72060520R00001 - Amendment No. 1 -CEERC.pdf

Amendment No. One (1)

RFP 72060520R00001, ‘USAID Conservation through Economic Empowerment in the Republic of the Congo (CEERC).

The purpose of this Amendment No.1 to RFP No. 72060520R00001 is to do the following:

1. Change the closing date from February 19, 2020 to March 11th, 2020 5 PM Kinshasa time.

2. On the cover page, DELETE the second and the third paragraph in its entirety and INSERT the followings in lieu thereof:

“The Authorized USAID Principal Geographic Code for this solicitation is 935 The NAICS Code for this solicitation is 813312 – Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations.

USAID anticipates awarding a single Hybrid - Cost plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Completion - Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contract (IDIQ) contract. The Total Estimated CPFF for services under this contract (CLIN 001 & CLIN 002) is estimated to fall within the range of $12 million and $15 million for a period of five years. This procurement will be conducted under Full and Open Competition procedures, pursuant to Part 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1). Please refer to Section L for information regarding proposal requirements. Offerors should take into account the expected delivery time required by the proposal transmission method they choose, and they are responsible for ensuring proposals are received at USAID by March 4th, 2020 at 5 PM Kinshasa time. Failure to comply with the submission date and time will make any submission unacceptable and it will not be reviewed or evaluated.”

3. Under section B.3. ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT, DELETE the sub-section (b) Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee for CLIN 002 in its entirety and INSET the following in lieu thereof:

“(b) Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee for CLIN 002

The Total Estimated Cost Ceiling of this CLIN is $3,000,000.00, inclusive of the associated Maximum Fee of [TBD]. The Total Estimated Cost Ceiling and Maximum Fee is [TBD]”

4. Under section “B.4. CONTRACT BUDGET AND CEILINGS” REPALCE the budget chart with the following:

SUMMARY BUDGET

CONTACT LINE 001 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total Salaries and Wages Fringe Benefits Travel, Transportation and Per Diem Allowances Other Direct Costs (ODCs) Training Equipment Subcontracts and Grants Under Contracts Total Direct Cost Indirect Costs Fee

CONTRACT LINE ITEM 002 $3,000,000

TOTAL COST-PLUS FIXED FEE

5. DELETE section H.6. AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE in its entirety and INSERT the following in lieu thereof:

“H.6. AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

The authorized geographic code for procurement of goods and services under this contract is Code 935 (United States, the recipient country, developing countries and advanced developing countries, and excluding prohibited sources).”

6. Under section F.7.1. REPORTS, DELETE the sub-section g) Annual Inventory and INSERT the following in lieu thereof:

“All USG-funded property (either Contractor-acquired or US Government-furnished) must be inventoried in accordance with the Government Property clauses of this contract. An annual inventory must be sent to the CO and COR. The inventory will also form the basis of an equipment disposition plan for the Close-out Phase.

Due date: 30 calendar days after the end of each contract year.”

7. Under section “H.5. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION”, DELETE the sub-section a) Limitations 1) in its entirety and INSERT the following in lieu thereof:

“Salary for all the professional positions in this Contract must be established based on the market value of the position in the country of contract performance. The Contractor must avoid “rank in person” salaries, which are in excess of the value and the responsibilities of the position.”

8. Under section “H.5. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION”, DELETE, in its entirety, paragraph 2 under the sub-section a) Limitations.

9. Under section “H.5. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION”, DELETE the sub-section Consultants in its entirety and INSERT the following in lieu thereof:

“For Short-Term Technical Assistance (Consultants), the Contractor must submit a Pay Scale, which will include the level of expertise (e.g., Junior, Mid-Level, Senior), along with the responsibilities and the qualifications sought for each level. No compensation for consultants will be reimbursed unless 1) their use under the Contract has advance technical concurrence from the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or 2) if the consultant was specifically named in the approved budget and a Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet was submitted; and if such provision has been made or approval given, compensation must be within the pay scale specified.”

10. Under Section “H.5. ADDITIONNAL REQUIREMENT FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION”, DELETE the sub-section Initial Salaries in its entirety and INSERT the following in lieu thereof:

“The Contractor must compensate all personnel in accordance with its approved salary scale, staffing plan and compensation package.”

11. DELETE the section H.14. NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES in its entirety and INSERT the following in lieu thereof:

“H.14. NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES

1) The Contractor is hereby authorized to purchase the equipment and/or resources as identified in the approved budget. All purchases shall be in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in AIDAR 752.245-70, FAR 52.245-1 Government Property and FAR 52.245-9 Use and Charges.

2) The Contractor shall request CO approval for purchase of nonexpendable property (NXP) as defined that is not identified in the approved budget. Any Contractor request to purchase additional non-expendable property after award should include an explanation and appropriate justification.

3) The Contractor may also be required to obtain CO approval for other types of purchases as required by other U.S. Government regulations and policies (i.e. Restricted Goods, etc.) outlined in the contract.

