APS and HSS Addendum Questions and Answers app hw.pdf

Question APS or HSS Organization Theme Response Can USAID provide any insight into the BARMM Resilience Activity? Will this be an addendum of the APS and will there be any eligibility restrictions?

APS Save the Children

Additional Info:

BARMM

Resilience

The BARMM Resilience Activity is not currently scheduled to be part of the APS.

On page 18 of the Project Initial Environmental Examination document, USAID makes a reference to the BARMM Resilience activity to be implemented by a PIO under USAID/Philippines Universal Health Care

Project, but no references to BARMM are made in the APS document.

Can USAID clarify whether it plans to have an open application process to address health challenges in BARMM or if BARMM health activities are to be implemented by a PIO?

APS URC

Additional Info:

BARMM

Resilience

No comment:

In section A.3 Background of the APS document, on page 10, USAID references drug rehabilitation as one of the areas to be strengthened, but no references to mental or community-based drug rehabilitation

(CBDR) are further made in section A. Can USAID clarify if it intends to support CBDR activities via the UHCP-APS?

APS URC

Additional Info:

CBDR

Please register on SAM.gov to reciev updates and check SAM.gov regularly for updates.

Noting the first two addenda have been released, which additional addenda will be restricted eligibility for local groups? Does USAID anticipate two addenda focused on TB?

APS ThinkWell Additional Info:

Future Addenda

Please register on SAM.gov to reciev updates and check SAM.gov regularly for updates.

The entry on grants.gov for the UHCP APS lists six expected awards under the APS, but the number of expected awards is not specified in the APS document. Could USAID please provide the anticipated number of awards under the UHCP APS?

APS URC

Additional Info:

Future Addenda

Anticipated number of awards is 6-7. This could change depending on neeeds and qualified applications.

With the first two addenda now live, would USAID be able to provide a list of the APS’ remaining anticipated activities accompanied by an estimated timeframe for their release?

APS URC

Additional Info:

Future Addenda

Please register on SAM.gov to reciev updates and check SAM.gov regularly for updates.

Can USAID indicate timeframes for release dates of the addenda for the program areas? We are aware of the TB 1 and HSS addenda that have been released, can USAID provide timelines for the remaining addenda?

APS Jphiego Additional Info:

Future Addenda

Please register on SAM.gov to reciev updates and check SAM.gov regularly for updates.

Can USAID clarify whether the dates in the IEE are accurate or if they will be updated?

APS ThinkWell

Additional Info:

IEE

Current dates are accurate. It will be updated.

In the Initial Environmental Examination, child nutrition is prominently mentioned. Can USAID provide any details of the expected deliverables for child nutrition?

APS Save the Children Additional Info:

IEE

Please register on SAM.gov to reciev updates and check SAM.gov regularly for updates.

Community-led monitoring is included in the Environmental

Examination document however, it is not prominently mentioned in the

APS. Can USAID provide further information on how community-led monitoring may be included in future addenda?

APS Save the Children Additional Info:

IEE

Please register on SAM.gov to reciev updates and check SAM.gov regularly for updates.

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES TO THE UHCP APS AND HSS ADDENDUM

http://sam.gov/ http://sam.gov/ http://sam.gov/ http://sam.gov/ http://sam.gov/ http://sam.gov/

Page 26, Section D.3.The APS states that applicants may “be part of co-creation … either individually or collectively”. How will USAID determine whether to use individual or collective approach to co-creation, and does that mean that competing applicants may be requested to further develop their applications jointly?

APS Palladium Co-creation

The process will depend on the number of well qualified applications received. Applicants will be given sufficient advance notice to prepare for any type of co creation.

Could USAID please confirm if applicants may include an acronym list as part of the concept paper that is not included in the page count? APS URC Concept Note

Format

Applications for all previously issued and future addenda under the UHCP APS may include a list of abbreviations limited to one page, which will not be counted in the page limits.

In section D.2 Concept Paper Format, Content and Instructions on page

22, USAID specifies fonts for graphs and charts. Will USAID also allow 10-point Calibri font for figures and text boxes?

APS URC

Concept Note

Format Please refer to the APS for instructions.

