Attachment J.11 - Questions and Answers.pdf

ATTACHMENT J11: QUESTION AND ANSWERS - AMENDMENT 1 - RFP NUMBER

72061124R00008, USAID FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

ACTIVITY

USAID is pleased to provide responses to questions submitted by various prospective offerors electronically by the questions due date in response to the solicitation.

QUESTIONS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE SOLICITATION.

NO. QUESTION USAID RESPONSE

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1 No authorization is currently provided for Grants under Contracts (GUCs). Will USAID provide authorization for GUCs to permit grants (including the procurement and distribution of in-kind resources) to achieve project aims and support sustainable capacity of key local organizations?

USAID does not intend to provide authorization for Grants under Contracts.

COVER PAGE

2 Clarification regarding the range specified in the solicitation is respectfully requested. The current range of $10,000,000 to $24,900,000 presents substantially different project designs and resource allocations. To ensure that offerors' proposals align with expectations and accurately addresses the project's requirements, could you provide additional guidance on the desired range for the project? A more defined range would greatly assist offerors in preparing a proposal that meets USAID's needs effectively.

Offerors should propose costs and an overall price that they need to implement the scope and successfully achieve the results as stated in Section C. USAID expects offerors to propose costs that are reflective of the proposed technical approach and not build their costs to budget.

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 72061124R00008, USAID Foundational Learning Technical Assistance Activity

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

3 Section B of the RFP notes CLINs.

Please confirm that a budget by CLIN is only required only at the summary level as outlined in Section B.

That’s correct. Budget by CLIN is only required at summary level.

4 Pages 4-5, Section B.3.b Contract Line Items (CLINS): The table for CLIN 0002 does not include any fee applied to the CLIN 0002 costs.

Would USAID kindly confirm whether any fixed fee for CLIN 0002 costs should be included under CLIN 0001 or within the $2.5M CLIN 0002 total?

All fixed fee payments are tied to CLIN 0001 as CLIN 0002 has no specific results. Instead, it is for emergency, disaster, and subsequent responses to ensure that the results from CLIN 0001 are achieved.

5 What is the anticipated time period from invoicing to reimbursement for costs?

30 days.

6 What is the pay scale for MOE employees?

USAID does not have a pay scale for MOE employees. However, a guidance for Guidance on Reimbursable Costs for Government of Zambia (GRZ) Staff has been included in the RFP as Attachment J.6.

SECTION C – STATEMENT OFWORK

7 Can professional development be provided virtually?

This is to be proposed by the Offerors.

Offerors should propose a technical approach that achieves results of the Contract and ensure sustainability through government engagement and capacity building.

8 Are there existing school-based literacy and/or numeracy assessments being implemented by the MOE? If so, what are the names of the assessments, in what grades are they administered, what is the assessment administration and

School based assessments in literacy in the seven official local languages are available for Grades 1-3 and are being administered in community and public schools in the five Let’s Read target provinces. The assessments are administered 9 times per academic year (3 per term) in week 5, 10 and 13 based on the Ministry of Education (MOE) Primary Literacy

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers reporting timeline, and can we obtain copies of those assessments?

Program(though this has changed to two assessments, week 5 and 10 as of 2024) Once the assessments are completed, the schools upload the results on an Online Dashboard, the Performance Tracking System. Please note that you can obtain these assessments from the Ministry of Education’s Curriculum Development Center (CDC) and there is also a committee responsible for the development of these assessments with support from the Let’s Read Project. With the Curriculum Reforms, new assessments will have to be developed to align with the new changes.

Numeracy assessment will need to be developed in line with the new curriculum.

9 What are the standard literacy assessments currently in use by the

MOE?

The standard literacy assessments (grades 1-3) are in Zambian Languages - seven official languages: Icibemba, Silozi, Luvale, Kikaonde, Lunda, Chitonga and Cinyanja.

10 On page 10, Performance measure 1 stipulates, “Increased student performance in the seven target provinces on standardized school-based assessments by 10% over baselines by Year 4.” Would USAID confirm that this increase is 10 percentage points (rather than 10% of the baseline value) for the percentage of students who can read proficiently (i.e., Standard USAID indicator ES.1-1)?

