Amendment 0001 to 72066322 R00017 posted version.pdf

RFP/Solicitation No. No. 72066322R00017 Amendment No. 0001

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Attachment No. 1: Answers to Questions

1. Would USAID please consider requiring only the startup work plan rather than the year one work plan so that offerors can engage in work planning collaboratively with USAID to be responsive to changes in the Ethiopia context that are likely to occur before award?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: The startup plan could be included in the one-year plan.

We need to see the annual plan for us to gauge if it is realistic to contribute to the achievement of the objectives and to see how interventions are sequenced. Working with USAID to make plans responsive to context changes will be possible if the proposal is awarded.

2. Would USAID please consider the inclusion of an acronym list that would not be counted against the 20-page limitation?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Yes, an acronym list is excluded from the 20- page limitation.

3. Can USAID please provide an exchange rate to ensure parity across offerors cost proposals, particularly given historical exchange rate fluctuations?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Please use the current exchange rate on the date of your submission. Here is a link for Commercial Banks’ Exchange rate of National Bank Ethiopia (https://nbebank.com/commercial-banks-exchange-rate /).

4. For estimating purposes only, can USAID please provide an estimated contract start date?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: The estimated contract start date is March 1, 2023.

5. The name of this program is referred to in a couple of different ways, for example on RFP pages 10 (D.2) and 97 (L.10). Could USAID confirm that referring to this program as “Sustainable Peace (SP)” would be acceptable and compliant. If not acceptable, could USAID provide the acceptable and compliant title?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: The name of this activity is “Sustainable Peace Activity”.

6. Section J.4, page 125 states that “Sustainable Peace will serve as USAID/Ethiopia’s operational and strategic platform given the expected emergence of a direct programmatic

2|Page gap with the anticipated departure of the USAID/OTI Ethiopia Support Program (ESP).”

Would USAID consider sharing project reports from ESP for Offerors to effectively design a follow-on approach to current activities?

USAID/Ethiopia Response:

7. Section J.2, page 123 states "If the policy environment changes to allow for direct engagement with GOE entities, Sustainable Peace will enable the addition of new GOE-focused interventions." Can USAID confirm if Sustainable Peace is able to have direct engagement with the Ministry of Peace and its regional and woreda offices as a GOE entity?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Offerors could and should engage and create relationships with government offices like the ones mentioned in this question. However, no direct support should be provided to such entities. So, direct support to government offices should not be proposed.

8. Would USAID please confirm that the offeror is required to propose at the proposal stage areas in which the project will be operational or whether the contractor and USAID can determine these areas during the startup phase?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: The offeror could propose the areas and with their justification for their selection.

9. Attachment J.1. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE (SOO), Page 126, J.6.2 - Under Objective 2, "Public comment process incorporated into government development plans" is listed under IR2. However, none of the interventions listed under Objective 2 are directly tied to this result. Can USAID confirm whether Sustainable Peace interventions are expected to result in a formal public comment process?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: We would like offerors to propose how they would see this IR is achieved.

10. Section F.6 (page 16) notes that the due date for the closeout and disposition plan is “60 (180 days) prior to the end of the contract date,” and Section F.7.13 (page 23) states that “At least sixty (180) days prior to the end of the contract,” the contractor must submit the plan. Could USAID please clarify whether the closeout and disposition plan is due 60 or 180 days before the end date of the contract?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: USAID/Ethiopia confirms that the correct date is 180 days and F.7.13 is revised.

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11. (Page 18, F.7.2.1.1 Accruals). The solicitation states that the COR will provide the Accruals Reporting format and provides a bulleted list of the minimum reporting requirements for the Accruals Reports. Would USAID consider revising the existing requirement to the suggested requirement below? Existing: Total funds expended by the Contractor to date, including a breakdown to the budget categories provided in the Contractor’s cost proposal and between Technical Services, with additional detail to be provided upon request by the COR. Requesting change to: Total funds expended by the Contractor to date, including a breakdown to the budget categories provided in B.4 Contract Budget (page 6), with additional detail to be provided upon request by the COR.

USAID/Ethiopia Response: No. No change is made to this requirement as additional details can be provided by the COR.

12. (Page 27, F.9 Authorized Work Week). To include international and local consultants and

HQ STTA and to provide the best value and efficiency for necessary STTA, will USAID consider changing the language in the second sentence to “However, a 6-day workweek is authorized for short term technical assistance, but no premium pay will be paid for the sixth day.”?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: No. This change is not necessary. The second sentence of F.9 already authorized a 6-day workweek for short term Expat consultants with no premium pay.

13. Page 43, Section H.20 Additional Requirements for Personnel Compensation, instructs:

“One annual salary increase, including merit or promotional increases, in accordance with the Contractor’s policies and procedures may be granted after the employee’s completion of each twelve-month period of satisfactory services under the Contract.” Considering that employees who provide STTA support to a project are inherently unable to meet the 12-month period of satisfactory services requirement, can USAID confirm this requirement only applies to employees who are 100% dedicated to the project?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: H.20 is revised and paragraph (e) on annual salary increases is removed.

