PRESTIJ_Amd_01.pdf

5. PROJECT NO.

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

9B. DATED

06/18/2019

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

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:

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

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended, X

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment of each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR AC- KNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 10-83)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

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 telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

BY

Contractor X

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(If applicable)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

72027819R00009

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

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

1 13

01 See Block 16C

X

The purpose of this Amendment is to:

1. Provide answers to questions submitted;

2. Make changes to the RFP text.

[Continued on page 2]

Michael Ashkouri, Esq.

Supervisory Contracting Officer

Acquisition & Assistance Office (AAO) USAID/Jordan P.O.Box 354 Amman 11118 Jordan

72027819R00009 – PRESTIJ

Amendment 01

Accordingly, the following changes are made:

1. Section F.7 Key Personnel, Chief of Party requirements – delete the second minimum requirement and replace it with the following:

• At least 15 years of experience in managing and implementing education programs, including five years on higher education programs including in developing countries, with experience working with higher education institutions on capacity development and systems strengthening.

2. Section H.8 COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 508 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973, AS AMENDED – delete in its entirety;

3. Section J Attachments – add the following Attachments

• Attachment J.6 – Bilateral Agreement between the United States and Jordan;

• Attachment J.7 – Development Objective Agreement between the Government of the United

States of America and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan;

4. Section L.8 Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal – under the list of Annexes – delete “Past performance documentation (Annex 4) (limited to three pages”) and replace with “Past performance documentation (Annex 4) (limited to twenty pages”).

5. Provide the following responses to the questions:

[Continued on next Page]

General

Question 1: What is the anticipated start date of the award?

USAID Answer: January 2020.

Question 2: Would USAID consider extending the deadline for proposal submission? Four weeks is a very short proposal time to begin with, and a US federal holiday falls in the middle of one of those weeks.

USAID Answer: USAID will not extend the deadline for proposal submission.

Question 3: Would USAID kindly provide a copy of (or link to) the current bilateral agreement between the US and Jordan?

USAID Answer: A copy of the bilateral agreement is included as Attachment J.6 and a copy of the Development Objective Agreement is included as Attachment J.7.

Section C:

Question 4: C.3. The Pre-Service Modules: Could USAID please clarify whether the separate contract with QRTA to train university staff at up to four universities will be occurring simultaneously alongside the PRESTIJ contract? To what extent do you see additional implementation, management, pedagogical and/or content training to be necessary to support this complementary intervention?

USAID Answer: QRTA will conduct the trainings based on the QRTA-developed modules at the four universities in direct coordination with PRESTIJ who will support universities with expenses associated with participating in QRTA trainings. Management of implementation at the university level is part of PRESTIJ’s scope. Additional trainings/content development could be addressed on university basis, by PRESTIJ, as needed. USAID does not anticipate that this would include additional pedagogical training, as that will be covered under the QRTA modules, except to the extent that this is needed for a university under Outputs 1.5 and 1.6.

Question 5: Will universities be permitted to modify the QRTA modules in any way, or will they be required to implement them exactly as provided?

USAID Answer: Under outcome 1, 2 and 3 universities are expected to follow QRTA’s modules and framework as provided without modification. Under outcome 4; contractor and universities are expected to develop accredited modules approved by the Higher Education Accreditation Commission, and the Ministry of Higher Education, and that meet the Ministry of Education’s Teaching Standards.

Question 6: Section C.3, p. 9: Can USAID share the expected timeline for its work with QRTA to adapt the modules for accreditation? When are the pre-service models expected to be ready for use, and when is QRTA expected to be ready to train university educators?

USAID Answer: Module adaptation is happening from Feb 2019 till Jan 2020. Training is expected to start by Jan 2020 with logistical support from PRESTIJ.

Question 7: We understand that USAID and GoJ ministries will select the first of four universities. Is it USAID’s expectation that work with this university will start immediately, prior to the selection of the remaining three universities? Or, will all stages of the project be implemented simultaneously for all four universities?

