06 95332422Q004900001 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

95332422Q00490001

RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS RECEIVED

Question Response

1. Is this a new requirement? If not, can you provide the current contract # and Vendor name?

Yes, this is a new requirement.

2. Considering the impact of COVID-19, Will the MCC consider accepting proposals from offerors with less than 3 past performance references?

The requirement remains unchanged.

3. Considering the impact of COVID-19, Will the MCC consider past performance references greater than 3 years ago? Such as 5 years or longer?

MCC will consider past performances greater than 3 years old, but will give greater weight to more-recent references.

4. In Section B, MCC provides the Budget template. Can MCC confirm that costs are not required to be allocated by country nor by task?

Confirmed. MCC will issue technical directives as country needs arise.

5. Section F.1 Place of Performance states that "The Contractor shall perform services in MCC countries, specifically, Zambia, Belize, and two additional African countries…".

Appendix A of the Scope of Work states that "This Appendix contains a list of current countries for which assessments may be undertaken. Some of these may be removed from consideration and additional countries may be added to this list to meet MCC's needs." The appendix includes Zambia, Belize, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, and mentions the potential to add other countries. Should the Quoter provide a technical plan and budget to cover the four countries specially listed (Zambia, Belize, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire) or should the Quoter only

Quoters should demonstrate their ability to support MCC (including prior experience, existing local relationships, partners and resources) in the named countries and possible future countries.

Specific assignments will be made under a technical directive issued by the COR and/or PM.

name Zambia and Belize in the proposal, with an additional two countries as TBD? Should the quote cover two countries or four or more?

6. On page 18 Section H.1 Personnel, MCC requires resumes of Key Personnel. On page 56, Section L.3.2, Subfactor 2- Personnel, MCC states that "In addition, Quoters should provide resumes of all proposed personnel highlighting their qualification in accordance with Section. Is the quoter required to submit CVs of all personnel named in the personnel matrix or only the Key Personnel?

All personnel proposed.

7. On page 18, Section H1, MCC lists specific requirements for years of experience and education for the Key Personnel. Are there specific education and experience requirements for the other personnel that will fall under Section H.3?

MCC is seeking Quoters with demonstrated team skills to meet the requirements of H.3.

8. Page 54 of the RFQ states that offerors can use 10-point font for all tables. Please confirm that offerors can also use 10-point font for graphics and text boxes.

Confirmed.

9. Page 56, section L.3.3 is called Volume II Factor 2 Past Performance.

Can MCC confirm that there is only one Factor in this section, which is past performance? Should this be Volume II Factor 1?

L.3.2 is here revised to Volume I Factor 1 – Technical Capability.

10. Acronym list, proposal cover, and table of contents were not explicitly listed in the RFQ instructions. Will MCC allow offerors to include an acronym list, proposal cover, and table of contents and confirm that these pages will not count toward the 20-page limit

Acronym List and Table of Contents are allowed and not included in the 20-page limit. See MCC 52.204-

72COVER LETTER

REQUIREMENTS AND

IDENTIFICATION OF POINTS OF

CONTACT (NOV 2019)

requirements which are not included in the 20-page limit.

11. RFQ instructions did not mention including an executive summary.

Please confirm if offerors can include an executive summary and if it will be scored as part of the technical volume.

Executive Summaries are not allowed.

12. The RFQ Volume III Price Quote requirements are currently limited to an Excel budget. Please clarify if additional supporting information is desired for the cost volume such as a transmittal/cover letter, budget notes, or any other items.

Yes, see L.3.4 first paragraph.

13. The Scope of Work provides percentage allocations of budget by sub-task. Is this breakdown by percentage required for the budget, or are the percentages in the scope of work illustrative only?

Illustrative only.

14. The scope of this draft RFQ is quite broad, encompassing 2-4 country assessments as well as an internal MCC capacity assessment related to data & digital landscape. Does MCC anticipate an initial conceptual phase to allow countries' sectors of interest to be more narrowly defined to focus the assessments? Does MCC anticipate an initial conceptual phase across the overall activity to agree on a common definition of data and digital ecosystem?

