Attachment 1 - Questions and Answers.pdf

Trade & Investment Solicitation - Questions from Industry - Amendment 0001

# Question Answer

B.4 Budget Line Items Page 9. “Offerors must set aside up to 10 percent of its total budget to provide Grants Under Contracts (GUCs) for CLIN 0001 and up to 45 percent of its total budget to provide GUCs for CLIN 0002,” indicating a GUC requirement. However, page 127 (section L.6) says that “The Offeror may propose a Grants under Contract component,” implying that a GUC is optional.

Can USAID clarify whether a GUC component is required and, if so, confirm the amount(s) offerors must set aside for GUC in each CLIN?

The direction in Section L.6 is accurate; Offerors "may" propose a GUC component. Section B.4 was updated to clarify that a GUC approach is not required.

F.6 Reporting and Deliverable Matrix Page 27, Section F.6 Reporting and Deliverable Matrix. The results table states, “Reduced time to securely move imports and exports to and from Ghana by at least 35 percent (result B1 in SOO).” Can USAID confirm that the 35% increase is limited to activities that are implemented by the project’s work with the GRA?

No, these are country wide results.

Page 27, Section F.6 Reporting and Deliverable Matrix. The results table states, “At least 75% of businesses, especially SMEs, report increased incremental income (result C1 in SOO).” Can USAID confirm that the 75% increase is limited to the number of businesses that are directly working with the project?

Yes

Page 27-28, Section F.6 Reporting and Deliverable Matrix. The results table states, “Exports from SMEs increased by at least 50 percent, including through, but not limited to those using AGOA (result C3 in SOO).” Can USAID confirm that the 50 percent increase is limited to the number of SMEs that are working directly with the project?

Yes

Page 28, Section F.6 Reporting and Deliverable Matrix. The results table states, “Businesses employ at least 10 percent more skilled workers, especially women, youth, and people with disabilities (result C4 in SOO).” Can USAID confirm that the 10 percent worker increase is limited to businesses working directly with the project and those that the project has evaluated would benefit from an increased workforce?

Yes

L.5 TECHNICAL VOLUME ORGANIZATION

Page 126, Section L.5 b. (6) Annexes to the PWS. Can USAID confirm that Annex H, currently a requirement of the Technical Volume, should in fact be included as an Annex to the Cost Volume, given that cost information is included for subcontractors?

- See revision of Section L.5.b.(6) - Annex H - from "Request for CO Consent to Subcontract" to "Additions to Reporting and Deliverable Matrix".

- See revision to Section L.6.a.(3) - changed from Annex I to Annex H.

- See revision to Section "L.11 - Consent to Subcontract."

L.6 INSTRUCTION FOR PREPARING THE TECHNICAL VOLUME

Page 127, Section L.6 a. (2) Services/Tasks Required. USAID’s instructions around the PWS states that the offeror must “require” grants to “have financial cost-sharing from recipients” and “be performance-based (paid based on performance).” Fixed amount awards are grant mechanisms best suited for performance-based payment, however 2 CFR 200.201 states that “A fixed amount award cannot be used in programs which require mandatory cost sharing or match.” Given the restriction on cost sharing under fixed amount awards, would USAID consider revising the language to instead state that grants must “encourage financial cost sharing from recipient.”

The CFR citation you reference is pertinent to direct grants with the U.S.

Federal Government and does not apply to Grants Under Contract (GUC), issued by a Prime Contractor. In other words, GUCs are different because the entity receiving a GUC would not be considered a "pass through entity." As such, the restriction does not apply. The language will not be changed.

Page 127, Section L.6.a.(1). USAID states “Specific deliverables, indicators, and tasks should not, however, be included in this section; they should instead be presented in [RFP] Section F, Deliveries or Performance.” Attachment J-1, SOO, section 6 states, “The Contractor must measure and track indicators for each objective…” However, section L of the RFP does not require a section on “Deliveries or Performance. Can USAID please clarify which section or annex of the proposal should include proposed performance indicators?

Section L.6.a.(1). was updated to remove indicators and tasks. USAID does not seek that Offerors propose indicators as a part of its technical approach.

These will be developed collaboratively with the USAID post-award as a part of the MEL Plan submission.

Page 128, Section L.6.a (2) Optional CLIN work. Can USAID provide a page limitation within the PWS for the Optional CLIN work section?

The Optional CLIN work must be detailed within the PWS, which is limited to 20 pages. It is up to Offerors to determine how many pages it seeks to use within the 20 page limitation in order to detail its Optional CLIN work.

Page 129, c. Contractor Performance Information. Can USAID clarify if point (3) “Describe any quality awards or certifications that indicate exceptional capacity to provide the service or product described in your performance statement” should be included with Annex F?

Additionally, can USAID clarify if the offeror should include any information under (c) Contractor Performance Information, as a part of the PWS?

The RFP was updated to add a statement in Annex F so that Offerors may detail exceptional capacity and/or extraordinary problems.

Page 129, Section L.6.b (1)(e). The RFP states that “Changes/additions to the staffing management plan for Optional CLIN work must be delineated in a separate section.” Can USAID confirm that this separate section will not count towards the 5-page limit for the Staffing and Management section?

