VISIT Tunisia RFP 72066421R00001 Amendment No. 1 Q&A.pdf

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1 20

001 11/20/2020

72066421R00001

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X

The purpose of this Amendment No. 1 is to answer questions received by Offerors, revise the RFP based on questions received and update some FAR provisions (See revisions in yellow in the attached RFP).

Craig Smith

Contracting Officer

X X

USAID/MERP (ME Regional – Frankfurt)

U.S Consulate General Frankfurt

Giessener Str 30

60435 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

X

X

November 20, 2020

Subject: Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 72066421R00001

VISIT Tunisia Activity

Amendment #1

The purpose of this Amendment is:

A. Amend the RFP as follows: All amendments to the RFP are highlighted in yellow in the RFP Amendment 1 document. Any highlighted strikethrough text (i.e., strikethrough) has been removed from the RFP. Changes to the RFP are noted below in

USAID’s responses to questions; and

B. Answer questions received from potential offerors via email.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

GENERAL:

Q.1 Would an Italian company be eligible to bid for this project?

A.1 Yes, an Italian company is eligible to bid for this project.

Q.2 Could a non-US company bid as prime consultant?

A.2 Yes, a non-US company can bid as a prime consultant.

Q.3 Should we have to register to SAM.gov?

A.3 Yes, all bidders should have registered with SAM.gov.

Q.4 Would USAID please determine the USD/TND currency conversion rate to be used for the purposes of budgeting the Visit Tunisia Project?

A.4 The Offeror is responsible for all assumptions to justify a proposed budget, including the exchange rate.

Q.5 The clauses incorporated by reference in section E, I and L include references to Time and Material and Labor Hour Clauses for CLIN 0003. Please confirm that task orders under CLIN 0003 may also use a CPFF contract type.

A.5 CLIN 003 can only be awarded under CPFF Term (level of effort) task orders which, as per

FAR 16.306(d)(2), describes the scope of work in general terms and obligates the contractor to devote a specified level of effort for a stated time period. Under this form, if the performance is considered satisfactory by the Government, the fixed fee is payable at the expiration of the agreed-upon period, upon contractor statement that the level of effort specified in the contract has been expended in performing the contract work. Renewal for further periods of performance is a new acquisition that involves new cost and fee arrangements.

Q.6 Does USAID have a preferred start date that should be used for budgeting purposes?

A.6 The expected start date for this activity is on or about April 2021.

Q.7 We kindly request that USAID provide an additional email recipient for offeror submissions in the event that there is an error with the TunisiaSolicitations@usaid.gov inbox.

A.7 This is the only USAID email address offerors should use for submitting their proposals.

Q.8 Please confirm how offerors should refer to the Activity name in the proposal: “USAID

Visit Tunisia Activity” or “USAID Visit Tunisia Project”.

A.8 USAID Visit Tunisia Activity.

Q.9 Please confirm that USAID intends for major subcontractor to be defined as having over 20% of the Activity budget.

A.9 As stated in B.7, Major subcontractors are defined as those whose proposed cost exceeds

20% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost.

SECTION B:

Q.10 B.4 is titled “Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee for CLIN 004”. Please confirm that this section applies to Fixed Fee for CLINs 0001 and 0002 as well.

A.10 This is a typo, this is the estimated cost and fixed fee for CLIN 003. It should therefore read “Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee for CLIN 0003”.

Q.11 B.6 Budget Schedule asks the offeror to separate Fixed Fee for non-GUCs (CLINs

0005 and 1005) and Fixed Fee for GUCs (CLINs 006 and 1006). Could USAID please confirm this breakdown is for proposal presentation purposes only, and that the fee for all

CLINs other than the project fund (CLINs 0003 and 1003) which is tied to LOE, will be combined into one CLIN at award and paid against the deliverables outlined in

Attachment J.9 “Fee Schedule Template”?

mailto:TunisiaSolicitations@usaid.gov

A.11 The breakdown is not for presentation purposes. The final budget will be 3 different lines for fee, one for GUCs (CLIN 0002), one for the project fund (CLIN 0003) and one for the

Technical Assistance and Infrastructure (CLINs 0001 & 0004)

Q.12 Section B.6, Pages 6-7:

a. Section B.6 requires the Contractor to include a summary budget by CLIN for both the base period and option period. Can USAID please confirm if the

Contractor is also required to complete a detailed budget by CLIN or is it acceptable to include the costs for all CLINS (both base and option periods) in one detailed budget worksheet that follows the summary budget table by category on pages 99-100 of the RFP?

b. Please confirm that Offerors may include fee on the Infrastructure Provision as part of CLINs 0005 and 1005: Fixed Fee non-GUCs.

A.12 a. Offerors are requested to complete a detailed budget by CLIN to support the summary budget as specified in Section B.6. A detailed budget worksheet is also needed to follow the summary budget table by category as per pages 99-100 of the RFP. The following table shows the equivalent CLIN to the category.