It is a 10% increase from the baseline value.

11 Increased student performance in the seven target provinces on standardized school-based assessments by 10% over baselines by Year 4.

Are these assessments anticipated to

Yes, these standardized assessments are administered by teachers for the ePTS and are not EGRA or EGMA assessments.

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers be the teacher-administered assessments for ePTS, or are they EGRA and EGMA sample based assessments (which are done at schools, becoming one level of analysis)?

12 For the purpose of estimating costs of curriculum and marketing materials: What are current student enrollment numbers by grade level within each of the seven target districts? How many primary schools are there within each district? How many subnational governments are located within each district?

For the Let’s Read five target provinces, please refer to the ePTS school profile information for the latest enrollment figures and primary schools. The link to the ePTS has been added as attachment J.7. For Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces the estimated enrollment figures are around 330,000 learners and around 2,000 schools (2020 Education Statistical Bulletin).

With the free education policy, enrollment has increased and the Ministry is presently collecting school enrollment data nationwide.

Subnational government refers to provincial and district level. Presently, there are a total of 81 districts and seven (7 provinces) in which the activity will be implemented.

13 By including the curriculum roll out calendar, the RFP appears to imply that literacy and numeracy materials may need to be developed and piloted before the start of the 2025 school year, yet these processes of review, revision/ and development, piloting and printing are likely to extend beyond that date. Is there any more guidance USAID can give to clarify expectations of a possible timeline in relation to the TLM development and roll out requirement?

The roll out plan is as shared by the Ministry of Education for the pilot and development of literacy and numeracy materials including materials for other subjects. The timeline may be adjusted by the Ministry and at that point USAID will advise accordingly. Please note that the MOE is primarily responsible for piloting and development of literacy and numeracy materials while partners may provide technical assistance and or print and distribute the materials to schools.

14 Can we provide a train the trainer model-the RFP states there are coaches. How many coaches are for

The model is to be proposed by the Offerors.

Offerors should propose a technical approach that achieves results of the Contract and

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers the five regions and how many coaches for the two new regions?

ensure sustainability through government engagement and capacity building. On average, each school has about two coaches (head teacher and senior teacher) in the Let’s Read target provinces. Please note that coaching is school based and there are also National Trainers of Trainers (20 officers) Master Trainers (one from each of the 63 districts) and 63 District Reading Teams (about 8 officers in each team).

15 What is the name of the Literacy and Numeracy textbook materials and the name of the publisher that are currently being used?

Literacy and numeracy textbook materials in use are from various publishers approved by MOE’s Curriculum Development Center.

However the ones that were reprinted under Let’s Read were published by Zambia Education Publishing House (ZEPH) while some supplementary materials were published by Cambridge University Press. For the literacy materials printed by ZEPH, the MOE holds the copyrights.

16 What primary Literacy and Numeracy learning interventions are currently in place, from 2023?

The Primary Literacy and Numeracy learning interventions currently in place are based on the 2013 Zambia National Curriculum Framework which focused on literacy interventions in Zambian local languages and Zambian local languages as the media of instruction for lower primary, grades 1-4 With the new 2023 curriculum, the language of instruction is English and primary literacy includes English in addition to Zambian languages. For more details, please refer to attachment J.8 - DRAFT 2023 Zambia Education Curriculum Framework.

17 What school digital infrastructure is currently in place for 5 target provinces?

Each school in the current 5 target provinces received a tablet and the Ministry has also procured some computers and distributed them to schools nationwide.

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

18 Is there a current infrastructure for technological distance learning in 5 target provinces?

No, but Let’s Read conducted some teacher professional development trainings virtually.

19 What are current Remote Learning System structures are in place for the 5 target provinces?

None, but some trainings are done virtually.

20 What are current methods of technological distance learning implementations in the Copperbelt and Lusaka?

None, but some schools have technology infrastructure and internet connectivity.

21 What are the current minimum internet capabilities of schools in the target provinces, Copperbelt and Lusaka?

Some schools have technology infrastructure and internet connectivity. Others do not.

