95332422Q00180001 US CO SIGNED.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended, is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a)By completing items 8 and 15, and returning copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE

DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment your desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER

NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Question # Industry Question Government Response

Would MCC allow for a Table of Contents and List of Acronyms to be included in VOLUME I Technical Capability and VOLUME II Past Performance, and not subject to the page limitations?

Yes, but they should not exceed one page each.

Section H.1, Local Lead, page 24: A “Local Lead” position is included in the list of non-key personnel as:

“Local Lead Required: At least a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and substantial experience as a research assistant or independent researcher. Some understanding of MCC sectors, including power, agriculture, transport, access to credit, and ICT, is a substantial plus.”

In addition, Section B.3 Labor Rates tables on pages 8 and 9 include “New Select” Local Leads for each Period.

a. Could MCC clarify what country/countries this Local Lead position is expected to be a resident and/or work in?

b. Our assumption is that this “Local Lead” position is TBD. Therefore, please confirm that the Quoter is not expected to name this “Local Lead” position at the proposal submission stage, nor submit a CV within the Technical Capability Volume.

New Select local leads are in countries TBD. Quoters should provide resume(s) demonstrating the resources they have to fulfil this position, if required.

Section L.3.2. Volume I Technical Capability, Subfactor 1 – Personnel Qualifications on page 61 states, “Provide a resume of all proposed staff with detailed information regarding the qualifications elaborated in Section H. For PEA leads, provide at least one writing sample of past applied political economy work that demonstrates those qualifications.” Should Quoters provide both the resumes and writing samples as annexes to Volume I Technical Capability?

Yes.

Section L.3.3 Volume II Factor 2 Past Performance, page 61 states that “Quoters shall provide three past performances under existing and prior contracts that describes experience of applied political economy work in developing countries within the last five years.” Would MCC please also allow for relevant past performance contracts that concluded between January 2017 and June 2017?

Past Performace shall be from January 2017 through March 2022

Section L.3.3 Volume II Factor 2 Past Performance, page 61 states that the Quoter shall provide “In addition, as an annex, at least one writing sample of past applied political economy work that demonstrates the technical capabilities described,” and Factor 2 Past Performance on page 66 states “In addition, MCC will evaluate the one writing sample of past applied political economy work.” Could MCC confirm that only one writing sample is required for the Volume II Past Performance?

Confirmed, only one writing sample is required.

Page 34, Section H:1 PERSONNEL. MCC has requested a resume for the Key Personnel position of Project Manager. Given that this is the only Key Personnel position required, will MCC confirm that offerors should not submit full resumes for the eight additional non-key personnel and may instead submit succinct biographies that effectively demonstrate their capabilities to fulfill each non-key personnel role identified by MCC?

Resumes are required for all proposed personnel, key and non-key.

Page 61, Section L3: Given that resumes and writing samples (Sub-Factor 1: Personnel Qualifications) are not included in the Volume I page limit, will MCC please confirm that Sub-Factor 2: Technical Approach is the only sub-factor required to be within the 20-page limit? Will MCC also confirm that the inclusion of a team structure diagram identifying employees, consultants, and subcontractors requested under Sub-Factor 1: Personnel is not included in the 20-page requirement?

The bold can be apart of the 20 pg limit. Provide a resume of all proposed staff with detailed information regarding the qualifications elaborated in Section H. For PEA leads, provide at least one writing sample of past applied political economy work that demonstrates those qualifications. The writing sample may be redacted or partial to protect sensitive information if not identified under the firm's past performance. A team structure diagram would be beneficial, identifying employees, consultants and firm subcontractors.

Page 26, PSC and Contract Employee Fitness and MCC Photo ID Badge Requirements: Will MCC please confirm that proposed Key Personnel are not expected to require unaccompanied access to MCC facilities and as such are not required to already hold MCC screening and Photo Identification Badge? If such access is expected, will MCC confirm whether proposed personnel can be determined fit and eligible upon award?

Confirmed, this is not required.

Page 10, Section B.3: Could MCC please clarify whether the estimated Other Direct Costs is a ceiling or if the Quoter can propose a different amount?

ODCs are ceiling amounts and shall remain unchanged.

Page 62, L.3.4 VOLUME III Price Quote: Could MCC please clarify that Volume III Price will be submitted solely in one Excel document, including the cover page and all Section B tables?

Yes, one excel file with separate labeled tabs.

95332422Q0018 - Political Economy Analysis

Page 8, Section B.3: Could MCC please confirm that the proposed Labor Categories and Estimated Hours by Period are illustrative, and can therefore be modified and/or added to in line with the Quoter's approach?

Yes, however, the total level of effort for each period shall not be exceeded.

Please may we check the timeline for the base period? I understand that each of the numbered periods is 12 months?

The base period is twelve months and each option period is twelve months, Please may we check whether there are particular rate bands for the different roles? MCCs preference is for one average labor rate for each position, Poject Manager, PEA Lead, PEA Local and Admin/Research Support.

Are you open to consortium bids? MCC will award a contract to the prime contractor only, teaming arrangements are allowed.

Can we confirm that non-US based organisations are eligible to tender? I understand the need to be registered to SAM.

Yes, with an active SAM registration. Please note registration may take few weeks and Quoters must have an active registration prior to submitting their quote.

