Q and A RFP 72038321R00001 Amendment 1.pdf

Request for Proposals - RFP 72038321R00001 Efficient and Effective Justice Activity (EEJ) - Clarification Questions

Index Question/Concerns USAID Responses

1. Could USAID provide the most recent CORE Justice Quarterly Report? The most recent CORE Justice report that is available on the DEC is the Annual Summary Progress Report for the period ending in September 2020.

As per terms and conditions of the Task Order, the implementing partner has uploaded documents to the

DEC.

2. There are several CORE Justice Annual Summary Progress Reports on the DEC. Has the CORE Justice contractor produced more detailed Annual Reports (not Summary Reports)? If so, could USAID provide them to all offerors?

Annual summary reports are the general annual reports. No other detailed reports have been produced.

Please see answer to question No. 1.

3. There are currently no quarterly or annual reports on the Development Experience Clearinghouse for the CORE project. When will these reports be made available? How will USAID ensure that offerors have adequate time to review these reports before proposals are due, and to ask relevant follow up questions?

Please see answer to question No. 1.

4. Can USAID please provide the quarterly, annual and any other reports prepared and submitted under the CORE Justice program?

Please see answer to question No. 1.

5. Can USAID please provide the final report for the Civil Society Initiatives to Promote the Rule of Law (CSI.ROL) In Sri Lanka program.

As per terms and conditions of the CSI.ROL Task Order, the implementing partner has uploaded documents to the DEC.

6. It appears that the various task order references throughout the RFP (p.6, p.20, p.22, p.24, etc.)

are an error. Please confirm.

This has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

7. The RFP refers to a “task order” at various points (Sections B.2, B.3, D.2, F.2, F.6, G, L.6, et al.), while the cover letter specifies that this procurement is full and open competition for a “cost plus fixed fee completion-type contract”. Can USAID confirm that this a cost-plus-fixed-fee completion-type contract, not task order?

This has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

8. Several places in the solicitation refer to a task order rather than a contract (e.g., Sections B.2, B.3, F.2). Can USAID confirm that this solicitation is for a contract, not a task order?

This has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

9. Can USAID provide a copy of the current Country Development Cooperation Strategy for Sri Lanka? The one shown on the usaid.gov website is an abbreviated version that ended in 2019.

This document is a USAID internal document and not available for distribution. The offeror will not be evaluated based on information of this document.

10. Can USAID provide a copy of the Mission’s local compensation plan? The Sri Lankan Local Compensation Plan is provided with the RFP Amendment #1.

11. Could USAID provide the Local Compensation Plan? Please see answer to question No. 10.

12. While the RFP requests under Section L.9 p. 107 that “The offeror must provide their This has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

organization’s local staff compensation plan for USAID reference and review”, per H.7 (b) Compensation, it states that “TCN’s and CCN’s may not, without the approval of...exceed the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country as determined by the USAID Mission.” Can USAID please clarify what is required with respect to ourlocal staff compensation plan, and can USAID please provide a copy of the Mission’s local compensation plan?

13. To assist Offerors with budgeting for realistic local labor costs, would USAID please provide the most recent Local Compensation Plan for Sri Lanka?

Please see answer to question No. 10.

14. Can USAID please provide a copy of their Local Employee Handbook? This document is a USAID internal document. It is not available for distribution.

15. Does the Mission have local per diem rates applicable for CCN staff? If so, will USAID provide a copy of these in-country rates?

The Mission does not have separate rates for local staff. USAID uses USG approved Per Diem rates for all staff.

16. "Are non-U.S. non-profit organizations, specifically Canadians organizations, eligible to apply to this RFP (USAID Sri Lanka - Efficient and Effective Justice Activity.

Yes, Non-U.S. Non-profit organizations are eligible to response to this RFP.

17. Do non-Sri Lankan organizations have to register their organization and open an office in Sri Lanka prior to submitting an application?

No. For more information, please see Section L.

18. Is the proposed project a continuation of a previous project? If yes, is there any information or reports that could be shared?

It is not an exact continuation of the current project.

