Questions and Answers.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NUMBER: 72062124R00012

PMI MBU (MOSQUITOES) PROJECT

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

NUMBER QUESTION ANSWER

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1 Would USAID consider allowing a two-week extension of the proposal period? The questions submission date does not allow much time between responses from USAID and proposal submission.

Solicitation Deadline date has been extended by 7 days to September 16, 2024. Page 2 of the Solicitation

2 Could USAID provide an estimated project start date for use in the budget and Cost Volume?

The Estimated Project Start date is April 2025 and it will be implemented for a period of five years from the start date.

3 Can USAID provide the current local compensation plan for Tanzania?

USAID/Tanzania will not be sharing the mission Local Compensation Plan (LCP).

However, the LCP range of a 40-hour workweek for USAID Local Engaged Staff/Foreign Service National levels is between Tanzania Shillings 18,606,285 to 288,772,136 per annum.

4 Is this a brand new contract or there is an incumbent performing these services, if there is please provide the current/previous contract number?

Johns Hopkins University is the incumbent contractor currently implementing the PMI Vector Control Project with contract Number 72062120C00001.

5 Please clarify the project start date. Refer to response in question 2 above.

6 We ask that USAID extend the submission deadline by 15 days.

Refer to response in question 1 above.

7 Would USAID consider extending the submission deadline for this proposal?

Refer to response in question 1 above.

8 Can USAID please clarify the estimated start and end date of the project?

Refer to response in question 2 above.

9 Would USAID consider extending the proposal deadline to allow applicant’s sufficient time to incorporate USAID’s responses to questions into their applications?

Refer to response in question 1 above.

10 Would USAID kindly share the most recent Local Compensation Plan

Refer to response in question 3 above.

11 What is the expected cost ceiling or range for this project? In accordance with Agency Policy i.e. ADS 302.3.5.7, Contracting Officers are prohibited from including estimated cost ranges (ceilings) in solicitations for cost-reimbursement term (LOE) contracts.

12 Would USAID consider extending the deadline for receipt of proposals to September 23, 2024, to allow for the US Labor Day holiday and for sufficient time to address any changes as a result of responses to questions?

Refer to response in question 1 above.

13 Could USAID provide an overall budget ceiling or budget range

Refer to response in question 11 above.

SECTION B

14 Page 10, section B.3 states that “The estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is [$TBD]. The fixed fee, if any, is [$TBD]. The estimated cost-plus-fixed-fee, if any, is [$TBD].” Can USAID provide a ceiling for the PMI Mbu Project?"

Refer to response in question 11 above.

15 In section B of the solicitation, offerors are not instructed to provide indirect cost ceilings; can USAID please confirm that offerors do not need to provide indirect cost ceilings in their submissions?

Page 11 of the Solicitation has been amended to add Section B.7 to instruct offerors to provide indirect cost ceilings.

16 Please confirm whether indirect rate ceilings are required Refer response in question 15 above.

SECTION C

17 In Section C.5.4 under Objective 1: Health Facility

Distribution, can USAID clarify if distribution using facility-based channels will apply to all regions and district councils of Mainland Tanzania? If not, can USAID indicate which regions and districts will receive support for distribution?

Health Facility ITN Distribution is for Zanzibar only. For more information visit www.pmi.gov see Zanzibar MOP FY2024

18 In Section C.5.4 under Objective 4, USAID/Tanzania anticipates that the transition of insecticide-treated mosquito net distribution to the Mainland Medical Store Department(MSD) and Zanzibar Central Medical Store (CMS) will be starting in Year 2 of project implementation. Does USAID anticipate that the selected contractor would engage in a parastatal subcontract with MSD and CMS?

It is not anticipated that the selected contractor will be engaging MSD and CMS as subcontractors.

19 Section C.5.3. Could USAID please provide the following documents not accessible online:

Referenced documents have now been provided as Attachment J. 11 http://www.pmi.gov

a. Draft-Zanzibar Malaria Strategic Plan (2023-2027)

b. Draft-Zanzibar Social and Behavior Change Strategy for Malaria Interventions (2023-2027) and J.12 on the solicitation amendment.

20 C.6 Statement of Work, (c) Description of Functional Activities and Tasks, iv. Foster Public-Private Partnerships to support ITN distribution. The last bullet states that partnerships should be established with local cement factories to utilize their high-temperature incineration process to dispose of used ITNs safely. Could USAID provide further information on this? Does this consider reverse logistics for used ITNs

USAID is looking forward to reviewing proposed innovation or approaches using Public - Private Partnership for bed net disposal.

21 Will USAID be implementing a G2G for ITNs distributed through CMS and or MSD?

USAID is yet to make a determination on the type of mechanism that will be used for the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets by the Medical Store Department(MSD) and Zanzibar Central Medical Store (CMS).