Summary Budget by CLIN (pages 6-7) Summary Budget by Category (pages 99-100)

0001 Base Period – Technical Assistance

(Non-GUC)

Base Period Direct Labor and ODCs

0002 Base Period – Technical Assistance

GUC

Base Period GUC

0003 Base Period – Supplemental

Technical Assistance (STA) – Project Fund

(Private Sector Partnerships)(IDIQ)

Base Period Project Fund

0004 Base Period – Infrastructure

Provision

Base Period Infrastructure Provision

0005 Base Period – Fixed Fee non-GUCs

Base Period Fixed Fee for non-GUCs (includes the fixed fee for direct labor, ODCs and

Infrastructure Provision)

0006 Base Period – Fixed Fee GUCs Base Period Fixed Fee for GUCs

0007 Base Period – Fixed Fee Project Fund

Base Period Fixed Fee for Project Fund

1001 Option Period – Technical Assistance

(Non-GUC)

Option Period Direct Labor and ODCs

1002 Option Period – Technical Assistance

(GUC)

Option Period GUC

1003 Option Period – Supplemental

Technical Assistance (SAT) – Project Fund

(Private Sector Partnerships)(IDIQ)

Option Period Project Fund

1004 Option Period – Infrastructure

Provision

Option Period Infrastructure Provision

1005 Option Period - Fixed Fee non-GUCs

Option Period Fixed Fee for non-GUCs

(includes the fixed fee for direct labor, ODCs and Infrastructure Provision)

1006 Option Period – Fixed Fee GUCs

Option Period Fixed Fee for GUCs

1007 Option Period – Fixed Fee Project

Fund

Option Period Fixed Fee for Project Fund

b. This is to confirm that offerors may include a fee on the Infrastructure Provision as part of CLINs 0005 and 1005: Fixed Fee non-GUCs.

SECTION C:

Q.13 In regards to the required activities within the scope of work, is it possible to propose activities which are not already defined within the SECTION C - SCOPE OF WORK?

A.13 Offerors must not propose activities that are not included in Section C of the RFP. Offerors are, however, encouraged to propose market-based approaches that foster creativity and innovation to complete the work set out for Visit Tunisia.

Q.14 Is it possible to obtain a copy of the Tourism Ministry and National Tourism Office strategy, budget, operating plans, and annual reports?

A.14 The Tunisian Ministry of Tourism does not have an official strategy for alternative tourism.

The development of such a strategy will be completed under Visit Tunisia, as detailed in Section

C.4 of the RFP. Budgets, operating plans and annual reports have not been made available to

USAID.

Q.15 What promises of cooperation have been given / received from the Tunisia Ministry of

Tourism? Other Ministries and Agencies? The National Tourism Office – nationally and regionally? Regional DMOs? Private sector travel and tourism organizations – nationally and regionally?

A.15 The Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts has expressed their unwavering commitment to this activity and are eager to start coordinating with the selected Contractor during the implementation of Visit Tunisia. Nonetheless, Offerors are reminded that it is the Contractors’ responsibility to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, as well as other relevant ministries, private sector, and donors to advance the objectives of the activity, including, but not limited to:

● The Tunisian Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, which implements the government's policy in the tourism sector, including alternative tourism.

● The National Tourism Office (Office National du Tourisme Tunisien), which is responsible for the design and implementation of media campaigns for the alternative tourist sector.

● The Ministry of workforce development authority (Agence De Formation Dans Les

Métiers Du Tourisme), which prepares students for the professions of cooks, confectioners, waiters, receptionists, cleaning agents or tourist guides.

● The Agency for Heritage Development and Cultural Promotion (L’Agence de Mise en

Valeur du Patrimoine et de Promotion Culturelle), which was established to manage and promote archeological and historical heritage sites.

● Industry Associations to advocate a more enabling policy and regulatory environment for competitiveness and growth in the alternative tourism sector.

● Local and international private sector entities to invest in the offer and quality of alternative tourism in Tunisia.

Q.16 On the page 11, the RFP says “Recognizing that the sector could be better managed to deliver better results, in 2017 the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts held regional workshops to build a shared strategy …. However, these workshops have yet to feed into an effective plan to increase the competitiveness and profitability of Tunisia’s tourism sector.” What is the reason(s) that the workshops have not fed into a plan?

A.16 Over the last decade, the Tunisian government has undertaken a series of studies and developed corresponding strategies (notably a Roland Berger study in 2010 -- an updated version of this study referred to as “3+1” in 2014, and the “Assises du Tourisme” in 2017). There is broad consensus among stakeholders on the direction in which Tunisia’s tourism industry needs to advance, and on certain activities to address priority challenges. However, the major difficulty has been implementation. At the strategic level, there are still critical gaps in the industry’s vision for the sector.

Q.17 On the Page 12, Is there any research to indicate that capitalizing “on the country's natural, cultural and historical endowments to develop a more diversified and high quality sector” will enable the industry to increase overall earnings?