These Optional CLIN work must be delineated in a separate section of this Staffing and Management Plan. Offerors are still bound to the 5-page limit.

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING THE COST VOLUME

Page 133, Section L.7.3.2(i). The RFP states “Waivers to pay TCN allowances and/or pay CCN/TCN salaries that exceed Local Compensation Plan (“LCP”) maximums are not required at this time and such salaries will be presumed to be reasonable under the assumption that the Offeror can justify a waiver during administration of the contract.” In addition, page 133 states, “Offerors proposing a salary rate that falls outside the applicable market range must support that outlier rate with additional data, such as biodata sheets, pay stubs, or data from the results of salary surveys, and must clearly show how such data was used to develop the proposed salary rate.” It appears that waivers for such staff would help meet this requirement. Please confirm that waivers for CCN/TCN staff are not required with the proposal submission.

Your interpretation is correct. Information to support a waiver request will be requested post award from the successful offeror.

Page 136, Section L.7.3.8 (b) states in part that “The CO intends to rely on the prime Offeror’s documented evaluation of the proposed subcontractor pricing in accordance with FAR 52.244-2(e)(1) to the maximum extent practicable. Documenting these items are a material requirement of the solicitation. Insufficient documentation of these items may cause USAID to exclude the Offeror from further consideration for the award.” The cited FAR clause states in part “(1) The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer reasonably in advance of placing any subcontract or modification thereof for which consent is required under paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of this clause […]”. Since Section (d) of the Clause has not been populated by the Contracting Officer to specifically require Consent to be requested by Offerors with approved purchasing systems, can USAID confirm that if an Offeror has an approved purchasing system, the documentation listed in Section (e)(1) of the FAR clause does NOT have to be submitted with their Offer?

FAR Clause 52.244-2 was removed from the incorporated by reference section and the full clause is now contained in Section I of the RFP. Section

(d) of the clause requires the CO's written consent before placing subcontracts.

Page 139, Section L.7.3.12. USAID does not prescribe fee payment percentages for ‘Annex A. The Fixed Fee Schedule’. Please confirm that offerors can assign their own percentage payments for the Fixed Fee Schedule

It is confirmed that Offerors can assign their own percentage payments for the Fixed Fee Schedule.

Page 139, Section L.7.3.13. “Offerors are requested to propose costs for five difference scenarios – to account for it being exercised in each year of performance.” Can USAID clarify if offerors should budget for one scenario per year with each “difference scenario” being of a one-year period of performance only? Additionally, can USAID clarify that the extrapolation of funds means that the funding allocated under CLIN 2, if not used by the time outlined in the budget, will no longer be available?

The optional CLIN may be exercised at any time during the period of performance, and will be used from the time it is exercised until the end of the five year period of performance. For purposes of budgeting, please assume that the Optional CLIN will be exercised at the beginning of each Year of Performance. For example, it may be exercised at award for Year 1, and thus Offerors must budget $10 million for 5 years or 60 months; it may be exercised at the start of Year 2, and thus Offerors must account for 4 years of funding; it may be exercised at the start of Year 3, and thus Offerors must budget for 3 years of funding; it may be exercised at the start of Year 4, and thus Offerors must budget for 2 years of funding; or it may be exercised at the start of Year 5, and thus Offerors must budget for 1 year of funding. The RFP was revised to define the above.

Funds will only be extrapolated when the option is exercised in the middle of a performance year or less than a 12 month period is left in the performance year. For example, if CLIN 0002 is exercised at the start of the 2nd month of Year 2, USAID will account for 12 months of services for Year 3, 4, and 5, and 11 months of services for Year 2.

Attachment J-1, Statement of Objectives Page 5, Attachment J-1, 7. Cross-Cutting Tasks. The SOO states that “the Contractor should develop investment opportunities across all USAID/Ghana sectors of health, education, nutrition, and agriculture where applicable and targeting women, youth and persons with disabilities.” Can USAID confirm that the contractor is expected to find investment opportunities in areas only where applicable to the project’s aims?

USAID edited the SOO based on feedback from industry and updated the optional CLIN section. The Contractor is expected to find investment opportunities only where applicable to the activities aims. The key distinctions are that investment opportunities should be limited to agriculture, nutrition, and associated enabling factors in the primary CLIN. The optional CLIN is sector-agnostic, but investment opportunities need to align to the Ghana Mission's CDCS that also includes health and education.

Page 8, Attachment J-1, Prosper Africa Optional Contract Line-Item Number (CLIN) Services. Can USAID provide more clarity on the purpose of the Optional CLIN 2? For example, is the purpose of the Optional CLIN to bring in additional investment/trade transactions, or to further build on the policy and business enabling environment of Ghana to boost trade with the US?

The Optional CLIN is an opportunity to scale-up programmatic interventions and increase firm level interventions above the levels described in CLIN 0001.

A major difference is that the CLIN 0001 is more oriented toward agricultural and nutrition trade and investment work, while the Optional CLIN is more sector-agnostic, as long as it is aligned with the USAID/Ghana Ghana Country Development Cooperation Strategy. The Optional CLIN may include work like education and healthcare.

Attachment J-2 Budget Template Attachment J-2. Can USAID confirm if the cost template (RFP Attachment J-2) can be adjusted to reflect a company’s cost structure?

