Attachment 3 Amendment 1 - Questions and Answers RFP 72052322R00003 Net Zero Cities.pdf

Request for Proposal 72052322R00003 USAID/Mexico Partnership for Net Zero Cities

Amendment 1, Attachment 3

Attachment 3 - Questions and Answers

RFP #72052322R00003

GENERAL

1. Is there an incumbent contractor performing these services, or is this a brand-new contract?

A1. There is no incumbent performing these services. This is a new contract.

2. Would USAID consider extending the proposal submission deadline by two weeks to April 8, 2022? This extension would allow bidders adequate time to prepare a more informed and competitive proposal.

A2. The deadline for submission of proposals will not be extended. This procurement has been on the business forecast for several months and an RFI was released in November.

INTRODUCTION

3. Could you please clarify if there are any restrictions relating to a United Kingdom company bidding for the above tender opportunity and if so, do these restrictions still apply to UK companies if they are a sub-contractor to an eligible entity/country?

A3. As per the subject RFP’s cover letter which states, "All types of organizations (large or small commercial for-profit firms, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations) meeting USAID source and nationality geographic code 937 are eligible to compete." Please consult the 937 eligibility rules, and if you were to apply, we would need to issue a waiver which is not guaranteed.

4. Could USAID please confirm that the costs associated with the One Increased Quantity Option are in addition to the $21,000,000 to $24,500,000 range included in the solicitation. If so, is USAID also willing to provide a cost range for the optional activity and an indication of the estimated duration of such activity?

A4. The costs associated with the one Increased Quantity Option ARE included in the $21 to

24.5 million range.

5. Could USAID confirm whether the funds for Objective 3-Increased Quantity Option are included within the estimated cost shown on the cover of the RFP ($21,000,000 to $24,500,000)?

A5. See answer to Question 4.

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6. The RFP states that “USAID/Mexico intends to award a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Completion type contract for a period of five years from the start of the period of performance with an estimated cost between $21,000,000 to $24,500,000, and up to one increased quantity option”. Based on the previous, can USAID confirm whether the budget for the increased quantity option is included in the above-mentioned budget range or is in addition to?

A6. See answer to Question 4.

7. Cover Letter Page Number: 1 Relevant RFP Language: USAID/Mexico intends to award a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Completion type contract for a period of five years from the start of the period of performance with an estimated cost between $21,000,000 to $24,500,000, and up to one increased quantity option.

a. Can USAID confirm that the option if exercised would be fully executed within the period of performance?

A7.a. The option, if exercised, will be fully executed within the period of performance of five years.

b. Can USAID confirm that if the option is exercised the Contractor will get additional funding past the life of the program?

A7.b. The Contractor will NOT get additional funding past the life of the program. The costs associated with the Increased Quantity Option are included in the $21 to $24.5 million range.

8. Schedule B Page Number: Pg. 2 Relevant RFP Language: CLIN 0002 Option to implement Objective 3: Reduce short-lived climate pollutants in industry/waste sectors.

Question: Is this funding for the core Objective 3 work only?

A8. It is, however, it is within the $21 to $24.5 million range.

SECTION B - SUPPLIESOR SERVICES/PRICES

9. B.5 states that expenditures are not allowed in excess of the amounts specified on the contract budget tables, while FAR 16.306(d)(1) states that contractor is to complete and deliver the specified end product within the estimated cost. Would USAID consider totals as estimates instead of ceilings?

A9. The Total Estimated Cost will be the final contract amount and, as stated in section B.5, may not be adjusted without a written modification signed by the Contracting Officer.

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10. Section B.5 Page Number: Page 5/ Page 8 Relevant RFP Language: USAID expects to exercise the increased quantity option should the following conditions be met: a) to meet the threshold in industry, there will need to be sufficient political will or clearly identified industry partner and b) to meet the threshold for waste, there will need to be sufficient funding of an earmark type to be able to work with entity(ies) with waste expertise.

Question: Please confirm that the estimated cost between $21M and $24.5M includes both CLIN 0001 and CLIN 1001.

A10. See answer to Question 4.

11. Schedule B and B.5 Contract Budget: : The CLIN #s on Schedule B (CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002) do not match the CLIN #s in the table provided in Section B.5 (CLIN 0001, CLIN 1001).

