nofo amendment 0002 mcc-16-rfa-0002.pdf

Amendment 0002 for the NOFO # MCC-16-RFA-0002 NOFO Name: “MCC-PEPFAR Tanzania Data Collaborative (Co-Lab) Project”

Subject: responses to questions received and call for information

The purpose of this Amendment 0002 is to:

A. Provide responses to the questions received so far before and during the pre-application conference;

B. Issue call for information for collaboration and partnering.

MCC encourages applicants to continue to submit questions related to this NOFO through December 5, 2015, 5:00 pm (Tanzania, Dar es Salaam time) by emailing Nataliya Holl at hollna@mcc.gov.

MCC will continue to issue responses in a separate amendment.

A. Responses to the questions.

1. The timeline seems not coherent with the NOFO; the NOFO mentions a 27 months project while I see 24 months on this PowerPoint (PPT) timeline.

A – The program will end in April 2018, the length (period of performance) of the program will depend upon when negotiations are completed and when the award is signed.

2. Do consortium sub partners need a DUNS number by phase 1 of the application?

A – MCC will not require DUNS number for Phase I applications. If the organization has DUNS number, please list it on the cover page per instructions in Section D page 3.

MCC requires DUNS number for Phase II of the application per 2 CFR 25.502 (a). DUNS number is easy to obtain, see Section D page 19 for guidance. Prime applicants will require their sub-recipients to obtain DUNS number per Appendix A to Part 25, I.B:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-09-14/pdf/2010-22706.pdf

B. Requirement for Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Numbers If you are authorized to make subawards under this award, you:

1. Must notify potential subrecipients that no entity (see definition in paragraph C of this award term) may receive a subaward from you unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you. 2.

May not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.

mailto:hollna@mcc.gov http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-09-14/pdf/2010-22706.pdf

MCC is including a Fact Sheet on DUNS Numbers with this amendment.

3. Do you have particular requests for contributions/cost-sharing? How will it be quantified?

A – Please see Section C, page 2 for the cost share requirements. A minimum of 5% of the estimate total proposed budget is expected. The values for contributions of services and property are defined in 2 CFR 200.306.

4. Please confirm that you have identified a space for the Tanzania Co-Lab and that the consortium will not be required to find and provide one.

A – MCC has not yet identified a suitable space for the Co-Lab. MCC is assessing different options for the Co-Lab Space. If applicants have a particularly good space which could be used for the Co- Lab, they may propose this space through an in-kind contribution (i.e. as part of their cost share) for consideration by MCC.

5. Can you point us to information on the DREAMS’ districts?

A – This information is not yet public, and will be made available at a later time. For the purposes of this proposal, the assumption should be that this will include be up to five (5) districts in Tanzania.

6. Do you have ideas on the composition of the Steering Committee?

A – The steering committee will be established in parallel with selected partner on boarding so that it is in place when the selected organization begins its work or soon after. The specific size and composition of the steering committee has not been determined – and will be developed with input from the selected organization. It is expected to be fairly small to as to be effective and efficient, but to include representatives from the government, funding organizations, civil society, and NGO so as to promote the cross sector dialogue that is one of the goals of this project.

7. Can members of a consortium participate in Phase I, II and III of this opportunity, as well as other opportunities in the program?

A - The application process for this NOFO is separated in two phases – and there are two concurrent NOFOs, one for each project (“Tanzania Data Collaborative Project” and the “Data for Local Impact Innovation Challenge” Project). All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply to Phase I.

Organizations applying to this NOFO may simultaneously apply to the “Data for Local Impact Innovation Challenge” NOFO as well. We would also like to invite those organizations that are not eligible to serve as the “prime” applicant, but are interested in partnering with eligible organizations, to express their interest as soon as possible by sending an email to Nataliya Holl at hollna@mcc.gov.

See below information that will need to be provided. MCC will publish the list of names and contact information of those organizations that are interested in partnering. Consortia can continue forming throughout the Phase II application process – and agreements between the prime and sub or sub-partner do not need to be exclusive.

8. Can a member of a consortium bid for both projects (and phases)?

A – Yes, as an eligible prime applicant organization can separately bid on each NOFO posted on www.grants.gov. Also see response to question 7 above.

http://www.grants.gov/

9. Please confirm that the submissions are via email.

A – Yes, please see Section D, page 3, top of the page. The Applicants must submit applications to:

MCCproposalsPEPFAR@mcc.gov and cc: Nataliya Holl at hollna@mcc.gov electronically.

10. What is the expectation on the eligibility criteria; would the organization have to be majority owned by an East African entity?

A – Please see Section C Eligibility Information.

11. Is it possible to share the presentation?

A – The power point presentation is published on www.grants.gov under MCC-16-RFA-0002 under Amendment 0001.

12. I was particularly interested in what MCC mentioned towards the end about submitting an expression of interest to be part of a consortia if you don't already have the partnerships in place, but I cannot find any information about this in the NOFO. Could you direct me to the right place to learn about the process for this?

A - The call for information is already posted in the amendment 0002 for the NOFO # MCC-16- RFA-0001. This is amendment 0002 for the second NOFO # MCC-16-RFA-0002 issues the call for information for the sub-partners.

13. The conference call and the document have slightly different language in terms of the main applicant. There is confusion on whether you have to be TZ based or can be registered in East Africa preferably in TZ.

Thank you for raising this to our attention. For, NOFO # MCC-16-RFA-0001 (Data for Local Impact Innovation Challenge), the prime may be registered in Tanzania and/or Kenya but with offices in both and capable of operating in both countries.

