Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 72030624R00009 - WAMA.pdf

RFP Number 72030624R00009

RFP Title Women and Men in Agriculture (WAMA)

Activity

RFP Issuance Date June 14, 2024

Date for Receipt of Written Questions June 27, 2024

Time for Receipt of Written Questions: 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Closing Date for Receipt of Proposals July 19, 2024

Closing Time for Receipt of Proposals 7:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development

(USAID) Mission in Afghanistan (henceforth referred to as USAID/Afghanistan or the

Mission) seeks proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing technical services under the Women and Men in Agriculture (WAMA) Activity for USAID Afghanistan

Mission as described in the attached Request for Proposals (RFP).

USAID invites all interested and responsible organizations to submit offers in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation. USAID will conduct this procurement as a full and open competition under which any type of organization may submit a proposal. The procedures set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) Part 15 will govern the procurement.

USAID anticipates the award of a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee, Completion Type Contract for a five

(5) year period of performance as a result of this RFP. Subject to availability of funds, USAID anticipates that the total estimated cost not-to-exceed $60 million. Revealing the estimated cost for the contract does not mean that the contractor should necessarily strive to meet the maximum amount estimated. Cost proposals will be evaluated as part of a best value determination for the contract award. The offeror is to propose the activities and staffing according to the offeror's approach for achieving results. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this solicitation is 541990 and the small business size standard is $15 million. The authorized geographic code for the prime contractor of this procurement is 935.

Please refer to Section L of the attached RFP, for information regarding proposal requirements.

Offerors are advised to read this solicitation carefully. Offerors must take into account the expected delivery date and time required to submit proposals, and they are responsible to ensure that proposals are received by the due date and time as specified in this cover letter and Section

L of the attached solicitation. Proposals received after the closing date and time will be processed as late and handled in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. Faxed proposals are not acceptable, nor will they be reviewed or evaluated.

In response to this Request for Proposal (RFP), offerors will submit a Performance Work

Statement (PWS) which will replace the Statement of Objectives (SOO) in Section C. Offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation. Special attention must be paid to Section L –

Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors or Respondents, and Section M – Evaluation

Criteria.

All questions related to the RFP must be submitted electronically to email: hramin@usaid.gov and copy eluma@usaid.gov, by the date and time indicated above. Unless otherwise notified by an amendment to the RFP, no questions will be accepted after this date. Each e-mail must contain a subject line, which clearly indicates the name of the offeror and the solicitation number.

If questions are received, which affect the responses to the solicitation, or if changes are made to the closing date and time, as well as any other aspects of the RFP, this solicitation will be amended. This solicitation and any future amendments can be viewed and downloaded in its entirety from http://sam.gov/. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from download or conversion processes. Offerors are encouraged to check this website

(http://sam.gov/) periodically as acknowledgement of any such amendment(s) is required to accompany the Offeror’s proposal. Oral instructions or explanations given before the award of the contract resulting from this solicitation will not be binding.

Only electronic proposals sent to hramin@usaid.gov and copied to eluma@usaid.gov will be accepted in response to this RFP by the due date and time specified above. For detailed submittal instructions, please refer to Section L. No other forms of submission will be accepted.

Proposals must be signed by an official who is authorized to bind the offeror’s organization.

Pursuant to Block 12 of Standard Form 33 of this RFP, USAID requires that offers remain valid for 180 calendar days from the RFP closing date.

Issuance of this solicitation does not in any way obligate the U.S. Government to award a contract, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. FAR 52.232-22 - Limitation of Funds applies to this award. The

Government reserves the right to reject any and all offers, if such action is considered to be in the best interest of the U.S. Government.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Attachment: RFP Solicitation Number 72030624R00009 mailto:hramin@usaid.gov mailto:eluma@usaid.gov http://sam.gov/ http://sam.gov/ mailto:hramin@usaid.gov mailto:eluma@usaid.gov

72030624R00009

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

System (DPAS) - Code of Federal Regulations - at 15 CFR 700.

