72051422R00010 (01) - Tierra Dorada RFP - QnA.pdf

Q&A DOCUMENT FOR SOL-72051422R00010

1. C.6.4 Activity Fund and Grants Under Contract; p. 30: Please confirm that the $8.2M component of the Activity Fund is for subcontracts.

It is expected that the $8.2 million of the first component of the Activity Fund (AF)is determined by an appropriate mix of direct technical assistance between grantees and sub-contractors (when those last organizations have a comparative advantage) in order to achieve award objectives; however, the grants fund component is to be no less than the $5 million stated on Section C.6.4 of the RFP.

2. C.6.4 Activity Fund and Grants Under Contract; p. 30: Confirm that in-kind type grants are only required only for the eligible and selected GOC entities, while other grant and contract types may be used for other non-GOC organizations and institutions

USAID/Colombia confirms that GUCs providing funds to partner government entities are not anticipated under this activity, and only in-kind grants, technical assistance, or other activities by the recipient to or for the benefit of GOC entities are anticipated. Other grant and contract types may be used for other non-GOC organizations and institutions.

3. C.6.4 Activity Fund and Grants Under Contract; p. 30: The last paragraph states: " The Contractor will determine the appropriate mix of direct technical assistance that it provides, and which grantee and sub-contractors provide..." If the contractor is providing direct technical assistance or STTA to support local institutions, should those costs be budgeted in the first component of the Activity Fund?

As per Section C.6.4 “Short-term technical assistance (STTA) may be employed under the AF to support the progress toward this award objectives; STTA can also be provided to GOC entities in line with achieving the project objectives and always will have to be approved by the COR.” As STTA is not considered a GUC, it must be budgeted under the first component of the AF. See Q1.

4. C.6.5. Third-party Funds; p. 32: Is there a target amount expected for "third-party funds" to be mobilized and leveraged over the duration of this project?

There is no official target. It is expected that the Contractor follows the USAID Private-Sector Engagement Policy in order to complement, extend, and multiply USAID´s capacity.

5. C.6.7 Construction Activities; p. 36: The fourth paragraph states that "The contract must manage and oversee construction subcontracts that will co-finance construction projects..." Can USAID confirm if the contractor will be responsible for identifying the non-USAID co-financing funding source?

The Contractor will be responsible for identifying the non-USAID co-financing funding source.

6. F.5. Reports and Deliverables, a) Rapid Mobilization Plan; p. 51: Please confirm if USAID has a definition of "senior" permanent staff or if the contractor will define "senior" permanent staff which require prior approval. Kindly provide the USAID definition of "senior" permanent staff if USAID does have a definition.

RFP is amended. On page 51, delete “all senior permanent staff” and replace with “Key https://www.edu-links.org/sites/default/files/media/file/usaid_psepolicy_final_0.pdf https://www.edu-links.org/sites/default/files/media/file/usaid_psepolicy_final_0.pdf

RFP No. 72051422R00010 USAID’s Tierra Dorada / Golden Land Activity

Personnel”

7. F.5. Reports and Deliverables, h) Grants Management Plan, p. 61: Please confirm that the Grants Management Plan required in this section is the same as the Activity Fund and Grants Management Plan (AFGMAP) referenced elsewhere in the RFP.

Yes, the GMP required in this section is the same as the AFGMAP.

8. L.5.2. Format, Page Limitation and Content; p. 132: The RFP states that "all graphs and charts must be included in the annexes;" however, all graphs and charts is not listed as an Annex to include on the following page. Please confirm:

1) if an additional Annex for graphs and charts is not required, OR if an additional Annex is required.

RFP is amended. On page 132 – Section L.5.2, delete “All graphs and charts must be included in the annexes.” Any graphs and/or charts necessary to elaborate an aspect of the proposal must be included in the main body of the proposal/section being elaborated. No annex for graphs and/or charts is required.

2) if an additional Annex for graphs and charts is required, is it expected that the graphs and charts are only referred to in the text (not included in the main body of the technical proposal) OR if the graphs and charts must be duplicated in an Annex?

See above.

3) if an additional Annex for graphs and charts is required, is there a page limit?

See above.

9. L.5.2. Format, Page Limitation and Content; p. 132: Please confirm that text in tables may be less than 12 points in size.

In accordance with Section L.5.2, “Text in graphs and charts may be less than 12 points in size but no less than 8 points and must be legible.”

10. L.5.2. Format, Page Limitation and Content; p. 133: On page 133, Annex A is listed as "CVs/Resumes for proposed Key Personnel" and Annex B is listed as "Organizational and Management Chart." However, on page 136, Annex A is listed as "Organizational and Management Chart" and Annex B is listed as "CVs/Resumes for proposed Key Personnel." Please confirm which is the correct order.

RFP is amended. On page 133, delete:

“● Annex A: CVs/Resumes for proposed Key Personnel (up to two pages per KP)

● Annex B: Organizational and Management Chart (maximum 5 pages)”

And replace with:

“● Annex A: Organizational and Management Chart (maximum 5 pages)

● Annex B: CVs/Resumes for proposed Key Personnel (up to two pages per KP)”

11. L.6. Part 8 - Evidence of Responsibility; p. 146: Please confirm that Evidence of Responsibility is only required for the Offeror and any proposed major subcontractor(s).

