72036718R00004_Amendment_No._07_FINAL.pdf

USAID/Nepal Sajhedari – STF Project

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07

I. PART I – THE SCHEDULE

A. SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

1. Section B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET AND TOTAL PRICE

Section B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET AND TOTAL PRICE is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET AND TOTAL PRICE

(a) The contract budget found herein is based on the contractor’s original proposal or final proposal revision, which was accepted by USAID through award of this contract.

(b) Without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer, the Contractor may not exceed the total estimated costs set forth in the budget hereunder or the total obligated amount, whichever is less.

(c) The following itemized budget sets forth the estimates for reimbursement of dollar costs for individual line items of cost, and the fixed fee.

(d) The exchange rate for cost proposal and this Contract will be USD 1= NPR 100.”

[END B.4]

[END SECTION B]

B. SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

1. Section C.1 OVERVIEW

Section C.1 OVERVIEW is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“C.1 OVERVIEW

The Statement of Objectives (SOO), included as Section L.5, provides the Government’s overall objectives for this solicitation. FAR 2.101 defines a SOO as a “Government-prepared document incorporated into the solicitation that states the overall performance objectives. It is used in solicitations when the Government intends to provide the maximum flexibility to each offeror to propose an innovative approach.” As per FAR 37.602(c), offerors shall use the SOO, together with other applicable portions of this RFP, as the basis for preparing their proposals (i.e., statements of work (SOW) and performance work statement (PWS), based on proposed solutions and performance measures). FAR 2.101 defines a PWS as “a statement of work for performance-based acquisitions that describes the required results in clear, specific and objective terms with measurable outcomes.” The offeror must ensure all

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07 aspects of the SOO are addressed. The PWS should specify in clear, understandable terms the work to be done in developing or producing the goods to be delivered or services to be performed by the contractor. Preparation of an effective PWS requires both an understanding of the goods or services that are needed to satisfy a particular requirement and an ability to define what is required in specific, performance based, and quantitative terms. The offerors understanding of both required goods/services, and work effort required to accomplish should be fully demonstrated in the offeror’s proposed PWS. Within this request for proposal (RFP), the terms “concept paper,” “performance work statement,” or “PWS” are often used interchangeably.

Offerors must also develop the Contractor Statement of Work (CSOW) that reasonably describes the general scope, nature, complexity, and purpose of the supplies or services the offeror will provide for the Base Year Period and Option Years Period that corresponds to the aforementioned PWS and will be integrated into the final award Section C.

Offerors must submit the CSOW in the following format:

Background;

Objective;

Scope;

Task requirements; and Deliverables or outputs.

USAID will not rate the submitted CSOW.”

[END C.1]

2. Section C.2 PRINCIPLES OF ENGAGEMENT

Section C.2 PRINCIPLES OF ENGAGEMENT is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“C.2 PRINCIPLES OF ENGAGEMENT

As per Section C.1, USAID intends to provide the maximum flexibility to each offeror to propose an innovative approach that draws on Nepal-based and global data and evidence.

USAID recognizes that the ability of external actors, including development partners, to influence change requires a deeper, more nuanced understanding of power and politics. To guide this work, below please find USAID’s principles of engagement that outline the Mission’s existing priorities; this solicitation invites Offerors to interpret these principles of engagement to direct and drive Sajhedari outcomes contained in the PWS:

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07

Alignment with the Government of Nepal’s (GoN’s) and other donors’ local governance activities;1

To the greatest extent possible and when applicable, focus on advancing self-reliance through Nepali-led institutions (GON, civil society, community-based);

Coordination, collaboration and cohesion with USAID/Nepal’s other programs (specifically those advancing Democracy and Governance) or other integrated governance activities, such as in the area of health and education (as well as agriculture, disaster risk management, environment, and resilience as the context demands), on common issues/priorities, such as local government management, public financial management, budget and procurement transparency, service delivery monitoring, civic education, and media and other relevant donor and GON programs;

Adaptive management to proactively allow for course corrections if interventions are not yielding results, based on rigorous evidence review and learning;

Demonstration of key cross-cutting themes in USAID/Nepal’s programming including: gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), resilience, youth participation, and engagement with the private sector;

Implementation with a systems approach so that interventions focus on the biases and incentives driving systems and behaviors (as opposed to technical fixes to those systems), as well as foundational factors, rules of the game, here and now dynamics.

These are components at the heart of Thinking and Working Politically2 and a Political Economy Analysis Framework;

Increasing the capacity of the GON at all levels to implement their inherently governmental functions, and not substituting that through Sajhedari; and

Implementation in a manner that facilitates replicability to encourage other donors to use Sajhedari modalities.

Offerors should refer to Section J.2 USEFUL LINKS (6th bullet) for USAID/Nepal’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for a more detailed description of some of the terms and concepts used above.”