A.17 Offerors are encouraged to conduct their own research and propose an approach to meet the objectives of the activity. Scientific and theoretical research could be found in academic journals, industry reports and foundation books on the subject.

Q.18 On the page 13, under section C.4.1. Enhance Tunisia’s competitiveness as a tourism destination, Required activities (Three-Year Base Period) it is mentioned that the

Contractor should develop a long-term Strategic Plan, Action Matrix, and Branding and

Positioning Plan for Tunisia’s alternative tourism sector. Can you clarify what is meant under alternative tourism sector?

A.18 For the purpose of this RFP, alternative tourism refers to tourism that builds experiences and favors encounters and exchanges while respecting the values of local people and nature.

Alternative tourism includes, but is not limited to, the following: cultural and heritage tourism, adventure-based tourism, nature-based tourism, religion-based tourism, culinary and wine tourism, pop culture tourism, business events (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), sports tourism, wellness tourism, desert tourism, and ecotourism.

Q.19 On the page 13, has Tunisia’s National Tourism Office focused tourism marketing efforts on cultural and heritage assets, adventure travel, nature-based travel, Star Wars locations, or food and wine offerings to date? If so, why have their efforts been unsuccessful?

A.19 See response to question 16, above.

Q.20 On the page 13, why has Tunisia not been able to generate off-season revenue from the MICE segment?

A.20 For more information on Tunisia’s tourism sector, Offerors are encouraged to consult industry reports and assessments including, but not limited to, the World Economic Forum, Travel and Tourism Competitive Index, which is used to benchmark the competitiveness of 140 economies, including Tunisia, and to measure factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the tourism sector. Other resources include the World Bank’s 2020 “Doing

Business” report which provides the measures and regulations that enhance business activity and those that constraint it, and data made available by the United Nations World Tourism

Organization on inbound, domestic and outbound tourism, as well as on tourism industries, employment and complementary indicators for different countries, including Tunisia.

Q.21 On the page 13, what organization(s) / agency(ies) was(were) responsible for developing Tunisia’s previous / existing Branding and Positioning plan?

A.21 See response to question 16, above.

Q.22 On page 14, C.4.1 Enhance Tunisia’s competitiveness as a tourism destination

Expected Results (Three-Year Base Period), the $10 million worth of investments from the private sector is in cash, in kind or both?

A.22 USAID confirms that private sector investments can be cash or in-kind.

Q.23 On page 14, define “tourism product”.

A.23 Consistent with the definition used by the World Tourism Organization, tourism products refer to "a combination of tangible and intangible elements, such as natural, cultural and man-made resources, attractions, facilities, services and activities around a specific center of interest which represents the core of the destination marketing mix and creates an overall visitor experience including emotional aspects for the potential customers. A tourism product is priced and sold through distribution channels and it has a life-cycle."

Q.24 Page 14, concerning Activity Deliverable 1.2: “Develop and implement at least nine targeted campaigns that clearly articulate Tunisia’s unique selling proposition”, we kindly request additional information regarding the determination for the amount (nine) of campaigns.

A.24 To meet this result, the Contractor is expected to develop and implement an average of at least three (3) targeted campaigns per year during the three-year base period of the contract.

These campaigns must be consistent with the Branding and Positioning Plan developed by the

Contractor for Tunisia’s alternative tourism sector under the required activities for the 3-year base period. See section C 4.1 of the RFP.

Q.25 Section C, Page 14 “…opportunities in the alternative tourism sector.” Could USAID kindly define “alternative”?

A.25 See response to question 18, above.

Q.26 Section C, Page 15 “…a twenty (20) percent increase in the number of overnight stays in underserved regions of the country.“ Is baseline data available for accommodations in underserved regions?

A.26 After the award of a contract, USAID’s Contractor must develop and submit a monitoring plan to track and assess progress against baseline data to be collected, including overnight stays in targeted areas.

Q.27 On the page 15, under section C.4.1. Enhance Tunisia’s competitiveness as a tourism destination, Expected Results (Three-Year Base Period) it is mentioned that one of the expected results of the project is a twenty (20) percent increase in the number of overnight stays in underserved regions of the country. Can you specify which regions of the country are considered as underserved?

A.27 For the purpose of the activity, underserved regions include interior regions of the country that have not traditionally benefited from mass tourism and coastal regions with untapped commercial potential for alternative tourism.

Q.28 On the page 15, 15,000 tourist each to alternative tourism products. What is the basis for this measure? Where did it come from?

A.28 This measure is based on the following: 1) that tourists include domestic and international visitors, 2) that products include day trips and night tours in coastal areas, and 3) that upscale alternative tourism products are typically designed for all-year-round tourism. It is also based on the assumption that the contractor develops an alternative tourism strategy that is based on sound research and analysis that is complemented by the development of commercially viable tourism products and well targeted promotion and marketing campaigns that are based on commercial demand from source markets. To allow for flexibility, the result under the 3-year base period is hereby revised to read “Cumulative alternative tourism products developed, attracting 150,000 tourists” and for the result under the 2-year option period is revised to “Cumulative alternative tourism products developed, attracting 100,000 tourists.”