4) “Title To and Care of Property” for government furnished property is in accordance with

AIDAR 752.245-71)”

12. Under section I.1. NOTICE LISTING CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, ADD the following:

“52.237-9 Waiver of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals (May 2014)”

13. REMOVE section I.6 52.216-24 LIMITATION OF GOVERNMENT LIABILITY (APR 1984) in its entirety.

14. Under section J:

a. REPLACE “ATTACHMENT 11 – US MISSION DRC LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN” with

“ATTACHMENT 11 – US MISSION ROC LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN”

b. DELETE “ATTACHMENT 13 – POSITION REQUIREMENT FOR KEY PERSONNEL”

15. Under section “L.8.2. Format, Page Limitation and Content” DELETE “ANNEX D: Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan (2 pages)” and INSERT the following in lieu thereof:

“Annex D: Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan (no page limit)”

16. Under Section L.8. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF THE COST / BUSINESS PROPOSAL, DELETE the last paragraph above PART 3 – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS” and INSERT the following in lieu thereof:

“Costs and fixed fee for each Task Order will be negotiated at the task order level. The total amount under this CLIN is $3,000,000 including fixed fees. In no event, the fixed fee of the Task Orders under CLIN 002 can exceed the fixed fee under CLIN 001”.

17. On page 109, DELETE the first sentence under “PART 12 – CLIN 002 PROPOSED COSTS AND PRICES / DETAILED BUDGET NARRATIVE” in its entirety and INSERT the following in lieu thereof:

“For the Supplemental Technical Assistance Portion, the Offeror must set aside $3,000,000.00 of the proposed Total Estimated Cost to cover Task Orders to be potentially issued under the IDIQ portion of the Contract”.

IMPORTANT:

Offerors may modify the Budget template in Attachment 4 as needed, provided that the first three tabs are kept and used as is. This means the final submitted cost proposal MUST contain the following tabs – Summary Budget, Detailed Budget, and Budget Narrative.

RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS:

Question RFA Section

RFA

Page No.

USAID Responses

1. In recognition of the small pool of qualified 937 organizations in specified technical areas, would USAID be willing to change the authorized geographic code to 935 to allow for a broader range of participants that have a strong record of building local capacity and conservation enterprises in the Republic of Congo?

Cover Letter and H.6

52 The geographic code for this activity is changed from 937 to 935.

2. The NAICS code listed in the solicitation (813312) does not match our NAICS codes. Would USAID confirm that proposals in response to this solicitation are not limited to environment, conservation, and wildlife organizations?

K.3. 85 This solicitation is not restricted to only environment, conservation, and wildlife organizations.

3. The price range is listed on the cover page as $13-15 million, but in Section L.8 (Page 101), the range is listed as $12-15 million. Would USAID please advise on the correct range?

Cover page and L.8

101 The price range is $12-15 million

4. Section B.3(b) on pages 5-6 states that CLIN 002 is $3M exclusive of fixed fee; whereas, the table in Section B.4 on page 6 appears to indicate that the $3M ceiling for CLIN 002 is inclusive of fixed fee.

Further, Section L.8, Part 2(f) CLIN 0002, on page 107 lists a ceiling of $2.5M for CLIN 002 inclusive of fixed fee. Lastly, Section L.8, Part 12, on page 109 lists a total of $4.2M for CLIN 002. Could USAID please confirm whether the ceiling for CLIN 002 is $2.5M, $3M, or $4.2M, as well as whether the ceiling is inclusive or exclusive of fixed fee?

B.3(b) p.5-6 p.107 p.109

The CLIN 002 is $3 million including fixed fees.

5. Section B.4 on page 6 shows a total of $2.5M for Grants under Contract (GUCs) under CLIN 001, while Section C.7 on page 20 states, “The illustrative budget for GUC under CLIN 001 is $2.5M.” Similarly, Section L.8, Part 2(f) CLIN 0001 (11), on page 105 states, “GUCs

B.4 p.6 p.7 p.105

The total amount for grants under contract under CLIN 001 is $2.5 million.

funding can be used as an activity implementation mechanism as offerors deem appropriate,” which seems to indicate that GUCs are optional. Then, the last sentence of this paragraph states that Offerors must use the plug figure for GUCs in Section B.4. Could USAID please confirm whether the $2.5M represents a firm plug for GUCs or whether it is a ceiling and Offerors may propose an amount for GUCs up to $2.5M based on their respective technical approach?

6. Section B.6 (b) (Page 8) includes a table for indirect rate ceilings. As Task Orders under CLIN 0002 could extend up to 7 years from the date of contract award, please confirm Offerors may propose 7 years' worth of indirect rate ceilings.

B.6 8 Yes, Offerors may propose 7 years of indirect rate ceilings.

7. Section C.6.1., (Page 18) do offerors have the flexibility to modify expected activities and move these and/or major results to different IRs other than what USAID has proposed? Or should each expected activity and major result remain anchored to the IR 1, 2 or 3 it is listed with in the SOW?

C.6 18 Offerors should propose a sound theory of change to accomplish the objectives of the activity and propose / align interventions and results in a way that supports their proposed theory of change.