14. Page 42, H.20 (2)(b)(1)(ii) - The RFP indicates that Technical Personnel (Non-Key) must be within the salary range (based on market value determination) for each position and must be within the following threshold: Mission Local Compensation Plan (LCP for the US Embassy Ethiopia for TCNs and CCNs. Could the Embassy provide a copy of the Mission’s LCP to comply with this requirement?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: H.20 paragraph (2)(b)(1)(ii) is revised. The Mission Local Compensation Plan is an internal document which cannot be provided as-is. However, provided below is a range of salaries for various categories of locally employed staff. These salary ranges are subject to the annual adjustments.

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Category of Employees Salary Range

Driver/Attendants/runners $2,625 - $9,117

Reproduction Clerk/Junior Clerk

$6,820 - $12,268

Junior Assistant $8,412 - $21,829

Senior Assistant $14,033 - $25,253

Accountant/Officer Manager $18,740 - $41,263

Specialists/Senior Specialists $27,642 - $49,770

Advisors/Senior Advisors/Team Leads

$33,335 - $60,000

15. Page 42, H.20 (2)(b)(1) The RFP says that “The salary ranges of the compensation plan must be certified by the Contractor and submitted to the Contracting Officer for approval.”

Could USAID clarify if offerors should submit the compensation plan with salary ranges as part of the cost proposal or at the time of award?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: H.20 paragraph (2)(b)(1) is revised. The salary ranges must be certified by the Contractor and submitted to the Contracting Officer within 90 days after award.

16. Page 49, H.32 Can this provision be revised to reflect the extension of the temporary waivers granted to USAID under Section 889(d)(2), which allow for costs for covered telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment incurred on or after October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2028, where it is determined that there is no available alternate eligible source for the covered telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: H.32 is revised to reflect the Section 889 Modified Foreign Assistance (FA) Waiver USAID received from the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), which will expire on September 30, 2028.

17. Page 49, H.32 (a) Could USAID clarify if there is any new information about the current DNI waiver that will expire on September 30, 2022?

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USAID/Ethiopia Response: USAID received a Foreign Assistance (FA) Waiver from the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), which will expire on September 30, 2028 and H.32 is revised to reflect the FA Waiver.

18. Page 36, Section H.11(b) – Environmental Compliance. The solicitation indicates that the proposed activities have received a categorical exclusion, but under L.12(b) (page 107) a section states that offerors must include environmental compliance costs and an illustrative budget. Can USAID confirm that these activities have received a categorical exclusion and that environmental compliance costs need not be included in the budget?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: USAID/Ethiopia confirms that the activity received a categorical exclusion, the language has been revised.

19. (Page 41, H.20.1. AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation) Can USAID please provide the local Mission Compensation Plan?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: The Mission Local Compensation Plan is an internal document which cannot be provided as-is. However, a range of salaries for various categories of locally employed staff is provided with this amendment.

20. (Page 42, H.20(2)(b)):Based on the current 1420 Biodata form which does not include salary history information but is rather based on market rate justifications, will USAID remove the language “If, during the contract performance, the Contractor proposes salary or wages for any individual(s) that exceeds 5% percent of the individual’s current salary or wage or the highest rate of annual salary or wage received during any full year of the immediately preceding three(3) years, the cognizant Contracting Officer’s approval is required.”

USAID/Ethiopia Response: H.20(2)(b) is revised, and the referenced language is removed.

21. Will USAID consider removing requirements to submit a compensation plan with salary ranges for CO approval and allow contractors to follow their internal policies and procedures based on market rate analysis and justification per the current 1420 Biodata form?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Salary ranges for ALL the professional positions in this Contract will be established based on the market value and the duties and responsibilities of the position. The established range must be realistic and reasonable for the responsibilities of each position and must not be based on the salary history or the qualifications of the candidate selected. The salary ranges must be certified by the Contractor and submitted to the Contracting Officer within 90 days after award. Upon establishment of the salary ranges of the professional positions, an appropriate candidate

6|Page must be selected based on the Contractor’s established policy and practices and the qualifications sought for that position.

22. Under (ii) Professional and Technical Personnel (non-Key): Will USAID consider removing the requirements for prior written approval by the COR prior to mobilization, to allow for efficiency and for contractors to follow their standard HR policies and procedures.

USAID/Ethiopia Response: The requirement for prior written approval for non-key personnel under H.20 (2) (b) (ii) is removed.

23. (Page 43, H.20(2)(f) Consultants): Based on the current 1420 Biodata form which does not include salary history information, will USAID consider removing the language “1) the highest rate of annual compensation received by the consultant during any full year of the immediately preceding three years.”? Given that consultants daily rates are not equivalent to employee salaries, and their daily rates may be burdened rates which include costs (insurance, FICA, etc.) in addition to a base rate, will USAID consider removing the language “or 2) the maximum daily salary rate as described in AAPD 06-03, whichever is less.”?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: H.20 (2)(f) is removed.