Could USAID please clarify the differences or update the CLIN #s accordingly?

A11. The number in Schedule B is generated by GLAAS, the CLIN structure in B.5 conforms to the FAR requirements for CLINs.

SECTION C - STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

12. Some of the targets included in the Statement of Objectives are to be met by 2030 but the activity is expected to end in 2027. Could USAID consider setting targets that can be achieved within the activity’s period of performance?

A12. The 2030 targets are indicative only, and based on international commitments offered by Mexico. USAID is requesting Offerors to describe what targets, results and/or outcomes the Offeror proposes to achieve (RFP Section L.6.c.1).

13. Section C – Statement of Objectives. C.6. Geographical Focus The RFP states, “If these goals can be achieved in 3-6 target cities/states by 2025, then this activity could be scaled to other cities/states so that GOM is on a pathway to achieving net zero emissions by 2030. The Contractor will propose cities/states based on the highest potential to achieve the activity’s goals.

While proposed cities/states must be included in the PWS, final selection will be negotiated with USAID post-award”. Is there are a preference, from USAID, on the number of proposed cities/states that should be included in the PWS? Is there a preference on the mix of cities and states to be proposed?

A13. There is no preference from USAID on either the number of proposed cities/states or the mix to be proposed.

14. Objective 1 focuses narrowly on building cooling energy efficiency. Would USAID/Mexico consider a strategy to integrate renewable energy into net zero strategies for the buildings sector?

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A14. Integration of distributed generation within current regulatory frameworks can be included as part of a net-zero strategy.

15. Under Objective 3, would methane leak reduction in the oil and gas industry be an eligible target for Contractor activities, including transmission and distribution pipe systems?

A15. Yes, contingent on availability of funding and GOM interest.

16. Is the intent of the contract scope to exclusively work with 3-6 cities/states, or does the scope also include scaling up to more cities/states beyond the initially scoped 3-6 cities or regions?

A16. If program objectives can be achieved in 3-6 target cities/states by 2025, then this activity could be scaled to other cities/states so that GOM is on the pathway to achieving net zero emissions. (From Page 9 or Attachment J.1 Section C) )

17. C.6 Performance Indicators, page 7: Does USAID expect the Offeror to include all indicators listed in Section C.6, or are these illustrative?

A17. These are illustrative.

18. C.5 Activity Objectives, Objective 3, Page 5 indicates that the increased quantity option (IQO) is part of Objective 3. Can USAID clarify if Objective 3 should only be budgeted within the IQO or if funds from the main ($24.5M ceiling) budget should also support Objective 3?

A18. See Question 4.

19. C.5 Activity Objectives, Objective 3, Page 5: What is the expected project duration of the increased quantity option?

A19. The duration of the statement of work is five years, the duration of the increased quantity option will be from if and when USAID exercises the option until the end of the contract.

20. C.5 Activity Objectives, Objective 3, Page 5: For the purposes of consistency in assumptions across bidders, can USAID clarify if it should be assumed that the IQO takes places after the end of the rest of the budget or if it takes place within the five years of the rest of the budget?

Alternatively, if it should be assumed part of the IQO occurs during the five years and the rest after, please specify how much should be assumed to occur during the first five years and how should be assumed to occur after?

A20. The duration of the statement of work is five years total. The IQO can be triggered at any point up to one year of the contract end date if the conditions are met.

21. C.5 Activity Objectives, Objective 3, Page 5: As USAID has not given a clear route for funding for Objective 3, does USAID expect Offerors to provide staffing for this at this time?

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A21. Within the management approach, Offerors should explain how they would staff the IQO should it be triggered.

22. Section C Page Number: Page 11 Relevant RFP Language: Grants Under Contract. The Contractor may use a Grants Under Contract (GUC) component of up to $4 million in its Technical Approach. The proposed grants program will provide monetary and in-kind grants to local organizations that result in capacity building of sector actors, and leverage investment from the public and private sector to support Partnership for Net Zero Cities objectives.

Question: When a project contains a fund for project activities, it is often beneficial to the project and its outcomes to have flexibility in the contract mechanism that can be used to access the fund. Having the $4 million fund being classified entirely as GUCs limits the contractor’s ability to contract with some entities that may otherwise provide great value to the project. Would USAID kindly consider allowing other contracting mechanisms to access this fund (such as subcontracts, consultants, or purchase orders for equipment or materials if needed)?

