FINAL Amendment No. 1 - RFP No. 72048220R00003.pdf

�����6������

����������6��������� �� ������

78��9:;<=>?@>A��)�

?:7@C:7@>�<D�E<F9G9>?>9<@H:<C9D9G?>9<@�<D�G<@>=?G> � ��)�+0&")0�#-�)�-'I ��"/'+-/'+0J/�-#!#)"0#�+�+%/�'& K ��'!!')0#1'�-"0' L ��&'M%#4#0#�+J3%&)2"4'�&'M%#4#0#�+�+%/�'& � ��3&�5')0�+%/�'&�NOP�QRRSTUQVSWXY ��"-/#+#40'&'-��(�NOP�Z[\W]�[\Q̂�O[W_�̀X )�-'

E>?@C?=C�D<=:�ab�c=7d8�eeHfbegh�3�������������.4"�!"&��L��)!&���K ILK

!")#$#0(�)�-' �i" ��"/'+-/'+0��!�4�$#)#0"0#�+�+%/�'&i� ��-"0'-�Njkk�Olkm�nnX�o" ��/�-#!#)"0#�+��!�)�+0&")0J�&-'&�+%/�'&�o� ��-"0'-�Njkk�Olkm�npXee8��>q9E�9>7:�<@Fr�?;;F97E�><�?:7@C:7@>E�<D�E<F9G9>?>9<@E���������0��� ��6��

���������������������� ���������� ����s � � ��s �

�I ��"))�%+0#+.�"+-�"33&�3&#"0#�+�-"0"�NOP�]WtuT]WvX ���������� ��� w��������

�����6����������

������� ��) ��-"0'�4#.+'-��" ��+"/'�"+-�0#0$'��!�4#.+'&�Nl{RW�Z]�R]T̂[X ��) ��-"0'�4#.+'-��" ��+"/'�"+-�0#0$'��!�)�+0&")0#+.��!!#)'&�Nl{RW�Z]�R]T̂[X �L ��-'4)&#30#�+��!�"/'+-/'+0J/�-#!#)"0#�+���]}Q̂T�Wv�V{�����|WU[TẐ�\WQvT̂}|~�T̂USuvT̂}�|ZSTUT[Q[TẐ�UẐ[]QU[�|uV�WU[�_Q[[W]��\W]W�PWQ|TVSW�X

3".'�������!����3".'4� ��#44%'-��( )�-' � ��+"/'�"+-�"--&'44��!�)�+0&")0�&�N�u_VW]~�|[]WW[~�UZû[{~�j[Q[W�Q̂v��O���ZvWX ���

��� ��)�+0&")0�&J�!!'&�&NjT}̂Q[u]W�ZP�RW]|Ẑ�Qu[\Z]T�Wv�[Z�|T}̂X ��� ��%+#0'-�40"0'4��!�"/'&#)"NjT}̂Q[u]W�ZP��Ẑ[]QU[T̂}��PPTUW]X�]W�TZu|�WvT[TẐ�ûu|QVSW

§¦��̈©ª̈�������«¦¬����������«�¬��«��£��®��̈����«��̄©��«¬����ª�°�¬±���ª�²�ª�¬�²�«¦����¥¬°¬«�«¬��������«�¬¥���¬���««�°¦���«���³�́�ª«�µ¶����� £��������«¦����¥¬°¬«�«¬��������«�¬¥���¬���««�°¦���«���³�́�ª«�µµ£·̈�°¬�¬°�°¦��²����ª����«�¬¥���¬��«¦����¥¥�̧ ¬�²�̈�²��£

���¬°������°̄©¬�¬«¬����������¬�«��°�¹·�µº»¼©ª�� ®�́ �½�£�¾ ¿ÀÁ ¿®¿¿¿¿¡ �·���¼¥Â����°

�̈ª¬¥�Á�� ¿ ¿

RFP No. 72048220R00003 USAID/Burma Investing in Independent Media (IIM) Activity Amendment No. 1

ATTACHMENT 1

PART I. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. RFP Section B.4, Contract Budget (pg. 4) establishes the Grants Under Contracts (GUC) at $4,000,000. Can USAID confirm that the $4 million plug includes all types of GUC (simplified, standard, Fixed Activity Awards, and in-kind)?

USAID Answer: USAID confirms that the proposed GUCs amount can include all types of GUC awards. Please see Part II, Item Nos. 1, 2, 7 and 9 below.