24. H.20 (2) General (f) (page 43) states that compensation for consultants “shall not exceed:1) the highest rate of annual compensation received by the consultant during any full year immediately preceding three years or 2) the maximum daily salary rate as described in AAPD 06-03, whichever is less.” Could USAID please clarify whether USAID would like the contractor to obtain previous salary records for consultants?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: H.20 (2)(f) is removed.

25. Section H.20 references the Mission Local Compensation Plan (LCP) of the U.S. Embassy Ethiopia twice (pages 42 and 43). Could USAID please provide a copy of the Mission LCP to assist offerors in proposing salaries for local staff?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: The Mission Local Compensation Plan is an internal document which cannot be provided as-is. However, a range of salaries for various categories of locally employed staff is provided with this amendment.

26. H.21(o) (page 44) mentions an ADS 303 Required as Applicable Standard Provision called “Publications and Media Releases.” Kindly note that there is no provision with that title.

However, there is a “Submissions to the Development Experience Clearinghouse and Data Rights” provision. The provision does not include a requirement for the grantee to obtain approval before submission, so we respectfully request that USAID remove this requirement.

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USAID/Ethiopia Response: H.21 is revised to remove H.21 (o) requirement.

27. On page 101 Section 11.2.IV.a, the RFP states, “(a) PERFORMANCE WORK

STATEMENT (PWS)/TECHNICAL APPROACH [See Section M.2 (a)] a. PWS The performance work statement (PWS) must separately set forth the specialized approaches the contractor will use to address the specific challenges stated in the SOO and within the development context.” On page 101, Section 11.2.IV.a, the RFP states, “The PWS must include the following components in the PWS/Technical Proposal Body (not in the Annexes, unless otherwise noted): - A summary chart listing proposed interventions to achieve the objectives, the name of any sub partner implementing the intervention (if known), period of performance and proposed geography.” Could USAID please clarify whether the Technical Proposal/PWS is one document or whether the PWS is meant to be a separate annex? We respectfully suggest that one complete document would reduce the burden on both offerors and reviewers and ensure that all information submitted is evaluated. If this is the case, would USAID please consider a page limit of 35 pages for the technical proposal/PWS to allow offerors to present the required detail around the proposed interventions?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: PWS will be submitted as Annex. Section L.11.2 is revised.

The page limit remains unchanged from the original RFP.

28. On pages 101 and 102, Section L.11.2.IV.a of the RFP, USAID details the information that must be included for each proposed intervention. Given the rapidly changing contextual dynamics and the emphasis on agility and flexibility throughout the RFP, would USAID please consider eliminating the requirement of period of performance for the proposed interventions?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Section L.11.2.IV.a is revised to eliminate the requirement of the period of performance.

29. On page 99, Section L.11.1.a, the RFP includes Past Performance as part of the 20-page technical. However, on page 105, Section L.11.2 VI. The RFP states, “a. Using the Past Performance Information template (J.3), provide an annex to the technical proposal of up to five of the most recent (active or ended no more than three years ago) and relevant contracts/agreements…” Would USAID please confirm that Past Performance is to be included in the annexes and not in the 20-page technical proposal?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: There should be a summary of relevant past performances in the body of the technical proposal, the annex should show detailed information about when, for whom, where, and probably for how long and how much the work was performed.

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30. On page 104, Section L.11.2.V.2 the RFP states "Offerors should propose a candidate with a CV and signed letters of commitment for the Chief of Party and the Deputy Chief of Party positions as per the requirements described below. Offerors must propose a position description including relevant required qualifications for the remaining two key personnel positions, Director of Analysis Research and Learning, and Finance Manager." Page 105, Section L.11.2.V.2 the RFP states "In the annexes, the Offeror must include the curricula vitae (CV) for the proposed individuals as key personnel." On page 104, Section L.11.2.V.2 the RFP also says, “Of critical importance is that proposed key staff are complementary in skill and role, and work together effectively as a complete team, under the Chief of Party, who will guide the entire contract effort forward with a clear, consistent, and committed vision." Would USAID please confirm that, in order to speak to complementarity, offerors should present all four key personnel in the body of the technical narrative under the Key Personnel section (in addition to four CVs and position descriptions in the annex)?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: As stated in the RFP, we only need to see the CVS of the CoP and DCoP at this point. Please refer to the second sentence under Section L.11.2.V.2 on Page 104: Offerors must propose a position description including relevant required qualifications for the remaining two key personnel positions, Director of Analysis Research and Learning, and Finance Manager.

31. On page 104, Section L.11.2, V.1 Management Approach the RFP states that " Offerors should provide a chart (which will not count towards the page limit) and a narrative description to supplement the chart of the Small Grant Activity Cycle ..." Could USAID please confirm that the Small Grant Activity Cycle chart should be included as an Annex of the Technical Volume?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Yes, the Small Grant Activity Cycle chart should be included as an Annex of the Technical Volume.