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

NEGOTIATED (RFP) REQUEST FOR

SEALED BID (IFB) INVITATION FOR BID

5. DATE ISSUED

1. This Contract is a Rated Order under the Defense Priorities and Allocations RATING PAGE OF PAGES

3 162

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)A. NAME

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

CAUTION: LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

(Date)(Hour) local timeuntildepository located in copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if hand carried, in the

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

CONTRACT CLAUSES

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

I

J

K

L

M SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

PACKAGING AND MARKING

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSESPART I - THE SCHEDULE

H

G

F

E

D

C

B

A

SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (X) DESCRIPTION SEC. (X)

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

18. OFFER DATE17. SIGNATURE

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

EXTENSIONNUMBERAREA CODE

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

(Type or print)AND

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER15A. NAME

DATEAMENDMENT NO.DATEAMENDMENT NO.

and related documents numbered and dated):

amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

CALENDAR DAYS (%)30 CALENDAR DAYS (%)20 CALENDAR DAYS (%)10 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232.8)

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

CODE 24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

41 U.S.C. 3304 (a) ( 10 U.S.C. 3204 (a) (

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION UNDER THE

21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION20. AMOUNT19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED

AWARD (To be completed by government)

CODE

REQ-306-24-00000606/14/2024

X

720306

USAID/Afghanistan Office of Acquisition & Assistance 00000

1900 ET 07/19/2024

Habib Rahman Amin

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

PAGE(S)

Eyole Luma

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 12/2022)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _____180_________ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted

PROPOSAL

UNITED STATES CODE AT:

hramin@usaid.gov

Table of Contents

ACRONYMS 9

PART I – THE SCHEDULE 11

SECTION B: SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS 11

B.1 PURPOSE 11

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES 11

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT 11

B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET 11

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS 12

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE 13

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE (CPFF) 14

B.8 CANCELLATION CEILING AND MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT 14

SECTION C: STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES 16

SECTION D: PACKAGING AND MARKING 17

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 – MARKING (JAN 1993) 17

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY 17

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY 17

D.4 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING PLAN 18

SECTION E: INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 20

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 20

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 20

E.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP) 20

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 22

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 22

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 22

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE 22

F.4 AUTHORIZED WORKDAY/WEEK 22

F.5 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 22

F.6 KEY PERSONNEL 23

F.7 PLANS, REPORTS, DELIVERABLES, AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING 24

F.8 REPORTING FORMAT 33

F.9 CONTRACT PERFORMANCE MONITORING APPROACH 33

SECTION G: CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 35

G.1 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998) 35

G.2 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE 36

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER 36

G.4 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY 36

G.5 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) 36

G.6 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID 36

G.7 PAYING OFFICE AND SUBMISSION OF INVOICES 38

G.8 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 39

G.9 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT 39

PART II – CLAUSES 40

SECTION H: SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 40

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 40

H.2 AIDAR 725.702 DESIGNATION OF AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE 40

H.3 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT (DECEMBER 2016) 40

H.4 USAID/AFGHANISTAN RIGHT TO PROCURE FROM OTHER SOURCES (AUGUST

2016) 40

H.5 USAID/AFGHANISTAN MAXIMIZING USE OF LOCAL ENTITIES (AUGUST 2016) 41

H.6 USAID/AFGHANISTAN SUB-AWARD REQUIREMENTS (APRIL 2016) 41

H.7 USAID/AFGHANISTAN VETTING REQUIREMENT (APRIL 2016) 42

H.8 USAID/AFGHANISTAN USE OF SYNCHRONIZED PRE-DEPLOYMENT AND

OPERATIONAL TRACKER (SPOT) FOR CONTRACTORS SUPPORTING A

DIPLOMATIC OR CONSULAR MISSION OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

