May-06-2020_Amendment No. 1_72048620R00002_USAID_Regional Comms Support Plaltform.pdf

(x) x 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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 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.

RDM/A

Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance Regional Development Mission/Asia Athenee Tower 25th Floor 63 Wireless Road, Pathumwan Bangkok, Thailand 10330

05/06/2020

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

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

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

72048620R00002

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

000001

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

04/24/2020

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

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

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

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

Gregory S. Wang

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

1x

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

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1.Provide responses to questions received from the Offerors on April 24, 2020 related to the solicitation terms and conditions. Responses are on the following pages.

2.Update the solicitation.

Other terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

- End of Amendment No. 000001-

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

/S/ 05/06/2020 x

Amendment No. 000001 - RFP No. 72048620R00002 USAID/RDMA Regional Communications Support Platform IDIQ May 6, 2020

Technical Questions

1. In Section L.5.4.1 on page 104 the RFP provides instructions for the oral presentation. The instructions do not specify who the presenters of the presentation should be. We have the following questions:

a. Will USAID please confirm that Offerors can designate the persons to participate in the oral presentation?

USAID Answer: Yes

b. Will additional Offeror representative(s) be able to present?

USAID Answer: Yes

2. Section C. 4 on page 18 of the RFP states the four main objectives of the IDIQ:

● Increased USAID brand affinity and increased understanding of USAID’s work in Asia

● Increased engagement with USAID among key, influential audiences across Asia

● Increased media coverage of USAID activities, including as possible international and major American media outlets

● Increased awareness and changed attitudes on development challenges among target audiences.

Would USAID please clarify whether the objectives have different weightings or if all listed objectives are of equal Importance?

USAID Answer: These objectives are listed with equal importance.

3. The requirements for the Social Media Manager, Graphic Designer and Videographer, Section B.6, on pages 13-14 of the RFP, state that the candidate “will need to be familiar with USAID Graphic Standards Manual and Partner Co-Branding Guide.” Most communications professionals are experienced in adhering to branding and graphic standards guides and learn them quickly. Would USAID kindly change this to “will need to become familiar with USAID Graphic Standards Manual and Partner Co-Branding Guide,” thereby expanding the pool of applicants?

USAID Answer: Yes. The revision is in the amended RFP.

4.The requirements for the Translator/Interpreter, section B.6, page 15 of the RFP, state that this person: “must be fluent in at least two languages, English and at least one other language…” The use of commas in this sentence leaves room for interpreting the requirements in different ways.

Can USAID please confirm that it only requires this person to be fluent in English and one other language, rather than two languages plus English and one other language?

USAID Answer: This person should be fluent in English and at least one other language, as required by each Task Order.

5. The requirements for the Translator/Interpreter, Section B.6, page 15 of the RFP, state that this person: “ must have professional experience in translation and interpretation (simultaneous and consecutive) with international companies or other international organizations.” Would USAID expand the pool of applicants to allow the Translator/Interpreter to have preferred experience instead?

USAID Answer: This will be revised to “must have professional experience in translation and interpretation (simultaneous and consecutive)”.

6. The requirements for the Videographer, Section B.6, page 14, state the position is to “execute a variety of videography assignments, including on-location, studio, interview, and event shoots.” Given COVID-19 and need for physical distancing, will USAID change the content to read “execute a variety of videography assignments, including on-location, studio, interview, or event shoots” to ensure these assignments are safely executed under the contract?

USAID Answer: The revision can be found from the amended RFP. USAID is aware of the challenges in videography nowadays so we will continue to ensure our requests keep health, safety, and logistics in mind.

7. Do you have an existing message framework and / or communications strategy that would form the basis of the communications support platform or would you be seeking one to be developed as part of the engagement?

USAID Answer: Yes. We do have a current communications strategy. Given the recent paradigm shifts due to COVID-19, the selected contractor will support USAID to create a revised/new strategy.

8. Given your programs cover a broad range of issues, is there a specific program or set of programs you are seeking to increase awareness of, or will you want to focus on your broader strategy linked to the Journey to Self-Reliance?

USAID Answer: Currently, USAID’s programming is focused on Journey to Self-Reliance, and how USAID’s support to the Indo-Pacific Vision contributes to this.

