C3HP-HIV TB RFP Q and A.pdf

COMPREHENSIVE CLIENT-CENTERED HEALTH PROGRAM – HIV AND

TUBERCULOSIS (C3HP-HIV&TB) RFP No. 72062121R00003

Questions and Answers From RFP

SECTION B:

1) Regarding Section B.5 Indirect Rates (Page 13), could USAID please confirm that we should not include Fringe Rate ceiling rates if those are part of the organization NICRA?

If Fringe Rates are part of the organization’s NICRA, it must be included in the ceiling rates.

SECTION C – PWS

2) Per Section C.4, page 22, "The contractor will use PEPFAR funds to provide FP/HIV integration services and FP funds to provide family planning services beyond HIV/FP integration in regions of Dodoma, Manyara and Arusha. Does this mean that the project should focus on FP/HIV integrations services across all regions?

Yes, the project will provide FP/HIV services in all regions, and in addition provide FP services in Dodoma, Manyara and Arusha.

3) Under Result 3, Performance Standard #3 includes “private sector entities receiving USG support.” According to the answer to question 47 of the draft RFP Q&A, “USAID does not intend to work with the private sector using this mechanism given the business model of private facilities.” Would USAID please confirm that the private sector entities referred to in Result 3 of the RFP refer to faith-based facilities? Could USAID provide other examples?

Private entities include Civil society organizations, Faith based organizations and community based organizations.

4) Would USAID find it allowable for a subcontractor to manage several small grants to second-tier subgrantees via grants under contract mechanism?

There should not be second tier subgrantees. Therefore a subcontractor should not be managing the Grants. GUC is not a flow down to a subcontract. The prime is responsible for issuing and managing the GUCs under the award.

USAID must be significantly involved in establishing the selection criteria and must approve the recipients. This cannot happen in the scenario in the question, as there is no relationship between USAID and a subcontractor.

5) Will the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation be the hiring mechanism for facility HCWs supported by C3HP? If so, will costs associated with recruitment, hiring, and management be accounted for under C3HP HIV&TB? If so, will funds flow from C3HP to Benjamin Mkapa or will C3HP fund positions directly?

USAID HRH award/Bejamin Mkapa Foundation will work closely with the C3HP HIV&TB award to identify additional HRH needs for the project and deploy them on behalf of the project. The cost for deployment of additional health facility staff will be borne by Benjamin Mkapa foundation mechanism, no funds will flow from C3HP to Mkapa foundation.

6) Per Section C.4, page 22, "The contractor will use PEPFAR funds to provide FP/HIV integration services and FP funds to provide family planning services beyond HIV/FP integration in regions of Dodoma, Manyara and Arusha. Does this mean that the project should focus on FP/HIV integrations services across all regions?

The project will provide FP/HIV services in all regions using PEPFAR funds, and in addition provide stand alone FP services in Dodoma, Manyara and Arusha using FP funds.

7) Under Result 3, Performance Standard #3 includes “private sector entities receiving USG support.” According to the answer to question 47 of the draft RFP Q&A, “USAID does not intend to work with the private sector using this mechanism given the business model of private facilities.” Would USAID please confirm that the private sector entities referred to in Result 3 of the RFP refer to faith-based facilities? Could USAID provide other examples?

Private entities include Civil society organizations, Faith based organizations and community based organizations.

8) The RFP states that submissions may include numerous Grants under Contract to provide behavior change communication services at the community level (Category B). Can USAID clarify the GUCs mechanism may be used for local partners who are implementing significant portions of the scope of work in line with Category B but do not have systems and policies that are fully compliant with the Federal Acquisition Regulations?

The GUCs to be engaged under the award must be fully compliant with the requirements of 2 CFR 200 and Standard Provisions for US and Non-US Organizations.

9) With reference to Sub IR 1.2 Strengthen Capacity of HCWs as described on Page 27, can

USAID elaborate on the type of incentive expected given salary supplementation restrictions on allowances/stipends?

Incentives mentioned include allowances for work done during off hours and weekend and transport allowances to support project activities beyond their working hours.

10) In Figure 2 on page 21, sub-IR 2.1 is worded differently from how it is worded in section C.5, starting on page 29. Should the wording in Figure 2 be considered the final wording for this sub-IR?

The wording has been revised to align the Results Framework I.R 2.1 with the wording in section C.5.