[END C.2]

[END SECTION C]

1 The current program is called the “Local Government and Community Development Program II” and will expire in June 2018. It will likely be followed by the “Sub National Governance Program” (SNGP), which is currently being designed. Other donors working in this area include (but is not limited to): Australia (with The Asia Foundation), UK, Swiss, European Union, Germany, UN, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank.

2 For more information on Thinking and Working Politically, see: https://twpcommunity.org/ and https://usaidlearninglab.org/library/applied-political-economy-analysis-field-guide.

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004

C. SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

1. Section F.6.1 REPORTS

Section F.6.1 REPORTS is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“F.6.1 REPORTS

The Contractor must submit the following reports to the USAID/Nepal COR and Alternate COR – electronically using either Microsoft (MS) Word, MS Excel, or MS PowerPoint applications. All reports must be written in plain, grammatically correct English. All reports are subject to approval by the USAID/Nepal COR. Written reports will be in the form of regular reports (as described below) as well as ad hoc written reports for which content and length will be determined jointly by the USAID/Nepal COR and the Contractor.

The Contractor will be expected to coordinate workplan development with other USAID/Nepal activities, as relevant, including but not limited to DGO implementing partners.

The table below provides a schedule of required reports or plans to be submitted:

Deliverable Delivery Date

Initial co-design workshop Due within 30 day of award Three-year implementation plan with exit strategy and initial conflict sensitivity analysis

Due within 60 days of completion of co-design workshop

Year 1 work plan (covers period from award through August 15, 2018)

Due within 60 days of completion of co-design workshop

Procurement Plan Due 15 days after implementation plan Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Plan Due 15 days after implementation plan Monthly Updates Due 4th Thursday of every month Annual Work Plan for FY 2019 – FY 2020 Due August 15 of each year

Quarterly Progress Report Due on or before April 15th, July 15th, October 15th, and January 15th of each year

Annual Reports Due on or before November 15th of each year (due within 45 calendar days of the end of each fiscal year)

Quarterly Accruals Report Due 14 days prior before the end of each quarter

Draft of Final Report Due 45 days before end date of contract Final Report Due 60 days after end of contract

[END F.6.1]

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07

2. Section F.9.1 KEY PERSONNEL

Section F.9.1 KEY PERSONNEL is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“F.9.1 KEY PERSONNEL

Offerors must present at least three, but no more than five key personnel positions, deemed critical to achieve the Sajhedari (STF) project. Offerors must propose a Chief of Party and specify at least two, but no more than four, additional key persons per Section F.9.2.2.

Offerors must explain how the combined skills, interpersonal skills, experience, and education of the proposed key personnel will help the offeror implement the activities, accomplish the results, and meet the indicator targets proposed in the concept paper.

The key personnel specified above are considered essential to the work being performed.

Prior to replacing any of the specified individuals, the Contractor must immediately notify both the COR and Contracting Officer in advance and shall submit written justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the program. No replacement of Key Personnel shall be made by the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. USAID reserves the right to adjust the level of Key Personnel during the performance of this Contract. The Chief of Party must be an employee of the prime Contractor rather than a subcontractor. Unless specified in writing by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall not replace any key personnel without the written approval of the Contracting Officer.

NOTE: Non-key personnel does not require Contracting Officer approval, unless their rates exceed the USAID/Nepal ceiling rates for the local compensation plan for equivalent cooperating country national (CCN) personnel.”

[END F.9.1]

3. Section F.9.2.1 CHIEF OF PARTY QUALIFICATIONS

Section F.9.2.1 CHIEF OF PARTY QUALIFICATIONS is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“F.9.2.1 CHIEF OF PARTY QUALIFICATIONS

The Chief of Party will serve as the primary point of contact with USAID/Nepal in regards to day-to-day implementation and management matters relating to this contract. Reporting to the COR and coordinates closely all other field staff to manage and oversee contractor designated activities, the COP will provide vision, direction, leadership and management for the contract. The COP will serve concurrently as the technical director for GON technical services and have overall responsibility for ensuring quality control, the appropriateness and overall responsiveness of all work provided under the contract, whether by long- or short-term advisors or others.

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004

The required minimum qualifications for the Chief of Party are as follows:

Eight to ten years of progressively responsible work experience in fields related to local governance, community development and public administration. Related work experience in similar positions of leadership such as a Chief of Party and/or a demonstrated track record of progressively responsible managerial experience implementing complex donor-funded projects with multiple activities;

Master’s degree in international development, business, economics, or related field of study;

Demonstrated management, leadership, political acumen, and interpersonal skills;

Strong writing and oral presentation skills; and Ability to speak, read, and write English fluently.

Whilst USAID prefers a fluent Nepali speaker for the COP position, Nepali language fluency is not required.”

