RFP No. 72051420R00027 - RFP Questions and Answers.pdf

Questions and Answers RFP Solicitation No. 72051420R00027

October 22, 2020

Question 1: We have read all guidance in the 302.3.5.17 Limitation on Subcontracting to Non-Local Entities (July 2014). We are still not clear about the local area set aside rule involving the relationship between a US Company and a Colombian company. Can a US registered company subcontract the majority of work to a local Colombian registered company if the local Colombian company performs more than 50% of the work?

Answer 1: No. Eligibility for this Contract is being limited to local entities. “Local Entities” are defined as an individual, corporation, commercial organization and nonprofit organization that: (1) Is legally organized under the laws of; (2) Has as its principal place of business or operations in; (3) Is majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of; and (4) Is managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the country receiving assistance (Colombia).

Question 2: Can a US registered company have a teaming agreement or joint venture with a local Colombian registered company if the local Colombian company performs more than 50% of the work?

Answer 2: See Question 1.

Question 3: Will this contract be exempt from Colombian taxes?

Answer 3: Yes.

Question 4: Will USAID facilitate tax exemption documentation?

Answer 4: Yes.

Question 5: Are travel expenses factored into the total estimated ceiling cost of the contract between $1,000,000 - $3,999,999?

Answer 5: Yes.

Question 6: Es claro que las comunicaciones y los entregables deben ir en versión inglés y español y que la capacitación (VSIT). será en español; ‘¿Habrá capacitaciones para el STAFF de USAID que se deban impartir en inglés?

It is clear that communications and deliverables must be in English and Spanish versions and that training (VSIT) will be in Spanish; ‘Will there be training for USAID STAFF to be given in English?

Answer 6: No

Question 7: En relación con el Anexo D, para la Capacitación virtual de introducción a la seguridad (VSIT), se señala que durante el primer año serán 48 capacitaciones. ¿Cuál es la periodicidad de estas capacitaciones; ¿es correcto inferir que durante los primeros doce meses se dicte una por semana o podría haber una programación diferente?

In relation to Annex D, for virtual safety introduction training (VSIT), it is stated that during the first year there will be 48 training sessions. What is the periodicity of these training sessions; is it correct to infer that one per week is given during the first twelve months or could there be a different schedule?

Answer 7: See Section F.3. The schedule of trainings will be determined in consultation with the COR after award is made.

Question 8: Dado que los (socios) participantes en las capacitaciones VSIT requieren capacitación en seguridad adaptada a sus contextos y en cada sesión pueden participar hasta 100 personas; ¿estas personas serían de una misma región?; esto debido a que el material se orientaría a los riesgos del contexto específico de una determinada región. Si fuesen de varias regiones habría que preparar y capacitar sobre diversos contextos en una misma sesión, por ello sería recomendable que los participantes en la sesión operasen en una misma zona.

Since the (partners) participating in the VSIT training require security training tailored to their contexts and in each session up to 100 people can participate; would these people be from the same region?; this is because the material would be oriented toward the risks of the specific context of a particular region. If they were from several regions, it would be advisable to prepare and train in different contexts in one session, therefore it would be advisable for the participants in the session to operate in the same area.

Answer 8: Offerors are welcome to include differently-tailored training approaches as part of their technical approach.

Question 9: Dado que como se dice en el C.4.1.c "Los usuarios cargan eventos de seguridad diarios y georreferencian los eventos en la herramienta de monitoreo geográfico; el contratista no será el único que cargue información al sistema; con base en esto surgen dos interrogantes ¿es posible que por esta multiplicad de usuarios cargando información se pueda presentar redundancia o duplicidad de información?

Since as stated in C.4.1.c "Users load daily security events and georeferenced events in the geographic monitoring tool; the contractor will not be the only one to upload information to the system; on this basis two questions arise: is it possible that this multiplicity of users loading information can present redundancy or duplication of information?

Answer 9: No. USAID will work to avoid any redundancy.

Question 10: ¿Cómo La PLSO proporcionará listas de eventos diarios de seguridad al contratista para que los cargue en la herramienta; ¿el contratista puede incluir eventos, que de su propia búsqueda encuentre y que no estén dentro de la lista proporcionada por el PLSO?