22 What is the current disaster/emergency response plans for the 5 target provinces?

None.

23 On page 12, the solicitation mentions that activities will include but are not limited to“the printing and distribution of literacy and numeracy teaching and learning materials.”

Should the implementer budget for printing and distribution, or will those costs be covered by the GRZ with the implementer providing technical assistance?

Under Objective 2, the Contractor must budget for printing and distribution costs for Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces in addition to providing technical assistance.

24 Please advise whether the Contractor will be responsible for the modifications of materials but NOT for the printing and distribution of new approved modified materials in the five target Provinces for Objective 1.

The Contractor will be responsible for modifications of the materials to align with the new curriculum, and MOE will be responsible for the printing and distribution in the current five target provinces.

25 Will the MOE supply the two new regions with the current textbooks?

No. The Contractor will supply the teaching and learning materials in the two new regions.

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

26 What is the number of school administrators who have to be trained?

There is no set number of school administrators who have to be trained under this contract.

27 Will you want the same ratio for curriculum material because the RFP states textbooks are 1:10?

The current MOE ratio is 1:2 for core materials. The 1:10 ratio indicates the inadequate availability of curriculum materials.

28 In the bullet “100% of schools in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces have prescribed literacy and numeracy teaching and learning materials”, does “prescribed materials” mean the same thing as the “minimum package” as previously described in the RFP?

The RFP has been amended to read: “100% of schools in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces have a minimum package of literacy and numeracy teaching and learning materials”.

29 Are there any other literacy curriculums currently in use in addition to Catch up Program and

TARL?

The Primary Literacy Curriculum is the main curriculum for schools while Catch up (TaRL) is a remedial program to support struggling learners in literacy and numeracy from Grade 3 through 5. There are no other curricula in use.

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

30 What National curriculum reforms are in place?

The 2023 National Curriculum reforms to be implemented starting from 2025 have the following changes:

- English is now the language of instruction from Early Childhood Education (ECE) to primary level, while learners will learn English as a subject as well as Zambian languages.

- Sign language will be used as a medium of instruction for learners with hearing impairment.

- Primary Education runs from ECE through Grade 6;

- Three learning areas for lower primary- Grades 1-3: Literacy and Languages, Mathematics and Science and Creative and Technology Studies.

Literacy and languages will comprise English language and Zambian Language.

- MOE to conduct national competence assessments at Grade 1 and 3 in literacy and numeracy. At Grades 1 and 2 teaching will mainly focus on initial literacy and numeracy skills.

See attachment J.8, for more details.

31 What is the New Curriculum Framework?

The DRAFT 2023 Zambia Education Curriculum Framework (Attachment J.8) outlines the guiding principles, goals, structure, elements for curriculum development (subject syllabi, teaching and learning materials, teachers education professional development and training including assessments.

32 Is the priority of the FLTA curriculum objective to address curriculum content issues or curriculum methodology issues?

Both through technical assistance as well as direct implementation.

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

33 Given that some community schools may follow a unique curriculum deemed to best meet the needs of their population, can the target for “implementing the minimum package” be adjusted down somewhat for community schools, for example, to 85%

No. Community schools follow the prescribed curriculum except they are poorly resourced in terms of teaching and learning materials.

34 Could USAID please confirm that it only expects to see support for targeted instruction in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces and not in the five provinces that currently receive Let’s Read Zambia support?

USAID confirms that targeted instruction falls under Objective 2 which focuses on the two provinces namely Lusaka and Copperbelt.

35 Under separate contract line item 0002, activities for Objective 3 will be budgeted when needed due to emergencies as requested by USAID/Zambia. Are proactive emergency readiness activities (such as supporting MOE to develop costed emergency response plans) eligible to be proposed and funded under CLIN002 before an emergency occurs?

No, costed plans will only be developed when there is a trigger, that is an emergency.

36 Who is the incumbent? What is the contract number? What was the total amount of the contract?

The Incumbent is Education Development Center, Contract Number 72061119C00001.

The amount of the contract is $48.9 million.

37 Are there any evaluations or public information that can be provided by the current incumbent? Is this information available, if so; where can this be obtained?

