06 - 95332423Q00350001.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

95332423Q00350001

Summary of Changes

Q1. Can MCC clarify if CVs for both key and non-key personnel are required? If CVs for all personnel are required, can we include these CVs in an annex exclusive of the 15 page limit for Volume II?

A1. The 1st sentence of paragraph L.2.2, Sub factor 3, is changed from: Quoters shall submit resumes of key personnel quoted; to: Quoters shall submit resumes of all personnel quoted; yes: CVs may be included in an annex exclusive of the 15 page limit for Volume II.

Q2. Can non-US based firms participate?

A2. Please see Block # 10 of the Page 1 Cover Page of the RFQ; this is an unrestricted, full and open competitive acquisition, thus any firm(s) meeting the mandatory terms and conditions specified in the Request for Quote (RFQ), and is otherwise qualified to receive a United States Federal contract award, may participate.

Q3. For: H.2 KEY PERSONNEL (KP) * and NON KEY PERSONNEL, Can the education requirement (Master's degree) for the Project Manager/Sector Tech Specialist be replaced by additional work experience?

A3. The Master's degree requirement may be replaced by additional work experience. The work experience must be 15 years of relevant experience.

Q4. Are all categories in the "H.2 KEY PERSONNEL (KP) * and NON KEY PERSONNEL" table considered key personnel? Does the Administrative Assistant need to be a specific individual or can be part of a labor category to be covered by several individuals?

A4. Only the 1st one, Project Manager/Sector Tech Specialist is considered as KP; If qualified, one individual can fulfill more than one position.

Q5. Is it the expectation of the MCC that any of the positions listed in the ""H.2 KEY PERSONNEL (KP) * and NON KEY PERSONNEL" table expected to need access to MCC Headquarters, MCCNet, Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU), Foreign Government Information (FGI) or any other designated sensitive information (such as classified national security information and Controlled Unclassified Information under 32 CFR Part 2002)? If so, could you specify which positions are expected to need such access?

A5. No, none will be expected to need access during the period of performance.

Q6. Sub factor 3 states that "Resumes shall be in chronological order with the latest dates of employment first and will identify the company or agency, period of employment, title and job description of the individual, and level of responsibility." Will resumes be included in the 15 page count for the Technical Capability Quote submission, or can they be attached as annexes?"

A6. See A1 above.

Q7. Is there a separate template for (1). Budget Summary listed under "L.2.4 Volume IV: Factor 3 Price / Business / Financial Quote" or can Table 3 of the J.1 "Request for Quote (RFQ) Price Template, Excel File" of the be used as a template for the budget summary?

A7. See Attachment # J.1 [as revised by A8 below].

Q8. Do the labor rates categories in RFQ in Section J: J.1 ""Request for Quote (RFQ) Price Template, Excel File"" need to match the template provided, i.e. does the ""Project Manager/Sector Tech Specialist"" need to be the highest labor category (IV) or is there flexibility in rate categories?"

A8. Labor categories provided are representative samples and do not need to match exactly but should be comparable; See updated J.1 excel file which removes all Levels from the labor categories from Table 1 in J.1 to be consistent with no Level category distinctions in the RFQ Table 1.

Q9. In providing quoted labor rates and hours in "Table 1. Direct Labor Mix", if several individuals are proposed for a specific position and have different rates and expected LOE, should their rates be averaged and LOE combined, or should individual rates and expected LOE for each individual be identified?

A9. Averages should not be used; individual rates and expected LOE for each individual must be identified for the role they will be performing.

Q10. Table 1 Line 28 includes total LOE for each year. Are these numbers firm, suggested/indicative or illustrative only?

A10. See: Paragraph B.4, Labor Level of Effort (LOE) Hours, on page seven (7) of the RFQ.

Q11. Energy Efficiency and Distributed Generation Specialist. Energy efficiency and distributed Generation are usually two separate specialties. Can the offer propose 2 CVs?

A11. Vendors can quote alternative / different labor categories / relative to the representative sample provided by the Government but if alternative labor categories are quoted, that needs to be identified to the Government within the narrative section.

Q12. In table 1: Direct Labor Mix it is written a Power Sector Specialist while in the table H.2 Key Personnel (KP) and Non Key Personnel this position is not indicated but a list of Other Power Sector Specialists, can you please clarify if Power Sector Specialist is the same as Other Power Sector Specialists?

A12. Power Sector Specialist(s) and Other Power Sector Specialists are two (2) representative sample labor categories.

Q13. We note that there are Gender and Social Inclusion elements within the Scope, but there is no Specialist listed in the Personnel for these activities. Are we anticipated to propose a CV for an Environmental Assessment and Management Specialist?

A13. A CV for an Environmental and Assessment and Management Specialist is not anticipated.

Q14. It is noted in the Scope that there is an emphasis on both solar photovoltaic and battery storage renewable energy technologies. Are we able to propose two different experts, one related to each technology, under the Renewable Energy Systems Specialist position?

A14. Vendors may quote two different experts.

