Attachment 1- Questions and Answers- Amendment 1.pdf

Amendment No: 01 RFP No: 72039121R00006

Investment Promotion Activity (IPA)

1. Could you please tell if this is a new requirement, or if there is a current or previous contractor who has performed similar services? If available, can you please send along the incumbent contract or task order number?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that this is a new requirement. No current or previous contractor performed similar services.

2. Would USAID confirm that offerors may set aside up to 30 percent of the total budget for grants under contract (GUCs), in line with Section B.4 of the RFP? The language in other sections of the RFP, such as L.6, differs from this.

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms that the offerors may set aside up to 30 percent of the total budget for grants under contract (GUCs). Accordingly, Section L.6 is revised in the attached amendment to the Solicitation. (See page 131)

3. Section B.7 states that fixed fee may not be applied to GUCs. This appears to be inconsistent with FAR 15.404-4 and ADS 302.3.6.9, which state, among other things, that pre-negotiation fee objectives must be determined according to a structured approach that considers contractor effort, risk, and other special factors. Grants require significant effort to administer and carry risks for the contractor. Additionally, the statutory underpinnings of the fixed fee at 10 USC 2306(d) and 41 USC 254(b) discuss fee definitions and limitations in terms of total estimated cost, which would include grants in this case. Given this, we respectfully request that USAID reconsider its agency pre-negotiation fee objective of zero percent on grants and allow offerors to charge a fee that is reasonable and consistent with federal regulations.

USAID/Pakistan Response: No, USAID confirms that fixed fee on Grants Under Contract (GUC) is not allowed.

4. Section H.25 and Section F.B note that the Gender Action Plan is to be submitted 30 days after work plan approval, however, the statement of objectives C.6 (b) notes that, “The analysis and action plan must be submitted as part of the technical proposal.” Would USAID confirm that — in line with Sections F, L, and M — the gender analysis and action plan will be submitted during project implementation?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the gender analysis must be part of the technical proposal whereas, per section F.4.B.10 the gender action plan will be a post award deliverable. Accordingly, section C.6 (b) and section F.4.B.10 is revised for clarity in the attached amendment to the Solicitation. (See page 29 and 156)

5. In Attachment J.2, Budget Template, the Consolidated Budget by Major Cost Category table does not align with the Consolidated Budget Incorporating Subcontractor Costs and Consolidated Budget by CLIN tables (i.e., grants and grants fee). Would USAID confirm that the format provided in the Excel template can be adjusted to ensure alignment with the budget and inclusion of all costs?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Revised J.2 Budget Template is attached to align Major Cost Category table with the Consolidated Budget Incorporating Subcontractor Costs and Consolidated Budget by CLIN tables.

6. For Attachment J.2, Budget Template, would USAID clarify that offerors may revise the individual line-item locations within the Summary Budget tab of the included budget template?

For example, some organizations would consider per diem as an allowance and not as travel.

USAID/Pakistan Response: No, offerors are not allowed to revise the budget template.

7. Section B of the RFP does not require a fixed-fee payment schedule, while Attachment J.3, Budget Narrative Template states, “The offeror must also provide a fee payment schedule in accordance with deliverables mentioned in Section F and the proposed QASP.” Would USAID please confirm that a fee payment schedule is required in line with the cost-plus fixed-fee (CPFF) completion contract type?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms that the Fixed fee payment schedule is required. Accordingly, Section B.7 is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 10-11)

8. Section J lists Attachment J.5, SF LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. Would USAID confirm that it would like the offeror to include this attachment with the cost volume?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms to include Attachment J.5, SF LLL- Disclosure of Lobbying Activities to be included as part of the Cost proposal.