Public information can be found on the USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse website.

38 Please clarify the following objective:

decentralization of the education sector?

This is not an objective under this solicitation but the Government of Zambia maybegin the devolution of the education system in the

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers future..

39 What current education management systems are in place and are they flexible?

In terms of management, there are the National, Provincial, District and School levels while continuous professional development for teachers is also structured that way with an additional Zone level structure. The Education Information Management System being supported by the World Bank is still being piloted and the Ministry last produced the Education Statistical Bulletin in 2020.

However, the USAID Let’s Read project supported the Ministry to track literacy learner performance through school based assessments using an online dashboard. ( See attachment J.7).

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

40 Section F.5 (pp. 23-24) notes that the initial work plan's final version is due 75 days after effective date of award, and the environmental mitigation and monitoring plan (EMMP) is due 90 days after effective date of award; however, sections F.5.10 (pp.

29-30) and H.14 (pp.

54) mention the EMMP must be integrated into the initial work plan.

Could USAID kindly confirm whether the EMMP can be submitted as a separate deliverable due 90 days after the award or that the initial work plan and the EMMP have the same due date of 90 days after the award?

The draft EMMP is required to be submitted with the Work plan and it is due 75 days after the effective date of award. The RFP has been amended accordingly.

41 From its recent experience, can USAID provide any information on the availability in Zambia of “green” non-toxic and environmentally

USAID is currently not aware of any ‘green non-toxic and environmentally friendly print providers.’ However, the Contractor is expected to comply with USAID and local

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers friendly print providers? environmental regulations.

42 Can USAID provide additional explanation about the possible differences between F.5.11 and F.5.13?

Does USAID expect that these deliverables will be entirely different, overlapping (as in a certain TLM may serve both deliverables or might they end up being the same thing once they are defined? If they are eventually the same products/deliverables, could we re-submit those products?

F.5.13 - “A minimum Package of foundational learning program (literacy and numeracy) developed” is intended for materials developed under Objective 2 in Lusaka and Copperbelt and may be broader than F.5.11- Teaching and Learning Materials reviewed/developed to align with the National Curriculum Framework. Products submitted under F.5.13 do not need to be submitted again under F.5.11.

43 This contract will require printing. To assure the most reasonable pricing it would be good to have specifications or links to the TLMs that meet ministry expectations. Can USAID provide links to the full package of PLP materials printed as part of Let's Read as an example?

Some of the teaching and learning materials produced under the Let’s Read Project have been included as attachment J.9.

44 On F.5.11, in the deliverables table, can USAID provide any currently available information about the expected roles of different donors in foundational learning TLM development to align with the new curriculum framework, and funding partner roles in printing for target provinces, as available?

Presently, there are no other donors supporting lower primary Grades 1-3 for the new curriculum, other donors are focusing on ECE (EU, UNICEF) upper primary (World Bank, UNICEF) and Secondary (World Bank, JICA).

45 According to the RFP, by the end of Year 4, the contractor is expected to demonstrate increased student performance on standardized school-based assessments by 10% over baselines in the seven target provinces. Could USAID clarify if they expect the contractor to use

The Contractor is expected to build on the Let’s Read investment in school-based assessments and also align with the MOE new curriculum. The Contractor is expected to work closely with the MOE.

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers the same methodology as Let’s Read has been using to measure literacy or could the contractor develop their own methodology?

46 Increased student performance can potentially be measured in different ways. Could USAID provide more guidance on whether the 10% increase would be calculated based on the mean baseline score on a literacy assessment, or on a percentage of students who at baseline reach a certain level of literacy, or in a different way?

The 10% will be based on the percentage of children at baseline who reach a certain level of literacy.

47 Could USAID clarify if the 10% increase over baselines on standardized school assessments is expected for a single grade, like grade 2 or grade 3, for both literacy and numeracy?

The 10% increase over baseline on standardized assessments will be based per grade (1-3) for both literacy and numeracy.

48 The RFP states “USAID/Zambia requires all activities to align their work plan process with that of the Government of Zambia, unless directed otherwise by the COR”.