Q15. Are you able to inform us if there have been any previous Masterplan energy development studies completed in Belize which would indicate the existing challenges in the power system and which infrastructure/technologies should be prioritized within the country?

A15. The Belize Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-governance (MPUELE) publishes master plans. This is available on the MPUELE website under the Energy Unit. In addition, there are many other available studies available in the public domain.

Q16. Page 33 of the Solicitation Document: PSC and Contract Employee Fitness and MCC Photo ID Badge Requirements; In addition, if the individual is not a U.S. citizen for or in a position designated as moderate or high risk (i.e., a public trust position), the individual must have been residing, working and/or attending an educational institution in the U.S. for at least three, years. Can you please clarify this statement?

A16. This is not required for this requirement.

Q17. Page 63 of the Solicitation Document: Section L.2.1 Volume I - (2). System for Award Management Registration: "The Quoter shall: provide a copy of the entity's valid & active, SAM registration, showing that the entity's registration status is active and the entity is not otherwise suspended, disbarred or otherwise unqualified to receive a Federal Contract Award." Can you please confirm if a screenshot from the sam.gov site showing the Company's name, the Unique Entity ID, the NCAGE number and the physical address will suffice for this requirement?

A17. Yes.

Q18. Due to the page limitations of Volume II of the Quote, would MCC allow Quoters to include the proposed personnel resumes in an Annex? Is there a specific format and page limit for the resumes?

A18. See A1. Above.

Q19. Would MCC allow Quoters to include a cover page, annex dividers, table of contents, and acronym list outside of the required page length?

A19. Yes.

Q20. Can MCC confirm the proposal deadline for submission is May 23rd at 12pm Eastern Standard Time?

A20. See: Block # 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIME on the RFQ Cover Page.

Q21. The excel price template includes a level (I to IV) for each labor category. Can MCC clarify how levels should be defined in the context of this proposal?

A21. Levels are not defined in this RFQ; See A8. Above.

Q22. Section B.4 Direct Labor Mix & Direct Labor Costs; Table 1: Direct Labor Mix, Page 7. Can the Quoter include multiple rates per labor category to account for different levels of experience and specializations between personnel?

A22. Yes.

Q23. Section B.4 Direct Labor Mix & Direct Labor Costs; Table 2: Other Direct Costs, Page 8. Can MCC confirm that during implementation, the Quoter will not be required to conduct travel or incur Other Direct Costs (ODCs) beyond the provided plug amounts, or that the ceiling for ODCs will be increased accordingly?

A23. ODCs are applied equally to all prospective quoter(s) for evaluation and award purposes; only actual incurred & authorized costs are reimbursable under applicable regulations.

Q24. Section L.2.4 Volume IV: Factor 3 Price / Business / Financial Quote, Pages 64-65. Can MCC clarify if the excel file for Volume IV: Factor 3 Price should only include the J.1 Price Template and the breakdown of fully loaded labor rates?

A24. Volume IV should include the excel file J.1 [as revised by A8 above] and a Word or PDF file for the written supporting narrative.

Q25. Section L.2.4 Volume IV: Factor 3 Price / Business / Financial Quote, Pages 64-65. The RFP states that the Quoter should submit "In Excel format, with open formulas for CLINs in Section B" for both the Budget Summary and the Detailed Budget/Prices. Can MCC clarify the difference between what information should be included in each section?

A25. Revised J.1 required and covers sections [1). Budget Summary: and: 2). Detailed Budget/Prices:].

Q26. Section L.2.2 Volume II: Factor 1 Technical Capability Quote, Page 63: Would MCC allow Quoters to include graphs and charts as an annex outside of the 15-page limit restriction for Volume

II?

A26. No, in the spirit of keeping this commercial services requirement streamlined and succent as possible.

Q27. Section L.2.2 Volume II: Factor 1 Technical Capability Quote, Page 64: Can MCC clarify if Quoters should submit CVs for only key personnel, or also for non-key personnel? If non-key personnel CVs are required, can MCC allow Quoters to include these CVs in an annex outside of the 15-page limit required for Volume II?

A27. See A1. Above.

Q28. Section L.2.2 Volume II: Factor 1 Technical Capability Quote, Page 64: Would MCC allow Quoters to include only a simplified version of the Quality Control plan, due to the 15-page requirement limitation under Volume II? If MCC requires a complete Quality Control Plan, can Quoters include it within an annex outside of the page limitation?

A28. Yes, a simplified version of the QCP may be provided.

Q29. Section L.2.2 Volume II: Factor 1 Technical Capability Quote, Page 64: Would MCC allow Quoters to include only a simplified version of the Security plan, due to the 15-page requirement limitation under Volume II? If MCC requires a complete Security Plan, can Quoters include it within an annex outside of the page limitation?

A29. Yes, a simplified version of the Security plan, may be provided.