9. Section J provides Attachment J.7, Past Performance Matrix and Attachment J.8, Past Performance Form. Does USAID prefer a format for offerors to use to submit the past performance information?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the Attachment J.8, Past performance Form is not required. Accordingly, Section J is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 93)

10. Section L.6.A lists components of the technical proposal that will not be included in the page limitation. Would USAID consider permitting offerors to include a two-page executive summary that will not count against the 30-page maximum?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the Executive Summary and Organizational chart in the list of documents is not included in the 30 page limit. Accordingly, Section L.6.A is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 129)

11. Section L.6 requests a Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan (BIP/MP) in the technical volume, and Section L.7 Part 11 requests the BIP/MP in the cost volume. Does USAID have a preference for which volume the BIP/MP should be submitted in?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Per section L.6.B, Annexes to Technical Proposal, Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan (BIP/MP) must be submitted as an annex to the technical proposal, however, as stated in Section L.7, the cost proposal must include all estimated costs associated with the BIP and the MP.

12. Section L.6 states that offerors must include as part of the management approach curricula vitae (CVs) for key personnel. Would USAID confirm that offerors may include the CVs as an annex to the technical proposal and that CVs do not count toward the 30-page maximum?

USAID/Pakistan Response: As stated in Section L.6, offerors must include as part of the management approach curricula vitae (CVs) for key personnel. CVs do count towards the 30-page limit.

13. Section L.7.6 states, “The Offeror must not include burdened rates in its budget or subcontractor budgets. The Offeror must break down all direct and indirect costs to their component parts.”

Would USAID please confirm that this requirement is not applicable to fixed-price subcontracts?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that this requirement is not applicable to fixed-price subcontracts.

14. Section L.7 Part 1, Standard Form (SF) 33 states, “The Offeror must submit the cover page (Section A) of this request for cost proposal [Standard Form 33, “Solicitation, Offer, and Award”].” Would USAID please provide offerors with an SF-33 form to complete?

USAID/Pakistan Response: SF 33 is attached.

15. Section L.7 Part 2 states that budgets must be provided for “all four years of contract performance.” Would USAID please confirm that the period of performance for this contract is five years?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms the contract period of performance is five years. Accordingly, Section L.7 Part 2 is updated with the correct year of performance. (See page 134)

16. Section L.7 Part 2 asks offerors to “provide information sufficient to determine reasonableness of costs proposed for each year” for GUCs. As the successful offeror will submit a GUC manual for USAID approval that details the process for identifying, evaluating, screening, awarding, and monitoring grant activities, would USAID confirm that a plug figure may be included in the proposal submission as the grantee selection process will be initiated after award and in coordination with USAID?

USAID/Pakistan Response: No, the GUC cost information must be provided for each year.

Budget Template and Budget narrative template is revised to include GUC cost in the ODC line item.

17. Standard Form (SF) 33 was not provided in the original “Solicitation+72039121R00006- +IPA+04062021” attachment. Could USAID/Pakistan kindly provide an SF 33 within an amended RFP solicitation?

USAID/Pakistan Response: SF 33 is attached.

18. Section L.7 (F), Grants Under Contracts (GUCs), on page 134 states that the “Offeror must set aside a minimum of 30% of its total budget to provide Grants Under Contracts (GUCs)”, and Section B.4 on page 9 states that “This amount does not include any relevant management or administrative expenses incurred by the Contractor.” Could USAID/Pakistan clarify whether subcontractor costs are either included or excluded from the 30% GUCs set-aside of the total budget?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms that Subcontract cost is not a part of the GUC component.

19. Section B.5 on page 10 states that “A “Major Subcontractor” is a subcontractor that is performing 20% or more of the contract, or is deemed critical by the offeror in achieving the objectives and tasks in the contract.” And Section L.6 on page 125 states “Major subcontractors are those expected to perform at least 20% or a prominent part of the technical effort.” For illustrative purpose, if the Offeror were to propose a major subcontractor deemed critical in achieving IPA tasks and objectives/performing a prominent part of the technical effort with a 15% share of the total contract, would this be acceptable to USAID/Pakistan, per the definitions above?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, this is acceptable to USAID as per the stated illustration.