A22. USAID is not requiring that $4 million be used. Section C states that the Contractor may use “up to” $4 million in its technical approach.

23. Objective 3 Page Number: Page 5 Relevant RFP Language: b) to meet the threshold for waste, there will need to be sufficient funding of an earmark type to be able to work with entity(ies) with waste expertise.

Question: Could USAID please define “sufficient funding of an earmark type?” Is this additional funding outside of the clean energy earmark or the stated estimated cost?’

A23. This is not funding outside the stated estimated cost range. The Clean Energy funds may be limited in their scope to work in the waste sector,thus, depending on the waste sector activities proposed by the offeror, a different “flavor” of funds may be needed.

24. Section C.6 Page Number: 7 Relevant RFP Language: PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Question: Are Offerors required to include all of the Performance Indicators in C.6?

A24. See answer to question 17.

25. Section C.4 Page Number: 4 Relevant RFP Language: Target: 50% Improvement in Building Cooling Efficiency in target cities.

Question: How does USAID plan to measure the Objective 1 target of 50% improvement in building cooling efficiency?

Amendment 1, Attachment 3

A25. As stated in Section L, the “‘possible goals’ cited in the SOO are illustrative only” and the Offeror is asked to submit the proposed performance targets to be accomplished and the methods for monitoring and reporting on implementation progress.

26. Is USAID still considering wastewater to be part Objective 3?

A26. Yes, contingent on availability of funding to work on wastewater and subnational interest.

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

27. Under F.2 Period of Performance states that the period of performance for this contract is five years. Could USAID please confirm if the “increased quantity option”, if exercised, will take place within the base period of performance of five years starting September 2022?

A27. See answer to Question 7.a.

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

28. Section H.13 includes the DBA insurance requirement. Mexico currently has an active DBA waiver valid through February 27, 2022. Could USAID please confirm if all offerors can assume this waiver will be renewed and in place by September 2022, the anticipated start date of this program?

A28. Offerors should not assume that the waiver will be renewed and in place by September 2022. USAID has no information regarding the status of a future waiver.

29. Although AIDAR 722.170 has been incorporated into Section H, can USAID kindly confirm that the Offeror should base compensation on local market research for similar positions?

A29. That is correct. Compensation for local employees should be based on local market compensation for similar positions.

30. Given global and local inflation in the labor market, would USAID kindly consider removing the 5% limit on annual salary increases for full time project employees or adding a provision for a future discussion with USAID on that ceiling?

A30. The inflation rate limit of 5% will not be changed or removed.

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

31. In this section USAID incorporates AIDAR 752.229-71 Reporting of Foreign Taxes. To aid in compliance with this clause and the development of the contractor’s project planning, could USAID please:

Amendment 1, Attachment 3

a. Confirm if the resultant contract will be exempted from host country taxes – e.g. VAT, duties, and income tax (for US and local teaming partners and their personnel).

A31.a. At this time, contractors may bill USAID for host country taxes while we try to work on a process for VAT reimbursement with the Government of Mexico. Should an agreement be reached, the awarded contractor will need to try to recover the local taxes from the correspondent local authority for themselves, their partners and personnel.

USAID Mexico will not be involved in any way with the reimbursement of any applicable tax.

b. Provide offerors with copies of any applicable bilateral agreements or similar relevant documents with the government of Mexico?

A31.b. There isn’t an agreement between USAID and the Government of Mexico. No documentation will be shared.

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

32. J.3 Budget Template, Column L, page 60: On the budget template the IQO is presented in columns to the right of the years which indicate that the same line items for the main project will also be costed out for the IQO. Given shared staffing and office costs that would be borne by both the main project and the IQO, for the purposes of clarity in budgeting, can the Offeror assume that it will receive the IQO within its budget assumptions? For example, if the Offeror budgets for a full-time operations position, can we assume a portion of their time comes from the

IQO?

A32. Offerors must budget for the IQO in a different column in order for USAID to know the exact costs of the option.

33. Attachment J6, Page Number: Pg. 60: Would USAID please confirm if Offerors are required to submit Attachment J6- Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, and if so, where within the cost proposal?

A33. Yes, offerors are required to submit Attachment J.6. It can be included as an attachment to the cost proposal.

