Questions and Answers 1 HRAA.pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1

Subject: Request for Proposal No. 72052320R00001 Activity Name: Human Rights Accountability Activity Date of Issuance: February 24, 2020 Questions due: March 9, 2020 at 2:00 pm Mexico City time Proposal due date & time: March 25, 2020 at 5:00 pm Mexico City time NAICS Code: 541990 – All other Professional, Scientific and

Technical Services Amendment No.: 2 – Questions and Answers Issuance date of Amendment: March 16, 2020

NO. QUESTION ANSWER

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECS/WORK STATEMENT

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

1 We noted an inconsistency in the requirements for key personnel (COP and DCOP) as outlined on pages 33-34 and pages 146-147 of the RFP.

A. Can USAID please confirm that the educational requirements and years of experience outlined for the COP on page 147 (144 of amendment 1) should be followed? The years of experience requirements on page 147 are somewhat lower than the requirements on pages 33- 34 (34 of amendment 1) which will allow contractors more flexibility to propose personnel who in their estimation are best qualified to achieve project results.

A) Requirements for the COP on pages 33, 146, and 147 should read at least 10 years professional experience in general and 7 years of leadership experience (it does not specify implementing USAID/donor funded development programs).

Requirements for the DCOP on both pages 33- 34 and 147 should read at least 8 years professional experience and at least 4 years working implementing USAID /donor funded development programs. Candidates should have commensurate experience working with donors - USAID or otherwise.

Candidates for both positions should possess the minimum years of experience for each

B. Can USAID please confirm that the DCOP would not need a higher degree beyond university and clarify that the “related fields” requirement includes fields such as operational management and engineering?

requirement stated in the respective qualification profile.

B) Although a higher degree (e.g. Masters, Ph.

D) is not required, it is preferred and candidates possessing such will be evaluated more competitively. USAID has listed examples of relevant degrees - and thus those most preferred (e.g. human rights, law, political science, and international relations) - although other possibilities could exist. Offerors should be prepared to justify the relevance of degrees in “related fields” other than those specified above.

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION J - ATTACHMENTS

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

2 On RFP pg. 146 (144 of amendment 1), at the end of the 1st paragraph under b.

Responsibilities, roles, and qualifications for Key Personnel, it reads: “Collectively, the proposed set of Key Personnel qualifications must include:” There are no collective qualifications listed. Please confirm that there are no other qualifications than those expressed on RFP pages 33, 34, 146, and 147.

The only Key Personnel positions and qualifications contained in this solicitation are included in these sections. The solicitation outlines on p. 146-147 guidelines for developing proposed Key Personnel, including those for the USAID-identified positions of Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party. The Offeror may propose up to three additional key personnel positions AND their proposed qualification profile (in accordance with ADS 302.3.5.4 Key Personnel

(a) Number of Key Personnel -- The number of key personnel designated for any contract must not be more than five individuals or five percent of the contractor employees working under the contract, whichever is greater.). Collectively (i.e.

between the USAID-identified and Offeror-proposed positions), the qualification profiles should reflect the appropriate breadth and depth of experience required to best implement the Offeror’s proposed approach.

3 Could USAID kindly confirm that the 5 page limit for Past Performance Information noted under section L.8.C.3) only applies to the requested Past Performance Summary Chart and is not inclusive of additional information requested under the Past Performance annex?

Yes. The five-page limit for Past Performance Information noted under section L.8.C.3) only applies to the requested Past Performance Summary Chart and is not inclusive of additional information requested under the Past Performance annex. An additional five-pages is permissible - with the conditions stated above -for each additional major subcontractor or subgrantee, defined as receiving more than 20 percent of award funding.

We request a time sensitive clarification, as it affects Offerors’ ability to respond to USAID/Mexico’s requirements. Section L.8, A. General states that the Past Performance Information is not to exceed 5 pages. However, Section L.8, Section 3) Past Performance states that the Past Performance Summary Charts are not to exceed 5 pages. Can USAID please confirm that the 5 page limit applies only to Part Performance Summary Charts and does not apply to the discussion on Small Business Concerns?

USAID/Mexico confirms that the five page limit applies only to the Past Performance Summary Charts per L.8.C.3 and not to the other information on problems, quality awards or certifications, or performance in using small businesses. Such additional performance information may exceed the five page limit.

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

OTHER

5 The RFP does not specify a date for submission of questions. Can USAID please establish that date?

See Amendment 1 of the Solicitation.