[END F.9.2]

[END SECTION F]

D. SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

1. Section H.13 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

Section H.13 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“H.13 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

The authorized geographic code under the resultant contract is 937. As per ADS 310.3.1.1, Code 937 is defined as “the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source. Procurement of agricultural commodities and related products, motor vehicles, and pharmaceuticals remain subject to the limitations in 22 CFR 228.19 and may require a waiver. Offerors can find further guidance on geographic Code 937 under ADS 310.3.1.1 available at the following link:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1876/310.pdf and in Attachment 6 in Section J.”

[END H.13]

2. Section H.29

Section H.29 GENDER CONSIDERATION is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07

“H.29 GENDER CONSIDERATION

GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION REQUIREMENTS

USAID emphasizes the importance of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) as part of good governance, inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction, and improving human capital. USAID’s Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy outlines requirements for integrating gender considerations into project and activity design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. USAID/Nepal, recognizing the unique and inextricable linkages between gender, caste, and ethnicity in the country, has special requirements to extend gender analysis and integration to include social inclusion as well. Specific USAID/Nepal requirements include:

● Ensuring that all project and activity M&E plans include appropriate indicators to measure progress toward gender equality and social inclusion and that these indicators are included in the Mission PMP;

● Ensuring that actual annual data are reviewed against planned targets with attention to gaps between the extent to which females and males and members of historically marginalized groups are participating in and benefitting from projects and activities;

● Ensuring that data for sex-disaggregated and gender-sensitive indicators in the Mission; Performance Management Plan are routinely updated and available for use during Portfolio Reviews;

● Analyzing unexpected results (positive or negative) affecting females, males, and historically marginalized groups, and discussing the findings with implementing partners; and

● Ensuring that GESI-related learning across projects is regularly shared within the Mission, with other stakeholders in Nepal, and with others in USAID. Learning-focused events such as portfolio reviews, partner meetings, baseline data collection, performance and impact evaluations, and country-level GESI analyses and audits will be used to capture and share such learning.

The gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) analysis for Sajhedari –STF activity examined five dimensions of inclusion and equality, which include:

(1) Legal rights, policies and institutions

(2) Cultural norms, beliefs and perceptions

(3) Roles, responsibilities and time use

(4) Access, use and control of resources, services and opportunities

(5) Participation and leadership

The amendment of the Civil Service Act in 2007 introduced the policy of setting aside 45 percent of vacant seats to women, ethnic minorities, disabled and remote regions to address group disparities and inequitable development outcomes. Since the amendment the percentage of female civil servants has doubled from 7 to 15 percent. Recent analysis of civil servants’ caste ethnicity demonstrates that workforce diversity is not fully reflective of Nepal’s demographics, as the civil service is 39.2 percent Brahmin, 22.3 percent Chettri and

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07

7 percent Newar, with Madhesi Dalits and Muslims constituting 0.5 percent and 0.7 percent of civil service respectively.

Line ministries have created institutional mechanisms for inclusion by introducing GESI focal points and units to mainstream GESI in their respective development programs.

Effective operationalization of these mechanisms has become a challenge due to lack of authority, resources and institutional coordination and linkage at national level. District and local level coordination mechanisms however, are found to be relatively successful. For example, the District Coordination Committees of Adivasi, Janajati, Dalits and Backward Communities formed by the Ministry of Federal and Local Development have initiated the practice of development planning and disaggregated reporting in terms of beneficiaries reached. Gender responsive budgeting has improved from 7 percent in 2007 to 22 percent in 2014, which also contributed in planning, monitoring and evaluation of programs through a gender sensitive approach.

Opportunities for participation of women and excluded groups in community level decision making has increased substantially due to requirements for their representation in user groups and committees. Ministries of Health, Education, Federal Affairs and Local Development, Agriculture, Forestry, Rural Infrastructure, Irrigation and Water and Sanitation have initiated GESI assessments in order to understand the challenges of mainstreaming GESI in their organizations and development programs.

In accordance with USAID/Nepal’s recognition of the importance of GESI in development, the Contractor must identify and address gender implications or opportunities in the activity and promote gender equity and women’s representation/leadership throughout the implementation of the economic governance activities. Design and implementation must ensure that women and older girls are more broadly involved, and implementing partners must endeavor to strengthen their capacity to do so. Public financial management-related activities are an excellent vehicle to promote women’ and historically excluded ethnic minority group’s empowerment and resource access and decision-making”

[END H.29]

3. Section H.36 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

Section H.36 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT is hereby DELETED in its entirety and

“H.36 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

USAID/Nepal has obtained the requisite Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) written approval per ADS 302.3.4.13 for the Contracting Officer (CO) to enter into a contract that provides for a USAID direct contractor to execute grants with non-governmental organizations (nonprofits or for-profits) and partner government entities (also known as partner government implementing entity as defined in ADS 220). Thus, an offeror may propose a grants under contract (GUC) mechanism as part of its performance work statement (i.e., concept paper). However, the Contractor is NOT required to develop and

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07 execute a grants program on behalf of USAID/Nepal as detailed in Section L.5.2. If an offeror proposes a GUC, it must apply at a minimum all of the following requirements to the grants program and all grants awarded by the Contractor under the contract:

(a) The Contractor is authorized to develop a grants program and execute grants, not cooperative agreements, on behalf of USAID/Nepal to non-governmental organizations (non-profits or for-profits). Note: Approval for solely in-kind grants to government entities are subject to the approval by the Contracting Officer as a matter of disposition of equipment and vehicles.