32. On page 107, Section L.12(b).1 of the RFP itemizes four (4) budget worksheets to be included in the Excel Cost Proposal: Overall Summary Budget, Annual Summary Budget, Overall Detailed Budget, and Annual Detailed Budget. May offerors combine the overall and annual budgets in the same Excel tabs so that there is one tab for the Summary Budget that includes the budget by year and total proposed budget and one tab for the Detailed Budget that includes the detailed budget by year and total.

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Please refer to revised sections of L.12.

33. On page 108, Section L.12(b).2.A.1.b of the RFP it directs offerors to organize proposed local In-Country Staff by Program Staff and Operation Staff. Can USAID please provide definitions and sample positions for Program and Operation Staff to ensure parity across offerors?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Offerors should categorize staff as per their personnel policy and per their proposed technical approach in response to SOO.

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34. RFP page 108 Section L.12(b).2.A.2 Fringe Benefits states that costs such as expat allowances should be included under Fringe cost. Would USAID consider adding a separate cost category for Allowances in addition to Fringe?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Allowances is added. Please refer to revised sections of L.12.

35. Page 109, Section L.12(b).3 Equipment and Supplies requires an “analysis that it is more advantageous to purchase than lease.” Please confirm that a cost v. lease analysis is required only for high-value items such as vehicles.

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Yes, the cost v. lease analysis is required only for high-value items.

36. RFP page 109, Section L.12(b).4 indicates the $20-$21 million range is “just an estimate provided for informational purposes to the offeror and is not binding.” Section B.4(b) states that an amount of $6.6 million for must be set aside for Grants under Contract. Similar to the total estimated range of the contract, would USAID consider setting a range for GUCs or allowing offerors to propose an alternative GUC amount based on the proposed technical approach?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: The requirement for the GUCs budget is revised. The amount in Section B.4 is removed and replaced with “25% of the total estimated cost should be used for small grants activities”.

37. RFP page 109, Section L.12(b).2.D states “The offeror must propose additional activity deliverables in B.8 and fixed fee payment schedule with accompanying narrative.” Can USAID please confirm that the deliverables to be included in the fee table in Section B.8 should be equivalent to the deliverables outlined in section F.6, with offerors allocating a fixed fee percentage to each deliverable in the table?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Yes. USAID confirms this statement.

38. Regarding Section L.12(b).7.V, page 112, Part 5 – Information to Support Consent to Major Subcontractors, can USAID please clarify if consent to subcontract should be included in the cost proposal for all proposed subcontractors or only major subcontractors, defined as those having a value of $5 million or greater?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: This request is for all proposed known subcontractors, sub awardees, as well as resource partners. (page 113)

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39. PWS/Technical Proposal Body (pg. 102) – Can USAID please clarify what information from the PWS should be included in the technical body and what information should be included in the PWS annex?

PWS/Technical Proposal Body (pg. 102) – Can USAID please confirm that the “Summary Chart” section should be part of the PWS annex? It can be part of the PWS annex - PWS/Technical Proposal Body (pg. 102) – Can USAID please confirm that the six (6) bullets under the section that states “For each proposed intervention, additional information as follows” on page 102 should be included in the PWS annex?

PWS/Technical Proposal Body (pg. 102) – Can USAID please confirm that the “Deliverables” section should be part of the PWS annex?

PWS/Technical Proposal Body (pg. 102) – Can USAID please confirm that the “Grants under Contracts (GUCs)” section should be part of the PWS annex?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Please refer to revised sections of L.11.1 and L.11.2.

40. Section L, page 104 states that Offerors should propose a candidate with a CV and signed letters of commitment for the Chief of Party and the Deputy Chief of Party positions as per the requirements described below.” Page 105 states that signed letters of commitment must be submitted for the key personnel proposed, indicating (a) availability to serve in the stated position, in terms of the number of days after award; (b) her/his intention to serve for a stated term of the service; and (c) agreement to the compensation level which corresponds to the levels set forth in the cost proposal.” Can USAID please clarify whether a CV with three references and LOC are required for all four key personnel positions?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: USAID requires to see the CVS with three references and LOC for the Chief of Party and the Deputy Chief of Party.

41. Can USAID clarify whether Small Disadvantaged Business participation program targets information should be included as a separate annex from the Past Performance Information section, per Section L11.1, page 100?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Yes, the SDB participation program targets information should be included as a separate annex from the past performance information section.

42. Will USAID provide a template for the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: No. A template will not be provided. Offerors are encouraged to review FAR Subpart 46.4 for the development of the QASP.

43. Will USAID provide a template for the Draft MEL plan?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Yes, to the apparently successful offeror, when selected.

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44. Are there page limits for any of the annexes listed on pp. 99-100 of the RFP, specifically for the Draft MEL plan?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: USAID/Ethiopia does not encourage many pages but there is no page limit for annexes.

45. On page 103, USAID states that “Offerors must propose indicators that will allow USAID to measure the Contractor’s performance in implementing the program separated by base period and option period.”

a.Can USAID please clarify what is meant by the base period and option period?

b.What is the length/term of an option period?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: This language is removed. There is no option period for this activity.