8. Section C.8 states that the supplemental technical assistance under CLIN 002 “may also be used to support and complement specific opportunities that present themselves in favor of biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscapes in Section C.” and that “the range of activities to be performed under this CLIN may also require the Contractor to propose to USAID additional or different approaches within the SOO to demonstrate flexibility and to accommodate changes.” In order to allow the contractor to implement CEERC with the degree of flexibility USAID envisions and to maximize the success of the project, would USAID consider moving the CLIN 002

C.8 21 No. The resulting award will be a hybrid contract.

funds into a Strategic Activities Fund under CLIN 001?

9. In Section D.2 on page 26 of the RFP, USAID lists Attachment 2 (Branding Strategy) and Attachment 3 (Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan template) as resources for the development of the BIP MP. Attachment 3 of the RFP is a 10-page template document;

however, on page 98 of Section L.8.2, Annex D (BIP MP) has a maximum page limit of 2 pages.

Could USAID please clarify whether the Contractor should use the 10-pg Attachment 3 template document for Annex D, or disregard the Attachment 3 template and instead include a 2-page BIP MP of the Contractor’s own design?

Section D.2.

p.26 p.98

USAID hereby revises Section L.8.2 to remove the page requirement for the Annex D: Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan. Offerors should use the BIP and MP template provided by

USAID.

10. Section F.7.1(g) on page 35 requires the Contractor to submit a Government furnished property report within 30 calendar days after the end of each USG fiscal year.

Section I.12 on pages 80-81 requires the Contractor to submit a Government furnished property report at the end of each Contract year. Could USAID please confirm that the Contractor will only need to submit one report at the end of each Contract year and revise Section F.7.1(g) accordingly?

Section F.7.1(g) p.35 p.80-81

The contractor is required to submit a government furnished property report at the end of each contract year.

11. Sections F.8.1 and F.8.2 on pages 38-40 include the standard Key Personnel requirements and a combination of six positions, with two positions under the heading “Other Essential Personnel.”

Considering that ADS 302.3.5.4(a) limits the number of Key Personnel positions to five, could USAID please clarify which positions are categorized as “Key Personnel” and subject to the requirements of F.8.1(a) and (b)? would USAID please clarify if all positions, including those described as “essential personnel”, must be full-time positions?

Section F.8.1 and F.8.2 p.38-40 a. Key personnel are listed under Section F.8.2 as:

1. Chief of Party

2. Operations Manager/Deputy Chief of

Party

3. Private Sector Lead / Business

Incubator

4. Capacity Building and Small Grants

Lead

Positions listed under “Essential Personnel “are not considered Key personnel. Offerors are free to propose the structure of the project they deem necessary for the success of the project.

b. Key personnel positions must be full-time.

12. Section F.8.2 (Page 38) includes four “key” and two “essential” positions.

Would USAID please clarify if CVs for just the four “key” personnel or if CVs for all six of these positions should be included with the proposal?

F.8 38 USAID confirms that CVs are required only for the 4 key positions.

13. In Section F.8.1 Key Personnel, USAID left space for the Offeror to propose a set of Key Personnel that the Offeror determines appropriate to achieve contract outcomes. In Section F.8.2 POSITION DESCRIPTIONS, USAID has identified positions, including two described as “Other essential personnel”. Would USAID clarify the difference between “essential” and “key” personnel?

F.8 38 Essential Personnel are those that USAID deems crucial for certain components of the activity.

Key Personnel is an individual who is not only crucial to the successful implementation of the activity, but whose absence from the project or poor performance could completely derail the project and/or precipitate its failure.

14. Section F.8.2 (Page 38), in order to tailor staffing structure to best suit technical approaches and to empower Central Africans and Congolese as much as possible, are offerors free to propose changes to key personnel responsibilities or titles?

F.8 38 Yes, Offeror can propose changes to key personnel responsibilities and/or titles.

15. In Section F.8.2, the “Capacity Building and Small Grants Lead” is the only position that requires a master’s degree. Would USAID consider replacing this requirement with “a bachelor’s degree with an additional four years’ experience to the required minimum of ten years.”

F.8 39 Yes, USAID will accept a bachelor’s degree and an additional 4 years of experience as a replacement for the current requirement.

16. Regarding Section H.5 on pages 50- 52, could USAID please provide the following clarifications:

H.5 p.50-52

a. Section H.5(a)(1) states initially that salary ranges for all professional positions must be based on market value and not the salary history of the selected candidate. The last sentence of this paragraph requires CO approval for any individual salary increase in excess of 5%.

H.5 50-51 H.5 has been rewritten – see cover page of this amendment.

As USAID/Washington has issued guidance requiring the use of the new Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (biodata), which does not include current or previous salary history, could USAID please remove the last sentence from this paragraph or clarify how Offerors may comply with this salary increase limitation while using the new biodata?

b. Similarly, Section H.5(e) requires CO approval for any consultant rate increase in excess of 8%. Since the new biodata does not include current or previous consultant rate history, could USAID please remove the rate increase limitation from this paragraph or clarify how Offerors may comply with this requirement while using the new biodata?

