Amendment__4_Attachment_Q_n_A_ver_Mar_15.pdf

USAID BAA-MOSO-SBAR-2019 Amendment 4

This Questions and Answers attachment to Amendment 4 supersede previous responses posted with Amendment 2 dated March 6. This document includes several modified responses and new questions (red text).

“SQ” refers to supplemental question resulting from the Webinar.

Questions and Answers

Out of Scope for this solicitation

1. Can I introduce another problem statement that is not on the list for another country in Africa?

No. This solicitation is limited to the problem areas and geographic regions described.

Please follow the Agency’s directions on how to submit an unsolicited proposal or application. https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/get-grant-or-contract/unsolicited-proposals

You may also want to take a look at USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures program and see if your solution aligns with this unique program.

https://www.usaid.gov/div

2. I would like to submit a proposal for Sierra Leone. How may I proceed about doing this -- should I follow the instructions enumerated in the SBAR-2019 or should I follow the instructions in the unsolicited proposals & grants application?

See response to Question #1 above.

SQ1. How do countries opt in for SBAR? If one has a good idea for another country, is there a space for that?

The 2019 SBAR solicitation provides that USAID operating units can on-ramp at intervals throughout the year by contacting the SBAR Team. See also Question #1.

Eligibility

3. Section II Eligibility: Is a 501(c)3 small non-profit corporation eligible for consideration for this BAA?

See BAA Section II, Eligibility. A U.S. small business must be organized for profit.

Therefore, a non-profit corporation is ineligible, as it is not organized for profit.

SQ2. How do we know that we are registered properly to submit a proposal? Can we talk with someone to answer the questions?

The USAID Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization is a good resource to check on your organization’s status as a small business. https://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/organization/independent-offices/office-small-and-disadvantaged-business-utilization-0

The Small Business Administration is another source. https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/contact-sba

SQ3. Are for-profit, small businesses with NAICS codes other than 541715 eligible for this solicitation?

Page 1 of the solicitation states: “NAICS: North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) – is assigned to this BAA. The applicable size standard is 1,000 employees. USAID reserves the right to change the applicable NAICS code to correspond to the specific technical solution proposed.”

Subcontracting, Partnering, and Teaming

4. Our firm meets the SBA requirements as we are looking to bid, but one of our key partners does not meet this requirement, are we still allow to bid as prime, with a larger partner as a sub-[contractor]?

Since this solicitation is set aside for small business, the prime would need to comply with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, which requires that at least 50% of the cost of contract performance be incurred by the prime [small business]. Whether the prime could comply with this clause would depend on the specifics of the proposal and the role envisioned for the subcontractor.

5. Can one local organization join with two or three different US organizations/business for the same or different addendum #1 and #2 and #3?

A local organization can team with different U.S. organizations that are preparing concepts, and can be proposed in response to multiple addenda. Note that the prime must meet the eligibility criteria.

6. Teammates and subcontracting: Are we allowed to include international non-profit organizations (and include them in our budget) as teammates within our proposal?

USAID encourages the formation of partnerships that will improve feasibility and smooth in-country implementation. Since this solicitation is set aside for small business, the prime would need to be a small business and comply with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, which requires that at least 50% of the cost of contract performance be incurred by the prime. Whether the prime could comply with this clause would depend on the specifics of the proposal and the role envisioned for the subcontractor/partners. .

7. Teaming Agreements and Subcontracts Proposed in-country partnerships and subcontractors: Can we propose the use of partnerships and subcontractors without having teaming agreements in place for the initial concept papers?

Yes.

8. Section VII: Required Preliminary Concept Paper Content: Could USAID please confirm if PPRs can be included for partners?

See Section IX. Evaluation Methodology and Criteria, Factor 2: Past Experience and Current Capacity (Past Performance). Past performance data is required for the organization submitting a concept paper, along with its teaming partners, if any.