46. Page 99, L.11.1 and Page 102, L.11.2, (IV)(a) Guidance on page 99 lists the PWS as a required annex. On page 102, (a) PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)/TECHNICAL APPROACH indicates that the PWS is required as part of the Technical Approach and must include a summary chart and other detailed information for each intervention, such as an illustrative Work Plan. Guidance also states, “The PWS must include the following components in the PWS/Technical Proposal Body (not in the Annexes, unless otherwise noted)”. Please advise which components of the PWS should be included in the Technical Proposal Body/Technical Approach versus annex.

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Sections L.11.1 and L.11.2 are revised with this amendment.

47. Page 99, L.11.1 and Page 106, VI Organization of Technical Proposal indicates that Past Performance should be included as part of the Technical Proposal. Meanwhile, VI. PAST PERFORMANCE states that offerors should use the Past Performance Information template to provide an annex to the technical proposal. Can USAID please confirm whether Past Performance should be included as part of the Technical Proposal, or only as an annex?

And if part of the Technical Proposal, can USAID please provide additional guidance on the information that should be included?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: There should be a summary of relevant past performances in the body of the technical proposal, but the annex should show detailed information about when, for whom, where, and probably for how long and how much the work was performed.

48. Page 99, L.11.1, Organization of Technical Proposal and Page 102, L.11.2.IV, Technical Proposal Format and Content). Section L.11.1 states that the Performance Work Statement (PWS) should be an Annex. However, in Section L.11.2.IV, it states that “The PWS must include the components in the PWS/Technical Body Proposal (not in the Annexes, unless otherwise noted)”. Can USAID clarify that:The PWS should be housed in the standalone Annex (and use contractual language such as ‘the contractor must…’) and that The front “Technical Approach” (counted in the 20-page limitation) should be separate from the

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PWS, may use language such as ‘we propose’ – that the only exception to this will be to include the “summary chart listing proposed interventions…” referenced on RFP page 102.

49. (Page 102, L.11.2.IV.a, Performance Work Statement/(PWS)/Technical Approach). This section summarizes components of the PWS/Technical Approach and includes a bulleted list of requirements “for each proposed intervention”. The fifth bullet requires “an illustrative work plan for the intervention” – suggesting that a work plan is required for each individual intervention. Would USAID please confirm that an illustrative work plan is not required for “each proposed intervention”, but instead one work plan is to be submitted as an Annex summarizing all interventions

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Section L.11.1 and L.11.2 are revised with this amendment.

50. (Page 107, L.12(b)1 - Proposed Costs/Prices) The solicitation requires the offeror to provide an overall summary budget, annual summary budgets, an overall detailed budget, and annual detailed budgets. Can USAID confirm that: a single summary budget table with a column for each year fulfills the requirement for the summary budgets a single detailed budget tab with column(s) for each year will fulfill the annual detailed budget requirement?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Offerors should submit cost proposals per revised guidance provided in L.12.

51. (Page 109, L.12.4.E Total Estimated Cost and Fee) The solicitation states the “magnitude of the requirement is between $20 and $21 million for a five-year activity.” Can USAID please indicate whether the $6.6 million in grants under contract (page 6, B.4 Contract Budget) is included in the provided estimate of $20-21 million?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: The total estimated cost is inclusive of the budget for the Grant Under Contract. The 6.6 million figure is now removed from B.4 and is replaced to read 25% of the total estimated cost/budget.

52. Page 100, L.11.1 and Page 106 L.11.2 (VI)(2) Guidance on page 100 couples Past Performance Information (PPI) report references with past performance information using small business concerns. Meanwhile, guidance on page 106 states that offerors should provide a narrative summary of use of small business concerns. Can USAID please confirm that small business concerns should be submitted as a separate annex, and not as part of each PPI report reference?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: USAID confirms that small business concerns should be submitted separately.

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53. Page 102, L.11.2, (IV)(a) Can USAID please clarify whether b. Deliverables and c. Grants Under Contracts are part of the PWS? And if so, should they be included as part of the Technical Proposal Body/Technical Approach or annex?

54. Page 104, V.2 Key Personnel makes reference to SMT having skills to interact with Somali private sector. Is it anticipated that engaging with the Somali private sector will be a component of this work or was it intended to state Ethiopia's private sector?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: This section is revised to read Ethiopian Private Sector.

55. Page 106, L.11.2 (VI)(2) Re: submission of SF 294 Subcontracting Reports for Individual Contracts to supplement Offeror’s past performance with Small Business (SB) concerns, many organizations in the industry have had robust engagement with small businesses under USG Assistance mechanisms or other funding streams, which can be demonstrated through their narrative summary and points of reference for small business engagement (in response to L.11.2.VI.2.c.i and iii). These engagements would not be supplemented by SF 294 forms, however, as that reporting requirement is exclusive to USG Acquisition.