For NOFO # MCC-16-RFA-0002 (Tanzania Data Collaborative), the prime must be registered in East Africa, be able to legally operate in Tanzania and have offices in Tanzania.

14. Do we need the have the DUNS and SAM registration for Phase I?

A - MCC will need the DUNS number and SAM registration for the actual award under Phase II. If your organization will be invited by MCC to participate in Phase II, you will need to have DUNS and SAM at the time of submitting the application for Phase II on January 25, 2016. See also response above regarding DUNS for subpartners.

15. We just learned about these opportunities, can we still submit pre-bid?

A – Yes, interested and eligible organizations may still submit an application for Phase I. The critical deadline for submission of the concept paper is on December 9, 2015. All other steps before the Phase I concept paper submission are optional. MCC encourages you to participate at the pre-application conference and submit questions by December 5, 2015. Responses to questions will be issued in one or more amendments.

mailto:MCCproposalsPEPFAR@mcc.gov

16. Can we apply to both or only one NOFO?

A – Eligible organizations can apply to one or the other, or both opportunities depending on their interest, qualifications and capacity to manage the work.

17. Is this opportunity open for European companies?

A - All organizations that meet the criteria in Section C are welcome to apply. Also, please note that this NOFO envisages the possibility of partnerships so long as these add value to the specified goals outlined in Section A Program Description. Following the bidders’ call on December 3rd, we would also like to invite those organizations that are not eligible to serve as the “prime” applicant, but are interested in partnering with eligible organizations, to express their interest as soon as possible by sending an email to Nataliya Holl at hollna@mcc.gov, see the needed information below. MCC will publish the list of names and contact information of those organizations that are interested in partnering. Consortia can continue forming throughout the Phase II application process – and agreements between the prime and sub or sub-partner do not need to be exclusive.

18. In order to ensure consistency and coordination be assured for the various projects: do you prefer the programs to be managed a single contractor or multiple contractors?

A – The two current opportunities were posted on www.grants.gov to ensure full and open competition for the awards. We are looking for the best applications to respond to the program desriptions under each project – including ideas from interested organizations on how to ensure effective and efficient coordination among the “prime” applicants leading the different projects, which is fully consistent with the intent of this program, namely data “collaboratives” to achieve local impact. We do not have an a priori preference for having the programs to be managed by a single or multiple prime organizations. Provisions have been made in the program description in Section A, for example monthly coordination teleconferences between project leads, similar reporting requirements, etc., but as noted, additional ideas that leverage existing technologies and are relevant are welcome will be implemented.

19. Is the eligibility criteria applicable to only the lead organization or to all those within the consortium?

A – The eligibility criteria specified in Section C applies only to the prime organization.

Organizations who would like to partner with the prime under a subaward or subcontract will have no restrictions. Also, please note as specified above, that those organizations that are interested in participating in this opportunity in ways other than being the “prime” should express their interest by sending an email to Nataliya Holl at hollna@mcc.gov by December 9, 2015 at 5 pm Tanzania time.

20. What is the December 9 deadline?

A – The deadline for Phase I Applications are due on December 9. Those applications for Phase I include only a fairly straightforward applications (“concept paper”) which provide background on the organization, its mission, capacity, relevant experience as well as its strategy to maximize local content. Submission with the details specified in Section D pages 3-4. The certifications, assurances and representations in Section D pages 12 – 19 are only required for Phase II submission. Also, in Phase I applications, if consortia are still being considered (but have not been finalized) please indicate your intent to partner and indicate the organizations during Phase II.

21. Would you see lead organizations only responding to the December 9 or partner organizations also responding (as part of a consortium)?

A – Only the prime applicants need to respond to the Phase I Concept paper requirements and include their potential consortium partners (or intent to partner). However, in response to the inquiries during the call – those organizations that do not meet eligibility criteria, but are interested in partnering with eligible organizations, should to express this interest as soon as possible, see the specifics below in the call for information. MCC will publish the list of names and contact information of those organizations that are interested in partnering. Consortia can continue forming throughout the Phase II application process – and agreements between the prime and sub or sub-partner do not need to be exclusive.

22. If an international organization is not eligible to be a lead, can it still submit an application or are you expecting applications only from eligible leads?

A – Please see response to this question above.

23. How will coordination occur between various organizations that are partnering together?

A – Organizations may partner with one another through those means that best serve the purpose of their proposal. These partnerships may be through multiple mechanisms, to include memoranda of agreement, letters of commitment, and/or any other contractual obligation. The awardee may sub-grant and/or sub-contract to its partner organizations in accordance with the terms of the cooperative agreement, and the notice of funding opportunity.

B. Call for Information for subawardees or subcontractors.

MCC is calling for additional information for organizations that are interested in participating in this NOFO as “partners” to the prime recipient(s). There are no eligibility restrictions for subawardees or subcontractors, however, the total amount of the value of the work which the prime recipient cedes to a partner is limited to 45% of the value of the work as specified under Section D, page 9. If your organization is interested to be a sub partner for this opportunity, please provide the following information to Nataliya Holl at hollna@mcc.gov as soon as possible and no later than December 9, 2015 5:00 pm (Tanzania, Dar es Salaam time). MCC will make publically available a list of all organizations, contract names and information to enable collaboration and provide information for prime applicants seeking to partner with subpartners.

Information to provide:

1. Organization name

2. Contact person name and title

3. Contract phone and e-mail address

4. Short (max 2 pages) description of particular area of expertise and potential value added to the partnership.

End of Amendment 0002