H.5 51 H.5 has been rewritten – see cover page

The requirement for CO approval for consultant rates in excess of 8% is hereby removed from this solicitation.

c. Section H.5(a) – second occurrence on page 52 – states that initial salaries should be based on factors including an individual’s “compensation history over the most recent 3 years.” Could USAID please remove the words within quotes from this paragraph or clarify how Offerors may comply with this requirement while using the new biodata?

H.5 52 H.5 has been rewritten – see cover page of this amendment.

Language pertaining to “compensation history” is hereby removed from this section.

17. Section H.5.a.1 (Page 51) notes, "Salary ranges […] will be established based on the market value.,” and H.5.a.2 (Page 51) notes that "Country Nationals (CCNs) and Third Country Nationals (TCNs) salaries must not exceed the Local Compensation Plan (LCP)."

H.5 51 Biographical data requirements apply only to “the following individuals to be employed in the performance of the contract: (1) All individuals to be sent outside the United States, or (2) any employees designated as “key personnel”

- see AIDAR 752.7001

Per AIDAR 722.170 – and on a case by case basis, USAID/DRC will seek Mission Director approval when a

TCN/CCN is proposed for a Key Personnel position and when/if his/her salary exceeds the LCP.

All other TCN/CCN positions must not exceed the local compensation plan.

USAID will use the RoC Local Compensation plan.

18. a. Would USAID please clarify whether offerors are free to propose their own salary bands for CCNs based upon external market data, or whether salary bands for CCN staff must align with the Republic of the Congo

LCP?

H.5 51 TCN and CCN Salaries must align with the Republic of the Congo’s LCP.

b. Would USAID please confirm that Offerors must submit two employees pay scales: one for USN/TCN employees and one for CCN employees?

H.5 51 H.5 has been rewritten – see cover page

c. If the latter:

i. Would USAID please share the LCP for the ROC or, alternatively, clarify if Offerors should refer to the DRC LCP for salary limitations?

ii. In order to comply with the LCP limitations, would USAID please clarify how the grades and steps are determined?

H.5 51

i. The ROC LCP is attached to this amendment (Attachment No. 11).

ii. The RFP, under section L.8. (1), states that: “Direct labor salary and wages must be proposed in accordance with the Offeror’s personnel policies and must meet the regulatory requirements.”

Offerors are hereby requested to use their policies to determine grades and steps for each position but are required to keep salaries within the scales provided in the LCP. An example of possible grade assignments is provided in this amendment. – see addendum 1 to this amendment.

19. Section H.5.e (Page 51), would USAID please confirm that the consultant pay scale only needs to include three levels (junior, mid, senior) and that it does not need to delineate between types of specialists/labor categories? Would

H.5 51 Offerors may set their own minimum qualifications for each category of consultant.

USAID please confirm that Offerors may set their own minimum qualifications for each category of consultant (i.e. junior, mid, and senior)?

20. Section H.5 (a) notes a requirement to submit a salary scale for employees and consultants, while this requirement does not figure in Section L. Can USAID confirm whether the inclusion of a salary scale is required?

H.5 50 See revised Section H.5

21. Section H.14 on pages 55-56 references the requirements of ADS 548, which have been archived by USAID per this website:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/f iles/documents/1868/548.pdf. As such, could USAID please remove Section H.14 in its entirety?

H.14 55 - 56 Requirements of ADS 548 are hereby removed. Section H. 14 is also removed in its entirety.

22. Section F.7.1(g), p. 35, states that the project must include in-kind inventory on its inventory report submission to the COR/CO, which will be the basis for the close-out plan. We request that USAID remove the final sentence under Section G. Annual Inventory on p.

35 of the RFP, as inventory reporting is not a requirement for items purchased under grants, including in-kind grants.

F.7.1(g) 35 The sentence “The inventory and plan for maintaining the inventory must account for, as applicable, in-kind procurements for grants” under section F.7.1 (g) is hereby removed from this solicitation.

23. Section I.6 on page 76 includes a Limitation of Government Liability clause that is only required should USAID anticipate awarding a Letter Contract (FAR 16.603-4(b)). As a Letter Contract is not anticipated under this solicitation, could USAID please remove this clause?

I.6 76 The clause on” letter contracts” is removed with this amendment.

24. I.7 states that the U.S. government is exempt from taxes by agreement with the DRC government. Would USAID confirm there is also a bilateral agreement with ROC that exempts U.S. government contractors from paying taxes and duties?

I.7 76 There is a bilateral Development Assistance Agreement (DOAG) in the ROC that provides for both duty and tax relief for development activities under

CEERC.

25. Section I.10 on page 79 includes an atypical requirement for a USAID

I.10 79 Reimbursement of transportation charges may occur under this contract. So, the https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/548.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/548.pdf contract. As it is not anticipated that this project will incur a significant amount of freight charges, could USAID please remove this clause?

Government is keeping this clause in the solicitation Per FAR 47.103-2.

26. In Section J.4, the summary tab does not match B.4. Should offerors follow the summary format included in B.4?

J 83 Offerors should use the budget template included in attachment J.4. B.4 is amended to match the summary tab in the J.4 budget template.

27. L.6, Delivery Instructions, p. 96, mentions, “… all submittals that require more than one email shall be sent using the following format[...].”

