Amendment No.1 RFP 72038824R00001 Aquaculture.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES 1 17

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

See Box 16C

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (IF OTHER THAN ITEM 6) CODE

USAID/Bangladesh Office of the Acquisition & Assistance C/O American Embassy Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh

Same as Box 6

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State, and Zip Code)

To All Potential Offerors

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

72038824R00001

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11) 04/02/2024

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

CODE: FACILITY CODE: 10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered, solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers, FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If Required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TOMODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

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

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify Authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43,103 (b).

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

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is NOT is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.

This is Amendment No. 01 for Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 72038824R00001 and:

(a) Amends relevant RFP sections that are reflected in the track changes RFP as attached hereby (a clean version of the RFP is also furnished for ease of reference);

(b) Publishes the submitted questions from interested offerors and corresponding responses.

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

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

Jerome Robinson, Jr.

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C. DATE

SIGNED

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C. DATE

SIGNED

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Previous Edition Unusable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Amendment # 1

RFP # 72038824R00001

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

I. The RFP has been modified as follows:

1. Extend the proposal submission date - April 24, 2024, 8:00 am (Dhaka local time) as stated in the Cover Page of the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

II. Questions Received Pertaining to RFP No. 72038824R00001 and Corresponding USAID Answers:

1. Will USAID consider using the $6.7 million “Financing Mechanism (i.e. Grants under Contract etc.)” — first referenced on page 5, Section B4, and in Sections H and L of the RFP — for a more flexible programming mechanism like a Special Activities Fund (SAF), which includes other tools besides grants such as subcontracts and training?

USAID Response: Yes Offerors should propose tools and approaches that align with and complement their technical approach.

2. The RFP indicates that grants under contract are envisioned; however, the specific authorizing language is not included in Section H.19 (pages 37-38). Can USAID please incorporate the GUC authorizing language from ADS 302 into Section H (ADS 302.3.5.6 and ADS 302.3.4.13)?

USAID Response: A GUC language has been added to the RFP in section H.36 in the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

3. Page 79 of the RFP states, “Proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 180 calendar days and must be stated.” However, pages 84 (Section L.7.1) and 86 (Section L.7.1) of the RFP require the inclusion of a “statement that proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 120 days.” May USAID clarify whether the proposal must have a minimum validity period of 120 or 180 days?

USAID Response: The sentence in the RFP has been corrected in the amended RFP to change it to 120 days from 180 days. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

4. Page 83, Section L.6., states that offerors are to include only a resume for the chief of party but does not indicate whether this should be included in Factor 3 or a separate annex. Could USAID clarify where in the technical volume the chief of party resume should be included?

USAID Response: CV for the proposed COP should be included in Factor 3 under section L.6. Accordingly the page limit for proposal has been increased from 26 to 30 and made other relevant language changes in section L.6 in the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

5. Section L.7, Instructions for the Preparation of Cost/Business Proposal, begins on page 83. However, Section L.8, Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost/Price Proposal, begins on page 85, ending the prior set of instructions and starting the instructions over again. Will USAID please indicate which set of cost proposal instructions should be followed and update the RFP to both remove the other set and resolve any resulting numbering errors in the remaining section and parts?

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

USAID Response: Removed the irrelevant languages from section L.7 as specified above in the amended RFP. It was a mistake from our side. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

6. Pages 84 (Section L.7.1) and 86 (Section L.7.1) of the RFP state a requirement for a “statement that proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 120 days.” May USAID clarify whether this statement must be included on the cover page of the cost volume or whether this requirement is satisfied through the completion of block 12 of SF 33?

USAID Response: The statement must be included in the cost volume. Offerors can also complete any appropriate block in SF 33

7. Page 85, Section L.7.4, states, “Assumptions: The following cost related assumptions must be used by all offerors:

• Anticipated Start Date: All offerors are to utilize an anticipated effective date of on or around June 1, 2024 for budget purposes.

• Bangladesh Currency Exchange Rate: The current Bangladesh exchange rate against the US Dollar is BDT113 equals USD$1.