USAID Answer: The first (pilot) university work should start immediately as PRESTIJ gets awarded in Jan 2020, other universities selection should follow. Work at universities 2, 3 and 4 expected to be simultaneous to the extent practicable, allowing sufficient time for implementation of the full program in each university. QRTA’s program requires 3 years of implementation per university.

Question 8: C.5. Expected Outcomes and Outputs: Could USAID clarify whether Outputs 1.1 - 1.4 refer to the four “participating universities,” and Outputs 1.5 and 1.6 refer to additional “selected universities” beyond the scope of the initial four?

USAID Answer: All outputs refer to the four selected universities, and no additional universities at this stage.

Question 9: Section C.5, p. 13: Is USAID able to share the QRTA-developed governance framework mentioned in Output 1.3?

USAID Answer: USAID will share the governance framework with the selected contractor.

Question 10: The RFP indicates that “the decision on whether and how to proceed with the alternative model will be made by USAID during contract implementation.” Based on this, we understand Output 1.5 and 1.6 to be optional pending this decision. Can USAID please confirm? If optional, how should Output 1.5 and 1.6 be addressed in the technical and cost proposals?

USAID Answer: Output 1.5 and 1.6 pending joint decision between USAID, contractor and the university. The technical and cost proposals should cover 4 universities, and demonstrate how the Offerors would approach all of the outcomes and outputs. In addition, the cost proposals must provide additional detail by outcome and university where Offerors should outline how they will approach working with any universities under Outputs

1.5 and 1.6. All developed materials under these mentioned outputs 1.5 and 1.6 should be accredited by the Higher Education Accreditation Commission, approved by the Ministry of Higher Education, and meet the Ministry of Education Teaching Standards. There are no options in the resulting contract.

Question 11: C.5. Expected Outcomes and Outputs repeatedly mentions that the Contractor will provide financial assistance to universities. Can USAID clarify the mechanism by which financial assistance will be provided? I.e. is the Contractor expected to provide this financial support through grants?

Are grants under contract permitted for this project? If not, how does USAID anticipate the contractor provide financial assistance to the MOE and MOHED?

The RFP specifies the provision of financial support to universities to enable them to implement the pre-service teacher education program. Could USAID please provide some examples of allowable types of financial support? Could this include, for example, additional funding to faculty or other university staff who are carrying an additional load as a result of their participation in the program? Is financial compensation allowable for those at the school level involved in developing the practice teaching framework?

Section C.4, page 13 of the RFP, Output 1.3.b states that the contractor will, “Provide technical, financial and material support to universities … which may include, among other things, the provision of additional training, purchase of required equipment or software, and expenses associated with participating in QRTA trainings and overseeing the practicum.” Can USAID recommend plug figures to cover the purchase of “required equipment or software” and the costs of QRTA trainings courses for partner universities?

USAID Answer: Financial assistance in this sense is referring to the Contractor paying for goods and services that are needed by/for the universities for successful implementation of the program, such as the purchase of required equipment or software, and expenses associated with participating in QRTA trainings and overseeing the practicum. Offerors should consider that there is a heavy focus on the sustainability of the program beyond the life of USAID support, and that additional payments to faculty or school-level staff are in some cases restricted by regulations or in other cases could not be covered by the institutions after USAID support ends.

Each Offeror is expected to provide their own estimated figures based on their knowledge and expertise.

Currently, there are no grants under contract approved for this activity.

Question 12: Section C.5, p. 16: Can USAID clarify what kind of financial assistance the contractor is anticipated and permitted to provide to the Government of Jordan under Output 3.2? Does this include per diem payments for government officials who might be hired to gather data?

USAID Answer: Please refer to AIDAR 731.205-71 Salary supplements for Host Government employees and ADS

302.3.6.9 for guidance on payment to host government employees. Please refer to ADS 302.3.3 for guidance on contracting or subcontracting with foreign governmental organizations. In proposing any assistance to the Government of Jordan offerors should keep in mind the strong focus of this program on sustainability, as noted in the response to the previous question.