Would USAID clarify what parameters would result in a multi-email submission?

L.6 96 Size restrictions could trigger the need to make submissions in multiple emails.

28. Please confirm that Sections L.8.1- L.8.3 under Section L.7, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal (pages 97-101) should be L.7.1-L.7.3.

L.8.1- L.8.3 L.7

97-101 Yes, there is a typo on pages 97-101. All numberings sub-paragraphs should read “L.7….”

29. Section L.7.2, (Page 97) will USAID consider additional pages for the technical approach section, or some flexibility in allocating pages from the management section or annexes to the technical approach?

L.7 97 No, Offerors must respect the page limit recommendations.

Offerors should keep in mind that attachments do not form part of page count.

30. Section L.7.2a, (Page 98) does the required MEL Plan also apply to CLIN 2 or just CLIN 1?

L.7 98 The draft MEL plan should be an adequate management tool for all proposed activity under CEERC.

31. Section L.7.2c.a (Page 99) requests an organizational chart and Section L.7.2. lists a 5-page annex for an organizational chart. Do the requirements listed in section L.7.2c.a refer to the Technical Approach section, or may offerors include the discussion in Annex B?

L.7 99 Requirements listed under L.7.2.c refer to the management approach.

32. In Section L.8.2.a, (Page 98) the RFP refers to “MEL principles in section C.2.4.3.” Can USAID please provide this section?

L.8 98 Section C.2.4.3 does not exist indeed.

Offerors shall use the discussion contained under F.7.1.b as a guide for what the Government is seeking under a MEL plan.

33. In L.8.2.a on p. 99 reads, “Refer to MEL Principles in section C.2.4.3.”

However, there is no corresponding section in the RFP. Could USAID confirm if we should instead consider the crosscutting principles laid out in section C.9 or if there are

L.8 99 Section C.2.4.3 does not exist indeed.

Offerors shall use the discussion contained under F.7.1.b as a guide for what the Government is seeking under a MEL plan.

separate MEL principles that should be taken into consideration?

34. Section L.8.2 (page 97) requires 12-point font within text boxes in the Technical Proposal. We respectfully request that offerors be permitted to use a slightly smaller font (10 point).

L.8.2 97 Offerors can use a 10-point font.

35. L.8. states, “If applicable, provide a copy of your most recent Forward Pricing Rate Agreement, a statement on the status of your Cost Accounting Standards Disclosure Statement, and the status of any unresolved Cost Accounting Standards issues.” Would USAID please clarify under which circumstances these documents should be applicable, and whether an explanation of these documents should be incorporated into the budget narrative?

L.8 102 If applicable means if one exists. Yes, an explanation of the content of such documents would be helpful but is not required under this solicitation.

36. Section L.8.2, (Page 97), are offerors limited to 12-point Times Roman font for all text boxes in the main section and charts that may be presented in Annex B (Organizational Chart) and Annex G? Or can offerors use 10pt or 11pt non-Times Roman Font in charts for better readability?

L.8 97 Offerors are hereby authorized to use a 10-point font

37. Section L.8.2 (pages 97-98) and Section L.8, Part 2, CLIN 0001 (page 103) both required inclusion of the biodatas (AID-1420-17). Please confirm that the biodata forms are only to be included in the Cost Proposal.

L.8.2 97-98 Yes, Biodata forms are only to be included in the cost proposal.

38. Section L.8.2, p. 98, includes these two sentences: “The Offeror must address crosscutting areas – science and technology, partnerships, GVP equality and empowerment and environmental management – and special considerations – through the entity of this section.” These “cross-cutting areas” are similar to, but not the same as, the “cross-cutting principles” included in Section C.9 Cross-Cutting Principles, which include the following areas listed on

p. 22-24, including a) Public and

L.8 98 Disregard the reference to “crosscutting areas” mentioned in Section L.8.2.

Private Sector & Value of Alliances,

b) Integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment, c) Conflict sensitivity, d) Coordination with USAID and USG Programming, e) Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA), f) Flexibility, g) Security Strategy, and h) USAID’s Mandatory Climate Risk Management Process. Can USAID clarify the difference between crosscutting areas and crosscutting principles?

39. If offerors have identified local organizations that will be key stakeholders and contribute significantly to network-building, may offerors submit Letters of Intent for these organizations as an annex?

N/A N/A Yes, letters of intent received from the local organizations are acceptable to be attached as an annex.

40. In Section L.8.2.c, (Page 100) USAID refers to a start-up plan to serve as a blueprint for the initial months of operation and in addition a plan that will allow for efficient and quick mobilization into the country. Should offerors assume the start-up plan and mobilization plan are one and that this is the plan requested to be presented in Annex H of the proposal?

L.8 100 Yes, the startup and mobilization plans are the same.

41. Section L.8, Part 1, on page 102 requires an original signature on the SF-33. Since proposals will be submitted electronically, could USAID please confirm that a scanned or electronic signature will be sufficient?

L.8 102 Yes, a scanned or electronic signature will suffice.