• Annual Escalation Rates: Annual salary increases (e.g. cost of living, merit, promotion increase, or any other type) must be in accordance with Section H.

• Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences…” However, page 86, Section L.7.1, states, “The following cost related assumptions must be used by all offerors:

• Anticipated Start Date: All offerors are to utilize an anticipated effective date of on or around June 1, 2024 for budget purposes.

• Bangladesh Currency Exchange Rate: The current Bangladesh exchange rate against the US Dollar is BDT113 equals USD$1.”

Could USAID please clarify which set of cost-related assumptions should be followed throughout the cost proposal?

USAID Response: Please see USAID response to the question no. 5

8. Page 85, Section L.7.4, indicates the offeror must propose a maximum of $250,000 per individual grant award. Can USAID confirm that the selected offeror would have the flexibility to award individual grants to non-U.S. organizations that exceed this amount during implementation, given that no ceilings exist for grants to non-U.S. organizations as per the policies contractors are required to follow in ADS 302.3.4.13 and ADS 303?

USAID Response: The activity will provide grants to non-U.S organizations and local organizations. Per organization will receive a maximum $250,000 as grant. Later on the time and amount can be extended based on the performance and necessity of the program. But the initial grant should be within $250,000 per individual award.

9. Page 87, Section L.7.1.B, indicates the offeror must “include a complete breakdown of cost elements associated with each line item and those costs associated with any proposed subcontract or sub grant.

The cost information must include the basis of each and every cost, (e.g., current salaries, vendor quotes, market surveys, historical experience, etc.) including the fee (if any).” The successful offeror will submit a grants manual within 60 days of award, which details the process for identifying, reviewing, vetting, USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity awarding, and monitoring grant activities. Can USAID confirm that a plug figure may be included in the proposal submission, considering that the grantee selection process will be initiated after award and in coordination with USAID?

USAID Response: Yes Offerors may include a plug figure in the proposal submission.

10. Page 88, Section L.7.1.B.a, states, “Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences: The Offeror and each proposed major subcontractor (those representing more than 20% of the cost of the contract) must indicate the number of hours and days in its normal work-day and its normal work-week, both domestically and overseas, for employees…” However, the third document, listed under Part 10 – Policies and Procedures on pages 92-93, that USAID does not require as “part of the Offeror’s submission but can be requested by the Contracting Officer during negotiations” is “Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences.” Can USAID clarify whether Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences is required in the cost proposal at the time of submission?

USAID Response: The specified paragraph in section L.7.1.B.a has been deleted in its entirety in the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

The section number, “Part 10 – Policies and Procedures” has been reassigned to “Part 9 - Policies and Procedures”. Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences is required if requested by USAID pursuant to Part 9 - Policies and Procedures under section L.7. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

11. Page 83 of the RFP states, "Except the Chief of Party (COP) position, Offerors are not required to propose any identified key personnel for the proposed key positions in their proposals, therefore, names and resumes of other three key staff shall not be included and will not be considered." This implies that a resume for the proposed COP candidate is required, but the required order for the technical proposal in Section L.6 (Page 80) does not specify where to include the resume. Can USAIDconfirm that offerors should include the COP resume as an Annex to the technical proposal? If so, can USAID confirm that the COP resume does not count against the 26 page limit for the technical proposal?

USAID Response: Please see USAID response to the question no. 4

12. In Part 5 - Past Performance of the RFP (Page 91), Section 1) (i) states that, "Relevant contracts would be those with a total cost of $20,000,000 or higher (for prime), with a period of performance falling within the last four years and involving demonstrated impact across similar work as in Section C." Would it be acceptable for prime offerors to include past performance references for technically relevant grants that fall below the $20M threshold, provided they do not exceed the page limit for this section?

USAID Response: USAID prioritizes the offeror’s ability to effectively achieve the objectives of the activity.