(b) In accordance with ADS 302 and ADS 303, the total value of any individual grant to a U.S. organization, if any, must not exceed $100,000. This limitation does not apply to grant awards to non-U.S. organizations.

(c) The Contractor must ensure that the COR is significantly involved in establishing the selection criteria.

(d) The selection of all grants recipients is subject to the Contracting Officer’s written approval. If grant recipient approval authority is delegated by the Contracting Officer, the Contracting officer will make this delegation in writing.

(e) To all grants signed by the Contractor, the Contractor must follow and apply all Agency requirements which apply to the award and administration of all USAID-executed grants. The range of requirements must include, but is not limited to, all requirements of USAID’s Automated Directives System 302 and 303, as amended, all applicable regulatory, policy or procedural changes disseminated through Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives or any similar notice available on the Agency’s website.

(f) The Contractor must include award language that notifies the grantee that USAID/Nepal retains the right to terminate the grant activity (activities) unilaterally in extraordinary circumstances.

(g) Each grant awarded by the Contractor on behalf of USAID/Nepal under the forthcoming contract must be in the following form: (1) a grant letter; (2) a Schedule; (3) a Program Description to be developed by the grantee and the Contractor; and (4) (i) the mandatory standard provisions and (ii) any applicable required-as-applicable standard provisions. The Contractor may also use a Fixed Obligation Grant format when appropriate as described in ADS 303.

(h) The Contractor must ensure that the grantee does not appear on the “List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-Procurement Programs” and is not otherwise restricted from receiving USG funding.

(i) The Contractor must acquire a signed Certification Regarding Terrorist Financing from the proposed grantee and the Contractor must confirm that the proposed grantee: (i) does not appear on the master list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, which list is maintained by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07

(OFAC) and is available online at OFAC’ s website:

http://www.treas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/sdn/t II sdn.pdf and (ii) is not included in any supplementary information concerning prohibited individuals or entities that may be provided by USAID/Nepal to the Contractor.

(j) The Contractor must consider all information about the proposed grantee of which it is aware and all public information that is reasonably available to it or of which it should be aware prior to recommending the recipient organization for USAID/Nepal’s approval.

The Contractor must implement reasonable monitoring and oversight procedures to safeguard against assistance being diverted to support terrorist activity and to immediately notify USAID and cease support, transactions or dealings with any individual or organization that is designated by the United States Government as a Foreign Terrorist Organization or as a Specially Designated Terrorist or a Specially Designated Global Terrorist or has been designated by the United States Government in or pursuant to Executive Orders 12947 or 13224, or has been designated by the 1267 Committee, or otherwise engages in terrorist acts.

(k) Grants must not extend for any period beyond the estimated termination or completion date of the Contract.

(l) The grant must provide that payment of any interest, fees, program income and other refunds generated by grant recipients hereunder will be made to a special, non-commingled, interest-bearing account established by the Contractor (the “Separate Account”). The Contractor has no beneficial interest in any funds in the Separate Account. Funds in the Separate Account must be used as directed by the USAID/Nepal Contracting Officer.

(m) The Contractor must scrupulously avoid any conflicts of interest and should any conflict of interest arise, the Contractor must immediately notify the Contracting Officer as to the conflict and the Contractor’s proposed solution for avoiding the conflict, and the Contractor must follow the instructions of the Contracting Officer.

(n) The Contractor will act as custodian for USAID of all records relating to grants under the Contract. The Contractor will preserve all records with respect to its grant-making (including with respect to the deliberations of all Review Panels) and grant administration hereunder. USAID and the Comptroller General must have full access to all documents, papers and others records of the Contractor with respect to its duties hereunder.

(o) With reference to ADS 303 Required as Applicable Standard Provision entitled “Publications and Media Releases”, the Contractor must obtain written clearance from the COR and then forward one copy of all published reports generated by recipients under the grants program to USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) .at:

http://dec.usaid.gov.

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07

(p) The Contractor must comply with and apply additional grant program requirements and details as described in Section L.5.2 of this Contract. Conflicts between Section L and this Section must be resolved by the Contracting Officer.

(q) Grants proposed for “Public International Organizations” or host government entities are subject to Contracting Officer review and approval regardless of other delegated authority.

(r) Grants may not include construction, infrastructure, renovation, or rehabilitation projects.”

