Questions and Answers_72052122R00011_Haiti Resilient Livestock Market System.pdf

Questions and Answers Request for Proposal (RFP) 72052122R00001

USAID/Haiti Resilient Livestock Market System

1. Activity Naming Convention: On page 7, B.1, the Activity is referred to as the ‘USAID/Haiti Resilient Livestock Market System’ Activity while throughout Section C, the name referenced is ‘USAID/Haiti Livestock Market Systems Resilience’ and on page 97, L.9.1., ‘Cover Page,’ the Activity Title is ‘USAID/Haiti Resilient Environment Activity.’ Can USAID confirm the correct name of the Activity?

USAID Response: The correct name of the activity is USAID/Haiti Resilient Livestock Market System.

2. On page 97, section L.9.1 Cover Page, indicates we must provide a DUNS number. Given that DUNS numbers are being replaced with new UEI issued by the US Government’s System for Award Management beginning April 4, please advise on which number to provide on the cover page?

USAID Response: Please provide the firm’s UEI, which will replace DUNS and be effective April 4, 2022.

3. On pages 32-33, Section F. 4 Key Personnel, the RFP provides key personnel requirements.

Would USAID consider additional years of experience over and above the requirements listed under key personnel requirements in lieu of an advanced degree? For example: would USAID accept 20 years of experience managing large USAID activities and a bachelor’s degree for the Chief of Party role?

USAID Response: USAID will not consider changing the requirements for any of the key personnel.

4. On pages 32-33, Section F. 4 Key Personnel, the RFP provides key personnel requirements.

Would USAID consider additional years of experience over and above the requirements listed under key personnel requirements in lieu of an advanced degree? For example: would USAID accept 20 years of experience in project management and a bachelor’s degree for the Deputy Chief of Party role?

USAID Response: USAID will not consider changing the requirements as suggested. Please see question 13 for specific changes to the DCOP role.

5. On pages 32-33, Section F. 4 Key Personnel, the RFP provides key personnel requirements.

Would USAID consider alternative certifications such as a CPA in lieu of a master’s degree for the Finance, Operations, and Compliance Manager.

USAID Response: USAID will not consider changing the requirements for any of the key personnel.

6. On page 97, L.6 Instructions for Preparation of the Proposal, the RFP states a 30-page proposal limitation inclusive of the following: Technical Approach (20 pages maximum), Draft AMELP (5 pages maximum), and Management Approach, including Key Personnel description (5 pages maximum). However, there is no specification for an Executive Summary and corresponding page limitation. Does USAID require an Executive Summary?

And, if so, is there a page limitation on the Executive Summary outside of the 30 pages?

USAID/Haiti Resilient Livestock Market System

USAID Response: An Executive Summary of no more than one page is required and it is outside of the 30-page limitation.

7. On page 50, H. 11 (e), titled Additional Requirements for Personnel Compensation – Consultants, indicates that the proposed rate for consultants “shall be based on the highest rate of annual compensation received by the consultant during any full year of the immediately preceding three years, unless the contractor submits a compelling reason for an exception and such exception is approved by the Contracting Officer.” However, the updated Biodata form 1420 does not include salary history. Respectfully request that USAID remove the last sentence in this paragraph to reflect current USAID requirements.

USAID Response: USAID has removed the sentence in question.

8. Will there be an exchange rate provided between U.S. Dollar and Haitian Gourde?

USAID Response: Offerors may consider 105 Haitian Gourdes per 1 U.S. Dollar.

9. On page 18, 5. Management Approach, the RFP states, “In addition to the above information, the Offeror must provide an organogram that clearly describes lines of supervision and communication.” Please confirm that the organogram will be submitted as an Annex and not within the 10 pages of the Management and Staffing section?

USAID Response: USAID confirms that the organogram will be submitted as an annex and not within the ten-page limit of the Management and Staffing Section.

10. On page 99, L.9.6, the RFP states, “List in an annex to the technical proposal up to six (6) of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal.”

Please confirm that we can also submit cooperative agreement past performance information as well as contract past performance information? As these are indicators of performance with programs of similar size, scope, and complexity.