Understanding that the request for SF 294 is intended to be purely supplementary, and not intended to unfairly disadvantage offerors whose small business efforts cannot be validated by SF 294s, would USAID consider either removing the requirement for SF 294 forms, or confirm that the absence of SF 294 forms alone would not warrant a “neutral” rating for that evaluation criteria?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: USAID/Ethiopia confirms that the absence of SF 294 forms alone would not warrant a “neutral” rating for that evaluation criteria.

56. Page 108, L.12 (b)(2) GUCs are listed here under “Contractual”, which falls under “A.

Direct Costs”. However, section B.4 has GUCs as its separate line item outside of Direct Costs. Please confirm if USAID's intention is that GUCs are allocated under Contractual or as a separate line item, like section B.4.

USAID/Ethiopia Response: GUCs will be tracked separately when awarded, as indicated in B.4, but allocation should be per guidance provided in L.12. Please note L.12 is revised with this amendment.

57. Page, 109, L.12 (b)(1)(ii,iv) Please advise if the “Annual Summary Budgets” and the “Annual Detailed Budgets” should be separate worksheets for each year. Could USAID consider changing the requirement to one Summary budget for the five years and one detailed budget for the five years?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Please use the guidance provided in L.12 that is revised with this amendment.

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58. Page 109, L.12 (b)(2) (A.6.a) Direct program activities mention that non-fixed type subcontracts should be broken down into categories specified in Section L.16 (b) (2)), however, Section L.16 (b) (2)) refers to “WAIVERS UNDER FAR PART 4.2101

PROHIBITION ON COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO

SURVEILLANCE SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT”. Please clarify the instructions.

USAID/Ethiopia Response: L.12 (b)(2) (A.6.a) is removed.

59. Page 109, L.12 (E)(3) L.12.E Personnel: Bio Data Sheets are required for any individual specifically identified in the cost or technical proposal. Does this apply to all staff or just exclusively COP and DCOP?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: if staff are identified already, yes. However, Bio Data Sheets for COP and DCOP are the only requirement.

60. Page 112, Section IV Could USAID confirm that Evidence of Responsibility is only required for the offeror, and not major subcontractors?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Yes, the Evidence of Responsibility is only required for the offeror.

61. Section L.11.1 (page 99) notes that the technical proposal will have a technical approach section in the main body and a performance work statement in an annex. Section L.11.2 IV(a) (page 101) uses the label “Performance Work Statement (PWS)/Technical Approach.” Would USAID please confirm that the material under this heading pertains to the annex?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Answer: Sections L.11.1 and L.11.2 are revised with this amendment.

62. Section L.11.2 (page 99) lists the “Proposed first year implementation/work plan.” Would USAID please confirm that the draft annual work plan (page 102) is the same document?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: USAID/Ethiopia confirms that the “proposed first year implementation/work plan” and the “draft annual work plan” are the same document.

Please note that L.11.2 is revised from annual to six-month work plan.

63. Section L.11.2 IV(a) (page 102) states, “The PWS must include the following components in the PWS/Technical Proposal Body (not in the Annexes, unless otherwise noted).” Would USAID please confirm that the referenced “summary chart” should be in the PWS annex, not in the main body of the technical proposal?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Yes. Please refer to revised section L.11.

64. Section L.11.2 IV (a) describes “b. Deliverables” and “c. Grants Under Contract (GUCs)” (page 102). Would USAID please clarify whether these two components should be included in the PWS or as separate annexes?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Please refer to revised section L.11.

65. Section L.11.2. IV (b) (page 102) states, “The Offeror must address the operating constraints and cross-cutting requirements indicated in the SOO.” We note that Section

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J.7.1 of the Statement of Objective (SOO) has a list of implementation principles that overlap with the list in Section L. However, these lists do not match exactly. Would USAID please clarify which of these lists the offeror should address per the Section L requirement?

Additionally, would USAID please clarify whether the offeror should include this list in the description of deliverables or in another section of the proposal?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Please refer to revised sections L.11.1.

66. Would USAID please confirm that the “Annual Summary Budgets” (page 107) in Section L.12(b) 1.ii may be submitted in one budget worksheet — i.e., the worksheet with budget totals by year broken down by the categories identified in Section B.4?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Please refer to the revised guidance in Section L.12.b.

67. The instructions in Section L.12(a)(2) and L.12(b)1.i appear duplicative in that both seem to request the completion of the table included in Section B.4.b of the RFP. Would USAID please clarify whether the table should be included in Part 1 as well as Part 2 of the cost volume?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Section L.12. is revised to clarify.

68. Would USAID please confirm the references to “Section B.4” in Sections L.12 (b) 1.iii and 1.iv (pages 107 and 108) should instead be for “Section L.12.2”?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Section L.12. is revised to clarify.

69. Would USAID please clarify the difference between the “Overall Detailed Budget” and “Annual Detailed Budgets” required in Parts L.12 (b)1.iii and iv?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Section L.12. is revised to clarify.

70. Could USAID clarify whether the proposal should be valid for 210 or 180 days? The SF33 has a plug number of 180 (conflicting with the cover letter on page 2 of the RFP of 210 days).

USAID/Ethiopia Response: USAID/Ethiopia confirms that the correct date is 180 days, not 210 days.