Question 13: Is all QRTA activity funded through the separate award, or will the Contractor be required to compensate QRTA for aspects of its role in PRESTIJ?

USAID Answer: QRTA is funded through a separate award and contractor is not required to compensate QRTA for their role on PRESTIJ

Question 14: The Queen Rania Teacher Academy (QRTA) pre-service teacher education modules are heavily featured in this project. Could USAID share the modules or a top level outline or syllabus from the modules to help inform Contractor’s proposals?

USAID Answer: Modules are being adapted and should be ready by January 2020.

Question 15: Section C.4, page 13 of the RFP, Output 1.3.c references a “QRTA-developed governance framework that details internal policies and processes on how the Pre-Service Modules will be delivered, monitored, and assessed.” Can USAID share this framework with offerors?

USAID Answer: USAID will share the governance framework with the awarded contractor.

Question 16: Section C.2, page 9 of the RFP, introduces that this project will support “a total of four geographically diverse universities.” Could USAID clarify whether it intends PRESTIJ to be implemented at four of Jordan’s public universities or at both public and/or private universities?

USAID Answer: PRESTIJ will be implemented at public universities only.

Question 17: The RFP references “the basic requirements outlined by QRTA for integrating the Pre-Service modules into [university] faculties” as a critical factor in the selection process for universities. Can USAID share additional information about this list of requirements?

USAID Answer: QRTA is in the process of developing this list of requirements, and will share it with the awarded contractor.

Question 18: Does USAID anticipate additional revisions to already-adapted QRTA modules to be necessary for pre-service implementation?

Will universities be permitted to modify the QRTA modules in any way, or will they be required to implement them exactly as provided?

USAID Answer: Under outcome 1, 2 and 3 universities are expected to follow QRTA’s modules as provided without modification.

Question 19: Section C.4, page 10, lists, “Number of primary or secondary textbooks or other teaching and learning materials (TLM) provided with USG assistance (ES. 1-10).” Can USAID please confirm that offerors will not be required to include this indicator because procuring TLM is not referenced anywhere else in the RFP, and that this instead applies to other USAID/Jordan programming?

USAID Answer: It is not within the scope of PRESTIJ for the contractor to be developing any primary or secondary textbooks, but this indicator may be relevant to the extent that the contractor develops any other teaching or learning materials in support of the program for faculty members or student teachers.

Question 20: Per Section C.4, page 11 of the RFP, USAID indicates that it “expects PRESTIJ to be primarily centered around the successful implementation of QRTA’s Pre-Service Modules in the selected universities.”

However, in Output 1.5, page 14 of the RFP, the development of alternative models is described. Should offerors expect that they will provide an analysis to USAID regarding whether each potential university partner is a good candidate for developing alternative modules? Or will this only happen if USAID indicates that it has determined activities under Output 1.5 should go forward with a particular university (e.g., will USAID trigger activities under Output 1.5 and 1.6 or will the successful offeror implement them for all partner universities)?

USAID Answer: Activities under Outputs 1.5 and 1.6 will only be undertaken by the contractor if USAID indicates to the contractor that they should do so. The initial selection process for the universities should primarily take into consideration whether potential university partners are good candidates for implementing the QRTA modules, as USAID expects PRESTIJ to be focused on the implementation of the QRTA-developed modules in the selected universities. USAID may determine that it would support a university to develop and implement an alternative model in some instances to be determined and communicated to the contractor by

USAID.

Question 21: As relates to section C.4, page 12 of the RFP, should bidders anticipate that when the successful offeror undertakes the activities under Output 1.1, the pre-service modules will be available for review by candidate universities? Or should they expect that the modules will still be under development? If they will be under development, could USAID estimate when it expects the modules would be ready?

USAID Answer: The modules are being adapted and should be ready by January 2020.

Question 22: Section C.4, page 12 of the RFP, Output 1.1.a states that contractors will propose a selection process “based on the basic requirements outlined by QRTA for integrating the Pre-Service Modules into their faculties.” Can USAID share these basic requirements with offerors?