22 Should project interventions cover all 14 PMI regions in Tanzania Mainland? or are there other considerations?

Geographic locations will be determined annually depending on ITN access levels in high malaria burden regions in mainland.

23 The latest Zanzibar Malaria Strategic Plan includes an additional channel for ITN distribution–the community channel to target hotspots and high-risk populations. Is USAID considering supporting this channel?

Any proposed approach should follow WHO Guidance, PMI Strategic plan, PMI Technical guidance, and ZAMEP/NMCP Strategic Plans.

24 C.7.3, pages 29-30: “The design process for Malaria Vector Control Activity is informed by the Gender analysis report Prevention of Malaria through Vector control Activity completed in 2022.” Clicking the link for the gender analysis report leads to a Google Drive file where one needs to request access. Could USAID provide the gender analysis report in an attachment?

Referenced document has now been provided as Attachment J.13 in the solicitation amendment.

25 On page 27, under IR 4.2, the RFP states “Establishing partnerships with local institutions to implement activities to the greatest extent possible, linking them with NMCPs and other national and regional partners to strengthen collaboration among community stakeholders.” Can USAID please confirm the definition of “local institutions”?

For this Solicitation a Local institution is defined as an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that-

1) Is legally organized under the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania; and

2) Has as its principal place of business or operations in the United Republic of Tanzania; and

3) Is A.Majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Tanzania;

and B. Managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United Republic of Tanzania, For purposes of this definition, ‘majority owned’ and ‘managed by’ include, without limitation, beneficiary interests and the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exercisable, to control the election, appointment, or tenure of the organization's managers or a majority of the organization's governing body by any means.

26 Objective 3, listed on page 25, has only one entomological indicator. Can USAID confirm if the Offeror is able to propose additional entomological indicators in the MEL framework?

Yes, USAID confirms that Offerors are able to propose additional entomological indicators in the MEL framework.

27 Will USAID allow Operations Research to be included in activities?

Operational Research should not be included in the activities.

28 Would USAID please define the intended geographic scope of the PMI Mbu Project?

This is a nationwide project (Both Zanzibar and Mainland). Specific geographic locations will be annually determined depending on ITN access levels in high malaria burden regions in mainland.

29 Page 22, 1ii: The RFP’s activities include “Use the latest data and approaches to determine the quantity of ITNs needed to maintain population ITN access at target levels of 80%, and tailor the quantifier at a sub-national level to

The RFP scope used the ITNs target level as per Tanzania National Malaria Strategic Plan 2021 - 2025 sub section under Malaria Vector Control Strategy.

the demographic profile and net durability profile.” Could USAID please clarify why this differs from the 85% that is PMI guidelines? Further, why does this percentage differ from the 50% target for mass replacement campaigns listed in 1i ?

30 Page 24, 2ii: Could USAID please clarify how the two activities listed under this sub-objective differ from each other? “ Conduct advocacy meetings to solicit commitments from national and sub-national political, community, traditional, and religious leaders and private sector to participate in ITN [and other vector control tool] distribution activities” vs “ Solicit commitments from national and sub-national political, community, traditional, and religious leaders and private sector for contributions to ITN [and other vector control tool] distribution activities, including SBC”. Are these duplicate activities?

Yes. These are duplicative activities. Page number 23 of the Solicitation has been amended to remove the duplication.

31 Page 24: Under Objective 2, the RFP requires that the Offeror’s activities include “Providing data on the internal, social, and structural factors that influence ITN acquisition, use, and care” (2iii) and “Using quantitative data collection approaches described in 1iii above to monitor changes in intermediate outcomes (internal, social, and structural factors that influence ITN acquisition, use, and care) and behavioral outcomes (ITN acquisition, use, and care) of SBC activities “(2iiii). Does USAID anticipate that the surveys to gather this data will be administered by the Mbu project?

No, surveys will be carried out under this project. The Offerors should define the type of the available data to propose meaningful approaches.

32 Page 25 (2iii) : the RFP indicates “Use of digitization as appropriate, building on previous USAID investments to further strengthen the Government of Tanzania’s digital systems for management and accountability.” Does USAID mean digital systems for SBC management and accountability?

USAID proposes the use of the digital system where efficiencies, and accountability can be improved.

33 Page 25, 3i: Could USAID confirm that it would like the offeror to conduct durability monitoring under the activities suggested for Objective 3?

Offerors will not be required to conduct durability monitoring under Objective 3.

34 On page 27, section C.6.1 of the RFP includes some indicators that appear to be deliverables, such as:

● Quantification/Forecasting: annual forecasts including a narrative of the methodology used.