2. RFP Section B.4, Contract Budget (pg. 4) establishes the Grants Under Contracts (GUC) at $4,000,000. Can USAID also confirm whether additional elements of the Program Activity Fund (Direct Implementation/Direct Distribution of Goods and Services, Short-Term Technical Assistance, Training, Emergency Support Fund, and the Flexible Research Fund) are included in the $4 million plug?

USAID Answer: Offerors may consider funding any combination of the Program Activity Fund elements through the proposed GUCs amount, and/or fund the different elements separately according to the proposed approach. Also Please see Part II, Item Nos. 1, 2, 7 and 9 below.

3. RFP Section C.2, Background (pg. 8) states “see Section J for access to reports.”

However, no technical reports are included in Section J. Can USAID provide offerors the relevant reports referred to here, including USAID/Burma’s Ad Hoc Reports: Social Media Monitoring or confirm their availability on DEC?

USAID Answer: USAID confirms all USAID reports referenced, all written by the Myanmar Analytical Activity (partner: Kimetrica), can be found on the DEC. The search term “myanmar analytical” leads a searcher to reports that have been made public. Non-USAID reports referenced in the solicitation are found in the public domain. The USAGM report mentioned under Objective 1 will be provided to the future Contractor. This document and its contents are not needed for offerors to successfully respond to the requirements of this RFP.

4. Can USAID provide reports from the Civil Society and Media II program and the Community Strengthening program?

USAID Answer: Offerors can find information about the Civil Society and Media II program at https://www.ngoconnect.net/civil-society-media-project-ii-myanmar. Some CSM II reports can also be found on the DEC.

https://www.ngoconnect.net/civil-society-media-project-ii-myanmar

USAID is providing recent reports from the Community Strengthening Project (CSP), as requested. Offerors should be aware that the Community Strengthening Project (CSP) only works in Kachin, Shan, and Rakhine States, and USAID’s providing these reports does not imply that IIM should emphasize work in these areas. Per the RFP, “The Contractor shall support independent, accountability-oriented media across Myanmar in states and regions, beyond the national media hub of Yangon.

Attached to this Solicitation Amendment are:

a. Community Strengthening Project (CSP) Monthly Contextual Reports (February 2020, March 2020 and April 2020)

b. CSP Ad Hoc Report #12 - Youth Engagement in Kachin

c. CSP Ad Hoc Report #13 - Kachin State

d. CSP Ad Hoc Report #14 - Northern Shan

Please see Part II, Item No. 4.

5. RFP Section F.4, Key Personnel (pgs. 27-28) denotes that the deputy chief of party role is a technical one; however, the scope of work indicates that the role is operational in nature. Can USAID remove “Technical Advisor” from the title so that it better aligns with the position description?

USAID Answer: Please see Part II, Item No. 3, below.

6. RFP Section K.1, Notice Listing Solicitation Provision Incorporated by Reference (pg.

75), includes FAR 52.237-8, Restriction on severance payments to Foreign Nationals (AUG 2003). Can USAID clarify if the limitation and waiver clauses will be included in the resulting contract, or can [name of organization redacted] address this as part of the proposal by asking that USAID include the waiver in the resulting contract?

USAID Answer: Offerors may request a waiver to the referenced clause.

7. RFP Section L.6 (e)(1), FAR 52.215-1 Instructions To Offerors-Competitive Acquisition (Jan 2017) (pg. 88) instructs applications to mark the title page with the following legend: “This application includes data that must not be disclosed duplicated, used, or disclosed in whole or in part for any purpose other than to evaluate this application. If, however, an award is made as a result of or in connection with the submission of this data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting award. This restriction does not limit the Government’s right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. Data subject to this restriction are contained in sheets {insert numbers or other identification of sheets}.” Additionally, the applicant must mark each sheet of data it wishes to restrict with the following: “Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal.” Can USAID please indicate that offerors who would like the restriction to apply to all sheets and express this preference on the title page are exempted from the requirement to mark every page in this manner?

USAID Answer: Yes.

8. RFP Section L.7.2, Delivery Instructions (pg. 90) states “The cost proposal must be submitted in “XLS” form only; no hidden cells or sheets are allowed; all information must be visible and accessible.” Can USAID allow Excel files in .xlsx format as well?

USAID Answer: Yes, Excel files in .xlsx format will be acceptable. Please ensure there are no hidden cells or sheets, all information must be visible and accessible.