USAID Answer: QRTA is in the process of developing this list of requirements, and USAID will share it with the awarded contractor.

Question 23: Section C.4, page 13 of the RFP, Output 1.3.a references identifying faculty members “who meet the criteria to be trained as Teacher Educators and support staff.” Can USAID kindly share these criteria with offerors?

USAID Answer: QRTA is in the process of developing this list of requirements, and USAID will share it with the awarded contractor.

Question 24: Section C.5, p. 13: Contractors are required to pay for "expenses associated with participating in QRTA trainings and overseeing the practicum." For budgeting purposes, can USAID share what those costs are likely to be? For example, will QRTA charge a fee to professors or universities to learn how to deliver the diploma course?

USAID Answer: Each Offeror is expected to provide their own estimated figures based on their knowledge and expertise. Universities and professors will not be charged a fee for taking part in the trainings during the life of this program.

Question 25: Could USAID please direct Offerors to any research and evidence that is available to inform understanding of the scope, content, and quality of the QRTA modules?

USAID Answer: The QRTA modules will be shared with the awarded contractor.

Question 26: Could USAID please elaborate more on the length, approach, and content of the QRTA-designed practicum to be provided within the fifth year of the program?

USAID Answer: The practicum is not limited to the fifth year of the PRESTIJ program. Each university will operate a practicum program for each cohort of its student teachers at a certain point during their studies, keeping in mind that both teaching modules and practicum require strong knowledge of the subject matter.

Question 27: The footnote on page nine says that the pre-service modules are being designed for students who wish to become Arabic, English, Math, and Science teachers. On page ten, the RFP states that the pre-service modules will focus on subject areas, such as math, science, Arabic, and English. Can USAID please confirm that the pre-service modules may focus on subject areas beyond Arabic, English, Math, and Science?

USAID Answer: The QRTA modules focus only on Arabic, English, Math and Science.

Question 28: The RFP asks implementers to “Assess the individual needs of each university with respect to the practicum requirements, and provide tailored support and assistance in the areas of need identified.” Can USAID share additional details about the practicum requirements?

USAID Answer: Practicum needs mainly revolve around relationship with the public schools around the university, as well as the supervision and support at the field level for the student teachers. QRTA is in the process of developing this list of requirements, and USAID will share it with the awarded contractor.

Section F:

Question 29: F.5. Project Deliverables: The expected completion dates for the Sustainability Roadmaps in the project deliverables table on page 30 seem to suggest that the Offeror would launch work with one university per year. Can USAID please confirm that this is the intent, or are alternative approaches welcome?

USAID Answer: Work with the first university should begin immediately in year one of the program. Work at universities 2, 3 and 4 is expected to be simultaneous to the extent practicable starting in year 2, allowing sufficient time for implementation of the full program in each university and with QRTA as training service provider. QRTA’s program requires 3 years of implementation per university.

Question 30: Section F.5, p. 30: Given the necessary groundwork that must be laid with universities (including accreditation approvals) before enrolling students in the new diploma courses, we recommend moving the first nationwide/university marketing and enrollment campaign deliverable under outcome 2 to Year 2.

USAID Answer: USAID would like to see the enrollment campaign aligned with the admission time for universities, to help student teachers make informed decisions, however each offeror is free to propose the timing for nationwide/university marketing as they see fit according to their expertise.

Question 31: F.7. Key Personnel: Would USAID kindly clarify whether the DCOP position is intended to be operational, overseeing the operations team, or technical in nature? Depending on the scope, would USAID kindly modify the position description and/or minimum qualifications as appropriate?

USAID Answer: As per the position description in section F.7, the DCOP position is primarily operational in nature, but that their operational/management experience being in the development or education sectors that are of a similar size or scope to PRESTIJ.

Question 32: Section F.7, page 31 of the RFP, requires that the chief of party have “at least 15 years of experience in managing and implementing higher education programs.” To better allow for a locally led program with greater access to technical leadership opportunities for Jordanian candidates, would USAID consider amending the key personnel requirements in one of the following ways:

a. Amending the first line of the second chief of party requirement to state, at least 15 years of experience in managing and implementing education programs, including five years on higher education programs”?

b. Amending the responsibilities and requirements for the deputy chief of party-programs position to make it more technically and programmatically focused rather than operational?