As the PLSO provide lists of daily safety events to the contractor for upload to the tool; can the contractor include events, which from their own search are found and which are not within the list provided by the

PLSO?

Answer 10: Yes. The content to be uploaded will be determined in consultation with the COR after award.

Question 11: C4.2.a Como se prevé que las capacitaciones VSIT se dicten como mínimo una a la semana con participación de hasta 100 personas por sesión; se tendría cada mes 400 capacitados; sin embargo, según se observa en el Anexo D, al menos para el primer año se esperan 12 capacitaciones, por lo que se presume que habrá una capacitación presencial de 30 personas al mes; en este sentido de 400 que tomaron el Primer Nivel solo se capacitarían 30; ¿Cómo se espera que el restante (360) accedan al Nivel II para lograr la cobertura oportuna del personal en los dos niveles?

C4.2.a As VSIT training is expected to be given at least one per week with participation of up to 100 people per session; 400 will be trained each month; However, as shown in Annex D, 12 trainings are expected for at least the first year, so it is assumed that there will be in-person training of 30 people per month; in this sense, only 30 training would be provided for 400 who took the first level; How is the remaining (360) expected to access Level II to achieve timely staff coverage at both levels?

Answer 11: See section F.3. The schedule of trainings will be determined in consultation with the COR after award is made.

Question 12: 752.211-70 Idioma y medición (JUN 1992) a) El idioma inglés se utilizará en todas las comunicaciones escritas entre las partes en virtud de este contrato con respecto a los servicios que se prestarán y con respecto a todos los documentos preparados por el contratista, salvo que se disponga lo contrario en el contrato o según lo autorizado por el oficial contratante. Con base en esta cláusula es necesario saber ¿si todo el material de capacitación y el de los contenidos que se debe validar primero con el COR debe estar en español e Inglés?

752.211-70 Language and measurement (JUN 1992) (a) English shall be used in all written communications between the parties under this contract with respect to the services to be provided and with respect to all documents prepared by the contractor, unless otherwise provided in the contract or as authorized by the contracting officer. Based on this clause it is necessary to know whether all the training material and that of the contents that must be validated first with the COR must be in Spanish and English?

Answer 12: See Section C.4 for specifications about each deliverable under this contract, including language requirements.

Question 13: Should the price of each item quoted in Annex D must include Colombia’s sales tax (IVA) of 19%?

Answer 13: No.

Question 14: If the Contractor is a local-based company incorporated under the Laws of Colombia, is the Contractor still required to submit an annual report of foreign taxes?

Answer 14: Yes.

Question 15: According to section C.4.2.a.vi and C.4.2.b.vii the contractor is expected to develop a formal curriculum. Does the agency expect a detailed curriculum to be included in the technical proposal?

Answer 15: Offerors are welcome to include different training approaches as part of their technical proposal.

Question 16: For the In-person security safety awareness training can the contractor use additional staff and instructors beside the key personnel?

Answer 16: Yes, in accordance with Section L.5, offerors may include their own approach to Personnel and Qualifications as part of their technical proposal.

Question 17: Section L.6 mentions that “[T]he offeror must show the costs and calculations contained in each price and provide a narrative to explain the basis and any assumptions used to determine the price”. Is it necessary to include support documents such as quotes, invoices, etc. in the narrative?

Answer 17: It is not mandatory. Offerors should include adequate information in order to explain the basis and any assumptions used to determine the proposed price.

Question 18: Is it necessary to include in the technical proposal a list of open-source information that will be used to develop the RSIRs, and Special reports?

Answer 18: Offerors are welcome to describe their reporting approaches as part of their technical proposal.

Question 19: Section C.4.1.c states that “the PLSO will provide lists of daily security events to the Contractor. The Contractor will upload the events and georeferenced them in the system”. Can the contractor provide additional daily security events to be approved by the PLSO?

Answer 19: See Question 10.

Question 20: C.1 Background Pg. 6 Para 2 - Can we receive a copy of the Colombian government’s “Territorial Development Plan?”

Answer 20: Offerors can search for “Territorial Development Plans” or PDET online. It is publicly available.