The generic cost template is provided as a guideline, and can be tailored to the individual Offeror's cost accounting structures; however, please try to stay as close as possible to the general structure of Attachment J-2.

Attachment J-2. What assets, if any, will be made available such as vehicles, equipment, or furniture for this project? Should applicants include all costs for procurement in their budget?

No assets will be provided upon award so Offerors should account for any required assets in the cost volume in order to implement their proposed technical approach.

Attachment J-2. Can USAID provide a start date for the Ghana Trade and Investment Activity?

Please reference the tentative award date contained in the USAID Business Forecast. USAID/Ghana anticipates that this award will start upon award.

We request that USAID add FAR 52.237-9, Waiver of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals, so that the eventual contractor can abide by local laws requiring payment of severance and can budget accordingly.

FAR 52.237-9 is now incoporated into Section I.1 in the RFP.

Section H.2 Authorized Geographic Code (page 35), lists the geographic code 937, but includes the definition of 935 (“any area or country, including the recipient country, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source”). Can USAID confirm that the correct geographic code is 935?

The Authorized Geographic Code is 937. The definition was updated in Section H.2 to align with ADS 310.

Section H.4(a)(1) (page 35) requires salary ranges for all the professional positions in this contract and requires that salary ranges be maintained by the contractor. Establishing and maintaining salary ranges appears to conflict with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation, incorporated in the contract under Section H.3, which stipulates that direct compensation of personnel should be in accordance with the contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices. We request that the requirement to follow salary ranges be removed as it may preclude contractors from following their established policies, procedures, and practices, as required by AIDAR 752.7007.

We do not see a conflict between the requirements of sections H.3 and H.4.

The ranges established for all professional positions will be used to select candidates, who will be paid in accordance with the contractor's policies, practices, and procedures.

Section L.7.3.2(a) (page 132) states, “The Offeror must express unit costs for each proposed position as a salary rate per workday with the corresponding level of effort required for the position (number of workdays) and then calculate to a total cost for each cost period where the salary would be applicable.” Section L.7.3.2(b) (page 132) further states, “The Offeror must propose all direct labor costs by Labor Category/experience/FSN level and not by named person.” Can USAID clarify if offerors should present unit costs for each proposed position, even if this entails budgeting labor costs by named person (if a person is named for a proposed position)?

Offerors should present unit costs for each proposed position. Titles of positions and not names should be presented for each proposed position.

Section L.7.3.2(j) (page 133) states, “The Offeror must propose local labor by Labor Category and FSN Grade.” To what Labor Category is USAID referring? Are offerors to propose and define labor categories under this solicitation?

Labor categories are critically necessary for both the technical and cost (realism) analyses required under Part 15. Just because labor categories are specifically used in the T&M/L-H contract definition of "Hourly Rate" does not mean or in any way imply that labor categories cannot or should not be specified in other types of contracts listed in Part 16.

Labor Categories refers to "Position Titles" for proposed CCN positions. See Cell D11 in the “Detailed Prime” worksheet found in “Attachment J-2_Budget Template” of the RFP. Please list all the proposed position titles for the “Direct Long Term Labor” positions underneath the “Direct Long Term Labor,” for example. Ideally you may break out these positions by Expatriate/TCN/CCNs to assist the CO in a fair and reasonableness determination.

Section L.7.3.5(b) (page 135) states, “Offerors must propose travel costs as a unit cost per trip (or per day for Regional Travel) where the unit cost is inclusive of all appropriate travel cost elements (i.e., airfare, meals, lodging, and other miscellaneous travel expenses).” This section further states, “The Offeror must create a single separate Excel tab “Travel Detail” that breaks down total proposed travel costs as specified in Attachment J-2, Budget Template.” Can USAID clarify if offerors are to propose travel costs as a unit cost per trip, or if they are to break down total proposed travel costs and present it in a detailed fashion as specified in Attachment J-2 Budget Template?

Offerors are expected to provide all the breakdown details of travel (airfare, meals, lodging, transport, etc.) in the separate "Travel Detail" tab. The aggregate costs will then be carried over via formulas to the detailed tab and the summary tab that includes all appropriate travel cost elements. Offerors also have the option to bypass the "Travel Detail" tab, and just present all the detailed travel costs under the "Travel category in the detailed tab.

Section L.5(b)(6) (page 126) states that Annex H of the performance work statement should be “Request for CO Consent to Subcontract.” However, Section L.7.1(b)(iii) (page 131) states that the consent to subcontract request should be included as Annex L in the cost volume. Can USAID confirm where the consent to subcontract request should be included?

See response to question 6 above.

Section L.7.3.8(b) (page 137) states, “The prime Offeror’s analysis of subcontractor pricing must not exceed 10 pages per proposed subcontract and must be contained as an annex to the Budget Narrative.” This analysis of subcontractor pricing appears to be different than the consent to subcontract request, and further this analysis of subcontractor pricing is not included as an annex in Section L.7.1(b)(iii). Can USAID clarify what this analysis should entail and where in the cost volume it should be located?

The RFP was revised to link this section with Section L.11.