Q.29 On the page 15, how will “assisted businesses increase revenue” be confirmed?

A.29 It is the Offeror’s responsibility to develop a rigorous monitoring plan to track increased revenue. Also see response to question 32, below.

Q.30 On the page 15, how will “visitor satisfaction at sites and businesses” be measured?

A.30 Visitor satisfaction is measured using post-service customer satisfaction methods such as customer satisfaction surveys, net promoter scores and customer effort scores, using carefully crafted, precise, relevant, clever and unbiased questions.

Q.31 On the page 15, define “market linkages and business opportunities in the alternative tourism sector”

A.31 Creating market linkages involves linking local businesses, entrepreneurs, and business networks to international and domestic alternative tourism markets.

Q.32 On the page 15, define “Improve the efficiency, performance and profitability” of

“targeted businesses”

A.32 For the purpose of the RFP, efficiency is defined as how well a business can use labor and capital to generate revenue; performance is defined as the growth rate of a business; and profitability is defined as the business’s ability to secure and manage commercially viable opportunities to generate profit. As a result of this intervention, assisted businesses will increase their revenue by at least ten (10) percent.

Q.33 On the page 15, define “major events and festivals”.

A.33 For the purpose of the RFP, major events and festivals include, but are not limited to, main cultural, musical, religious or business activities and happenings that have the potential to attract a significant number of international and domestic visitors. An illustrative list of major events and festivals can, for example, be found in the following link:

http://www.tourismtunisia.com/festivals-in-tunisia/

Q.34 On the page 15, has the Finance Ministry agreed to participate in this project?

A.34 The Ministry of Finance is not mentioned on page 15, or on any other page of the RFP.

This, however, does not mean that the Ministry of Finance is not an important stakeholder. At any rate, note that USAID/Tunisia recently signed a five-year Development Objective

Agreement (DOAG) with the Government of Tunisia. The DOAG represents a comprehensive bilateral development agreement between the U.S. Government and the Government of Tunisia, and outlines both government's commitment to support activities that strengthen Tunisia’s democracy, governance, and economic growth across the country, including tourism. Activities, funded under this Agreement will be implemented in close coordination with the respective line ministries.

Q.35 Please clarify that bullet #5 on page 16 which currently reads

“At least ten (10) new products, services and experiences are developed and promoted in major coastal resorts through day trips and night tours.”

Should read:

“At least ten (10) new products, services and experiences are developed and promoted in underserved regions of the country through day trips and night tours.”

A.35 By way of background, the intention behind this activity is to encourage tourists to venture out of resorts by providing them with options to spend more on travel-related services and buy more local products. As discussed in Section C of the RFP, increasing direct visitor spending of tourists arriving to Tunisia requires developing and promoting: (a) cultural and adventure products and experiences that are reachable through day trips from resorts such as city or culinary tours; craft, ancient and museum routes; and adventure and wellness experiences; (b) increased purchases of local products such as traditional handcrafts; and (c) culinary experiences and festivals, and site-related cultural activities. To ensure clarity, the required activity under the

3-year base period of Section C.4.1 is hereby revised to “Develop and promote at least ten (10) additional new products, services and experiences in underserved regions of the country through day trips and night tours” and the respective result to “At least ten (10) new products, services and experiences are developed for tourists staying at resorts.” For the 2-year option period under the same objective, the required activity is also revised to “Develop and promote at least ten (10) additional new products, services and experiences in underserved regions of the country through day trips and night tours” and the respective result to “At least ten (10) new products, services and experiences are developed for tourists staying at resorts.”

Q.36 Expected Results (Two Year Option Period) (page 16), USAID states, “At least twenty

(20) new products, services and experiences are developed and promoted in major coastal resorts through day trips and night tours.” However, the RFP also states, “At least ten (10) new products, services and experiences are developed and promoted in major coastal resorts through day trips and night tours.” Can USAID please clarify the discrepancy?

A.36 This discrepancy is resolved in USAID’s response to question 35, above.

Q.37 On the page 17, under section C.4.2 Increase tourism-related investment and revenue, Required activities (Three-Year Base Period) it is mentioned that the Contractor should develop at least ten (10) tourist sites and facilities with commercial potential, including sites with religious or ethnic significance, in at least five (5) different geographic areas. Can you specify what is meant by geographic areas? Does it refer to Governorates in Tunisia or some other geographic key?

A.37 “Geographic areas” cited under the three-year base period and under the two-year option period in Section C.4.2 of the RFP are hereby revised to now read “Governorates.”

Q.38 C.4.4 Private sector engagement to expand the offer and quality of alternative tourism

- Project Fund / F.7.1. PLANNING PRODUCTS AND TOOLS

With deadline for submission of Project Fund Manual being within 60 days of contract effective date, our concern is that it is not possible to elaborate funding activities to expected extent and level of details as this kind of project requires. Far more elaborative and exhaustive system can be defined after the completion of analytical phases conducted within development of long-term Strategic Plan. Is it possible to update Project Fund Manual during project duration and to which extent?