Question 21: C.2 Purpose Pg. 6. Para 2 - Can we receive descriptions of the changing security scenario as noticed by USAID-Colombia?

Answer 21: No. This information is not publicly available.

Question 22: C.2 Purpose Pg. 6 - What is the frequency of the (1) day and five (5) day trainings?

Answer 22: See Section F.3. The schedule of trainings will be determined in consultation with the COR after award is made.

Question 23: C.4 Description and Specifications Pg.7. Para 1. (i) - How many departments require reports?

Answer 23: See Answer 90 of the Pre-Solicitation Questions and Answers RFP Number 72051420R00027 document.

Question 24: C.4 Description and Specifications Pg.7. Para 1. (ii) - How do you wish the contractor to handle sensitive and or classified information should we encounter?

Answer 24: See Sections C.4.1a.ii and C.4.1.b.ii

Question 25: What is the estimated frequency of the special reports?

Answer 25: See Section F.3. The frequency of special reports will be determined through consultation with the COR after award is made.

Question 26: C.3 Description and specifications Pg. 8. Para 1. (b) (i) Who within the USAID will decide in conjunction with the contractor, the time allowed to complete special reports?

Answer 26: See Section F.3. The time allowed to complete special reports will be determined in consultation with the COR after award is made.

Question 27: C.4 Descriptions and specifications Pg. 8 Para (i) (b) (ii) - What is the “no double standards policy” as referenced in stated paragraph.

Answer 27: See Answer 66 of the Pre-Solicitation Questions and Answers RFP Number 72051420R00027 document

Question 28: Pg. 11, para (b)(i) exercises and scenarios - Is there any requirement to notify Colombian/police forces of any exercises /training?

Answer 28: See Section C.4.2.b.i

Question 29: G.5 Invoices Pg. 21 - Upon approval of the invoice, when will the US government reimburse the contractor (in days)?

Answer 29: In accordance with RFP Section I - 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (OCT 2018), USAID will make payment in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C.3903) and prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR Part 1315. The Prompt Payment Act was enacted to ensure the federal government makes timely payments. Bills are to be paid within 30 days after receipt and acceptance of material and/or services - or - after receipt of a proper invoice, whichever is later.

Question 30: Is there a penalty to the US government for delayed payments to the contractor?

Answer 30: See Question 29 and review FAR clause 52.232-25 Prompt Payment for information about late payments.

Question 31: Medical evacuations Pg. 34 Para (a) - Is there any requirement to notify Colombian/police forces of any exercises /training?

Answer 31: USAID does not understand the question and how it pertains to Medical evacuations.

Question 32: Sensitive technology Pg. 39. Para 3. (ii) (i) - Did the US government head to state Colombia, Vice Sudan and/or Iran

Answer 32: USAID does not understand the question.

Question 33: C.4 Description and Specifications - Is it possible that our virtual Moodle platform is used to provide the training, or does USAID have a platform to carry out this process?

Answer 33: See Section C.4.2.a.v

Question 34: C.3 Results - Will USAID organize the training groups and send this information to the awarded Company?

Answer 34: See Section F.3. The schedule and logistics for trainings will be determined in consultation with the COR after award is made.

Question 35: C.2 Purpose - Should risk training at the regional level be carried out for each region or can it be General?

Answer 35: USAID does not understand the question.

Question 36: 752.252-2 Aidar Clauses Incorporated by Reference - In the questions it is indicated that only the MEDEVAC policy should be included, but, in the RFP

Answer 36: USAID does not understand the question.

Question 37: USAID requests a worker’s compensation insurance. Should both insurances be included? If it is necessary to purchase both insurances, do you know if there is an insurance company in Colombia that offers these insurances?

Answer 37: DBA insurance is required in accordance with Clause 752.228-3 Worker's compensation insurance (Defense Base Act) (December 1991). There is no waiver to deviate from this requirement. As directed through USAID Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directive AAPD 17-01 - REVISED, this insurance must be purchased through AON Risk Insurance Services Inc. In addition to DBA insurance, the Contractor must abide by all host country laws and regulations, including any that relate to worker’s compensation.

Question 38: Annex D - Pricing Proposal - Should the rates include VAT?

Answer 38: No.