9. Section VII: Required Preliminary Concept Paper Content: Could USAID please confirm if organizations can submit five PPRs per concept, or just five PPRs per organization?

No more than five past performance data submissions are permitted per concept paper.

10. Section VII: Required Preliminary Concept Paper Content: If organizations can submit five PPRs per concept, how would USAID like organizations to designate which PPR is for which concept?

In the “Name of Organization” field, indicate which addendum the past performance information is for. Place it after your business’ name. For example: Acme Inc. - Addendum #7.

11. Section VII: Required Preliminary Concept Paper Content On page 8 of the original solicitation (under Required Preliminary Concept Paper Content”), USAID requests that offerors “Include any information about your organization’s active or prospective partnerships with businesses in the host country that would contribute to feasibility and foster local commitment to success.” Please confirm that USAID will also value “active or prospective partnerships” with NGOs and other organizations that may contribute to feasibility of implementation.

See response to Question #6.

SQ4. My company provides a specialized engineering capability. We were hoping to use the preproposal conference to network and offer to be a teammate.

FBO.gov includes a feature that allows vendors to share their organization’s information as an interested vendor. See Section 4.9 of the FBO Vendor Guide entitled “Interested Vendor List”.

https://www.fbo.gov/downloads/FBO_Vendor_Guide.pdf.

SQ5. Is there any mechanism to share our capability (spectrum and radio/wireless/networking) to primes who are looking to fill out their proposal team?

See SQ4.

SQ6. Do we need a local partner for demonstrating the concept?

Please review the evaluation criteria and problem statements of interest. The requirement for a narrative on feasibility directs “Include any information about your organization’s active or prospective partnerships with businesses in the host country that would contribute to feasibility and foster local commitment to success. This may include “locally established” partners in addition to “local” partners”. See also Question 6.

SQ7. Can local partner organizations or individuals appear in multiple proposals?

Yes.

Past Performance

12. Past performance information form (referenced in section VII): The Google form for past performance mentioned on page 9 of the solicitation states: " Please complete a separate submission for up to five recently completed (within the last three years) or active projects similar in scope to the solution your organization is proposing." If a company is responding to multiple addenda, is it possible for them to submit up to five past performance forms for each addendum? If so, how should the contractor note which addendum the past perform reference is meant to be associated with?

See the response to Question #10.

13. Past performance requirements: Do the past performance descriptions provided in the Past Performance google sheet have to match any past performances referenced in the concept paper?

Yes. Projects described in concept paper must have corresponding contact information entered in the Google form. Choose those most relevant to the proposed solution to describe in the concept and include in the Google form.

14. Past Performance: In terms of relevant experience, we are not an SBIR grant recipient and most of our work is business to business. We are in the construction and manufacturing fields related to Addendum 4,5,6. To be considered “comparable work” can it not be grant funded or entirely R&D (as described in FAR 35)? Our proposed concepts are related to our business.

There is no requirement that organizations applying to SBAR be current or former SBIR recipients. See Section IV of the BAA, as it discusses the requirements for applied research and development. If you believe that your organization’s concept fits the definitions found therein, your firm is encouraged to apply.

Budget Preparation and Funding

15. Funding level

Each addendum that described the problem statement contains information about the anticipated budget range for the resulting contract(s).

16. Funding level: Please clarify how BAA funding works if the awarded Concept for Implementation is three years? Funds would be available based on government funding? For example, Base year, Option Year 1, Option Year 2?

A BAA is merely a method of solicitation. The terms of the resulting awards may vary and funds availability is highly dependant upon a variety of factors, such as how mechanisms are structured, the needs of the cognizant USAID mission, the nature of the concept proposed, and so on.

17. Funding Level: Please clarify, if a firm is made an award under this BAA and successfully perform during the Concept for Implementation that other funding could be made available for future phases of the concept?

While future funding may be a possibility, funding is not and cannot be guaranteed for future phases of any concept.

