be fluent in written and spoken arabic knowing that communication with local Jordanian stakeholders are expected to be predominantly in Arabic.

16. "In regard to the following from page 90 of the RFP:

“The offeror shall include the following in Annex 1 of the proposal:

● Resumes for all personnel, not exceeding three pages.

● For Key Personnel: letters of commitment confirming their present intention to serve in the stated position and their present availability to serve for at least the initial two years of the performance period, and three references with telephone and email contact information.”

Question:

a. Should the resumes appear in Annex I or in the SF 330 Part I (as requested on 91 under (7)

Past Performance)?

b. If the resumes should appear in Annex I, could USAID please confirm that the resumes should be submitted in the SF 330 Part I Section E format."

Answer:

a. Resumes of all proposed staff must be submitted in Annex 1. All sections of the SF 330 must be completed and submitted as Annex 3, including Section E. Resumes of Key

Personnel Proposed for this Contract.

B. Resumes should be submitted in a stand alone format in Annex 1.

17. Question:

"Regarding “(7) Past Performance: The offeror must provide duly filled SF 330 -

Architect-Engineer Qualifications” on page 91 of the RFP – can USAID please clarify if you are looking for the SF 330 Part I Sections A-I, or is it the intent that the respondent should only include the SF 330 Part I Section F (Past Performance) in this portion of the response?

If USAID is requesting the full SF 330 Part I – Sections A-I, please specify which sections of the

SF 330 Part I would count toward the 20-page limit of the Technical Proposal.

Additionally, If USAID is requesting the full SF 330 Part I – Sections A-I, please specify the exact content expected for Section H. For example, should it be informed by the Personnel

Qualifications and Experience; Technical Approach; and Institutional and Financial Capacity sections called for on pages 87-92?"

Answer:

● All sections of the SF 330 must be completed and submitted as Annex 3.

● None of the sections of the SF 330 will count in the 20-page limit of the technical proposal.

● As per the specific instructions for completing the SF 330 form “Section H 30. Use this section to provide additional information specifically requested by the agency or to address selection criteria that are not covered by the information provided in Sections A-G.” However, the content should not be a repetition of the information provided in the Technical Proposal.

18. Question:

"In Section L.7 (page 88), Delivery Instructions, the RFP states “4. For Technical proposal and

Past Performance, acceptable file formats are Microsoft Word (.DOC) and Adobe Acrobat

(.PDF). Offerors must submit at the same time a .PDF version of the Microsoft Word documents.” Will USAID please clarify if the SF 330 form information should be submitted in both Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF?

SF 330 should only be submitted in Adobe PDF format.

19. Question:

"In Section L.8 a. (pages 86–87), USAID notes that the technical proposal must include a draft work plan and illustrative Implementation and Monitoring Plan (IMP), but these are not included in the list of technical proposal sections under L.8 d. Can USAID clarify if a draft work plan and IMP are to be included with proposal submission? If offerors are to include these, please clarify where they should be inserted into the proposal and page allocations.

Answer:

A work plan and Implementation and Monitoring Plan (IMP) are not required. Please see the amendment to section L.8.

20. Question:

In Section L.8 d. (page 90), USAID notes that the offeror shall include resumes for all personnel. Can USAID clarify if this refers to long-term technical staff, or if USAID is asking offerors to provide CVs for every individual expected to work on the project (including administrative staff, short-term technical assistance, home office support)?

Answer:

Offerors must submit resumes for all key personnel, and all named technical staff proposed in their offer.

21. Question:

In Section L.8 d. (page 91) under “(7) Past Performance,” USAID notes that the offeror should provide a duly filled SF 330 past record of performance. Can USAID confirm that offerors should use SF 330 Part 1 Section F and if the number shall be limited to 3–5 projects and they should match those to be provided in Annex 2 “Past Performance Matrix”?

Answer:

Offerors should use SF 330 Part 1 Section F to present 3-5 projects, and must complete one Section F for each project. The same projects should be provided in Annex 2 “Past Performance Matrix”.

22. Question:

"In Section L.8 (pages 88 and 92), the RFP states that the Security Plan should be submitted with the technical proposal. Will USAID confirm that offerors should submit this as an annex, and not part of the technical narrative?"

Offerors are not required to submit a security plan as part of their proposals.

As per Section L- Instructions to Offerors, L.8 Instructions for the Preparation of the

Technical Proposal, (9) Security Plan: the selected offeror will prepare a Security Plan.

23. Question:

"Regarding Section L.8 (page 91): Will USAID clarify if offers should enter 3–5 projects in

Annex 2 “Past Performance Matrix” for the prime and each major subcontractor, or 3–5 projects total?"

Answer:

Offerors must include 3-5 projects for the prime and 3-5 projects for each major subcontractor.

24. Question:

Will USAID please confirm that the columns in Annex 2 “Past Performance Matrix” that correspond to the bulleted list in Section L.8 (7) Past Performance, 2. (page 92) only need to be completed for projects that are not in CPARS?

Answer:

Confirmed.

25. Question:

L.8a (p86) The technical proposal must include a draft work plan for the program as well as an illustrative Implementation and Monitoring Plan. May these items be included in an Annex

(proposed as Annex 3)? Considering that each item could involve multiple pages, please confirm it is USAID’s intention that both will be excluded from the page limit.

A work plan and Implementation and Monitoring Plan (IMP) are not required. Please see the amendment to section L.8.

26. Question:

L.8.c (p87): Please confirm it is acceptable for offerors to use 11” x 17” format for large figures and charts and that in instances where the figure or chart is included in the page limit, such pages will each count as 1 page. In particular, Attachment 2 – Past Performance Matrix requires 11 x 17 tabloid size page to maintain document integrity and legibility.

