05 - attachment 3 rfc template v.1.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

Request for Quote (RFQ)

Questions & Responses (Q&A)

RFQ Number: 95332424Q0038

Title of Requirement: IEPS-FIT Blended Finance Consultancy

Item

Document Name/Page/Paragraph

Question/Response

Page 5 of RFQ, paragraph: B.4.

Contractor Question:

The 3,080 hours are expected to be across base year and the two option years? There’s no minimum hours required for the option years correct?

Government Response:

Minimum hours sub-total and totals are identified in Table 4 of Section B.4 titled; Government Estimated Level of Effort Labor Hours. Quoters’ may not quote less than or more than the total # of hours specified for each contract year.

Page 30 of RFQ, paragraph: B., 1.

Employees who work on this contract and requires access to MCC Headquarters, MCCNet, Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU), Foreign Government Information (FGI) or any other designated sensitive information needs to be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, could you please clarify if this pertains to all team members?

Government Response:

This is not applicable for this requirement.

Page 14 of RFQ, paragraph: Task 1.

Assessments of various programs will be done on a financial, impact, and comms basis? Is there an existing framework for the assessment or is that up to the contractor?

Item

Document

Quoters’ are to present a proposed approach to conducting the assessments/analyses required in Task 1 in their response to the RFQ. This approach will be agreed and finalized in consultation with MCC during the Inception Report Phase.

paragraph: Task 1.

Key MCC stakeholders: Will the POCs and counterparts from MCC be available during the month of August? Given tight deadlines and summer vacation it will be important to ensure availability of those POCs during the months of August and September.

Yes.

Page 15 of RFQ, paragraph: Key output for Task 1.

Does the reporting for the Blended Finance at MCC@20 need to happen using the framework/ approach developed by the contractor? At present, the framework is a Phase 2 deliverable outlined on page 23.

Government Response:

All Phase 1 deliverables, including Task 1 deliverable (Blended Finance at MCC@20) will be developed based on approach agreed during the Inception Report Phase and delivered using data gathered during Phase 1 assignment. The Blended Finance Reporting Platform and associated Blended Finance reporting and tracking tools in Phase 2 are very different in purpose and objective from the proposed approach to collect and assess various data inputs from MCC public and other internal and external resources required in Phase 1. The platform in Phase 2 will include, incorporate the date collected and used to inform Blended Finance at MCC@20 and other Phase 1 outputs/deliverables.

Document paragraph: Task 2, sub bullet 1.

Will the timeline be too short to turn around the recommendations for 2024-2025 strategy refresh (i.e.,3 months, Oct- Dec 2024)?

Government Response:

Section should read Blended Finance Strategy for 2024 – 2026. For clarification, the deliverable timeline proposes late September to provide Deliverable 3 (Recommendations Report and Updated Strategy) as it will inform the rest of Phase 1 deliverables. While the time should be sufficient, allowances could be made if needed and Offerors should propose/justify alternative timing for Phase I deliverables keeping in mind that the aim is to communicate this updated strategy at the FIT College that is scheduled for November 18 – 22, 2024.

paragraph: Task 2.

It seems that portions of the Benchmarking will be done under Task 1. Can the contractor combine the Baseline and Benchmarking exercises in Task 1 and focus Task 2 on the implications/recommendations for MCC’s Blended Finance Strategy and the FIT Strategy Recommendations?

This approach can be considered.

Page 16 of RFQ, paragraph: Task 3, sub bullet 7.

What is the scope of the 2024-2026 strategy refresh? Is it up to the contactor?

Government Response:

The updated/refreshed Blended Finance Strategy will come after the contractor presents their recommendations to MCC which will be based on benchmarking and other market assessments. A review of MCC’s earlier blended finance strategy and other guidance documents will give the contractor a basis from which to develop a proposed framework/approach to

Document Name/Page/Paragraph

Question/Response revising the current strategy document. Final format and structure will be agreed via consultations with FIT. Please note expectations are that the agreed Phase I Work Plan will include interim touch points for key deliverables designed to ensure alignment on format, structure.

Page 16 of RFQ, paragraph: Task 2, sub bullet 3.

What is the scope for the communication strategy recommendations? Is it up to the contractor?

