Power_Africa_deal_team_RFP.docx

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for Power Africa Consulting Services

1. General Information/Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. Based on prior experience soliciting highly-specialized services, OPIC is concerned that it would not receive an adequate number of responsive proposals if it were to only release this RFP through one portal (e.g. GSA or FBO). Therefore, this RFP is being posted on GSA Schedules 736-5 and 520-13 as well as on FedBizOpps. In the event of a tie between the evaluations of winning quotes submitted via GSA and FBO, the award will be made to a SBA-accredited small business before being made to a large business and to the proposal received via GSA before being made to the proposal submitted via FBO. For example, a small business responding to the FBO posting with an evaluation equal to or better than that of a large business proposal submitted via GSA will receive the award instead of the large business. However, a small business responding to the GSA RFP with an evaluation equal to or better than a small business responding via FBO will receive the award instead of the small business responding via FBO. Section 10 (Small Business Consideration) below addresses what would happen in the event of a tie between proposals from a small and a large business submitted through the same portal.

This solicitation is a Request for Proposals (RFP). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC 2005-87).

Award shall be made to the contractor whose proposal, conforming to the combined synopsis/solicitation, provides the best value to the Government. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541611 with a small business size standard of $15M in annual revenues.

The OPIC Contracting Officer (CO) intends to award a Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) contract for a contractor to provide consulting services to support the Power Africa program as described in the Statement of Work (Attachment A). Capable parties shall submit proposals in response to this combined synopsis/solicitation following the instructions specified in the Proposal Content and Format (Attachment B). The PCO reserves the right to make an award without discussions.

2 Anticipated Level of Effort Required:

OPIC plans to hire ten full-time consultants to perform this work broken down according to the following areas of expertise:

· Financial analysis: 6 FTEs

· Policy Analysis: 1 FTE

· Financial Management: 1 FTEs

3 Period of Performance*:

24 months from contract award with two sequential one-year options *In accordance with FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services, should the Government opt for a 6-Month Extension of performance beyond any performance year, such extension will be at then-current rates.

5 Acquisition Schedule:

The acquisition schedule for this procurement is as follows:

6 Proposal Submission Instructions:

Proposals in response to this combined synopsis/solicitation shall be submitted by 11:59PM EDT on 21 July 2016. The Government reserves the right to decide whether to accept a proposal received after the suspense, depending on the circumstances surrounding the late submission and the time difference between the suspense and the time the proposal was actually received. The proposal shall be in compliance with all specifications and requirements detailed in this combined synopsis/solicitation and its attachments. Failure to do so may result in the Government deeming the submitted proposal as non-responsive and eliminating the respondent from consideration. The CO, Mr. George Sullivan, is the sole point of contact for this acquisition. Address any questions or concerns to him by 14 July 2016, 5:00PM EDT. No answers will be provided to questions submitted after that time

7 Provisions and Clauses:

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html.

The following FAR provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:

1. FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management (Jul 2013)

2. FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (Jul 2013)

3. FAR 52.212-1, “Instructions to Offerors–Commercial Items” (Oct 2015)

4. FAR 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items (Oct 2014)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers within the context of the best value continuum: technical capabilities, past performance and price.

Evaluation criteria for technical acceptability:

- Proposal is responsive to RFP.

- Information provided demonstrates relevant experience performing contracts of a similar size and scope.

Evaluation of technical capabilities (Factor I): The Government will assess any strengths, deficiencies and weaknesses detailed in the technical volume of the vendor’s relevant experience as detailed in Section 2.1 of Attachment B – Quote Content and Format and the resume of consultant provided in the quote. This evaluation will also include a risk assessment related to the potential for the vendor’s technical capabilities to disrupt schedule, increase cost or degrade performance.

Evaluation of past performance (Factor II): The Government may consider information obtained through other sources (i.e., Past Performance Information Retrieval System). Past performance information will be utilized to determine the quality of the contractor’s past performance as it relates to the probability of success of the required effort. The vendor shall also provide references and information related to contract on which it has provided similar or identical services, as described in Attachment B.