The nature of the task will obviously depend on the sector of the compact. In many countries we have a range of potential PEA experts with specialisms in different sectors. Will the evaluation for each country be determined by the single CV offered, or would you be happy to accept in some cases more than one CV showing expertise on the political economy of different sectors?

Yes, we will accept multiple CVs demonstrating expertise in the political economy of different sectors.

17 Would the Government consider allowing a few additional pages for an Executive Summary? No.

Would the Government confirm that the Local Leads specified in Non-Key Personnel (H.1 pg 24) are expected to be based out of the four MCC listed countries?

As per the position description, local leads are required to be resident in the country or the region .

Would the Government clarify the qualifications for the Country Leads (H.1 pg 24) “resident in [country] or in the region”? Could the Country Leads be host country nationals or expatriates with residence in the country or region? Yes.

For Volume II Factor 2, it states “Quoters shall provide three past performances under existing and prior contracts that describes experience of applied political economy work in developing countries within the last five years. In addition, as an annex, at least one writing sample of past applied political economy work that demonstrates the technical capabilities described, including provision of actionable guidance. The writing sample may be redacted or partial to protect sensitive information. If one of the proposed personnel contributed to the experience, please highlight.” Could the Government confirm that these past performance references and the writing sample can be provided by Key Personnel as well as the Offeror? Past Performance is on the firm not the personnel proposed.

Given the impact of COVID-19 and subsequent travel restrictions, could the Government clarify whether virtual missions should be planned and budgeted for instead of missions in-country. The ODC ceiling amounts would cover virtual meetings if travel is restricted.

Could the Government clarify whether Offerors should include the cost of workshops (virtual and/or in-person), including venue hire and course materials or platform set-up and hosting?

Quoters may add this additonal costs to ODCs, please be sure the line item is clear. Other ODCs necessary to fulfil the statement are allowed but should be clearly identified and included in the assumptions.

Are offerors required to identify a general ‘Local Lead’ key personnel in addition to the local leads for Zambia, Belize, Lesotho, and Sierra Leone Local Leads? If so, could MCC please provide additional information about the envisioned geographic experience for the final key personnel listed on p. 24: “Local Lead - Required: At least a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and substantial experience as a research assistant or independent researcher.

Some understanding of MCC sectors, including power, agriculture, transport, access to credit, and ICT, is a substantial plus.”?

There is only one key personnel position. Quoters should demonstrate their resources that would allow them to be responsive to MCC needs.

24 Of the three required past performances, can one of these be provided for a subcontractor? Yes

25 Is there an incumbent contractor doing similar work for MCC?

MCC has hired individuals and firms to perform similar tasks that were apart of larger statements of work.

26 Is there a budget range for this project?

MCC will not disclose this information. Quoters with past experience should be able to provide adequate pricing based on the level of effort provided.

What costs are contemplated in the Other Direct Cost plug figures and do those figures include indirect burdens? Travel only.

Scope, Pg 12. Can MCC please share what additional countries may be part of future Compacts if known at this time. This is not known at this time. MCC's board selects new partner countries every December.

Must subcontractors or independent consultants be exclusive to one bid or are they permitted to join multiple bid teams? This is not a requirement of the government.

The staffing section describes three regional leads (SSA Lead, Latin America Lead and Asia Pacific Lead) while the estimated hours by period on page 8 are for country-specific leads. Are any hours anticipated for the SSA Lead, Latin America Lead or Asia Pacific Leads or are they just anticipated to fill in country-specific slots over the years? They are anticipated.

Can you please provide a description of the requirements for the PEA Lead mentioned on page 8? This position is not mentioned in the staffing section. MCC preference is for one average rate for each position.

Page 8 lists the estimated hours per period. If MCC has more than 4 countries requiring work in a given period, for example, will the hours in the contract be adjusted to allow for the additional work? Yes.

33 Can you please provide information on the potential sectors of proposed Belize and Zambia Compacts, if known? This is not known at this time.

The RFQ notes that “Due to travel restriction related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the estimated not to exceed Travel Costs are noted in Section B.” However countries are increasingly opening up and PEA often requires in person trips. During implementation will adjustments be considered if warranted due to changes in the COVID- 19 situation? Yes.

35 Should volumes I+ II be emailed in a separate email than volume III? One email is sufficient with separate attachments.

36 Do you have a preferred format or template for CVs? No but they should include month and year of career history.

37 Revised L.1 Request for Quoters

L.1 REQUEST FOR QUOTES - This is a Request for Quotes (RFQ), under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. All quoters must have an active SAM registration prior to quote submission. www.sam.gov.

MCC 52.204-72 COVER LETTER REQUIREMENTS AND IDENTIFICATION OF POINTS OF CONTACT

(NOV 2019)

Offerors/quoters must provide a Cover Letter signed by an individual authorized to commit the company to the quote/proposal. The cover letter must include the Offeror/Quoter's Business Entity Name, Address, Point of Contact, Phone Number, Email and DUNS number and identify all enclosures included in the quote/proposal. In addition, the Offeror/quoter must identify the company's anticipated Contractor Performance and Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) Contractor Representative, to include the individual's full name, telephone number and email address. The letter shall reference the solicitation number and acknowledge that it transmits an offer in response to the solicitation and amendment(s).

It shall state: Quote validity for 90 days after submission. In addition, Quoters must provide a print screen or screenshot of their active SAM registration.

39 L.3.1 Cover Letter – 1 page L.3.1 Cover Letter – 2 pages