RFP is amended. On page 146, Section L.6 part 8, delete “any proposed subcontractor(s)” and replace with “any proposed major subcontractor(s)”

12. L.6. Part 11 - Legislative Reporting Information; p. 146: The RFP states that "for each anticipated subcontract of $100,000 or more to a U.S. organization, please provide..."

Please confirm that this refers to anticipated subcontracts under Tierra Dorada.

This statement refers to each anticipated subcontract included in the total estimated cost or price for this RFP.

13. RFP Section M; p. 147-150: Are the evaluation criteria weighted and if so, what are the relative weights of each factor?

No. In accordance with Section M.3, Factor 1 (Technical Approach) is considered to be more important than the Management Approach and Capability; conversely, Factor 2 (Management Approach and Capability) is considered to be less important than the Technical Approach.

14. M.2. Method of Evaluation; p. 147: At the end of the RFP, it states in parenthesis that major subcontractors are defined as any that represent 20% or more of the overall budget.

Kindly confirm that this definition is applicable for all references to "major subcontractors" mentioned in earlier pages of the RFP.

Yes, this definition is applicable for all references to "major subcontractors" mentioned in earlier pages of the RFP.

15. RFP Section L.6, Part 2 G (13), page 144, states that “no indirect costs or fee will be applied to the GUC funds unless specified in terms and conditions of the Contractor’s NICRA.” This appears to be inconsistent with FAR 15.404-4 and ADS 302.3.6.8, which state that pre-negotiation fee objectives must be determined according to a structured approach that considers contractor effort, risk, and other special factors. Grants require significant effort to administer and carry risks for the contractor. Additionally, the statutory underpinnings of fixed fee at 10 USC 2306(d) and 41 USC 254(b) discuss fee definitions and limitations in terms of total estimated cost, which would include grants in this case. Given this, we respectfully request that USAID reconsider its agency pre-negotiation fee objective of zero percent on grants and allow offerors to charge a fee that is reasonable and consistent with federal regulations.

Offerors are allowed to propose the cost structure they believe necessary to achieve the objectives of the RFP. If indirect costs or fee are applied to the GUC funds, they need to be adequately substantiated in the Budget Narrative. Any questions from USAID on this matter will be addressed during negotiations (if negotiations take place).

16. RFP Section L.5.2, page 133, requests that offerors present CVs/resumes for proposed key personnel in Annex A and the organizational and management chart in Annex B.

However, Section L.5.4, page 136, requests that offerors present the organizational and management chart as Annex A and CVs/resumes as Annex B. Could USAID please clarify the preferred annex order?

See answer to Q10.

17. RFP Section L.5.2, page 133-134, requires offerors to include a: 1) graphic depiction of the theory of change, 2) a mind map, flow chart, or Gantt chart to depict the implementation schedule, and 3) a graphic map of key actors and stakeholders. However, Section L.5.2. on page 132 states that “All graphs and charts must be included in the annexes.” This section then lists three specific Annexes (A, B and C) and states that only those annexes or annexes specifically required in other parts of this solicitation can be submitted. Would USAID please clarify whether the graphic depiction of the theory of change, the depiction of the implementation schedule, and the graphic map of key actors and stakeholders should be included in the technical approach, additional annexes, or some combination?

See answer to Q8.

18. Attachment J.10 includes a statement that, “If CPARS report(s) have been finalized in the CPARS system for the activity, leave the following boxes blank. If not, please fill in in full.” Would USAID please clarify whether this applies only to projects that have final project CPARs in the system or whether this applies to projects that have their latest annual CPARs finalized in the system (not final project CPARs)?

This applies only to projects that have their latest annual CPARs finalized in the system (not final project CPARs).

19. In line with the language under ADS 302.3.4.13, we respectfully recommend that, under RFP Section C.6.4, page 31, USAID replaces the term “subaward” with “grant” to ensure clarity in the applicability of ADS 303 and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPD) to grants under contracts and not to acquisition agreements. For example, we suggest editing the following:

“The Contractor must ensure that the requirements that apply to USAID-issued awards grants will apply to sub-awards grants issued by the Contractor to NGOs, primarily ADS and applicable AAPDs and CIBs. These are available at www.usaid.gov/pubs/ads. The following requirements apply to any sub-award grant by a Contractor under this contract and must be included in the Activity Fund and Grants Management Plan (AFGMAP):

1. USAID will have substantial involvement in establishing selection criteria and will approve selection of grant recipients.

2. All sub-awards grants must include language giving USAID the right to terminate the activity (activities) unilaterally in extraordinary circumstances.

3. The Contractor is not authorized to sign cooperative agreements on USAID's behalf.

4. The majority of sub-awards grants will go to non-U.S. organizations.

5. All activities must comply with USAID environmental regulation 22 CFR 216 (see below).

6. To manage local grants, the Contractor will develop and administer a Grants-Under-

Contract system. The Grants-Under-Contract element must comply with all applicable provisions of ADS 302.3.4.13.”

As the AF will not be exclusively for GUCs, the language will remain as per the current version of the RFP.

[END OF Q&A DOCUMENT FOR SOL 72051422R00010]

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Q&A DOCUMENT FOR SOL-72051422R00010