MCC-17-RFQ-0093_0001.pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

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:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(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 electronic communication 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 is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, 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.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

BY

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

1 10

Millennium Challenge Corporation Contracts and Grants Management Division 1099 Fourteenth Street NW Suite 700 Washington DC 20005

Millennium Challenge Corporation Contracts and Grants Management Division 1099 Fourteenth Street NW Suite 700 Washington DC 20005

To all Offerors/Bidders MCC-17-RFQ-0093

X

See CONTINUATION Page

Please to answers to proposed questions.

CONTINUATION PAGE

Section B

1. On page 4 under ODC CLINS, the RFQ states the following: "There is no need for offeror to propose ODC related cost. This CLIN will be Cost Reimbursable per guidelines from the COR and capped at $150,000.00 for any travel related cost associated with the completion of the services requested within Section C. G&A doesn't apply to ODC's." Will MCC please clarify what it means by "G&A doesn't apply to ODC's"? For a company that accrues G&A on ODCs, is G&A allowable but in addition to the $150,000 ODC ceiling? Or must this G&A be recovered within the Fixed Daily Rates for labor?

Answer: G&A will be allowable on ODC’s. However, the offeror SHALL provide authentic documentation (with their proposal) that their accounting practice does allow for G&A on ODC’s. G&A will only apply to the actual cost reimbursable expenses. The COR will provide guidance and approval on ODC expenditure. All ODC related expenditure (which includes G&A) will be capped at $150,000.00.

2. May Offerors who do not perform work on a Time and Materials basis provide Firm Fixed Price quotes in response to this solicitation? MCC has provided robust requirements for the Deliverables, and allowing Firm Fixed Price quotes transfers the risk of performance entirely on to the contractor. Allowing Firm Fixed Price quotes also enhances competition by making it likely that MCC will receive more bids from qualified organizations. In addition, may offerors providing Firm Fixed Price quotes include labor categories and unit prices in accordance with their standard commercial pricing, to include team bundles as well as hourly rates?

Such offerors would show the inclusion of all key personnel in their team bundles rather than individual hourly rates for each resource.

Answer: Offerors may propose a FFP proposal in addition to the required T&M proposal. MCC will make the necessary determination during the evaluation as to which offer is most advantageous.

3. Can MCC please share what the estimated budget threshold and/or budget range is for this effort?

Answer: The offeror is expected to propose their best level of effort they deem will be adequate to compete the services requested within Section C of the RFQ.

4. Please confirm the only required price/business quotes MCC requires from Quoters to propose at this time are: 002 Based Year Labor, and 1002 Option Year 1 Labor as cost information related to ODCs for Based Year and Option 1 will be submitted to the COR for approval during implementation.

Answer: Labor rates and applicable hours are required from offerors which they deep provides the best labor mix to complete the requested services. ODC’s will be cost reimbursable and capped at $150,000.00. MCC will anticipate $75,000.00 for the Base Year and $75,000.00 for the Option Year. The COR will provide guidance and approval on ODC expenditure as needed to complete the services as requested within Section C.

5. Please confirm Quoters can proposed personnel exceeding the labor categories as listed under Labor CLINS on page 4 of the RFQ for non-key personnel to include both project management personnel such as Project Manager/Coordinator as well as support staff such as finance and administrative support personnel.

Answer: Yes. With the additional proposed personnel, offerors shall provide the rationale for such additional labor.

6. Would MCC please confirm the cap of $150,000 as indicated under ODC CLINS on page 4 of the RFQ applies to only travel related cost associated the services requested? Would MCC also further clarify for costs related to other ODCs such as office expenses (rent, utilities, office supplies, etc) in Sri Lanka, in country (Sri Lanka) travel cost and other necessary costs related to stakeholder interviews, meetings, report dissemination, workshops, roundtables, symposia, etc. will be proposed, reviewed and approved by the COR during implementation?

Answer: ODC’s will be cost reimbursable and capped at $150,000.00 for all travel and “other” related expenses which are not labor related expenses. The COR will provide guidance and approval on ODC expenditure as needed to complete the services as requested within Section C.

7. Under ODC CLINS on page 4 of RFQ indicates “G&A doesn’t apply to ODC’s”. Please note our USG-approved NICRA is based on burdenable portion of direct costs (labor and ODC) rather than just on labor cost.