Q30. On page 7 in reference to the LOE hours indicated in Table 1. Direct Labor Mix, MCC indicates that "labor hours are an illustration of the government's depiction of the requirement by contract year" but instructs that the "total # of hours…is fixed and shall remain unchanged by Quoters". Given the above statement that the hours "shall remain fixed and unchanged by Quoters", can MCC please clarify if these are plug figures for the purposes of cost evaluation by MCC and therefore if MCC anticipates adding additional hours during the course of the contract based on MCC's actual requirements?

A30. The total LOE # of labor hours for each contract year, are reasonably planned and budgeted for by the Government and are not expected to increase or decrease over the life of the contract at this time. These hours are not plug in hours for the purposes of cost evaluation.

Q31. Pg 65, states, "Other Direct Costs (ODC's): The Contractor shall provide / Quote the breakdown of ODCs, as specified by the Government in Section B of the RFQ and in attachment J.1 RFQ Price Template, Excel File"; Can MCC please confirm the figures shown in Table 2. Other Direct Costs (p.8) are plug figures and the Quoter should not provide line item detail?

A31. Yes; see A23 above.

Q32. On page 20, MCC indicates the Quoter must provide an "Analysis of two (2) compact development constraints: Education: Low quality of education has led to shortages of trained professionals; and: Electricity: High cost of electricity drives up input costs for all industries." Since improving the education and professional development of in-country experts in not mentioned in the Statement of Work, please explain whether this education analysis requirement is necessary for the Quoter to address.

A32. It is not necessary for the quoter to address the education constraint.

Q33. MCC provides 5 labor categories, Project Manager, Utility Financial/Restructuring Expert, Energy Efficiency and Distributed Generation Specialist, Power Sector Specialists, and Administrative Assistant.

Does MCC anticipate multiple Power Sector Specialists? In the Request for Quote Template (Excel), MCC provides one line for the Power Sector Specialists category. If MCC anticipates multiple Power Sector Specialists, then may the Quoter provide labor rates for each Power Sector Specialist?

A33. MCC does not anticipate multiple Power Sector Specialists.

Q34. In section H.3, page 30 MCC advises additional labor categories may be added after the contract begins. In section L.2.4, page 65, MCC instructs Quoters to "provide labor rates for all labor categories that are expected to be used in the performance of the contract". Please confirm the Quoter can propose additional labor categories.

A34. See A8 and A11 above.

Q35. Volume I: Please confirm that a Table of Contents and List of Acronyms is not required.

A35. Correct; however: may be submitted and not count against any applicable page limitations.

Q36. Volume I, Subfactor 3 provides that "Quoters shall submit resumes of key personnel quoted."

But in Section M Evaluation Factors for Award, it states that "MCC will evaluate resumes of key and non-key personnel quoted." Is MCC expecting to see resumes for all key and non-key personnel quoted?

A36. See A1 above.

Q37. Page limits--"L.2.2 Volume II: Factor 1 Technical Capability Quote (15 pages)"; Please confirm that the 15 page limit does not apply to resumes; Please confirm there is no specified format for resumes; Please confirm that the 15 page limit does not apply to Subfactor 4--Quality Control Plan

(QCP).

A37. See A1. Above; No specific format for CVs is provided; the CQP may exceed the 15 page limitation.

Q38. If the Quoter has a NICRA and is using the NICRA to develop loaded labor rates in the base year, can the Quoter include escalation of indirect rates for the option years?

A38. Quoters should include all direct and indirect cost loaders in providing fully burdened labor rates and reasonable escalation is allowable.

Q39. Past Performance--The provision says "Quoters shall provide three (3) examples of: relevant contracts or task orders/call orders similar in size, scope, and complexity to the Statement of Work, performed as a prime contractor or subcontractor, preferably within the past five (5) years as of the date of this solicitation." This suggests that the word "preferably" modifies the subsequent phrase, "within the past five (5) years. "But in "M.3.2 Factor 2: Past Performance Quote", it states that "The Government will evaluate the quoter's three (3) past performance contract/order references under existing and prior contracts that describes/demonstrates successful past performance experience in the same and or similar developing country, preferably, within the last five (5) years." Could the Government confirm "preferably" refers to "within the past (5) years as of the date of this solicitation" and not "past performance experience in the same and or similar developing country" in section M.

A39. The word "preferably" is hereby removed. It needs to be within the previous five (5) years.

Q40. Can a subconsultant be included in differing offers from different parties for this same Belize Technical Support Services contract (95332423Q0035)?

A40. The RFQ does not impose or specify any such limitations.

Q41. Would an executive summary be considered outside of the volume II page limit?

A41. Yes.

Q42. Do we need to provide SAM registration for all the entities/firms participating in the quote or do we need to only submit active SAM registration of the lead firm/entity?

A42. Provide all SAM business entity registrations.

Q43. Given the page limit, could we include detailed CVs as appendix in addition to the Personnel Matrix to be provided under Volume II sub-factor 3 to adequately showcase personnel's qualification and experience?

A43. See A1 above.

Millennium Challenge Corporation, Contracts and Grants Management Division, 1099 Fourteenth St NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC, 20005-3550, US