A.38 As detailed in Section F.7.1.4 of the RFP “The Project Fund Manual must clearly describe the Contractor’s plan to secure meaningful and innovative partnerships, which adhere to the parameters and principles included in Section C.4.4 of this award.” Only activities that follow the procedures, approaches, and mechanisms proposed to and agreed with the COR, and approved by the Contracting Officer, will be considered for use of funds.

Q.39 C.7.2 Infrastructure Activities says that “the majority of construction activities envisioned include minor development and upgrade work at selected sites, not to exceed

$500,000 in total construction cost.” Could USAID please confirm that this total cost is per subcontract and each construction activity may be comprised of several subcontracts?

A.39 Single construction activities envisioned under this award are not expected to exceed

$500,000 in total construction cost. Activities above this threshold will be approved on a case-by-case basis. That said, a single construction activity is the total construction work implemented at an identified, proposed and approved site, whether implemented under a single fixed price subcontract or under several subcontracts to construction firms.

Q.40 Section C.7.2, Page 26: ‘Infrastructure Activities’ states that “Construction activities will be separately awarded as fixed price subcontracts to construction firms.” Are these fixed price subcontracts part of the $15 million ‘Provision’ or are these separate contracts to be awarded by USAID independently of the Visit Tunisia project?

A.40 Fixed price construction subcontracts will be funded from the ten ($10) million allocated for the 3-year base period and the five ($5) million for the 2-year option period, if exercised. See

Section H.13 of the RFP for the special requirements for infrastructure activities. Also see answer to question 78 below for clarifications on the costs associated with construction initiatives.

SECTION D:

No questions were received for this section.

SECTION E:

SECTION F:

Q.41 We request that USAID consider removing the last sentence in Section F.7.1.5 (page

41), as this language is inconsistent with the GUC authorizing language of ADS 302.3.4.13.

Additionally, we request that H.16.d be revised to match the language in ADS

302.3.4.13.c(3). As contractors, we have been designated the authority to issue grants on

USAID’s behalf, and the level of COR involvement outlined in these two sections could significantly delay activity implementation, and place an undue burden on the COR — especially for a grants program of this size. The level of COR involvement can be further discussed during implementation and outlined and agreed to by USAID in the grants manual that the contractor will submit.?

A.41 Section F.7.1.5 relates to the Grants Manual, and the last sentence is consistent with ADS language which provides the authority to allow GUCs under a specific contract and states the approval authorities. H.16.d is hereby revised to match the language in ADS 302.3.4.13.c(3) and now reads as follows: “USAID must be significantly involved in establishing the selection criteria and must approve the recipients. USAID may be less significantly involved when grants are quite small and are incidental to the contractor's technical activities.”

Q.42 F.7.2.2 says that quarterly progress reports are due “within 15 calendar days of the end of each USAID fiscal quarter,” and F.7.3 says that quarterly progress reports must be

“submitted 7 calendar days after the end of each fiscal quarter.” Please confirm how many calendar days after the end of the fiscal quarter should quarterly reports be submitted.

A.42 To eliminate any discrepancies, Section F.7.3 of the RFP concerning quarterly progress reports is hereby revised to read “Submitted 15 calendar days after the end of each fiscal quarter.”

SECTION G:

SECTION H:

Q.43 Section H.13.5 Religious Preservation, Page 63: The RFP details that “No funds may be used for the preservation of religious structures unless the Secretary of State or USAID

Administrator determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such sites are historically, artistically or culturally significant, that the purpose of the project is neither to advance nor to inhibit the free exercise of religion, and that the project is in the national interest of the United States.”

Given the substantial amount of activities involving religious sites for this program, we kindly request for USAID to provide distinctions and/or the possibility of advance/blanket waivers for “religious structures”.

A.43 Section C 4.2 requests that Contractors partner with the “private sector, local businesses and communities, improve and develop at least ten (10) tourist sites and facilities with commercial potential, including sites with religious or ethnic significance, in at least five (5) different geographic areas.” A request for Secretary of State or USAID Administrator approval for activities to preserve religious structures will only be considered after USAID concurs with the activities proposed by the Contractor after contract award.

Q.44 Would USAID consider a revision of Section H.16.a (page 69), as the grants under contract (GUC) authorizing language allows for contractors to provide in-kind assistance to partner government entities, and other than in-kind grants to partner government entities pending confirmation that USAID has conducted a Project Appraisal Document/

Determination and Finding? Further, contractors are bound by ADS 303 (as stated in

H.16.e), which allows for GUCs to public international organizations. We kindly request that USAID consider removing Section H.16.a for maximum flexibility during implementation of the GUC program.