71. Could USAID please confirm the assumption that the mission wishes to see all subcontractor detailed budgets (CPFF-type) presented on separate tabs?

USAID/Ethiopia Response: Yes, subcontractor detailed budgets should be presented on separate tabs.

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Attachment 2: Changes to the RFP

1. COVER LETTER, SECOND PARAGRAPH, delete the last sentence and replace with the following in lieu thereof:

“Pursuant to Block 12 of Standard Form 33 of this RFP, USAID requires that offers remain valid for 180 calendar days from the RFP closing date.”

2. SECTION B, B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET, delete the table under b) and replace with the following in lieu thereof:

Item Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total

Direct Costs

*Grants Under Contract

Indirect Cost

Total Cost

Fixed Fee

Total Cost-Plus Fixed Fee

*25% of the total estimated cost should be used for small grants activities.

3. SECTION F-DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE, F.7 REPORTING

REQUIREMENTS, delete the first paragraph of F.7.8 “F.7. Annual Work Plan and budget” and replace with the following in lieu thereof:

AWP Timing

Within 90 calendar days from the effective date of the contract, the Contractor must provide to USAID/Ethiopia the initial work plan. The first work plan will cover six months from contract effective date.

4. SECTION F- DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE, F.7 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS,

delete Deliverable No. 9 and replace the following in lieu thereof:

Deliverable Frequency Due Date Format Submitted to

Close out and Disposition Plan

Once One hundred eighty (180) days prior to the end of contract date.

Electronic CO and

COR

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5. SECTION F- DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE, F.7 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS,

delete F.7.13 Closeout/Demobilization Plan and replace the following in lieu thereof:

At least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the end of the contract, the Contractor shall prepare and submit one electronic version (as a single MS Word file) of the Contract Completion Report to the COR which summarizes the accomplishments of this contract, methods of work used, recommendations regarding unfinished work and/or project continuation, and the financial status of the contract. The final Completion Report shall also contain an index of all reports and information products produced under this contract. Along with the Completion Report, all written documents, reports and presentations will be submitted electronically. The depository shall be organized in a user-friendly system. The close-out plan should show how the Contractor intends to close out the project and dispose of both non-expendable and expendable property.

6. SECTION F- DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE, F.9 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS,

delete the paragraph of F.9 Annual Work Plan and budget” and replace with the following in lieu thereof:

No overtime or premium pay is authorized under this contract. A six‐day workweek is authorized for consultants and employees providing short-term (i.e., less than one year) technical assistance and non-professional or support staff level staff but no premium pay will be paid for the sixth day. Any other work week longer than five days is not allowed absent written approval from the Contracting Officer.”

7. SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS, H.20 PERSONNEL

APPROVALS (AIDAR 752.7007 AND 752.7027), delete the entire section and replace with the following in lieu thereof:

(1) AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JUL 2007)

a. Direct compensation of the Contractor’s personnel will be in accordance with the Contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices and the cost principles applicable to this contract.

(b) Reimbursement of the employee’s base annual salary plus overseas recruitment incentive, if any, which exceed the USAID Contractor Salary Threshold (USAID CST) must be approved in writing by the Contracting Officer. Contracting Officer approval of personnel reimbursed under the contract is required as specified in AIDAR 752.7007 and AIDAR 752.7027. Contracting Officer approval of personnel is deemed provided in the following circumstances.

(2) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

(a) Definitions

As used in this Contract, the terms “salaries” and “wages” mean the periodic remuneration received for professional or technical personal services rendered. Unless the contract states otherwise, these terms do not include any other elements of personal compensation described in the cost principle in FAR 31.205-6 “Compensation for Personal Services,” such as (but not limited to) the differentials or allowances defined in the clause of this contract entitled “Differentials and Allowances” (AIDAR 752.7028). The term “compensation” is defined in FAR 31.205-6(a) and includes fees and honoraria related to the personal

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(b) Limitations:

1. Salary ranges for ALL the professional positions in this Contract will be established based on the market value and the duties and responsibilities of the position. The established range must be realistic and reasonable for the responsibilities of each position and must not be based on the salary history or the qualifications of the candidate selected. The salary ranges must be certified by the Contractor and submitted to the Contracting Officer within 90 days after award. Upon establishment of the salary ranges of the professional positions, an appropriate candidate must be selected based on the Contractor’s established policy and practices and the qualifications sought for that position. In addition, the salary ranges may not exceed the Contractor's established pay scale for equivalent classifications of employees. The Contractor must avoid “rank in person” salaries, which are in excess of the value and the responsibilities of the position. Creation of new Administrative nonprofessional positions does not require USAID input.

2. Per USAID Automated Directives System (ADS) Chapter 302 USAID Direct Contracting, and as prescribed in 731.205-6(b) or 731.371(b), as applicable, there is a ceiling on the reimbursable base salary plus overseas recruitment incentive paid to personnel under the contract.