● Assessment of local vector susceptibility to insecticides or larvicides, on at least an annual basis

USAID confirms that Offerors must meet the indicators within the LOE and Offerors may add more useful indicators.

Can USAID confirm that this list is illustrative, and that offerors may revise the list as needed to include in the MEL plan annex?

35 Can you specify the number of bednets to be distributed per year and over the 5-year project period? Where will bednets be distributed?

This is a nationwide project (Both Zanzibar and Mainland). Specific geographic locations and quantities will be annually determined depending on ITN access levels in high malaria burden regions in mainland.USAID encourages Offerors to review previous Tanzania and Zanzibar MOPs (www.pmi.gov) to understand the quantities and locations for the previous years.

36 Please clarify the number of entomological monitoring sites given the TWG recommends 60.

Offerors should propose cost effective entomological monitoring systems/sites without jeopardizing data quality for decision making.

37 Are there targets or required results associated with the four project objectives?

Section C 1.6 Results has provided results for the four objectives.

38 Can USAID confirm if the regions with high to moderate malaria burdens are the priority regions for program implementation?

Geographic locations will be annually determined depending on ITN access levels in high malaria burden regions.

39 The latest Zanzibar Malaria Strategic Plan includes an additional channel for ITN distribution–the community channel to target hotspots and high-risk populations. Is USAID considering supporting this channel?

Any proposed approach should follow WHO Guidance, PMI Strategic plan, PMI Technical guidance, and ZAMEP/NMCP Strategic Plans.

40 No specific geographic regions are listed in the RFP. Can USAID please confirm whether applicants should plan for activities to occur in the current PMI focus regions throughout the project's life?

Geographic locations will be annually determined depending on ITN access levels in high malaria burden regions.

SECTION F

41 Could USAID please clarify estimated LOE between

Section F.8 and Section L.8 and confirm per year or total project?

The Estimated Level of Effort (LOE) of 24,700 days is for five years. Solicitation has been amended to include the correct information on page 45 under Section F.8.

http://www.pmi.gov

42 In Section F.6 Key Personnel, USAID lists “Certified Public Accountant or ACCA is required” as a minimum requirement for the finance and administration director’s role. Whilethese qualifications are useful for effective project accounting, this position is focused on overseeing all aspects of budgeting, financial management, and reporting. Would USAID consider revising this to a preferred requirement, or consider candidates with additional years of experience in similar roles on donor funded projects in lieu of the CPA or ACCArequirement?

Minimum requirements for a position of Director of Finance and Administration remain unchanged under the solicitation.

43 Is the LOE table on RFP page 46, Section F.8 the required template for presenting LOE in the Cost Proposal (see page 148). If so, please define Expats and clarify the difference between Expats under Long Term Technical Assistance and US Nationals under Short Term Technical Assistance. Should we indicate LOE by nationality in the proposal.

The Level of Effort (LOE) table under Section F.8 is not a required template for presenting LOE in the Cost Proposal. Offerors may submit an alternative LOE table based on their technical approach.

44 Given the emphasis on localization, would USAID consider revising the requirements for the Chief of Party position by lowering the number of senior level management experience years and/or defining USAID’s expectations of senior level management experience?

Refer to the response in question 42 above.

45 Can USAID kindly confirm that the Finance and Administration Director LOE is not counted towards the 24,700 LOE days estimate provided by USAID, given the position is primarily responsible for administrative and financial management of the project?

Finance and Administration Director LOE is counted towards the 24,700 LOE days for five years.

46 Page 42, section F.5 states that, under “Consultant Reports and other Technical Reports, The Contractor must provide not more than 5 pages copies of all short and long term STTA, technical reports and datasets including analyses, policy recommendations, comparative studies, etc. to the COR.” Can USAID please clarify what is meant by “copies of all short and long term STTA?

On Page 41 of the solicitation the language has been amended to read “The Contractor must provide not more than 5 pages copies of all short and long term STTA technical reports and datasets including analyses, policy recommendations, comparative studies, etc. to the

COR.”

47 Some organizations provide paid time off (PTO) to employees as part of their fringe benefits. For budgeting purposes, the productive days will be included as part of

When the Offeror prepares an LOE table, only 250 productive days should be included.

the salary costs, while the PTO cost is captured under the fringe benefits rate. For example: Assuming a full-time working year is 260 days and PTO is 10 days, the LOE for a full-time staff under the salary section will reflect 250 days (260 -10). When Offerors prepare an LOE table (to calculate the estimated total labor of 24,700 days) as required under the RFP in section F.8 page 46, what number of days shall the LOE table reflect given the example above? Only the 250 productive days, or the total full-time LOE of 260 days including PTO?

48 On pages 46 (section F.8) and 148 (section L.8.4) the RFP provides estimates for the total days of LOE. Please confirm that the reference on page 148 is a typo and that the LOE estimate should be 24,700 LOE days per year.

