Attachment 1_72048223R00002 DISP_Questions and Answers_Amendment 0002.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1_QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

1. Section C.4.b.3 (page#20), Wrap-around support services, states, “The Contractor must incorporate targeted wrap-around support services that enable beneficiaries to be successful in their academic endeavors”, and such support services may fall outside of the allowable eligibility of costs noted within Federal regulations. In this context would USAID provide approval or a waiver to any items of cost that may be noted as unallowable?

USAID Answer: The Contractor is not authorized to incur costs that are ineligible under federal regulations. Should needs arise to alter technical implementation of the contract in ways that are eligible under federal regulations, the Contractor must first discuss the technical rationale for the proposed changes with the COR. If the COR agrees with the proposed technical changes, s/he will discuss this with the CO. The CO is the only individual authorized to approve changes to the terms of the contract.

2. Section C.4.d.1 (page#24), Is the $5 million of USAID basic education (BED) funding earmarked by the U.S. Congress, and mentioned in the GUC section, to be used exclusively under the Grants Under Contract (GUC) program or is there flexibility in how that BED funding is used? And if there is flexibility where can that funding be used in the Activity?

USAID Answer: The use of basic education funding for GUC-supported activities is described in RFP Section C.4.d Grants Under Contract (GUC) and Alumni Association resources, pages 24-25. Please also see USAID response at #22, Attachment 1_Amendment 0001.

3. Section C.4.d.2 (Page#26), Alumni Association and Alumni Grants Fund provides information about the Alumni Grants Fund and how that Fund should be allocated/spent. In the same paragraph (the last one on page 26) it notes, “basic education activities should focus on strengthening primary and secondary level teacher training and professional development or innovative activities for students including school libraries, science and language labs and enrichment programs”. Would USAID please confirm that the language pertaining to Basic Education activities in this section is intended to refer to the $5 million in GUC funding rather than the Alumni Grant Fund?

USAID Answer: Basic Education Funding could be used both in Grants Under Contract (GUC) and Alumni Association resources. Please also see USAID response at #22, Attachment 1_Amendment 0001.

SECTION F– DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

4. Section F.6 (Pages #32 – 35), The RFP states that the Rapid Education and Risk Analysis (RERA) is due within 30 calendar days after the period of performance start date, which allows for minimal fieldwork if any. USAID’s RERA Toolkit states that field implementation of a RERA lasts approximately 2-3 weeks; that the entire RERA process can be completed within four months; and that if a RERA involves no fieldwork, it can be completed in 2-3 months. Both the RERA and the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Analysis must be completed in order for the Contractor to deliver the Inclusive Development Action Plan (IDAP), which is due 45 calendar days after the period of performance start date.

In order to deliver a quality RERA, GESI and IDAP, would USAID extend the time allowed for completion of all three deliverables?

USAID Answer: The questioner correctly notes that the RERA will require adaptations given the current restrictive security conditions in Burma. USAID believes that the most likely scenario will be “no operational access, with a light or medium footprint”, as defined in USAID’s RERA Toolkit (page 12). Given the need for adaptations in the heightened security situation, USAID believes that the request for more time to complete the deliverables is reasonable. Required submission of the RERA is extended to 60 days, GESI to 75 days, and IDAP to 90 days.

5. Section F.6.b (Page #34) includes a reference to an inception period, specifically it states, “During the inception period, the Contractor must coordinate with USAID to select RERA research questions which are most applicable at the time the analysis is to be conducted”. Would USAID please confirm that the Inception Period refers to the first several months of the Activity, wherein the RERA, GESI and IADP will be completed in consultation with USAID.

USAID Answer: Yes, the inception period would be during the first 90 days.

6. Section F.6.m, Cost Reporting notes under (a)(1)(ii) (Page #42), “The Contractor must further disaggregate all identified cost categories and subcategories according to 11 types of ingredients as relevant: 1) international labor costs; 2) local labor costs; 3) allowances; 4) international travel; 5) transportation, and per diem; 6) local travel, transportation, and per diem; 7) equipment and supplies; 8) subcontracts or subgrants;

9) other direct costs; 10) grants under contract; and 11) overhead. These ingredient categories generally align with standard financial categories. However, the Contractor must report on costs for international and local labor separately”.