Regarding Attachment J-1, Objective C, Result C2 (page 25), how does USAID define “business transactions”?

A business transaction is an event involving an interchange of goods, money or services between two or more parties. The transaction can be as brief as a cash purchase or as long-lasting as a service contract extending over years.

The business transacted can be between two parties engaged in business and conducting the transaction for their mutual benefits, or between a business entity, like a retail shop, and a customer.

RFP Section B.4 and L.6: Can USAID please confirm that Offerors must allocate up to 10% of their budget under CLIN 1 and up to 45% of its CLIN 2 budget to Grants? Section L.6 indicates that a Grants Under Contract mechanism is optional suggesting that the amount allocated is discretionary.

USAID/Ghana acknowledges that GUCs are optional should the Offeror propose this approach, but we are defining the amounts that the Offerors may use, should they propose a GUC approach.

In section D.2, the RFP states “The Contractor must develop a Branding Implementation Plan and a Marking Plan describing how activity deliverables will be branded. USAID will insert as an attachment to Section J of the award the Contractor’s Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan.” However, a branding and marking plan is not listed among the annexes required for the technical proposal. Can USAID confirm that the branding and marking plan is not required at the time of proposal submission and will be requested from the successful offeror at the time of award?

Yes, it is confirmed that this deliverable is required post award, per Section F.

6 of the RFP.

Section H.2: Can USAID please clarify if the geographic code is 937 or 935? While Section H.2 indicates that the Geographic Code is 937, the associated definition provided is for 935 rather than 937.

Please see the response to question 22 above.

Section H.13(4)(e): Can USAID please confirm that purchase of any information technology necessary to meet the Government’s requirements or to facilitate activities in the Government’s statement of work will require a contract modification? Typically, written approval from the Contracting Officer is sufficient. Requiring a contract modification may unnecessarily delay project activities and increase the administrative burden on USAID.

A modification is required to list all information technology (IT) purchases, per Section H.13(4)(e), However, once M/CIO provides clearance, if suitable, the CO may elect to provide written approval prior to executing the modification, which enables the Contractor to make the purchases without delay. However, USAID will then modify the contract to update the award with the list of new IT purchases in order to adhere to Section H.13(4)(e) of the award.

Section L.4k.(7) and L.5.b(1): The RFP in Section L.4.k.(7) requires offeror to submit Technical Volume in either Adobe PDF or Word, however, in Section L.5.b.(1), under Technical Volume requirements it states that the Cover Letter must be in Adobe PDF.

Please review/confirm that the Technical Volume (including all parts) can be submitted in Adobe PDF or Word.

Page 126 was revised to remove the requirement that the Cover Letter be in an Adobe PDF format. The Cover Letter may be in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word.

Section L.5.b: The instructions for the technical proposal specify offerors must organize their proposal starting with a cover letter, followed by a cover page, table of contents, list of acronyms etc. Would USAID consider changing the order to allow offerors to provide the cover page(s) first, followed by the cover letter?

See revisions to Section L.5.b of the RFP.

Section L.5.b: Would USAID consider allowing Offerors to include a two-page Executive summary that does not count toward the 20-page limit?

Please see the additional requirement that all Offerors must submit a two-page Executive Summary, as contained in the revised RFP in Section L.5.b (5).

Section L.5.b: In the instructions for the technical proposal, the RFP requires offerors to include a “Presentation of Small Business Concerns” as Annex G. Can USAID please confirm that this is referring to the requirement in L.6.c (4) Performance in Using Small Business (SB) Concerns under instructions for the Contractor Performance Information to “Provide a narrative summary of your organization's use of small business concerns over the past three years”?

Yes

L.6.c: Instructions for Contractor Performance Information require offerors to complete Attachment J-4. Would USAID kindly confirm whether offerors should provide Attachment J- 4 for all contracts presented for past performance or only for contracts where CPARs are not available?

Please fill in Attachment J-4 for all awards presented for contractor performance information. Note question 12 in this form, which addresses whether a CPARS record is available or not. The RFP was revised under SEction L.6.c to clarify the above.

Section L.5 and L.7.1: The Annexes listed in the instructions for the technical proposal include Annex H – Request for CO Consent to Subcontract, if applicable (see Section L.11).

L.7.1 also lists Annex L - Consent to Subcontract Request, if applicable as an annex to the cost volume. Would USAID kindly confirm that Consent to Subcontract should be included as an annex to the cost volume and remove it from the list of annexes required for the technical proposal?

Please see response to question 6 above.

L.10: Section L.10 Representations, Certifications and other Statements of Offeror, letter (b) states “Offerors and proposed subcontractors must ensure that they are registered with CCR (https://beta.sam.gov) per FAR 4”. However, the agency’s guidance in ADS 302.3.6.11 “Contract Reporting and System for Award Management (SAM)” suggests that “There is currently no requirement in the FAR for subcontractors to register in SAM.” SAM registration can be difficult for local subcontractors. Therefore, please revise this requirement in the RFP to exempt subcontractors from being required to register in SAM.

Please see revision to Section L.10 of the RFP.

We find that the results under Objective C are either unclear as written or not realistic to achieve or monitor, as they seem to mean that the project would target all Ghanaian SMEs rather than a subset of the total. We suggest the following edits to make these results more clear:

Result C1: At least 75 percent of businesses participating in GTI, especially SMEs, report increased incremental income over the five-year life of the program.