11) Performance Standard #2 under sub-IR 2.2 (page 31) is not an indicator of community support or norms related to health-seeking behaviors but rather an indicator of community engagement in the monitoring of health services. Should this indicator instead be included as a performance standard for sub-IR 3.2, which includes activities to “facilitate community and facilities collaboration to ensure quality improvement in HIV&TB care”?

The mandatory result has been revised to reflect performance indicators; Improved community support for healthy behaviours. Implementation of community score cards is intended to measure engagement and support for healthy behaviors.

12) Similarly, Performance Standard #3 under sub-IR 2.2 (page 31) is not an indicator of community support or norms related to health-seeking behaviors but rather an indicator of the impact of referral systems. Should this indicator instead be included as a performance standard under IR 1, which indicates that the contractor must “strengthen bi-directional linkages and referrals within and between health facilities and the community service delivery structures”?

The mandatory result has been revised to reflect performance indicators; Improved community support for healthy behaviours. Bi-directional linkage is intended to measure community support in improving health behaviors.

SECTIONS L&M

Technical:

13) Please confirm whether this key personnel requirement: "Description of how each candidate’s experience maps to the minimum required skills (no more than 1 page)" means 1 page per candidate or 1 page in total for all 4 candidates.

No more than one page per candidate. This has been reflected in the RFP

14) Can USAID please confirm that the Performance in Using Small Business Concerns sub section under Factor 3 Past Performance is to be submitted as an annex, and is not part of the 25 page limit?

The requirement under Factor 3(d)(3)(A) - “Narrative summary of your organization's use of small business concerns” must be included in the technical narrative and counts towards the 25 page limit. However, the requirement under Factor 3(d)(3)(B) - Supplementary narrative summary on use of small business concerns must be submitted as an annex and does not count towards the 25 page limit.

15) Section L.9(1), page 172, says “Information submitted over 25 pages will not be evaluated." However, USAID now allows for annexes that include “MEL Plan, supplementary narrative summary on use of small business concerns, and charts." Can USAID please confirm that the information contained within these annexes will be evaluated so long as they are referenced in the technical narrative?

They will be evaluated if they are required to address the evaluation criteria. The annexes do not count towards the 25-page limit.

16) Could USAID please confirm how they would like to receive the Key Personnel and Performance documents due April 9th, as individual files or one combined PDF?

Offeror can submit this as individual files.

17) Given that the Past Performance and Key Personnel sections need to be submitted by April 9, 2021, can USAID confirm that these sections are not to be resubmitted with the full technical proposal on April 23rd?

Past Performance and Key Personnel sections do not need to be resubmitted with the full Technical proposal.

18) The requested key personnel information for four key personnel and past performance information exceed 30 pages. As such, is it correct that the 25 page limit applies only to the Technical Understanding and Approach, Approach to Country Ownership and Collaboration, a brief overview of staffing and corporate capabilities?

Yes, this is correct. Key personnel information for four key personnel and past performance are to be submitted 14 days prior to the due date due for submission of the proposals and therefore will not be submitted again with the proposals and do not count against the 25 page limit.

19) Could USAID clarify the expected annexes to be included with the proposal? Past

Performance Information and Key Personnel are referenced as an annex on the cover page of the RFP, however they are not listed among expected annexes on page 173.

Past Performance and Key Personnel information are to be submitted 14 days prior to the due date due for submission of the proposals and therefore will not be submitted again with the proposals. This has been clarified on the cover page.

20) Could USAID please clarify the number of past performance information reference sheets required for each major subcontractor?

As stated in the RFP. Two past performance information reference sheets are required for each major subcontractor.

21) With reference to the budget narrative requirements on Page 179, can USAID confirm that a brief description is required for all proposed positions including junior administrative functions?

The brief description is required for only the key personnel.

22) Are we to include any narrative about Factor 4 (key personnel) in the technical application or is the package submitted two weeks earlier all that you expect?

In the technical narrative, Offerors must address the evaluation criteria pertaining to Key Personnel as required in section M.

Cost:

23) If that large of a grant is allowable, would a PPR be required as a sub-grantee as opposed to a sub-contractor?

USAID envision smaller sized grants to support the work for these mechanisms. GUC is not expected to perform a large proportion of the contractor’s work.

24) Might a proposed grant under contract be valued at $10-$20 Million or does USAID envision smaller-sized grants as part of this mechanism?

USAID envision smaller sized grants to support the work for these mechanisms. GUC is not expected to perform a large proportion of the contractor’s work.

25) Can USAID confirm whether this contract allows procurements of commodities and/or equipment for HIV, TB, and/or family planning?

Commodities will not be procured through this mechanism however equipment that are necessary for implementation of HIV, TB and FP services can be procured.