Therefore, we would consider past performance references below the $20 million threshold, provided that the references offered are similar in scope (contract), technically relevant and within the last four years. The $20m requirement has been deleted from the amended RFP. Also the past performance section has been removed from L.7 and inserted as section L.8. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

13. Page 88 of the RFP states that "The information required for the prime Offeror for the cost proposal must be provided for all subcontractors." However, several other sections of the Cost instructions state that cost documentation is only required for Major Subcontractors. Could USAID please clarify whether cost information needs to be provided for all subcontractors, or onlyMajor Subcontractors?

USAID Response: Summary budget is needed for all proposed subcontractors and summary and detail budget is needed for all proposed major subcontractors. Also, the cost proposal should include results of cost/price analyses and reasonableness of proposed subcontractors’ cost/price proposal. Accordingly, languages have been updated in section “L7.1, Part 3, A. Budget”, and “L7.1, Part 3, B. f) Subcontracts” in the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

14. Section L (Page 81) of the RFP notes that the PWS "must logically explain how achievement of all three objectives will reach the overall activity goal (as defined in the SOO)." However, there is not a clear goal statement noted in the SOO. Can USAIDplease confirm that the activity purpose specified in Section C.1 in the SOO ("To enhance inclusive and sustainable aquaculture sector growth in Bangladesh through a market system approach to improve rural household income and nutrition") should be used as the activity goal?

USAID Response: “To enhance inclusive and sustainable aquaculture sector growth in Bangladesh through a market system approach to improve rural household income and nutrition" should be used as the activity purpose.

15. FTF indicator EG.3.1-14: Value of new USG commitments and private sector investment leveraged by the USG to support food security and nutrition [IM-level] is in the SOO, but this indicator has been removed from the latest version of the FTF indicator handbook. Can USAID please clarify whether offerors still use indicator EG.3.1-14, or whether to use EG.3.1-15 instead, which is similar and is in the latest version of the handbook?

USAID Response: Please use EG.3.1-15 from the latest handbook.

16. The RFP does not mention shrimp or prawns as potential targets for aquaculture productivity improvements. Does this project's scope include prawns and shrimp in addition to fish, or is it USAID's intention that the project solely focus on fish?

USAID Response: This project’s scope does not include prawns,shrimp and crab.

17. Section L.7.1 of the RFP (Page 84) states that, "the budget template (Attachment J.2) including the categories included in the budget summary and detailed budget are purely illustrative." Can USAID please confirm that it is acceptable for Offerors to use their own budget template for the cost proposal submission?

USAID Response: Yes, confirmed.

18. Section C.2 of the SOO (Page 1) states that "The Offerors should submit an exit strategy for the activity, and the long-term plans for the proposed activities, e.g. what will happen to the lending markets after the five years are over." However, lending markets seem outside of the scope of this project. Can USAID please clarify whether this was included accidentally or if the project is intended to have impact on lending markets?

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

USAID Response: This was included unintentionally. Lending marketings will not be a component of this activity. It has been deleted. Please see the track change version of the SOO.

19. There are duplicate sets of instructions in Sections L.7 and L.8, both titled INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL. Would USAID consider consolidating the cost proposal instructions into one section?

The numbering of Section L of the RFP skips from L.8 to L.10. Is there meant to be a section L.9?

USAID Response: Please see USAID response to the question no. 5

20. Would USAID consider allowing the activity-level log-frame to be included as an Annex, outside of the four page limit for Factor4: Monitoring and Evaluation Approach?

In the description of Factor 4: Monitoring and Evaluation Approach on page 83 of the RFP, USAID indicates that the MEL Plan must "include a strategy for building the capacity of the Government of Bangladesh for collecting, managing, and reporting on investment and employment data." Should this bullet be removed since it does not seem to correlate to the SOO for this Activity?

USAID Response:The activity log-frame must not be in an Annex, but rather included within the 4 pages permitted for Section L.6, Factor 4: Monitoring and Evaluation Approach.

This activity will not build the capacity of the Government of Bangladesh for collecting, managing, and reporting on investment and employment data. It has been deleted. Please see the track change version of the RFP.

