Amendment 4 Round 3 Q and A -72061124R00006-ZADS.pdf

ATTACHMENT: AMENDMENT 4, QUESTION AND ANSWERS - RFP Number 72061124R00006, USAID Zambia Agriculture Diversification Support Activity (ZADS)

Answers to Round Three Questions Received from interested parties under the solicitation.

ROUND TWO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE SOLICITATION.

# QUESTION USAID RESPONSE

1 Could USAID kindly confirm that the population based survey for the midline and endline should be validated by a third party as per the baseline, rather than executed by a third party?

The baseline, midline and endline for the population-based survey will be executed by a third party contracted by USAID.

2 We would like to find out if there is a limit on the number of subcontractors per consortium. The budget template provides for only two slots for subcontractors budget items. Please clarify

No, there is no limit on the number of subcontractors. The offeror can add more tabs (slots) in the budget template.

3 Will the subcontractors be fully responsible for any GUC grants they wish to give out?

No, the authority to issue GUCs is limited to the prime contractor based on the requirements in section H.15 of the RFP.

4 Does support the rehabilitation of small-scale irrigation systems and water harvesting structures to ensure reliable water supply for farming constitute construction?

Yes, that is considered construction under USAID rules. This activity will not support any construction.

5 We have Attachment J.5 to the RFP, the Budget Template. Are we correct in understanding that the submitted budget must include these cost categories in this order but that we may use the budget sheets we have used in other USAID proposals? In other words, the format is mandated but the actual form

Offerors must use the format in the budget template (Attachment J.3) to allow for consistency in evaluation. Offerors can add cost elements within the provided cost categories.

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Subdivision 694/Stand 100 Ibex Hill Road PO Box 320373 Lusaka, Zambia – 10101 infozambia@usaid.gov

USAID.gov mailto:infozambia@usaid.gov

RFP Number 72061124R00006, USAID Zambia Agriculture Diversification Support Activity (ZADS) can be the one we usually use for USAID proposals?

6 Will USAID please provide the most current US Embassy Lusaka Local Compensation Plan including the elements that determine where Job Descriptions sit on the scale?

No, we do not share the entire LCP. IPs are responsible for creating and maintaining their own compensation systems. The current LCP maximum is K1,870,242.20 per year.

7 Amendment 2 Q&A, Question 31 states that the Table of Contents and the Acronym list are counted as part of the maximum (29) pages of the technical proposal. These two parts of the document are usually not counted as part of the technical proposal in RFP instructions and treated as 'page-count neutral'.

Would USAID/Zambia consider not counting those two items (Table of Contents and Acronym List)? Alternatively, as they do not appear as a requirement in Section L, may we assume that we don't need to include a Table of Contents or an Acronym list?

1. USAID will count the table of contents and acronym lists towards the page limit.

2. These documents are not required.

8 Outcome 1 (p. 12) states" the Contractor, at a minimum, must Facilitate Technology and Innovation Transfer: Collaborate with . . . and other institutions such as Land Grant Universities."

a. Will USAID consider collaboration with leading US universities that are not in the specific category of "Land Grant"?

b. Will applied research that directly informs and improves

a. The list of other institutions on page 12 is not intended to be exclusive. Offerors can consider collaboration with Universities that are not considered “land grant.”

b. This activity is only supporting technology transfer and not technology testing or research.

results through adaptive implementation be considered to meet the definition of 'innovation' or is USAID specifically looking for technology transfer.

9 We take note of D.3 Implementation Plan and Marking Plan (b) which lists items that will have budgetary implications, for example video-making, professional photography. Will USAID/Zambia provide bidders with an idea of its usual requirements for videos and professional photos? Are these likely to be monthly, quarterly, annually, or only associated with milestone events?

1. As requirements may vary based on activity, there is no “usual requirement” for videos and photos.

2. They could be monthly, quarterly, or annually. The successful offeror must consider the resources needed to achieve the branding strategy in Section B.2 and based on how you intend to make the project visible to the public, you must build these costs into the price proposal.

10 F.2.4 Required Plans and Deliverables (2) Baseline Survey states "The Baseline Survey, validated by a third party, will serve as a benchmark on which ZADS success . . . "(pg 28).

a. We have interpreted this to mean that ZADS will subcontract a qualified third party to conduct the baseline surveys and analysis. Is that correct?

b. P. 8 of the RFP (Amendment 3) B.4 Payment, as revised, also shows midline and endline surveys as a requirement, which is sensible.

However, is USAID stipulating that midline and endline surveys/data collection must also be conducted by a third party?

a. The contractor (or its subcontractor) will be responsible to conduct the baseline survey, with the exception of the population-based survey. However, USAID or a third-party will validate the results before the deliverable can be accepted by USAID.

b. Yes, the baseline, midline, and endline population surveys will be done by the third party. Other elements for the baseline survey will need to be proposed and done by the contractor.