Refer to the response in question 41 above.

SECTION H

49 In Section H.7, it says “Initial salaries of cooperating country nationals (CCNs) unless the proposed salary exceeds the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in Tanzania as determined by the USAID Mission.” Can USAID please provide the Mission’s most up to date Local Compensation Plan?

Refer to the response in question 3 above.

50 Could USAID please share the most recent FSN scale for Tanzania so we can ensure salaries are aligned “to the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in Tanzania, as determined by USAID,” per page 55, section H.7 of the RFP?

Refer to the response in question 3 above.

51 On page 61, section H.17, we note that per AAPD 16-02 Revision 5, this special contract requirement has been replaced with the new AIDAR clause at 752.239-70.

Could USAID confirm and update as necessary?

Pages 60-61 of the Solicitation has been amended to remove Section H.17 and at the same time adding AIDAR 752.239-70 under Section I.

52 Can USAID confirm that Offerors should submit Information to Support Consent to Subcontract for proposed subcontractors, in accordance with FAR 52.244-2 and H.11, and that information should be included in the Cost Proposal? This will ensure proposed subcontractors are approved through the contract

Yes, Offerors are allowed to submit Information to Support Consent to Subcontract for proposed subcontractors under their cost proposals, in accordance with FAR 52.244-2 and H.11.

53 On page 55, section H.7 of the RFP includes: The Contractor must submit its compensation plan covering all proposed initial salaries and salary ranges and the Contractor’s fringe benefit package along with a description of how cost of living and/or merit-based increases are calculated for all positions for the Contracting Officer’s review.” As there is no mention of the compensation plan in the Section L.8 Cost Proposal Instructions, can USAID confirm that the compensation

USAID confirms that, the compensation plan covering all proposed initial salaries and salary ranges and the Contractor’s fringe benefit package along with a description of how cost of living and/or merit-based increases will be submitted by the selected Contractor during the Post award.

plan mentioned in Section H.7 should be submitted after contract award and not as part of the cost proposal submission?

SECTION I

54 SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES, page 82 contains two (2) different references to FAR Clause 52.209-6.

Please clarify the correct clause references with the associated date.

Solicitation has been amended to correct the typo on the FAR clauses.

55 Would USAID please consider the inclusion of FAR clause 52.237-9 Waiver of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals rather than its counterpart FAR clause 52.237-8 Restriction of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nations in the RFP?

FAR 52.237-9 Waiver of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals is not applicable to this solicitation.

SECTION J

56 Could USAID additionally confirm that this annex is not included in the 20-page limitation?

Annexes are not included in the 20-page limitation.

57 May Offerors include tables in the charts annex? Tables may be included in the charts annex but will be included in page limitation if applicable.

58 May Offerors add additional information in an additional annex?

No, USAID will only consider information submitted on the annexes requested in the Solicitation.

59 Please clarify how figures and tables should be submitted.

We understand charts are to be submitted in an Annex.

Are any graphs allowed in the proposal text itself? If so, is there a preference about which graphs should be submitted where? Can the organizational chart be submitted in a separate annex alongwith the staffing matrix? Or should they be submitted with the Annex of charts

Tables may be included in the charts annex but will be included in page limitation if applicable.

Graphs may be included in the proposal text and there is no preference on the type of graphs and where should be submitted.

Yes, Organizational charts can be submitted in a separate annex along with a staffing matrix. Page 143 of the Solicitation has been amended to provide additional instruction on the submission of the Organizational charts.

60 Could USAID share the IEE for Tanzania Mbu? The PMI Mbu (Mosquitoes) Project does not have a dedicated IEE and therefore uses the IEE approved for USAID Tanzania Health Activities included under Section J as attachment J.3.

SECTION L

61 Section L.7.4 Factor 2, page 144. Could USAID please confirm if the Organizational Chart referenced in this section should be included in the Charts Annex or in a separate annex?

Refer to the response in question 59 above.

L.7.4 Factor 2, Sub-Factor 2.2 (a), page 144: “The Offeror must submit a key personnel and staffing plan as an annex.”

a. L.7.1., page 143 lists the Key Personnel and Staffing Plan alongside the Management Approach. Could USAID confirm that the “Key Personnel and Staffing” section should be included as an annex and not as part of the Management Approach?

b. Could USAID additionally confirm that this annex is not included in the 20-page limitation?

c. L.7.4 Factor 2, Sub-Factor 2.2 (a), page 145: “The Offeror must also name any other available, non-key personnel staff positions relevant to the SOW requirements in the form of a matrix (As an Annex).”

Could USAID clarify whether the matrix naming non-key personnel positions should be in the same annex as the Key Personnel and Staffing Plan or in a separate annex?