21. On Page 78 of the RFP, USAID mentions that proposals must be sent electronically via internet email compatible with MicrosoftOffice 2010 (MS Word or Excel). In the same paragraph it is mentioned that all attachments must be in MS Word, Adobe PDF orMS Excel). Could USAID clearly identify whether MS Word or Adobe PDF is preferred? (for the technical proposal)

USAID Response: No preferred format. Either or both (word and/or pdf) is acceptable.

22. Page 82 of the RFP, Factor 2: Performance Work Statement, mentions that the General Program Parameters section must discuss expectations and priorities with regard to the management approach/staffing requirements, among others. Factor 3:Management and Staffing Plan requires a detailed description of the management approach and staffing requirements, among other things. Can USAID please clarify whether offerors must provide information regarding the management approach and staffing requirements in both Factor 2 and Factor 3?

USAID Response: Yes, Factor 2 is the brief, high-level vision, and Factor 3 permits a detailed plan on Management and Staffing.

23. We intend to connect with the firms or organizations interested in this bid to explore collaboration opportunities.

In this regard, we would like to know whether USAID has a list/database of small business size contractors. If yes, how can we access the list?

USAID Response: USAID Bangladesh does not have any list of small business firms. However, any interested Offerors may review and consult the websites of the following organizations but not limited to:

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

Small Business Administration (SBA) or USAID Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization etc.

via the internet portals respectively https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/organization/office-small-and-disadvantaged-business-utilization www.sba.gov

24. Section D.2 (page 10) under Activity Audiences states “The project will engage with the associations, government agencies, business service providers, and private companies focused on the modernization of Bangladesh’s banking sector and increasing Bangladesh’s agricultural production.” This seems incongruent to the scope of this activity and is not detailed in the SOO. Could USAID please clarify what the expectations are for modernizing Bangladesh’s banking sector?

USAID Response: This section has been updated in the amended RFP. Please see the track change version of the RFP.

25. Section F.6 (page 16) states the offeror is expected to develop minimum qualifications for three additional key personnel. Could USAID clarify if these minimum qualifications and/or position responsibilities must be addressed under Factor 3 or if they can be included in detail as an annex to the technical proposal?

USAID Response: The offeror will present the position description with qualification and responsibilities in section L.6 Factor 3.

26. H.5 Personnel Salaries (page 32) states: “The salary compensation must be based on the contractor's established organizational policies and practices and may not exceed the U.S. Embassy Local Compensation Plan (LCP) for positions of comparable work, if applicable.” However, per Section L.8, Part 3, B. Budget Narrative, a) Labor (pages 87-88), offerors are requested to develop their own LCP with the USAID/Bangladesh LCP being considered “one component for market research”. Could USAID clarify if the Offeror’s proposed LCP can exceed the USAID/Bangladesh LCP included as reference?

USAID Response: The language, “one component for market research” along with other relevant languages has been deleted and the “Labor” section has been revised in section “L7.1, Part 3, B. a) Labor” in the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

27. Section H.11 (page 35) states “In accordance with FAR clause 52.244-2, Subcontracts, the Contracting Officer consents to award subcontracts as proposed in the Contractor’s Final Revised Proposal.” Can USAID please confirm if Offerors are required to submit a consent to subcontract request for all subcontractors and submit the information required at the proposal stage or after award?

USAID Response: Languages in Section H.11 Consent To Subcontract have been updated in the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/organization/office-small-and-disadvantaged-business-utilization http://www.sba.gov/

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

28. Attachment J.1 states under C.4 Additional Considerations, Private Sector (page 7), “The private sector will have the key role in the implementation of FTA…” Can USAID please spell out or clarify the FTA acronym?

USAID Response: It has been updated. Please see the track changed version of the SOO. The link for USAID’s Private Sector Engagement Policy is also updated in the SOO of the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

29. In Section L.6, the instructions for Factor 4 (page 83) state that the MEL Plan section must “Include a strategy for building the capacity of Government of Bangladesh for collecting, managing, and reporting on investment and employment data;” This seems incongruent to the scope of this activity and is not detailed in the SOO. Could USAID please clarify what are the expectations for building the capacity of the Government of Bangladesh to collect, manage, and report on investment and employment data?