18. Funding Level: We have reviewed the Q&A #1 and would like clarification on the following. Each listed Addendum has a budget range of $500,000 to $3,000,000 – does this budget range represent the total funding for the individual Addendum or the budget range for each individual Concept for Implementation under the Addendum?

The budget range is for each individual Addendum. USAID may fund one or more concepts under each Addendum

19. Section VII: required concept paper content: The section on the budget mentions a sample budget table provided with this solicitation. Where is this provided?

See the Page 7 Budget Template that is included as an attachment to the BAA (in Package #1).

20. Section VII: Required Preliminary Concept Paper Content: USAID has provided potential offerors with a budget template that details costs broken down by years and activities in the columns. Can USAID provide further clarity on how it envisions budgeting by activity to be broken down? Are there specific activities that USAID would like to see budgeted separately? Or does the template include the activities columns simply to allow offerors to define their own activities and budget for them? Further, will USAID look unfavorably on offerors who budget only for one activity?

The budget must correspond with the concept, but it is the concept that will be evaluated based on the factors and criteria stated.

21. Section VII: The 'Required Preliminary Concept Paper Content' instructs applicants to “…use the sample budget provided with this solicitation or other format as appropriate to the respective Concept.” However, this sample budget is not provided within the announcement. Could USAID direct applicants to the sample budget?

See the response to question #19 above.

22. Pricing: In addition to pricing can we attach a project schedule to the pricing? It will better show the correlation between pricing and how proposed funds are obligated to the concept.

A project schedule with a budget is not required. All information must comply with constraints on page count and content. It is anticipated that succinct narratives aligned with the evaluation criteria will convey the most compelling information. Offerors could consider providing such schedule information to the extent that it helps to convey feasibility and other evaluated information (see Evaluation Factors and criteria in the solicitation).

SQ8. My question is concerning the cost of lodging/travel for small businesses in the identified countries. Can you provide any input on how to balance these costs?

Anticipated expenses associated with the implementation of a concept are to be presented in the budget and may include expenses such as lodging and travel. The solicitation states the requirements of the contents of a budget submission in Section VII.

One resource for estimating foreign per diem costs is the State Department’s site:

https://aoprals.state.gov/web920/per_diem.asp

SQ9. How accurate does the budget have to be?

Please follow the directions in Section VII of the solicitation. While costs are estimates, they must correlate with the concept activity narrative. A budget template is provided.

Pre-Proposal Conference and Concept Due Date

23. On page 1 and on page 12, the date of the pre-proposal conference is listed as January 23, however on the registration link and solicitation web page it is listed as January 22. Kindly confirm the date and time of the pre-proposal conference.

A Webinar is being hosted on March 11 in lieu of a pre-proposal conference.

You may also view the pre-recorded Webinar containing information about this solicitation and the SBAR pilot:

https://ac.usaid.gov/p3bz3ur7ieho/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal.

Adobe Connect is required.

Note that dates have changed since the recording and information contained in the most recent solicitation amendment supersedes recorded information.

24. Given that the pre-proposal conference has not yet occurred, are Preliminary

Concept Papers still due February 20, 2019, or does USAID intend to issue an extension?

See BAA Amendment 1, posted January 31, 2019. The revised submission date for concept papers is now March 27, 2019.

25. Section X: Introductory Webinar and Pre-Proposal (Pre-Concept) Conference1.

Does USAID intend to reschedule the pre-proposal conference originally planned for January 23, 2019?

Please see the response to question 23 above.

Concept Evaluation and Award Processing

26. Page 1 Cover Sheet : The Government is requesting a screenshot of SAM registration page to show it’s active. If there isn’t enough space on the cover page can bidders provide this as an attachment and not included in the pages 2-6? (The screen shot may be too small for the Government to get any information.)

The same requirement was in place for the premiere round of SBAR and there were no issues with the SAM.gov screenshots being included on the cover page. Consider revising your cover page to ensure that this vital information is visible and readable. Note that screenshots can be “cropped” so that only the essential information is included.