USAID Answer: Suggestion (a) is accepted. Offeror may propose Chief of Party that has at least 15 years of experience in managing and implementing education programs, including five years on higher education programs.

Section H

Question 33: As relates to Section H.8, page 41 of the RFP, because the contractor is not required to procure and deliver commodities or services directly to or for USAID that adhere to Section 508 standards, and Section 508 standards apply only to Federal agencies (See E202.1 Application, and General Exceptions E202.4 of the 508 standards), we respectfully ask USAID to remove this clause from the contract

USAID Answer: Section H.8 is removed.

Section K

Question 34: Please confirm that Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offeror are only required for major subcontractors (one whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the offeror’s total proposed cost) and not all subcontractors.

USAID Answer: Confirmed.

Section L:

Question 35: Section L.7, p. 68: Are offerors permitted to submit full proposals (other than budgets) in PDF, given the PDF requirement for the cover letter and the small size of allowable email submissions?

USAID Answer: Text-searchable PDF documents are allowed.

Question 36: L.8. Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal: May the Offeror include a cover page that does not count against the 20-page limit?

USAID Answer: A cover page that states the title of the program and the logo/address of the offeror is permitted and would not count against the 20-page limit..

Question 37: Is there a limit on the number of attachments (per email) for the electronic submission?

USAID Answer: There is no limit on the number of attachments per email. Maximum attachment size is 25MB.

Question 38: L.8. Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal: Would USAID allow Offerors to submit an executive summary within the technical proposal, not to be counted toward the 20-page limit?

USAID Answer: An executive summary is not required and, should the offeror choose to submit one, will be counted against the 20-page limit of the technical proposal.

Question 39: Section L.8, page 70 of the RFP, provides a table template for the performance work statement.

Does USAID expect that the performance work statement will consist only of content for this table or will it also contain other elements? If USAID expects other elements, could USAID describe them?

USAID Answer: The template provided is a sample. Offerors are to submit PWS that is appropriate to the proposed technical approach. Please refer to the paragraph preceding the template for what is expected to be included.

Question 40: Section L.8, p. 70: Can USAID please clarify if all program service activities must be included in the PWS or just key service activities? Should the service activities included in the PWS be the same as the ones included in the work plan?

USAID Answer: The PWS should include activities described in the technical approach and the narrative, not necessarily including everything that is in the work plan.

Question 41: Section L.8, p. 70: Can USAID please clarify what is meant by “Sample Required Service” in the PWS template?

USAID Answer: “Required Service” is a specific task under the “Service Activity”, i.e the next level of detail is describing the activities.

Question 42: Section L.8, p. 70: Can USAID please clarify if all required services must be included in the Data Quality Control Plan or only the key services to achieve each output?

USAID Answer: Data Quality Control Plan must be consistent with the PWS.

Question 43: L.8. Section 2: Management Approach indicates that the Management Plan will also include an organizational chart and Draft Year 1 Work Plan. Would USAID allow Offerors to submit the organizational chart and the Draft Year 1 Work Plan as annexes, not subject to the 20-page limit?

USAID Answer: No, the organizational chart and the Draft Year 1 Work Plan are included in the 20 page limit.

Question 44: Section L.8, p. 70-71: Are offerors permitted to attach the Draft Year 1 Work Plan as an annex outside the page limitation rather than part of the narrative, given the number of requirements that need to be addressed in the narrative and the length of most work plans?

USAID Answer: No, the Draft Year 1 Work Plan is included in the 20 page limit and should be drafted accordingly. The Draft Year 1 Work Plan is expected to be a Gantt chart type document no longer than 1-2 pages.

Question 45: L.8. Section 4: Past Performance: Please confirm that all past performance information is to be included in an annex (Annex 4) that does not count against the 20-page limit. Please also confirm that the questionnaires are to be submitted separately by referees and are not to be included in the proposal.