USAID Response: This activity will not build the capacity of the Government of Bangladesh for collecting, managing, and reporting on investment and employment data. The relevant language has been deleted in the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amended language.

30. Per Section L.6 (page 80), the Executive Summary should “summarize the high-level vision and mission, and critical elements of the technical proposal”. To accommodate this information, would USAID be amenable to increasing the page count for the executive summary to 2 pages total?

USAID Response: The Executive Summary must be one page.

31. Per Section L.6 (page 80), under Factor 3, Management and Staffing Plan is limited to 3 pages maximum and the organizational chart is limited to 2 pages maximum. Would USAID consider giving offerors flexibility in how the pages are distributed under Factor 3 with an overall maximum of 5 pages, inclusive of the organizational chart?

USAID Response: Yes, page limitation for Management and Staffing Plan has been increased to 9 page and the offerors have the flexibility to distribute the page numbers under Factor (Management and Staffing Plan including Organizational Chart and a CV for the proposed COP) with an overall maximum of 9 pages. Accordingly, relevant languages in Section L.6 under Management and Staffing Plan have been updated in the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

32. Per Section L.6, Factor 2 Performance Work Statement (PWS), Results and Goals (page 82), could USAID confirm that specific deliverables and indicators should be included in the Services and Tasks section? The Services and Tasks section does not currently reference either deliverables or indicators.

USAID Response: Confirmed. The offeror must include specific deliverables and indicators in the Services and Tasks section.

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

33. It seems there is some discrepancy in the content related to instructions for preparation of the cost proposal between pages 83 and 93 (e.g., Section L.7 appears twice in the RFP, there is no Section L.9, etc.). Could USAID review and confirm the correct organization of sections and content?

USAID Response: Thank you. The discrepancies have been corrected in the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

34. In Section L.8 (page 85), major subcontractors are defined as “one whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost.” Can USAID please confirm if the total proposed cost includes the $6.7 million financing mechanism (i.e. grants under contract, etc.)?

USAID Response: Yes, the total proposed cost includes the $6.7 million financing mechanism

35. Under Section L.8, Part 3, B. Budget Narrative, a) Labor (page 88) the RFP states “The Offeror, and each proposed major subcontractor must indicate the number of hours and days in its normal workday and its normal workweek.” However, under Section L.8 Part 10 – Policies and Procedures (page 93), the RFP states “The Offeror and each proposed subcontractor must indicate the number of hours and days in its normal workday and its normal workweek, both domestically and overseas, for employees and consultants.” Can USAID please clarify if information concerning workday and workweek is required from all subcontractors or only major subcontractors?

USAID Response: The relevant languages under the above mentioned section, Labor, have been deleted from the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

The section number, “Part 10 – Policies and Procedures” has been reassigned to “Part 9 - Policies and Procedures”. It is to be confirmed that the information concerning workday and workweek is required from major subcontractors if requested pursuant to Part 9 - Policies and Procedures under section L.7.

Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

36. Section L.8, Part 3 – B. Budget Narrative; f) Subcontractors (page 88) the RFP states “Subcontractors may submit alternative information substantiating price reasonableness documentation/justification for other than cost contracts.” Can USAID please provide illustrative examples of said documentation/justification for other than cost contracts?

USAID Response: The statement has been deleted from the amended RFP, and a statement added - “The prime offeror shall conduct appropriate cost or price analyses to establish the reasonableness of all proposed subcontracts’ (major & nonmajor) prices and include the results of these analyses in the cost/price proposal.” Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

37. Section L.8, Part 5 – Past Performance (page 91), the RFP states “all applicable fields in Attachment J.6 must be completed for all reference awards (including those listed in CPARS).” However, Attachment J.6 states fields are “to be completed by the offeror for each reference not found in CPARS/PPIRS.” Can USAID please clarify if referenced awards from offerors including those listed in CPARS are required to complete Attachment J.6?