Sub-Factor 2.2 - Key Personnel and Staffing instruct Offerors to submit a key personnel and staffing plan as annex.

Annexes are not included in the 20-page limitation.

An annex naming any other non-key personnel staff positions relevant to the Scope of Work should be separate from the Key Personnel Annex.

63 L.7.4 Factor 2, Sub-Factor 2.2 (a), page 144: “The offeror may propose up to two additional key personnel” in addition to three required in the Request for Proposal.

Section F.6 includes only the three required positions.

Could USAID add a reference to section F.6 that confirms that Offerors may propose up to two additional key personnel

Key Personnel Positions included in Section F.6 are the minimum key positions required for the contract implementation. Section L.7.4 Factor 2, sub-Factor 2.2 (a) provides instructions to the Offerors to propose up to two additional key personnel if needed depending on their technical approach.

64 Can USAID confirm that if the Offeror exceeds 24,700 days, then they need to provide an alternative table justifying the LOE amount needed?

USAID recognizes that Offerors may lack sufficient information to adequately estimate the level of effort required to perform the Contract. However, Offerors may provide a rationale for the proposed alternative LOE and why this would be advantageous to the Government. Page 147 of the solicitation has been amended to change this instruction.

65 Section L.8, (4), page 148: “USAID estimated the total cost of labor including Professional Staff Expatriate and Local, Short-term staff and Consultants to be 24,700 days for five years.” Section F.8, page 46: “USAID estimated the total cost of labor including Professional Staff Expatriate and Local, Short-term staff and Consultants to be 24,700 LOE days per year.” Could USAID clarify if the expected total cost of labor is for five years or per year?

Refer to the response in question 41 above.

66 L.8.(5), page 152: “Offerors and all proposed Subcontractors must ensure they are registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://sam.gov/content/home) per FAR part 4 prior to award.” Can USAID confirm that, in accordance with FAR 52.207-7 System for Award Management, only the Offeror, as the proposed Prime Contractor, is required to be fully registered in sam.gov, and that proposed subcontractors are required to have a UEI, but are not required to be fully registered

Subcontractors or consultants to prime contractors are not required to be registered in SAM and are only required to have a Unique Entity Identifier. Page151 of the Solicitation has been amended to remove the requirement for Subcontractors and consultants.

67 Section L.7.1(f), page 141 notes that the Technical Proposal should include an annex with a draft first year work plan. Could USAID please confirm that the draft work plan should not include a detailed work plan budget?

USAID confirms that the draft work plan should not include a detailed work plan budget.

68 Section L.8, (4), page 148: “Position descriptions briefly explaining what role each proposed person will Perform on the project must be included.” Please confirm whether position descriptions are required for all proposed descriptions, including administrative and support roles.

Can these descriptions be included as part of the narrative or are formal position descriptions required separately?

Position descriptions must only be provided for those positions which provide direct support for the performance of the project.

69 Could USAID please clarify estimated LOE between Section F.8 and Section L.8 and confirm per year or total project?

Refer to the response in question 41 above.

70 L.7.1 says, “Text in graphs, maps, and charts may be less than 12 points in size but no less than 8 points and must be legible.” Can USAID confirm that tables are beholden to the same requirement?

USAID Confirms that all tables are beholden on the same solicitation requirement as Text in graphs, maps, and charts.

71 Section L.8(4) “Level of Effort (LOE)” states that “USAID estimated the total cost of labor including Professional Staff Expatriate, Short-term and Consultants

The Estimated Level of Effort (LOE) of 24,700 days includes those that will be proposed under to be 24,700 days forfive years.” Section F.8 Level of Effort states that “USAID estimated the total cost of the labor including Professional Staff Expatriate and Local, Short-term staff and consultants tobe 24,700 LOE days per year.” Can USAID clarify whether the stated LOE of 24,700 is per year or for five years and whether it is inclusive of local subcontractor LOE?

both major and non-major subcontractors including local subcontractors.

72 Section L.7.1(e) (pg. 143) of the RFP presents the order of the Technical Proposal while Section L.7.1(f) lists out pages/sections that are not included in the 20-page limitation but presents the Technical Proposal in a slightly different order. Could USAID please confirm the order of the pages in the Technical Approach?

The Technical Proposal must be organized in the following manner:

● Cover Page (Not exceed One page)

● Executive Summary

● Technical Approach

● Management Approach, Key Personnel and Staffing

Page 142 of the solicitation has been amended to reflect the change.

73 Section L.7.4 Factor 2 (Sub-Factor 2.2 (a)) (pg. 144) states that the Offeror “may propose up to two additional key personnel and explain how the proposed structure and combined skills would contribute to the likelihood of success of the project. Key Personnel documentation must be submitted as part of the Annexes…” Could USAID clarify whether or not the Offeror is required to present two additional positions as key personnel?