RFP Reference: C.2 Page Number: 20-21 Relevant RFP Language: If cost sharing is required, a final cost share amount will be stated in addenda or negotiated with the recipient prior to award.

Question: Can USAID please provide an expected range for cost share requirements?

APS RTI Cost Share Not at this time.

5. In section B.4 Geographic Code, on page 18, USAID states that the geographic code is 937. Would USAID consider changing the geographic code to 935 to allow for a greater range of partnerships in response to the APS? Alternatively, would USAID consider granting a waiver for a subrecipient that meets the criteria in 22 CFR 228 Subpart F?

APS URC Geographic code No

Page 20, Section C.1. The APS states that “[r]egardless of eligibility, concept papers must be from a legally recognized organizational entity under applicable law, legally registered in a country within geographic code 937”. While we acknowledge that geographic code 937 must be used for the procurement or commodities and services under awards issued as a result of this APS, could USAID confirm that (a) it intentionally restricted eligibility from other than maximum competition, and, if ‘yes’, (b) will this restriction apply to prime applicants only or also extend to subrecipients?

APS Palladium Geographic code

Geographic code and competition or eligibility are not related. Recipients and subrecipients as well as supplies and equipment must adhere to geographic code 937.

aside from the definition of local entity as per the APS, are there other eligibility requirements, such as 1) Whether the entity has projects, offices, and/or registration in other countries, and whether key management decisions are taken by the office located in the host country or elsewhere and 2) whether an organization had received more than $5M in funding over the last 5 years from USAID?

APS Save the Children Local eligibility Please follow the eligibility requirements of the APS.

Can USAID articulate if locally led development will extend to preference for local entities (per USAID definition) leading consortiums.

APS Jphiego Local eligibility No comment

RFP Reference: D.2 Management and staffing plan - Page Number: 23

Relevant RFP Language: Management and staffing plan (not to exceed 3 pages) Applicants must state which positions are key personnel and their qualifications. No more than 5 key personnel are permitted.

Applicants should provide a description of the expertise, experience and qualifications of key personnel including how their skills and experience will allow them to provide leadership in addressing technical and administrative aspects required to meet the goals and objectives described in the program description. Question: Would USAID allow description of the expertise, experience and qualifications of key personnel to be included as an annex?

APS RTI Management Plan No

Page 27, Section D.3. The APS mentions “not rated as ‘Satisfactory’ against the Merit Review Criteria” illustrating when an applicant may not be successful. Could USAID clarify whether only a color rating scheme (‘green’, ‘yellow’, ‘red’) will be used or adjectival ratings will be utilized, as well?

APS Palladium Merit Criteria Only color ratings will be used.

Page 28, Section E. In Section E, the description of the merit review criteria for the concept paper under the management and staffing plan the APS mentions the criterion of integration of existing USAID activities in the Philippines. Can USAID provide a list of the USAID-funded existing activities in the Philippines and their respective timeframes for their implementation?

APS Palladium Merit Criteria Please visit https://www.usaid.gov/philippines for more information on USAID/Philippines.

Page 28, Section E. In Section D, USAID instructs applicants to include a

Partnership Strategy in the Technical Approach. USAID also instructs applicants to ‘explain the roles and responsibilities of subrecipients or partners including a discussion of how they will be fully integrated into and add value to the award’ under the Management and Staffing Plan.

In Section E, USAID includes the Partner Strategy as evaluation criteria under the Management and Staffing Plan. Will USAID consider requiring the Partner Strategy be described and evaluated under the

Management and Staffing Plan section only?

APS Palladium Merit Criteria No https://www.usaid.gov/philippines https://www.usaid.gov/philippines https://www.usaid.gov/philippines https://www.usaid.gov/philippines

Page 30, Section F.3. The APS indicates that Quarterly Financial Reports and Quarterly Progress Reports will be due within 15 days after the end of each quarter. Could USAID extend this to the standard 30 days pursuant to 2 CFR 200.328 and 2 CFR 200.329(c)(1)?

APS Palladium Reporting

Requirements

USAID/Philippines will consider this and negotiate report deadlines with the recipient.

Page 30, Section F.3. Please confirm that all work planning and reporting periods will be adjusted accordingly to align with the U.S.