27. Does USAID expect to award only one award in each of the seven Addendum topics or will there possibly be multiple awards in each Addendum topic?

There is the possibility of one, none, or multiple awards for each Addendum topic.

28. Section IV Award process: Please confirm that no co-creation activity is required in Stage 1 of the BAA.

Yes. There is no co-creation activity in Stage 1 of the BAA. The co-creation process occurs only if and when an organization is selected for Stage 2.

29. Would USAID provide some insight into the mechanism for the resulting award?

Does USAID anticipate awarding grants similar to those under the SBIR program, allowing for implementer control of the resulting intellectual property?

The solicitation is designed to result in a contract. Note that the type of award may depend on the solution proposed, and other relevant factors.

See Section VI of the BAA regarding intellectual property rights and control.

30. In the Feasibility of the Project section, normally we do the Basic Engineering and Financial Analysis. This can not be done in 7 pages. Can this be done as step 1 in case we are awarded a contract?

Please follow the directions for the content of this section. At a later time and on short notice, the small business may be requested to provide supporting documentation.

31. In Potential for impact section the statement of the problem elaborated by USAID provides the potential impact. Can we reproduce those with addition and further elaboration?

Please follow the directions for the content of this section. Elaborate on the realistic impacts your solution can deliver aligned with those expected impacts stated by the USAID Mission.

SQ10. Some of these problem statements do not align neatly with a single DO or sector.

How will the COR be determined as that indicates where the activity will sit in the Mission?

Each Mission will make that determination.

SQ11. Can a concept be an innovative change to an existing technology?

Concepts are required to include a narrative to “Cite how the concept fits within the definition of applied research or development in FAR PART 35.001.”

SQ12. Is a specific solution required or could options presented be assessed in the co-creation process or as part of the Initial Basic Research?

Each concept must be submitted as a stand-alone, independent submission, so if the small business has multiple approaches, a separate concept - including narratives responsive to the evaluation criteria and a concomitant budget - is required for each concept (option). If the "options" are subtle variations that do not impact feasibility or the budget, it is up to the small business whether to break out the options as independent concepts. Follow page content and count requirements. Small businesses should consider the evaluation criteria when submitting concepts. Vague, non-specific solutions or solutions with multiple options may contribute to a lack of clarity and cohesion with respect to the concept, budget, and feasibility.

SQ13. If there are two alternative innovative solutions should there be two concept papers?

See SQ12.

SQ14. What if the two alternatives are in the same proposal?

See SQ12.

SQ15. Will each Addendum have a single or multiple award? If multiple award, is the budget range per award?

The solicitation states that USAID has “The right to award multiple awards, a single award, or no awards.” The Mission may apply the upper limit of the indicated budget across successful concepts for multiple contracts, or to each successful concept, depending on the availability of funding and whether the full concept activity is approved to advance to award. Final contracts could range from small-scale demonstration projects to full scale implementation, depending on the outcome of evaluations and negotiations. The solicitation also states “Costs will not be evaluated until the Final Concept Paper stage, but if the proposed budget exceeds the parameters established for each Problem Statement as stated in the Addendum, the submission will be considered nonresponsive and will not be further considered for award.”

SQ16. Will the co-creation process require the offeror to be in country with the Mission?

No.

SQ17. What is the overall time frame of the co-creation process?

If invited to Stage 2 where co-creation and collaboration and negotiations occur, the time can vary widely, and depends on many factors such as the strength of the evaluated concept, availability of funding, availability and number of collaborators, and other factors.

Technology

SQ18. Who would hold the IP for innovative technology developed under this program?

The contractor would own any "IP" developed under the contract. However, USAID would have certain rights to use IP for its purposes. In terms of data, the default would be standard data rights under FAR 52.227-14, Rights in Data - General, which would give USAID "unlimited rights" in any data conceived under the contract, unless the contractor specifically asserted limited rights in any of the deliverables.

