QUESTIONS_BMA-538-STIP-2016.pdf

QUESTIONS BMA-538-STIP-2016

TECHNICAL OFFICE

1. Under “Key Objective,” the BMA Addendum 1 indicates USAID/ESC seeks to increase the likelihood of sustainable outcomes “of selected local non-profit and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).”

How are these organizations selected? Is there a list of organizations that USAID/ESC will provide that the contractor must select from, or is it up to the contractor to justify NGOs’ adherence with the definition of selected described in this section? Organizations will be chosen in collaboration with the Mission, focusing on the four thematic areas (see bottom of page 1 and top of page 2 in Addendum 1) for organizations working in the three stated goal areas (see page 2, first bullet under “Challenges” of BMA-538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1). This will be further discussed during the stage 2 process, if applicable (see page 4 of BMA-538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1).

2. Do you plan to favor projects that either support one country or support multiple countries throughout the region? We hope to cover the entire ESC area of responsibility (see page 1 of BMA-538-STIP- 2016 Addendum 1) Based on submissions, some countries may end up having greater representation, however. This will be further discussed during the stage 2 process, if applicable (see page 4 of BMA- 538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1).

3. I would like to know whether there will be one Implementing Partner or more than one selected to provide the tasks that were outlined in the original Sources Sought Notice and whether Managing Grants is still one of the activities. Thank you. Managing Grants is one of the activities under consideration, but the number of partners and other details will be part of the Stage 2 discussion process (see page 4 of BMA-538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1).

4. Would the Mission please clarify the relationship between this BMA and the $16MM program described in the Sources Sought Notice attached to the BMA (SOL-538-16-000001)?

a. Are the programs to be funded out of the BMA intended to replace the single, large program model described in the Sources Sought Notice? The Sources Sought Notice is the point of departure and initial contextual framework for this program which will be further developed during the Stage 2 process (see page 4 of BMA-538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1).

b. Will approaches be developed through the BMA process, piloted, and then scaled up through the larger program, as alluded to in the Sources Sought Notice? “It is expected that the overall capacity-building approach and methodologies will be developed through new USAID procurement and collaboration instruments.” Approaches will be developed through the BMA process in the Stage 2 process, again, using the Sources Sought Notice as a point of departure.

c. If the BMA replaces the larger program, is the pool of funding available to programs funded through the BMA also $16MM? Is it expected that the funding will be spread evenly across the countries that are part of the region? The number of awards may vary and may not mirror the number of expressions of interests or invitees to co-creation. The amount of resources made available under this BMA will depend on the concepts received and the availability of funds.

Some award types may not include any funding.

5. The BMA requests that we list potential partnerships. However, in our experiences with a similar mechanism (Broad Agency Announcement - BAA), partners listed in the concept note were not invited to the co-design workshops, and thus these organizations were not included in eventual awards and programs. Given that these are often local partners who are integral to designing local solutions, will partners listed in successful concept notes be invited to the co-design workshop? It is our expectation that all partners of successful expressions of interest will be invited to the co-design workshop.

Selected organizations will gather (possibly over multiple days) in Barbados. Travel and other related costs will not be reimbursed by USAID (see page 4 of BMA-538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1).

6. Will USAID select the local organizations in need of capacity building through this program? Similar to question 1. Organizations will be chosen in collaboration with the Mission, focusing on the three stated goal areas (see page 2, first bullet under “Challenges” of BMA-538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1).

This will be further discussed during the stage 2 process, if applicable (see page 4 of BMA-538-STIP- 2016 Addendum 1).

7. Does USAID have particular countries or partners that it would prefer to target within the region? We hope to cover the entire ESC area of responsibility (see page 1 of BMA-538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1) Based on submissions, some countries may end up having greater representation, however. This will be further discussed during the stage 2 process, if applicable (see page 4 of BMA-538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1).