Additionally, the definition of the “Major subcontract is revised in section L.6 to align with the definition in the Section B.5. (See page 128)

20. In Section F.6 on page 31, USAID/Pakistan authorizes a six-day workweek for short-term personnel. Can USAID/Pakistan clarify whether six-day workweeks are also authorized for long-term personnel?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USIAD confirms that a six-day workweek is NOT authorized for long-term personnel.

21. Section L.6.A on page 126 states that “Offerors must use Times New Roman font 12 or a similar size typeset.” Can Offerors use size 10-point font for tables, charts, and graphs, which are still subject to the 30-page limitation of the Technical Proposal?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms that offerors can use font size 10 for the tables, chart and graphs in the 30-page limit. Accordingly, Section L.6.A is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 129)

22. Page 129 under the “Contractor Performance Information” description states, “List in an annex to the technical proposal up to three of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal.” However, “Contractor Performance Information” is not listed as one of the “Annexes to Technical Proposal'' on page 129. Could USAID/Pakistan please clarify that Attachment J.7 Past Performance Matrix and Attachment J.8 Past Performance Information (PPI), as listed in Section L.6.A on page 126, are the “Contractor Performance Information” and should listed as part of the Annexes to the Technical Proposal?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that Attachment J.7,“Past performance Matrix” must be submitted as part of the technical proposal. To avoid any confusion, the reference to the Contractor performance information as an annex is revised. The Contractor performance information is now referenced as an Attachment, that will be evaluated. (see page 129 and 132).

Attachment J.8, Past performance Information is no more required. Accordingly, Section J is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 93)

23. Could USAID/Pakistan kindly clarify whether the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan should be submitted in both the technical and cost proposals, i.e., as currently listed as a technical annex on page 129 and as a cost section (Part 11) on page 139?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Per section L.6.B, Annexes to Technical Proposal, Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan (BIP/MP) must be submitted as an annex to the technical proposal, however, as stated in Section L.7, the cost proposal must include all estimated costs associated with the BIP and the MP.

24. Page 130 states that “The Offeror may add line items to the template if necessary but should comply with the template categories as much as is practical.” It is noted that there is no section for GUCs included in the J.2 Budget Template. Could USAID/Pakistan please clarify whether the Offeror should add GUCs into the template as a new budget category section? If the answer is “no” to a. above, would USAID/Pakistan rather have Offerors include GUCs as a line item under the ODCs budget category?

USAID/Pakistan Response: No. Offerors are not allowed to revise the budget template to include or exclude any line item or cost category. See the attached revised Budget Template and Budget narrative template that now includes cost related to the GUC in the ODC line item.

25. Per the Part 2 - Proposed Costs/Prices guidelines on page 131, can USAID/Pakistan clarify whether offerors may modify the budget template spreadsheet to include parameters and other related calculations?

USAID/Pakistan Response: No. Offerors are not allowed to modify/revise the budget template.

26. As listed in Section C Statement of Objectives on page 149: “Objective Three: Address the U.S.- Pakistan Bilateral Trade and Investment” and “Objective Four: Address the mobilization of FDI and U.S.-Pakistan Bilateral Trade.” Could USAID/Pakistan kindly clarify the distinction between Objective Three and Objective Four?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Following is the distinction between objectives three and four:

● Objective Three: Address the U.S.-Pakistan Bilateral Trade and Investment: USAID will support reform of Pakistan’s business and investment climate agenda that would help open markets for the most competitive U.S.-produced goods and services.

● Objective Four: Address the mobilization of FDI and U.S.-Pakistan Bilateral Trade:

USAID will support to structure, promote and facilitate partnerships with foreign investors, and deals between U.S. and Pakistani businesses for mobilization of FDI and trade. This may be achieved through a GUC component.

27. B.4. (p.8) Please confirm that offerors should include GUCs within each CLIN as opposed to as a separate CLIN 0005.

USAID/Pakistan Response:Yes, USAID confirms that the offerors must include GUCs within CLIN of the respective objective, as applicable and proposed in the PWS. CLINs are based on objectives of the SOO. See the attached revised Budget Template and Budget narrative template that now includes cost related to the GUC in the ODC line item.