The BAA includes some language suggesting that USAID would be willing to accept more limited rights than "unlimited rights," (see, e.g., FAR 27.408(a)), but the contractor would need to negotiate/ask for that treatment. Small businesses with prior SBIR contracts may have negotiated IP terms that could be considered when negotiating a contract with USAID.

SQ19. If a technology developed has a potential for commercialization, is it expected that these solutions need to be open source or can they be designed with a potential for commercialization in support of local small businesses?

The intent is to allow for commercialization by U.S. small businesses. USAID would expect certain "products of development activities" to be made publicly available on the Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC), but redaction may be an option if proprietary information is included per ADS 540.

Technical Questions by Addendum (Problem Statement)

32. Addendum Number 1: Has USAID/Cambodia identified specific local organizations that the offeror will work with?

No. That said, USAID is currently working with several local organizations that could benefit from the support, which are either direct recipients of USAID funding or sub-recipients. Many of our partners work with local organizations as a sub-recipient, especially in the rice field fisheries and the natural resource management sectors. In addition our agriculture and health projects work with small businesses that could benefit from technical assistance to run their businesses better.

33. Addendum Number 1: If specific local organizations have been identified, what organizations or types of organizations will be supported?

USAID/Cambodia would like the Offeror to work with local organizations, micro enterprises and small businesses working in the agriculture, child protection, education, environment, and health sectors. Many of these businesses are micro enterprises with fewer than 10 employees.

Please note that the “Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance” (PLGHA) policy applies to all global health assistance funded by USAID. PLGHA prohibits the use of U.S. taxpayer money to support foreign organizations that perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning. For more information, see:

https://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/global-health/cross-cutting-areas/legislative-policy-requirements

34. Addendum Number 1: If specific local organizations have not been identified, is it appropriate for the Offeror propose categories or types of organizations?

The Offeror is free to propose specific organizations, categories or types of organizations working in the sectors specified that could benefit from this support.

35. Addenda 2 and 3: Please elaborate on what is meant by result “Improved public

Tservice delivery and quality for waste and OWSO services.”

Improved waste services could include baseline/outcome measurements for the following kinds of indicators: (1) people in target who have access to improved solid waste services (number); (2) cities with improved livability, sustainability, and management (Number), as well as percentage of solid waste collected (%) and/or properly disposed or recycled (%); number of unsanitary landfills or dumpsites closed or rehabilitated (square meters); number of municipalities with waste management plans (number). Positive change in selected indicators over baseline is the definition of improvement in waste services. Actual indicators used will depend on the proposed intervention and scope.

Improved One Window Service Office services could include baseline/outcome measurements for the following kinds of indicators: (1) reductions in time/effort citizens expend in requesting/obtaining administrative services provided by OWSOs (number);

(2) responsiveness of authorities to services requested by citizens through the OWSOs (e.g., % citizens surveyed). Positive change in selected indicators over baseline is the definition of improvement in OWSO services. The actual indicators used will vary depending on proposed interventions and scope (e.g., which OWSO services are targeted for improvement, etc.).

36. Addendum Number 4: In Addendum #4, is USAID's overarching objective to (i) improve the quality and durability of concrete roadways in Liberia, or (ii) develop high-quality and watertight concrete using local materials that can benefit the Liberian construction industry more generally?

USAID/Liberia’s overarching objective is to develop waterproof concrete using locally sourced materials to improve the quality of housing and road construction.

37. Addendum Number 4: Can USAID confirm whether or not this opportunity is procurement sensitive, and if potential applicants are allowed to direct technical questions to the USAID mission in Liberia?

Yes. This opportunity is procurement sensitive. Please direct all questions through this channel only. Do not contact missions directly with technical questions. If USAID/Liberia accepts a concept for further consideration and moves forward to Stage 2, there will be direct collaboration between the offeror and USAID/Liberia.