(SUPPLEMENT TO FAR 52.225-19) (AUGUST 2016) 43

H.9 SERIOUS INCIDENT REPORTING (SIR) IN AFGHANISTAN (AUGUST 2016) 43

H.10 USAID/AFGHANISTAN SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP)

(JANUARY 2016) 45

H.11 USAID/AFGHANISTAN HOST COUNTRY TAXES AND DUTIES (NOVEMBER 2016) 45

H.12 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM (JULY 2014) 45

H.13 AIDAR 752.245-71 TITLE TO AND CARE OF PROPERTY (APR 1984) 46

H.14 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (DECEMBER

2016) 46

H.15 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN 48

H.16 SUBCONTRACTING REPORT 48

H.17 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (DDL)

(OCTOBER 2014) 48

H.18 USAID/AFGHANISTAN DATABASE and GIS/GPS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

(MARCH 2017) 49

H.19 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 51

H.20 IMPLEMENTATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 13224 ON TERRORISM FINANCING

(AUGUST 2016) 52

H.21 COMPLIANCE WITH ADS 206 PROHIBITION OF ASSISTANCE TO DRUG

TRAFFICKERS (DECEMBER 2016) 52

H.22 NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES (APRIL 2017) 53

H.23 AIDAR 752.245-70 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY—USAID REPORTING

REQUIREMENTS (OCT 2017) 53

H.24 COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 508 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973, AS

AMENDED (AUGUST 2016) 54

H.25 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

(JAN 2002) 55

H.26 INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY 55

H.27 LIMITATION ON ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (APRIL 2018)

(DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-FAR-22-03c and M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-06c)) (APRIL

2022) 56

H.28 ADS 302.3.5.19 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (NOV 2017) 57

H.29 CONSIDERATIONS FOR GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT 58

H.30 LOGISTIC SUPPORT GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES OR PROPERTY 59

H.31 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT -- IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES 59

H.32 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION 60

H.33 CLOUD COMPUTING (APRIL 2018) (DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR- 22-06c) 60

H.34 GENDER CONSIDERATION 66

H.35 MEDIA AND INFORMATION HANDLING AND PROTECTION (APRIL 2018) 66

H.36 BUSINESS CLASS TRAVEL 68

H.37 AIDAR 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2023) 68

H.38 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL (APRIL 2018) 69

H.39 PRESS RELATIONS (JANUARY 2017) 70

H.40 RESTRICTIONS AGAINST DISCLOSURE (MAY 2016) 70

H.41 COMPLIANCE WITH TRAFFICKING VICTIMS’ PREVENTION AND PROTECTION

REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2022 71

H.42 AIDAR 752.228-70 MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES (JUL 2007) 71

H.43 AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JUL 1997) 71

H.44 AIDAR 752.225-70 SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012) 71

H.45 USAID/AFGHANISTAN COMPLIANCE WITH EXECUTIVE ORDER 13559 FACILITIES

USED FOR RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (FEBRUARY 2016) 72

H.46 AIDAR 752.211-70 LANGUAGE AND MEASUREMENT (JUNE 1992) 72

H.47 PROCUREMENT OF “COVERED MATERIAL” (JUNE 2020) 73

H.48 SECURITY 74

H.49 ALLOWABLE REIMBURSEMENT OF CONTRACTOR SECURITY TRAINING 74

H.50 FAR PART 4.21 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR CERTAIN COVERED

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT

(SECTION 889) (JUNE 2023) 75

SECTION I: CONTRACT CLAUSES 76

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 76

I.2 FAR 52.203-13 CONTRACTOR CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT (NOV

2021) 80

I.3 FAR 52.204-1 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT (DEC 1989) 83

I.4 FAR 52.204-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION (Jun 2023)

I.5 FAR 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999) 84

I.6 52.222-36 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES. (Jun 2020) 84

I.7 FAR 52.222-50 COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (NOV 2021) 84

I.8 FAR 52.232-40 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS

SUBCONTRACTORS (MAR 2023) 92

I.9 FAR 52.245-2 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY INSTALLATION OPERATION SERVICES