[END H.36]

[END SECTION H]

[END PART I]

II. PART III – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

A. SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

1. Section J.1 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Section J.1 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS is hereby DELETED in its entirety and

“J.1 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment No. Title

1 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS

USAID FORM 1420-17 (04/2007) – CONTRACTOR

BIOGRAPHICAL DATASHEET3

3 SF LLL: DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES4

4 PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

5 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

IDENTIFICATION OF PRINCIPLE GEOGRAPHIC

CODES

3 A hard copy is attached at the end of this document. For an electronic version, the form is located at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/.

4 For an electronic version, please locate the forms at http://www.usaid.gov/forms and at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/grants/sflllin.pdf.

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004

7 PER DIEM RATES FOR GON OFFICIALS

CERTIFICATION REGARDING TRAFFICKING IN

PERSONS COMPLIANCE PLAN, PURSUANT TO FAR

52.222-56

POLICY GUIDANCE ON CRITERIA FOR PAYMENT

OF SALARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR HOST

GOVERNMENT

CONFLICT SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMMING

GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION

(GESI) ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY

12 LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN (LCP) RANGE”

[END J.1]

2. ATTACHMENT 12 – LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN (LCP) RANGE

ATTACHMENT 12 – LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN (LCP) RANGE is hereby ADDED to Section J.1:

“ATTACHMENT 12 – LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN (LCP) RANGE

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004

Local Compensation Plan Range

Effective May 02, 2018 Annual Basic Salary Rate

FSN

Level

Illustrative Categories Low (NPR) High

(NPR)

(1 – 3) Entry Level Clerical and Manual/Trade Positions 327,311 639,644

(4 – 6) Upper Level Clerical, Supervisory Manual/Trade Positions 508,794 1,028,547

(7 – 9) Technical and Administrative Management 891,754 2,090,873

(10) Junior Level Professionals/Specialists 1,911,330 2,866,994

(11) Mid-Level Professionals/Specialists 2,355,128 3,532,696

(12) Upper Level Professionals/Specialists 3,101,145 4,651,721

Total Compensation: Annual Basic Salary Rate plus Allowances and Benefits5

FSN

Level Illustrative Categories Low (NPR)

High

(NPR)

(1 – 3) Entry Level Clerical and Manual/Trade Positions

556,751 984,163

(4 – 6) Upper Level Clerical, Supervisory Manual/Trade Positions 805,101 1,516,357

(7 – 9) Technical and Administrative Management 1,329,163 2,970,097

(10) Junior Level Professionals/Specialists 2,724,402 4,032,180

(11) Mid-Level Professionals/Specialists 3,331,717 4,943,160

(12) Upper Level Professionals/Specialists 4,352,604 6,474,490

[END ATTACHMENT 12]

[END SECTION J]

[END PART III]

III. PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

A. SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO

OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

1. Section L.5.3 PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Section L.5.3 PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

5 The total compensation package includes the following monetized and non-monetized benefits: Miscellaneous Benefit Allowance, Meal and Beverage Allowance, Child Allowance, Dasain Bonus, Welfare Bonus, Retirement Contribution, Medical Insurance and Life and Accidental Insurance.

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07

“L.5.3 PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The Sajhedari (STF) estimated period of performance consists of a three-year Base Period and one, three-year Option Period for a total possible six-year period of performance. The estimated start of performance is no more than 30 calendar days from the date of contract award.

The place of performance shall be within select locations in the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (Nepal). Sajhedari (STF) shall work at the national level in Kathmandu.

Based on close coordination with the GON, other donors, and through internal analysis looking at USAID’s historic investments, comparative advantage, on-going sectoral programming, among others, for the purposes of this solicitation offerors should consider implementing Sajhedari (STF) activities in Province 5 or Province 7. Nevertheless, given that USAID/Nepal issued the Sajhedari (STF) solicitation as a SOO, the offeror must determine the most efficient way to achieve the project’s objectives per Section L.5.5 as well as submit a cost proposal applicable to either province (i.e., one cost proposal that reflects the realistic costs for implementing the offeror’s PWS in either province). Most of the Sajhedari (STF) activities shall be expended within a select number of rural and urban municipalities within the target province. Targeted municipalities shall be within the targeted province and must be willing and able to participate in Sajhedari (STF).

USAID has determined that the selection of focus municipalities will be determined based upon a set of criteria. The contractor and USAID will jointly design a municipal selection methodology during the co-creation stage. Key elements of this criterion may include:

Large ethnic/religious/caste diversity;

High levels of exclusion (i.e. gender, social, and youth);

Poor economic opportunity, disparity in resource allocation;

Historic or recent instances of conflict- or a high probability of new occurrence of conflict;

Potential for conflict post-decentralization (i.e. natural resource poor, large presence of ethnic groups, existence of regional identities), or post-reintegration of ex-combatants;

Existence of other USAID or Donor activities- activity must not overlap, but should draw from other activities;

USG priorities for Nepal;

Potential demonstration effect with others municipality;

Commitment and willingness to participate and maintain performance levels; and Balancing between new and old municipalities.