11 F.1 Period of Performance in the RFP (Amendment 3 p. 24) states "The period of performance for this contract is five years, with one base period and one option period." Since it states the base period is" ____________ to September 20, 2028" - and assuming that the award date as USAID has projected November 1, 2024:

a. Are we correct in assuming the base period should be budgeted for 47 months?

b. Are we correct in understanding the option period is therefore October 1, 2028 to the end of the five year period of performance e.g.

October 31, 2029 and should be budgeted for 13 months?

c. As the option appears to be tied to an agency waiver pertaining to certain telecommunications and video equipment, are we correct in assuming for the purposes of our price proposal, we are working with a five year period of performance and that if the waiver is not forthcoming we will be able to work with USAID at the time to realign the budget for closeout?

a. No, the assumption is incorrect. The offeror must provide a complete budget for the total fixed price for year one of implementation.

Subsequent year pricing redetermined annually for the base period.

b. There is no detailed budget required for the option period. Offerors must only provide prices from Section B.4 for the option period.

c. Yes.

12 The link for the USAID Zambia Nutrition Strategy link on page 14 of 101 is not working, could this document be shared?

USAID will share the PDF document as attachment J.5 to the solicitation.

13 Considering the contract structure of performance based, the contractor will need

Offerors will be evaluated based on the Evaluation factors in section M of the RFP. A responsibility determination will be done for the apparent to be able to pre-fund a significant amount of work, how will the financial capacity of the proposing firms be assessed? Is this considered in the selection of the proposing contractors?

successful offeror, and this may include a pre-award survey (see L.2(d) of the RFP)

14 p.94 of the RFP states:

"explanation of why all proposed key personnel are appropriate for the contract", does this statement require we state the people we are proposing for key personnel on the project? (noting CVs and letters of commitment are to be submitted post award for approval).

No, offerors must provide a narrative of how the proposed positions/staff mix aligns with their technical approach for the successful implementation of the project as proposed.

15 Are there any specific provisions regarding conflicts of interest when a prime bidder is simultaneously receiving funding from other international donors for projects that may overlap with the goals of USAID’s ZADS program?

USAID is paying for the delivery of the specific results in Section B.4. Using other donor resources to achieve these results would often be fraudulent as either:

1. you are charging another donor for costs that go towards achieving a result for USAID.

2. you are delivering the same results to both USAID and the other donor.

16 Will the midline and endline third party population based survey be funded by ZADS budget or separately by USAID.

Also, please clarify population based surveys, specifically is this the population of the 5 districts of the project, rather than countrywide?

The baseline, midline and endline population-based survey will be funded separately by USAID.

The survey will be conducted in the five selected districts.

17 Is the % based nutrition targets for ZADS the average of the 5 districts or by district?

The change (%) is based on the average for the five districts and NOT by district.

18 The USAID/Zambia COUNTRY

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

1. There is no new CDCS.

2. The current CDCS is still valid and covers the

STRATEGY (CDCS) covers until July 2024. Is there a new CDCS that should be considered for this bid or is the 2019-2024 CDCS still the relevant results framework?

Under the 2019-2024 CDCS, how does the ZADS relate to the Mission’s result framework? For instance, does the ZADS contribute to DO 2:

Rural Poverty Reduced through Enterprise-Driven Inclusive Economic Growth? If so, what is the linkage between ZADS and the DO2 IRs? Is there any link to DO3 IR3.3 Capacity to Protect Vulnerable Populations Enhanced?

ZADS activity under DO2.

3. Yes, ZADS contributes to “ DO 2: Rural Poverty Reduced through Enterprise-Driven Inclusive Economic Growth”

4. ZADS will help the achievement of the IRs.

5. No, there is not a link envisioned.

19 In Amendment 3, the expected results were updated to simplify measurement. Since the previous results were closely linked to the RFP ToC, how does this impact the ToC? Can USAID/Zambia provide a ToC that is adjusted to the updated expected results? Or provide a narrative explanation of the linkage between the expected results and the ToC?

The terms of the contract remain unchanged, except where highlighted. Results are still the same and contribute to the same objectives. The simplified version helps measure achievement and mitigate associated risks, especially those deemed to be outside the control of contractors.

20 In Section B.5, USAID highlights the fluidity of the development context in Zambia, adding that “data indicates and the Mission Director determines in writing that there is a high probability of a crisis developing in the operating environment”. Can USAID/Z provide any more detail on this probability?

The statement is in relation to any unforeseen circumstances e.g drought, covid etc… should such happen during implementation, then the consideration in section B.5 may apply.

21 Is Z-MELP planning to provide support for ZADS as part of its activities, particularly given the fluidity of the development context and the adaptability referred to in Section B.5?

No.