Section L of the solicitation provides clear instruction on this requirement.

74 Page 150, section L.8.g states that “Subcontractors whose proposed cost is expected to be 20% or less than the Offeror’s total estimated cost, Offerors must include a one-page (cost) narrative.” Can USAID confirm if they expect a table demonstrating the proposed costs for each non-major subcontractor included as an annex to the one-page narrative

A table demonstrating proposed costs for each non-major subcontractors may be included as an annex to the one-page narrative.

75 On page 148, section L.8.4, USAID states that LOE cannot exceed 24,700 days for 5 years. Is the subcontractors' LOE included in this amount?

Refer to the response in question 71 above.

76 Page 152, section L.8(5) states that “…all proposed subcontractors must ensure they are registered in the System for Award Management per FAR part 4 prior to award.” FAR Subpart 4.11 “System for Award Management” only requires that contractors register in SAM. While we understand that a subcontractor is required to have a UEI, for FFATA reporting purposes, subcontractors under this contract are not doing business

Refer to the response in question 66 above.

directly with the U.S. government and therefore are not required to have an active SAM registration. The FAR Council confirmed this in the Federal Register, here, under II.B.5, “Applicability to Subcontractors.” We kindly request the removal of this requirement for subcontractors.

77 Page 152, section L.8(6) states that, “Policies and Procedures,” requests policies and procedures, as applicable, for the Offeror and Subcontractors, for the CO to determine if a pre-award survey is necessary per FAR

9.106. Since this FAR clause only relates to Contractors, not Subcontractors, we kindly request the removal of this requirement for subcontractors. If this requirement must remain, we kindly request that it apply to “major subcontractors,” consistent with other proposal requirements in the RFP.

Page 151 of the Solicitation has been amended to remove a pre-award survey requirement for subcontractors. Solicitation has been amended to remove the requirement.

78 Referencing RFP Sections L.7.1 (e) and (f), and L.7. 5 regarding Past Performance Information, please confirm our understanding that 14 days prior to the proposal deadline the offeror should submit:

a. Three PPIs of recent awards with no page limit assigned.

b. A description of our use of US small business concerns specifying three recent contracts for which we submitted subcontract reports to eSRS with names, addresses, and contact information of three SB concerns, and a summary of the type of work each SB provided our organization.

Only Past Performance Information must be submitted 14 days prior to the due date for submission of the proposal and there is no page limitation on the submitted document.

79 Referencing RFP Sections L.7.1 (f.v) and L.7.4 please confirm the following Annexes should be submitted with the Technical Proposal:

c. Annex A: Draft Activity MEL Plan (5 page maximum)

d. Annex B: Organizational Chart and Staffing Plan Matrix

e. Annex C: Draft First Year Work Plan

f. Annex D: Key Personnel CVs and letters of commitment

g. Annex E: Past Performance Information

(re-submitted with full proposal)

The following Annexes must be submitted with the Technical Proposal:

● Annex A: Draft Activity MEL Plan (5 page maximum)

● Annex B: Organizational Chart and Staffing Plan Matrix

● Annex C: Draft First Year Work Plan

● Annex D: Key Personnel CVs and letters of commitment

80 Please confirm that no separate detailed budgets are needed for subcontractors whose proposed cost is expected to be 20% or less than the Offeror’s total estimated cost, and that only a one-page narrative is required per section g) on page 150 of the RFP.

No detailed budgets are required for subcontractors whose proposed cost is expected to be 20% or less than the Offeror’s total estimated cost. Only a one-page narrative but a table demonstrating proposed costs may be included as an annex to the one-page narrative.

81 On page 142, section L.7.1.c of the RFP includes: “The text in any text boxes included within the technical proposal must not be less than 12 points in size. … Text in graphs, maps, and charts may be less than 12 points in size but no less than 8 points and must be legible.”

a. Would USAID allow Offerors to use 10 pt font for text boxes?

b. Would USAID allow Offerors to use 10 pt font for tables?

c. Would USAID allow Offerors to use fonts other than Times New Roman for graphs, maps, charts, and tables provided that the font is legible?

Solicitation requirements under Section L.7.1.c remain unchanged.

All tables are beholden to the same solicitation requirement under this section.

82 On page 143, section L.7.1 items e and f of the RFP, include reference to “Past Performance” and “Contractor’s Past Performance Information” consecutively. Section L.7.5 on page 145 includes detailed requirements for “Factor 3 – Past Performance.”

a. Please confirm that a narrative write-up on Past Performance is not required to be submitted as part of the main Technical Proposal referenced under Section L.7.1.e, which would be in addition to the Contractor’s Past Performance Information to be submitted as an annex as referenced under L.7.1.f and L.7.5?

b. If a narrative as part of the main Technical Proposal is required, would USAID consider adding an additional 3 pages to the Technical Proposal page limits to allow for this past performance narrative?