28. Section B.4 (p.8) notes that offerors must set aside “up to 30%” of its budget for grants, whereas Section L.6.B (p.128) specifies that the “minimum amount” set aside for GUC is 30%. Would USAID consider allowing offerors to propose a grants and procurement pool amounting to 30% of the total budget, to enable maximum flexibility in engaging both private sector entities and NGOs to achieve USAID’s objectives?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms that the offerors may set aside up to 30 percent of the total budget for grants under contract (GUCs). Accordingly, Section L.6 is revised in the attached amendment to the Solicitation. (See page 131)

29. B.7 (p.11) USAID states “there will be no Fixed Fee applied to Grants Under Contracts” but the Major Cost Categories tab in the budget template contains multiple lines for Grants Fee. Can USAID confirm that offerors can apply a fee on Grants Under Contract as is similar on other USAID contracts in Pakistan?

USAID/Pakistan Response: No, USAID confirms that fixed fee on Grants Under Contract (GUC) is not allowed. Revised J.2 Budget Template is attached to align Major Cost Category table with the Consolidated Budget Incorporating Subcontractor Costs and Consolidated Budget by CLIN tables.

30. C.3 (p.149) Both Objectives Three and Four refer to trade and investment. Can USAID please clarify how the two objectives differ?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Following is the distinction between objectives three and four:

● Objective Three: Address the U.S.-Pakistan Bilateral Trade and Investment: USAID will support reform of Pakistan’s business and investment climate agenda that would help open markets for the most competitive U.S.-produced goods and services.

● Objective Four: Address the mobilization of FDI and U.S.-Pakistan Bilateral Trade:

USAID will support to structure, promote and facilitate partnerships with foreign investors, and deals between U.S. and Pakistani businesses for mobilization of FDI and trade. This may be achieved through a GUC component.

31. C.6.d. (p.152) states “the Contractor should include a logical framework with the technical proposal.” Can USAID please confirm that offerors can include a logical framework as an annex, as opposed to part of the 30-page technical proposal?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the Logical Framework must be part of the technical proposal. It will be evaluated, however, does not count towards the 30-page limit.

Accordingly, Section L.6.A is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 129)

NOTE: Please note as stated in the Section L.6.A, page 129, “All information from annexes must be referenced in the technical proposal”.

32. L.6.A. (p.126) Please confirm that the paper size, font, and font size requirements do not apply to the past performance matrix (Attachment J.7).

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms that Paper size, font, and font size requirements only apply to the 30-page limit of the technical proposal.

33. L.6.B (p.128–129) Can USAID please confirm whether offerors can include the key personnel CVs in a separate annex and, if so, that they will not be counted as part of the 30 page limit of the technical proposal?

USAID/Pakistan Response: As stated in Section L.6, offerors must include as part of the management approach curricula vitae (CVs) for key personnel. CVs do count towards the 30-page limit.

34. L.6.B – Would USAID allow offerors to include an organizational chart as a non-counting annex?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the Executive Summary and Organizational chart in the list of documents is not included in the 30 page limit. Accordingly, Section L.6.A is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 129)

35. L.6.B (p.128–129) Can USAID confirm that offerors can include a narrative for Contractor Performance Information within the 30-page technical body?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms that the narrative for the Contractor Performance Information must be within the 30-page limit and Attachment J.7,“Past performance Matrix” must be submitted as part of the technical proposal. To avoid any confusion, the reference to the Contractor performance information as an annex is revised. The Contractor performance information is now referenced as an Attachment, that will be evaluated.

(see page 129 and 132).

Attachment J.8, Past performance Information is no more required. Accordingly, Section J is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 93)

36. L.6.B (p.128–129) The RFP indicates that several annexes will not be evaluated. Please confirm that the annex(es) included in response to the Contractor Performance Information section will be evaluated.