38. Addendum Number 5: Because most of the building codes are dictated and enforced by the government, the environmental compliance in Liberia is also similar to the USA for US funded project, will this program include education Liberia government of the need for such a earth based brick technology to make it marketable to Liberian. This questions also ties to the fact that, the cement industry could have a link to politics and as result the will by the government to implement earth based technology might not be supported. Has USAID discussed with government of Liberia and gauge if they support the idea.

USAID/Liberia has had no discussions with the Government of Liberia regarding these potential concepts.

39. Addendum Number 5: Because this program is expected to create a sustainable and replicable source of local raw materials for brick-making, the use of the manual brick fabricating machine is a critical area of need to attain sustainability.

Does this program allows developing a simpler, portable, affordable and viable machine reached to different Liberia region? It is also worth noting, building homes in poor rural areas are a "family based projects" and thus a portable machine used by several poor families could be the only link to expected brick quality production process. Is this program open to such a machine being part of proposed solutions?

USAID is interested in concepts for the manufacturing of quality locally sourced bricks that meet the Pollutant Standards Index and Air Quality Index, and that are consistent with the International Building Code, to develop the brick production value chain. If your concept is to create a machine that can produce the requested product, USAID is open to reviewing your submission.

40. Addendum Number 5: Brick production process requires mitigation of quality control due to negative that could impact the quality of the bricks. Our past experience indicate unless a research on soil is thoroughly carried out, the soil that is available could have much lower clay or other soil contents than that predicted using traditional field testing methods. This will eventually affect bricks quality. Does the USAID allows the concept paper to include cost associated with a thorough studies to determine soil contents in different regions in Liberia or does USAID requires those who respond to depend on soil information produced by others?

The proposed concept should fully capture and reference studies relied on for the solution, and additional steps which the offeror views as necessary.

41. Addendum Number 5: Earth-based bricks are known to have the ability to absorb bullets well. Houses made with earth-based bricks should be fairly safe to live in with respect to resistance to bullets and explosions. Is it possible to obtain funding from agencies such as DTRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency) to study the safety of this type of house. Most of the buildings in Liberia were destroyed during war, and houses structure integrity currently questionable, lots of houses unoccupied due to destruction and bullet holes.

Our scope is limited to finding a solution to affordable brick production for development purposes. Only USAID funding is involved. However, you are free to pursue funding from DTRA on your own.

42. Addendum Number 5: Earth-based bricks are poor in resisting hygrothermal loads that can be expected in the hot and humid areas like Liberia. Since this is a concept paper, does USAID allow provision to fabricated bricks in a controlled environment as a way of assessing ways of optimizing the bricks’ physio-mechanical properties? This experimental approach will also add value to determining final product properties based on brick contents during production.

Your concept should offer a possible solution in response to the problem statement.

Further incremental research may be appropriate to achieve the expected results.

43. Addendum Number 5: In the concept paper, can a modification to a brick making or firing process be based on an innovation that may be in development stage but can be commercialized while implementing the project?

Yes. USAID welcomes all innovative processes that may result in a possible solution to the problem statement.

44. Addendum Number 5: In the manufacture of bricks, can innovations such as implementing a specific quality management system and environmental, health and safety management system be considered as applied research or development?

USAID welcomes all innovative processes that may result in a possible solution to the problem statement. Please review the definitions provided in the BAA centering around applied research and development. If you believe your concept fits the relevant definition(s), you are free to submit a concept paper in response.

45. Addendum Number 5: Is there estimated durability estimated on this program or

IBC are to be used? The earthen construction as being comparable to concrete or any other conventional material with respect to withstanding the test of time need further research due to environmental conditions.

Liberia does not have set standards for measuring PSI and/or AQS, however, internationally accepted standards are normally used. For this case, we will use USA EPA Codes 40 CFR part 58. The brick production must meet the IBC and local building code. At this stage, the focus is on providing a concept to address the problem statement. Concept papers that are not responsive to the problem statement will not be evaluated.

