Attachment 2 Q and A for ARCO RFP Amendment 2.pdf

Request for Proposal 72052322R00002 Alliance for Root Causes and Opportunities (ARCO) Activity

Amendment 2

Attachment 2: Questions and Answers

1. Would an applying non-profit organization need to address all three components of the Activity?

Response: Yes, you need to address all three components of the activity. If you do not you will be found non-compliant.

2. The table on page 16 of the RFP establishes that the total universe of AMEXCID beneficiaries in Central America is expected to reach 60,000. Could USAID please provide additional information on the number of beneficiaries reached by Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro (JCF) and Sembrando Vida (SV) to date in each of the three target countries as well as the Government of Mexico’s plan to reach 60,000 beneficiaries over the next four years?

Response: As of the end of 2021, for both Honduras and El Salvador, AMEXCID reached its target of registering 10,000 beneficiaries in the Jovenes Construyendo el Futuro program as well as 10,000 beneficiaries in the Sembrando Vida program in each country. (for a total of 40,000 registered in both countries). AMEXCID has not started implementing their programs in Guatemala, however, they expect to start during the first semester of 2022.

3. Should AMEXCID be unable to reach the target 60,000 beneficiaries over the life of the activity, is USAID amenable to adjusting ARCO targets and the performance fee matrix to align with the actual number of beneficiaries reached by AMEXCID?

Response: Yes. As all of the activity’s tasks will be implemented with AMEXCID and will support AMEXCID beneficiaries, if AMEXCID’s number of beneficiaries are less than the 60,000 target, USAID will be amenable to adjusting ARCO targets and the performance fee matrix to align with the actual number of beneficiaries reached by the activity.

4. Could USAID please confirm the number of Government of Mexico staff dedicated to JCF and SV, respectively, in each of the three target countries?

Response: AMEXCID has two full time employees dedicated to both programs in El Salvador and in Honduras, one of them is based in Mexico City, and the other one is based in El Salvador/Honduras. Additionally, AMEXCID works through extensionists that provide technical assistance to Sembrando Vida producers. There is approximately one extensionist per 150 producers, but the figure can vary depending on the number of active beneficiaries and their location. For Jóvenes Construyendo Futuro, monitors provide support to current beneficiaries and the workplacess alike and help recruit new JCF beneficiaries and workplaces; there is approximately one monitor per 150 JCF beneficiaries. Some of these monitors are selected from JCF beneficiaries that have completed their 8-month internship and receive an additional stipend to provide support.

The structure for Guatemala is not yet defined.

5. Could USAID provide additional information on the geographic scope and reach of

JCF and SV in Central America? In what areas are JCF and SV operating and in what areas of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras does AMEXCID have dedicated staff?

Response: AMEXCID is currently implementing their projects in the following departments in El Salvador and Honduras, where JCF and SV staff is currently working:

El Salvador - Ahuachapán, Cabañas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlán, La Libertad, La Paz, La Unión, San Miguel, San Vicente, San Salvador, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, and Usulután.

Honduras - Atlántida, Comayagua, Choluteca, Cortés, Copán, El Paraíso, Francisco Morazán, La Paz, Lempira, Santa Bárbara, Olancho, Valle, and Yoro.

AMEXCID has not started implementing its projects in Guatemala.

6. Could USAID please confirm whether JCF beneficiaries provide technical assistance to SV beneficiaries in Central America as they do in Mexico?

Response: No, JCF beneficiaries do not provide technical assistance to SV beneficiaries.

The individuals that provide technical assistance to SV beneficiaries are the extensionists hired by AMEXCID, who mainly are trained forestry engineers or agronomists.

7. Could USAID please confirm whether beneficiaries of JCF in Central America have received other benefits, such as training, besides the distribution of cash transfers?

Response: Yes, JCF beneficiaries receive training while they participate in the program.

The workplace where JCF beneficiaries intern provide either a formal introductory training at the start of the internship, or on-the-job training, depending on the size of the company. These workplaces provide specific training related to the area of collaboration/interest of the beneficiaries. At the end of the eight month internship JCF beneficiaries receive a training certificate.

8. On page 118 Section M.5, states, "USAID encourages the participation of small business concerns and disadvantaged enterprises in this project, in accordance with FAR Part 19 (48 CFR Chapter 1), and AIDAR Part 726 (48 CFR Chapter 7).

Accordingly, every reasonable effort will be made to identify and make use of such organizations." However, utilization of Small Business is only evaluated as part of page 116 under Section M.2.c Factor 3 – Past Performance and Organizational Capacity part (f) “Utilization of Small Business, for prime offerors who are not small business concerns, their utilization of Small Business concerns as subcontractors, including efforts in achieving small business participation goals.” Would USAID please consider updating M.2.b Factor 2 - Management Approach and Key Personnel Positions, to include incentives for inclusion of US small businesses, such as criteria and points allocation for the use of US based small businesses in the ARCO proposed program design and budget?

Response: As stated on page 115 Section M.2.b of the RFP, “If a large business, the Offeror will be evaluated on its utilization of small businesses.”

9. On page 102, Section L.6. Annex E Contractor Past Performance, part (d) Performance in Using Small Business (SB) Concerns states that contractor performance for prime Offerors who are not small business concerns will be evaluated based on “the extent you used and promoted the use of small business concerns under current and prior contracts” We recommend specifying the number of additional points allocated to the use of small businesses, as such clear incentives encourage large businesses to include US small businesses in meaningful ways on their consortium and will assist USAID in achieving their small business goals.

Response: As stated on page 114 of the RFP, “Note: USAID will utilize adjectival ratings for evaluation purposes. Points will not be used.”

10. To encourage meaningful participation, we also recommend that USAID specify that small business inclusion should for on the technical requirements of the SOW, rather than (or in addition to) administrative and logistical support provided by small businesses. We recommend a requirement for small businesses to be named in the cost and technical proposals.

Response: Thank you for the recommendation, we will consider this for future requirements.

11. In addition, given that contractors often include small businesses on proposals and then release them during implementation, we recommend USAID include a criterion and incentives, based on examples from previous solicitations, for engaging small business to encourage continued inclusion during implementation. This could include a requirement under Section L.6, Management Approach and Key Personnel or Annex C: Management Plan and under Section M.2.b Factor 2 - Management Approach and Key Personnel Positions for the small business to be included for a minimum term, and a requirement for mentoring or a dispute resolution plan so that contractors do not unfairly release small businesses shortly after contract award.

Response: Thank you for the recommendation, we will consider this for future requirements.

12. Could you please confirm if an international organization is eligible to compete?

Response: Yes.

13. Is it advisable to consider US counterparts in the proposal?

Response: USAID has no opinion on the nature of a proposed contracting arrangement.

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