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the Attachment J.7,“Past performance Matrix” must be submitted as part of the technical proposal. To avoid any confusion, the reference to the Contractor performance information as an annex is revised. The Contractor performance information is now referenced as an Attachment, that will be evaluated. (see page 129 and 132).

Attachment J.8, Past performance Information is no more required. Accordingly, Section J is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 93)

37. L.6.B (p.128–129) Please confirm that the Past Performance Matrix (Attachment J.7) may be included as an annex to the Technical Proposal.

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the Attachment J.7,“Past performance Matrix” must be submitted as part of the technical proposal. To avoid any confusion, the reference to the Contractor performance information as an annex is revised. The Contractor performance information is now referenced as an Attachment, that will be evaluated. (see page 129 and 132).

Attachment J.8, Past performance Information is no more required. Accordingly, Section J is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 93).

38. L.6.B (p.128–129) The Section J list of attachments includes a Past Performance Matrix (Attachment J.7) and a Past Performance Information (PPI) Form (Attachment J.8). Much of the information requested in these two forms is overlapping. Can USAID confirm that offerors may submit solely the PPI Form (Attachment J.8) as opposed to both the PPI Form (Attachment J.8) and the matrix (Attachment J.7)?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the Attachment J.7,“Past performance Matrix” must be submitted as part of the technical proposal. To avoid any confusion, the reference to the Contractor performance information as an annex is revised. The Contractor performance information is now referenced as an Attachment, that will be evaluated. (see page 129 and 132).

Attachment J.8, Past performance Information is no more required. Accordingly, Section J is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 93).

39. L.6.B (p.129) The template provided for the QASP is 10 pages (9 pages of content). The limit on the QASP annex is 8 pages. Can USAID either increase or eliminate the page limitation of the

QASP?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Page limit on QASP annex is removed in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 132)

40. L.6.B.(p.129) and L.7 (p.139) Please confirm that offerors are to include a Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan in both the technical and cost proposals.

USAID/Pakistan Response: Per section L.6.B, Annexes to Technical Proposal, Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan (BIP/MP) must be submitted as an annex to the technical proposal, however, as stated in Section L.7, the cost proposal must include all estimated costs associated with the BIP and the MP.

41. L.7 (p.131) Under Detailed Budget Preparation Guidance, USAID mentions that offerors must show costs for “all four years” – please confirm this should be five years, and that the Major Cost Categories tab of the budget template should include a Year 5 column, as well.

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms the contract period of performance is five years. Accordingly, Section L.7 Part 2 is updated with the correct year of performance. (See page

134) and the Budget template is also revised to include Year 5 columns. See revised attached Budget template.

42. L.7 – The Major Cost Categories, Summary Budget, and Detailed Budget tabs of the budget template do not include lines for Grants Under Contract, while there are multiple lines for Grants

Fee on the Major Cost Categories tab. Please clarify if offerors should add a line for GUC into the budget tabs and consolidated budgets.

USAID/Pakistan Response: Revised J.2 Budget Template is attached to align Major Cost Category table with the Consolidated Budget Incorporating Subcontractor Costs and Consolidated Budget by CLIN tables.

43. L.8. – Please confirm whether USAID would like offerors to submit an Executive Summary that is not included within the 30-page limit.

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the Executive Summary and Organizational chart in the list of documents is not included in the 30 page limit. Accordingly, Section L.6.A is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 129)

44. P.125 and 128 define major subcontractors as: “those expected to perform at least 20% or a prominent part of the technical effort.” P.131, however, states: “For each major subcontractor (defined as one whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost)…” Could USAID please clarify the definition of “major subcontractor?”

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes. The definition of the “Major subcontract is revised in section L.6 to align with the definition in the Section B.5. (See page 128)

45. Section L, Contractor Performance Information (a) states: “List in an annex to the technical proposal up to three of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal.” Later, on p.129, there is a note that says: ”Annexes will not be evaluated as part of the Technical Proposal, and they are not included towards the page count limit.” Could USAID clarify if annexes will not be evaluated and confirm that past performance information should be included in the annexes?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the Attachment J.7,“Past performance Matrix” must be submitted as part of the technical proposal. To avoid any confusion, the reference to the Contractor performance information as an annex is revised. The Contractor performance information is now referenced as an Attachment, that will be evaluated. (see page 129 and 132).