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

USAID Response: The statement has been deleted from the amended RFP. Also, the entire section, “Part 5 Past Performance” has been removed from section L.7, and inserted as section L.8. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

38. Section L.10 (page 93) states that “In response to this RFP, upon being asked by USAID, the apparently successful offeror (ASO) must submit a Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP) for the Contract.” Later in the same section, it notes “The BP and MP are required but not evaluated and not counted against the page limit. Failure to submit a BIP and MP for the contract will render the Offeror ineligible for award of the contract.” Can USAID confirm whether the BIP and MP are required at the proposal submission stage?

USAID Response: No, BIP and MP will be required to submit from only the apparently successful offeror

(ASO).

39. Could USAID please confirm if the resume for the proposed Chief of Party can be included as an annex to the technical proposal? Could USAID also confirm whether the named Chief of Party is included in the evaluation criteria and if so, how?

USAID Response: Yes, it is to be included in the L.6, Factor 3 Management and Staffing Plan. The section has been revised in the amended RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language. Also please see USAID response to the question no. 31.

Factor 3 under section M.3 Evaluation Criteria to include COP’s evaluation criteria - “The extent to which the proposed Chief of Party (COP) and other key personnel positions demonstrate relevant technical skills, professional competence, appropriate academic background, and demonstrated experience in the relevant fields of expertise”. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

40. RFP Reference: H.29 (ADS 302.3.5.10) Page Number: 44 Relevant RFP Language: “This contract requires the Contractor to furnish important services in support of the design of “Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity” In accordance with the principles of FAR Subpart 9.5 and USAID policy, the Contractor will be ineligible to furnish, as a Prime or Subcontractor or otherwise, the implementation services for the activity, unless the Head of the Contracting Activity authorizes a waiver (in accordance FAR 9.503 and AIDAR 709.503) determining that preclusion of the Contractor from the implementation contract would not be in the Government's interest.”

Question A: Could USAID please confirm that H.29 ADS 302.3.5.10 Organizational Conflicts of Interest:

Preclusion From Implementation Contract (September 2018) applies to this RFP?

Question B: If yes, would USAID provide more detail about the potential work that could be affected by this, and if it has the potential to affect work from other Missions aside from Bangladesh?

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

USAID Response: Section H.29 has been deleted from the amendment version of the RFP. And accordingly numbering has been reassigned in section H. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

41. RFP Reference: L.6 (Factor 3) Page Number: 83 Relevant RFP Language: “Except the Chief of Party (COP) position, Offerors are not required to propose any identified key personnel for the proposed key positions in their proposals, therefore, names and resumes of other three key staff shall not be included and will not be considered.”

Question: Could USAID please confirm that Offerors should submit a CV for their identified Chief of Party candidate as an annex to the technical proposal (outside of the 5-page limit for the Management & Staffing Plan)?

USAID Response: Yes, see USAID response to the question no. 4

42. RFP Reference: M.3 (Evaluation Criteria - Factor 3) Page Number: 97 Relevant RFP Language: “The extent to which the proposed key personnel positions demonstrate relevant technical skills, professional competence, appropriate academic background, and demonstrated experience in the relevant fields of expertise.”

Question: Due to limited space in the Factor 3: Management and Staffing Plan section, would USAID consider allowing detailed job descriptions for Key Personnel listing skills, background, and experience in the relevant fields of expertise to be listed in an annex (outside of the 5-page limit for the Management & Staffing Plan)?

USAID Response: USAID will not consider any annexes under Factor 3: Management and Staffing Plan.

However, the page limit for Management and Staffing Plan has been increased from 5 pages to 9 pages in the amendment version of the RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language. Also see USAID response to the question no. 31

43. RFP Reference: L.6 (Factor 3) Page Number: 80 Relevant RFP Language: “Factor 3: Management and Staffing Plan (maximum 3 pages and count against page limit) including a Organizational Chart (maximum 2 pages and count against page limit) (Total 5 pages)”

Question: Would USAID kindly allow offerors to split the 5 pages of Factor 3 as needed between the Management and Staffing Plan and the Organizational chart, as long as offerors keep to the 5-page limit?