USAID Response: Offerors may submit cooperative agreements of similar size, scope and complexity with its past performance information.

11. On page 97, L.8, the RFP states that the Draft AMELP should be 5 pages maximum and Annex J.15 provides an AMELP template that would require more than 5 pages. Can USAID confirm: 1) If the indicator table counts in the 5-page maximum or should it be submitted an annex; 2) What topic areas the applicant should include in the narrative portion that would be more helpful to USAID’s review of the draft AMELP.

USAID Response: 1) The indicator table can be submitted as an annex; 2) Please see the section on the RFP.

12. On page 24, USAID lists the required indicators for this contract. Thank you for providing the Performance Indicator Reference Sheets for many of the USAID custom indicators listed in the RFP. Can USAID also share the PIRS for Percentage of communities with availability of target services supported by USAID?

USAID Response: The PIRS for Percentage of communities with availability of target services supported by USAID is currently being developed.

USAID/Haiti Resilient Livestock Market System

13. To ensure the broadest pool of candidates possible, including experienced Haitian professionals who have not worked before with USAID, would USAID consider more flexibility with the qualifications for the deputy chief of party, listed in Section F.4 (page 33).

Specifically, would USAID consider revising the requirements related to previous experience as a chief of party or deputy chief of party for a USAID activity, a master’s degree, or 10 years of experience in Haiti to preferred, rather than required.

USAID Response: USAID has modified the requirement to: Prior experience as a USAID Chief of Party or Deputy Chief of Party is preferred. A master’s degree, or 10 years of experience in Haiti is required.

14. Given the substantial amount of information requested in Section C (pages 23-24), Section F.7 (page 35), and Section L.9.5 (page 98) related to the project’s standard and custom indicators, could offerors include indicator tables in an annex, rather than within the body of the Draft Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan, which is limited to five pages, or the Technical Approach, which is limited to 20 pages? If not, given that Section L.9.4 (page 98) states the “Indicators listed and described in the SOW must be included in the Offeror’s Technical Approach. The Offeror must also propose additional standard and custom indicators tailored to the proposed development approach. Offerors must propose yearly targets for all indicators and clearly describe the results and outcomes to be achieved” and Section L.9.5 (page 98) states “The AMELP must incorporate the guidance and requirements outlined in the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning section of the SOW, including, but not limited to, proposing standard and custom indicators,” could USAID confirm that the indicator table with custom indicators should be located in the AMELP rather than in the Technical Approach?

USAID Response: Yes, offerors can include indicator tables as an annex rather than within the body of the Draft AMELP. The indicator table with standard and custom indicators should be located within the AMELP. As noted on page 98, Section L.9.5 a separate table with the three outcome indicators associated with the percentage of fee must be submitted as an attachment to the Technical Approach.

15. The RFP indicates in Section H.15 (page 53) that all grants under contract must be issued to local nongovernmental organizations; however, the regulations allow contractors to execute solely in-kind grants to government entities. Would USAID confirm that this contract will allow in-kind grants to government entities, pursuant to ADS 302.3.4.13?

USAID Response: This activity will not provide assistance to government entities, including in-kind grants.

16. Section L.10 (page 100) and H.15 (page 15) of the RFP both state that a fixed fee must not be applied to grants under contract. This appears to be inconsistent with FAR 15.404-4 and ADS 302.3.6.8, which state, inter alia, 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)

USAID/Haiti Resilient Livestock Market System 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.

USAID Response: USAID will not consider changing this requirement.

17. In Section L.9.6 (page 99), the RFP states that offerors should “list in an annex to the technical proposal up to six of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to work in the subject proposal.” Could USAID please confirm that these six are for the prime contractor and do not include additional ones for major subcontractors?

USAID Response: USAID confirms that these six are for the prime contractor and do not include subcontracts.

18. In section L.9.6 (page 99), the RFP states that major subcontractors are those with at least 10% of the total budget. Could USAID please confirm whether this is inclusive of the grant budget?

USAID Response: 10% is exclusive of the amount set aside for grants under contract.