AMENDMENT_01_-__RFP_-_72049718R00012_TBPS.pdf

Amendment No.: 01 Solicitation Number: 72049718R00012 Issuance Date: June 8, 2018 RFP Closing Date: July 3, 2018 RFP Closing Time: 2:00PM, Jakarta Time Email Submission to: proposals-indo@usaid.gov NAICS Code: 541 / 541990 Geographic Code: 937

SUBJECT: Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 72049718R00012 USAID Tuberculosis Private Sector (TBPS) Activity – Amendment 01

This amendment is issued to (1) respond to questions and requests for clarification which were received prior to the closing date for acceptance of questions on June 5, 2018, and (2) revise the sections of the solicitation as attached to this amendment.

The closing date of this solicitation remains unchanged. Proposals are to be submitted in accordance with the specifications of the solicitation. No further questions will be entertained under this solicitation.

Accordingly, the following information is provided and the solicitation is amended as specified herein:

PART 1 – ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AND REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION

STANDARD FORM (SF) 33 – SOLICITATION, OFFER, AND AWARD

None

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND COST/PRICES

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK:

1. On page 22 the RFP states “In addition to the BCG study, a set of private provider TB studies planned over the coming two years under a USAID-funded Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) grant will provide…”. Will these activities take place in the TBPS project districts?

USAID Response: No, this activity is solely in Bandung, which is not one of the USAID TBPS project districts.

Amendment No.01 RFP No.72049718R00002

USAID Tuberculosis Private Sector (TBPS) Activity

2. On page 25, under section C.5.4 of the RFP, reference is made to a multi-province private hospital facility-level survey. Can USAID share who is conducting the survey and when the information from the survey will be made available?

USAID Response: This work is being conducted under the USAID Health Policy Plus (HP+) project with the Office of the Vice President, National Poverty Reduction Task Force (TNP2K). Survey results will not be available until after the USAID TBPS submission deadline.

3. Section C.5.4 of the RFP describes Phase 2 Health Financing work including a “Deep dive into TB payment systems under JKN” . . . leading to proposing . . . “new provider payment options for TB.” This would seem to offer an important policy platform on which to base strengthened JKN engagement with private TB providers. What is the expected timeline for this Phase 2 Health Financing work? For planning purposes, can USAID suggest when bidders might expect new JKN provider payment mechanisms for TB to be ready?

USAID Response: Phase 2 Strategic Health Purchasing work is currently on-going. Early results may be available in October 2018. It is unclear when the JKN system will adjust the current TB payment system as it currently exists. This decision lies with the Government of Indonesia.

4. On Page 26, the RFP states “The pilot will be implemented through existing systems (e.g., any new incentives will be in the form of provider payment reform paid through usual BPJS-K channels, funded by GoI), though USAID TBPS will provide any additional funding required specifically to guide and advise this piloting effort.” Does additional funding mean additional funds available to TBPS?

USAID Response: Yes, the “additional funding” is referring to funds available to USAID TBPS. The sentence is clarifying that TBPS funds will be used for technical assistance, not for direct payment of incentives.

5. USAID does not include specific IRs under Objective 3, is it permissible for the Offeror to suggest appropriate IRs under Objective 3 in its proposal submission?

USAID Response: Offerors may propose IRs under Section C.7.3.d, Objective 3, but are not required.

6. Section C.7.4, page 40, according to the Terms of Reference for BCG’s next phase of work, specifically the profiles of selected Activity districts, data collection efforts were expected to finish in May 2018. Are the results available for Offerors’ consideration? If not, when are the results of BCG’s efforts anticipated to be available?

USAID Response: Data collection for BCG Phase 2 work was delayed, and thus no additional data will be available prior to the USAID TBPS submission deadline.

7. When will the district health profiles referenced on page 40 of the RFP be made available?

USAID Response: Due to delays in data collection, the district health profiles being developed by BCG will not be available until after this solicitation closes.

8. Also on page 40, the RFP mentions a WHO inventory study; can USAID share the study?

USAID Response: The full report for the WHO inventory study is currently being finalized with the Government of Indonesia, but interim outcomes are available at:

http://www.who.int/tb/advisory_bodies/impact_measurement_taskforce/meetings/tf7_p04_Ind onesia_inventory_study_results.pdf?ua=1

SECTION D – MARKING AND BRANDING

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

9. Section F.4.2, page 53 of the RFP states, “USAID reserves the right to adjust the level of key personnel during the performance of this Contract.” Please clarify whether this refers to the number of key personnel, the level of effort and/or something else.

USAID Response: The referenced statement refers to the number of key personnel only.