Past Performance Information must be submitted 14 days prior to the due date for submission of the proposal as annex. No additional Past Performance Information is required to be submitted with the technical proposal.

Narrative on Past Performance is not required to be submitted with the technical proposal and therefore page-limitation remains unchanged.

Page 142 of the Solicitation has been amended to remove the submission of past performance in Technical Proposal.

83 On page 143, section L.7.1.e and f of the RFP includes:

“The Technical Proposal must be organized in the following manner…”. However, section L.7.1.f includes reference to a table of contents and an acronym page.

Would USAID consider combining the list under sections L.7.1.e and f as follows:

i. Cover Page (limited to 1 page and not included in 20 page limit)

ii. Table of Contents (not included in 20 page limit) iii Acronym List (not included in 20 page limit)

iv. Executive Summary (limited to 2 pages and not included in 20 page limit))

iii. Technical Approach (included in 20 page limit)

iv. Management Approach, Key Personnel and Staffing (included in 20 page limit)

v. Annexes (Draft Activity MEL Plan (5 pages maximum), charts, Draft first Year Work Plan, Key Personnel CV’s (not to exceed three pages per position) and letters of commitments and Contractor’s Past Performance Information (no page limit))

Section L.7.1.e provides instructions to Offerors on how the technical proposal should be organized while Section L.7.1.f provides information on documents which are not included in the 20-page limitation. These Solicitation requirements remain unchanged.

84 On page 144, section L.7.4 of the RFP under Sub-Factor

2.1 (a) includes information on the management approach and organizational chart annex. Would USAID please confirm that the following information should be included in the Management Approach narrative and not in the organizational chart:

● information regarding “management approach, including roles and responsibilities…”

● a description of “the role of any major Subcontractor(s), including a description of their role vis-a-vis the prime including agreed-upon responsibilities, qualifications, duration and type of technical expertise of personnel, and proposed integration and oversight”

Information regarding “management approach, including roles and responsibilities…” as well as a description of “the role of any major Subcontractor(s), including a description of their role vis-a-vis the prime including agreed-upon responsibilities, qualifications, duration and type of technical expertise of personnel, and proposed integration and oversight” should be included in the Management Approach narrative.

85 On page 143, the RFP states that past performance must be included in the technical proposal, “v. Past Performance,” but all other references to this section specify that “past performance information” must be submitted as an annex and in the provided template, attachment J.9. Kindly confirm that past performance information is only to be included as an annex, and not as a part of the technical narrative.

Refer to the response in question 82 above.

86 On page 144, section L.7.4 of the RFP under Sub-Factor

2.2 (a) - Key Personnel and Staffing includes: “The Offeror must submit a key personnel and staffing plan as an annex.” However, on page 145, the RFP states: “The Offeror must also name any other available, non-key personnel staff positions relevant to the SOW requirements in the form of a matrix (As an Annex) containing…”. In addition, on page 142, section L.7.1(b) includes: “The Technical Proposal body is limited to 20 pages (Technical approach and Management approach)…”.

a. Please confirm that the “Key Personnel and Staffing Plan” annex should only include: 1.

key personnel documentation; 2. information on any additional key personnel; and 3. the non-key personnel staffing matrix.

b. Please confirm that the Key Personnel CVs annex referenced in section L.7.1(f) on page 143 is the same as the Key Personnel and Staffing Plan Annex referenced in section L.7.4 (Sub-Factor 2.2) on page 144.

c. Section L.7.1(b) on page 142 references only a Technical Approach and a Management approach as part of the Technical Proposal body. Please confirm that no additional staffing plan narrative is required, and that all staffing information should go in the annex(es).

Key Personnel Annex should only include key personnel information including any additional key personnel while the Staffing Plan annex should include information for non-key personnel matrix.

Key Personnel CVs must be submitted as part of the Key Personnel Annex.

USAID Confirms that no additional staffing plan narrative is required and that all staffing information should be included in the annexes requested.

87 On page 144, section L.7.4 of the RFP under Sub-Factor

2.2 (a) includes the following required Key Personnel documentation to be submitted as part of the Annexes:

“Title, description and minimum requirements and qualifications of the additional proposed key personnel positions; Three (3) professional references with current email and telephone number; A signed statement of commitment confirming his/her present intention to serve in the stated position immediately upon award and his/her present availability to serve for the term of the proposed Contract. Would USAID confirm that the following items are not subject to the 3-page CV limit per Key Personnel candidate:

USAID Confirms that listed items are not subject to the 3-page CV limitation per key personnel.