Government’s FY depending on the time when the award is made.

APS Palladium

Reporting

Requirements

Likely yes, but USAID reserves the right to make final deteminations prior to award.

Page 37, sub-award. Please confirm that the definition of ‘Sub-award’ given on p.37 reflects the definition in 2 CFR 200.1 and excludes contracts awarded in accordance with 2 CFR 200.331 and 2 CFR 200.317-

324.

APS Palladium Sub-award

This question will be further discussed during co-creation or a post award conference to ensure mutual understanding.

In section C.4 Teaming Agreements, on page 21, USAID states that "this

APS and all subsequent addenda discourage the use of exclusive teaming arrangements between the applicants and potential subrecipients." Could USAID clarify if this statement is applicable to local subrecipients, international subrecipients, or both?

APS URC Teaming Applicable to all subrecipients

Page 21, Section C.4. The APS discourages the use of exclusive teaming arrangements; could USAID kindly amend this restriction to only apply to teaming agreements with local subrecipients? Precluding exclusivity with other potential partners is likely to negatively affect applicant’s ability to assemble teams and develop quality and competitive applications.

APS Palladium Teaming No comment

In applying for the UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE PROJECT, does our proposal need to work on all of the expected results, or can we decide to focus on one or two of the results areas of the program?

APS

Synergeia

Foundation

Technical: Area of

Focus

Each addendum will clearly state the objectives and results that proposals must cover. When applicants choose to submit a concept note for one or more addendums, they should be responsive to the desired outcomes or expected results of each individual addendum.

Page 16, Section A.7. With regard to section A.7 (Collaborating, Learning and Adaption) of the APS, the description mentions ‘… rapid, targeted search for generating improvements and efficiencies and building on what works. Can USAID clarify its expected timeframe for ‘rapid’ search for generating improvements under the CLA activities? 2-3 months? 6-

12 months? 12-18 months?

APS Palladium Technical: CLA Applicants can refer to usaidlearninglab.org for additional resources on CLA at USAID.

https://usaidlearninglab.org/ https://usaidlearninglab.org/ https://usaidlearninglab.org/ https://usaidlearninglab.org/

Page 5 of the APS states: “These awards intend to streamline coordination and communication between USAID and critical health system stakeholders by reducing the focus on health areas and increasing the focus on system strengthening and empowering communities and individuals to exercise their agency to improve health outcomes.” Is it expected for submissions to propose strategies that will streamline coordination and communication between USAID and the health system stakeholders or is this something that will be co-designed with the implementing organization, USAID, and the health stakeholders?

APS Save the Children

Technical:

Concept Note

Content

Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) is a key component of the APS and addenda. Applicants are advised to include their plans for CLA in their technical approach. Each addendum will include detailed information about what should be included in the submissions.

Can USAID provide more information/guidance on how demand generation, specifically participation and accountability to rights holders, figures as part of governance and leadership (e.g., the criteria for assessing, indicators, or means of verification)?

APS Save the Children

Technical:

demand generation

Demand generation and health governance are critical components of the UHCP APS. These are further discussed in the addenda.

Has USAID determined what sites it considers Convergence or Focus

Sites? Or does USAID intend to open the Convergence Sites as part of co-creation? What is the process for determining which sites will be each?

APS ThinkWell Technical: Sites

Convergence and Focus sites will be determined during a process of co-creation. Several factors will be considered in determining these sites including but not limited to disease burden, magnitude of unmet need, socio-political context, etc.

Page 15, Section A.6. In the description of the ‘Focus sites’, the APS mentions that the implementing mechanism will have program-specific and health system components that will be aligned with the ‘HSS strategies’. Can USAID clarify which specific HSS strategies are referenced in this description?

APS Palladium Technical: Sites

Activities working in focus sites are expected to be able to support health system strengthening interventions that would contribute to the achievement of program goals.

Specific HSS strategies to be implemented will depend on the context and the priority needs of these sites.

Page 15, Section A.6. With regard to the difference between convergence sites and focus sites, what is USAID’s expectations that

UHCP will do regarding health system strengthening in the two types of sites? The current description does not provide enough clarity between these two types of sites as it seems that both types will focus on service delivery and HSS interventions. Can USAID please clarify?