Attachment J.8, Past performance Information is no more required. Accordingly, Section J is revised in the attached amendment to the solicitation. (See page 93).

46. On pp.126-127, Performance Work Statement (PWS) is listed separately after Technical Approach, with the latter having a 10-page limit. Section M.2 refers to “Performance Work Statement (PWS)/Technical Approach”. Could USAID please clarify if Technical Approach is separate from the PWS and is not included in the 10-page limit?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that PWS is part of the technical approach narrative, however, the 10-Page limit is only for the PWS.

47. On page 150 it states that the contractor “should aim to create strong partnerships between the public and the private sector including Chambers of Commerce, corporate sector, business associations, and others...” Also, on the same page it states that “To promote U.S.-Pakistan Bilateral Trade and Investment, the Contractor should partner with the private sector entities (e.g., the U.S.-Pakistan Business Council, American Business Council and American Business Forum etc.)” Could USAID please clarify that bidders should not seek exclusive letters of commitment from these entities during the bidding stage?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID confirms that the Exclusive letters of commitments are not required

48. Section M page 142 explains the evaluation criteria, but weightage of various factors mentioned is not stated. Would USAID please clarify the numerical details in the evaluation criteria?

USAID/Pakistan Response: USAID clarifies that there is no numerical value to the evaluation factors. Section M.2 is updated to revise and clearly state the importance of each evaluation factor. (See page 146)

49. In section L.7 Part 2, Detailed Budget Preparation and Guidance it says the period of performance is four years (“...must show costs for all four years of contract performance...” In F.2 (a) it says the project is for 5 years. Can USAID please clarify if this is a five-year contract?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms the contract period of performance is five years. Accordingly, Section L.7 Part 2 is updated with the correct year of performance. (See page 134)

50. Section L.7 Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost Proposal, Part 2 Proposed Cost/Prices (page 131), Attachment J.2 and Attachment J.3. The RFP states “For each major subcontractor (defined as one whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost) the Offeror must include a full detailed budget worksheet linked to the Prime’s in the same spreadsheet” and “The following budget must be provided using the attached budget templates…[d]etailed subcontractor budgets for each subcontractor using the provided budget template.” Also, the budget narrative requests LOE estimated for every position as well as other cost breakdowns for subcontractors. As some proposed subcontractors perform solely on a firm-fixed-price basis utilizing pricing methodologies that are not based on cost element data, such as direct salaries and wages, indirect rates, or hourly/daily rates, can USAID confirm such offerors may submit alternative information substantiating price reasonableness documentation/justification (i.e. evidence of historical pricing that has been determined fair and reasonable by Government and non-Government clients) in lieu of a cost breakdown?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms that this requirement is not applicable to fixed-price subcontracts.

51. Section L.7 Instructions for Preparation of the Cost Proposal, Budget Line Item Definitions, (I) Indirect Costs (page 134) The RFP states, “The Offeror and each major subcontractor must include a complete copy of its most current NICRA or other documentation from its cognizant Government Audit Agency, if any…. [i]f the Offeror or major subcontractor does not have a bcognizant Government Audit Agency, the proposal must include…[a]udited balance sheets and profit and loss statements.. and…[t]he most recent two fiscal year pool and base cost compositions.” Offerors may propose specialized commercial subcontractors, many of whom perform solely on a firm-fixed-price basis, utilizing pricing methodologies that are not based on a cost buildup; can USAID confirm the requirement to provide NICRA documentation is not applicable to major subcontractors who will perform solely on a firm-fixed-price basis?

USAID/Pakistan Response: Yes, USAID confirms that this requirement is not applicable to fixed-price subcontracts.