3. As prescribed in 722.170(b), all Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs) and Third Country Nationals (TCNs) salaries must not exceed the Local Compensation Plan (LCP). Approval of the budget of the contract does not absolve the Contractor’s duty to request and receive Mission Director’s approval prior to hiring CCN and TCN personnel whose salaries are above the LCP.

8. SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS, H.21 GRANTS UNDER USAID

CONTRACTS, delete requirement (o) which requires for the contractor to obtain written clearance for the COR.

9. SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS, H.23 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Covered Telecommunications And Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Section 889), delete the entire section and replace with the following in lieu thereof:

H23. FAR Part 4.21 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Covered Telecommunications And Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Section 889) (December 2021)

(a) The award of this contract and its period of performance is based on the Section 889 Modified Foreign Assistance (FA) Waiver USAID received from the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), which expires on September 30, 2028. The period of performance of this contract is limited by the terms of the Modified FA Waiver, including the Modified FA Waiver duration as set forth in Section F.

The Contractor must submit the representation at FAR 52.204-24 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation no later than March 31, 2028. If there is a renewed or alternative waiver in place before that date, or if the Contractor represents that it does not use covered equipment and services, the CO will provide written notice of its intent to exercise the option.

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(b) As soon as the Contractor is no longer using any covered equipment or services but no later than March 31, 2028, the Contractor must submit the representation at FAR 52.204-24 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation.

10. SECTION L- GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, L.11.1 ORGANIZATION OF TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, delete the entire section and replace it with the following in lieu thereof:

The written Technical Proposal is limited to 20 pages and must be written in English. USAID will not evaluate information submitted above this page limit. Do not use a type smaller than 11 point font. Offerors must number each page consecutively. The technical proposal must be submitted with sections separately and include the information set forth below. The font used in tables and charts may be adjusted as appropriate but must be no smaller than 10-point font. Failure to comply with the solicitation’s instructions, and any deviation from the RFP’s requirements and prescribed format will be considered a material omission, and could result in a proposal’s exclusion, rejection, or determination of ineligibility.

Note: A page in the technical proposal that contains a table, chart, graph, etc., not otherwise excluded below, is subject to the page limitation. Therefore, Technical Proposals must be organized in the following manner:

● Cover Page (not counted against page limit)

● Table of Contents (not counted against page limit)

● Executive Summary (2-page limit, but not counted against page limit; must describe the basic elements of the offeror’s technical approach and methodology, management and staffing plan, MEL plan)

● Technical Approach

● Management Approach and Personnel

● Past Performance

Annexes will not count against the page limit. All annexes must be referenced in the technical proposal with summarized information and included in the annex section. The following will be included in the annexes:

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Acronym list

Proposed six-month implementation/work plan

Draft MEL plan

Recommended Position Descriptions with requirements for Key Personnel

Management Structure Organizational Chart(s)

CVs/Resumes of Key Personnel with three references

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Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

Past Performance Information (PPI) report references, past performance information in using small business concerns

Small Disadvantaged Business participation program targets information

Case study

11. SECTION L- GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, L.11.2 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL FORMAT AND CONTENT, IV.

TECHNICAL APPROACH, (a) PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS), delete the entire section entirely and replace it with the following in lieu thereof:

a. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)[See Section M.2 (a)]

a. PWS

The PWS must:

1. Maximize measurable and realistic performance targets to be accomplished under each

Objective and Intermediate Result

2. Clearly describe technically sound, evidenced-based and logical interventions the Offeror will perform under each Objective and Intermediate Results likely to achieve the objectives of the Statement of Objectives;

3. Clearly describe the deliverables associated with each Objective and Intermediate Result;

4. Identify those activities within each Objective and Intermediate Result that will contribute to the cross-cutting requirements listed in the SOO, such as collaboration, sustainability, gender equity, youth integration, and innovation; and

5. Include a summary description of the responsibilities of all involved parties and how the dedicated team will lead to successful activity performance.

The PWS must include the following components in the PWS:

A summary chart listing proposed interventions to achieve the objectives, the name of any sub-partner implementing the intervention (if known), and proposed geography. USAID encourages innovation and new approaches to achieve the objectives and results outlined in the SOO.

For each proposed intervention, additional information as follows:

A description of the intervention.

A plan for coordinating the implementation of the intervention with the stakeholders at all appropriate levels;

A plan for synergy and avoiding duplication of effort with existing USAID/Ethiopia activities, along with other USG and other donor-funded activities, as applicable;

Any proposed sub-partners;

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An illustrative Work Plan for the intervention; and At least two proposed indicators per intervention and semi-annual targets for each indicator.

b. Deliverables: The Offeror must clearly describe the deliverables associated with each Objective and Results with accompanying narrative as indicated by “TBD” under Section B and Section F. These deliverables will be required during the course of the award. Each proposed deliverable must be realistic, measurable, and attributable to the successful execution of the offeror’s PWS. There is no preference on the number of deliverables for an offeror to propose.

The Offeror must address the operating constraints and cross-cutting requirements indicated in the SOO, including: business enabling environment, security, budget, local capacity,…