APS Palladium Technical: Sites

This is partially answered above but is fully answered in the HSS Addendum. In convergence sites, the Health

Systems Strengthening activity will serve as the lead in strengthening critical health system components. In focus sites where it is envisioned that the HSS activity will not have a presence, other activities will lead the health systems work in close coordination with the HSS activitiy.

Are there any mid-term or final evaluations from existing USAID

Philippines health activities that USAID can share at this time?

APS ThinkWell

Technical: USAID

Evaluations Applicants can find select evaluations on dec.usaid.gov.

Could USAID please provide an estimated timeframe after submission of the phase 1 concept papers for applicants to be informed about progressing to phase 2?

APS URC Timelines Approximately 1-3 months depending on the number of applications received.

In light of the hesitancy from many local organizations to prime given the administrative requirements, would USAID consider expanding the current eligibility criteria for Addendum #1 to include new partners that are Locally Established Partners as prime recipients?

HSS ThinkWell local organizations No http://dec.usaid.gov/ http://dec.usaid.gov/ http://dec.usaid.gov/

In the spirit of continuing to build capacity and empower local partners, would USAID consider expanding the eligibility for Addendum #1 to be a transitional award where a non-local entity initially acts as prime and transitions the award to a local entity as prime in Year 3 or 4 of the project?

HSS ThinkWell local organizations No.

In the case of a consortium, can an organization be designated as the prime or lead even if it is the least experienced and capable among the consortium members? Will the established track record of the other members of the consortium be considered instead of solely looking at the prime?

HSS FACE consortium

Concept notes will be assessed on the strength of the entire proposal including how the prime intends to leverage the expertise of other organizations and or partners to carry out the objectives of addenda.

In terms of partnerships with organizations either as consortium partner, sub-awardee or subcontractor/resource partner, can the prime partner with private corporations in the Philippines that have commercial interests in the Philippine health sector, e.g., private provider network, HMO, etc.?

HSS FACE consortium Yes

In the RFA/Addendum, the cost application is not yet required to be submitted with the concept paper, management and staffing plan and institutional capacity. However, in the APS, the template for the

Concept Paper cover page includes "Total Award Amount Requested". Is the cost or budget for the proposed project required for the concept note?

If yes, will the estimated cost have any bearing on the proposed budget in the actual proposal?

HSS FACE cost proposal Please follow the instructions on the APS.

What percentage of the award amount will be for the required cost share? Both APS and RFA/Addendum stated that there will be a cost share but there is no mention of an indicative percentage.

HSS FACE cost share Please refer to the APS.

For the concept paper, can a graphic or illustration of the Theory of

Change be included? If so, can it be placed in the Annex but not counted against the page limit?

HSS FACE Concept Note format No A graphic or illustration for the TOC can be done but will be counted towards the page limit.

Would USAID please clarify what proportion of the activity is expected to focus on central-level activities versus health systems strengthening activities in geographic regions/LGUs/at the sub-national level?

HSS Chemonics

Technical:

proprotion of focus on central vs local

Applicants should propose this proportion based on their understanding of the country's priorities.

Can a local consortium (a group of local organizations) bid as prime for this addendum? Or should the local consortium designate one legal organization, as a member of the consortium, as prime?

HSS ZFF consortium

Only one entity may be the prime recipient of an award even if it's application includes partnerhips with othe entities.

Can the local consortium engage a foreign organization/ locally established organization as part of the consortium, or as a sub-awardee?

HSS ZFF consortium

Yes, but please refer to the APS and each addendum for eligibility, partnering opportunities, and geographic code requirements for guidance.

Is there a limit to the number of consortium partners, either local organization or foreign organization/ locally established organization?

HSS ZFF consortium

Please refer to the APS and each addendum for eligibility, partnering opportunities, and geographic code requirements. The rational determination of the potential number of partners should depend on your understanding of the scope and interventions.

Is the local organization subject to the same pre-award or award requirements as contract amount is expected to be more than $10

Million?

HSS ZFF consortium Please refer to the APS.

ANSWERS TO ADDENDUM #2 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE COMING FEW WEEKS