Final Clarifications - 72062321R00006 - READ.pdf

72062321R00006 - Reading for East Africa’s Development (READ) – Clarifications

Dear Potential Offerors, USAID thanks you for your interest in submitting proposals for the referenced RFP. We have received two clarification questions related to USAID’s responses in response to questions answered in Amendment 2. USAID feels it is important to answer these questions as the responses relate to a fundamental part of understanding the solicitation and USAID’s intentions. The responses do not require an amendment to the solicitation as they do not change the content of the RFP.

Questions and Answers – Clarifications

1. Can USAID please confirm that no documents are required for potential subcontractors under the RFP? USAID mentioned several times in the Round 2 Q&A that no documents are required, and in the answer to Question 61 stated the following:

“Any references to subcontracts in Section K are considered “as applicable,” and information for subcontracts are not required as we are not requesting subcontract information at the IDIQ level.

We have removed reference to subcontracts on page 121.”

However, Section L.10, Part 3, subsection 2 on page 120 still states that “The Offeror and each proposed subcontractor must complete Section K, “Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors.”, and Section L.10, Part 5, subsection 2 on page 121 still states that “The Offeror and all subcontractors must describe their workday and work week policies.”

Will USAID be further amending the RFP to remove those submission requirements, in line with the answers to the Round 2 Q&A?

Answer: USAID feels this question has been answered in the previous amendment. Information for subcontractors is not requested with this RFP.

2. Further to USAID’s response to Question 53 of the USAID 72062321R00006 - Reading for East Africa’s Development (READ) IDIQ Solicitation (the “Solicitation”) – Amendment 2/Round 2 Q&As, we are in urgent need of clarification regarding what constitutes a “legally formed consortium”.

Specifically, for small business bidders like our company, is it acceptable under this procurement to include large businesses as part of the entities (i.e., as proposed subcontractors) in our bid under the small business category?

3.

As was stated above, our question arises from USAID’s answer to Question 53 of the above-referenced document in which USAID states that “[a]ll members of a legally formed consortium are considered Prime Contractors.” What might be considered a “legally formed consortium”, however, very much depends on the laws, regulations, and requirements of each state. We are, therefore, unclear on USAID’s interpretation of what would appropriately constitute a “legally formed consortium” for purposes of the Solicitation.

USAID is not requesting subcontracts under the IDIQ.

“Legally formed” applies to the laws, regulations, and requirements where the consortium is formed for the purposes of this solicitation. The consortium must also eventually be registered in line with laws and regulations accordingly to do business in the relevant countries where Task Orders will be implemented. For the purposes of this RFP, consortium, teaming agreement, joint venture, and SBA mentor protégé agreement are acceptable methods for organizations to submit proposals together.

At the Task Order level, Offerors may propose any combination of subcontractors, however, the Prime Small Businesses awarded IDIQs must perform a minimum of 50% of the envisioned work for any Task Orders awarded/received.

In […], the state of our company’s incorporation, it is no small matter to establish a “legally formed consortium” for a single solicitation.