Amendment No. 1_Attachment 11 - Q&As Document.pdf

Q No

Page Ref QUESTION/COMMENT USAID's Answer

1 Will USAID please confirm the NAICS code it would like to use for this solicitation?

A: As specified in the cover letter of this RFP, the North American Industry Classification System (“NAICS”) Code is 541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.

2 17

In Section C.6 (page 17), USAID provides some initial guidance regarding potential geographic focus areas. Does USAID want offerors to propose specific geographic areas of intervention using that guidance or would USAID prefer that offerors only establish selection criteria considering the guidance, with specific areas being selected only upon award? If the former is sought after, could USAID further specify whether there are certain regions of Honduras that USAID would like the offeror to prioritize?

A: Section C.6 (page 17), GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS , is hereby amended to read: “The Contractor shall focus on watersheds with representation of biologically significant ecosystems prioritizing those areas of high economic importance that can serve as sustainable models. Geographic selection should also consider their influence in high-migration areas to deter migration. To this end, USAID Honduras has developed a geographic targeting approach (refer to Section J Attachment 1.e) to focus on the forty municipalities with highest outmigration according to current data. Final geographic selection will be subjected to USAID’s approval.”

Section J, Attachment 1 – Applicable Documents , is hereby amended to add Attachment 1.e USAID's Geotargeting Approach .

3 17 In Section C.6 (pg. 17), can USAID specify further the geographic focus of the activity (regions, departments or municipalities)?

A: Please refer to answer on Question No. 2.

4 17 C.5 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT (GUCs) For the purposes of subcontracting, can USAID please confirm that major subcontractor costs are to be calculated based on the total estimated cost of the award minus the 25% of the budget that will be allocated to grants under contract?

A: "Major subcontractors are those expected to perform at least 20% or a prominent part of the technical effort, and/or whose proposed cost exceeds 15% of the total estimated contract cost."

Calculation of major subcontractor costs must include the 25% of the budget that will be allocated to grants under contract (GUCs).

5 23

Section F.6 (page 23) and Section F.6.3 (page 26). Table F-1, List of required reports and their due dates, states that the Security Situation Plan is due 45 calendar days after award. However, Section F.6.3, Security Plan, on page 26 states that “the Contractor must submit a Security Plan (SP) within 30 calendar days after award.” Could USAID please confirm the due date for the Security Plan?

A: The Security Situation Plan must be submitted 30 days after award. Section F.6 , Table F-1 List of required reports and their due dates , Row 3 is hereby amended to read: "30 calendar days after award".

6 23 Could USAID clarify if the Security Plan (also called the Security Situation Plan) is due within 45 days of award per F.6, Table F-1 (page 23) or 30 days of award per F.6.3 (page 26)?

A: Please refer to answer on Question No. 5.

7 23

Section F.6 (page 23) and Section F.6.9 (page 29). Table F-1 states that the Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis is due 60 calendar days after award. However, Section F.6.9, Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis, on page 29, that the “within the first 90 days of award, the Contractor must do an evidence-based analysis ...” Could USAID please confirm the due date for the Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis?

A: The Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis must be submitted 90 calendar days after award. Section F.6, Table F-1 List of required reports and their due dates , Row 9 is hereby amended to read: "90 calendar days after award".

8 23 Could USAID clarify if the Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis is due within 60 days of award per F.6, Table F-1 (page 23) or 90 days of award per F.6.9 (page 29)?

A: Please refer to answer on Question No. 7.

9 32

Section F.6.17 (p. 32) Irregular Migration Analysis and Plan, states that the Irregular Migration Analysis and Plan to be conducted after award, “should articulate a TOC that links Activity results to reduction of irregular migration. Activity’s TOC must include proposed custom migration-related indicators at each level.” Can USAID clarify if this TOC will be a separate TOC, with a focus on the reduction of irregular migration, or is it integrated into the Activity TOC with a focus on reducing vulnerability to environmental shocks and stressors?

A: USAID clarifies that only one integrated Theory of Change (TOC) is being required, where the offeror needs to include how reducing vulnerability to environmental shocks and stressors will in turn reduce irregular migration.