Can USAID provide the timing, or estimated timing, of the government work plan process?

The estimated timing is based on the school calendar which runs from January to December.

49 Will USAID accept adjustments to the fixed fee table in terms of timing and/or percentage of fee?

No.

50 Please confirm that the Table of Deliverables is based on the USAID FY timeline rather than the government work plan timeline.

The deliverable timeline has been updated to reflect the USAID fiscal year.

51 On page 26, Section F.5 Reports and Costs incurred after completion date would

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

Deliverables: Should USAID request edits to the Final Activity Report after the project completion date, can USAID confirm that billing for work to finalize this or any other deliverables after the completion date is allowable?

be unallowable. The due date for the final activity report has been revised to 60 days prior to completion date.

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

52 Section H.2 (p. 45) limits offerors to administering 3% annual salary increases to long-term project staff. We respectfully request that the above-mentioned salary restriction be removed from the RFP as it appears to be inconsistent with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation, incorporated in the contract under Section H.1 (p. 44), which stipulates that personnel compensation be in accordance with the contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices, with reimbursement subject only to the USAID Contractor Salary Threshold. The salary restriction above may preclude contractors from following their established policies, procedures, and practices, as required by AIDAR 752.7007.

The 3% limit for salary increases is not inconsistent with AIDAR 752.7007 but an additional cost control measure set by USAID.

The Contractor is still required to follow their established policies, procedures, and practices, and the cost principles applicable to the contract. However, salary increases above 3% require advance written approval of the Contracting Officer.

53 Related to pages 44-45, Section H.2 Additional Requirements for Personnel Compensation: a.

Allowances, Living Quarters Allowance: Zambia is listed as a ‘footnote e’ country by the Department of State, which means that the allowance rates for LQA

USAID agrees that the prevailing market rates for accommodation are above the LQA limit.

However, USAID is unable to share any information that would provide a basis for determining LQA limit reasonability. The Contractor may do its own market research and include the most realistic costs in its proposal. During implementation, LQA

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers listed by the Office of Allowances are “established for the benefit of only a few or no current employees and therefore do not necessarily represent overall local quarters costs.” Does USAID have any information they could share on housing or surveys available that would provide a basis for determining LQA limit reasonability?

allowances above the limits set, require advance USAID approval.

54 On page 45, Section H.2, Additional Requirements for Personnel Compensation: It is indicated that salaries exceeding the maximum salary of the U.S. Embassy Local Compensation Plan required advance written approval from the Mission Director. We respectfully request a copy of the current local compensation plan and current FSN scale to support/validate our market research for local salaries, noting that the FSN salary scales alone do not reflect total compensation.

Additionally:

a. We respectfully request that USAID remove all restrictions to salaries and allow the recipient to follow its own policies and procedures as it relates to salaries, promotions, and other salary increases, in alignment with Section H.1.

b. We respectfully request that USAID share how they are currently handling the currency fluctuations Zambia is experiencing and if any special compensation measures are being taken for Mission personnel.

c. We respectfully request that

The current local compensation plan (LCP) for fully burdened rates (Gross salaries) ranges from FSN01 - K91,968.55 to FSN13 - K1,870,242.20. Please note that USAID does not share the entire LCP. The Contractors are responsible for creating and maintaining their own compensation systems.

a. Salary increase restrictions are a cost control measure and are not meant to restrict the contractor from following its own policies and procedures. The intent is that salary increases beyond the set limits require advance approval from the Contracting Officer.

b. The US Embassy adjusts its compensation on a yearly basis to reflect market rates for its positions.

The Embassy has taken no extraordinary measures due to currency fluctuation.

c. No. In accordance with AIDAR 722.170, it is USAID policy that cooperating country nationals (CCNs) and third country nationals (TCNs), who are hired abroad for work in a cooperating country under USAID-direct contracts, be extended the same benefits, and be subject to the same restrictions as TCNs and

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

USAID not hold TCNs to USAID's established FSN scale.

CCNs employed by the USAID Mission.