Government Response:

The FIT Communication Strategy will be a component of the Blended Finance Strategy for 2024-2026 that will include in its recommendations to MCC as discussed in Item 8 above. A review of MCC’s earlier blended finance strategy and other communications guidance documents will give the contractor a basis from which to develop a proposed communication strategy as part of the overall Blended Finance Strategy. Final format and structure will be agreed via consultations with FIT.

Please note expectations are that the agreed Phase I Work Plan will include interim touch points for key deliverables designed to ensure alignment on format, structure.

paragraph: D. Tasks, Base Year.

To what extent does any of the Option Year work include transaction advisory?

Government Response:

Transaction support is not contemplated in this contract since this is procured via other mechanisms for country specific work.

Document paragraph: D. Tasks, Base Year.

How does MCC expect the contractor to engage with ongoing FIT projects, including PSOA projects, over the course of Base Year tasks?

Government Response:

As a part of its review of the MCC blended finance portfolio, the contractor will need to gain an understanding of the content of country specific work for program in the development phase which may include PSOA tasks. However, country level PSOA work is conducted via another contract.

Page 22 of RFQ, paragraph: F.3.

Deliverables table, Row 4.

Can MCC please specify the names of the four deliverables mentioned in this sentence?

Government Response:

The sentence referenced: “Preliminary outline/structure for each of the four deliverables will be agreed during the inception phase for Phase I with the Contractor to provide draft/interim deliverables for each and regular touch points with PM, adjusting deliverable structure/content as agreed/appropriate.” is a typographical error and should be removed. It was meant to be placed above the deliverable table as general guidance for Phase 1 Deliverables 2-5.

The requirements for the Communications Package/Toolkit are clearly defined in Task 3.

paragraph: F.2.

Is the contractor required to always have personnel in DC? No travel is expected to the countries where the projects occurred?

Document Name/Page/Paragraph

Question/Response

It would be advantageous for contractor staff to be based in DC in order to conduct MCC HQ level inquiries and develop the relationships with FIT and other MCC staff that support high quality work product. Travel is not contemplated.

Page 21 of RFQ, paragraph: Section F.

Is there flexibility in the delivery dates or performance periods mentioned in Section F, or are these dates fixed?

Government Response:

The overall PoP will be one base year with two, one-year option periods. Any specific PoP date(s) shown in Section F are approximate only and are subject to change slightly based upon the actual award date.

Would it be possible to allocate funds for local travel under ODCs? If so, are there any specific limitations or restrictions that we need to be aware of?

Government Response:

Yes, if Quoter(s) anticipate ODC funds for local travel these can be Quoted under ODCs; The awardee will need formal approval of ODC(s) by a Contracting Officer before the awardee can incur any ODC expense.

Will any of the team members be required to work onsite at MCC over and above the periodic meetings necessary to complete the work and build relationships? For example, would the business process analyst be required to work on site in order to interface well with the MCC information technology staff and access current systems?

Document

While not required to work onsite as per answer to Item 13 it would be advantageous for the firm to be able to conduct face to face meetings as required.

Page 46 of RFQ, paragraph: Section K.

Please confirm whether it is mandatory for all subcontractors including the Prime Contractor to complete Section K?

Government Response:

Privy of contract relationship between the Prime and MCC mandates the Prime complete Section K of the RFQ; the Contractor is responsible for determining what your respective Sub-Contractor(s) are required to complete in your privy of contract relationship(s) with Sub-Contractor(s).

Page 46 of RFQ, paragraph: Section K.

Please confirm whether the prime quoter and all subcontractors are to submit Section K. Further, the provided Section K document does not have a line for signature. Does MCC need a signature for this document?

Government Response:

Section K should be completed and certified/signed online in SAM.GOV. MCC will review Section K for Prime Contractors’ only. If you have completed Section K online, no separate Signature is needed and the Signature on the cover page of the SF 1449 cover page will suffice.

Page 45 and: Page: 63 of RFQ.

J. (2). And: L.3.3 Table 1.

Which format is required? Page limit(s)?

Document

The word file in J. (2) is the required format; The Table 1 Template/format in L.3.3 is removed/deleted in its entirety. The 1- 2 page attachment # J.2 is sufficient for one (1) past performance project; please use one template for each project submitted. Each project’s template should not exceed the 2 pages each.

Page 62 of RFQ, paragraph: L.3.1 (1).

And: Page 65: MCC 52.204-72.

Clarify if the cover letter should include the offeror's CPARS representative's full name, telephone number, and email address, or if you require this information to be submitted separately.