Submitted worksheets must not be locked. Please see Part II, Item No. 5 below.

9. RFP Section L.8, Instructions for Preparation of Technical Proposal (pg. 91) states “Foldouts count as an equivalent number of 8 ½” x 11” pages.” Can USAID please clarify if graphics and charts in Annex D of the Technical Proposal submission can be printed on an 8 ½” x 14” page where it only counts as one page?

USAID Answer: The technical proposal, which includes all its annexes, must be set for printout on standard 8 1/2" x 11" paper.

10. RFP Section L.8, Instruction for Preparation of Technical Proposal (pg. 91) indicates that the “page limitation for the Technical Proposal is 40 pages” and lists the Technical Proposal to include, “cover letter, title page…table of contents, acronym list.” Can USAID please confirm the 40-page limit for the technical proposal includes the cover letter, title page, table of contents, and acronym list?

USAID Answer: Yes, the cover letter, title page, table of contents, and acronym list are included in the 40-page limit.

11. RFP Section L.8.2, Key Personnel (pg. 92) indicates that “the Offeror must provide five (5) professional references for each proposed key personnel candidate.” Can USAID clarify if offerors should include the references in Annex A along with the CVs and letters of commitment?

USAID Answer: Yes.

12. RFP Section L.9, Key Personnel (pg. 26) states, “unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer, the maximum prevailing compensation shall be the same as the maximum salary under the Country Mission Local Compensation Plan.” We respectfully request that the above-mentioned salary restriction be removed from the RFP as it appears to be inconsistent with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation, incorporated in the contract under Section H.3 (page 51), which stipulates that personnel compensation be in accordance with the contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices, with reimbursement subject only to the USAID Contractor Salary Threshold. The salary restriction above may preclude contractors from following their established policies, procedures, and practices, as required by AIDAR 752.700.

USAID Answer: See AIDAR 722.170 as incorporated in the RFP. “(a) General. It is USAID policy that cooperating country nationals (CCNs) and third country nationals (TCNs), who are hired abroad for work in a cooperating country under USAID-direct contracts, generally be extended the same benefits, and be subject to the same restrictions as TCNs and CCNs employed by the USAID Mission.” and “(b) Compensation. Compensation, including merit or promotion increases paid to TCNs and CCNs may not, without the approval of the Mission Director or the Assistant Administrator having program responsibility for the project, exceed the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country as determined by the USAID Mission.”

The proposed change is rejected.

13. RFP Section L.9, Part 2(d)(7) (pg. 98, second bullet) states, “The Offeror must include costs of M&E staff, data collection, analysis, and reporting as a separate line item in their budgets to ensure that adequate resources are available.” Can USAID clarify if offerors should show M&E staff under Direct Labor, not Other Direct Costs?

USAID Answer: Offerors should show M&E staff and other M&E related costs according to how they would normally present / account for these cost elements in its budget, but must clearly identify these as M&E related costs. Please see Part II, Item No. 8.

14. RFP Section L.9 Part 9, Letters of Commitment (Major Subcontractors) (pg. 101), shows the section heading as “Letters of Commitment (Major Subcontractors)” but the description reads “The Cost/Business Proposal must include a letter, on subcontractor letterhead, and signed by an authorized representative of each subcontractor.” Would USAID clarify if it requires letters of commitment submitted for each subcontractor, or major subcontractors only?

USAID Answer: As the section title indicates, this requirement refers to “Major Subcontractors” only.

15. On page 18 of the RFP, section 1(a) indicates that the contractor must provide up to $4 Million in Grants Under Contracts (GUCs). May offerors propose more than $4 million GUCS?

USAID Answer: Yes, offerors may propose more than $4,000,000 for GUC funds.

Please see Part II, Item Nos. 1, 2, 7 and 9 below.

16. On page 90 section L.7.2(a), the RFP indicates that Technical and Cost/Price Proposals must be kept separate from each other. Should these be submitted in separate email messages?

USAID Answer: Offerors may submit their technical and cost proposals in separate email messages, and must identify each proposal accordingly. Please note that as indicated in Section L.7.2 Delivery Instructions, all submittals that will require more than one email should be sent using the following format:

“RFP No. SOL72048220R00003, USAID/Burma Investing in Independent Media (IIM) Activity.”, e-mail 1 of #”

17. In reference to page 91 section L.8(c) of the RFP, can you please clarify if the Cover page, Title page, Table of Contents and Acronym list are included in the 40 page limit for the Technical Proposal?