9. We see from the RFP that Thailand is a critical country for communications support. What percentage of effort will be focused on Thailand versus the other countries? Can you share an overall weighting of the outreach for each country?

USAID Answer: It’s currently envisioned that Thailand-specific work will be 50 - 60% of this effort, with work in other countries in Asia with USAID presence will be the balance of 40 - 50%.

10. Would there be any need for engagement with USAID in the U.S. in terms of the work, reporting or any of the deliverables?

USAID Answer: Yes, we will need to be well-engaged with our USAID colleagues in Washington in Asia Bureau and Legislative and Public Affairs. However USAID/RDMA manage that relationship with the contractor working through USAID/RDMA.

11. In terms of your agency partner, are you looking for an agency that offers all the respective support areas or are fine working with an agency that leads the project but brings in a consortium of others to ensure you receive the most effective support?

USAID Answer: We are flexible on the partner model proposed by the Offeror that offers the best value and quality service in the quickest and most seamless execution time to Missions in Thailand and around Asia.

Cost Questions

1. Section L.5.4.1.c2, Task Order #1Cost Business Proposal, Part 2, Proposed Cost/Prices, General Instructions, on page 110, indicates that Offerors “must submit a CPFF type term form detailed budget for the interventions required.” However, in Attachment 5, Section B.2, Contract Type and Services, on page 128, indicates that Task Order 1 will be a Cost Plus Fixed Fee Completion Type contract. Further, in Appendix 5, Section B.4, Budget, states the Task Order is to be awarded through a “Firm Fixed Price”, payable upon completion of deliverables listed on pages 128-129, but with a Fixed Fee separately paid from the deliverables. Last, in Appendix 5, Section B.6, Payment of Fixed Fee, page 130, states the fixed fee payments are tied to the proportion of labor expended.

Can USAID please clarify the contract type envisioned for Task Order 1, and how the proposed fixed fee will be paid?

USAID Answer: The contract type of Task Order 1 is Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee completion type.

Section B.6 provision is now amended to this contract type.

2. Section L.5.4.1.b IDIQ Business/Cost Proposal, Part 11, on page 109, refers to Small Business Proposals, requesting offerors to indicate whether they are responding to the Small Business Set Aside. Will USAID please confirm this section is not part of this solicitation and should be omitted from proposals?

USAID Answer: This section is not applicable if your organization does not qualify as a US Small Business.

3. Attachment 1, Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix, on page 119, in item 1, states: “The proposed Unburdened Ceiling Rates (CDRs) reflected in the below table for Senior and Mid level labor categories.” However, the table on page 119 has no reference to “Senior” or “Mid-level” for the labor categories. Will USAID please confirm that the Labor Categories should be proposed under one level only?

USAID Answer: This sentence is revised to “The proposed Unburdened Ceiling Rates (CDRs) reflected in the below table for labor categories.” Only one ceiling rate is requested per labor category.

4. Attachment 1, Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix, on page 119, in item 1, states: “Offerors should assume that all labor categories using the CDRs are either long-term expatriate, long-term home office labor, or short-term expatriate consultant (nonemployee) labor, as specified following the position title. However, the Evaluation Matrix on pages 120-121 does not specify the employee status after the position titles. Will USAID clarify these instructions or provide the appropriate employee status for each position in the matrix?

USAID Answer: There is no employee status for each position and the mentioned status are now removed from the RFP. The proposed ceiling daily rates are single rates for all types of personnel (the prime contractor, Third Country Nationals (TCNs), Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs), and consultant salaries) and regardless of nationalities. The Offerors should propose the ceiling rates that are appropriate to the positions in the table and according to the prevailing market rates, as well as the Offeror’s corporate personnel policies and practices. The proposed daily rates for Task Orders must not exceed these ceiling daily rates. Further, local based staff proposed under the Task Order must follow terms and conditions stated in Section B.6(a) of the IDIQ solicitation. Please see more details from the amended RFP.

5. Attachment 1, Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix, on page 120-121, has two separate listings and level of effort designated for Graphic Designer. Will USAID please confirm these two listings are correct and not duplicative?

USAID Answer: It is duplicative and now removed from the matrix. Please see the amended RFP.

[End of Questions - RFP No. 720486R000002]