Result C3: In aggregate, exports from SMEs participating in GTI increased by at least 50 percent, including through, but not limited to those using AGOA over the five-year life of the program.

Result C4: Businesses participating in GTI employ at least 10 percent more skilled workers, especially women, youth, and people with disabilities.

Please see responses to questions 3, 4, and 5 above.

Key Personnel: Section F.4, page 16-17, indicates that offerors are expected to designate which positions will be Key Personnel (KP), and lists three generic positions, with a note that offeror is to add additional lines “as needed.” Can USAID confirm that: offerors must designate a minimum of three positions as KP and furnish candidates for those positions;

and offerors may designate an additional two positions (for a maximum of five) as KP, and if they do so must provide candidates for those positions?

Offerors are expected to propose a Key Personnel team that enables them to implementent a successful PWS. This is a performance based acquisition approach and as such USAID/Ghana does not wish to define mandatory positions or a maximum/minimum numbers of Key Personnel position.

Technical Volume Organization: Section L.5.b.6, page 126, indicates that offerors must include Annex C – Proposed Key Personnel (inputs for Section F.4). Instruction for preparing the technical volume (L.6.b.3) also instructs offerors to address inputs to section F.4, but goes further in saying that offerors must identify positions, propose position descriptions, and minimum requirements. The table in F.4 only includes columns for position titles and minimum requirements. May offerors amend the table in section F.4 on pages 16- 17 to include a column for a description of each position?

See revisions to Section F.4, which requests a description for each proposed position, in line with Section L.6.b.(3).

Reporting and Deliverable Matrix: Section F.6, pages 27-28, the portion of the table titled “Results” lists seven key results, whereas Attachment-J.1 (Scope of Objectives) refers to 11 results (the results from pages 27-28, plus an additional four results: A1, A2, A4, and B3).

Can USAID clarify whether four results were omitted from the table on pages 27-28 in error, or whether that table is merely meant to be illustrative?

Per the RFP instructions L.6.a(3), Offerors may propose additional results in the Section F.6 Reporting and Deliverable Matrix. At a minimum, the Offerors need to respond to the results in the deliverables table. The four results in the SOO that are not in the table are still critical for the prospective Contractor to achieve, and it is expected that they Contractor will create a system where progress against achieving the objective can be measured in the PMP.

Instruction for Preparing the Technical Volume: Section L.6.c, page 129, states that contractors must “Attach as Annex F of the Technical Volume the form contained in Attachment J-4 of the RFP.” However, J-4 is not among the attachments released with the RFP. Can USAID please provide the form in question?

Attachment J-4, "Contractor Performance Information Form" is found on page 152 of the RFP.

Instruction for Preparing the Technical Volume: Section L.6.c, page 129, states that the offeror must provide performance information for itself, the contractor teaming arrangements, if any, and each major subcontractor…” Without having seen the form contained in Attachment J-4 (see question above), it is unclear what information USAID requests to see regarding contractor teaming arrangements. Can USAID clarify exactly what information offerors need to provide?

Please see response to Question 45 above.

Statement of Objectives: RFP Attachment J-1, page 6, indicates that “Both off-shore (U.S.

based and third country training) and in-country training must be part of the Contractor’s annual training plans.” Can USAID confirm whether contractors will, in fact, be required to provide US-based and third country training? If not, we suggest adjusting this language to indicate that the contractor may hold such trainings at its discretion.

Yes, the Contractor must provide training plans post award.

Section L.6.a.(2) on page 127: in the paragraph on “Result,” the RFP says “Specific deliverables, indicators, and tasks [emphasis added] should not, however, be included in this section; they should instead be presented in Section F, Deliveries or Performance.” We understand that the reference to “Section F” refers to Annex I – Additions to Reporting and Deliverable Matrix. Please confirm. Also, please clarify whether the words “and tasks” belong in this sentence. We understand the RFP’s instructions to be that services and tasks required to achieve results do not belong in the Reporting and Deliverables Matrix and rather, are to be included in the PWS section labeled “Services/Tasks Required.”

Please see response to Question 8 above.

SOO Section 7 – Cross Cutting Tasks on page 5 of the SOO notes that “The Contractor should develop investment opportunities across all USAID/Ghana sectors of health, education, nutrition, and agriculture where applicable….” This expands the scope of the project to one that does not focus on the agriculture sector and Feed the Future objectives, and thus contradicts—or at least departs radically from—the language in the Problem Statement, Theory of Change, and Operating Parameters sections. We request that USAID either remove the language that refers to all USAID/Ghana sectors or clarify how this language fits with the rest of the SOO.

Please see edits in the SOO.

In L.7.2, Microsoft Excel Budget Spreadsheet (a)v., the RFP asks offerors to provide a “Detailed Travel” budget tab to provide data on all proposed international and regional travel.

Can USAID please clarify whether this tab should include both prime and proposed subcontractor travel?

USAID prefers a "Detailed Travel" tab for the Prime, and seperate "Detailed Travel" tabs for each Subcontractor.