8. The addendum calls for the research or development idea(s) that will deliver potential solutions to the Key Objective. Could USAID clarify if applicants should propose science and technology-based solutions to the problems presented by the broader BMA (i.e. HIV and violence), or if the solutions should be focused solely on capacity building of local organizations as outlined in the key objective of the addendum? Applicants should provide science and technology-based solutions as part of their approach as well as other solutions. Our broader programmatic focus is to (1) reduce youth involvement in crime and violence; (2) reduce risks and adapt to the impacts of global climate change;

and (3) achieve epidemic control of HIV/AIDS throughout the region (see page 2 of BMA-538-STIP- 2016 Addendum 1). Local organizations who will be supported through this activity will be drawn from those three sectors.

9. The BMA indicates a five-year life of USAID’s Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (RDCS)

– is this the timeframe of this contract, such that funded projects will be completed within five years?

The timeframe of this award(s) will be determined during the Stage 4 process, if applicable (see page 4 of BMA-538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1). However, we do not anticipate any awards going beyond the five year RDCS.

10. What document should we really focus referring to in our response? (in reference to original vs addendum1) All documents mentioned in the BMA and Addendum, including the Sources Sought Notice which provides an initial point of departure and contextual framework for this process should be referred to when crafting the expressions of interest and preparing for the subsequent processes in Stage 2.

11. The USAID Forecast previously listed this opportunity as having a ceiling of $20 million and during USAID’s recent Q&A, USAID responded that only one award would be issued. We note that the ceiling has changed to $10 million and that up to five awards may be issued. Please confirm that $10 million per award (as opposed to the total for all awards) is the correct amount and if the Mission intends on issuing five awards. The amount of and duration of awards will be determined during Stage 2 and finalized by the contract office during Stage 4 of this process (see page 4 of BMA-538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1).

12. In order to maximize the range of service providers able to respond to the subject BMA (given that some organizations cannot receive grants or cooperative agreements) can USAID confirm that if an organization is selected, the acquisition means could include a contract? Yes, any type of mechanism available to the USG and subject to Stages 2 and 4

13. Wasn’t able to see any specific format for the expression in interest. If this is the case I would like to receive confirmation. See top of page three (3) of Addendum 1 referring to Expression of Interest format.

14. Dates: Some documents state that the date is due (feb-2016) others that is sep-30-2016 and sep-30-

2017. I would like to know which of these dates is accurate. The closing date for submitting the expressions of interest is September 30, 2016.

15. Can a potential contractor submit more than one Expression of Interest? See “WHO MAY APPLY” - page 1 no limitation to how many expressions of interest by individuals or organization.

16. Is there a budget limit for funded projects? To be discussed in stage 2, if applicable. -- see page 4 of BMA- 538-STIP-2016 Addendum 1.

17. Grants.gov indicates that this opportunity will be issued from the USAID Dominican Republic Mission but the scope (as per the addendum) focuses on the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC) which would imply that this would be issued from the ESC Mission in Barbados. Since the Dominican Republic is not part of the ESC region, please clarify which USAID Mission will issue the award(s) and if the scope would include the Dominican Republic. The scope of this opportunity does not include the Dominican Republic.

18. Does USAID expect a budget estimate to be provided within the Expression of Interest? A budget estimate would, in our estimation, be helpful for the proposing organizations to include in the Expression of Interest especially in preparation for the Stage 2 process.

19. Could USAID clarify the definition of local organization?

Local organizations as project beneficiaries are defined as one that:

- Is a private non-governmental entity organized under the laws of one of the USAID/ESC countries.

Generally these are defined as NGOs, CSOs, not-for-profit, or charitable organization.

- Has its principal place of business in one or more of the USAID/ESC countries.

- Is majority-managed by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the recipient country or is managed by the governing body, the majority of whose members are citizens or lawful permanent residents of one of the USAID/ESC countries.

- Is not controlled by a foreign entity or by an individual or individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents of one of the USAID/ESC countries.

- Must be operating as an on-going concern in at least one USAID/ESC country with a track record of providing services that1) reduce youth involvement in crime and violence; 2) reduce risks and adapt to the impacts of global climate change; and 3) achieve epidemic control of HIV/AIDS throughout the region.