However, USAID expects to build on the work initiated by the current projects under some components as mentioned in the SOW. (i.e., Curriculum development of SLJI)

19. Which local institutions were involved in the needs assessment for this project? USAID consulted the key institutions and actors in the Sri Lankan justice sector such as the Attorney General's Department, Ministry of Justice, Members of the Judicial Services Commission and the BASL.

20. Section B.4 (page 7) refers to an award fee, however this is not elaborated elsewhere in the RFP.

Can USAID confirm that there is no award fee associated with this procurement?

This has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

21. For greater clarity and to be consistent with the opening paragraph of Section B.8 , would USAID please consider adjusting the clause in B.8 (2) (page 8) to “In accordance with clauses, entitled ‘Allowable Cost and Payment’ (FAR 52.216-7) and ‘Fixed Fee’ (FAR 52.216-8), the terms and conditions of these clauses apply after total payments of fixed fee reach eighty-five percent (85%) of the total fixed fee” and removing “or $100,000, whichever is less until the required awards conditions under the reference clauses have been met.”

This has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

22. Section B.6, Ceiling on Indirect Costs, page 7, requires offerors to propose ceilings for their indirect rates. We are deeply concerned about the issue of cost recovery given uncertainties

USAID does not intend to revise Section B.6.

affecting international development during the COVID-19 pandemic. In forecasting indirect cost rates for a five-year period, the contractor must make assumptions about the volume of work that will be generated by USAID, which represents the base for indirect cost rates. At this time, organizations are facing an unclear future, with uncertainty about where infections may spike, when vaccines may be available – and if they will be widely available in developing countries, how work will continue to be adapted, if travel will be possible, to name only a few. All of these factors are outside the manageable control of contractors and their impact and timing cannot at this time be reasonably estimated. Given the fact that we may be facing significant, as yet unknown, events that may have substantial impacts on indirect cost rates, and given that the US Government has been clear that it intends for reasonable, allowable and allocable costs due to COVID-19 to be recoverable contract costs, which includes indirect costs, we respectfully request that the requirement for indirect cost ceilings be removed from this solicitation. Instead, we request that contractors be allowed to recover their indirect costs in accordance with their US Government Negotiated Indirect Cost Rates applicable at the time.

23. Is it expected that, for the purpose of developing case management system software and related court automation and digital tools, the Activity will need to procure hardware and other ICT infrastructure exceeding the needs of any pilot activities? If so, could USAID provide a budget plug figure for hardware and other ICT infrastructure?

The government has allocated funds for court automation at large scale. Therefore, USAID does not expect major expenses for automation. Allocation up to 2%-3% of the total cost will be reasonable.

24. Under Sub Objective 1.1 (p. 15), what type and extent of equipment is anticipated in support of “improved case management systems and related automation”? Is it anticipated that the government would provide the budget for this equipment or will the project? Also, is the project expected to develop and/or procure software systems?

The Government of Sri Lanka is currently developing a digitalization strategy. USAID anticipates that this activity will assist in the development and implementation of that strategy, and recognizes that further assessment is likely required to establish a clear list of equipment needs.

25. Section C.5 Technical Approach – Sub Objective 1.2: Court management systems and tools improved, pages 15-16, states: “The activity will also assist with minor infrastructure development, as necessary and appropriate.” Could USAID please provide a plug amount or funding estimate to allow offerors to properly budget for the minor infrastructure development?

USAID anticipates roughly around 5% of the total cost

26. Sub Objective 1.2 (p. 15) states that the activity will assist with minor infrastructure development.

What is the anticipated extent of these improvements (e.g., painting, partitioning, etc., or more extensive improvements and renovations)? Is there an environmental waiver in place? Has an environmental impact assessment been made that would cover these improvements? Finally, will USAID provide a plug figure for construction, as Paragraph L.9.3(h) requires construction activities proposed under the RFP to be expressly stated and approved in the award and explicit in the budget?

This will include minor improvement like partitioning, painting and fixing equipment. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is in place and it covers this type of improvements.

27. Under Sub Objective 1.3 (p. 16), what is the extent and form of the desired court annexed Offerors should explore the possibilities and propose mediation program, as the term can have different meanings? Has USAID explored the willingness of the courts (and if so, which courts) to conduct this activity?

practical extent of court annexed mediation and how that can be implemented.