Section L.8, p. 71: Can USAID please confirm that past performance information should be included in Annex 4 only and not the technical narrative?

USAID Answer: Past Performance should be included only in Annex 4 and not part of the technical narrative. It does not count against the 20 page. The offerors must fill in Part A of the questionnaire and submit it with the proposal, USAID will contact the referees.

Question 46: L.8. Section 4: Past Performance: Would USAID allow Offerors to submit contractor past performance information for relevant projects funded by donors other than USAID?

USAID Answer: Yes, as long as the past performance is relevant as stated in Section M.

Question 47: As relates to section L.8, page 72 of the RFP, can USAID please confirm that offerors may submit a list of 10 recent projects for which offerors submitted subcontract reports to eSRS and a copy of any similarly recent subcontracting reports if they were not submitted to eSRS, because a complete list of projects from the past three years will consist of more than 100 pages?

USAID Answer: Confirmed.

Question 48: Section L.8, p. 69: Annex 4 has a three-page limit that is meant to include three PPRs (plus additional PPRs for any major subcontractors), the small business narrative, list of eSRS reports, and small business references. Would USAID please increase the page limit for this section to allow offerors to properly address all these requirements?

Section L.8, page 69 of the RFP, notes that the past performance documentation (Annex 4) is limited to three pages. As page 71 requires the inclusion of past performance questionnaires for three recent and relevant similar projects, a description of any quality awards or certifications, the offeror’s performance in using small business concerns, a list of recent subcontract reports submitted to eSRS, and three small business references, would USAID kindly consider eliminating the page limit for this annex?

USAID Answer: The page limit for Annex 4 is increased to 20 pages.

Question 49: The RFP states that there is a three-page limit for Performance Documentation, however the form included in Attachment J.5 is two pages in length. USAID is requesting documentation for three past projects which would exceed the three-page limit in total. Does the three-page limit apply to the documentation for each project, or should offerors limit each project form to only one page?

USAID Answer: Past Performance Questionnaire does not count towards the page limit.

Question 50: The information requested in Attachment J.5 is different than the information requested on p. 71, Section 4.2. Is USAID requesting this information as well? If so, should this be included in a chart as a separate Annex? (And not counted against the page limit)

USAID Answer: Information required in Section 4.2 on page 71 is to be submitted in Annex 4. Attachment J.5 form is to be submitted for each of the contracts identified. Attachment J.5 form does not count towards the page limit.

Question 51: The RFP does not explicitly indicate where a narrative description of relevant project experience should be presented. Please confirm that a narrative description of relevant project experience should be included under Section 4: Contractor Past Performance Information, in addition to the requested past performance references.

USAID Answer: Relevance of the past performance will be determined by USAID in accordance with Sections L and M of the RFP. Requirements for the past performance information submission are stated in the RFP and clarified further in this Amendment.

Question 52: P. 71-72 Section 4(2) and (3) references the use of small business concerns by the offeror.

Offerors who are not small businesses are required to provide a small business narrative, related subcontracting reports and small business references from within the past three years. However not-for-profit organizations typically implement more USG grants and cooperative agreements where small business requirements do not apply per FAR 31.3 and 31.7. As a result, many not-for-profit offerors may not have implemented contracts within the past three years and possibly further back. Are not-for-profit offerors exempt from the RFP requirement mentioned above?

USAID Answer: Per Section M.3.4 of the RFP, if an offeror lacks relevant past performance history, performance will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably and will be assigned a “neutral” rating.

Question 53: Will USAID please clarify where the information requested in L.8, Section 4: Past Performance, (d) Performance Using Small Business Concerns is to be presented in the proposal? We kindly request that this information be accepted as a separate annex to the technical proposal.

USAID Answer: This is information must be presented in Annex 4.

Question 54: Part 8: Information to Support Consent to Subcontract: Could USAID please clarify what information is requested under this section?

USAID Answer: Please refer to FAR 44.101 and 52.244-2 for consent to subcontract requirements.