Since our NICRA is lower than labor-based rate, can we convert our NICRA into a labor-based rate for purposes of this RFQ? Does MCC expect Quoters to develop Fee Based costing for its Labor?

Answer: All labor rates shall be fully burdened. Each offeror can provide their best rates they deem will be the most competitive. As stated the offeror SHALL provide authentic documentation (with their proposal) that their accounting practice does allow for G&A.

8. Would it be possible for MCC to provide an estimated number of trips that the Service Provider will need to travel to MCC headquarters in Washington D.C. for planning purposes?

Answer: As an estimate only, the offeror can anticipate 4-6 trips to Sri Lanka. These trips will overlap from the Base Year to the Option Period.

9. Is the MCC intending for the quote to fall within a specific budget range?

Answer: MCC does have a budget for this procurement, but that figure will not be disclosed.

10. Is there a file size limit for the submitted quote documents?

Answer: No. However, it is upon the offeror to ensure the file can be submitted via email and opened by the

MCC.

11. Section B, page 4, states that travel related ODCs are capped at $150,000. Would MCC confirm that this amount should be equally divided between the Base Period and Option Year (CLINs 0003 and 1003)?

Answer: Yes

12. Section B, page 4, states that “there is no need for offeror to propose ODC related cost” and then mentions a plug figure for travel related costs. However, we anticipate some other ODCs that are not travel related, in addition to other costs that we directly bill in accordance with our accounting practices. Would MCC allow offerors to propose ODCs, in addition to the $150,000 travel plug figure?

Answer: ODC will be capped at $150,000.00. MCC will not allow offerors to propose ODCs, in addition to the $150,000.

13. Would MCC confirm that offerors may apply their G&A rate to all ODCs if it is consistent with the offeror’s NICRA and accounting practices?

Answer: See question 1

14. Can you clarify what is NTE? Not to exceed? Is this intended to be a ceiling value that is equal to the sum of the labor and ODC’s for year 1 and the also for the Option Year 1(2?).

Answer: NTE = Not to Exceed. The Base Year NTE will include the value for Labor and ODC’s combined.

With guidance from the COR funds can be realigned between the SubCLIN as long as the overall NTE amount is unchanged. The same applies for the Option Year.

15. Should Option Year 1 be Option Year 2?

Answer: The RFQ includes a 1 year Base Year and a 1 Year Option period.

16. Can we use commercial labor categories and pricing and other sources to provide the basis for our labor hours?

Answer: Offeror should provide their best competitive rates.

17. Should labor be priced by the hour? and per labor categories?

Answer: Yes and the offeror shall provide the total NTE for labor

18. Per the ODC plug number of $150,000 on page 4 can we budget a g&a or a management fee to recover our costs on the other direct costs?

Answer: Please see question 1

19. Can you provide any breakdown of how you arrived at $150,000 for ODC’s?

Answer: The MCC developed its cost estimate to include applicable international travel and other travel related expenses it deemed necessary to complete the services requested within Section C. The offer should anticipate expenses such as office expenses (rent, utilities, office supplies etc.)

20. How many trips do you envisage the expat members of the team making to Sri Lanka?

Answer: See question 8

21. Can we assume that editorial services are an allowable cost. Please confirm.

Answer: If applicable the COR will provide approval and cost will be incurred under the ODC CLIN.

22. No information on financial capacity is specified in RFP. Please specify if we need to show any such criteria as part of eligibility.

Answer: The MCC will determine contractor responsibility in accordance with FAR Part 9

23. Is bidding in consortium allowed? What is the maximum number of consortium partners allowed?

Answer: There is not a minimum or maximum. The MCC is seeking the best overall value.

24. We understand that there is no specification provided on ‘limitation on liability for consultant in the RFP.

Request you to provide clarification on the same. We request you to limit the overall liability to the Agreement Value.

Answer: The meaning of this question isn’t understood.

Section C

1. Would it be possible for two organizations to put forward a combined research team that is responsive to the

TOR?

Answer: Yes

2. It is not clear whether it is only the design for the communications strategy alone that is included in the TOR or both the design and roll out. Task 6 refers to the roll out of the strategy after 12 months of Task 5 completion.

Answer: The design of a stakeholder engagement and the roll out are required. Please see revision below which coincides with Section C, page 8 of the SOW.