Past Performance is not included in the 20-page limit. Please see amendment.

27. Question:

For resumes, the government provided an SF-330 Part 1 – Section E RESUMES OF KEY

PERSONNEL PROPOSED FOR THIS CONTRACT as well as Attachment 1 Contractor Employee

Biographical Data Sheet (1 page) – is it the government’s intention that both of these documents contribute to the 3-page resume limit? Is Attachment 1 for Key Personnel only?

Or for all staff with a resume included?

Answer:

No, the three page limit is for the actual resume.

Attachment 1 is for all proposed staff.

28. Question:

L.8.7 - USAID asked for 3-5 past performance projects in the Annex 2 Past Performance

Matrix. They state in L.8.7 Past Performance on P-91 that we should provide a “duly filled SF

330 - Architect-Engineer Qualifications: Past record of performance on projects” -- Standard

SF-330 is up to 10 projects – Please clarify how many projects you want submitted for the

SF-330? And confirm you require only 3-5 in Annex 2 – Past Performance Matrix?

Answer:

Offerors should use SF 330 Part 1 Section F to present 3-5 projects, and must complete one Section F for each project. The same projects should be provided in Annex 2 “Past Performance Matrix”.

29. Question:

L.8c. P87 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL. The RFP requests use of 8 1/2" x 11" paper with 1-inch margins and Times New Roman 12 and 10 point fonts.

● All attachments (1-3) are in fonts other than Times New Roman. Please clarify if responses should be in the font/form provided with the RFP or updated to Times

New Roman?

● All attachments (1-3) are over the 1-inch required margins. In particular SF-330 format documents for Part I (Sections A-H) and Part II, and SF-33 form are less than

1-inch margins. Please clarify if respondents are to use the government standard documents as received? Or alter margins as requested in the RFP?

Answer:

The instructions in the RFP Section L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL paragraph c. is applicable to the written technical proposal with 20-page limit, and not to the annexes and attachments.

30. Question:

Other than “descending order of importance” and “adjectival ratings,” is there any more specific information that USAID is able to share with offerors regarding how the major proposal categories will be evaluated and a bona fide “most highly qualified to perform the required services” determination made?

Answer:

Please refer to RFP, Section M- Evaluation Factors for Award.

31. Question:

Under 1) Personnel Qualifications and Experience, USAID implies that the “ability to assign an adequate number of qualified key personnel from the organization” is of the utmost importance. Will USAID please clarify however what is meant by “from the organization”?

Does this suggest that in the effort to create the most highly-qualified team, permanent, full-time employees from the organization of the offeror (and/or its partners in the pursuit) will be rated more favorably than highly-qualified independent subcontractors?

Answer:

Please refer to RFP, Section M- Evaluation Factors for Award.

32. Question:

L.8 (7) (P91) Past Performance: Is it the government’s intent that we provide a “duly filled SF

330 - Architect-Engineer Qualifications: Past record of performance” on the past performance section only? Or use this as the format for the entire submittal? If we are to use the SF-330 for the entire submittal – we would recommend the second column as a format to address all RFP instructions and meet SF 330 compliance - please confirm if this meets with the government’s approval?

Answer:

SF 330 must be fully completed and included as Annex 3, it is not the intent for this form to be used as the format for the entire submittal.

Continuation of Question 32

USAID RFP Instructions 1-9

(Not SF 330 Compliant)

SF-330 Sections (Attachment 3) (Recommendation for compliance)

Front Media

1. Cover Page

2. Executive Summary

3. TOC

4. Acronyms

Front Media:

Cover Page

SF-33 Form– Solicitation, Offer, & Award

Executive Summary

TOC

Acronyms

5. Personnel Qualifications and Experience Part I – Sec A through D

A- CONTRACT INFORMATION

B- ARCHITECT-ENGINEER POINT OF CONTACT

C- PROPOSED TEAM

D- ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF PROPOSED TEAM

6. Technical Approach Part I – Sec E RESUMES OF KEY PERSONNEL PROPOSED

FOR THIS CONTRACT

7. Past Performance Part I – Sec F. EXAMPLE PROJECTS WHICH BEST

ILLUSTRATE PROPOSED TEAM'S QUALIFICATIONS FOR

THIS CONTRACT

8. Institutional and Financial Capacity Part I - Sec G. KEY PERSONNEL PARTICIPATION IN

EXAMPLE PROJECTS

9. Security Plan Part 1 - Sec H. Additional Information (20-pgs)

Personal Qualifications & Experience – Narrative

Technical Approach - Narrative

Past Performance – Narrative

Institutional & Financial Capacity - Narrative

Annex 1: Resumes Part II – General Qualifications

Annex 2: Past Performance Matrix Annex 1- Attachment 1 Contractor Employee

Biographical Data Sheet – for all recommended staff resources

Annex 2- Past Performance Matrix (11 x 17 page)

Annex 3- Items not included in page count:

1. Draft Work Plan

2. Implementation and Monitoring Plan

3. Security Plan

33. Question:

Standard Form 33? Should this be completed and included in the submittal? Please see item

4.c above for our recommended format.

Yes. As part of their proposal offerors must submit SF 33 “Solicitation, Offer, and Award” with blocks 12 through 18 completed, with an original signature of a person authorized on behalf of the Offeror to sign the offer.

34. Question:

SF-330 Part II – Where will they go in the proposal? Please see item 4.c above for our recommended format.

PART II - GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS will be completed on the SF 330 only.