Response to Questions for RFQ 72061321Q00001.pdf

March 12, 2021

Subject: Response to Questions on RFQ 72061321Q00001

Dear Potential Offerors, Please find the responses for Questions submitted on Private Sector Landscape Analysis (PSLA)

Question 1: Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing these services, if similar services have been performed in the past, or if this is a new requirement. If this is a follow-on requirement, could you please provide the previous contract or task order number?

Response: There is no incumbent contractor for this activity. This is a new requirement and this will be the first PSLA for Zimbabwe. Globally, USAID has supported a number of PSLAs and some reports can be found on the USAID’s Development Experience Clearing House web page.

However, PSLAs are country and context specific.

Question 2: Please confirm if investment facilitation is considered as part of the targeted PSE initiatives under the Local Works Zimbabwe Youth Program and/or the Country Development Cooperation Strategy. If so, please kindly provide guidance on what typical transaction sizes or target investment amounts are envisaged?

Response: Investment facilitation is not currently part of the targeted PSE initiatives under the Local Works Zimbabwe Youth Program. Investment facilitation might be necessary in the near future, during the actual implementation of the program. This PSLA is an input into the design of the program as detailed in the RFQ. The Mission expects to deepen PSE in the current and future CDCSs by consulting, strategizing, aligning, collaborating, and implementing with the private sector for greater scale, sustainability, and effectiveness of development outcomes. This PSLA is the first of many steps the Mission will undertake to gain a better and deeper understanding of the sector context including available players, current and future priorities, existing opportunities and challenges.

Question 3: Please clarify on the role sought for a local entity under the RFQ, noting that the RFQ states on p.2 that USAID/Zimbabwe “seeks the services of a local entity”. Please clarify if there is an expectation/requirement that a local entity will lead a consortium, or meet a minimum budget threshold in order for proposals to be considered?

Response: According to ADS 302.3.5.17 Limitation on Subcontracting to Non-Local Entities (July 2014) in Attachment 4 of the RFQ, it is possible for a local company to partner with a non-local partner or form a consortium with non-local entities. However, the contract will be with a firm that meets the definition of a local entity. In other words, the non-local partner cannot be the prime contractor. Furthermore, at least 50% of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel must be expended for employees of the prime/local entity.

Question 4: Please clarify the definition of a local entity, i.e. would local subsidiaries, field offices or field staff of regional/international firms qualify as local?

Response:

Please refer to ATTACHMENT 4: REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS ADS

302.3.5.17 Limitation on Subcontracting to Non-Local Entities (July 2014) for the definition of local entity. It defines a local entity as an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that:

a) Is legally organized under the laws of;

b) Has as its principal place of business or operations in

c) Is majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of; and

d) Is managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the country in which this contract will be primarily performed.

In general, local subsidiaries of international organizations would not meet this definition of a local entity because they are owned and/or managed by the international organization.

Question 5: Please clarify if the three roles identified for key personnel need to be separate individuals or if these could be provided by fewer than three individuals with the respective experience?

Response: USAID developed this requirement with these three positions as separate individuals, albeit with varying levels of effort under this contract. However, USAID/Zimbabwe recognizes that it is possible that one individual could perform more than one of these duties.

Should an Offeror opt to have one individual occupying more than one of these roles, the offeror must clearly articulate its personnel and management structure to ensure that there is robust leadership, oversight and skillsets for attainment of the stated objectives.

Question 6: Please kindly provide guidance on the envisaged budget or budget ceiling

Response: The estimated budget range for this is between $80,000 and $120,000.

Question 7: Is it possible for a local company to partner with a non-local partner on this project, and if the non-local partner can lead.

Response: See response to Question 3.

Sincerely, J. Zeb Simpson Contracting Officer