USAID Answer: Please see USAID Answer to Question No. 11 above.

18.. In reference to page 92 section L.8(c) of the RFP, can you please clarify if there is a page limit for Annexes A (CV/Resumes for proposed Key Personnel and Letters of Commitment/other technical personnel) and C (Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan)?

USAID Answer: No, there is no page limit for Annexes A and C.

19. In reference to page 92 section L.8(c)of the RFP, Annex A, please clarify what “other technical personal” refer to. Does this indicate that offerors need to include information (such as CVs, letters of commitment, and others) for non-key personnel such as STTA and home office support staff?

USAID Answer: This is a typographical error. Please see Part II, Item No. 6.

20. Page 91 of the RFP, section L.8(c) indicates that Contractor Past Performance Information should be included as a section within the Technical Proposal, which has a 40 page limit. However, the Past Performance Information is also listed as Annex B under section L.8.(c) and indicates that this has no page limitations. Then, in L.8.4, it stated that there is no page limit on Contractor Past Performance information but does not clarify if it should be an annex to the technical proposal or within the Technical Proposal itself. Can USAID kindly clarify if the offeror's Contractor Past Performance Information should be contained within the 40-page Technical Proposal, should be contained within the non-page-limited Annex A, or both?

USAID Answer: Offeror must discuss and describe its past performance on relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal as well as its performance in using small business (SB) concerns and within the 40-page limitation. To support this discussion, Offerors must provide performance information for itself and each major subcontractor in Annex B, with no page limit, following the instructions in Section L.8.4, and using the form found in Attachment J.2 - Past Performance Form - Contractor Past Performance Information.

21. Page 93, Sect. L.8.4.(a)(1) requests the Contractor Past Performance Information to be submitted within a "Past Performance Matrix." Can USAID confirm that this matrix should be based on the Past Performance Form contained in the RFP's Attachment J.2?

USAID Answer: Yes, please see USAID response to Question No. 20 above.

22. Page 93, Sect. L.8.4.(a)(1) requests information on relevant contracts. May offerors also provide information on similarly relevant assistance awards (e.g., Cooperative Agreements)?

USAID Answer: Yes.

23. Likewise, Page 94 sect. L.8.4.(b)(2) requests information on the offeror's use of small business concerns under current and prior contracts. May offerors provide similar information from under assistance awards?

USAID Answer: Yes.

24. While not explicitly included in FAR 31.205-6 definition of “Fringe Benefits”, please confirm that costs such as payroll taxes, severance pay accruals and 13th month compensation should not be included in the Local Fringe Benefits line of the budget.

USAID Answer: If not part of an indirect cost rate, a detailed cost breakdown by benefits types, in accordance with company policies, must be provided.

25. Kindly confirm whether or not it is USAID’s preference that units for personnel salary be presented consistently (i.e., all as daily rates).

USAID Answer: Yes.

26. On page 97 of the RFP and under “Salary and Wages”, please confirm that senior level Finance, HR and Subgrant management positions should be considered “Senior level technical staff” under the USAID/Burma Mission’s local compensation plan.

USAID Answer: Offerors must make this determination on their own and clarify/discuss this in their budget narrative.

27. On page 97 of the RFP and under “Consultants”, please clarify what is meant by the Proposed “blended daily consultant rate” and whether or not this applies to already identified consultant labor, both STTA and employees on full-time consultant agreements due to HR policy.

USAID Answer: Offerors should use their respective salary setting policies in determining appropriate daily rates for its proposed long term and/or short term staff or consultants. Usually when actual consultants or individuals are still “to-be-determined”, approximate daily rates are indicated as an estimate for budgeting purposes with the understanding that actual rates will be determined when the individuals are identified. Either way, the Offeror must provide a description of the methodology or a justification for the rate that is used for each labor category or position.

28. On page 96 of the RFP, the note regarding the “Travel, transportation and per diem” category specifies that it refers to other project-related travel by staff. Does this mean that staff and subcontractor travel related specifically for training and other activities should not be included in this category and that only general management and project oversight travel by staff should?

USAID Answer: Offerors should include whatever costs it believes should be classified/ included as “project-related travel” according to company policy and practice and clearly discuss this in the budget narrative.

29. With respect to the example given for “Other Direct Costs” on page 98 of the RFP, please confirm that local and regional M&E staff time and travel costs should not be included under ODCs, but rather under the Labor and Travel, transportation and per diem categories respectively.