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFEROR

34. P 98. indicates that the rapid mobilization plan must include a “pause and reflect” for the assessment of the status of the targets and deliverables under the contract. Can USAID please confirm that the pause and reflect should be part of the rapid mobilization plan?

A34. Yes, it should be a part of the rapid mobilization plan.

35. Would USAID please consider including the Rapid Mobilization Plan as an annex that will not count toward the 35-page count?

A35. The Rapid Mobilization Plan should be included within the 35 page count.

36. Can USAID please clarify if the small business subcontracting strategy should be included in the 35-page count, or can it be included as an annex?

A36. The Small Business Subcontracting Strategy is part of the Technical Proposal and should be included in the 35-page limit.

37. Can USAID clarify if offerors may modify the Contractor Past Performance matrix presentation as long as the information stays the same, so that it fits in the proposal narrative annex?

A37. The matrix presentation may be modified as long as it includes the information required in the template

38. Can USAID please clarify what information is required in the Past Performance section of the technical proposal? Annex C seems to be requesting similar information in both a matrix and written form.

A38. USAID is requesting a short narrative summarizing relevant experience to be included in the Past Performance section of the technical proposal as described in Section L.6.c.3 on page 98.

39. Can USAID specify if by “contact information for the proposed key personnel positions” they mean the contact information of each candidate’s references? If so, can USAID please clarify how many references should be provided per candidate and whether the reference list should be included as part of the 2-page resume or as a separate list?

A39. Yes, it refers to references. USAID has no preference as to how this is submitted as it is not required. Only the optional resume is limited to two pages.

40. P. 99 states that “Offerors must be prepared to present USAID with a prime candidate and one alternate…” Can USAID please clarify if they want the awardee to present both the primary and alternate candidates for each position at the time of award? If so, what documents other than the CV would they require from the alternate candidates?

A40. This has been deleted from page 99.

41. Would USAID please consider extending the five-day period to submit the alternate candidate(s)? A longer timeframe would help the awardee to negotiate compensation and get signed Letters of Commitment.

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A41. See Question 40.

42. If an Offeror includes the optional resumes for proposed key personnel, can USAID provide information as to when it would notify the Offeror if the proposed candidates have received “pre-award approval”?

A42. The successful Offeror will be notified of the decision at the time of award when it receives the draft contract.

43. Section L.6.b states, “Tables, charts, and graphics may use a font size of no less than 10 point.” Would USAID also allow offerors to use 10-point font for text boxes?

A43. No, text boxes font must be 12point font.

44. Section L.6.b states that proposals must be written “on standard 8.5 inch by 11-inch paper size.” However, to comply with USAID’s request to “consolidate the various parts of each technical and cost proposals into a single document”, as stated in Section L.5, we kindly request that USAID grant offerors flexibility choose the page size for the Past Performance Matrix; thus, allowing the Past Performance Matrix to be consolidated with the rest of the technical proposal while still maintaining legibility.

A44. The Past Performance Matrix is not required to comply with these specifications. See answer to Question 37.

45. Section L.7.c Part – 2 Proposed Costs / Prices. 3. Budget Line Item Definitions.

Subcontracts. The RFP states “For every subcontract that involves development services or deliverables AND is not expected to be awarded on a fixed-price basis, separate spreadsheets should be submitted for each such subcontract with the same detail, organization, and format set forth above for the prime contractor”. It is our understanding that when a subcontractor participates in a fixed-price basis, the subcontractor is not expected to use the breakdown in the spreadsheet J.3. Can USAID confirm that our understanding is correct?

A45. That is correct, the separate spreadsheet only applies for those subcontractors that are anticipated to be awarded with other types of contract, not firm-fixed price.

46. Section L.7.c Proposed Costs / Prices. 4. Indirect Costs The RFP states, “The Offeror and each major subcontractor must include a complete copy of its most current NICRA or other documentation from its cognizant Government Audit Agency, if any…. [i]f the Offeror or major subcontractor does not have a cognizant Government Audit Agency, the proposal must include…[a]audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements.. and…[t]he most recent two fiscal year pool and base cost compositions.” Offerors may propose specialized commercial subcontractors, many of whom perform solely on a firm-fixed-price basis, utilizing pricing methodologies that are not based on a cost buildup; can USAID confirm the requirement to

Amendment 1, Attachment 3 provide NICRA documentation is not applicable to major subcontractors who will perform solely on a firm-fixed-price basis?