For clarity, the statement is revised to read: “USAID reserves the right to adjust the number of key personnel during the performance of this Contract.” This statement in Section F.4.2 is revised accordingly.

10.Please confirm that the Executive Summaries of the Annual Work Plan and Quarterly reports are the only documentation required in Bahasa Indonesia.

USAID Response: Yes, however annual work plans (in their entirety) may be translated into Bahasa Indonesia upon request by the COR.

11.The RFP does not request an initial MEL plan or section either in the proposal or as an annex. Would USAID consider expanding the page limit to Annex 3: theory of change/results framework, to allow room for this?

USAID Response: No, the MEL plan or section should not be included in Offeror’s submitted proposal. As per Section F.5.1 and F.5.2, the MEL plan must be included in the annual work plan post award.

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

12.Given that organizations from non-937 countries are not eligible to submit proposals under this RFP, will USAID be granting a waiver of the 937 geographic code if the successful offeror is based or registered in a non-937 country?

USAID Response: If necessary at pre-award, USAID may issue waiver of the 937 geographic code on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Subpart D of 22 CFR 228.

13.Could you please confirm that an international non-governmental, not for profit organization may respond to this RFP?

USAID Response: Yes, international non-governmental, not for profit organization are eligible for this award. Note: Standard provisions for U.S. and non-U.S. NGOs (as provided in ADS 303) will not be applied under the resulting contract. All contract provisions in the subject solicitation will be incorporated into resulting contract.

14.Page 85, H.23: it is mentioned that “the contractor must submit 0% VAT invoices for any payments.” In Indonesia, VAT exemption must be requested for every transaction. It is possible to have requests rejected by the tax office, Badora. In those cases, there is no appeal. Furthermore, there is also a $200 transaction threshold, per USAID guidance where VAT exemption won’t be given. Can USAID clarify, that in such circumstances where VAT is non-negotiable, can the contractor seek full reimbursement for costs including VAT from

USAID?

USAID Response: Yes, the Contractor may seek reimbursement for VAT paid, which USAID will consider on a case-by-case basis based on guidance provided to the Contractor post-award.

15. Page 85, H.23: it is mentioned that “USAID will provide the contractor correspondence to assist the contractor in obtaining this exemption from the Government of Indonesia”. To request an exemption in Indonesia, a specific project tax ID is required, and it can take some time to obtain a project tax ID. Will USAID assist the contractor to gain VAT exemption during the period the project tax ID is being obtained from the government?

USAID Response: Yes, USAID will assist the Contractor to obtain VAT exemption during the period the project tax ID is being obtained from the Government of Indonesia.

16. Page 90 (8a): it is mentioned that "Respondents to the RFP should therefore include as part of their proposal their approach to achieving environmental compliance and management".

Can USAID please confirm if this could be included as an Annex within the Technical Proposal?

USAID Response: As per Section L.12.3 (c), Offerors must fully integrate USAID’s environmental considerations (as well as gender considerations) into their technical approach.

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION J – ATTACHMENTS

SECTION K- REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

BIDDERS

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO BIDDERS

17. Would USAID please confirm that the cover letter for the RFP is correct in stating that only an email submission of proposals is required by bidders?

USAID Response: No, both electronic and hard copies submissions are required for the technical and cost proposal. As per Section L.8.2 of the solicitation, hard copies submissions are required for timely delivery.

18. Would USAID consider allowing hard copy proposals to be delivered one week after the submission date for electronic proposals? Having them due on the same day has the unintended consequence of forcing offerors to complete all work on the proposal in time for the hard copy hand carry, reducing the time offerors have to craft quality proposals.

Alternatively, would USAID consider extending the due date for proposals by five days?

USAID Response: No, as bidders have received adequate notice to prepare proposal submissions. As per Section L.8.2 (b), proposals sent via courier service must be received by the due date and at the address specified in the Cover Letter.

19. Section L.8.2 (a), Delivery Instructions (page 137), states that “For Technical proposal and Past Performance Information, acceptable file formats are Microsoft Word (.DOC) and Adobe Acrobat (.PDF).” Please confirm that it is sufficient to submit a PDF-only version of the technical proposal.

Similar question:

Section L.8.2 (a) (4-6), page 137: Please clarify for the electronic submission of the technical proposal if a Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat version are both required.

USAID Response: Electronic submissions of the technical proposal must be in both Microsoft Word (.DOC) and Adobe Acrobat (.PDF).

20. Section L.8.2 (a)(3), pages 136-137: Will USAID please clarify if all sub-sections for the Past Performance Information are the same for the separate electronic submission and the Technical Proposal Annex 4? If different, please specify all items to be included in each submission.