USAID Answer: Please see USAID Answer to Question No. 13 above.

30. With respect to the “Trainings” category as described on page 98 of the RFP, please clarify if only participant support costs should be presented or if costs such as honorarium for guest speakers, stipends for local resource persons and staff and trainer travel costs should also be included. Additionally, please provide further clarification as to whether or not this category should also include costs associated with other activities, such as partner kick-off meetings, annual strategy workshops, information gathering (IEAs and surveys) and roundtables.

USAID Answer: Offerors should include whatever costs it believes should be classified/ included under this cost category according to company policy and practice and must clearly discuss this in the budget narrative.

31. On page 15 of the RFP, the Objective 2 Task section addressing Emergency support as part of the Program Activity Fund states that “The Contractor cannot directly fund media houses legal defense costs, but seeks to fund other elements within the support system. The Contractor must fund the legal defense of Myanmar independent media organizations charged with violating specific laws that are agreed in advance, through subawards established for that purpose.” Please confirm that USAID’s intent in this statement is that the Contractor cannot directly pay legal defense costs on behalf of Myanmar independent media organizations, but is required to do so through subawards to those organizations for that purpose.

USAID Answer: USAID confirms that Emergency legal support must be provided through subawards to NGOs that generally provide legal services to media organizations in Myanmar, including public interest law firms that defend organizations and individuals charged with crimes in Myanmar. The specific laws that the subaward can cover will need to be decided in advance. Grants to Media Houses can include budget line items to provide for legal costs associated with running a media business. Non-legal methods of emergency support can be included in grants with Media Houses or paid directly by the Contractor. USAID anticipates the emergency support activities will require close coordination with the COR and USAID’s Resident Legal Officer.

32. So we know you want independent media, which refers to any form of media, such as radio, television, newspapers or the Internet, that is free of influence by government or corporate interests. The term has varied applications, so we just wanted a little more on the specifics you are needing, so we can do a bid that includes exactly what you want.

USAID Answer: The Activity will support public interest journalism originating from local and national media houses and independent journalists; the activity will work with media outlets in every State and Region. Independent media advances the democratic and economic transitions by providing the public information necessary to hold the state, military and ethnic armed organizations, and economic actors accountable for their policies and actions. The Contractor implementing the IIM activity shall provide direct support to independent media outlets and journalists with a public service and accountability orientation to alleviate political and economic vulnerabilities that threaten the viability and credibility of the sector. USAID looks forward to seeing how Offerors assess and offer activities appropriate to the needs of accountability-focused, independent media in Myanmar.

PART II. CHANGES TO THE SOLICITATION

SECTION B

1. In Section B.4, Contract Budget, REVISE and REPLACE the budget format with the following:

SECTION C

2. In Section C.4. Programmatic and Operational Requirements, Sub-section 1(a), REVISE and REPLACE the first line with the following:

“C.4. Programmatic and Operational Requirements

Programmatic:

1. Program Activity Fund: A Program Activity Fund (PAF) which includes cash grant options include simplified grants, fixed amount agreements (FAAs), and standard grants.The PAF must include, but is not limited to, a combination of the following:

a. Grants Under Contracts (GUCs): Per ADS 302.3.4.13, The Contractor must provide a minimum of $4 Million but not more than $6 Million in subgrants to achieve the objectives of the activity. GUCs will be the primary means of providing operational support grants to media houses, and to offer grants to local actors that propose activities in line with the objectives of IIM. GUCs to local and organizations are encouraged in support of USAID’s focus on local capacity as part of improving host country self-reliance and will be the primary means of providing operational support. GUCs to international non-profit organizations are encouraged as an effective means of providing technical assistance that is trusted by local partners. GUCs to the Government of Myanmar or its subsidiaries are not permissible.

SECTION F

3. In Section F.4(g)(2), Key Personnel, Deputy Chief of Party/Technical Advisor, REVISE and REPLACE, with the following language:

“2. Deputy Chief of Party/Technical Advisor: The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will oversee the day-to-day operations and administration of the activity, while providing technical assistance to IIM partners. The DCOP will be the primary liaison with Media Houses and media organizations.