In L.7.3.2, Personnel (j), the RFP states “The Offeror must propose local labor by Labor Category and FSN Grade.” Can USAID clarify what the labor categories USAID would like the Offeror to refer to?

Please refer to the response to question 25 above.

L.7.3.2, Personnel (b), outlines a requirement that “The Offeror must propose all direct labor costs by Labor Category/experience/FSN level and not by named person.” Yet, in (d) of the same section, USAID states a requirement that “The Offeror must propose direct salaries and level of effort that (i) comply with the Offeror’s personnel policies.” Offerors may have existing salary scales that have fewer levels and different classifications than the USAID FSN scale, as Offerors may have jobs were never envisioned as part of the FSN program.

Therefore, as part of Cost Annex J, Salary Ranging and Certification, we propose mapping Offeror salary categories to the FSN scale and noting that some positions may be outside of the FSN scale so that the Offeror can still follow their own compensation policies while USAID can ensure that salaries are in line with the FSN rates. Can USAID confirm that this solution is acceptable?

L.7.3.2(b) and (d) are not contradictory. Section b says not to list the name of personnel in the budget proposal. Section d states Offerors must comply with their personnel policies. USAID does not expect that the Offeror's salary scales match the USAID FSN scale exactly. However, for any proposed CCN and TCN salaries that exceed the FSN scale, it is requested that the Offeror justify them so the Contracting Officer may make a fair and reasonable cost determination. In your Annex J submission, yes, you may map your salary ranges to the FSN scale, if desired.

Would USAID please release the FSN General Grade Levels as per 3 FAH-2 H-400 so that Offerors can ensure that the FSN positions descriptions, education, and experience levels match to Offer Cost Annex J, “Salary Ranges and Certification”?

USAID/Ghana may only provide the maximum and minimum step of each FSN grade, as contained in the Section L.7.3.2(j) of the solicitation. The FAH reference that was provided refers to a section defining who falls under chief of mission authority, and is thus not relevant. As such, we urge all Offerors to use a scale in accordance with its HR Policies and that does not fall outside the minimum and maximum salaries provided in Section L.7.3.2(j).

In J-2, Budget Template, the OPTIONAL CLIN IAW FAR 52.217-7 does not have a designated worksheet and is not integrated into the Detailed Prime budget template. How would USAID like the Offeror to budget for the CLIN in the template?

The budget template is meant as a generic guideline, and not as a mandatory template. Therefore, each Offeror can tailor it to however they see fit based on the requirements of the RFP, and their accounting standards. However, the detailed tab of Attachment J-2 was updated to include the Optional CLIN section. Note that this same template contained a tab (last) for Offerors to address the Optional CLIN approach.

Can USAID confirm that Offerors only need to submit detailed budgets for major subcontractors?

Yes, please reference Section L.7.3.8 of the RFP.

In L.7.3.9, Consultants (e) (ii), USAID asks for a breakdown of consultants using a loaded rate. Please clarify what USAID considers to be part of that loaded rate. For example, consultants are responsible for their own taxes. Thus, taxes are usually factored into a consultant’s rate just as they are part of an employee’s salary.

Yes, USAID expects that consultant rates as presented will be the only cost associated with this category, and that they will be fully loaded, to include tax, fringe benefits, allowances, etc.

In L.7.3.9, Consultants (g), there is the requirement that “the Offeror must propose using the Labor Category and associated FSN Level.” Yet, in (f) of the same section, USAID states that “Offerors must follow their established policies and procedures when establishing rates.”

Note that Offerors may have existing consultant scales that have fewer levels and different classifications than the USAID FSN scale, as Offerors may have jobs were never envisioned as part of the FSN program. Consultant costs also tend to be higher than FSN rates, as consultants are required to pay their own local taxes. Therefore, as part of Cost Annex K, Consultant Pay Scale, we propose mapping Offeror salary categories to the FSN scale and noting that some positions may be outside of the FSN scale so that the Offeror can still follow their own compensation policies while USAID can ensure that salaries are in line with the FSN rates. Can USAID confirm that this solution is acceptable?

Yes, but for any salaries that exceed the FSN Scale, the Offeror must provide a justification so that the CO may make a fair and reasonable cost determination.

In L.4 (k) (8), USAID allows Offerors to use 10-point font in charts and graphs. We request that USAID add “textboxes and graphics” to the list of items that can be displayed in 10-point font.

The RFP was revised to accommodate this request.

Please confirm that, in addition to the items included on the cover page outlined on page 125-126 of the RFP, Offerors can also include the typical disclaimer as follows: “This proposal includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the Government and shall not be duplicated, used or disclosed—in whole or in part—for any purpose other than to evaluate this proposal. If, however, a contract is awarded to this Offeror as a result of—or in connection with—the submission of this data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting contract. This restriction does not limit the Government’s right to use the information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in [insert page numbers].”

Yes

Please confirm that Offerors can include the RFP number, the date and time of submission, and the submission email address(es) on their cover page.

Yes

The annexes to the PWS in L.5 (6) include Annex G – Presentation of Small Business Concerns. Could USAID provide instructions for that annex?

See Section L.6.c.(4.)iii of the RFP.