A46. That is correct. Subcontractors that are expected to be awarded with a firm-fixed price contract, are not required to submit a copy of the NICRA.

47. The instructions in Section L.6.c note that the Cover Page needs to include “any partnerships”. Please clarify if the cover page should only include the list of proposed subcontractors in the bid.

A47. Yes, the Cover Page should include the list of subcontractors.

48. Instructions for the preparation of the cost proposal requires that “The Offeror must not include burdened rates in its budget or subcontractor budgets. The Offeror must break down all direct and indirect costs to their component parts”. We respectfully request that USAID eliminate the restriction of using burdened rates with subcontractor budgets as it would limit our ability to work with small local subcontractors who may not have audited financial statements, or U.S.

small businesses who work under firm fixed price subcontracts that are sometimes formed using fully burdened fixed daily rates.

A48. The restriction will not be eliminated. USAID requires unburdened rates in order to perform the cost analysis and ensure salaries are not above the Contractor Salary Threshold.

49. Since there is no requirement to provide ceiling indirect rates in Section B, may USAID kindly consider removing the reference to ceiling indirect rates in Section L as well?

A49. We assume this refers to the sentence on page 105, “ Indirect rates proposed cannot be higher than the rates established in their Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).”

which will not be removed from Section L.

50. Would USAID consider extending the allowable period for the submission of past performance references from 3-years to 5- years? Many of the relevant activities referenced in the SOO were not prioritized from 2016-2020 and thus some of the most relevant past performance examples may be older than 3 years. Additionally, many procurements were adversely impacted as a result of COVID, resulting in fewer relevant activities within the last 2-years.

A50. Yes, past performance references can extend to five years.

51. L.6.c.3 Annex B – Resumes, page 99: Can USAID confirm that if the Offerors choose to include letters of commitment for each key personnel that these letters are not included in the two-page limit per CV for the Resumes annex?

A51. The commitment letters are not included in the two-page limit per CV for the Resumes annex.

52. L.6.c.3 Annex C – Past Performance Information, page 99:

a. USAID indicates for Offerors to “List up to five ... of the most recent and relevant contracts for similar projects...USAID defines recent as the last three years from the due date of the proposal.” Would USAID extend the definition of “recent” and allow Offerors to include similar projects implemented within the last five years? This would allow Offerors to provide broader performance information for USAID to adequately evaluate relevancy of experience, determine responsibility and make the best value decision.

A52.a See Question A.50.

b. Can USAID verify that the Offeror may submit the J.10 Past Performance Matrix in the same MS Excel template as included in the RFP?

A52.b See answer to Question 37.

c. If extraordinary problems affected any of the referenced contracts, can USAID allow the Offeror to add a column in the matrix (J.10) to provide this information?

A52.c Yes.

53. L.6.c.3 Annex D – Environmental Management Plan, page 101: Can the Offeror provide a summary of the environmental management plan instead of a complete Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan in the standard USAID format?

A53. Yes, please see Annex D instructions on page 101.

54. L.6.c.3 Annex F – Draft Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan, page 101: Does USAID have a preferred template for the draft Activity MEL Plan? Is there a page limit?

A54. The mission’s Activity MEL plan template has been added as an attachment within this amendment. There is no page limit.

55. Can USAID provide the local compensation plan for Mexico?

A55. No, USAID will not provide the local compensation plan for Mexico. Local employees should be compensated based on the local market for similar positions.

56. The RFP cover letter indicates that the increased quantity option (IQO) is in addition to the estimated $21,000,000 to $24,500,000 cost, however the budget template seems to indicate that the IQO would be included in the total. Can USAID clarify if the estimated cost between $21,000,000 and $24,500,000 includes the IQO? If not, what is the estimated cost for the increased quantity option?

A56. See answer to Question 4.

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57. For cost realism purposes, would USAID allow the proposal budget to include annual increases to the Contractor Salary Threshold for subsequent years to reflect likely increases in this ceiling?

A57. Yes.

58. L.5 Delivery Instructions, Page 93 states, “it is preferred that Offerors consolidate the various parts of each of the technical and cost proposals into a single document” yet two sentences later also states, “pages requiring manual signatures must be scanned and emailed as an attachment.”