ATTACHMENT 11 - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DOCUMENT

RFP No. 72052221R00002 Attachment 11

10 32

Section F.6.17 (p. 32) Irregular Migration Analysis and Plan, states “USAID has developed, and will continually review, a set of migration-related indicators to be included in each Activities Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (ME&L) plan as appropriate.” Could USAID kindly share the migration-related indicators USAID has developed thus far?

Section J, Attachment 1 – Applicable Documents, is hereby amended to include additional reference material relevant to this Activity.

Please refer to Attachment 1.f. "Migration Indicators Guidance"

11 34 Per Section F.7 (page 34) and Section J, Attachment 4, can USAID please confirm whether the Key Individual Certification Narcotics Offenses and Drug Trafficking should be submitted with the proposal’s Phase 2 submission?

A: That is correct. Key individuals must complete Section J, Attachment 4, Key Individual Certification Narcotics Offenses and Drug Trafficking when they are identified as key personnel. The signed forms must be submitted as part of the Phase Two Technical Proposal in response to Factor 4: Key Personnel and Staffing Plan .

12 34 In Section F.7 Key Personnel (pg. 34), can USAID lower the language requirements per the ILR scale to allow for the consideration of a larger pool of qualified personnel from Honduras?

A: No, the language requirements will remain the same. USAID/Honduras designated the language proficiency and level required for key individuals to accomplish the goals of the contract.

13 34 In Section F.7 Key Personnel (pg. 34 & 35), would USAID consider Honduran personnel who have worked for USAID or other donor projects in Honduras as international development experience?

A: Yes. USAID will consider Honduran personnel who have worked for USAID or other international donor projects in Honduras as international development experience.

14 45

Section H.7(a)(1) (page 45) states, “If, during contract performance, the contractor proposes salary or wages for a new individual(s) that exceeds 5% ceiling of the individual’s current salary or wage or the highest rate of annual salary or wage received during any full year of the immediately preceding three (3) years, the Cognizant Contracting Officer’s approval is required.”

We request that USAID remove this clause, as it contradicts current biodata procedures, which do not base salary offers and increases on salary history.

A: Agree, Section H.7 (a) has been amended to correct this oversight. Offerors should use market data rather than the individual's salary or wage history. Salary ranges for ALL the professional positions will be established based on the market value, on duties and responsibilities of the position, in the country and locality of contract performance.

15 45

Section H.7(a)(1) (page 45). This section references salary history for rate setting. Since USAID now requires salary setting based on market data, and the updated Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (biodata form) does not require candidates to disclose salary/rate history, could USAID please remove the language regarding salary history or clarify how offerors may comply with these requirements while using the new biodata form?

A: Please refer to answer on Question No. 14.

16 74

Section J (page 74). Section J lists Attachment 4, Key Individual Certifications for Narcotics;

however, USAID has not required this certification within Section L. Would USAID please clarify whether or not offerors are to provide this certification, and if so, for which individuals and in what part of the proposal submission?

A: Please refer to answer on Question No. 11.

17 95 Regarding Section L.5(h) (p. 95-96): Would USAID kindly allow offerors an additional opportunity to ask clarification questions upon invitation to submit a Phase two technical proposal?

A: No second round of Q&As has been scheduled for Phase Two. It may be allowed if deemed necessary.

ATTACHMENT 11 - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DOCUMENT

RFP No. 72052221R00002

18 96 Section L.6(c) (page 96) and Section L.8 (page 98): Please confirm that offerors may include cover pages for the Phase One and Phase Two technical proposals that do not count against the 10-page and 40-page limits, respectively.

A: The total page limit entails all the documents that will be used for evaluation purposes, it includes the Technical Proposal and the Annexes for Phases One and Two detailed below (each document must comply with its corresponding page limit). Section L.8 is being amended to read as follows:

"Offerors must submit a Phase One Technical Proposal and the items identified in "Annexes" (below) limited to ten (10) pages in total, that addresses the following two factors: Management Approach and Past Performance. The 10-page limit includes:

PHASE ONE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL:

• Cover Letter and Executive Summary (not included in page limitation stated above)

• Table of Contents, list of acronyms, dividers (not included in page limitation stated above)

• Management Approach (not to exceed 7 pages)

• Past Performance (not to exceed 3 pages)

ANNEXES:

• Draft Rapid Mobilization and Quick Startup plan (not to exceed 5 pages)

• Organizational Chart (not to exceed 1 page)

• CPARS, Performance in Using Small Business (SB) Concerns and other past performance information (no page limit) All annexes/appendices for Phase One Technical Proposal must be written in English. All information from annexes must be referenced in the technical proposal and summarized and included in the annex section."