4. Design Strategy for Engaging Key Stakeholders

Once MCC, GOSL and the contractor understand key actors and their interests and motivations, the contractor will develop a stakeholder engagement plan that mobilizes potential political, bureaucratic, private sector, and civil society champions to identify specific policy, legal and regulatory reforms to advance the strategic objectives of a compact on transport and land. Getting their input and participation in developing the reform agenda would be the first step in garnering their support for policy, legal and regulatory changes later. The output will be well-considered and measured plans for engaging these stakeholders.

3. The RFQ states "The contractor may be ineligible to furnish, as a prime or subcontractor or otherwise; the implementation services for any activities for which it provides substantial design services except for such services that may be furnished under this contract." Does this mean that designing the communications strategy will bar the recipient from being involved in the subsequent roll out of the strategy?

Answer: As stated above, the contractor is required to both design and roll out a plan for engaging political, bureaucratic, private sector and civil society stakeholders for the purpose of identifying specific policy, legal, and regulatory reforms that the GOSL and MCC can pursue to advance the strategic objectives of the compact.

4. Is the MCCs interest in land solely for improved information for investment purposes, or can the scope be expanded to include mechanisms for resolution of land disputes, environmental protection, equity in state land distribution and other areas that may come up in stakeholder consultations.

Answer: Yes, the scope can be expanded to include discussions of mechanisms for resolving land disputes, environmental protection, equity in state land distribution and other areas that may come up during stakeholder consultations.

5. Section C only discusses developing a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, whereas Section F, Task 6, indicates executing the Stakeholder Engagement Plan during the option period. To ensure a consistent basis for budgeting the option period, could the MCC provide guidance on the anticipated frequency and scale of the “facilitated workshops, roundtables, symposia, meetings, and other activities TBD” indicated on page 10?

Answer: See answer to question 2 under Section C. Section C, page 8 has been modified to make it clear that the MCC is interested in both the design and roll out.

6. On Page 8 4. Communication Strategy it indicates the contractor will develop a communications strategy. Do you envisage this as a separate deliverable from the final report described on page 8 in 3. Present Stakeholder Analysis… or as part of the final report?

Answer: The stakeholder engagement strategy for the purpose of identifying specific policy, legal, and regulatory reforms that the GOSL and MCC can pursue to advance the strategic objectives of the compact should be a separate deliverable.

7. On Page 5 the RFQ indicates that the scope is two fold:

1. Support a political economy analysis of administration and decision making in the transport and land sectors in Sri Lanka and

2. Develop a plan for engaging key stakeholders in dialogue on policy and legal reforms to improve transport and land administration in Sri Lanka.

Are both aspects of the scope as described above to be covered in Tasks 1-5 as described on page 10? Is Task 6 the implementation of the “plan” in 2. Please clarify.

Answer: Task 4 marks the conclusion of the political economy analysis phase of the work. Task 5 is to design the stakeholder engagement strategy. Task 6 is to execute it. Please see revised timetable of deliverables under Section F (pp. 9-10). If due to Government delay task 1-5 can roll over from the Base Year to the Option Year.

Task/Deliverable Deliverable Due Date

(due dates assume award made on August 1; if later date, due dates will be adjusted)

Task 1: Develop stakeholder analysis methodology

• Design Report

2 week duration

Due Date: August 15, 2017 if contract is awarded on August 1.

Task 2: Collect data; conduct stakeholder interviews for political economy analysis

• Interview and decision-making assessment instruments

• Progress report

8 week duration

Due Date: October 10, 2017

Task 3: Preliminary political economy analysis

Preliminary report incorporating:

• Initial summary of findings (internal document)

• Initial summary of findings (external document)

• Initial summary of findings (slides)

4 week duration

Due Date: November 7, 2017

Task 4: Present final political economy analysis & recommended policy reform strategy

• Final report (internal document)

• Final report (external document)

• Final results presentation (slides)

• Data analysis spreadsheets or statistical files

4 week duration

Due Date: December 12, 2017

Task 5: Develop stakeholder engagement strategy for transport and land reform

• Plan describing optimal modalities for implementing stakeholder engagement strategy and work plan/timeline

8 week duration

Due Date: February 6, 2018

Task 6: Implement stakeholder engagement plan for transport and land reform

• Facilitated workshops, roundtables, symposia, meetings and other activities TBD with government, private sector, civil society organizations private sector to achieve policy reform goals

• Final report

12 month duration from completion of Task 5

Due date: February 5, 2019

Section F

1. According to Section F – Period of Performance, the contract period of performance is “a Base Period of 1 year and a 1 year Option Period.” Section F – Deliverables states “a work period of approximately three (3) months for the assignment.” The deliverable due dates in the table of deliverables (Section F) adds up to around 19 months. Can MCC please clarify the period of performance for the base period, the option period, and the deliverable due dates for each task?

