RFP 72066323R00018 Amendement 0001 12-21.pdf

RFP/Solicitation No. 72066323R00018 Amendment No. 0001

Request for Proposals (RFP) No.: 72066323R00018 Issuance Date: November 20, 2023 Wri�en Ques�ons Due Date: December 4, 2023, 17:00 (Addis Ababa Time) Proposals Submission Closing Date: January 10, 2024, 17:00 (Addis Ababa Time) Proposals Submission Closing Date: January 17, 2024, 17:00 (Addis Ababa Time)

Amendment No. 0001 issued Date: December 21, 2023

REFERENCE : Request for Proposals (RFP)/Solicita�on No. 72066323R00018 Supply Chain Strengthening (SCS) Ac�vity

Subject: Amendment No. 0001 Changes to the original RFP

Dear Prospec�ve Offerors:

The United States Government (“USG”) represented by the U.S. Agency for Interna�onal Development (USAID/Ethiopia) hereby amends the above-referenced RFP. The main purpose of Amendment No. 0001 is to make necessary changes to the Solicita�on.

The RFP is amended as set forth below in A�achment No. 1 to this Amendment. Except as specifically amended herein, all terms and condi�ons of the RFP remain unchanged.

A�achment No. 2 provides the ques�ons received and respec�ve responses. There are about 10 remaining ques�ons that will be provided within the next week.

Addi�onal A�achments (A�achments 3 - 7) are provided due to access issues with the original

RFP.

Thank you for your interest in this USAID ini�a�ve. We look forward to your organiza�on's con�nued par�cipa�on.

Sincerely, Admir Serifovic Contrac�ng Officer

A�achment No. 001 - Changes to the RFP

The Solicita�on is hereby amended as set forth below:

1. Sec�on B.7 PAYMENT OF FEE (page 12) 1 st sentence is deleted in its en�rety and replaced to read:

Pursuant to FAR 16.306 (d) “Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts,” payment of the fixed-fee will be divided between Ac�vity Deliverables (25% of the total Fixed Fee) and Performance Deliverables (75% of the total Fixed Fee) as included in Sec�on B.8 of this RFP.

2. Sec�on F.7.3.3 Quarterly Accruals and Financial Repor�ng

Bullet number 5 amended to read ‘Es�mated expenses for the upcoming quarter.’’

3. Sec�on F.7

Sec�on F.7, Reports chart item #1, Branding and Marking plan ‘Descrip�on / Timetable’ is amended from: With proposal in Mandatory Template; to: ‘Upon request to the apparently successful applicant in a USAID mandatory template.’

4. Sec�on H.18 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT (h) last sentence:

Amended to read ‘The Contractor may also use a Fixed Amount Award format when appropriate as described in ADS 303 and ADS 303sal.’

5. Sec�on H.18 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT (m):

Deleted in its en�rety and replaced with ‘The grant must provide that payment of any interest, fees, program income and other refunds generated by grant recipients in accordance with 2

CFR 200.307.’

6. Sec�on H.18 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT (p):

Deleted in its en�rety and replaced with ‘Any submissions to the Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) must follow the guidance in ADS 303mab, Provision M8 “Submission to the

Development Experience Clearinghouse and Data Rights” of Standard Provisions for Non-US Nongovernmental Organiza�ons (a mandatory reference for ADS Chapter 303).’

7. Sec�on H.18 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT (o):

Sec�on H.18(o) is amended to remove the following sentences: “Copies of all reports received from grantees will be promptly forwarded to the COR.” and “At the conclusion of the Contract, the Contractor must consult with the Contrac�ng Officer for direc�on as to which records must be transferred to USAID.”

8. Sec�on J.5 RESERVED AID 1420 17 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet

Deleted in its en�rety.

9. Sec�on K.7

Deleted in its en�rety and amended �tled as ‘K.7 “Reserved”’.

10. Sec�on L.6 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 6. Award without discussions; line number four:

Delete ‘slide deck’ and replace with ‘original submission’.

11. Sec�on L.8 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION/ DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS Volume I Technical Proposal and Volume II (page 138)

Deleted in its en�rety and replaced with the following:

Cost Proposals must be kept in separate email submissions from one another. The Volume I - Technical Proposal MUST NOT include any cost or price data (such as es�mated rates and total amounts) in order that the technical evalua�on may be made strictly on the basis of technical merit.

12. Sec�on L.8 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION/ DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS Volume II (page 139):

Amend bullet 4 to read ‘All a�achments/electronic contents, with the excep�on of the USAID templates or documents (examples include, but are not limited to: NICRA/indirect cost informa�on, Representa�ons and Cer�fica�ons, past performance matrix, and budget templates) , must be forma�ed to print on 8.5 by 11 inch or A4 size paper, single spaced, with 12-point font with one-inch margins on all sides. USAID templates or documents may be submi�ed with the embedded forma�ng or as originally published. ’

Add bullet 5 ‘Document other than the proposed budget and budget narra�ve (such as signed le�ers, NICRA, etc.) may be submi�ed in PDF format.’