Question 55: L.9.b: For budgetary purposes, would USAID kindly provide an exchange rate (Jordanian dinars to

USD)?

USAID Answer: Organizations should follow their internal accounting and procurement policies to establish exchange rate equivalents. All proposed costs must be expressed in US Dollars.

Question 56: L.9.b.(ix)(A) Salary and Wages states that consultants are to be treated as subcontractors and information to support consent to subcontract must be submitted if applicable per FAR 44.101. Given the implementation burden of requiring consent for each consultant, would USAID consider waiving consent requirements for independent consultants

USAID Answer: Consent to subcontract will not be required for each consultant, only for those that meet the requirements of FAR 44.101. In USAID experience consent to subcontract for consultants is required in very limited circumstances.

Question 57: Section L.9.A, p. 73: The cost instructions require biographical data sheets for "all personnel proposed." Does this refer to full-time project personnel only, or headquarters support staff as well?

USAID Answer: Biographical Data Sheets must be provided for all professional personnel that will be directly charged to the contract.

Question 58: L.10. Instructions for the Preparation of Branding and Marking Plans: Please confirm that the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan should be included as Annex 5 to the technical volume and do not count against the 20-page limit.

Section L.10, page 77 of the RFP, states, “Offeror(s) must submit BIP and MP as a separate annex to the Technical Proposal,” yet there is no mention of this annex or its exclusion from the page limitation in section L.8. Can USAID confirm that the requested branding implementation plan and marking plan annex will not be counted in the 20-page limit for the technical proposal?

USAID Answer: The Branding Implementation and Marking Plans will not count towards the 20 page technical proposal limit and should be included as Annex 5.

Question 59: Could USAID please provide a cost ceiling?

Attachment J.3 lists the total budget of the program as $30 million. Could USAID please confirm that this is the ceiling for this program?

Per Section B.5, page 7 of the RFP, since no estimated cost has been provided, can USAID confirm that the total estimated cost range of $10 to $25 million as provided in USAID’s business forecast remains accurate for this solicitation?

USAID Answer: The amount stated in the Attachment J.3 is not specific to this RFP/resulting contract. The estimated cost range for this contract is $15-20 million.

Question 60: Would USAID kindly provide the latest USAID/Jordan LCP?

In order to ensure compliance with AIDAR 722.170, would USAID kindly provide its local compensation plan for CCN staff?

USAID Answer: USAID will not provide a copy of the LCP as it is an internal document. The current highest rate under the LCP is JD 82,000/year. Offerors should note that this LCP rate is to be used as a market analysis tool only. Offerors are required to conduct own market analysis and own personnel policies, in order to determine the appropriate salary scale commensurate with qualification requirements.

Question 61: Are there any Mission-specific blanket waivers in effect which will apply to an award resulting from this solicitation?

USAID Answer: No.

Question 62: Can USAID please confirm that the Communication Strategy does not need to be included with the proposal and annexes at the time of proposal submission?

USAID Answer: Confirmed.

Question 63: Can USAID please clarify what kinds of costs are expected to be included in the detailed Cost per University tab on the Budget Template?

Is there a plug figure or a percentage that USAID has in mind for total university budgets (this piece of the work)?

USAID Answer: All costs related to implementing the program at the university level should be outlined. Costs should be proposed based on offerors’ expertise and proposed technical approach.

Question 64: P. 72 Requests a Budget Structured by Outcome. Could USAID please clarify if this should include just non-labor costs or should it also include estimated project staff labor as well?

USAID Answer: The budget structured by outcome should include and identify labor costs related to each outcome.

Section M

Question 65: Could USAID kindly provide additional details as to the scoring of key personnel qualifications?

For instance, how will points be awarded in relation to the minimum qualifications provided in the RFP?

USAID Answer: As stated in the RFP Key Personnel is the third most important evaluation factor. Section M.3 states that the Key Personnel will be evaluated “based on the extent to which the Offeror demonstrates that the proposed individuals can fulfill the responsibilities described in Section F.”

[End of Amendment 01]