Attachment 1_ Pre-Proposal Conference Questions and Responses.pdf

Attachment 1 Amendment 0002, RFP #72038820R00004

Pre-Proposal Conference Questions and Responses for USAID’s Communications Campaign and Support (CSS) Activity:

The Questions and Answers from the administrative and programmatic sections of the conference have been combined and written with some additional responses that were not provided during the session.

Question 1. Is there any chance of extending the deadline of submission?

USAID Response: This particular activity is urgent, as it relates to addressing the COVID 19 pandemic in country; accordingly, the proposal submission deadline may or may not be extended. USAID will decide whether there will be an extension to the proposal submission due date through an amendment to the RFP. Please see Amendment 0002 to the RFP.

Question 2. For the 4 themes mentioned, should it stem from the one umbrella thought that we come up with, or should we consider 4 sub-campaigns for each theme?

USAID Response: This is at the discretion of the offeror. It can be one campaign with 4 themes or a separate campaign, whichever is deemed most effective.

Question 3. Under the campaign strategy section on pg. 17, you have mentioned our plan should include goals and targets, are we to propose those? as this is integral in planning for the budget.

After the opinion poll, how do we set the next target? We would ideally need to plan this together with USAID.

USAID Response: These targets should be proposed in a manner that reaches the defined target audiences most effectively. After the opinion poll, these can be revised in the work plan and finalized with USAID once the award is made.

Question 4. Under the campaign strategy section on page 17, you have mentioned weekly reporting, are we to also include that in the technical proposal?

USAID Response: Yes, it should be acknowledged in the technical proposal that the offeror will do the weekly reporting as required.

Question 5. In the past performance information, are we to share only the work done for USAID?

or can we include work done under other such social bodies? Also does it have to be up to last 5 years or throughout our lifetime of the agency?

USAID Response: Offerors are encouraged to include all relevant and recent work that is similar to this activity. Offerors should include past performance information for similar activities over the last 3 years, with USAID and/or other clients.

Question 6. On page 114, the annex 3 is to include Branding and Marking plan, can you please elaborate what that means; on pg.22 you have outlined the branding should be clear in the communications we are sharing, is it just that or more to it?

USAID Response: A Branding and Marking Plan is required to be submitted at the time of proposal submission and needs to be incorporated into the contract. Please consult ADS 320 for guidance. See following links:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/320.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/branding

Question 7. What sort of legal documentation we need to show for our legitimate collaboration with different platforms which can be valuable stakeholders in these campaigns.

USAID Response: No legal documentation is required.

Question 8. After the contract is awarded, what will be the payment procedure? Will USAID issue advances for production or event requirements?

USAID Response: Currently, as stated in the RFP, the method of payment is reimbursement of cost incurred. Advance payment is the least preferred method and is not made unless there is a compelling reason. USAID expects for the successful offeror to have their own adequate financial resources or the ability to obtain them, to perform the contract. The contractor can invoice costs incurred on a monthly basis. Payment will be made based on inspection and acceptance by USAID.

Question 9. Can you please describe the Target Group or Target Population a bit more?

USAID Response: USAID’s target audience is defined on page 15 of the RFP. Offerors should target various segments of the target audience as deemed most effective to reach the mass population. For example, as youth constitute a large part of the population, ideas should reflect how they will be reached. Arguments should be made on segments selected for maximum impact from outreach activities.

Question 10. Do the creative ideas need to be backed by research data? or do we need to do any polling at the proposal stage?

USAID Response: The opinion poll will inform the strategy, but ideas should be backed by evidence or arguments when possible. For example, if mobile phones are proposed as a medium for delivery of messages, ideas should reflect why this would be effective.

Question 11. How much tentative time would we get between our 15 page proposal submission and oral presentation if selected?

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/320.pdf https://meet.google.com/linkredirect?authuser=0&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usaid.gov%2Fbranding

USAID Response: Tentatively, a two (2) week period of time will be given for oral presentation preparation.

Question 12. While celebrating 50 years of USAID and, 50 years of Bangladesh is also in the same year. Is USAID going to work in collaboration with government authorities? For example, collaboration with Ministry of Education to pull out a campaign on Education sector.

USAID Response: USAID works with the Government of Bangladesh to implement its activities. Offerors are expected to highlight USAID’s work with various ministries, but the overall goal is to promote the USAID brand and highlight USAID’s presence in the country since independence.

Question 13. How open is USAID to be part of different co-branded program or join others initiatives with the similar goals?

USAID Response: The purpose of this activity is to promote the USAID brand, and not other brands. Offerors will need to present clear arguments why co-branding under this activity would serve the desired goal of promoting USAID’s brand. If there are engagements with the private sector where they jointly fund activities under this contract, it will be considered.

Question 14. Is there any portal or resource center if I want to find out USAID's activities in the past 50 years?

USAID Response: Please visit USAID Bangladesh website (https://www.usaid.gov/bd) and social media for more historic information on USAID activities.

Question 15. In Technical proposal, which documents have to submit along with 15 pages proposal.

USAID Response: Yes, the sample creative concept is part of the 15-page limit for the technical proposal. Details are provided in sub-section L.6 on page 116 of the RFP. Please see page 113 and 114 under sub-section L.4 General Instructions, (b) Solicitation Instructions. Also, see Section K – Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors on page 94.

Representations and Certifications must be submitted along with the technical proposal, the Annexures and Cost Proposal.

Question 16. Will the creative collateral be counted in that mentioned bar of 15 pages; for example: 1 print ad is equal to one page.

USAID Response: If not listed in an Annex, all content falls under the 15 page limit for the technical proposal.

Question 17. Has USAID conducted any research on brand recognition? If yes, then can we have it?

https://www.usaid.gov/bd

USAID Response: We do not have any research on brand recognition. The opinion poll will help collect this information for USAID.

Question 18. Do you have a budget ceiling, or we give you a financial proposal and get evaluated according to that?

USAID Response: The budget ceiling is $1.2 million. The cost proposal needs to be submitted along with the technical proposal, annexures and Representations and Certifications. The cost proposal will be evaluated based on costs reasonableness, allocability, and allowability. Also, cost realism will be conducted. The cost proposal itself is not an evaluation factor, but will be considered in the evaluation and award of the contract.

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