28. With respect to the Expected Results under Sub Objective 2.1 (p. 17) – i.e., “Law schools adopt and follow improved curricula” – will the curricula require approval by the Ministry of Education?

If so, are law schools prepared/willing to work with the Ministry to obtain these approvals?

Different Law Schools are governed by different entities. For example, the curricular of the Sri Lanka Law College is approved by the Council of Legal Education. The Offerors should explore the level of possibilities and propose exact interventions.

29. The Expected Results under Sub Objective 2.2 (pp. 18-19) include “Facilitating exposure to other jurisdictions.” Are study tours anticipated to other countries? If so, are there preferred/expected jurisdictions?

Study tours can be included as necessary and appropriate. No preferred jurisdictions. However, they should be the jurisdictions from which Sri Lankan professionals can learn best practices that are applicable in Sri Lankan context.

30. Section C.6 (p. 19) mentions that CORE has worked with seven pilot courts. Where are the pilot courts located and are there reports about this work that will be made available? What is the status of the work at these locations, and are there currently plans to expand to other locations?

The pilot courts are: Nugegoda Magistrate Court, Nugegoda District Courts, Commercial High Court (2 court houses), Colombo High Court 6, Colombo Labor Tribunals (2). There is no plan to expand under the current project. Only the initial assessment work has happened so far.

31. Does USAID envision issuing grants under this activity? Grants Under Contracts (GUCs) are not envisage under this contract

32. Can USAID provide an estimated breakdown in Level of Effort between the Objectives/Sub Objectives?

USAID estimates that Objective 1 will require 70% of the total LOE of the program. Among the subobjectives, they are listed in descending order of LOE, per current estimates.

33. At present there is no requirement for judges in the Qazi courts to have any qualifications as either a judge or attorney. In rolling out a plan for standardized CJE as outlined in Sub-Objective 2.2, does USAID expect—and have stakeholder support—for these reforms to apply to Qazi courts?

If the offeror proposes interventions based on a reasonable assessment of possibilities and with a realistic plan they will be accepted. However, the offerors need to explore and consider possible changes that may happen under the Government of Sri Lanka's ' One Country one law' policy.

34. Per Section C.5, Technical Approach, Sub-Objective 2.3: Professional development and skills of non-judicial personnel improved, page 19, to what extent will the activity be expected to work with non-judicial personnel in the Qazi courts?

Please see answer to question No. 33.

35. Section C.5 Technical Approach, page 15, outlines “ Sub-Objective 1.1: Case management practices improved.” We have the following questions with regards to case management work:

a. No, USAID does not have a priority for any particular jurisdictions.

a. Does USAID have a priority for any particular jurisdictions (civil, criminal, etc.)?

b. Does USAID have a priority for any particular region or regions of the country?

c. Would USAID please provide a plug a plug amount or funding estimate for case management system equipment (computers, connectivity instruments, etc.)?

b. No. The focus is on the entire justice system

c. Roughly about 2% -3% of the total cost

36. Please confirm that the required 12 years of management experience for the Chief of Party may be a combination of: a) rule of law project management experience (including as a Component Leader); b) justice sector- and/or court administration-related management experience in the government. This would allow offerors to tap into a deeper talent pool that is also more diverse and inclusive.

The 12 years of experience can include senior level justice sector and court management experience.

However, a larger part of the experience should be in the capacity of the Deputy COP and/or COP.

This has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

37. Please confirm that the Final Report and the Year 5 Annual Report should be combined. Year Five Annual Report should be submitted separately within 30 days from the end of the year.

Final report is a summary of the entire report which should be submitted within 90 days after the end of the project.

38. Section F.6.a.1 states that a combined Quarterly Progress and Financial Report is required.

However, the final bullet of Section F.6.b.1 states that each quarterly report must be a stand-alone document. Please clarify.

This has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

39. Please confirm that the indicators presented on p.29 are illustrative and that offerors may propose indicators based on the specific technical approach.

The indicators are illustrative.

40. Section F.6 (table on page 24) indicates that the first-year work plan is due within 60 days of award. Page 27 specifies that the first-year work plan must be submitted within 30 days of award. Can USAID please confirm that the table on page 24 provides the correct due date of first year work plan submission within the first 60 days of award?