Given the fluid nature of the operating environment, it may be necessary to re-evaluate the geographic focus of this activity to respond to new events. This re-evaluation will involve close coordination between USAID/Nepal and the Contractor. However, USAID/Nepal will make the final target geographic determination.”

[END L.5.3]

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004

2. Section L.10.2.1.1 TECHNICAL APPROACH AND UNDERSTANDING

Section L.10.2.1.1 TECHNICAL APPROACH AND UNDERSTANDING is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“L.10.2.1.1 TECHNICAL APPROACH AND UNDERSTANDING

The offeror must provide a technical approach and implementation strategy in its concept paper. The concept paper must clearly describe the offeror’s proposed set of activities and implementation approach, which provides a description of how the proposed approach takes into accounts the different components and special considerations identified in the SOO, including GESI as well as conflict sensitivity considerations. A description of proposed activities and an explanation must relate direct relevance to the achievement of desired results.

The offeror must demonstrate how the project will remain flexible and responsive to the emerging needs within the governance sector and transition to decentralized government in Nepal. Given the nature of the governance challenges, the degree of uncertainty as to how the federalization process will progress, and the general fluidity of the context, the technical approach should include scenario planning that speaks to the likelihood of various pathways in the federalization process and the way in which the project would respond to the same.

As such, the technical approach should demonstrate how adaptive management mechanisms will be brought to bear on project activities and planning. Whilst USAID will not evaluate the offeror’s scenario planning, proposed scenarios must directly correlate to the Technical Approach and Understanding evaluation factor under Section M.3.1.1, in which the offeror’s technical approach should demonstrate how adaptive management mechanisms will be brought to bear on project activities and planning.

The Offeror must propose the technical approach for aligning STF with Government of Nepal priorities and the efforts undertaken by other donors and partners in the governance sector. Furthermore, as USAID/Nepal’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy elevates the importance of integrated development assistance, STF is anticipated to play an important role in identifying and pursuing synergies with other USAID/Nepal and USG programs. Such cross-sectoral linkages could entail collaboration around local government management, public financial management, budget and procurement transparency, service delivery monitoring, civic education, and media. Cooperation and coordination with USAID/Nepal’s other DG programs will be particularly important to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication.”

[END L.10.2.1.1]

3. Section L.10.2.1.2 MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING PLAN [see Section

M.3.1.2]

Section L.10.2.1.2 MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING PLAN [see Section M.3.1.2] is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“L.10.2.1.2 MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING PLAN [see Section M.3.1.2]

The Management and Staffing Plan must present the offeror’s strategy for performing the activities described in the SOO in Section L.5. The offeror must present an appropriate management plan that aligns with the proposed technical approach. The management and staffing plan must also specify the compositions and organizational structure of the activity team and describe each staff member’s role, technical expertise, and estimated amount of time each will devote to completing activities under this activity. It must clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of Home Office, field staff, and subcontractors, if applicable.

This section must provide brief biographies and description of roles and responsibilities for each required key personnel, and non-key personnel who will contribute towards implementation of the project. The Offeror must indicate the employer for each staff – prime or partner; local, U.S., or other. This narrative is an opportunity for the Offeror to elaborate on its vision for implementation through its personnel choices, describing how the proposed individuals are uniquely qualified for their respective roles and how they will fulfill the responsibilities of this contract. If the Offeror has opted to propose the utilization of HQ staff to contribute towards implementation of the project, the Offeror must prepare a compelling narrative justifying the use of HQ staff and must clearly indicate whether the staff is performing on-site or off-site in the proposal.

The Offeror must describe how any proposed partnerships will be managed within the proposed management framework. This should capture said partners’ governance structures and how they fit together to achieve the presented technical approach.

The Offeror must propose a mix of short- and long-term expertise which it will use to perform the activities described in the SOO, including their role, technical expertise, and estimated amount of time to be devoted to the activity. Contractor is highly encouraged to mobilize local experts to the extent such experts are available on the local market.

Offerors must demonstrate the ability to mobilize short-term technical assistance relevant to governance reforms in a rapidly evolving environment. This technical assistance capacity must include sectoral expertise combined with expertise in measuring and evaluating development interventions in that sector. Offerors should consider alternative models of leveraging existing capacity that contributes to collective capabilities to the governance expertise of a wider development community (not isolated to project specific objectives alone).”