In addition, Section L.9 is being amended to read as follows:

"Offerors must submit a Phase Two Final Technical and Cost Proposal and the items identified in "Annexes" (below). The technical proposal is limited to forty (40) pages in total and must address the following two factors: Technical Approach, Key Personnel and Staffing Plan. The 40-page limit includes:

PHASE TWO TECHNICAL PROPOSAL:

• Cover Letter and Executive Summary (not included in page limitation stated above)

• Table of Contents, list of acronyms, dividers (not included in page limitation stated above)

• Technical Approach (not to exceed 30 pages)

• Key Personnel and Staffing Plan (not to exceed 10 pages)

ANNEXES:

• Key personnel package which contains: CVs (maximum 2 pages per CV) for all key personnel (please see Section F.7), three references (1 page), Key Individual Certification (1 page), and Letter of Commitment (1 page).

All annexes/appendices for Phase Two Technical Proposal must be written in English. All information from annexes must be referenced in the technical proposal and summarized and included in the annex section."

19 96 Regarding Section L.6(a) (p. 96): Can USAID please confirm that the cover letter/page to accompany the Phase One Technical Proposal does not count against the 10-page limit?

A: Yes. Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

20 98 Regarding Sections L.8 and L.9 (p.98-101): Could USAID please provide specific guidance on what may be included as annexes for each phase of the submission?

A: Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

21 98 Section L.8 (page 98): For the Phase One proposal, please confirm that offerors may include a table of contents and list of acronyms that do not count against the 10-page limit.

A: That is correct. Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

22 98

Section L.8 (page 98) and Section L.9 (page 101): For Phase One, Factor 1 (Management Approach), the RFP instructs offerors to “demonstrate how the organizational structure will support learning, flexibility and adaptation throughout the life of the Activity.” However, the RFP lists an organizational chart as a requirement for the Phase Two technical proposal, under Factor 4 (Staffing Plan). Please confirm that offerors may include an organizational chart with their Phase One submissions and that it does not count against the page limit.

A: That is correct. Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

23 98

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PHASE ONE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, Factor 1:

Management Approach Can USAID please confirm that a Rapid Mobilization plan and a Start Up plan are not required for Phase One submission. These two plans are listed in section F6, Table F- 1, as due 15 days after award. However, the same two documents seem to be requested in section L8. If they are required as part of Phase One, can USAID confirm they should be included as annexes and are not included in the ten page limit?

A: The draft Rapid Mobilization and Quick Startup plan is required as part of Phase One Technical Proposal. Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

The plan will be finalized and submitted 15 calendar days after contract award.

ATTACHMENT 11 - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DOCUMENT

RFP No. 72052221R00002

24 98

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PHASE ONE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, Factor 1:

Management Approach Can USAID confirm that there is no requirement for a staffing plan/chart or an organizational chart in Phase One, either in the technical response or as an annex?

A: Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

25 98

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PHASE ONE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, Factor 1:

Management Approach Section L8 requests offerors to list possible subcontractors and the components of the SOW they will be responsible for. Can USAID confirm that an offeror may propose possible subcontractors, and may add to or change their subcontractors at time of Phase Two submission?

A: As specified in Section M.2 (c) "Evaluation of Phase One factors will be carried over to Phase Two to be included in the overall evaluation of proposals...". Factor 1: Management Approach will therefore be evaluated after the Phase One submission. Consequently, Phase Two submission may add and not change possible subcontrators proposed in Phase One. The section has been amended and the word "possible" has been deleted.

26 98

In Section L.8 Factor 2 (pgs. 98-99), USAID states that the Past Performance section, included in the 10-page limit, "must include the Offeror’s relevant institutional experience... and demonstrate the extent to which the amount and relevance of the Offeror’s demonstrated experience has performed similar services, as described in the SOW, in challenging contexts."