USAID Response: Yes. As per Section L.12.6, Annex 4 of the technical proposal must consist of past performance information.

21. Page 137, L.8.2: it is mentioned that proposals must be submitted in three separate parts for electronic copies (a) Past Performance Information; (b) Technical proposal and (c) Cost proposal. Can USAID please confirm that for hard copies submission it is required to submit ONLY one original and five (5) copies of the technical proposal and one original and one (1) copy of the cost proposal and NO past performance information (PPIRs) is required.

USAID Response:

Per Section L.8.2 (b), the hardcopy submission must consist of: one original and five (5) copies of the technical proposal and one original and one (1) copy of the cost proposal.

Additionally, the Contractor’s Past performance information (attachment 2 of the RFP) must be included as Annex 4 to the technical proposal (see a Note under L.8.2, page 136 of the

RFP).

22.Is there a page limit for Annex 1, 4, 5, or 6? This is not noted in the RFP.

Similar Question:

Is there an overall page limit for total number of allowable annex pages?

USAID Response: No, there is no page limit for Annex 1, 4, 5, or 6 as well for the total number of pages for the annexes. Note: The page limit for Annex 3 is increased from 2 to 4 pages.

23. Would USAID please consider increasing the maximum allowed pages for Annex 3 (Theory of change and Results Framework) given the number of objectives and IRs required by the RFP and the level of detail needed to provide a reasonably illustrative Results Framework as well as a legible ToC visual.

USAID Response: As per Section L.12.3 (d), the information requested in Annex 3 is not included in the 30-page limit for the Technical Proposal. The page limit for Annex 3 itself is increased from 2 pages to 4 pages. However, please note that the discussion of the diagram in Annex 3 is included in the main Technical Proposal, not in Annex 3, and is included in the 30-page limit.

24. Section L.12.4, Page 142, states “Offerors must not submit candidates (actual or illustrative) for the proposed Core Team positions in the Technical Proposal.” Can named candidates be included in the Cost Proposal? If so, please specify the necessary supporting documents to be submitted.

Can named candidates for non-key positions be identified in the Cost Proposal? If so, please specify the necessary supporting documents to be submitted

USAID Response: No. Candidates for proposed Core Team positions should not be identified in the cost proposal, as USAID will not approve any core team and/or key personnel candidates prior to award.

25. As described in Section L.12.4, USAID will select up to four (4) key personnel positions from the core team and identify those key personnel positions in the contract. As recruitment for those positions cannot begin until award, please confirm that these positions must be filled by the conclusion of the mobilization period (120 days after award).

USAID Response: USAID expects key personnel position(s) to be filled by no later than the end of the mobilization period.

26.Section L.12.6.1.a (page 144) states, “Offerors (including all partners of a joint venture) must provide past performance information for itself, the contractor teaming arrangement, if any, and each major subcontractor…” and refers to “up to three” projects. We interpret this section to mean that USAID wishes to receive 3 reference projects for each qualified team member.

USAID Response: Under Section L. 12.6.1 (a), Offerors must submit past performance information for itself; other partners if in a teaming arrangement/joint venture; and each major subcontractor. Offerors should not submit past performance information for qualified team member not in the aforementioned categories.

27.Section L.12.6.2, Page 146: Please confirm that the first submission of the Past Performance due on June 26, 2018 is limited to electronic submission only.

USAID Response: Yes, past performance information is limited to electronic submission only.

28. Section L.12.6.2 (page 146), Past Performance, states that for relevant projects for which a CPAR is not available via PPIRs, “the referee must submit the completed questionnaire directly to USAID/Indonesia by the past performance due date specified on the Cover Page...” Whether this deadline is met by the referee is not within the Offeror’s control; thus, can USAID please clarify how failure to meet it would affect evaluation of the Offeror’s proposal?

USAID Response: USAID acknowledges that submission of past performance reference form by a referee is not within the Offeror’s full control. Therefore, USAID will use its discretion in accepting late past performance reference forms from referees and utilizing other sources of information for past performance information, in order to best inform the evaluation of contractor past performance.

29. Can USAID please confirm if the clause mentioned under L.13.8 Part 8 (3) – Subcontractor Information: “A discussion and arrangement on type(s) of subcontract(s) to be used, and approximate percentage of each type of work to be subcontracted” needs to be mentioned in the Letter from the Subcontractor.

USAID Response: The information required in L.13.8 (3) may be included in the letter from the subcontractor.