USAID Response: Yes, see USAID response to the question no. 31, and also 42

44. RFP Reference: M.2 (Evaluation Criteria- Factor 3) Page Number: 96

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

Relevant RFP Language: “The quality of the staffing chart and supporting rationale, including descriptions of the consortium members and their roles and appropriateness of home office support.”

Question: Can USAID confirm that the staffing chart referred to in Section M is the same as the staffing plan described in Factor 3: Management and Staffing Plan of Section L?

USAID Response: Confirmed

45. RFP Reference: M.2 (Evaluation Criteria - Factor 3) Page Number: 97 Relevant RFP Language: “The extent to which adaptive management is incorporated into the performance work statement.”

Question: Would USAID please consider moving this evaluation criteria bullet from under Factor 3:

Management and Staffing Plan to Factor 2: Performance Work Statement?

USAID Response: Yes. The offeror must address “The extent to which adaptive management is incorporated into the performance work statement”. This language has been moved to Factor 2:

Performance Work Statement in the amendment version of the RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

46. RFP Reference: L.8 (Part 5) Page Number: 91 Relevant RFP Language: “Relevant contracts would be those with a total cost of $20,000,000 or higher (for prime)”

Question: Can USAID please confirm that the $20M contract threshold only applies to the prime offeror and that major subcontractors are allowed to submit past performance reference for awards with a total value less than $20M?

USAID Response: This $20m threshold requirement has been removed from the RFP. Please see USAID response to the question no. 12

47. RFP Reference: L.8 (Part 5) Page Number: 91 Relevant RFP Language: “Relevant contracts would be those with a total cost of $20,000,000 or higher (for prime)”

Question: Would USAID please confirm that offerors can submit past performance references for projects where the offeror has a sub role with a budget amount of less than $20M if the total cost of the project is $20M or higher?

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

USAID Response: Yes, offerors can submit past performance references with a sub role. Also please see USAID response to the question no. 12 & 46

48. RFP Reference: L.8 (Part 5), Attachment J.6 (PPI) Page Number: p.91 (RFP), p.78 (Attachment J.3, J.4, J.5, J.6, J.7, J.8) Relevant RFP Language: “For all contracts listed above that are not in CPARS, provide a list of contact names, job titles, mailing addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, explanation of relevance to the proposed acquisition and a description of the performance to include…”

Question: We note that the list of Past Performance requirements listed in Part 5 of Section L.8 (p.91) of the RFP does not match the Past Performance Information (PPI) template provided in Attachment J.6 (p.78) of the Attachment J.3-J.8 pdf. Could USAID please clarify if offerors should use the PPI template provided in Attachment J.6 or create their own past performance template that includes the bulleted list of information provided in Part 5 of Section L.8 in the RFP?

USAID Response: Relevant RFP Language: “For all contracts listed above that are not in CPARS, provide a list of contact names, job titles, mailing addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, explanation of relevance to the proposed acquisition and a description of the performance to include…” has been deleted from the amendment version of the RFP. The list of Past Performance requirements listed in this section has also been deleted. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language. Offerors are required to submit Attachment J.6 for all contracts that are not in CPARS.

Also Part 5: Past Performance Information section has been removed as one of the components of Cost Proposal and reassigned as section, L.8 Past Performance in the amendment version of the RFP. Please see the track changed version of the RFP for the amendment language.

49. RFP Reference: L.8 (Part 2- Section B) Page Number: 86 Relevant RFP Language: “Offerors must fill in all parts of Section B where “TBD” is listed (except section B.3(b) and B.3(c)), including the itemized budget, provisional indirect cost rates, and payment of fixed fee.

Offerors must also propose cancellation ceilings for each year of the contract.”

Question: Would USAID allow offerors to use their own budget template if the main categories align with the provided template?