55 On page 51, AIDAR 752.229-71 Reporting of Foreign Taxes (JUL 2023): We respectfully request that the Mission confirm any active bilateral agreements and/or insight relevant to the processing and reimbursement of VAT in Zambia.

The US. Government has bilateral agreements with the Government of Zambia for VAT exemption on its programs in Zambia. The detailed process will be shared with the successful offeror. However, the reporting requirements stipulated by the AIDAR 752.229-7 still remain.

56 On page 65, Section H.26 FAR Part

4.21 Prohibition on Contracting for

Certain Covered Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Section 889) (June 2023): We respectfully request that the Mission share any relevant, country-specific 889 information to support the compliant implementation of this regulation and creation of a laydown plan, if necessary.

The proposed contract will be based on the Section 889 Modified Foreign Assistance Waiver which expires on September 30, 2028. Consistent with FAR 52.204-24 Offerors must conduct a reasonable inquiry into the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, though USAID/Zambia is unaware of any telecommunications alternatives that are compliant in Zambia.

SECTION J – ATTACHMENTS

57 Attachment J.2 Initial Environmental Examination

(p. 6) states: “Through the first sub-activity, Education Assessments, [Activity 4: Foundational Learning Program Government-to-Government] will allow...”. Could USAID please clarify if the support for educational assessments under the Government-to-Government (G2G) program includes support for both (1) the district assessment and

(2) a national early grade reading/math assessment?

The activities listed in the IEE are indicative only. The Contract will be required to perform the work and achieve results as stipulated in section C, and this work is not contingent on any Government-to-Government activity. USAID will provide technical direction to the Contractor to coordinate with the Ministry of Education and other USAID activities. .

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

58 Attachment J.2 Initial Environmental Examination

(pp. 6-7) suggests that the Let’s Read Zambia (LRZ) activity will procure teaching and learning materials (TLM) in 2024. If this is the case, could USAID please share the TLMs to be procured, approximate numbers, and target recipients of the procurement?

The USAID Let’s Read activity procured teaching and learning materials in Zambian local languages (7) namely: Early Childhood Education, Grades 1-3 teacher’s guides, Grades 1-3 core textbooks, training modules for CPD. These materials have been distributed to target schools. USAID will advise if any materials will be printed by the activity in 2024.

59 Attachment J.2 Initial Environmental Examination

Can USAID provide clarification on the expected relationship between the G2G program described as Activity 4 on p. 4 of the Education Portfolio IIE? Can we assume that this G2G program will ensure that for FLTA Objective 1 the MOE will have the resources required to support the printing and delivery in USAID's 5 target provinces of any TLMs that are modified as a result of the FLTA's interventions? Will the MOE also provide for costs (travel/per diem, materials) associated with training teachers and key education actors on newly modified curricula and/or materials in those same regions?

Please see response to #57:

“The activities listed in the IEE are indicative only. The Contract will be required to perform the work and achieve results as stipulated in section C, and this work is not contingent on any Government-to-Government activity.”

60 Attachment J.5 – budget template

a. Summary Tab

i. Other Direct Costs – this line i. All subcontracts should be included under

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers states that subcontracts are to be included under this section. Please confirm this is an error and that all Subawards and Subcontracts should be included under Subs Category (not under ODCs).

ii. Subgrants – please confirm that this can be revised to “Subs” to include both subcontracts and subawards.

ODCs.

ii. The subgrants line item is applicable when there are Grants Under Contracts. In this case, it is not applicable.

61 Attachment J.5 – budget template

a. Budget Detail Tab

i. Travel category includes “Assignment to Post and Entitlement” and “Transportation of HHE”. Please confirm this can be included under the Allowance category as it is an allowance provided to posted staff.

ii. Equipment category includes “expendable equipment”. Please confirm that expendable equipment (same as equipment < $5,000) should be included under the supplies category.

iii. Other Direct Costs (ODC) category includes consultants and subcontracts. Please confirm that consultants can be its own category and that subcontracts can be included under subcategory.

i. Yes.

ii. Yes.

iii. No. Consultants are considered subcontracts, and Subcontracts must remain under ODCs.