A.44 H.16.a is hereby revised to correspond with the ADS language and to read “a. As per ADS

302.3.4.13.b., GUCs to partner government entities to provide funds may be authorized only by the Assistant Administrator to the Middle East Bureau after the Contracting Officer has approved a Determination of Findings. This requirement does not apply to GUCs that are solely in-kind grants, technical assistance, or other activities by the recipient to or for the benefit of a partner government entity.” See amended RFP document.

Q.45 Can USAID confirm that, per Section H.16.f (page 70), the grants manual must be approved by the contracting officer prior to any publication of funding opportunities, and not the project fund operations manual, as stated currently?

A.45 Section H.16.f of the RFP is hereby revised to read “Prior to publicizing any funding opportunities, or awarding grants, the Contracting Officer will approve the Contractor’s Grants

Manual.”

Q.46 Would USAID consider removing Section H.16.j (page 70), as it is our understanding, per ADS 303 and as further detailed in the Mandatory Reference USAID Implementation of Construction Activities, that grants may not be used to implement any type of construction activity? Further, it is our understanding that the contracting officer does not have authority to grant a waiver to USAID’s construction policy, as this authority lies with the procurement executive.

A.46 Section H.16.j has been removed from the RFP.

SECTION I:

SECTION J:

Q.47 USAID included form SF LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities as Attachment J.5

(page 85). However, the RFP instructions do not include this form as a requirement for submission. Can USAID please confirm that this form is not required for submission?

A.47 Attachment J.5 has been removed and is therefore no longer a submission requirement.

Q.48 May offerors make adjustments to the deliverables listed in the fixed fee schedule in

Attachment J.9, as the quantity of some deliverables may be hard to measure at this stage

(such as “ad hoc reports; “communications and outreach products,” and “short-term consultant reports” in Table 1)?

A.48 Offerors may not make any adjustments to the deliverables listed in the fixed fee schedule as they align with the deliverables outlined in Section C of the RFP. Offerors are also encouraged to use justified estimates for hard to measure deliverables.

Q.49 Concerning Past Performance Questionnaires, we kindly request confirmation that

USAID will be contacting and receiving references once the offerors have provided such contact information to the Agency. It is our understanding that Section B of the Past

Performance Questionnaire will be incomplete at initial proposal submission by the

Offeror since reference information is considered confidential to the reference recipient.

A.49. If found necessary, USAID may contact references directly, after the Past performance

Questionnaire is submitted and during the evaluation of past performance. As stated in Section

L.6.2 Content of the Technical Proposal, item 5.1.(a)2, “For each referenced contract that is not in CPARS, the Offeror must request that referees send the following information directly to

USAID using the format provided in Attachment J.6 Past Performance Questionnaire..”

Therefore, Section B will be completed by the referee and sent directly to USAID.

SECTION K:

SECTION L:

Q.50 In the Technical Approach supplement (Section L.6.2.2, page 92), may offerors include either a two-page executive summary or a two-page narrative introduction to the

Life of Activity Work Plan Gantt chart?

A.50 Offerors can include up to a two-page narrative explanation to the Life of Activity Work

Plan Gantt Chart. Offerors opting to include an accompanying narrative should note that this narrative counts towards the 10-page limit, and must be limited to any key assumptions, risks, and clarifications that are critical to understanding the information presented in their Gantt chart.

Q.51 In section L.6.2, the Technical Approach requirements seem to indicate that only a

Gantt Chart is expected/required for this section. Is this correct or is USAID also expecting a narrative response within the 10-page requirement?

A.51 See response to question 50, above.

Q.52 Please confirm whether offerors may include an Executive Summary to the Technical

Proposal Gantt chart? Further, please confirm that this would not go towards the page count.

A.52 See response to question 50, above.

Q.53 Regarding the Management Approach supplements (Section L.6.2.3, page 92), would

USAID consider removing the subsection page limits and allow offerors to give the required information flexibly within the 22-page limit? This would allow offerors to describe the roles, responsibilities, qualifications, and experience of the prime contractor, non-major subcontractors, and an overview of non-key personnel, in line with the requirements of the second bullet on page 93.

A.53 See response to question 56, below.

Q.54 We kindly request confirmation that USAID anticipates offerors to submit at least one Key Personnel (Chief of Party) upon proposal submission.

A.54 Offerors must only propose one individual for each Key Personnel position.

Q.55 Can USAID please confirm that offerors should submit the Small Business

Subcontracting Plan only in the cost volume, as it contains pricing information, and not in the technical volume’s Management Approach supplement? (pages 93 and 104)

A.55 This is to confirm that the Small Business Subcontracting Plan must only be submitted with the cost volume. The RFP is hereby amended to remove the requirement from the technical volume and revises the maximum number of pages for the Management Approach from 22 pages to 16 pages. See also USAID’s response to question 56, below.

Q.56 In section L.6.2, their appears to be conflicting instructions for the key personnel page limit:

“Resumes and references for Key Personnel (not to exceed one page per key personnel position).” and

“A description of the roles, responsibilities, qualifications and experience of the proposed team members including the major sub-contractors (not to exceed two pages per key personnel position and one page per each proposed major subcontractor).”