Evaluation of price (Factor III): Vendors' price quotes will be evaluated to determine whether it is reasonable and realistic. Pricing that is excessively high or low may be considered unrealistic and unreasonable, and may receive no further consideration.

WEIGHT OF EVLAUATION FACTORS: Factor I is weighted more heavily than Factor II. Factor II is weighted more heavily than Factor III.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of Provision)

5. FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Items” (Nov 2015) Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1 in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Items.” If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required.

6. FAR 52.212-4, “Contract Terms and Conditions–Commercial Items” (May 2015)

7. FAR 52.212-5, “Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders” (Nov 2015)

The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable:

A Vendor should only submit a quote if the résumés proposed will demonstrate compliance with the following key qualifications:

8.1 Financial analysts/managers (6 FTEs):

Director-Level Team Leaders/Managers (2 FTEs):

1. A minimum of six years of experience in limited recourse, project finance transactions in renewable energy, gas-to-power, or other types of power generation. Work experience at a developmental finance institution or another financial institution is preferred;

2. Written and oral English fluency;

3. Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in relevant discipline such as Accounting, Economics, Finance or Public Policy Studies;

4. Masters in Business Administration (MBA); and

5. Demonstrated knowledge, experience or capabilities in the following areas:

a) Demonstrated experience leading project teams in all aspects of due diligence for assessing the creditworthiness of energy-related project finance proposals, including evaluation of contractual arrangements (such as power purchase agreements, engineering, procurement, and construction contracts, supply agreements, etc.), financial and credit analysis, management track record assessment, regulatory reviews and technology evaluation.

b) Experience leading project teams in developing, reviewing and negotiating legal and other documentation in the form of loan agreements, inter-creditor agreements, security documentation, and other transaction-related documents.

c) Experience in applying financial expertise to project evaluation and structuring.

d) Experience in building, auditing, and testing financial models and cash flow projections and in performing sensitivity analyses to support the project analysis. (Note that candidate will be tested for this skill during the interview process).

e) Experience in writing and presenting detailed credit approval or investment memoranda outlining project detail and analysis to support management decision-making.

Finance Team Member (Project Finance Analyst – 3 FTEs):

1. A minimum of three years of experience in limited recourse, project finance transactions. Work experience in renewable energy, gas-to-power, or other types of power generation is preferred. Work experience at a developmental finance institution or another financial institution will be viewed favorably;

2. Written and oral English fluency;

3. Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in relevant discipline such as Accounting, Economics, Finance or Public Policy Studies;

4. Masters in Business Administration (MBA); and

5. Demonstrated knowledge, experience or capabilities in most of the following areas:

a) Experience as a member of the project team in performing due diligence and assessing the creditworthiness of transactions through financial and credit analysis, management track record assessment, regulatory reviews, technology evaluation, etc.

b) Experience in building, auditing, and testing financial models and cash flow projections and in performing sensitivity analyses to support the project analysis. (Note that candidate will be tested for this skill during the interview process).

c) Experience in applying financial expertise to project evaluation and structuring.

d) Experience in writing and presenting detailed credit approval or investment memoranda outlining project detail and analysis to support management decision-making.

Energy Business Development Specialist (1 FTE)

1. A minimum of three years of experience in a business development function, preferably with a development finance bank or other lending institution, or a minimum of five years of direct experience in the power sector with a focus on project financing.

2. Written and oral English fluency;

3. Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in relevant discipline such as Marketing, Communications, Economics, Finance or Public Policy Studies;

4. Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Science; and

5. Demonstrated knowledge, experience or capabilities in most of the following areas:

a) Demonstrated knowledge of project finance and renewable energy that will serve as a basis for analyzing projects for inclusion in a high quality, robust pipeline.

b) Experience implementing targeted business development strategies to attract new business opportunities.

c) Experience preparing project descriptions or business summaries.

d) Experience using a variety of methods of outreach, including social media, to generate new business leads.

e) Experience in public-speaking, preferably at conferences, as a subject matter expert.