Under the subheading "Contractor Performance Information" in the same section, USAID also states that the offeror must include the Past Performance Matrix including "up to three of the most recent and relevant awards (contracts, grants or agreements) for efforts similar to the work as in Section C." Could USAID please confirm that Offerors should submit both an institutional capabilities section in the body of the proposal, and the Past Performance Matrix (attachment 7) as an annex?

A: Institutional capabilities and the Past Performance Matrix are considered part of of the 10 page limit.

Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

27 98 Regarding Section L.8 (p. 98): Would USAID kindly consider allowing Offerors to include letters of association from partners interested in participating in BCR as a non-counting annex to the Phase One Technical Proposal submission?

A: Yes. Letters of association from partners may be included, but will not be evaluated as part of Phase One Technical Proposal submission.

28 99

Regarding Section L.8 (pp. 99–100), Factor 2, CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION:

Can USAID please confirm this information, which includes: 1)Past Performance Matrix; 2) Contacts and Relevance for projects not listed in CPARS; 3) Performance in Using Small Business (SB) Concerns, is to be submitted as an annex to the Phase One Technical Proposal, and does not count against the 10-page limit?

A: The Past Performance Matrix is considered part of of the 10 page limit. Available CPARS and Performance in Using Small Business (SB) Concerns should be included as annexes to the Phase One Technical Proposal.

Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

29 99 Section L.8 (page 99): Please confirm that available CPARs and the required small business information should be included in an annex to the technical proposal with the Past Performance Matrix, which does not count against the page limit.

A: Please refer to answer on Question No. 28.

30 99 Section L.8 (page 99): Given the potential volume of pages for available CPARs, may we include only the most recent CPAR available for each of the three most recent and relevant contracts?

A: Yes. Section L.8 , Factor 2: Past Performance , has been amended to include this wording.

31 99 Section L.8 (page 99): Please confirm that we may list up to three relevant contracts in the Past Performance Matrix for the prime and three for each major subcontractor.

A: Yes. Section L.8 , Factor 2: Past Performance , CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (a) 1 . has been amended to include this wording.

ATTACHMENT 11 - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DOCUMENT

RFP No. 72052221R00002

32 99

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PHASE ONE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, Factor 2: Past Performance, CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION Can USAID confirm that the Past Performance matrix, as well as any PPRs (standard USAID format) provided, should be submitted as an annex and will not be counted against the Phase One ten page limit?

A: Offerors are required to submit Section J, Attachment 7 - Past Performance Matrix ONLY as part of the "Past Performance" section of Phase One Technical Proposal. Section L.8 (a) , Factor 2: Past Performance , CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (a) 1 . has been amended to correct this wording.

As to the non-counting annex, please refer to answer on Question No. 18.

33 99

In Section L.8, Factor 2 (pg. 99), USAID instructs offerors to "include the appropriate CPAR reports, if available" as part of the Past Performance section of the Phase One Technical Proposal. Could USAID confirm that these reports should be included as an Annex, not subject to the 10-page limitation?

A: Yes. Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

34 99 L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PHASE ONE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, Factor 2: Past Performance, CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION Can USAID clarify the percentage of work it expects a major subcontractor to perform?

A: "Major subcontractors are those expected to perform at least 20% or a prominent part of the technical effort, and/or whose proposed cost exceeds 15% of the total estimated contract cost." Section L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PHASE ONE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL , Factor 2: Past Performance , CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (a) has been amended to clarify this percentage.

35 100 In Section L.8, Factor 2 (pg. 100), Contractor Performance Information, section 3 (3) of Performance in Using Small Business Concerns, can USAID clarify that the information requested on A, B, C, doesn't count against the page limitation and can be included as an annex?

A: Yes, that is correct. Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

36 100

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PHASE ONE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, Factor 2: Past Performance, CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION Can USAID confirm that the requirement to describe small business usage is to be submitted as part of the cost proposal in Phase Two. If it is required as part of Phase One,can USAID confirm it should be included as an annex and is not included in the ten page limit.

A: Small business usage information is required as an annex in Phase One Technical Proposal. Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

37 100

L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF PHASE TWO FINAL TECHNICAL PROPOSAL,

Factor 3: Technical Approach, can USAID confirm that the draft MEL strategy and draft Work Plan and associated page limits are not included in the 30 page limit for the technical proposal, but rather should be included as annexes in addition to the 30 pages?