The DCOP is responsible for ensuring that activity implementation is in accordance with the technical specifications determined in the contract. This will include assessing grantee worthiness, ensuring that all procurement processes are perceived as transparent by beneficiary communities, and monitoring grant implementation to achieve technical results and overall contract objectives. The Technical Advisor will liaise directly with local media houses, journalists, and media actors, and when opportunities arise, will be in a position to mentor and coach local media houses and journalists as they use the IIM’s market research in operational and financial decisions. The Technical Advisor should be able to credibly offer technical advice to IIM partners on media business practices.The DCOP will also be responsible for supervising the Contractor’s day-to-day field presence in the areas of operations and will act as the COP when s/he is absent.

Required Qualifications for the DCOP are:

● At least 7 years of relevant professional experience leading or providing supervisory management support for operations functions in complex, dynamic, challenging political contexts, and demonstrated experience working in insecure or security-challenged media operating environments. Relevant experience in political transition environments in Asia is preferred.

● A B.A./B.S. in a relevant field such as mass communications, international relations, political science, journalism, public administration, law, or peace/conflict studies.

● Proven mid- or senior level experience in challenging and complex, restricted, or non-permissive media environments. Candidates must have demonstrated experience in one or more of the following:

o Managing media market research and analysis and presenting findings to media house clients;

o Experience with private sector financing models and income streams to advise media houses on diversifying incomes;

o Media sector operations management;

o Experience piloting and testing new media and news dissemination tools;

o Establishing and building an internal culture of media ethics and accountability-reporting, o Building a social media presence;

o Print media adaptability;

o Experience in starting up new media businesses, testing outreach and adapting media products.

● Strong communication skills, including interpersonal and in written and oral

English

SECTION J

4. In Section J, include the following:

“J.3 Reference Documents:

a. Community Strengthening Project (CSP) Monthly Contextual Reports

(February 2020, March 2020 and April 2020)

b. CSP Ad Hoc Report #12 - Youth Engagement in Kachin

c. CSP Ad Hoc Report #13 - Kachin State

d. CSP Ad Hoc Report #14 - Northern Shan”

SECTION L

5. L.2.b , Delivery Instructions, Electronic Submission, bullet 4, REVISE and REPLACE with the following:

“ • The cost proposal must be submitted in “XLS” or .”xlsx” form only; no hidden cells or sheets are allowed, all information must be visible and accessible.

Submitted worksheets must not be locked.”

6. In Section L.8, Instructions For Preparation Of Technical Proposal, referring to Annex A, REVISE and REPLACE with the following:

“Annex A: CV/Resumes for proposed Key Personnel and Letters of Commitment”

7. In Section L.Part 2(c) delete the amount “$4,000,000” from the budget format provided.

8. In Section L.9, Part 2(d)(7) (pg. 98, second bullet), REVISE and REPLACE with the following:

“The Offeror must include costs of M&E staff, data collection, analysis, and reporting in their budgets to ensure that adequate resources are available.”

9. In Section L.Part 2(d)(10) – Proposed Costs/Prices/ Detailed Budget

Narrative, REVISE and REPLACE with the following:

“(10) Grants Under Contracts: ADS 302.3.4.13, Offerors must propose approaches to use GUCs (a minimum of $4 Million but not more than $6 Million) to achieve the objectives of the activity. GUCs to local organizations are encouraged in support of USAID’s focus on local capacity building as part of improving host country self-reliance.

GUCs to the Government of Myanmar or subsidiaries must not be included.”

10. In Section L.8.4, Contractor Past Performance Information, sub-Section (a)(1) and (a)(2), REVISE and REPLACE with the following:

“L.8.4.a Contractor Past Performance Information (No page limit, but Offerors must only include relevant past performance information as required below.)

a. The offeror must provide performance information for itself and each major subcontractor (defined as one whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the offeror’s total proposed cost) in accordance with the following:

1. The Offeror must submit a Past Performance Matrix that lists up to five (5) of the most recent, or on-going, and relevant contracts or assistance-type awards for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal in the past five years. The most relevant indicators of performance are contracts of similar type of work, scope and size, and complexity/diversity and how recently they were performed.

2. Provide for each of the contracts or awards listed above, specially those that are not in CPARS, a “Past Performance Form - Contractor Past Performance Information” (see Attachment J.2 of the RFP) that indicates a list of contact names, job titles, mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and a description of the performance to include:

• Scope of work or complexity/diversity of tasks,

• Primary location(s) of work,

• Term of performance,

• Skills/expertise required,

• Dollar value, and

• Contract type, i.e., fixed-price, cost reimbursement, etc.

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

- End of Amendment No. 1 -