Please provide clarification on the following:

a. On page 127 of the RFP, the Result section instructs Offerors to include results by objective. “Section 5. Performance Objectives” in J-1 SOO includes specific results whereas “Section 6. Result and Indicators” does not. Can USAID confirm that Offerors should address the instructions for Result on page 127 in “Section 5. Performance Objectives” and not “Section 6. Results and Indicators?”

b. On page 127, the RFP gives instructions for a Services/Tasks Required section of the SOO. However, Attachment J-1 does not have this section included. Can USAID confirm that this information should also be included within the existing “5. Performance Objectives” section in Attachment J-1?

c. The last sentence of the Result section on the same page states that the contractor should not include specific deliverables, indicators, and tasks in this section because they will “be presented in Section F, Deliveries or Performance.” We assume USAID is referencing Annex I – Additions to Reporting and Deliverable Matrix. However, the corresponding table in F.6 does not include columns for indicators and tasks. Can USAID confirm that Offerors should only address the topics featured in the table in F.6?

a. Please follow the directions outlined in Seciton L.6.a. of the RFP regarding your PWS submission. The SOO and PWS are not required to match.

b. See the above answer.

c. See response to Question 8 above.

Will USAID provide greater clarification on the optional CLIN scope, restrictions?

Specifically:

a. Is the CLIN Option a separate SOW or an extension of activities under the 3 Objectives of the SOO?

b. If the latter, is the contractor to establish separate results and indicators?

c. If the former, are the results established in the SOO solely for the base period or for both the base and Option CLIN?

d. Will these programmatic interventions focus purely on SMEs or are they as broad reaching (both in size and sector) as the Prosper Africa initiative?

e. Will the CLIN Option be exercised based on a performance assessment by the contractor?

a. The Optional CLIN is an extension of activities under the 3 objectives in the SOO, as better detailed in the revised Section 9.

b. Separated Results for the Optional CLIN is requierd; they should not be mixed up with the baseline services. However, entirely different Results are not expected since as stated in the SOO, the services under the Optional CLIN serve to "scale-up programmatic interventions and incrse firm level interventions." This Optional CLIN serves to enchance and broaden baseline services as well.

c. Not Applicable

d. The focus should be on SMEs; however, Offerors may propose working with larger businesses if SMEs will receive significant benefits (such as through vendor finance, investment, R&D, supply chain, etc.).

e. The optional CLIN will be exercised based upon funding availability and satisfactory performance by the Contractor. USAID/Ghana will use the QASP as a guideline to measure performance.

Section L.5 (6) on page 126 limits the Staffing and Management Plan page limit to 5 pages, yet Section L.6 (b) (1) requires a significant amount of information detailed in sub-sections

(a) through (e), including detailing staffing changes and additions for the Optional CLIN. To provide offerors with adequate space to clearly address these requirements, and to fully justify the proposed staffing and management changes for the Optional CLIN in detail—for example, detailing a financial management plan, reporting approach to receiving Prosper Africa funds, and potentially presenting a different staffing structure—would USAID consider increasing the page limit for the Staffing and Management Plan from 5 pages to at least 7 pages to provide bidders the requisite space to address the broad range of the requirements?

Please see the response to Question 11 above.

Section L.6 (a) Technical Approach beginning on page 126 asks for several sections: (1) the PWS consisting of multiple parts: a background, objective, result, services/tasks required, and Optional CLIN work; and (2) a brief outline for COVID-19 operations. However, Section M.2 (a) on page 145 does not use the same wording or follow the same structure as Section L.6 (a). Could USAID change the evaluation requirements in M.2 (a) to match the criteria listed under L.6 (1) and (2)?

USAID/Ghana believes Section L.6.a. is harmonized with Section M.2.a.

Section L.6.a. provides the instructions about what items Offerors must submit for its Technical Approach. Section M.2.a. details how USAID/Ghana will evaluate the technical approach that Offerors propose in their PWS, including the optional CLIN work. Please review the response to Question 63 above, which details that the Optional CLIN services are an enchancement, broadening, and scaling up of baseline services. In addition, the ability to operate and "accomplish the objectives and purpose set forth in the SOO" (per Section M.2.a) is impacted by the COVID-19 environment, and thus Offerors are expected to address this component as per the instructions of the L.6(a).

Section L.6 (b) (1) Staffing and Management Plan beginning on page 128 defines five requirements in sub-sections (a) through (e). However, Section M.2 (b) on page 145 does not use the same wording or follow the same structure as Section L.6 (b) (1). Could USAID change the evaluation requirements in M.2. (b) to match L.6 (b) (1) (a) through (3)?

USAID/Ghana believes Sections L.6.b is harmonized with Section M.2.b.

Section L.6.b. provides the instructions to Offerors on what to submit as part of its proposed Staffing and Management Plan approach. The evaluation requirements contained in Section M.2.b. detail how USAID/Ghana will evaluate the submission.

Due to the diversity of skill sets needed to deliver the complex scope of work for the Ghana Trade and Investment project, we request that USAID allow us to include Contractor Performance Information from any subcontractors taking on key roles within the three objectives and not just those deemed to be “major subcontractors” as defined in the RFP.

The requirement under L.6.c. does not limit the information provided to only those meeting the definition of "major". The TEC can assess the relevance and weight to accord the proffered experience of the subcontractors put forward.