Countries' sectors of interest will be determined within MCC and indicated in a technical directive from MCC.

MCC considers that a common understanding of definitions can be established during kick-off meetings or in defining technical directives.

The Offeror can recommend a conceptual phase if appropriate.

15. The RFQ mentions in "Place of Performance" that 4 countries will be of focus, while the SOW suggests "at least two country assessments" will be conducted. Moreover, it seems that MCC would also like an assessment of internal capacity in this cross-cutting area. For the purposes of budgeting, should one assume that the estimated total labor hours and

With regard to "Place of Performance," at least two assessments of data / digital capacity in two distinct countries (likely from the 4 countries named or from countries newly selected as eligible for MCC investments) are expected.

No" internal" assessment of total ODCs are for the broadest possible scope, i.e., 4 country assessments and 1 internal assessment? Do they include management/admin time as well as technical experts' LOE?

capacity is requested – and the offeror should reread the requirement.

16. Can MCC clarify for whom these assessments are being written and the degree to which the consultant will coordinate with country teams. To whom within MCC will the Project Manager report? Are these assessments meant for broad program development teams, a new DCO technical group, DPE's economic analysis group?

The assessments may be used by varying parts of MCC and its partners, including MCC country teams. The assessments will be managed internally by the Digital and Data Collaboratives for Local Impact (DCLI) team (MCC Digital Team). Coordination with country teams will be likely; the degree of interaction will vary.

17. Can MCC clarify whether the recommendations from these assessments are to be used by country teams to shape constraints analyses, root cause analyses, project concept notes? In the future, might an entire threshold or compact focus on data/digital constraints to growth?

Might an entire project within a threshold or compact do the same?

The assessments may be used within MCC and by its partners in a number of ways, including constraints analysis, root cause analyses, project definition and due diligence. We cannot speculate as to future investments, but we do envision that data and digital will increase in importance within MCC and partner countries.

18. Does MCC anticipate issuing an initial Technical Directive for an overall conceptual & management set of work, in addition to country-specific TDs?

Deliverable 1 indicates a project commencement period, for which a task order will be issued. The Offeror may choose to indicate an estimated level of effort required for project commencement.

19. Given the complexity of the RFQ and the number of questions for clarification, would MCC be amendable to granting an extension on the RFQ response due date?

MCC believes that sufficient time is provided to complete submissions and is not considering an extension at this time.

20. The RFQ document identifies 5 periods of performance (base period and option period 1 to 4) but I don't understand the meaning of these periods? Would the contract be assessed on yearly basis and last up

MCC envisions support is necessary for any eligible country over the next five years – and as noted previously new countries are selected for potential investment by to 5 years? or does it relate to specific tasks?

MCC every year. So, while the types of tasks and deliverables would be the same, the focal country and/or stages might be different from year to year of the 5-year periods. Based on these needs, MCC will issue a technical directive, at least once a year

21. The last table page 8 section B.3 titled

'TOTAL LABOR AND OTHER

DIRECT COSTS' of the RFQ document tends to tell that only travel costs are accepted as other direct costs. Is it a right understanding that the financial proposal should not include costs such as publishing (design,...) costs? those costs are supposed to be included in either staff cost via e.g. a communication person or via overhead?

See L.3.4 Other Direct Costs – Quoters may add additional non travel other direct costs to support the tasks in the statement of work – and explain the rationale for these additions.

22. There are some discrepancies between the SOW and the RFQ documents. Those discrepancies include the number of countries (2 to 4 countries in the RFQ versus two countries among Zambia, Belize and Sierra Leone in the SOW). Could-you clarify whether one document is more authoritative than the other?

MCC will issue a task order in consultation with the contractor with details of the specific countries and tasks to be undertaken. Quoters should be able demonstrate their ability to respond to new country assignments as needed, as new countries may be selected for MCC funding each year.