[END L.10.2.1.2]

4. Section L.10.2.1.3 PAST PERFORMANCE [see Section M.3.1.4]

Section L.10.2.1.3 PAST PERFORMANCE [see Section M.3.1.4] is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004

“L.10.2.1.3 PAST PERFORMANCE [see Section M.3.1.4]

1. The offeror must provide past performance information for itself and each major subcontractor (i.e., “major subcontractor” means a subcontractor whose proposed subcontract equals or exceeds 15 percent of the contract value) in accordance with the following:

(a) List up to five of the most recent and a relevant contract, cooperative agreements, grants, or other donor funded projects of similar efforts for offeror and international or local sub-offerors. The most relevant indicators of performance are contracts of similar magnitude and complexity to this requirement. The offeror must also have record of past performance and demonstrated experience in undertaking and successfully managing performance-based contracts.

(b) The Offeror should demonstrate an understanding of post conflict setting and experience of rebuilding governance and accountability, preferably in Asia. The Offeror should demonstrate utilization and awareness of the risk of ‘do no harm’ has experiences of developing conflict impact assessment tools, as well as an ability and skills to advance challenging governance reform processes with host country, USAID and other donors.

(c) Provide for each of the contracts listed above a list of contact names, job titles, phone numbers, email addresses and a description of the performance to include:

statement of work or complexity/diversity of tasks;

primary location(s) of work;

term of performance;

skills/expertise required;

dollar value; and contract type (i.e., fixed price, cost reimbursement, etc.)

(USAID recommends that the Offeror alert the contacts that their names have been submitted and that they are authorized to provide performance information concerning the listed contracts if and when USAID requests it.)

2. If extraordinary problems impacted any of the referenced contracts, provide a short explanation and the corrective action taken (as required by FAR 15.305(a)(2)).

3. Describe any quality awards or certifications that indicate exceptional capacity to provide the technical assistance described in the statement of work.”

[END L.10.2.1.3]

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004

5. Section L.10.2.2 CONCEPT PAPER TABLE OF ATTACHMENTS

Section L.10.2.2 CONCEPT PAPER TABLE OF ATTACHMENTS is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“L.10.2.2 CONCEPT PAPER TABLE OF ATTACHMENTS

Offerors must tab attachments according to the following Table of Attachments. Offerors must reference the applicable attachment in the respective narratives of the appropriate sections of the technical proposal. With the exception of Section L.10.2.2(g) (i.e., résumés or curricula vitae), USAID will not evaluate submitted attachments per Section M.3 and the following attachments do not count against the concept paper 17-page limit.”

(a) Contractor Statement of Work (CSOW): CSOW is a separate and distinct part of the technical proposal or PWS to be incorporated into the resulting award document together with the deliverables (See Section F.6.2 that includes USAID/Nepal Relevant CDCS Indicators). CSOW accurately describes the work to be performed, is enforceable and is void of inconsistencies. Offerors should consult FAR 35.005 before writing the CSOW. The CSOW describes the technical methodology as well as the task description, but not in so much detail as to make the CSOW inflexible;

(b) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (MELP): The Offeror’s GESI approach must be highlighted throughout the MELP. The MELP must explain how the offeror proposes to monitor the project performance and measure results. The MELP must include results, indicators, targets, data sources, frequency of data collection, collection methods, data verification, and responsible parties for data collection, baseline information, and benchmarks. The offeror must discuss the ways in which the collection, analysis and reporting of performance data shall be managed under the project. All data collected must be disaggregated. The draft MELP should also propose a Learning Agenda to include any relevant analyses and studies that shall inform and strengthen the implementation of proposed activities. Such studies may include research related to each objective to better deliver on expected results and/or learn from proposed activities in order to justify expanding efforts. USAID also encourages the offeror to use data and findings from existing surveys and research for the Project’s intervention as necessary;

(c) Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): QASP is the key Government-developed surveillance process document used for managing contractor performance assessment by ensuring that systematic quality assurance methods validate that contractor quality control efforts are timely, effective, and are delivering the results specified in the contract. The QASP directly corresponds to the performance objectives and standards (i.e., quality, quantity, timeliness) specified in the PWS per FAR Part 46.4.

It provides specific details on how the Government will survey, observe, test, sample, evaluate, and document contractor performance results to determine if the contractor has met the required standards for each objective in the PWS.

(d) Scenario Planning: Scenario planning is a structured way for an organization or project team to think about the future. Scenario planning can help project’s recognize and adapt

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07 to changing aspects of its context and provide a methodology for articulating different pathways that might exist for the project in the future. The scenario planning should directly link to the proposed technical understanding and approach;

(e) Sustainability Plan and Exit Strategy: The Offeror must design and implement the

Contract from its start-up with the vision to leave processes, products, and expertise that are position for longevity beyond the life of the project. The Offeror is required to identify indicators and targets against Sajhedari Sustainability Plan and Exit Strategy tracked and reported in the project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan;

(f) Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Statement: In carrying out this activity, the successful Offeror must take into consideration gender and social inclusion issues, both in its operations and in its outcomes. This is consistent with USAID/Nepal’s explicit policy that all of its activities must be sensitive not only to gender issues, but to inclusion issues as well. Because Nepali society has traditionally discriminated against and excluded people on the basis of gender, caste, and ethnicity, the successful Offeror must specifically recognize these challenges and address them.