Can USAID confirm that pages with manual signatures can be scanned and included within the proposal document file rather than attached as a separate document?

A58. Yes, pages with manual signatures can be scanned and included within the proposal document.

59. L.7.a General 5, page 102, states that “The Offeror must provide DUNS numbers for the prime offeror, team member organizations from any teaming arrangement, and major subcontractors in the cost proposal”. Can USAID clarify what is meant by team member organizations here?

A59. This could mean a joint venture arrangement.

60. L.7.a General 5, Page 102 indicates that new local partners may not have the resources or the time to register for a DUNS number in time for proposal submission. Can USAID consider limiting the requirement for the DUNS number at the proposal stage to the prime offeror, joint venture partners, and major subcontractors?

A60. No. Registration is free of charge and should be anticipated. Note, DUNS will no longer be accepted after April 4, 2022, therefore, registration in SAM to receive a Unique Entity Identifier should also be anticipated.

61. L.7.a General 6, Page 102 states, “The Offeror must not include burdened rates in its budget or subcontractor budgets.” Given that many subcontractors in the energy sector are typically engaged on a time-and-materials basis with fully burdened rates and do not have indirect rates supported by audited financial statements, in order to incorporate local partners and U.S. small businesses, can USAID remove the requirement that subcontractor budgets cannot include burdened rates?

A61. Requirement will not be removed. Base rates can be separated out from the multiplier.

62. L.7.c Part 2 – Proposed Costs/Prices, Fixed Fee, Page 105: Can USAID confirm if the proposed fee schedule should include deliverables and fee for the increased quantity option?

A62. Yes, it should.

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63. L.7.c Part 2 – Proposed Costs/Prices, Fixed Fee, page 105: “In the proposed fee schedule, the Offeror must propose the deliverable/indicator/target, the contract reference, the due date, means of verification, and total amount in USD.” Can USAID clarify what is meant by “contract reference” here?

A63. This has been deleted.

64. L.7.c. Supporting Documents, page 107: Can USAID clarify if AID Form 1420-17 - Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheets must be submitted for any named individuals from subcontractors?

A64. It should be submitted for all named individuals.

65. L.7.c Part 2 - Proposed Costs/Prices- 1. Detailed Budget Preparation Guidance and Attachment J.3 Page Number: 103, Relevant RFP Language: In summary, the following budgets must be provided using the attached budget template all of which must show costs for all five years of contract performance:

Question: Would USAID please confirm that Offerors may use their own standard budget template, provided the major cost items are ordered the same as in USAID’s budget template in Attachment J.3?

A65. As stated on page 103, Offerors must submit the Excel budget using the provided template in J.3.

66. L.7.c Part 2 - Proposed Costs/Prices- 5. Budget Notes and Attachment J.2 Page Number: 107 Relevant RFP Language: Budget notes are required using the Budget Narrative Template included in Attachment J.2 as a basis.

Question: Would USAID please confirm that Offerors may use their own standard budget narrative template, provided the major cost items are ordered the same as in USAID’s budget narrative template in Attachment J.2?

A66. As stated on page 103, Offerors must submit the budget narrative provided in attachment J.2.

67. Section L.6.c.3 Page Number: 99 Relevant RFP Language: Relevant past performance information should demonstrate the Offeror’s capability to: Implement Energy Efficiency related projects in Latin America, especially Mexico;

Question: Would USAID consider striking the “in Latin America, especially Mexico” from Section L given the overall lack of funding for both clean energy and Latin America programs prior to the Biden Administration?

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A67. No, USAID will keep the language as is.

68. Section L.6.c Page Number: 101 Relevant RFP Language: The Offeror should include custom indicators (outcome and output) to be able to sufficiently measure activity performance.

Standard indicators alone will not be able to “tell the story” of this activity. Illustrative indicators should be a combination of performance and context indicators.

Question: Can USAID confirm that Offerors are permitted to propose their own custom indicators to sufficiently measure activity performance?

A68. Yes, confirmed.

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

69. USAID notes that it will utilize adjectival ratings for evaluation purposes. Can USAID please provide those adjectival ratings so that offerors have clarity on the evaluation criteria?

A69. Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, and Unsatisfactory.

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