62 Attachment J.5 – budget template

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

a. Emerging Needs - $2,500,000 set aside for CLIN 2

i. Please advise where this amount should be included in both the summary and detail tabs.

ii. Please confirm whether this amount is inclusive of associated indirect costs and fees?

i. The $2,500,000 for CLIN 0002 does not need to be included in the detailed budget. It must be added in the figures for Section B where “TBD” is listed.

ii. The $2,500,000 for CLIN 0002 includes direct costs, indirect costs, but does not include fee.

63 Attachment J.5 – budget template

Clarification is requested on the categorization of locally based implementers’ direct labor staff for the proposal. Should a locally based organization's long-term and short-term direct labor staff based in the host country be categorized exclusively under "Local Staff," or should they be divided into "Direct Long-Term Labor" and "Direct Short-Term Labor" categories?

Staff from the host country should be included under the local staff line.

64 Attachment J.5 Budget Template:

Could USAID kindly confirm whether Offerors are able to adjust the budget template to align with the needs of their proposal and their cost accounting standards?

No. Offerors must present present costs using the budget template.

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

65 Would USAID allow for use of 8 ½ x 11 paper or A4 paper? (Ref. Section L.6 Instructions for the Preparation

Standard A4 paper is required.

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers of the Technical Proposal)

66 Would USAID consider excluding the cover page, table of contents and acronym list from the 25 page limit?

No. Page limit increased to 28.

67 On page 117, would USAID consider excluding the cover page, table of contents, and acronyms list from the 25-page limit? Alternatively, could USAID consider adding three pages to the limit to accommodate these elements?

No. Page limit increased to 28.

68 On page 117, USAID states that tables/charts/graphics can be no smaller than 10-point font. Could USAID confirm that textboxes can also be in font size 10?

No. And the language allowing tables/charts/graphics to be 10-point font has been removed. All text should be 12 point font.

69 On page 118, would USAID consider excluding the organogram from the 25-page limit and allowing it to be submitted as a one-page annex?

Alternatively, would USAID consider increasing the page limit by one page to accommodate the organogram?

No. Page limit increased to 28.

70 Will USAID consider allowing offerors to place the requested organogram in a separate Annex and not as part of the 25-page limit for formatting purposes?

No. Page limit increased to 28.

71 What are all the requirements for the three key positions?

The Offeror must propose the requirements for the identified key positions.

72 Section L.6.2 Key Personnel (p. 118) states, "The Offeror is not required to name the individuals proposed for these positions." but Section M.3.2 Key Personnel (p. 128) states, Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

"USAID will evaluate the extent to which the proposed key personnel are responsive to the requirements in the technical approach...".

a. Could USAID please confirm that offerors should propose key personnel for evaluation purposes?

b. Additionally, given that key personnel are being evaluated, would USAID kindly consider permitting offerors to include CVs for proposed key personnel as an annex in the technical proposal, exclusive of the technical proposal page limits?

a. Offerors should not propose or name key personnel for evaluation purposes.

b. Individual key personnel will not be evaluated. USAID has updated the language in section M.3 to clarify that the key personnel positions are being evaluated

73 Section L.7.3 of the RFT states: “The Offeror must provide a complete budget for the total proposed estimate cost during the period of performance, including the budgets for each major Subcontractor, by cost element utilizing the provided Excel budget template in Attachment 5.” Please confirm that budgets for subs not considered major subcontractors are not required for submission.

Confirmed, but please note the requirement for the budget narrative that “The Offeror must provide a narrative discussing the different cost elements to adequately justify the total estimated cost. Any assumptions should be clearly stated, including for security costs. The information in the narrative should be in sufficient detail to allow a complete analysis. This should include a complete breakdown of cost elements associated with each line item and those costs associated with any proposed subcontract. The cost information must include the basis of each and every cost, (e.g., current salaries, vendor quotes, market surveys, historical experience, etc.) including the fee..

74 If the Primary Contractor has no registered pass performance with USAID, is it acceptable to utilize a subcontractor’s experience for past performance?

Per L.7.7, Past performance information should be submitted for Offerors and major subcontractors.