46. Addendum Number 5: Setting up best practices offering training and education to help people appreciate the value of high quality, a model house goes handy to show case a high quality product. Can concept paper propose training and education be coupled with regulatory through local community colleges? Can participating colleges on these activities be open to this program counting for Continuing Professional Development credits? ( a case at point, our current project involved about 21 stipend paid interns great for project sustainability in building some laboratory in different counties, collaborating with colleges, while this is a contractor initiative, it gives value to a USA funded project). The training can also specifically target local designers, contractors, and builders as well as building inspectors most of whom are not very educated but remain the local experts. Will any of the above be deemed acceptable at the concept level.

If further research is needed for this concept, it should be stated in the concept, along with next steps and alternatives..

47. Addendum Number 5: In the Liberia Brick Development can our concept paper describe innovative processes in general terms without giving specific details to protect potential IPR?

Yes. That said, the risk is that the concept paper will be too vague and general, and evaluators will be unable to come to conclusions about feasibility and other criteria.

Please review evaluation factors and criteria and ensure the concept paper is responsive.

48. Addendum Number 5: In implementing the project can we engage operators from brick manufacturers in the USA or abroad?

See response to Question #6.

49. Addendum Number #5: In Background and Context, you list References - the first of which is "Observation from the Field - USAID/Liberia Infrastructure Engineers".

Can you give me the source for this reference to use as guidance on understanding the problem statement?

This information is not available.

50. Addendum Number 5: Can you give me guidance on how to obtain the "Pollutant Standard Index" and "Air Quality Standard" that the local bricks are failing to meet? This will also help us understand the problem better so we can formulate a response.

Liberia does not have set standards for measuring PSI and/or AQS, however, internationally accepted standards are normally used. For this case, we will use USA EPA Codes 40 CFR part 58.

51. Addendum Number 5: Since Thermal Moisture properties of Earth construction has no much information known and more research is needed especially focusing on how these materials can optimized to withstand hygrothermal loads, can this program reconsider the IBC as the ultimate standard since the target will be one level building to supplement current poor structures in rural Liberia.

The brick production must meet the IBC and local building code. At this stage, USAID is only considering the technology. Further market analysis will be considered when the technology is identified.

52. Addendum Number 5: The population of Liberia is about 5 million with about 54 percent of the population of Liberia is living below the poverty line less than $US2.00 and about 1 Million living on Monrovia where non-load bearing brick will not be acceptable. Has the USAID considered the market for the bricks is less than 1 million living in poor rural areas who might be very poor educated and mostly will not afford to redoing their current structures in exchange of technology? Since Liberia also depends mostly on international donors, can USAID consider, this technology to be part on US financed projects in rural areas as an initiative to bring value to the program.

At this stage, USAID is only considering the technology. Further market analysis will be considered when the technology is identified.

53. Addendum Number 5: There is a widespread misconception from the general public and government officials that earth-based bricks are cheap construction materials for poor people. They are therefore avoided as low quality materials.

Can efforts be made to educate the general public about the capability and quality of this material, so that it could be effectively utilized to reap its full potential benefits. Can this be proposed in the concept paper. Most of the general public might not consider the earth based bricks as an upgrade and thus will decline the people willing to venture into the project.

Yes, you are free to incorporate your ideas into your concept.

54. Addendum Number 5: We are a small business implementing a design-build construction project across Liberia using block (sand-cement-gravel) type for a USAID project. We have noted massive knowledge gap particular in rural areas.

Does this program allow training local academic institution to make it sustainable?

At this stage, USAID is only considering conceptual solutions in response to the problem statement. Training may be allowed as one element of the solution, but training alone doesn't constitute the whole solution.

55. Addendum Number 5: Will the brick production require results on compressive strength, Shear strength, Porosity/texture, Tensile strength, Durability, finish, adhesion, Permeability, water absorption, swelling among others to meet IBC or local building code?