26) Per Section L.10.5(k) regarding fixed fee, USAID provides an illustrative fee schedule that mainly includes outcomes as examples, which are similar to the examples in the performance-based payment schedule. At the same time, the column heading for the fixed fee schedule says "deliverables/ outputs/ outcomes." Can USAID please confirm that offerors can use the deliverables listed in Section F.4 in the fee schedule? Additionally, would USAID please consider a portion of the fee as fixed, such as 25%, as only a portion of fee is associated with contract performance per FAR 15.404-4(d)?

Fixed fee schedule should not include items from section F.4. A portion of the Fixed will will not be fixed. Deliverables are expected to be fully submitted and met by the Offeror to receive the full Fixed Fee.

27) Could USAID confirm that the documents listed on page 187 (Biographical Data Sheets, Compensation Plan, Organizational Chart, and Policies and Procedures, Letters of Commitment, and Joint Venture Information) are required at the time of proposal submission and are considered part of the cost proposal and therefore not subject to page limits?

Cost proposal has no page limit. Or count toward the 25 page limit of the technical proposal. These are submitted as annexes at time of proposal submission

General:

28) Would USAID kindly consider extending the submission date to Friday, April 30 due to 4 public holidays in Tanzania during the proposal period? The holidays are: March 26 for the burial of President Magufuli, April for 2 Good Friday, April 5 for Easter Monday, and April 7 for Karume Day.

The submission deadline is extended to April 30th and is reflected in the RFP Amendment.

29) With reference to Attachment J.6. and available equipment for the successful offeror, can

USAID clarify the year of purchase of the vehicles to ascertain their expected lifespan during the contract period of performance?

Revised equipment inventory is provided with the year of purchase of the vehicles.

30) Could USAID clarify whether the Environmental Review Form (ERF) must be completed by the Contractor before issuing sub-contract(s)?

Yes, If a ERF is required. It must be completed and approved before any subcontract is issued.

31) Could USAID provide Attachment J.13: Environmental Review Form (ERF)?

The ERF was included as part of the attached documents of the RFP as attachment J.13.

32) Can USAID clarify whether the branding implementation and marking plan is expected to be submitted with the Offeror’s proposal (as indicated on page 43 under the "Exceptions/Situational Branding" which says "the branding and marking plan submitted with the Offeror's proposal will be negotiated....") or it is expected to be submitted upon receiving notification from the Contracting Officer (as indicated on page 190 under section L.16)?

As stated in section L.16, draft Branding Implementation Plan and Marking plans will be submitted by those offerors in the competitive range.

33) Can USAID clarify whether the Offeror may include additional annexes, such as letters of support, other than those required in the RFP?

Offerors may submit additional annexes, but they are not required. Additional annex beyond what is required by the RFP, will not be evaluated as part of the offeror's proposal. If included, they can be submitted as annexes.

34) For budgeting purposes, should we use October 1 as the start date for this proposed activity?

The expected award date is on the business forecast.

35) In your pre-sol Qs and As, you state in Question 97 “biographical data sheets are required for all individuals to be sent outside of the U.S., including contractor employees and consultants.” Does that also include all US-based subcontractor employees?

No, the requirement does not include US-based subcontractors.

36) In your response to Q.62 of the presol, you state “Management and staffing plan is not required for the technical evaluation.” While a stand-alone annex/plan is not required, do you still want to see a section in the technical narrative on how we plan to manage the implementation of our technical design?

Management plan as part of technical design is welcome and will be evaluated as technical design.

37) The proposal schedule you have set is quite ambitious. Given that Tanzania observes three holidays during this period and knowing you would want responses to be solidly grounded in local inputs, will you consider extending the submission deadline?

The submission date is extended to April 30th and is reflected in the RFP Amendment.

38) Is a security plan required to be developed during the start-up phase?

Not a requirement.

39) Does USAID have a specific Strategic Information platform they want the Offeror to employ?

USAID does not have a specific SI platform for the offerors.

40) In section F.4 regarding reporting, deliverables, and outputs, due dates listed include ‘business days’, ‘calendar days’ and ‘work days’. Can USAID confirm that the due dates for deliverables are expected in ‘business days’ to allow for alignment with offeror workday and work week policies?

The reports due dates are calendar days.

41) Section F.3 references section H.34. However, there is no section H.34 included in the package. Can USAID clarify if this should this reference H.32?

Correct. This should be referenced as H.32. It has been corrected in the RFP amendment.

[END]