13. Sec�on L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME I – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL; L.9.1 VOLUME 1: TECHNICAL PROPOSAL line 2 (page 139)

Delete the word ‘slide deck’

14. Sec�on L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME I – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL; L.9.1 VOLUME 1: TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, a. Volume 1;

Sec�on L.9.1.a is edited to read: ‘The Technical Proposal must be wri�en in Calibri font (do not use a type smaller than 12-point font) , single spaced and shall be wri�en in English. The text used in tables and charts may be adjusted as appropriate but must be no smaller than 10-point font . Graphs, charts, and tables larger than 8 1/2" x 11" shall be included as an annex , which will not count against the page limit . Text a�achments shall adhere to the same forma�ng specifica�ons given above. For visual clarity, graphs, charts and/or scanned documents must be readable.’;

Sec�on L.9.1.b.6.c is removed;

Sec�on L.9.1.b.7 is edited to add: d. Annex D: Graphs and Charts (not included against the page limit);

15. Sec�on L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME I – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL; L.9.1; b.2 Title Page

Amend to read ‘Title Page, if any (1 page) (not included in the page limita�on)’

16 . Sec�on L.9.4 TECHNICAL APPROACH

Sec�on L.9.4.c �tle is amended from ‘Past Performance’ to ‘Annex A: Contractor Past Performance Matrix and U�liza�on of Small Businesses.’

Sec�on L.9.4.c.a.ii is edited to add: ‘If the offeror is unable to obtain a wri�en reference by the �me of proposal submission, the offeror must provide, at a minimum, the point of contact for associated past performance reference.’

17. Sec�on L.9.4, General Parameters, paragraph c

Edited to remove the language “along with an�cipated costs to allow cost-efficiency/ effec�veness reviews.”

18. Sec�on L.9.4.b, paragraph 4

Edited to read: ‘The Offeror is encouraged to iden�fy and propose Key Personnel posi�ons in response to the three posi�ons iden�fied as “TBD” in Sec�on F. For Key Personnel posi�ons, the Offeror must demonstrate how the proposed qualifica�ons, skills, educa�on, experience, and accomplishments will assist the Offeror to implement the Ac�vity and achieve the results.

For all Key Personnel posi�ons, the Offeror must include the job �tle, the minimum requirements for the posi�on, and the posi�on descrip�on in Annex B. The Offeror may propose a maximum of five individuals as key personnel.’

19. L.10 is revised

Sec�on L.10 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING PLAN is deleted in its en�rety and replaced with the following:

L.10 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF BRANDING AND MARKING DOCUMENTS.

The Branding Implementa�on Plan and Marking Plan will not be included in any proposal submi�ed by offerors, either ini�al or, in the event that discussions are held, in a revised proposal. Please note that Offerors must include all es�mated costs associated with branding and marking throughout the life of the project.

At the request of the Contrac�ng Officer, the Branding Implementa�on Plan and Marking Plan will be submi�ed by the apparently successful offeror a�er the proposals have been finally evaluated, nego�ated, and subsequently included in and made a part of the resultant contract.

The Branding and Marking documents will be nego�ated within the �me that the Contrac�ng Officer specifies. Failure to submit and nego�ate the required Branding and Marking documents a�er they are requested by the Contrac�ng Officer will make the offeror ineligible for award of a contract.

Below is more informa�on to inform

Branding Implementa�on Plan (BIP) :

A Branding Implementa�on Plan must be developed by the successful offeror. It is not required for an offeror’s submission of a proposal. It shall describe how the program will be communicated to the beneficiaries and promoted to host-country ci�zens. It will outline the events and materials the Contractor will use to deliver the message that the assistance is from the American people. More specifically, Branding Implementa�on Plan must address the following:

How to incorporate the message; “This assistance is from the American people…..,” in communica�ons and materials directed to beneficiaries, or provide an explana�on if this message is not appropriate or possible.

How to publicize the program, project, or ac�vity in Ethiopia and a descrip�on of the communica�ons tools to be used. Such tools may include the following: press releases, press conferences, media interviews, site visits, success stories, beneficiary tes�monials, professional photography, PSAs, videos, web casts, e-invita�ons, or other emails sent to group lists, such as par�cipants for a training session blast emails or other Internet ac�vi�es, etc.