42. Section L.8, Part 2, e, (Page 103) states that "the Summary Cost Worksheets provided must include separate worksheets for the prime and all subcontracts." Does this mean that each subcontractor is required to complete all 12 tabs in USAID's budget template? If so, would USAID consider requiring only submit one summary budget and one detailed budget from each Offeror and subcontractor? If all categories in the detailed budget are

L.8 103 Offerors may modify the Budget template in Attachment 4 as needed, provided that the first three tabs are kept and used as is.

This means the final submitted cost proposal MUST contain the following tabs – Summary Budget, Detailed Budget, and Budget Narrative.

All categories in the detailed budget must be sufficiently detailed to allow USAID to assess their fairness and reasonableness.

sufficiently detailed, USAID should have enough information to make a cost realism and reasonableness analysis without needing to review 12 tabs per firm.

43. L.8.2(e) includes the following: “if possible, we request that the Offeror’s detailed worksheets, in support of this summary, be provided in one large spreadsheet with linkages to the summary worksheets, to ease analysis.”

However, RFP contains instructions that “the budget must be completed in the format included in Attachment 4,” and J.4. has a separate tab for each cost category, e.g., fringe, travel, allowances, ODC, indirect, fee. Would USAID please confirm that offerors may submit all detailed cost information in one large spreadsheet, without breaking them into separate tabs as shown in J.4, to accommodate USAID’s request above?

L.8 103 Offerors may modify the Budget template in Attachment 4 as needed, provided that the first three tabs are kept and used as is.

This means the final submitted cost proposal MUST contain the following tabs – Summary Budget, Detailed Budget, and Budget Narrative.

All categories in the detailed budget must be sufficiently detailed to allow USAID to assess their fairness and reasonableness.

44. L.8, p. 103 asks for completed biodata sheets featuring proposed annual salary escalation, while p. 97 highlights biodata sheets should be included as an annex in the technical proposal. Because no cost information is allowed in the technical proposal, would USAID confirm whether biodatas should be included in the technical or cost proposal?

L.8 103 Biodata sheet should be attached only to cost proposal. However, CVs should be attached to technical proposal.

45. Section L.8, Part 2, f (Page 103), states that "the offeror must submit a detailed budget, per component".

Would USAID clarify what is meant by "component"?

L.8 103 Component means CLIN 1. No detailed budget is required for CLIN 2.

46. Section L.8, Part 2, CLIN 001, Sub-section (1) (Page 103) states, "A detailed LOE estimate with a separate line item for each proposed individual identifying each individual by name must be provided." Would USAID please confirm that it is up to the Offeror’s discretion which personnel are

L.8 103 Yes, this is at the Offeror’s discretion to name an individual or indicate that it will do so at a later time.

named versus “TBD” in its proposal?

47. Requirements to submit Form AID 1420-17s for Key Personnel are found both in the cost proposal instructions (Section L.8, Part 2, CLIN 001, (2) (Page 103)) and in the technical proposal instructions (Section L.7.2, (Page 97)). Would USAID please clarify if biodatas should be included with the cost proposal or in Annex A of the technical proposal?

97 Biodata sheet should be attached only to cost proposal. However, CVs should be attached to technical proposal.

48. Section L.8, Part 2, CLIN 001, Sub-section (4) (Page 104) states, “Offerors must propose a blended daily consultant rate […] for each of the five years of the period of performance.” Would USAID please confirm that Offerors may propose an annual rate escalation for consultants?

L.8 104 Yes, offerors may propose annual rate escalation for all positions, not only consultant.

49. Section L.8, Part 2 includes instructions for both CLIN 001 and CLIN 002. Please clarify whether cost information for both CLINs should all fall under Part 2 of the Cost Proposal, or whether CLIN 001 should fall under Part 2 and CLIN 002 should fall under Part 12.

a. As USAID's budget template includes pricing data for both CLINs, please confirm that the PDF of the Excel budget can be submitted under Part 2.

b. Please confirm that the employee and consultant pay scales required by Section H.5 should be included in Part 2 of the cost proposal.

L.8 Both CLINs should fall under both Part 2.

a. Both PDF of excel file and excel file can be submitted under part 2.

b. Section H.5 has been re-written.

There is no more requirement for the submission of pay scales or ranges.

50. Section L.8, Part 2, CLIN 0001 (13) on page 106 states, “USAID will not agree to allow the GUCs to be included in the calculation of fixed fee.” Would USAID consider

L.8 106 Yes, a reduced fee on GUCs will be considered acceptable.

allowing a reduced grants fee to be applied to GUCs?

51. Regarding Section L.8, Part 2(f) CLIN 0002, on pages 106-107, could USAID please provide the following clarifications:

L.8 106

a. USAID provides an overall LOE estimate of 5,000 days for CLIN 002 and a total budget of $3M (assuming the $2.5M and $4.2M amounts are typos). This total budget yields an average fully burdened daily rate of $600, which is quite low, especially for expatriate technical advisors. Could USAID please confirm that Offerors may budget base rates that are lower than their proposed CDRs for the CLIN 002 budget to fit the overall LOE estimate of 5,000 days?