8.2 Policy Analysis (1 FTE)

1. 10 years or more of demonstrated experience in conducting or reviewing environmental and social impact assessments for power projects and in reviewing and evaluating environmental and social management systems and air dispersion modeling and ambient air quality assessment;

2. Master’s degree or higher in a field relevant to interdisciplinary environmental and social assessment;

3. Applied expertise in reviewing potential transactions for compliance with the IFC’s Performance Standards including those related to labor and working conditions (or other similar international development bank standards);

4. Experience working on power projects in emerging and developing economies. Specific experience desirable in environmental and social impacts of hydropower, geothermal, biomass, wind, solar, and/or thermal power projects;

5. Understanding of OPIC’s environmental/social and economic/development policies

8.3 Credit Policy and Portfolio Management (1 FTE)

1. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the financial or banking sector. Work experience at a developmental finance institution, in international or corporate lending and/or in project finance preferred;

2. Written and oral English fluency

3. Masters (MBA or other relevant degree) or equivalent experience; and

4. Experience with all phases and activities related to OPIC’s exposure including project finance, from credit review to work out and repayment, including:

a. Expert knowledge of commercial lending practices;

b. Knowledge of relevant political, economic, and environmental issues of the Africa region;

c. Ability to analyze and structure complex international finance projects;

d. Program management and project planning, including strategic program planning and evaluation;

e. Coordinating work efforts, providing clear instructions and expectations, negotiating resolutions to issues, and presenting information to all levels of employees;

f. Experience coordinating the work with other professional employees, lawyers, and technical consultants;

g. Experience with financial software applications (Excel, Microsoft Access, STATA or other statistical software tools);

h. Preparing documentation (Excel, PowerPoint and Word) which is explanatory, persuasive, or exploratory in nature for a variety of audiences;

i. Qualitative and quantitative methods and analytical skills to evaluate, perform and respond to a broad range of issues, data gathering and analysis, and program or project evaluations;

j. Presenting and defending project credit assessments and proposals;

k. Reviewing credit underwriting of new financings;

l. Identification, measurement and analysis of risk associated with OPIC’s complex Finance, Insurance and Investment Funds portfolio;

m. Monitoring financial covenants and project completion requirements; and

n. Developing and implementing credit actions designed to minimize OPIC’s loss in adversely risk-rated credits.

9 Teaming Arrangements OPIC recognizes that it may be difficult for one company to possess individuals who can perform all of the tasks required in the SOW and possess all the skills, knowledge and credentials detailed in Section 8 above. Therefore, Bidders and potential subcontractors to Bidders are strongly encouraged to team with small businesses and/or independent contractors in order to provide individuals possessing the highly specialized skill sets detailed in Section 8 above. However, bidders and potential subcontractors to bidders are strongly discouraged from entering into exclusive teaming arrangements and partnerships which may result in a constriction of available support to OPIC within the marketplace. Attachment D – Satisfactory OPIC vendors by Department, has been included in this RFP in order to assist potential vendors in team building purposes. This attachment has no other purposes and is not intended to exclude the consideration of other potential vendors. OPIC is very interested in developing the contractor marketplace that can provide support for its programs.

10 Small Business Consideration Participation from small business and small, disadvantaged business firms are highly encouraged. Firms responding should indicate if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, 8(a) firms, HUBZone, historically black colleges, and minority institutions. Proposals received in response to this combined Synopsis/Solicitation will be used as the basis for OPIC’s market research to determine whether there is a small business capable of providing the support required in this solicitation. If a capable, responsible small business is found then the Contracting Officer will award to that business if it were found to be equal to or better than a large business Bidder based on the evaluation criteria listed above.

11 Attachments:

A – Statement of Work B – Quote Content and Format C – Relevant Fact Sheet D – List of OPIC contractors that have provided satisfactory or better performance to the OPIC departments soliciting work in this RFP

12 Point of Contact George Sullivan, Procuring Contracting Officer e-mail: George.Sullivan@opic.gov

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation OPIC-16-R-0018 2 image1.jpeg