30.Section L.13.8, Page 154, Number 3 states that a discussion and arrangement of type(s) of subcontract(s) to be used and approximate percentage of each type of work to be subcontracted must be included. What is meant by “approximate percentage of each type of work”?

USAID Response: Offerors should propose an “approximate percentage of each type of work to be subcontracted” that considers the proposed technical approach and management plan in their technical proposal, as well as the small business contracting plan (see Section L.14).

31. Section L.14, page 156: The hyperlink refers to the Subcontracting Plan template for Year 2017 that refers to USAID’s Subcontracting Goals for FY 2017. Should these FY 17 goals be used or are there updated goals for FY 2018?

USAID Response: For USAID’s subcontracting goals for FY 2018, please refer to:

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/partnership-opportunities-refresh/small-business/small-business-goals

Note: These subcontracting goals are for USAID in FY 2018 and are provided for your reference.

32. We would like to enquire as to whether it is or is not necessary to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in the annex. It is included as an element of Past Performance Information to be evaluated (Page 160 -161). However, page 155 second last para reads ‘’ All Offerors must submit a Small Business (SB) Subcontracting Plan as an annex to the Technical Proposal;

As per Federal acquisition Regulation (FAR)19.702- Statutory Requirement, Section (b) says subcontracting plans are not required:-

(1) From small business concerns;

(2) For personal services contracts;

(3) For contracts or contract modifications that will be performed entirely outside of the United States and its outlying areas;

Which would be the case for this project as it will be conducted in Indonesia. Could you please clarify on this point-is a plan necessary or not?

USAID Response: USAID acknowledges that such a small business subcontract plan is not required in this Activity per the FAR 19.702 (b); however, it is an Agency priority to encourage the utilization of U.S. small business and the Mission has exercised its discretion to request such a subcontract plan for this Activity. Therefore, Offerors must submit a small business subcontracting plan, which will be evaluated as a matter of responsibility (see Section L.14), in Annex 5 of the technical proposal (see Section L.11 (b)). Please be reminded that the Past Performance Information will be used to evaluate Offeror’s organization’s use of small business concern over past performance, which is different with Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

33. In order to ensure cost realism and an accurate mobilization plan, can USAID confirm an anticipated start date of December 14, 2018, as noted in the USAID/Indonesia mission forecast?

For budgeting and work planning purposes, what is the expected start date of this project?

USAID Response: The estimated start date for this Activity is January-February 2019.

34. Thank you for providing a uniform currency exchange rate in section L.13.a.3. Please confirm that USAID will accept the prevailing exchange rate during implementation and, should the rate substantially change, USAID will be willing to adjust the ceiling and obligations to accommodate.

USAID Response: Generally, USAID will work closely with the Contractor to address both financial and programmatic contingencies during administration of the Activity on a case-by-case basis.

35. Section L.13, Page 147 of the RFP requires offerors to submit a ‘detailed budget per year for each Component/CLIN, broken out by major cost elements”. Please specify the components/ CLINs to be used.

USAID Response: The detailed budget per year must be broken out by major cost elements only, as shown in the representative format in the RFP. The requirement under Section L.13.2 Part 2(a) is revised accordingly.

36. Section L.13.2 Part 2(d) holds all staff to an annual salary increase of not more than 5 percent (including promotional increase and inflation). Stipulating the annual salary increase in the RFP may preclude offerors from complying with AIDAR 752.7007, which states that “Direct compensation of the Contractor’s personnel will be in accordance with the Contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices, and the cost principles applicable to this contract.” Specifying the maximum amount for annual salary increases may result in offerors deviating from AIDAR 752.7007. We respectfully request that USAID remove these salary increase restrictions, allowing offerors to submit cost proposals in accordance with their established policies, procedures, and practices.

Thank you for sharing the illustrative figures for the U.S. Embassy Local Compensation Plan.

Please confirm that these rates are based upon salary expectations for Jakarta.

USAID Response: Per section L.13.2 Part 2 (d), the illustrative U.S Embassy Local Compensation Plan is provided for general guidance as part of the labor market in Indonesia but is not solely determinative. Salary and wage rates must be proposed in accordance with the Contractor’s personnel policies, U.S Government regulations, and the market value of labor in Indonesia and must be allowable, allocable and reasonable. The budget narrative must explain how Offerors arrived at the proposed rates of salaries as well as provided any market research that contributed to the proposed rates.

37. Section L.13.b (page 147) states that the cost proposal must be organized “per the manner described below” and then gives 8 numbered items. However, Sections L.13.1 through L.13.10 list 10 parts to the cost proposal. Please confirm that Offerors should organize their cost proposals according to Sections L.13.1-L.13.10.