Thus, the approach of the successful Offeror is expected to clearly describe how the activity will improve USAID/Nepal’s ability to: effectively target women and marginalized groups; define and measure female and marginalized group empowerment within and across sectors; mainstream GESI sensitive indicators and evaluation questions throughout its PMP. Please refer to Attachment 11for further details;

(g) Résumés or curricula vitae: Résumés or curricula vitae of Key Personnel with three references. Offerors must submit at least three points of contact for each proposed key personnel including contact name, professional relationship, e-mail and phone number.

USAID reserves the right to pursue other reference checks;

(h) Letters of commitment (Key personnel): Letters of commitment from proposed Key

Personnel must remain valid for a minimum of 180 days and must be stated in the letter.

Offerors must submit a signed statement for each individual proposed as key personnel confirming his/her intention to serve in the stated position and his/her availability to serve for the term of the proposed contract. Statements must not contain salary information. Letters of Commitment must be submitted as part of the Technical Proposal. Letters of Commitment are not required in the Cost Proposal;

(i) Letters of commitment (subcontractors and implementing partners): Letters of commitment from subcontractors and implementing Partners, if any; must remain valid for a minimum of 180 days and must be stated in the letter. Offerors must submit a signed statement for each major subcontractor or partner organization confirming their intention to supply the required services and expertise for the duration of the contract period. Offerors must include additional federal contract eligibility identification information such as DUNs and SAMs registration in the letter content. Statements must not contain budget information. While partnerships with GON and other stakeholders are encouraged for the purposes of sustainability, exclusive commitments between the Applicant and uniquely qualified organizations are discouraged for this application.

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004 Amendment No. 07

Exclusive commitments between the Applicant and project stakeholders also are not required;

(j) Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan: Offerors must submit a

Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan consistent with the Branding Strategy in Section D and with content as required by the Agency’s Automated Directive System (ADS) Chapter 320. A Branding Implementation Plan describes how the program will be communicated to beneficiaries and promoted to host-country citizens; it outlines the events and materials the contractor will use to deliver the message that the assistance is from the American people. The contents of the Branding Implementation Plan are described in ADS 320.3.2.2. A Marking Plan is a plan that USAID Implementing partners provide detailing the public communications, commodities, program materials and other items that will visibly bear or be marked with the USAID Identity. It also requests any exceptions to marking. Marking Plan contents are described in ADS

320.3.2.4. Offerors must identify proposed exceptions in accordance with ADS

320.3.2.5. (Please see requirement at Section L.13.2.4.j);

(k) List of Acronyms: Offerors must provide a list of acronyms for names, terms etc. for

USAID/Nepal to understand and to be familiar during review and evaluation; and

(l) Organizational Chart and Staffing Matrix (Optional): Offerors may submit an organizational chart or diagram that shows the offeror’s proposed Sajhedari – STF structure and the relationships and relative ranks of its parts and positions.”

[END L.10.2.2]

6. Section L.11.3 OFFEROR ATTENDEES

Section L.11.3 OFFEROR ATTENDEES is hereby DELETED in its entirety and

“L.11.3 OFFEROR ATTENDEES

The proposed Chief of Party must lead the presentation and USAID encourages the presence and participation of other proposed Key Personnel. The maximum number of participants who may attend on behalf of each offeror is four from the Prime Offeror and one from each major subcontractor (i.e., “major subcontractor” means a subcontractor whose proposed subcontract equals or exceeds 15 percent of the contract value). A maximum of seven persons will be allowed to formally participate with the oral presentation.

However, offerors may opt to bring additional personnel (maximum of three) for the purpose of preparing responses to TEC questions, but not formally participate with the oral presentation.

Failure of the proposed Chief of Party to lead the oral presentation for any reason will result in a full adjectival rating downgrade for the Management and Staffing Plan evaluation criteria per Section M.4.3.”

Solicitation No. 72036718R00004

[END L.11.3]

7. Section L.12 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST

PROPOSAL

Section L.12 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL is hereby DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with the following:

“L.12 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL

Offerors shall submit a separate cost proposal and include the following information using white divider pages. Failure to include all information, or to organize the proposal in the manner prescribed, may result in rejection of the proposal as being unacceptable. The following guidance is provided with respect to the organization of the cost proposal.

(a) Part 1 – Standard Form (SF)-33

The Offeror shall submit SF-33, titled “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.

(b) Part 2 – Proposed Costs/Prices

This part of the Cost Proposal should include the following information: Detailed budgets in MS Excel spreadsheet format with all formulas showing and no hidden cells; and supporting documents (e.g., documents that support the calculation of costs…