23. In the SOW document, the tasks 11 "Provide technical assistance as requested by MCC" is clear in its definition but relatively fuzzy in the answer you are expecting in the proposal. On the technical proposal, are you expecting applicants to list the areas and capabilities they have in house to support MCC work in the examples listed? in the financial proposal, the document propose two types of blocks (a small and a larger one). Are you expecting that we detail the two types of blocks in the financial proposal or you don't expect any specifics in the financial proposal and

This task is envisioned to allow the contractor to provide technical support as needs arise, consistent with the scope the contract. As these needs arise, to the extent feasible they will be included the option year / technical directives.

the cost of each individual block will be defined when the assignment is finalized, based on personnel costs in the proposal and travel costs to the place of the assignment and the number of travelers ?

24. RFQ, Section L.3.4 - Page 57:

Section L.3.4 of the RFQ states that the Contractor shall submit the pricing quotation as Microsoft Excel Format.

May the contractor submit pricing tables in Microsoft Excel format and cost narrative in a separate PDF document?

Yes.

25. RFQ, Section F.1 - Page 11, and SOW, Appendix A - Pages 22 – 23:

Section F.1. of the RFQ states: "The Contractor shall perform services in MCC countries, specifically, Zambia, Belize and two additional African Countries to be designated at a later time ..." Appendix A in the SOW indicates that countries for which assessments may be required include Zambia, Belize, Sierra Leone and other countries and technical assistance in Cote D'Ivoire. Could MCC specify the number of countries in which the contractor will provide services, their names, and the kinds of services anticipated?

MCC expects to conduct phase 1 and/or 2 assessments as described in the terms of reference in two or more countries, which could be Zambia, Belize, Sierra Leone, or other new MCC countries selected.

The specific countries and phases of the assessment will be determined at a later date.

Section D.1 is revised from: "The Contractor shall perform services in MCC countries, specifically, Zambia, Belize and two additional African Countries to be designated at a later time to the extent practical, virtually, or at their own offices, as needed by MCC."

To: "The Contractor shall perform services in MCC countries, potentially including Sierra Leone, Zambia, and/or Belize; and other MCC eligible countries to be designated at a later time to the extent practical, virtually or at their own offices, as needed by MCC."

26. SOW page 18: The SOW implies Volume 3: Price should base estimated costs on a per country and per-part basis. Given that not all countries are identified in the RFQ or

Quoter shall submit in accordance with Section B. Specifically, B.3 table 1 is seeking labor rates for proposed personnel and table 2 is seeking quoters estimated

SOW, is the offeror requesting the contractor only to present estimated costs on a per-part basis?

breakdown of hours by proposed personnel not exceeding the total hours in table 3 per year.

27. SOW page 4: On "Part 2: Sector- and region-specific digital and data systems", could MCC specify or provide a range of the number of subnational areas and/or sector assessments they expect to see completed per country?

The number of sectors will vary depending on MCC needs, but is likely to be in the range of 1-3. The number of subnational areas to be assessed will be at the discretion of the contractor and agreed with

MCC.

28. Page 3 -4 SOW Part 1&2 Tasks Can MCC provide an estimate (or percentage) of LOE to support Part 1:

Broad Ecosystem and Part 2: Sector and Regional-Specific Data Systems?

This information is already provided in the SOW.

29. Page 56 RFQ SF2 – Personnel Can the contractor provide personnel summaries for non-key proposed personnel versus full resumes?

Resumes are required.

30. Page 19 H.2 Will MCC consider experience with assessments outside of the digital ecosystem space that require data collection, analysis, and reporting equivalent experience?

MCC will consider experience outside of the digital and data space; but the expectation is that the team has knowledge of and experience with digital and data ecosystems.

31. All RFQ There is a "Draft" watermark throughout the solicitation. Kindly confirm that this solicitation is not a draft.

The correct version of the RFQ has been uploaded only removing the "draft" watermark.

32. Page 3 SOW 1. Tasks The solicitation states "At least two countries will be included in the assessments of this procurement." How does MCC want the Offeror to budget? Should we budget with just two assessments in mind? Could MCC give an estimated number of hours of LOE or suggested labor categories?

Quoters should complete Section B tables. Estimated total hours per year are provided in Section B.

The assessment should cover the immediate needs in Annex A of the Statement of Work.