L.8 106 The total budget (including fee) for CLIN 002 is 3 million. 5000 days is just an estimate. The estimated LOE will not be for 260 workdays x 4 staff x 5 years simply because USAID will not start issuing tasks orders on the first day of the resulting contract. Offerors should propose realistic rates for the estimated number of days. Also remember, not every consultant will be “an expatriate technical advisor”. We expect the successful offeror to make good use of local consultants and experts.

b. On page 106, it states that Offerors must propose 260 days per year per position for budget purposes. Could USAID please confirm that Offerors with an established work-day/work-week policy with fewer days per year (due to the recovery of paid absences via fringe) may propose the number of days corresponding with their established work year to ensure that their budgets do not include duplicate costs for paid absences?

L.8 106 Yes, Offerors with different established workday/work-week policy may propose the number of days corresponding with their established work year. This fact should be clearly spelled out and explained in the budget narrative.

c. would USAID please confirm that Offerors are to propose exactly $3 million total for CLIN 002, or may the total for CLIN 002 may be slightly above or below $3 million?

Offerors are welcome to propose a coherent, sound and justifiable approach.

The 3 million dollars is a plug-in figure.

d. Section L.8, Part 3 (Page 107) states “Offerors and all

L.8 106-107 USAID/DRC has made the determination that all proposed subcontractors must be subcontractors must ensure that they are registered in SAM...”

We are aware of the in FAR Part 44 requirement that subcontractors cannot have an active exclusion in SAM, but this seems to be a distinct issue.

Please clarify the requirement for subcontractors’ registration in SAM?

registered in SAM per policy guidance contained in FAR 4.1102(b).

52. Section L.8, Part 2, CLIN 002 (Page

106) states that Offerors must propose ceiling daily rates for each position, 260 days each year.

However, the budget template only includes one-line item for CLIN 002 in the detailed budget tab. Given the CLIN 002 ceiling is set and the actual LOE for such personnel will depend on the requirements of each individual Task Order, would USAID consider removing the requirement to include a plug figure for LOE and instead allow Offerors to provide only unburdened ceiling daily rates for the four labor categories, and an estimated dollar amount per year for

CLIN 002?

L.8 106 All proposed rates must be burdened. The offeror must seriously consider a mixed pool of consultants - including local consultants.

53. Section L.8 includes requirements related to CLIN 0002 under Parts 2 (pages 106-107) and 12 (page 109).

Could USAID please confirm that Offerors should submit their CLIN 0002 budget and narrative only within Part 12 of their cost proposals?

L.8 106-107 Both CLINs should fall under both Part 2.

54. Section L.8, Part 2, CLIN 002, (Page

107) as the budget template only permits Offerors to fill in the total CLIN 002 cost per year, where and how and where would USAID like Offerors to present their proposed ceiling daily rates for the four labor categories?

L.8 107 CLIN 002 is a plug-in figure of $3 million inclusive of fixed fee.

There is no requirement for details other than the table for the professional categories.

55. Section L.8, Part 2, CLIN 002, (Page

107) may Offerors propose an annual escalation on their proposed ceiling daily rates?

L.8 107 Yes, offerors may propose annual rate escalation for all positions, not only consultant.

56. Please confirm that Section L.8, Part 6 (Page 108) does not apply to US-based small businesses.

L.8 108 The requirement of a subcontracting plan is not applicable to US-based small businesses.

57. As the payment of fixed fee will directly correspond to the percent of allowable costs being paid (per Section B.3.c), please clarify what should be included in the "Fee Schedule" tab.

N/A N/A Fixed fee will be prorated for each deliverable based on its ratio to the total estimated cost. The fee schedule tab must include a list of the deliverables and the corresponding fixed fee (this can be presented as a percentage of the total fixed fee).

58. Regarding Attachment 4 – Budget Template, could USAID please provide the following clarifications:

N/A N/A

a. Could USAID please confirm that Offerors may use their own standard budget template, provided the major cost items are ordered in the same way as in USAID’s budget template?

N/A N/A Offerors may modify the Budget template in Attachment 4 as needed, provided that the first three tabs are kept and used as is.

This means the final submitted cost proposal MUST contain the following tabs – Summary Budget, Detailed Budget, and Budget Narrative.

b. The summary budget includes a comment about a $6.5M total for GUCs. Could USAID please confirm that this is a typo and the ceiling for GUCs is up to $2.5M?

N/A N/A This is a typo. The GUC component must be $2.5M. This error is being corrected with this amendment.

c. The summary budget includes cost categories that are not included in the detailed budget, such as Training and Equipment.

Could USAID please confirm that Offerors may add these cost categories to the detailed budget?

N/A N/A Yes.

d. The budget template includes several blank tabs with labels such as “Fringe Benefits,” “Travel, Transportation, and Per diem,” etc. Could USAID please confirm that Offerors, which provide enough detail for these cost categories within their detailed budget, may remove these tabs or leave them blank?

N/A N/A Offerors may modify the Budget template in Attachment 4 as needed, provided that the first three tabs are kept and used as is.