75 Is it acceptable to submit information USAID will only evaluate past performance

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers regarding Past Performance on assistance awards as well as contracts? Should these only be included in the Past Performance Information Sheet if they are not in CPARS? How should offerors present information for awards that ARE in the CPARS system?

information on contracts and not assistance awards.

Offerors are not required to present any information for awards that are in CPARS.

USAID will retrieve the relevant CPARS records for each offeror, if any, and will evaluate accordingly.

76 In the RFP, it states offerors and major subcontractors must use the Past Performance Information Sheet to “list past performance information for itself with a cost above $10,000,000, with a period of performance falling within the last three years, and involving the delivery of Foundational Learning services in a foreign county.” Would USAID clarify how many past performance references it would like to receive?

Given that applicants/offerors could have received a large volume of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements that fit that criterion within that time period, we respectfully inquire about a limit on the number of relevant contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to be reported upon.

ALL Contracts that meet this requirement must be submitted if they are not in CPARs.

Please note that past performance information on assistance awards such as grants and cooperative agreements will not be reviewed.

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

77 If Offeror lacks relevant performance history that meets all three conditions (foreign country, foundational education, and $10M or above), how should that be indicated in the application package so that the proposal will not be deemed non responsive for omitting Attachment 4?

The Offeror may submit attachment 4 with a statement stating “not applicable.”

In accordance with section M.4 (e) of the RFP, an Offeror’s performance will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably when:

(1) The Offeror lacks relevant performance history,

(2) Information on performance is not available, or

(3) The Offeror is a member of a class of Offerors where there is provision not to rate the class against an element.

78 On page 123, Section L.7.7, paragraph 1, the RFP states:

“Offerors must not submit past performance information for contracts in CPARS” on Attachment J.4. Past Performance Information Sheet. In lieu of the Past Performance Information Sheet, should Offerors provide a list of contracts relevant to the Zambia Foundational Learning Technical Assistance Activity that are contained in the CPAR System or other information to facilitate USAID’s identification of such information?

No. USAID will retrieve the relevant CPARS records for each offeror, if any, and will evaluate accordingly.

79 Should the Past Performance Information Sheet (Attachment 4) list relevant past performance that meets some but not all three conditions listed in L7.7 (for instance, foundational learning experience in home country or foreign country experience in secondary or tertiary education)?

No. An Offeror’s performance will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably when:

(1) The Offeror lacks relevant performance history,

(2) Information on performance is not available, or

(3) The Offeror is a member of a class of Offerors where there is provision not to rate the class against an element.

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers

80 Could USAID please verify if it is sufficient to simply list the contracts in the past performance section?

Additionally, how many contracts should be included?

IAW Section L.7.7(1) the offerors must use Attachment J.4 to list the contracts not in

CPARS.

All Contracts that meet the requirements of Section L.7.7 that are not in CPARS must be included in Attachment J.4, regardless of the number.

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

81 On page 118, Section 2. Management Approach, Key Personnel: The solicitation states that offerors are not required to name individuals for key positions. However, on page 128, under Section M, Evaluation Criteria, the solicitation states:

“USAID will evaluate the extent to which the proposed key personnel are responsive to the requirements in the technical approach, possess the relevant skill sets, and the extent to which the positions logically link to the successful achievement of the technical approach.” This criterion seems to indicate that key personnel are required to be named. Would USAID consider the following modification to the criteria: “USAID will evaluate the extent to which the proposed key personnel position descriptions are responsive to the requirements in the technical approach, possess include the relevant skill sets, and the extent to which the positions logically link to the successful achievement of the technical approach.

Section M.3 has been revised to read as follows:

“USAID will evaluate the extent to which the proposed key personnel position descriptions, roles and responsibilities are responsive to the requirements in the technical approach, possess the relevant skill sets, and the extent to which the positions logically link to the successful achievement of the technical approach.

82 Under this RFP, are there any No.

Attachment J.11- Questions and Answers preference points awarded during proposal evaluation for 8(a), Woman-Owned Small Businesses, Small Businesses, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, and/or Veteran-Owned Businesses, also minority led nonprofit whether prime or major subcontractor?