USAID Response: Yes, it is allowed

50. RFP Reference: L.5. (Proposal Submission); L.7.1 (Letter and Standard Form (SF) 33) Page Number: 79, 84 Relevant RFP Language: “Proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 180 calendar days and must be stated.”

And “A statement that proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 120 days”

Question: Could USAID please confirm that proposal must remain valid for a minimum of 180 days as stated in section L.5?

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

USAID Response: Please see USAID response to the question no. 3 & 6

51. RFP Reference: L.7 (Instructions for the Preparation of Cost/Business Proposal); L.8 (Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost/Price Proposal) Page Number: 83-85 Relevant RFP Language: N/A

Question: We note that there are two sections, L.7 and L.8, with instructions for the preparation of the Cost/Business proposal. Could USAID please confirm which section Offerors should use to ensure our response aligns to the requirements?

USAID Response: Please see USAID response to the question no. 5

52. Can/should offerors submit letters of support from interested parties and potential resource partners? If so, could they be included as a supplemental annex to the Cost Proposal?

USAID Response: Such documents can be included in the budget narrative as necessary

53. In the RFP, the Past Performance Information is covered among the Cost Proposal components. Please confirm whether this should be submitted as an annex with the Technical Proposal or the Cost Proposal.

USAID Response: Please see USAID response to the question no. 48

54. Are offerors allowed to submit Past Performance Information for non-major subcontractors?

USAID Response: Not required

55. On page 91 of RFP, regarding Past Performance, USAID states: “Relevant contracts would be those with a total cost of $20,000,000 or higher (for prime), with a period of performance falling within the last four years and involving demonstrated impact across similar work as in Section C.” Could USAID please confirm that Past Performance Information may include Cooperative Agreements that meet the same cost and date criteria?

USAID Response: Yes, confirmed. Also please see USAID response to the question no. 12

56. USAID's ZOI includes areas suitable for prawns, shrimp, and crab farming for export markets. Are these value chains eligible for inclusion in the project?

USAID Response: Prawns, shrimp and crab value chains are not eligible for inclusion in this RFP.

57. On page 85 and 88, the RFP states that Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences should be included for the offeror and major subcontractors. On page 92, that Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences is listed as a document that is not required as part of the offeror’s submission but can be requested by the Contracting Officer during negotiations. Please confirm that the Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences are not required as part of the Offeror’s submission but may be requested by the Contracting Officer during negotiations.

USAID Response: Confirmed. See USAID responses to the questions no. 10 & 35

USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity

58. On page 93 of the RFP, under 3., the RFP states: “i) The Offeror and each proposed subcontractor must indicate the number of hours and days in its normal workday and its normal work-week, both domestically and overseas, for employees and consultants. In addition, the Offeror and each proposed major subcontractor must indicate how paid absences (U.S. holidays, local holidays, vacation and sick) will be covered.” Please confirm that it is only major subcontractors that must indicate the number of hours and days in its normal workday and its normal workweek.

USAID Response: Confirmed, and accordingly the section has been updated in the amended RFP. Also, please see USAID response to the question no. 10 & 35

59. The budget template provided in attachment J.2 incorporates program activities and trainings within the Contractual cost category. Could USAID please clarify if offerors have the liberty to budget and present activities under Other Direct Cost (ODCs) instead of the Contractual cost category, as indicated in attachment J.2-Budget template?

USAID Response: Yes, the budget template is illustrative

60. Page 86, A. Budget, states “Add additional tabs (summary and detail) for all proposed major subcontractors”. Pg 88, Budget Narrative: f) Subcontracts states “The Offeror must provide information sufficient to determine the reasonableness of the cost of each proposed subcontract”. If none of the proposed subcontractors meets the 20% threshold, could USAID please advise what information must be submitted for non-major subcontractors to determine the reasonableness of the cost for each subcontractor?

USAID Response: Please also see USAID response to the question no. 13.

[END OF THE RFP AMENDMENT NO.1]

[THE REMAINDER OF THE SECTION LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]