33. Page 12 SOW Part 2 Tasks The specific digital and data systems assessments will require specific subject matter expertise. Kindly confirm that MCC would like Offerors to propose specific subject matter

It is likely that more than one sector may be assessed in a country; and it may be required that the contractor work across a number of sectors during the contract. It is not required that the Offeror include experts (sectors are not yet confirmed)? Is it possible that more than one sector (for example Education and Agriculture) may need to be assessed in a single country?

subject matter experts in the proposal; but will be useful for the Offeror to demonstrate how subject matter experts will be identified and added when the sector focus is defined. If the Offeror has subject matter experts available in specific sectors, these may be indicated to demonstrate access to such expertise.

34. Page 57 RFQ Volume 3 Price Can MCC provide a budget template or should Offerors come up with their own template?

Quoters should complete the tables in Section B. This is a time and material requirement as MCC is seeking labor rates of proposed personnel, quoters estimation of hours by proposed personnel based on the hours provided per year and any additional other direct costs non travel.

35. Page 3-4 SOW Part 1&2 Tasks How long an assessment would take for any of the tasks listed in the SOW would depend on how advanced the country is, with countries with more advanced digital ecosystems taking longer. Should the Offeror use the 4 illustrative countries (Zambia, Belize, Sierra Leone, and Cote D'Ivoire) and our knowledge of these countries to make our LOE estimates?

Yes, based on the estimated hours provided in Section B and the countries named in Annex A of the Statement of Work.

36. Page 3-4 SOW Part 1&2 Tasks Can MCC confirm that the Tasks outlined in the SOW will need to be undertaken, in their entirety for each country?

No. The specific tasks to be undertaken in a particular country will be detailed in the task order under the contract, in consultation with the contractor. In countries where the program development is more advanced, it is likely that a Part 1 will no longer be needed or beneficial, in which case only a sector-specific assessment may be requested. However, for new MCC country selects, it is likely that Part 1 will be completed, followed by Part 2.

37. Page 16 RFQ Other Tasks The writing is in Red. Does this have any

No.

specific significance?

38. Page 18 RFQ Other Tasks The solicitation requires a draft workplan for Part 1 of the Zambia assessment.

Can this workplan be an Annex to the technical proposal?

Yes and will not be included in the 20-page limit.

39. Page 18 Specific Tasks: Task 10 Standardization of the assessment methodology: Should the Offeror plan a separate budget for this task (separate from country assessment budgets)?

No. Quoter's should submit pricing in accordance with Section B.

40. Page 19 Specific Tasks The solicitation states "Proposals should present credentials and indicative costs for proposed types of technical assistance in developing digital and data ecosystems." Can MCC clarify this statement?

The Quoter is requested to demonstrate expertise in providing the proposed types of technical assistance.

41. Is there an expectation of the volume of new countries that would be added?

MCC selects countries each year to be eligible partner countries; there is no prior expectation of the number selected. The level of effort required for assessments in newly-selected countries will be managed between the contractor and MCC based on the funds under the contract.

42. How will other countries be incorporated? What is the process by which they will be added?

The COR or PM will issue a technical directive, in consultation with the contractor, to determine the level of effort based on the funds under the contract.

44. On p. 8, section B.3, the RFQ MCC states, "Quoters may add additional other direct costs necessary to complete the statement of work.

However, the total estimated hours per period shall not be exceeded." Is this directive ("may add" / "not to exceed") referring to the estimated hours and direct costs provided by MCC on page 8 of the RFQ or to the total hours and ODCs that Quoters will list in their proposal?

No, this is related to non-travel Other Direct Costs which could be equipment, proprietary tools, G&A etc.

45. Does MCC have illustrative sectors for work outlined in Part 2 of the SOW, or will this be determined in coordination with MCC based on the outcome of Part 1 broad ecosystem assessments?

The sectors to be assessed will be determined through analyses of MCC and the partner country. MCC has worked across a large number of sectors in the past, including agriculture, transport, education, water and sanitation, power, and health, among others.

46. How many countries for digital, data and innovation assessments (Part 1 and 2) should Quoters assume MCC will request in the base year and each of the 4 option years?

For the base period see the Annex to the Statement of Work for the immediate needs and for each option year up to 2 countries per year.