Could USAID please clarify if it would like Grants Under Contract (GUCs) to be recorded under #8 or #10? And could USAID please clarify if #11 should mean indirect rates?

USAID Answer: Please record the cost under #10 grants under contract if the cost is used for that purpose and #11 overhead is an indirect cost.

https://www.edu-links.org/sites/default/files/media/file/RERAToolKit_508.pdf

7. Section F.6.m (Page #43), What is the intent of the language under (4) Applicability to Subawards? Specifically, would this require each subcontractor, subrecipient and grantee to report the exact Expenditure Data noted from (1) – (3) under F.6.m Cost Reporting? Or given the need to flow-down reporting requirements to subcontractors, subrecipients and grantees would the Contractor be able to subsume the reported data/costs within its own reports and USAID does not intend for the subcontractors, subrecipients and grantees data/costs to be collated and reported as annexes?

USAID Answer: Please refer to submission guidelines referenced in F.6.m, especially at F.6.m(a)(3)(ii)).

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

8. FAR 752.7032, Page #67, Given the intensity of international travel required by the scholarship program, would USAID consider expediting international travel approval by delegating authority to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or by other means?

USAID Answer: International travel approval will be delegated to the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

9. The budget narrative template (Attachment J.1) states, "Offerors must completely and accurately complete this form using this template (including the font contained therein).

The Contracting Officer can consider material deviations non-responsive and remove the Offeror from further consideration. However, Offerors may adjust the worksheet to correspond with their technical approach, but may not adjust cost categories, unit number, or unit price columns without discussing the suggested changes with the Contracting Officer".

Given the above, may the Offeror add certain sections to the narrative template that would help elaborate on particular aspects of the Offeror's cost proposal volume?

USAID Answer: Yes.

Additionally, could USAID please clarify when would those discussions referenced above regarding suggested changes occur with the Contracting Officer during the solicitation period?

USAID Answer: The Offeror should have asked this question now if it wants to change the Budget Narrative and Budget Excel template.

SECTION L– INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

10. Section L.6.f Key person, Page #110, As Key Personnel appears to be a major evaluation criterion for this Solicitation would USAID identify the functions deemed essential for these Key Personnel positions?

USAID Answer: The Offeror is required to propose the key personnel positions and USAID will evaluate them based on M.3.c.

11. Would USAID consider amending the language in the RFP on past performance under Annex – D Past Performance Information to allow the inclusion of Cooperative Agreements (assistance) of similar size, scope, and complexity and to extend the validity period to within the past 5 years instead of the last three years from the due date of the proposal?

USAID Answer: The RFP remains unchanged. Please also see USAID response at #66, Attachment 1_Amendment 0001.

12. Section L.7c(5), Page#120 Supporting Documents notes that, “The offeror shall provide additional supporting budget documentation to substantiate all proposed costs”, but also notes that, “Other supporting documentation should be submitted if the Offeror believes that it is necessary to substantiate or support costs proposed by the Offeror”.

Given the above would USAID please confirm that the former statement is meant that Offerors should provide sufficient written justification to explain the basis for the proposed costs in the Budget Narrative, as directed in various places in Attachment J.1, and also provide further documentation to substantiate costs in cases when the Offeror believes it is necessary to substantiate or support proposed costs (such as NICRA, bio-data sheets, cost agreements to subcontractors, etc.) as directed in the first paragraph under L.7.c Part 2 – Proposed Costs/Prices?

USAID Answer: It is correct.

13. Section L.7c(5) (Page#120), Supporting Documents notes that, “In addition, a completed and signed AID Form 1420-17 – Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheets must be submitted for each individual that has been identified for a specific position, including non-key positions.”

Would USAID kindly revise this section in the RFP to align with the requirements of AIDAR 752.7001? Specifically, would USAID replace the words “each individual that has been identified for a specific position, including non-key positions” with “all individuals to be sent outside the United States or any employees designated as “key personnel””?

USAID Answer: The RFP remains unchanged. Note, the rest of the clause states, “Biographical data in the form usually maintained by the Contractor on the other individuals employed under the contract shall be available for review by USAID at the Contractor's headquarters.”

- End of RFP Amendment 0002, Attachment 1_Questions and Answers –