(APR 2012) 92

I.10 AIDAR 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY (DEC 2004) 93

I.11 AIDAR 752.222-71 NONDISCRIMINATION (JUN 2012) 93

I.12 AIDAR 752.7013 CONTRACTOR-MISSION RELATIONSHIPS (JUNE 2018) 94

I.13 AIDAR 752.7034 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND DISCLAIMER (DEC 1991) 94

I.14 AIDAR 752.228-3 WORKER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEFENSE BASE ACT)

(DEC 1991) [(DEVIATION JUNE 2022)] 95

I.15 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JUL 2007) 95

I.16 AIDAR 752.7036 USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR

ACQUISITION (JULY 2014) 95

I.17 AIDAR 752.7031 LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS (OCT 1989) 97

I.18 752.7037 CHILD SAFEGUARDING STANDARDS (AUG. 2016) 99

PART III- LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, & OTHER ATTACHMENTS 101

SECTION J: LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 101

PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS 102

SECTION K: REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS 102

K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2 52.203-11 CERTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE REGARDING PAYMENTS TO

INFLUENCE CERTAIN FEDERAL TRANSACTIONS (SEP 2007) 102

K.3 52.204-3 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (OCT 1998) 103

K.4 52.204-5 WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS (OTHER THAN SMALL BUSINESS). (OCT 2014)

K.5 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (MAY 2024) 104

K.6 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021) 107

K.7 52.204-26 COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES-

REPRESENTATION (OCT 2020) 110

K.8 52.209-2 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH INVERTED DOMESTIC

CORPORATIONS-REPRESENTATION (NOV 2015) 110

K.9 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (AUG 2020) 110

K.10 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018) 112

K.11 52.209-11 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATION REGARDING A DELINQUENT TAX

LIABILITY OR A FELONY CRIMINAL CONVICTION UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW

(FEB 2016) 113

K.12 52.209-12 Certification Regarding Tax Matters (Oct 2020) 114

K.13 52.209-13 VIOLATION OF ARMS CONTROL TREATIES OR AGREEMENTS-

CERTIFICATION (NOV 2021) 114

K.14 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984) 116

K.15 52.222-38 COMPLIANCE WITH VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT REPORTING

REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2016) 116

K.16 52.222.56 CERTIFICATION REGARDING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS COMPLIANCE

PLAN (OCT 2020) 116

K.17 52.225-25 Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or

Transactions Relating to Iran—Representation and Certifications 117

K.18 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (JUN

2020) 118

K.19 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE--COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR

2005) 121

K.20 CONTRACTOR PURCHASING SYSTEM REVIEW 121

K.21 AGREEMENT ON OR EXCEPTIONS TO, TERMS AND CONDITIONS 121

K.22 SIGNATURE 121

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 122

L.1 FAR 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998) 122

L.2 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 122

L.3 FAR 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984) 122

L.4 FAR 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006) 122

L.5 52.215-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION (JAN 2017)

L.6 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 126

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL 130

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL 138

L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION AND

MARKING PLANS 155

L.10 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND COMPENSATION PLAN 155

L.11 AIDAR 752.204-70 PARTNER VETTING PRE-AWARD REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012) 155

SECTION M: TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA 158

M.1 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

M.2 GENERAL INFORMATION 158

M.3 AWARD WITHOUT DISCUSSIONS 158

M.4 TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS 159

M.5 EVALUATION OF COST 161

M.6 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE 161

M.7 CONTRACTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND DISADVANTAGED

ENTERPRISES 162

M.8 SOURCE SELECTION 162

ACRONYMS

ACO Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO)