Could USAID clarify the page limit for resumes/qualifications for each key personnel position?

A.56 USAID/Tunisia is of the opinion that resumes should briefly communicate the qualifications for each of the proposed Key Personnel. Nonetheless, USAID/Tunisia acknowledges the challenge faced in submitting one-page resumes and therefore allows Offerors to submit up to two-page resumes for each Key Personnel position. As for the description, USAID is reducing the page limit from two-pages per key personnel to one-page per key personnel while keeping a one-page limit for each proposed major subcontractor. Offerors are encouraged to briefly convey the roles, responsibilities, qualifications and experience of the proposed team members within the one-page limit per key personnel and the one-page limit for each major subcontractor. Therefore the page requirement under L.6.2.3 is changed accordingly.

Offerors can choose to elaborate on this in their Oral Presentations.

Q.57 We kindly request that offerors are allowed two pages for each Key Personnel CV and an additional supporting document that summarizes three professional references for each candidate.

A.57 See response to question 56, above.

Q.58 Please confirm that PPRs are required of the prime offeror and major sub-contractors only. The solicitation details that past performance information concerning construction and A&E is accepted for a period of six years, but it is our understanding that this is allowed only if work is performed by the prime offeror or major subcontractors.

Please confirm.

A.58 This is to confirm that PPRs are required for the prime offeror and for major subcontractors only. This also applies to past performance information concerning construction and Architect and Engineering services.

Q.59 We kindly request for USAID to consider recent and relevant past performance of cooperative agreements to allow for offerors to demonstrate a comprehensive history of relevant work.

A.59 Recent and relevant past performance of cooperative agreements of similar size, scope and complexity is allowed.

Q.60 Can USAID please confirm that offerors may use a 12-point font size or greater for text on the oral presentation PowerPoint slides, and 10 points or greater for charts, graphs and diagrams? (Section L.6.2.4, page 94)

A.60 USAID confirms that Offerors may use a 12-point font size or greater for text on the oral presentation PowerPoint slides, and 10 points or greater for charts, graphs and diagrams.

Offerors are reminded of the slide limitation and time allocation for PowerPoint presentations.

See answer to question 69 for additional guidance.

Q.61 Can USAID please confirm whether offerors may include recent and relevant cooperative agreements in the past performance matrix (Section L.6.2.5.1(a)(1), page 94), if the work is relevant in size, scope, and objective to the Visit Tunisia Activity?

A.61 See answer to question 59, above.

Q.62 In lieu of submitting copies of contractor performance assessment reports (CPARs) for selected projects (Section L.6.2.5.1(a)(2), page 94), is it sufficient for offerors to confirm that a CPAR report is available for the selected projects in USAID’s system?

A.62 USAID is requesting that Offerors submit copies of the CPARs with their proposal and not only confirm their existence in USAID’s system.

Q.63 Could USAID provide a preferred template or form to be used for references from small business (Section L.6.2.5.2(c)(3), page 96)?

A.63 See Section J, Attachment J.11.

Q.64 Section L.8.A (page 98) states: “The budget narratives and supporting documents must be in Microsoft Word format.” Will USAID confirm that we may submit the budget narrative in Microsoft Word, and other supporting documents in Adobe PDF format?

A.64 USAID confirms that Offerors may submit budget supporting documents in Adobe PDF format.

Q.65 Can USAID confirm that offerors should present the Project Fund (CLIN 0003 IDIQ) in the summary and detailed budget spreadsheets as the plug figure provided in L.8.B

(page 102), with ceiling daily rates for labor categories given in the budget narrative?

A.65 Confirmed; but also refer to USAID’s response to question 77, below.

Q.66 L.6.2.2 states that the technical approach may not exceed 10 pages. May the offeror include a table of contents and an acronym list that do not count toward the page limit?

Also, may the offeror include an executive summary that does not count toward the page limit?

A.66 Cover pages, tables of contents and acronym lists do not count towards the 10-page limit.

See response to question 50 for USAID’s guidance regarding the inclusion of an executive summary.

Q.67 L.6.2.3, the management approach, states that small fonts may be used for charts, graphs and diagrams. Does that include using a 10-point font for material presented in textboxes?

A.67 Offerors must not use a font size that is smaller than 10-points for content in textboxes, diagrams, and charts. Also see USAID’s response to question 60, above.

Q.68 L.6.2.3 states that the management approach may not exceed 22 pages and provides specific page limitations within that overall length. May offerors allocate different page counts to sections within the management approach supplements, provided the management approach section as a whole does not exceed 22 pages?

A.68 Offerors are advised to adhere to the page requirements included Section L.6.2.3 of the

RFP and the additional guidance provided in this amendment to the RFP. Note that the number of pages has now been reduced to 16. See USAID’s responses to questions 55 and 56, above for further guidance.