The key milestones or opportuni�es an�cipated to generate awareness that the program, project, or ac�vity is from the American people jointly sponsored by USAID and the Government of Ethiopia, or an explana�on if this is not appropriate or possible. Such milestones may be linked to specific points in �me, such as the beginning or end of a program, or to an opportunity to showcase publica�ons or other materials, research findings, or program success. These include, but are not limited to, the following: launching the program, announcing research findings, publishing reports or studies, spotligh�ng trends, highligh�ng success stories, featuring beneficiaries as spokespeople, securing endorsements from partner municipali�es, ministry, or local organiza�ons, promo�ng final or interim reports, and communica�ng program impact/overall results.

Marking Plan (MP) :

USAID’s policy is that programs, projects, ac�vi�es, public communica�ons, or commodi�es implemented or delivered under contracts and subcontracts exclusively funded by USAID are marked exclusively with the USAID Iden�ty. Marking Plan shall be developed to enumerate the public communica�ons, commodi�es, and program materials and other items that visibly bear or will be marked with the USAID Standard Graphic iden�ty. Where applicable, a host-country government or ministry symbol may be added.

Except for the manufacturer’s trademark on a commercial item, the corporate iden��es or logos of contractors or subcontractors are not permi�ed on USAID-funded program materials and communica�ons. Please refer to ADS sec�on 320.3.2.4 that describes what the Marking Plan must address. Note that marking is not required for Contractors’ offices, vehicles, and other non-deliverable items.

20. L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL line number seven:

Delete the second sentence and replace it with ‘Offerors have to sequen�ally number pages in the cost proposal.’

21. Sec�on L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL line number seven:

Delete ‘and not exceeding 10MB in file size.’

22. Sec�on L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL paragraph number three, second sentence:

Edit to read ‘The Cost Proposal shall include the following informa�on. All pages must be sequen�ally numbered, and each part shall be separated by a tab or by a page break.’

23 . Sec�on L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL; Part 1 - Proposed Costs; B. Proposed Costs/Prices; (a) Assump�ons; An�cipated Start Date :

Delete ‘June1, 2023’ and add ‘June 1, 2024

24. Sec�on L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL; Part 1 - Proposed Costs; B. Proposed Costs/Prices; (a) Assump�ons; second bulle�n:

Delete ‘ Ethiopia Currency Exchange Rate: All budget informa�on must be presented in US dollars. The current Ethiopia exchange rate against the US Dollar as of October 2023 is ETB

55.25 equals USD1. Offerors will use this rate of conversion within their proposals. Proposal costs must be presented in US Dollars.’ In its en�rety.

25. Sec�on L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL; Part II - Budget Line Item Defini�ons and Illustra�ons; B. Budget Cost Category Defini�ons and Illustra�ons; Personnel; first paragraph, first sentence:

The first sentence is revised to read: ‘FAR 31.205-6, AIDAR 731.205-46, AIDAR 722.170 , and AIDAR 752.7007 provide reference for compensa�on for personnel services.’

26. Sec�on L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL; Part II - Budget Line Item Defini�ons and Illustra�ons; B. Budget Cost Category Defini�ons and Illustra�ons; Personnel; first paragraph, last sentence:

Delete ‘Bio Data Sheets are required for any individual specifically iden�fied in the cost or technical proposal.’

27. Sec�on L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL; Part II - Budget Line Item Defini�ons and Illustra�ons; B. Budget Cost Category Defini�ons and Illustra�ons; Subcontracts (other than commodi�es) ; first paragraph:

Delete ‘Informa�on sufficient to determine the reasonableness of the cost of each proposed major subcontractor must be included.’ In its en�rety and add ‘ Please note that USAID’s preferred subcontract type remains the firm fixed price (FFP) type. For each proposed major subcontract, regardless of the contract type, the Offeror must provide informa�on sufficient to determine the reasonableness of the proposed costs and prices.’

28. Sec�on L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL; Part II - Budget Line Item Defini�ons and Illustra�ons; B. Budget Cost Category Defini�ons and Illustra�ons; Subcontracts (other than commodi�es) ; second paragraph:

Delete ‘Mul�pliers: When proposing Time and Material subcontracts, the Offeror shall provide the mul�plier and its costs breakdown. Please note that USAID’s preferred subcontract type remains the firm fixed price type.’ In its en�rety.

29. Sec�on L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL; Part II - Budget Line Item Defini�ons and Illustra�ons; B. Budget Cost Category Defini�ons and Illustra�ons; Indirect Costs and Indirect Cost Informa�on ; below first paragraph:

Add ‘The prime and all major subcontractors may propose lower overhead rates than their established Nego�ated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and sign the le�er found in ADS 300, Mandatory Reference for Best Prac�ces Guide for Indirect Cos�ng. Indirect rates proposed cannot be higher than the rates established in their NICRA. Please read further instruc�ons below if your organiza�on does not have a NICRA.”