ADS Automated Directives System

AIDAR Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation

AMELP Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan

AMP Agriculture Marketing Program

AWP Annual Work Plan

BEO Bureau Environmental Officer

BIP Branding Implementation Plan

BRI Business Recovery initiative

CAS Cost Accounting Standards

CCN Cooperating Country National

CFR Code of Federal Regulation

CIO Chief Information Officer

CLA Collaborating, Learning and Adapting

CO Contracting Officer

COR Contracting Officer’s Representative

CPARS Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

CPC Critical Priority Country

CPFF Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee

DBA Defense Base Act

DDL Development Data Library

DO Development Objective

DOC Development Outreach and Communications Office

DOD Department of Defense

UEI Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) No

EDP Enterprise Development Platform

EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan eSRS Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System

FAPIIS Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation

FISMA Federal Information Security Management Act

FIPS Federal Information Processing Standards

FOIA Freedom of Information Act

GAO General Accountability Office

GPS Global Positioning System

HUB Historically Underutilized Business

IEE Initial Environmental Evaluation

IDF Indirect Fire

IED Improvised Explosive Device

ILO International Labour Organization

IPN Implementing Partner Notices

IR Intermediate Result

IRS Internal Revenue Service

IT Information Technology

LOA Letters of Authorization

LOE Level of Effort

MEDEVAC Medical Evacuation

MEO Mission Environmental Officer

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

M&M Mitigation and Monitoring

MECLA Monitoring, Evaluation, Collaboration Learning and Adaptation Plan Activity

MP Marking Plan

MNCH Maternal, New-born, and Child Health

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MP Marketing Plan

MS Microsoft

MSD Market Systems Development

MT Metric Ton

NDAA National Defense Authorization Act

NGO Non-Governmental organizations

OIG Office of the Inspector General

OMB Office of Management and Budget

OP Operational Plan

OPPD Office of Program and Project Development

ORM Opportunity Response Mechanism

PDF Portable Document Format

POA&M Plan of Action and Milestones

PIRS Performance Indicator Reference Sheets

PII Personally Identifiable Information

PLSO Partner Liaison Security Officer

PPR Performance Plan and Report

PPIRS Past Performance Information Retrieval System

PWS Performance Work Statement

QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

R&R Rest and Recuperation

RCE Request for Categorical Exclusion

RFP Request for Proposals

SAM System for Award Management

SB Small Business

SF Standard Form

SOO Statement of Objectives

SPOT Synchronized Pre-deployment and Operational Tracker

SpO Strategic framework Special Objectives

STEP SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM

STTA Short-Term Technical Assistance

TBD To Be Determined

TCN Third Country National

TIN Taxpayer Identification Number

ToS Terms of Service

US United States of America

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USAID/W USAID Washington

USG United States Government

UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

WTO World Trade Organization

WAMA Women and Men in Agriculture

WGDP Women's Global Development and Prosperity

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B: SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this solicitation is to procure the services of a contractor for the implementation of the activity entitled “Women and Men in Agriculture (WAMA) Activity.”

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Completion type contract of a five (5) year period. For the consideration set for the below, the Contractor will provide the performance deliverable or outputs described in Section C and F, in accordance with performance standards specified in

Section E.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

In accordance with FAR Part 52.232-22 - Limitation of Funds:

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required for the five-years, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is $TBD. The Fixed Fee, if any, is $TBD and the total estimated cost-plus fixed fee, if any, is $TBD.

(b) Within the estimated cost plus all possible fee (if any) specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable and allocable costs incurred by the contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is

$TBD. The contractor will not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount unless authorized by the

Contracting Officer pursuant to the provisions of this contract entitled “Limitation of Funds”

(FAR 52.232-22) as indicated in Section I of this contract.

(c) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through [date to be added upon award].

(d) Subject to the availability of funds, this contract will be incrementally funded.