Q.69 The last paragraph of L.6.2.4 states that “Slides must be submitted in a PowerPoint format. The offeror must use a 12 point font size and have margins of no less than one inch on the top, bottom, and both sides. Smaller fonts may be used for charts, graphs, and diagrams but not smaller than 10 points.”

● May the offeror use font sizes larger than 12 point in the PowerPoint deck?

● May the offeror use margins other than 1 inch for the PowerPoint deck?

A.69 Offerors may use a 12-point font size or greater for text on the oral presentation

PowerPoint slides; 10 points or greater for charts, graphs and diagrams; and margins less than one inch for slides with graphs, charts or diagrams.

Q.70 L.6.2.4 states that the oral presentation is not to exceed 20 slides. May offerors include a non-counting cover slide for their slide deck?

A.70 USAID confirms that cover slides are not counted towards the 20-slide limit.

Q.71 L.7.A.5 states that the offeror’s attendees are limited to the Chief of Party, up to four technical staff, and one home office staff. Could USAID clarify how “technical staff” is defined?

A.71 Offerors are responsible for identifying the technical staff from the Prime Offeror and/or its partners/subcontractors that are essential for their oral presentations.

Q.72 USAID details in the solicitation that a “pre-determined facility” could be utilized during Oral Presentations should the COVID-19 pandemic situation change. Could USAID clarify whether this facility is in the United States or in Tunisia so that offerors may plan appropriately?

A.72 Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, it has been determined that the oral presentations will be done remotely. We have amended Section L.7.A accordingly.

Q.73 L.8.A.4 states that “The budget narratives and supporting documents must be in

Microsoft Word format.” Please confirm that in addition to submitting the budget narrative(s) in Word and the budget spreadsheets in Excel, the offeror may submit a PDF file that contains all of those materials as well as materials that are only available in PDF

(e.g., EBDs) to enable the offeror to develop a full table of contents for the cost volume.

A.73 This is to confirm that in addition to submitting the budget narratives and supporting documents in Microsoft Word format, Offerors may submit a PDF file that contains all of the materials including EBDs.

Q.74 Section L.8.A.7, Page 99 states that “The Offeror must include in its cost proposal sufficient detail to support and explain all costs proposed.”

a. Please confirm that this refers to the CPFF portion of the contract, not IDIQ

CLIN 0003, “Project Fund.”

b. Our understanding is that for IDIQ CLIN 0003, Offerors should propose the four ceiling daily rates listed on page 99 and an illustrative budget comprised of 500 person-days equally distributed across all labor categories. Is this correct?

A.74 a. This is to confirm that this refers to the CPFF portion of the contract and not the IDIQ

CLIN 0003.

b. This is correct.

Q.75 L.8. B states under Completed biographical data sheets, that “Bio-data forms must be properly completed, certified and signed by both employee and Contractor in the appropriate spaces with all blocks completed, as appropriate. Proposed rates must be indicated as gross salary in U.S. Dollars. Proposed annual salary escalation must be provided.” Would USAID please confirm that proposed annual salary escalations should be included as part of the cost submission and not on the Biodata Form itself?

A.75 This is to confirm that the proposal annual salary escalation should be included as part of the cost submission and not on the Biodata Form itself.

Q.76 L.8.B states “Grants Under Contract (GUC): Consistent with Objective 4 outlined in section C, the contractor will use the plug figure of $3 million of its total budget for the three-year base period-of-performance, and $2 million for the option period, for Grants under contract.” Could USAID clarify that GUCs can be used to achieve all project’s objectives, not just Objective 4?

A.76 USAID confirms that GUCs can be used to support all project’s objectives.

Q.77 Section L.8.B, Page 102: ‘Grants Under Contract’: Please confirm that the $5 million

Grants Under Contract plug figure is inclusive of all applicable indirect costs.

A.77 The $5 million Grants Under Contract plug figure includes all applicable indirect costs and fixed fee. Therefore, Offerors can change the plug figure amount as appropriate.

Q.78 Section L.8.B, Page 102: ‘Infrastructure Provision’: Please confirm that the $15 million Infrastructure Provision plug figure is inclusive of all applicable indirect costs.

A.78 The $15 million Infrastructure Provision plug figure includes costs associated with

Architect-Engineering services for the construction activities as well as all applicable indirect costs and fixed fees. Therefore, Offerors can change the plug figure amount as appropriate.

Q.79 Section L.8.B, Page 102: ‘Project Fund’: Please confirm that the $10 million Project

Fund plug figure is inclusive of all applicable indirect costs.

A.79 The $10 million Project Fund plug figure includes all applicable indirect costs and fixed fee. Therefore, Offerors can change the plug figure amount as appropriate.

Q80. Section L.8.B, Page 102: ‘Infrastructure Provision’ states that this plug is “for all costs associated with Architect-Engineering and construction services.” Please confirm that this plug may cover the Contractor’s labor associated with management, administration, and coordination of infrastructure activities.

A.80 Confirmed.

SECTION M: