C3HP HIV 72062121R00003 Questions and Answers April 2021.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) - 72062121R00003 - COMPREHENSIVE CLIENT-

CENTERED HEALTH PROGRAM – HIV AND TUBERCULOSIS (C3HP-HIV&TB) -

LOCAL

Questions and Answers From RFP

General:

1)On pg. 175 of the RFP under supporting documents, it is indicated that the Offeror must submit the following documentation to support the costs proposed by the Offeror: biographical data sheets and compensation plan. In the Q&A document Q31 (pg 6&7), the required documents are biographical data sheets/ local compensation plan and a compensation plan. Can USAID confirm that the required documents are biographical data sheets or local compensation plan and a compensation plan.

Supporting documents include biographical data sheets and local compensation and compensation plans.

2) Can USAID confirm whether the key personnel will be included in the 25-page limit for the Technical proposal as it has appeared under L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF

THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL. Does a summary of the key personnel also need to be included in the technical application if it will be submitted separately?

The Key Personnel section does not need to be resubmitted with the full Technical proposal. Past

Performance and Key Personnel information are to be submitted 14 days prior to the due date for submission of the proposals and therefore will not be submitted again with the proposals.

3) Can USAID confirm whether the past performance will be included in the 25-page limit for the Technical proposal as it has appeared under L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF

THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL. Does a summary of the past performance also need to be included in the technical application if it will be submitted separately?

The Past performance section does not need to be resubmitted with the full Technical proposal.

Past Performance and Key Personnel information are to be submitted 14 days prior to the due date for submission of the proposals and therefore will not be submitted again with the proposals.

4) Will USAID be open for offerors to work with FBOs in executing the program's activities?

USAID has no objection to using FBOs for implementing program’s activities.

Section C:

5)Under Sub-IR 1.2, it is stated that the Contractor will support CHWs to determine the need, services and location of their placement. Can USAID confirm that they would like the

Contractor to conduct workload indicator and staffing needs analysis in the regions?

The sub-IR 1.2 states that the Contractor shall collaborate with the established USAID Human

Resources for Health (HRH) mechanism in identification of HCWs needed in supported sites using evidence driven approaches and jointly co-manage the contracted facility HCWs with the

HRH Mechanism for a performance based assessment associated with their roles and responsibilities as defined. The contractor is not expected to conduct workload indicator and staffing needs analysis in the regions but rather use existing analysis done by HRH mechanism to determine need in the regions.

6)Under IR1, there are discrepancies between the indicators listed on page 24 to 26 with the indicators listed under each sub-intermediate result area. For example, the Number of MDR TB patients cured is listed on page 25 but is not listed on page 27 for Sub-IR1.1. Can USAID please confirm the list of indicators for IR1?

TB indicators include MDR TB, below is the full list of TB indicators;

1. TB_PREV (disaggregated by gender/age)

1. TB_STAT (disaggregated by gender/age)

1. TB_ART (disaggregated by gender/age)

1. Proportion of presumptive

TB specimen evaluated with molecular testing

1. Drug susceptible (DS) TB treatment success rate

1. Number of clients treated for active TB.

1. Number of MDR TB patients started on second line TB medicines

1. Number of MDR TB patients cured

7)Under IR2, there are discrepancies between the indicators listed on page 30 with the indicators listed under each sub-intermediate result area. For example, the Increase in bi-directional referral community-facility referral completion rate is listed on page 32 under sub IR 2.2 but is not listed on page 30 for IR2 overall indicators. Can USAID please confirm the list of indicators for IR2 including its sub IRs?

USAID confirms the indicators for IR2 are indicators listed on pg 30 are for the overall IR plus specific indicators for sub-IR 2.1 and 2.2 The Increased bidirectional referral is specific to sub-

IR 2.2.

8)Under IR3, there are discrepancies between the indicators listed on page 32 with the indicators listed under each sub-intermediate result area. For example, improved availability of quality assurance tools for integrated services is listed on page 33 for Sub-IR 3.1 but is not listed on page 32 for IR3 overall indicators. Can USAID please confirm the list of indicators for IR3 with respective sub IRs?

USAID confirms the indicators for IR3 are indicators listed on pg 32 for the overall IR plus specific indicators for sub-IR 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3.

9) Can USAID confirm whether offerors are allowed to add other performance indicators?

Yes, offerors can propose custom indicators.

10) Can USAID clarify inclusion of the below indicators in Sub IR 1.2 -while its scope covers

Strengthen capacity of health work force to deliver client centered services

• Increased number of clients treated for active TB.

• Increased number of TB clients cured

The RFP was amended, and the two indicators have been removed from IR 1.2 and included in

IR 1.1.

Technical: Sections L & M:

11)Could USAID consider renaming the Finance and Administration Director position to

Finance and Grants Director, given the size of the Grants component under this activity?

USAID prefers to keep the same name although we recognize Grants is a sizeable component under this contract.

12)If a current USAID prime implementing partner in Tanzania is intending to pursue this award, can the same key personnel be proposed for continuity purposes?

Existing implementing partners are welcome to propose any candidates they choose. Key personnel should be selected based on their merits as per requirements.

13) Can USAID confirm whether the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan is required as an

Appendix?

Pg 178 states that Offerors in the competitive range must submit a draft quality assurance surveillance plan to be incorporated into the performance work statement in Section C.

14)Whilst on page 36 of the RFP USAID has mentioned its intention to deploy a mission-wide third-party evaluation contractor to conduct the evaluation, Can USAID confirm whether the Contractor should budget for this external performance evaluation?

The evaluation will be funded by USAID.

15)Can USAID confirm whether they are intending to have a separate procurement for the National-level Social Behaviour Change activity? We received earlier updates from the Business

Forecast calls that this was no longer the case.

USAID will procure SBCC services from an existing USAID/Washington field support mechanism to support national level social behaviour change activities.

16)Can USAID confirm whether KP_PREV and PP_PREV indicators will be reported under IR1 for this activity?

KP activities will be implemented by another mechanism therefore KP_PREV and PP Prev indicators will not be reported under this mechanism.

17)Can USAID confirm whether the integrated FP services will be focused on HIV service delivery, and not for the general population, as we understand that there is no FP funding being provided under this activity?

USAID confirms that FP funds will not be provided for this mechanism, all FP activities will be implemented as part of FP/HIV integration.

18)Can USAID confirm whether the TB detection activities will be focused on PLHIV, and not for the general population?

Core TB activities will be provided to the general population.

19)Can USAID confirm whether cervical cancer screening activities will be provided under this award as there is no expected outcome for this activity?

Cervical cancer screening activities are part of this mechanism under IR 1 and below are the indicators included in the RFP;

1. CxCA_SCRN

2. CxCA_TX

20)Can USAID confirm whether DREAMS programming will be included under this activity?

DREAMS programming is not included in this activity.

21)Can USAID confirm whether the procurement is GeneXpert cartridges is included in this activity?

Procurement of medical commodities are done under a USAID central mechanism, however the contractor for this mechanism might need to provide resources whenever there is a gap in

GeneXpert cartridge availability.

22) One of the performance measuring standards for intermediate result area 3 includes a number of CSOs and Private sector entities receiving USG support actively working to improve the quality of TB/HIV services delivery, including the use of quality data for decision-making.

However, the Q&A number 27 has indicated that 'USAID does not intend to work with the private sector using this mechanism given the business model of the private facilities'. Can

USAID clarify whether contracts are expected to engage with private sector?

The contractor is not expected to engage with private sector, the contractor can engage with

FBO and CBOs.

23) Are contractors expected to plan for and budget for the anticipated CHW rebranding efforts?

This activity is expected to work with community health workers and support rebranding efforts by GoT.

24) Are contractors expected to design net new regional SBC campaigns / platforms or use / adapt what has already been developed under Tulonge Afya and related SBC initiatives?

This mechanism is not expected to reinvent the wheel on SBC but rather adapt and or use relevant materials already developed by Tulonge Afya.

25) Can USAID confirm Ruvuma will not implement TB core services?

Ruvuma will implement TB core services.

26) Can USAID confirm C3HP will continue having only 2 KVP regions as current UBASZ-

Iringa and Ruvuma or will it have more regions?

C3HP will not implement KP activities, another mechanism will be responsible for KP interventions.

27) Can USAID confirm whether the scope will cover the HIV Prevention for KPs and AGWYs as there are no performance monitoring indicators included i.e KP Prev and PP Prev

This mechanism will not cover KP or AGWY interventions.

28)Will the FP scope target PLHIV only (FP/HIV integration) or is expected to cover the gen population? (FP performance indicators included which are non-PEPFAR)-i.e Number of clients accepting a modern family planning method (Disaggregated by Sex, Age (10-14, 15-19, 20-24, or 25+), Contraceptive method, Type of user (new or continuing) and Type of service(routine or outreach)

This mechanism will only target PLHIV for FP/HIV. The RFP was amended and these indicators beyond FP/HIV have been removed: Number of clients accepting a modern family planning method (Disaggregated by Sex, Age (10-14, 15-19, 20-24, or 25+), Contraceptive method, Type of user (new or continuing) and Type of service(routine or outreach).

29) Nutrition support and outcome is an Intermediate Result within the CDCS 2020 – 2025 (IR

1.2 – Household nutrition and health outcomes improved), and again Household Nutrition outcome is included as Key component of the Goal of C3HP, can USAID clarify whether the

Contractor will be required to implement some nutrition interventions as part of the scope

Comprehensive HIV and TB management include nutrition integration. Nutrition monitoring activities will be provided under HIV and TB interventions.

30) Will the contractor be required to provide above site technical, material assistance, administrative and management support to the GOT-MOHCDGEC and PORALG or the support will only start at the level of local government authorities (regional and districts levels, health facilities and communities)?

This mechanism will provide above site technical support through attending a national level technical working group. Material assistance will be provided at the implementation level with local government authorities.

31) Whereas the acronym list of the RFP has defined MOHCDGEC as 'Ministry of Health

Community development, Gender, Elderly and Children', we noted misalignment on page 16 of the RFP under the introduction section paragraph one which states: Ministry of Health and

Social Welfare, Elderly and Children (MOHCDGEC). Can USAID make the right alignments

The RFP was amended to correct the title.

32) Is it flexible for the annual delivery targets to be under 25% for the first quarter?

This mechanism is expected to pick up from the previous mechanism implementing the same activities and therefore expected to implement and achieve results by the first quarter.

Cost:

33)Does USAID have a preferred escalation rate (factor) for personnel and other direct costs?

Each offeror has to propose their own escalation factors based on their own market research. USAID will not provide this information to offerors.

34) Can USAID confirm the conditions under which DBA Insurance is required for the local award?

Work on contracts approved and funded by the U.S. under the Foreign Assistance Act, which includes USAID, is applicable if the contract is performed outside of the United States

35) Can USAID confirm that it is acceptable for the Contractor to allocate funding to develop, launch and maintain a third-party Website, as stated on page 66?

USAID does not expect the contractor to have a third-party website.

36) Whilst USAID requires the contractor to conduct periodic vulnerability scans on third party websites as stated on page 67, Can USAID confirm that it is acceptable for the Contractor to allocate funding to conduct periodic vulnerability scans?

USAID does not expect the contractor to have a third-party website.

37) Will USAID approve the use of burdened rates for short term staff inclusive of salaries, fringe benefits, general and administrative and overhead costs for each particular staff/staff level? Or does USAID expect the bidders to include a breakdown of each specific cost items as separate line items within the budget including fringe benefits and other direct costs relating short term staff similar to the details provided for Long Term Staff?

Offerors should follow the guidance in Section L.10 Cost Proposals - Consultants of the RFP while considering the applicable cost principle as defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation or 2 CFR 200 depending on the type of your organization.

38)For the local activity, would USAID consider reducing the technical effort threshold for a major subcontractor to 10%, given the size of local organizations in Tanzania?

The RFP was amended to lower the threshold for past performance from 20% to 10%.

39) For the USD 39M Grants Under Contract, can it be claimed in advance?

Offerors may propose to receive advances to cover costs associated with Grants under Contract, but must provide a justification for such a request. USAID policy states “when a contractor is authorized to award grants on behalf of USAID, the contractor shall not be expected to provide advances to the grantees with its own funds.” Certain advances to for-profit contractors will require the approval of USAID’s Senior Procurement Executive based in Washington, DC.

40) In order to kick-off, can we claim on Monthly basis?

The allowable cost and payment clause FAR 52.216-7 has all the information regarding frequency of invoices and USAID’s obligations to pay - https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.216- 7 . Please review all clauses in the RFP to be sure you understand all terms and conditions.

41) Is there any planned orientation for the local partners with regard to Contract mechanism?

At this time, we do not have an orientation planned for offerors, however, the CO will orient the successful offeror after award.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.216-7 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.216-7