A: The ME&L Plan and the Draft First-Year Work Plan must be included within the 30-page limit for this factor and not as an Annex. Section L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF PHASE TWO FINAL TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, Factor 3: Technical Approach has been amended.

38 100 Regarding Section L.9 (p. 100) INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF PHASE TWO FINAL TECHNICAL PROPOSAL: May the offeror include a list of acronyms and abbreviations in the Phase Two Technical Proposal that does not count against the 40-page limit?

A: Yes. Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation.

39 101 Section L.10 (page 101). Would USAID please provide an exchange rate?

A: As the Exchange Rate fluctuates constantly, we advise that you consult with the official Exchage Rate at the Central Bank of Honduras.

https://www.bch.hn

40 101

Section L.9 (p. 101) Factor 4: Key Personnel and Staffing Plan, states “This section must include a description of the roles, responsibilities, and minimum qualifications of all key personnel positions, organizational chart and an explanation of why the key personnel are appropriate for the contract” Would USAID kindly allow offerors to submit an organizational chart as an annex to the Phase 2 technical submission?

A: Please refer to answer on Question No. 18 for the amended page limitation. An organizational chart must be submittted as part of Section L.9, Factor 4: Key Personnel and Staffing Plan (within the 10-page limit for this factor).

41 Attach 2 The budget template references CLIN 002 IDIQ, Supplemental Technical Assistance. Section B.4 on page 7 only references CLIN 001. Would USAID please confirm that there is only one CLIN for this activity and remove all the references to CLIN 002?

A: Yes, there is only one CLIN for this activity. Consequently, Section J, Attachment 2 - Budget Template has been revised accordingly.

ATTACHMENT 11 - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DOCUMENT

RFP No. 72052221R00002 Attachment 11 https://www.bch.hn/ https://www.bch.hn/ https://www.bch.hn/

42 Attach 2 Can USAID please confirm that in Tab “a_Award Budget by Line Item” CLIN 0002 IDIQ CLIN Supplemental Technical Assistance is not applicable and should be left blank?

A: Please refer to answer on Question No. 41.

43 Attach 4 Can USAID please provide a new link or include this document as an attachment? The current link does not appear to be working.

A: Section J, Attachment 4 - Key Individual Certification has been revised accordingly.

44 Attach 7 Could USAID allow offerors to use a format different from the past performance matrix (Attachment 7) to sufficiently present detailed past performance information?

A: Yes. The Past Performance Matrix provided in Section J, Attachment 7 is a sample, not a requirement, which offerors may use to provide the information requested under Section L.8.

45 Attach 7 Regarding Attachment 7 to the RFP: Can USAID please confirm that the Past Performance Matrix is not required to conform to the paper size limitations specified in L.7 (p. 119)?

A: Yes, however the page limitation remains the same.

46 Attach 10 Can USAID please provide additional guidance on where the Subcontracting Plan is to be included in the proposal and clarify if there is a small business requirement for the budget?

A: Refer to Section L.10 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL FOR PHASE TWO , (f) PART 6 - SUBCONTRACTING PLAN AND SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS .

The submission of a Subcontracting Plan is encouraged, not requird and would be submitted in Phase Two, Cost Proposal. Also, there is no small business requirement for the budget.

47 Attach

Could USAID please make all relevant studies, reports, and analyses publicly available for all offerors to access? For example, the following documents, among others, are not available to all offerors and would be extremely helpful to inform the technical approach for BCR:

• The threat analysis and ecological integrity index baseline that was carried out in the 11 areas of influence (as referenced on page 13 of the GEMA final report).

• Information on the Water Quality and Quantity Monitoring platform developed by Universidad Zamorano during GEMA.

• Information on how the CIAT’s Terra-i system was adapted and applied in Honduras during implementation of the GEMA Activity.

• The Results Framework Diagram as referenced in Section VI on page 36 of the USAID/Honduras Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS).

There is a link included but the page is restricted.

Section J, Attachment 1 – Applicable Documents , is hereby amended to add reference material relevant to this Activity.

ATTACHMENT 11 - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DOCUMENT

RFP No. 72052221R00002

Sheet1_BCR