USAID Response: Yes, Offerors should organize the cost proposals according to section L.13.1 through L.13.10. The list of items under Section L.13 (b) revised accordingly.

38. In section L.13.8 Part 8 on page 154, there is a list of documents for subcontractors that should be included in the cost proposal. Please confirm that subcontractor budgets should be included with the Offeror’s budget in Part 2 of the cost proposal and that other subcontractor cost proposal documents should be included in Part 8.

USAID Response: Yes, the subcontractor’s budgets must be included in part 2 of the cost proposal, however, section L.13 (a)(2) requires major subcontractor to include the same cost element breakdown to the Prime. The detailed subcontractor’s budget and other information must be included in part 8.

MISCELLANEOUS

39. The RFI mentioned two key personnel positions and provided specific descriptions of those positions. What is the rationale for removing those descriptions from the RFP?

USAID Response: Generally, the Request for Information (RFI) solicited feedback from industry regarding the draft solicitation. USAID considered the feedback received from the RFI, which resulted in the subject Request for Proposal (RFP).

40. Consistent with the guidance in FAR 37.113-1 and considering that the anticipated contract will be performed entirely overseas, we respectfully request that USAID include FAR 52.237- 9, Waiver of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals, to prevent conflict with applicable local employment laws.

USAID Response: All conditions under FAR 37.113-1 are not met due to the nature of this Activity, and therefore the reference FAR clause will not be included in the resulting contract.

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

PART 2 – REVISIONS TO RFP NO.72049718R00012

Revisions to the RFP are listed below. The revised RFP with track changes is also available for reference.

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

1. In section F.4.2, page 53, revise and replace with the following:

Key personnel are considered essential to the work being performed under this contract. The Contractor must be responsible (post award) for providing key personnel for full-time performance for the term of the Contract unless otherwise agreed to by the CO. USAID reserves the right to adjust the number of key personnel during the performance of this Contract. Failure to provide key personnel may be considered non-performance unless such failure is beyond the control of the contractor, and through no fault or negligence, of the Contractor.

SECTION L – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

2. In section L.11 (b), page 140, revise and replace with the following:

(11). Annex 3: Theory of Change/Results Framework Diagram (maximum 4 page)(see Section L.12.3).

3. In section L.12.3 (d), page 142, revise and replace with the following:

(d) Offerors must provide a diagram to illustrate the theory of change and/or results framework in Annex 3 to the Technical Proposal. (Not included in the 30-page limit, but the Annex 3 must not exceed 4 pages).

4. In section L.13 (b), page 147, revise and replace with the following:

(b) The Cost Proposal does not have a page limit. Offeror’s cost proposal must at a minimum include the following information and be organized in the manner described below.

(1) Standard Form (SF) 33

(2) Proposed Costs

(3) Indirect Ceiling Rates

(4) Cancellation Ceilings

(5) DUNS Registration and SAM

(6) Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors

(7) Policies and Procedures

(8) Subcontractors Information

(9) Evidence of Responsibility

(10) Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences

5. In section L.13.2 (a), page 147, revise and replace with the following:

L.13.2 Part 2 - Proposed Costs

(a) Offerors must provide (i) an overall summary budget, and (ii) a detailed budget per year broken out by major cost elements, as shown below. Budget narrative information must be provided in sufficient detail to allow a complete analysis of each line item cost. This is to include a complete breakdown of the cost elements and those costs associated with each proposed sub-contract (if any). The budgets must be specific for the line item for the entire period. Offeror must provide this information through the use of detailed spreadsheets and budget notes.

6. In section L.14, page 156, add the reference for updated USAID’s subcontracting goals for FY 2018 as the following:

L.14 INSTRUCTION FOR THE PREPARATION OF SMALL BUSINESS

SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

All Offerors must submit a Small Business (SB) Subcontracting Plan as an annex to the Technical Proposal; however, it will not be evaluated as a part of technical evaluation. Only the plan from the apparently successful offeror will be evaluated as a matter of responsibility (see Section L.13.9). If the offeror does not submit an acceptable subcontracting plan, the offeror will be ineligible for the award.

Note: There is no mandatory template for Individual SB Subcontracting Plan. However, The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) recommends that offerors use the format provided here:

https://www.usaid.gov/partnership-opportunities/small-business/subcontracting-template

While this template has been designed to be consistent with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-9, other formats of a subcontracting plan may be acceptable, as long as the essential information as exemplified in this model is available.

For reference, the updated of USAID’s subcontracting goals for FY 2018 is available in the following:

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/partnership-opportunities-refresh/small-business/small-business-goals

[End of Amendment No.01]