Yes, the brick production requires results on the indicated tests as needed to meet the IBC and local building code.

56. Addendum Number 7: Is the intervention meant to work in any particular sector?

Can the research focus on a single sector?

The intervention is meant to work across sectors, in particular basic education (early-grade reading), nutrition, and primary health care, especially for maternal and child health.

57. Addendum Number 7: Is USAID committed to the internet hub solution as the means of crowding in at the ward level?

The solution must include expansion of broadband internet access as a means of crowding in citizen populations at the ward (sub-district) level. This need not be the entirety of the solution; however, creative approaches that build off of this connectivity are welcome.

58. Addendum Number 7: Is USAID looking for options that provide increased internet access or ones that avoid reliance on the limited connectivity?

USAID seeks increased internet access that connects citizens and government for improved service delivery. A more informed citizenry will be more capable of constructive engagement with the government to address priority development issues.

This will lead to increased efficiency in services and stronger results in linked USAID health, education, and nutrition programs.

59. Addendum Number 7: Our experience in a similar rural area showed that a lot of people preferred and trusted local publication and local languages as opposed to technology and use of similar gadget due to lack of trust. Carried out regular visit and exchange of documents and publications on economic, health benefits, documentary, local radio etc. Will such suggestion with greater impact be acceptable?

There is a learning curve. Developing trust in the internet and related digital applications takes time, especially in areas unaccustomed to robust information flows. Solutions that enable wider and easier access to local-language content via the broadband internet connection are welcome. Note, however, that the solution we are seeking does not envision the creation or distribution of original content, although communities may generate such content on their own. Our focus is on internet access and information immersion at a hub in the community.

60. Addendum Number 7: The problem statement mentions several problems – the need to “crowd in” citizens at a central gathering point, the need increase access to the internet, and the need to increase citizen input on development interventions. Which of these problems is the highest priority?

Increased citizen input is the priority outcome.

61. Addendum Number 7: We have worked in similar local government for better coordination, more and efficient implementations of their respective common economic activities among poor rural people. While we noted, mobile communication by the government was available, there was a need to have local leaders communicate the message in schools, churches and cooperatives. Would the concept paper using other methods outside "crown in"-Mobile based used elsewhere acceptable?

Yes. We are open to low-cost approaches that help to drive citizen uptake of this intervention, including approaches that leverage community influencers.

62. Addendum Number 7: Would USAID be able to provide any additional information on the connectivity initiative currently being developed for schools in Zambia, referenced on page 27 of the request?

Zayo Hub and iSchool Zambia have teamed up to provide solar power, telecom, and internet connectivity, along with digital content for schools, health and community interests. The partnership also will reach out to support the uptake of entrepreneurship, primary education, rural livelihoods, and women’s inclusion.

63. Addendum Number 7: On page 28, USAID references the FACT Zambia activity, implemented by Counterpart International. We have not been able to find much information about the FACT project on the USAID website, the DEC or Counterpart’s website. Would USAID provide recent reports or project updates re FACT? This will help potential applicants better understand USAID’s current work at the district level.

Fostering Accountability and Transparency in Zambia (FACT Zambia) works in selected districts of Eastern, Central, Copperbelt, Lusaka, and North Western provinces. FACT Zambia is entering its final year of implementation, ending in March 2020. While this connectivity intervention will not be linked to FACT Zambia, lessons from FACT may be of value. The FACT Zambia program report for the year ending September 30, 2018 is attached.

SQ20. Is GoZ involvement anticipated as part of the co-creation process?

The Government of Zambia's involvement is expected when we are choosing sites and integration with the local government structures when the Mission’s overall governance activity is under way. Government engagement may occur very late in the process.

SQ21. Does USAID have siting preferences for broad area wifi hotspots?

USAID's siting preference is the area that residents regard as the hub or crossroads of a ward (sub-district), typically where a school, health facility and/or police post are found, along with shops.