47. Given the on-demand and flexible nature of the work, we anticipate resourcing personnel based on specific needs of the assignment, to be further defined during the life of the project. Please confirm that the Project Manager is the only required Key Personnel position required to be named in the proposal stage and that illustrative personnel may be presented in the budget submission as labor categories and accompanying rates.

Confirmed. However, resumes of all proposed personnel are required.

48. Section H.1 states that only Key Personnel resumes are required to be submitted. May quoters also provide CVs of other proposed (non-key) personnel, not counting toward the 20 page limit of the technical?

Per Section L, resumes are required of all proposed personnel.

Resumes/CVs do not count towards the 20-page limit.

49. In section H.2 KEY PERSONNEL, it is noted that minimum professional qualifications for Key Personnel positions are:

• Advanced (Masters) degree is required but may be substituted with a combination of 10 years of relevant experience and BA degree, in a field relevant to the position from an accredited university.

• At least 10 years of proven professional

MCC requires a candidate with sufficient credentials and experience to successfully complete the work required. In addition to 10 years of relevant experience, sufficient additional experience should be demonstrated if advanced-level study is not undertaken. There is no specific additional number of years of experience required.

experience relevant to the position.

Could MCC clarify, if a candidate does not have an advanced degree, would a BA plus 2 additional years of work experience suffice? Or would a total of 20 years of relevant experience be required if not having a Master's?

50. In reference to Security Requirements for Contractor Personnel (p. 21), what level of access to MCC information systems and/or security clearance requirements is anticipated for personnel under this program? For example, does MCC anticipate for this contract that personnel will require access to MCC headquarters, access to sensitive information, MCCNet access, or no access privileges?

This is not required for this procurement.

51. Could MCC confirm whether PIRF and a signed form OF306 are required at this stage of the bid process for key personnel or others?

If so, could these forms be provided?

(pg. 22 of RFQ)

This is not required for this procurement.

52. Can MCC confirm that there should be only a single cover letter and that it should be submitted separately from Volumes I and II, rather than embedded in either of these Volumes?

The cover letter maybe combined with Volume 1 but MCCs preference is that is a separate file.

53. Could MCC clarify as to where the screenshot of the offeror's SAM registration should be included in the offeror's response? Should it be a part of the 2-page cover letter, or can it be submitted as an independent document?

It should be part of the cover letter.

54. What is the maximum file size per email submission? (L.2.2)

The maximum file sizes per email through Outlook is 20 MB.

55. Clause L.2.3 states that a directory identifying the file names and contents of each file shall accompany the email submission. Can MCC clarify as to what is meant by directory? Is this something that can be included as part of the text within the body of the email, or must be included within one of the attached volumes?

MCC would prefer that all quote materials be integrated into one file.

However, if the quoter chooses to send multiple files, MCC is seeking a list of the files in the body of the email to ensure all attachment have been received.

56. May offerors include a cover page (separate from the required cover letter) that does not count toward the page limit of Volumes I and II? (L.3)

No.

57. May offerors include a table of contents and acronym list in Volume I/II that does not count toward the 20-page limit? (L.3)

Yes.

58. May offerors include an executive summary in Volume I/II that does not count toward the 20-page limit? (L.3)

No.

59. May Volume III: Price be included in the same email as technical Volumes I & II or should the price volume be transmitted in a separate email?

It can be submitted in the same email.

60. Regarding section M.2 EVALUATION FACTORS AND SUBFACTORS, will MCC confirm the weighting of the evaluation factors and sub-factors?

See M.3 Evaluation Methodology

61. What is MCC's anticipated budget for the 5-year program (if all option years are exercised)?

MCC will not disclose this information, but we have the budget available for the anticipated level of effort (i.e. two countries per year).

62. Please provide the anticipated award and start dates for this opportunity.

No later than September 24, 2022.

63. Does MCC anticipate requesting MCC does not anticipate requesting assessments in high-risk settings.

assessments in countries that are considered high or severe security risk (e.g. Crisis24 Country Security Assessment Rating of 4 or 5) that would warrant the budgeting of security services and related expenses during on-the-ground data gathering?