This has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

41. Under Section F.6, Illustrative Indicator 1.3 (p. 29) references the “Number of disputes directed for mediation by courts.” Is USAID interested only in those referred/directed to mediation, or those that actually undertake mediation and the related results (success rates)?

The offerors can propose indicators that measure the success rate. The given indicators are only illustrative

42. Section F.7 Key Personnel, page 3, states: “This team should include a US or third country national Chief of Party with relevant educational qualifications and over 12 years’ experience of managing large scale Rule of Law programs with similar scopes and proven leadership and management skills.” To increase capacity of local talent to manage rule of law programming, particularly in the outer years of the contract, we would encourage USAID to consider opening the requirement to allow offerors to propose host country nationals. Could USAID revise Section F to allow local personnel to be proposed in the chief of party role?

USAID does not intend to amend this requirement and confirms that the COP should be a US or Third Country National.

43. Please confirm that SF-1034 may be submitted electronically and, if so, please revise Section G.2 accordingly.

Vouchers are submitted as per section G.5.

44. In a message sent to all TEAMS (formerly TraiNet) users on December 11, 2020, USAID confirmed that "ADS Chapter 253, Participant Training for Capacity Development, has been archived and the requirement to enter in-country and third-country Participant Training data into the Agency’s Training and Exchanges Automated Management System (TEAMS) has been rescinded." Could USAID update section H.8 to reflect current exchange visitor and training reporting requirements?

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

45. It appears that Section H.9 is included in error as this is not an economic growth/trade activity.

Please clarify.

This section has been removed with the RFP Amendment #1.

46. We respectfully request that Section H.23(f) on p.49 be removed or expanded to include a definition of employee for the purposes of this contract, such as: "Employees for the purposes of this contract are defined as individuals providing long- and short-term technical assistance type work where the individual is working under the direction of the contractor and receives all necessary management and logistical support from the contractor." As is the standard industry practice, contractors provide short-term technical assistance (STTA) with all necessary management and logistical support, including insurance, such as DBA. Subcontractors, by contrast, are hired to produce and supply specific goods and services, and are responsible for all costs associated with these goods and services, including travel, per diem, DBA, other direct costs, and any indirect costs or fees usually at a higher overall cost. Subcontractors are also generally required to produce Evidence of Responsibility and NICRA, unlike STTA. In addition, subcontracts generally require competition, which would be impractical for short-term assignments with deliverables/reports that are usually expected to be finalized quickly.

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

47. Section H.23 (page 49), Additional Requirements for Personnel Compensation (f) Consultants states, "Unless the consultant is an employee of the contractor, they are considered subcontractors subject to the applicable clauses and requirements." We respectfully request USAID to waive the Consent to Subcontract requirement for consultants given the implementation burden of obtaining subcontract consent for each consultant and program delays resulting from this requirement.

Please see answer to question No. 46.

48. Could USAID please provide the attachments J.4 and J.5 referenced in Section L.8 (7) Past Performance.

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

49. Section K.1 (page 79) includes FAR 52.237-8, Restriction on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals (AUG 2003). However, Section I.1 does not list either this clause or FAR 52.237-9, Waiver of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign National. Consistent with the guidance in FAR 37.113-1, and that the anticipated contract will be performed overseas, we respectfully request that USAID include FAR 52.237-8 and FAR 52.237-9 to prevent conflict with applicable local employment laws in the cooperating country.

FAR 52.237-8 has been removed from the RFP Amendment #1

50. With regards to Section K.3 and K.4, and Section I.8 of the RFP, which incorporate FAR 52.204- a. Please refer to Section 889 Partner Information at:

24, 52.204-26 and Section 889, Covered Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment under FAR 4.2104, we have the following questions:

a. Does USAID have any additional information or instruction related to the Section 889

Foreign Assistance Waiver that USAID received from the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), which expires on September 30, 2022?

b. USAID, through its own efforts as well as a recipient of information provided by many implementing partners in-country is in the position of having more information than any one Offeror is likely to have. Specifically related to basic services of cellular telephone and internet service providers (ISPs) that all offerors will need to use in the implementation of this project, if it is already known by USAID that providers in-country use covered technologies, could USAID please provide this information to Offerors?

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/resources-for-partners/section-889-partner-information

b. Based on current updates, Section F and H have been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

51. Should offerors fill out blocks 12-18 in a blank Standard Form 33 or will USAID provide a Standard Form 33 with some of the blocks already filled out?

SF 33 will be provided with the RFP Amendment #1

52. Section L.6.e.1 (page 99) states that an offer may be deemed unacceptable without a completed Standard Form 33 (SF 33), however, no SF 33 was included with the RFP. Would USAID provide an SF 33 and advise where it should appear in the cost volume?

Please see answer to question No. 51.

53. The RFP limits the proposal’s font to Calibri or equivalent with a font size 11-12. For graphics, charts, and text boxes can we use a different font/size as long as it’s legible?

The minimum size for graphics, charts, and text boxes is Calibri 9.

54. The instructions do not provide a minimum font size for text boxes, tables, charts, and graphics.

Will USAID accept font size 9 for text boxes, tables, charts, and graphics?

Please see answer to question No. 53.

55. Under Section L.8 (p. 101), can USAID clarify the font/point size, etc. for tables and charts? Please see answer to question No. 53.

56. Section L.8, Instructions for Preparation of the Technical Proposal, page 101, states: “Offerors must use Calibri or equivalent font, font size 11-12…” Would USAID consider allowing Offerors to use 9-point font for text boxes, tables, figures, and graphics?

Please see answer to question No. 53.

57. Section L.8 Instructions for Preparation of the Technical Proposal – Contents of the Technical Proposal, page 102, lists the requirements for a cover page and states: “The Cover page is included in the 30-page limit.” Would USAID allow Offerors to include both a cover page and a cover letter that would not count towards the 30-page limit?

No, the cover page is included in the 30-page limit.

58. Section L.8 Instructions for Preparation of the Technical Proposal – Contents of the Technical Proposal, page 102, states that “The table of contents is included in the 30-page limit. The acronym list is included in the 30-page limit… The executive summary is included in the 30-page limit.” Would USAID reconsider allowing the table of contents, acronym list, and executive summary to not count towards the 30-page limit?

No, table of contents, acronym list, and executive summary are included in the 30-page limit.

59. We’d like to request that Annex A to the technical proposal (Illustrative Implementation Plan) be Please follow the instructions under Section L.8 https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/resources-for-partners/section-889-partner-information https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/resources-for-partners/section-889-partner-information https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/resources-for-partners/section-889-partner-information limited to Year 1 of the contract considering the political context in Sri Lanka and the need to utilize adaptive management and windows of opportunity.

60. The RFP does not include attachments J.4 and J.5, but there are references to such attachments on p.104. Please clarify.

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

61. In case attachment J.4 is the document available at https://usaid.gov/documents/1868/past-performance-matrix, we’d like to ask the following question: As the past performance matrix is not printer-friendly (the table stretches over multiple pages and some of its columns would feature disproportionally more text than other columns), please allow offerors to select a different reader-friendly format to present their past performance information. Please note that we have encountered this past performance matrix requirement on several USAID RFPs both from USAID/Washington and from missions. After pointing out this problem, USAID has always agreed to revise this requirement.

Please use Past Performance Matrix Form attached under Section J.

62. Section L.8 (page 103) instructs offerors to utilize the “Past Performance Matrix in Attachment J.4” and references the “Contractor Performance Reference Sheet [Attachment J.5].” We were unable to locate either of these attachments to the RFP. Could USAID please share the referenced attachments?

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

63. Section L.8 Instructions for Preparation of the Technical Proposal – Past Performance, page 104, states: “Utilizing the Past Performance Matrix in Attachment J.4, the offeror is to list the most recent and relevant contracts or assistance awards for efforts which are similar to the work in the subject proposal.

For all contracts listed above that are in CPARS, the offeror will attach the official CPARS report(s).” We have the following related questions:

a. Could USAID kindly provide Offerors with Attachment J.4?

b. Could USAID please confirm that past performance without CPARS should be included in the Past Performance Matrix [Attachment J.4]?

c. Would USAID please confirm that official CPARS should be included as part of the proposal in Annex 5: Past Performance Information?

d. Would USAID please confirm that the attached official CPARS reports will not count towards 30-page limit?

a. This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

b. Confirmed.

c. Confirmed.

d. Confirmed.

64. Section L.8 (page 101-102) lists Contractor Past Performance in the Technical Proposal Main Body and Past Performance Information as Annex 5. Additionally, Section L.8(7) (page 105) Past Performance specifies “other than the annexes described above, any discussion of past performance is included within the 30-page limit.” It is unclear from the description of the past performance section (pg. 103-105) which elements may be annexed. Can USAID please clarify?

USAID confirms all the following:

a. Past performance without CPARS should be included in the Past Performance Matrix [Attachment J.5] https://usaid.gov/documents/1868/past-performance-matrix

b. Official CPARS should be included as part of the proposal in Annex 5: Past Performance Information

c. The attached official CPARS reports and Past

Performance Matrix (attachment J.5) will not count towards 30-page limit

65. Section L.8 (p. 101) states that, “All required aspects of the technical proposal as noted below must be combined into a single, searchable PDF, and the page limitation will be calculated by the total number of pages of the entire PDF. Annexes may be provided in additional, searchable PDFs, though Offerors are encouraged to limit the number of files to the maximum extent possible….” Is USAID saying that the 30-page technical proposal is to be submitted as a discrete PDF file and the annexes in a separate discrete PDF file, preferably with all five annexes consolidated in that separate PDF file?

Yes.

66. It appears that the reference in Section L.7(j) to an SOW listed in Section J and attached at the end of the RFP is an error. Please confirm.

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

67. It appears that the concept note phase reference in Section L.9.1 (p.106) is an error. Please confirm.

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

68. Section L.9 (page 106) references a concept note phase, however this is not described elsewhere in the proposal instructions. Can USAID please confirm that this procurement does not include a concept note phase?

Please see answer to question No. 67.

69. Section L.9 (p. 106) states, “Only offerors who progress beyond the concept note phase will be formally invited to provide a cost proposal.” This is the only place in the solicitation that the submission of the technical proposal is referred to as the “concept note phase”. Can USAID please confirm whether a cost proposal is required to be submitted by the initial closing date for submission of proposals, or whether USAID will invite only selected offerors to submit a cost proposal at a later date?

Please see answer to question No. 67.

70. Section L.9 (1) states that “Only offerors who progress beyond the concept note phase will be formally invited to provide a cost proposal.” There is no mention of a “concept phase” elsewhere. Can USAID please clarify.

Please see answer to question No. 67.

71. Section L.9 Instructions for Preparation of the Cost Proposal, page 106, states: “Only offerors who progress beyond the concept note phase will be formally invited to provide a cost proposal.” Would USAID please confirm that there is no concept note phase, and that all Offerors should submit a cost proposal?

Please see answer to question No. 67.

72. It appears that the reference to biodata forms and payroll records to be used as forms of justification in the budget narrative (Section L.9.3 on p.106) is an error, considering USAID’s new

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

policy to not base compensation on salary history. Please confirm.

73. As Form SF119 is no longer required by the FAR, please revise Section L.9.3(b) on p.107 accordingly.

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

74. Section L.9.3(g) on pp.108-109 appears to be redundant as this information is required as a part of the technical proposal. Please clarify.

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

75. With reference to Section L.9.3(h), please clarify whether USAID anticipates any construction under the Efficient and Effective Justice Activity.

Construction will include minor improvement like partitioning, painting and fixing equipment.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is in place and it covers this type of improvements.

76. Section L.7.b (page 100) indicates a 5MB limit for the proposal submission by email. Section L.7.c (page 100) also states that “USAID’s preference is that each technical and/or cost proposal be submitted as a single email attachment.” USAID in Section L.8 (page 101) states that “all required aspects of the technical proposal as noted below must be combined into a single, searchable PDF.” A compiled cost or technical proposal is likely to exceed a 5MB limit, thereby requiring proposals to be split into several parts. To aid in reading and compiling the proposals, would USAID consider increasing the 5MB limit?

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

77. Section L.8(7)(a) (page 103) states “The Offeror (including all partners of a consortium) must provide performance information for itself and each major subcontractor.” Please confirm that past performance information should only be submitted for consortium partners that meet the definition of “major subcontractor” and not all EEJ consortium partners.

USAID confirms that past performance information should only be submitted for consortium partners that meet the definition of “major subcontractor” and not all EEJ consortium partners.

78. Section L.8 Instructions for Preparation of the Technical Proposal – Past Performance, page 104, states: “For all contracts that are not in CPARS and relevant assistance awards listed above, the Contractor Performance Reference Sheet [Attachment J.5] must be utilized in collecting the performance information.” We have the following related questions:

a. Could USAID kindly provide Offerors with Attachment J.5?

b. Would USAID please confirm that Attachment J.5 should not be used for contracts that are in CPARS?

USAID confirms that the reference sheet should not be used for awards that are in CPARS.

79. Section L.9.3 (g), Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost Proposal, Contractor Performance Information, requires offerors to provide performance information for themselves and proposed major subcontractors, which appears to be duplicative of the Past Performance Information required under the Technical Proposal Annex 5, as described in Section L.8 (7), pages 103-105.

Can USAID please confirm that the Past Performance Information is only to be submitted under the Technical Proposal Annex 5 requirement?

Please see answer to question No. 74.

80. Section L.8 (Pages 102 and 105) references three objectives whereas Section C.5 describes two objectives. Can USAID please confirm that section L.8 is referring to the two objectives

This should be 'two objectives'. This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

described in Section C.5?

81. Page 102 states that the Technical Approach must describe how the Offeror “expects to balance work under each of the three Objectives,” but the program description includes only two Objectives – can USAID please clarify?

Please see answer to question No. 80.

82. In discussing the Technical Approach, the second bullet point under Section L.8 (5) (p.102) refers to “work under each of the three objectives.” Can USAID confirm that this reference was by mistake, as there are only two stated objectives?

Please see answer to question No. 80.

83. Under Section L.7 (j) (p. 100), should the reference to the SOW listed in Section J be revised to read the SOW in Section C?

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

84. Under Section L.8 item (6) (p. 103), would USAID consider making the MEL plan an annex rather than part of the 30-page technical proposal page limit? Alternatively, can USAID identify which sections/elements of a traditional MEL plan it desires to have incorporated into the technical response and whether the requested information can be presented in table form?

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

85. Would USAID consider allowing the draft MEL plan to be submitted as an Annex? Please see answer to question No. 84.

86. Section L.8 Instructions for Preparation of the Technical Proposal – Contents of the Technical

Proposal, page 103, states: “The management approach, key personnel, and MEL plan is included within the 30-page limit.” Would USAID kindly consider accepting the MEL Plan as an annex that does not count towards the 30-page limit?

Please see answer to question No. 84.

87. Under Section L.8 item (8) (p. 105), can USAID provide additional information on the level of detail expected in the illustrative Implementation Plan and the draft Year 1 Work Plan? In addition to a graphic presentation of activities, for example, does USAID expect separate sections that “demonstrate knowledge of current priorities and issues”?

The Y1 draft implementation plan should demonstrate the specific activities that the offeror anticipates undertaking in the first year of the project. This should describe and explain a logical sequencing of activities and should reflect an understanding of the operating environment in Sri Lanka.

88. Section L.9.3 (b) (p. 107) requires the Offeror to complete Section K. Are subcontractors also required to submit Section K?

Subcontractors are not required to submit Section K.

89. With regards to L.9 3(a) Proposed Costs/Prices, is it acceptable that the bidder present cost categories that correspond to our internal accounting practices, namely, to include Subcontractors, Subawards, and Grants in the same line item as “Consultants”, and label this “Contractual”. And if not, where would USAID like to see these other categories?

This section has been revised with the RFP Amendment #1.

90. The budget template in Section L.9.3.(a), page 107, includes no line item for Subcontractors.

Would USAID please confirm that Offerors may modify the template to include a budget line item for Subcontractors?

Please see answer to question No. 89.