Part II of Attachment J-4 takes up more than a page. Can USAID confirm that the page limitation given on page 126 (“3 pages each maximum”) applies to only Part I of Attachment J-4 and that Part II will not be included in the page count?

"Each" refers to a separate form not to exceed 3 pages for up to five contractor performance information submissions.

L.9 states that “(1) The submission of an offer where the Offeror makes a representation at paragraph (d)(2) of the provision at FAR 52.204–24 that it “does” use covered telecommunications equipment or services will mean the Offeror is seeking a waiver.”

USAID received a telecommunications waiver for internet and phone services until September 30, 2022. If a company’s disclosure only identifies telecommunications for internet and phone services, does the representation constitute a waiver request per L.9.1 if USAID holds a waiver for such prohibited services?

If the successful offeror certifies that it "does" use covered telecommunications equipment or services, USAID must submit the information contained in L.14(4) to M/CIO. The successful offeror will then be responsible adhering to Clause H.38 contained in this RFP.

Under “Result A1: An operational Traceability system for fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products effectively administered, connected and able to trace products from their origin through the supply chain, isolate threats, and recall contaminated products when needed,” is it USAID’s intention that the Activity will develop a single traceability system with the potential for universal use for tracing Ghanaian agricultural products?

Yes

Under “Result A3: At least 50 firms increase their exports to diverse markets, including exporting to the U.S. under AGOA,” could USAID please confirm that all firms targeted through this result should be in the agriculture sector?

Agriculture or Nutrition

In “Result B3: Ghana’s trade and investment policies harmonized with AfCFTA regulations,” could USAID kindly clarify if the activity will be supporting capacity building efforts at the AfCFTA secretariat level as indicated in the scope of the SOO or only at the national level with the Government of Ghana?

Support is to the Government of Ghana

For “Result C1: At least 75 percent of businesses, especially SMEs, report increased incremental income,” can USAID please confirm that the businesses reporting increased income are defined as those receiving assistance from the Trade and Investment activity, and provide the reference number of firms in this result?

Please see response to question 3 above.

With respect to “Result C2: A minimum of 50 firms completing business transactions valued in excess of $2 million per firm,” do “business transactions” include domestic and export sales, investments, loans, etc.?

Please see response to question 29 above.

For “Result C3: Exports from SMEs increased by at least 50 percent, including through, but not limited to those using AGOA,” what is the reference number of firms for this result? Is this in reference to the number of SMEs supported during the life of the program? Is there a target number of SMEs to be supported?

The Offeror also will need to determine how many firms with which they will work over the life of the activity to achieve results under Objective C of the SOO. Please see response to Question 98 below, which provides further clarity.

For “Result C4: Businesses employ at least 10 percent more skilled workers, especially women, youth, and people with disabilities,” what is the reference number of firms in this result?

See response to question 75 above.

Under Section 7 (“Cross-Cutting Tasks”), USAID indicates that the Contractor should develop investment opportunities across all USAID/Ghana sectors of health, education, and nutrition, and agriculture....” However, Section 1 (“Purpose”) indicates the project should “catalyze investments in private enterprise related to high-value commercial crops.”

Moreover, Option C (Investment Increase, especially among SMEs) discusses the importance of access to finance. However, USAID offers no corresponding Results any of these various objectives of investment and finance. Can USAID clarify the investment focus of this project?

Refer to edits in the SOO.

L.6 (a)(1), Technical Approach states that the PWS must be written from the perspective of USAID and that the language written should be "The contractor must" as opposed to "We will", and "must" versus "will", "should", or "may" be used. Does this also apply to language used in the cost narrative?

No, it does not. This requirement is important for the PWS because it will be incorporated into the final award.

On page 126, USAID requests that the Technical Volume include Annex H – Request for CO Consent to Subcontract. Then, in the instructions for the Cost Volume, on page 131, USAID requests that the Consent to Subcontract Request be included as Annex L – Consent to Subcontract Request, which seems duplicative of Annex H in the Technical.

Could USAID confirm that they only want the Request for CO Consent to Subcontract in the Technical Volume and not in the Cost? If so, Legislative Reporting Information in the Cost Volume would become Annex L.

Please see the response to Question 6 above.

80 Can USAID clarify how it defines SMEs? Refer to Ghana Definition of SME per the NBSSI document.

The Statement of Objectives (SOO), Section 7 Cross-Cutting Tasks mentions that “[T]he Contractor should develop investment opportunities across all USAID/Ghana sectors of health, education, nutrition, and agriculture...” Given that the problem statement clearly targets the agriculture and food sectors, could USAID please clarify how investment in sectors other than agriculture relates to achieving activity objectives?

Refer to edits in the SOO

Could USAID please clarify if the Prosper Africa CLIN Services (SOO Section 9) relate to the agriculture and food sectors, as outlined in the Activity problem statement, or will the CLIN be sector-agnostic? Or is the intent for the CLIN to target sectors mentioned in Cross Cutting Tasks Section 7 of the SOO in Annex J-1?

USAID/Ghana is sector agnostic for the optional CLIN, but Offerors must be consistent with the Ghana CDCS.

Could USAID please confirm that Objectives B and…