1. Title, description and minimum requirements and qualifications of the additional proposed key personnel positions

2. Three (3) professional references with current email and telephone number

3. A signed statement of commitment confirming his/her present intention to serve in the stated position immediately upon award and his/her present availability to serve for the term of the proposed Contract.

88 On page 144, section L.7.4 of the RFP, under Sub-Factor

2.1 – (a) Management Approach includes: “Offerors must describe … position descriptions for offeror-determined key personnel.” However, under Sub-Factor 2.2, the RFP also includes: “Key Personnel documentation must be submitted as part of the Annexes and will include: … Title, description and minimum requirements and qualifications of the additional proposed key personnel positions.” Please confirm that Offerors should include this information as part of the requirements for Sub-Factor

2.2 - Key Personnel and Staffing Plan and not as part of the requirements under Sub-Factor 2.1 - Management Approach.

Section L.7.4 Factor 2 - Sub - Factor 2.1 the solicitation instructs offerors to submit organizational chart (as an Annex) that will as well include information on duty stations for the Key personnel.

WHILE; Sub - Factor 2.2 instructs Offerors to submit Key Personnel annex with all the relevant information as indicated on the referenced sub-factor.

89 On page 146, section L.8 of the RFP includes: “The cost proposal must be submitted under a separate file from the technical proposal. The cost proposal must be in MS Excel 2013 or a later...” Would USAID please confirm that only the detailed budget must be submitted in MS Excel and that the remaining cost proposal materials can be submitted in Adobe Acrobat portable document format (.pdf) format?

Both detailed and summary budgets must be submitted in Ms Excel while all other remaining cost proposal materials can be submitted in other formats including Adobe format.

90 On page 151, section L.8(4)(l) of the RFP includes: “FAR

31.203 and FAR 42.700 provides for those remaining costs (indirect) that are to be allocated to the Contract...”As USAID is anticipated to adopt changes to 2 CFR October 1, can USAID confirm any organizations that budget the de minimis indirect rate should use 15% for budgetary purposes?

In accordance with 2 CFR 200.414 (f), the de minimis rates are not applicable to cost reimbursement contracts issued directly by the Federal Government in accordance with the FAR.

91 Can USAID please confirm that the estimated total cost of labor of 24,700 days includes subcontractor labor LOE?

Refer to the response in question 71 above.

92 Can USAID please provide a total budget value or total budget value range for this proposal?

Refer to the response in question 11 above.

Currently, Past Performance Information is both due before the Proposal submission, but also included as a section within the Technical Proposal. Since Past

82 above.

Performance Information is due before the Proposal submission, would USAID consider revising the Request for Proposal to clarify that Past Performance Information does not need to be included in the final submitted Technical Proposal?

94 Should the past performance submitted as Factor 3 in the Technical Approach be the same as the Past Performance submitted on August 26? Or can a proposal summarize that previously submitted information?

Past Performance Information should be submitted fourteen calendar days prior to the due date for submission of the technical proposal. Page 142 of the Solicitation has been amended to remove the submission of Past Performance as part of the Technical Proposal.

95 Can USAID confirm that the Offeror can include the annual budgets for non-major subcontractors as separate line items under subcontracting in their detailed budget tab?

Yes, Offeror can include annual budgets for non-major subcontractors as separate line items under subcontracting in their detailed budget tab.

96 Does USAID expect that major subcontractor budgets be included in a separate tab in the prime Offeror’s budget?

Yes, Offeror can include annual budgets for major subcontractors as separate line items under subcontracting in their detailed budget tab.

97 Can USAID confirm that an Offeror’s fee cannot exceed 15% of the contract’s estimated cost?

Federal Acquisition Regulations provides the fee percentage range for the Cost-Plus-Fixed -fee contracts.

98 May local Tanzanian nonprofit organizations without a NICRA use the current OMB-approved (April 2024) de minimis rate of 15% to calculate IndirectCosts?

In accordance with 2 CFR 200.414 (f), the de minimis rates are not applicable to cost reimbursement contracts issued directly by the Federal Government in accordance with the FAR.

99 Can USAID please confirm if the estimated total cost of labor of 24,700 days is 24,700 per year (as stated on page 46 of the solicitation) or if it is a total of 24,700 days for 5 years (as stated on page 148 of the solicitation)?

Refer to the response in question 41 above.

100 Can USAID please confirm that the estimated total cost of labor of 24,700 days does not include administrative

LOE?

USAID confirms that the indicated Level of Effort (LOE) does not include administrative positions or any other position that has the primary function of providing administrative support to the

Contract.

101 If the estimated total cost of labor of 24,700 days includes subcontractor labor LOE, does this include subcontractor labor LOE from only major subcontractors or does it also include subcontractor labor LOE from non-major subcontractors?

71 above.