Answer: See revised Deliverable table above under Section C question 7 for clarification.

2. Section F, page 9, indicates a “work period of approximately 3 months.” However, the task/deliverables table indicates 28 weeks to conduct the analysis under CLIN 1, plus a 1 year option for implementing Task 6 under CLIN 2. Could the MCC please clarify whether and how the indicated 3 months is applicable?

Answer: See revised Deliverable table above under Section C question 7 for clarification.

3. On page 10 the RFQ outlines six tasks. Tasks 1-5 are only through 28 weeks and Task 6 the option year? Can you confirm that Tasks 1-5 are only 28 weeks in duration and that this is also the same as Year One?

Answer: See revised Deliverable table above under Section C question 7 for clarification.

4. Also under Deliverables on page 9 it states in reference to the 6 tasks “Outlined below is an indicative timetable, assuming a work period of approximately three (3) months for the assignment.” There is a conflict between Tasks 1-5 taking 28 weeks and the option year for Task 6 another year and the statement about 3 months. Can you clarify?

Answer: See revised Deliverable table above under Section C question 7 for clarification.

5. It is requested to consider that upon full payment of expenses, the authority will own the final deliverables submitted to them. However, the consultant will continue to retain their rights on the material that will be brought in by the consultant under this engagement.

Answer: This is acceptable.

Section G

1. Kindly provide the details for fee disbursement intervals and the percentage of fee that would be released for listed submissions under deliverable schedule.

Answer: This is a Time and Materials RFQ. As such payment will be net 30 after receipt of proper invoice.

Section H

1. Per Section H. 7 Key Personnel on page 17 we assume we may propose other non key personnel to accomplish the work required. Please confirm and that we may propose hourly rates as appropriate to qualifications of the person proposed. Also are letters of commitment required for key personnel? Please confirm that the non disclosure is only required following award?

Answer: Yes. With the additional proposed personnel, offerors shall provide the rationale for such additional labor. Offeror should provide their best competitive rates and candidates to complete the services requested within Section C.

Commitment letters aren’t required.

Offerors shall ensure the staff mix proposed as Key Personnel, are available at time of award. Any changes to proposed key personnel may be grounds for the offeror to be excluded from contract award. See Section H.7 of the RFQ.

Non-disclosure Agreements will be required at contract award and are not to be provided during the proposal period.

Section L

1. Should Volume I – Technical Quote include a cover letter? If so, would MCC consider excluding it from the page limit?

Answer: The cover letter should be no more than 1 page and is not a part of the page limit

2. Would MCC consider excluding the Cover Page, Table of Contents, and List of Acronyms from the page limit?

Answer: Charts, graphs, resumes and CVs of Personnel may be included in an appendix to the 15 page technical quote with an additional 10 page limit.

Past performance shall be no more than 3 pages which provides at least 3 (if applicable) referenced contracts.

Provided examples shall list the Contract/Call or Task Order numbers, Period of Performance, POC -Technical and Contractual (this shouldn’t be the contractors own POC information), Price and Description of relevancy to this requirement.

3. Would MCC consider PDF software format for the electronic quote submission?

Answer: Yes

4. Can you extend the proposal submission date by ten days or two weeks?

Answer: No extension will be granted

5. On page 50 under L.2.1 Quote format the instructions In Microsoft word and Excel software – can we provide the cost and technical narrative in Adobe® PDF? and provide the budget in excel.

Answer: Yes

6. On page 52 Facto 2 Past Performance it notes that we should list 3 referenced contracts – should these be in an annex to the technical proposal or referenced in the main technical volume?

Answer: Either option is acceptable

7. Request you to provide format in which CVs are to be attached as part of technical quote

Answer: Offerors choice, but keep in mind the page limitation

Section M

1. Please provide scoring details for the evaluation factors listed. As there is a page limit to be followed, we look forward to provide required precised details satisfying the requirement.

Answer: See Section M.3 of the RFQ