This means the final submitted cost proposal MUST contain the following tabs – Summary Budget, Detailed Budget, and Budget Narrative.

e. The budget narrative tab includes the detailed budget, N/A N/A Yes, a separate MS Word budget narrative must be provided.

which leaves limited space to add text and present detailed explanations in an easy-to-read format. Would USAID consider allowing Offerors to provide the budget narrative in MS Word or Adobe PDF to facilitate the presentation of supporting information for cost estimates?

f. The tab included in the budget template labeled “Subcontracts” includes a different order of major cost elements and several items are labeled differently than in the detailed budget tab for the prime. Could USAID please confirm that Offerors may present subcontractor costs in the same way as their prime costs, i.e., using a similar detailed budget template?

N/A N/A Yes, budget for the proposed subcontractors must be presented in the same format and structure as the prime.

g. The budget template also includes a tab for a fee schedule;

however, Section B.3(c) states that the payment of fixed fee will “directly correspond to the percentage of allowable costs being paid” (CLIN 001) or “…the LOE furnished” (CLIN 002). Could USAID please confirm that this tab may be removed from the budget template?

N/A N/A Offerors may modify the Budget template in Attachment 4 as needed, provided that the first three tabs are kept and used as is.

This means the final submitted cost proposal MUST contain the following tabs – Summary Budget, Detailed Budget, and Budget Narrative.

h. Currently, there is no section for consultant labor in either the Summary Budget tab or the Detailed Budget tab. Would USAID please clarify whether consultant labor should be included in the "Salaries and Wages" line item/budget category, or if a new budget section should be created for consultant labor?

N/A N/A Offerors may modify the Budget template in Attachment 4 as needed, provided that the first three tabs are kept and used as is.

This means the final submitted cost proposal MUST contain the following

i. The budget template includes separate tabs for training and equipment, but neither category seems to be included as a section in the Detailed Budget tab.

Should training and equipment be included as separate sections in the detailed budget or should each fall under a larger budget category (e.g. Other Direct Costs)? As the payment of fixed fee will directly correspond to the percent of allowable costs being paid (per Section B.3.c), please clarify what should be included in the "Fee Schedule" tab.

N/A N/A Offerors may modify the Budget template in Attachment 4 as needed, provided that the first three tabs are kept and used as is.

This means the final submitted cost proposal MUST contain the following

j. Per AIDAR 752.245-70, non-expendable property has a unit cost of more than $500, but the Equipment tab in USAID's budget template lists it as >$5,000 per unit. Please clarify whether equipment is considered non-expendable for units valued at >$500 or >$5,000, and similarly, clarify whether equipment is considered expendable for units valued at <$5,000 or <$500.

N/A N/A Equipment is where unit cost is 500 USD or more.

k. Currently, the GUC total for all five years is included column R of the template. Please confirm that the total amount for GUCs should be distributed evenly across the five-year budget.

N/A N/A The Offeror’s GUC budget and its distribution across all 5 years must be a reflection of the offeror’s technical approach.

59. Would USAID provide missing attachments #7, #8, #9, #10, #13, and #23?

N/A N/A Attachment #7, #8, #9, #10, and # 23 do not exist.

60. Regarding Attachments 5 and 14, could USAID please confirm in what section(s) of the cost proposal Offerors should include their Certification Regarding TIP Compliance Plan and SF LLL, and whether all—or only major—

N/A N/A They must all be included in Section K.

This section must also contain the certifications for all sub-contractors, not just the major ones.

subcontractors should also provide these documents?

61. Attachments 6 and 14 are not accessible from beta.sam.gov, giving an error on download. Additionally, Attachment 13 - Position Requirements for Key Personnel is not currently available. Would USAID please re-upload these attachments?

N/A N/A Reference to Attachment #13 has been removed from this solicitation.

Attachments # 6 and 14 are reposted with this amendment number one to the solicitation.

62. Regarding Attachment 11, could USAID please confirm that the local compensation plan for DRC also is applicable to the Republic of the Congo (both salary ranges and allowances)?

N/A N/A Offerors are required to use the local compensation plan for Republic of Congo attached to this amendment to the solicitation.

63. Attachment 14, would USAID please clarify if this form must be submitted with the proposal, and whether it is required for both Offerors and subcontractors? If it is required, in which section of the cost proposal should it be included?

N/A N/A Yes, the attachment 14 must be submitted with the proposal for both for offerors and subcontractors under section K.

Representations, Certifications, and other statements of Offerors.

64. Is the waiver of US manufacture requirements for the procurement of motor vehicles applicable to contracts funded by the Development Fund for Africa applicable to this award?

N/A N/A Yes, the waiver is applicable to this award.

65. Regarding the subcontracting plan requirement, will USAID consider limiting the submission of the plan to offerors in the competitive range?

N/A N/A Yes, subcontracting plans will be required from offerors in the competitive range.

66. Consistent with the guidance in FAR 37.113-1 and considering that the anticipated contract will be performed entirely overseas, we request that USAID include FAR 52.237-9, Waiver of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals, to prevent conflict with applicable local employment laws.

N/A N/A FAR 52.237-9 is hereby included as applicable for cost reimbursement contract.