Include this CPARS POC information in the cover letter described at L.3.1 (1).

Page 61 of RFQ, paragraph: L.2.1.

This section requests four items (cover letter, SAM registration, NDA, and Small-Business sub-contracting plan) but does not provide any information on where to include additional administrative formats in the RFQ (e.g., Form 1449 (Page 1)).

Government Response:

Quoters’ shall complete the relevant SF 1449 Cover Page data fields and return a Signed Cover Page, to include a Signed copy of any RFQ Amendment(s) Cover Pages(s) as well. These shall be included in the Administrative Quote submittal.

Page 20 of RFQ, paragraph: Option Year(s);

and: Page 22 of RFQ, paragraph: F.3.

Could MCC provide more detail regarding the scope and deliverables for the option years?

Document Name/Page/Paragraph

Question/Response

Option Year deliverables can be expected to follow-on from Base Year work and may involve updates/additions to strategy, communication packages, case studies, tools and tracking and reporting systems.

Page 63 of RFQ, paragraph: L.3.4.

Would MCC be willing to provide a plug figure for the OCDs?

Government Response:

It’s the responsibility of each individual Quoter to determine which, (if any) ODC(s) may apply and quote these accordingly.

Please refer back to Page 7 of the RFQ, paragraph titled: “Other Direct Costs” and page 63 of the RFQ, paragraph L.3.4.

paragraph: L.3.3.

It details that copies of all three contracts/orders shall be submitted. Can MCC clarify whether offerors are to submit the contracts with their original proposal submission? Please understand our concern for the digital size of contracts for email submissions.

Government Response:

Paragraph L.3.3 on page 63 of the RFQ is revised to remove the following: “Copies of all three (3) contracts/order shall be submitted”. Only Section J - (2). Past Performance Quote template, word file, is required for submittal.

MCC states that quoters will neither receive any advantage or disadvantage for any quoted ODCs. In light of this, we kindly request that MCC provide ODC plug figures so that offerors are to know what is included in the overall cost. For example, should quoters include costs related to rental space for training?

Document Name/Page/Paragraph

Question/Response paragraph: L.3.4.

Please see Item # 22 above.

paragraph: L.3.1 (3).

Please confirm that quoters are not to provide the Contractor’s Non-Disclosure Agreement at the proposal stage and are to keep a placeholder for this document in the proposal.

The NDA applies (i.e. is submitted) only if you are the awardee/selectee. Please refer back to L.3.1 (3).

paragraph:. L.3.2.

May bidders include a Table of Contents and Acronym List in the Technical Capability Quote, not to be counted towards the page limit?

Government Response: Yes.

Page 64 of RFQ, paragraph: 52.204-71

Could MCC provide the maximum size of email submissions. (Please note the concern on the submission of project contracts/orders)

Document Name/Page/Paragraph

Question/Response

File sizes for email attachments should be no greater than 20MB when combined in any single email; otherwise please send several numbered emails to accommodate large file size limitations.

Page 66 of RFQ, paragraph: M.3.

Our understanding is the quotes will be evaluated based on technical capability, past performance and price as mentioned in Section M, how is each criterion weighted?

Government Response:

MCC does not assign specific weight percentages/figures for each evaluation factor. In general terms, technical capability and past performance are more important than price and when combined are significantly more important than price. If two or more Quoters’ non-price factors are evaluated as relatively equal then the price factor becomes more of a determinative factor in the overall award decision.

Terms of Reference - L.3.2 Technical Capability Quote, p. 62

Can you confirm the technical proposal only need to include three main chapters (Firm Overall Capability and Sector Experience, Management/ Team Structure, Key and Non Key Personnel Qualifications) and that you do not expect bidders to provide more details on their methodology beyond what is outlined in the SOW?

Quoters’ may address this type of information in the Quote submitted.

N/A.

Are there any guidelines for bidding in a consortium? Can you confirm that only the lead bidder needs to sign the Cover Letter and provide a valid and active SAM registration?

Document

There are no specific guidelines; please submit a valid and active SAM entity registration for all business entities associated with your Quote’s sub-contracting/partnering/teaming business arraignment. Cover Letter and SF1449 need only be signed by the Prime Quoter.

SF1449, Block # 8 due date.

Would MCC consider extending the deadline for submission of Quotes?

Yes: RFQ due date / time is extended by one calendar week exactly, from: 5/30/2024, to 6/6/2024.