B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET

An illustrative budget for this contract is as follows:

Line-Item Description

Five-Year Period ($)

Total 5

Years ($) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Salaries and Wages $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Fringe Benefits $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Allowances $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Consultants $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Travel, Transportation, and

Per Diem

$[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Non-Security Equipment

(Equipment and supplies)

$[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Line-Item Description

Five-Year Period ($)

Total 5

Years ($) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Subcontracts $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Other Direct Costs $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Grants under Contract* $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Security Costs $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Opportunity Response

Mechanism (ORM) (L.8.2)**

$[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Total Direct Costs $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Indirect Costs $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Total Estimated Cost $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Fixed Fee (if any) $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

Total Estimated Cost

Including Fee

$[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD] $[TBD]

*The offeror must propose a plug figure of 10 million USD of the total estimated cost for Grants under Contract.

**The offeror must propose a plug figure of 5 million USD of the total estimated cost for the Opportunity

Response Mechanism (ORM) during years 1 - 3.

(a) The Government is not obligated to reimburse the Contractor for costs incurred in excess of the total estimated cost specified above nor the total obligated funded amount.

(b) The inclusion of any costs in the above budget does not obviate the requirement for prior approval from the Contracting Officer of cost items designated as requiring prior approval by any of the terms and conditions of this contract, including the applicable cost principles

(see FAR 52.216-7 Allowable Cost and Payment (AUG 2018)); nor does it constitute a determination of allowability by the Contracting Officer of any item of cost, unless specifically stated elsewhere in this contract.

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

B.5.1 PRIME CONTRACTOR

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs will be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Description 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028

[Rate 1 description to be inserted] __% ___% ___% ___% ___%

[Rate 2 description to be inserted] __% ___% ___% ___% ___%

[Rate 3 description to be inserted] __% ___% ___% ___% ___%

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Predetermined/Provisional

Period:

2/Base of Application:

3/Base of Application:

B.5.2 MAJOR SUBCONTRACTOR(S)

For each of the major subcontractor(s)* and any subcontractor that proposes a Negotiated

Indirect Cost Reimbursement Agreement.

Description 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028

[Rate 1 description to be inserted] __% ___% ___% ___% ___%

[Rate 2 description to be inserted] __% ___% ___% ___% ___%

[Rate 3 description to be inserted] __% ___% ___% ___% ___%

1/Base of Application:

2/Base of Application:

3/Base of Application:

Note:

(a) Insert negotiated indirect rates for all primes and major subcontractors.

(b) *“Major subcontractors” are subcontractors whose proposed cost exceeds

20% of the Contractor’s total proposed cost.

(c) Reimbursement for indirect costs shall be at final negotiated rates, but not in excess of ceiling rates specified above.

(d) The Government will not be obligated to pay any additional amount should the final indirect cost rates exceed the negotiated ceiling rates. If the final indirect cost rates are less than the negotiated ceiling rates, the negotiated rates will be reduced to conform to the lower rates.

(e) This understanding will not change any monetary ceiling, obligation, or specific cost allowance or disallowance. Any changes in classifying or allocating indirect costs require the prior written approval of the Contracting

Officer.

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE

(a) The U.S. dollar costs allowable will be limited to reasonable, allocable and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 31 (Contract Cost Principles), 2 CFR, Part 220 (Cost

Principles for Educational Institutions), 2 CFR, Part 230 (Cost Principles for Non-Profit

Organizations), FAR 52.216-7 (Allowable Cost and Payment), FAR 52.216-8 (Fixed Fee) if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003 (Documentation for Payment), may be reimbursable under this contract.

(b) In addition, the requirements and conditions concerning estimated cost and funding apply as detailed in FAR 52.232-22 Limitation of Funds (APR 1984).

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE (CPFF)

Pursuant to FAR 16.306 (d) Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts, payment of the fixed-fee will be divided between fixed payments for activity deliverables (twenty-five percent) and fixed payments based on the completed performance deliverables (seventy-five percent) found in the

Fixed-Fee Schedule. The fixed fee payable under this contract will be tied to the completion of the reports and deliverables specified in Section F.7 of the contract and in accordance with the fixed fee payment schedule (See Section L.8.2- Cost Instructions (b) Proposed Costs/Prices

Part 3. Budget Line-Item Definitions and Illustrations 11. Fixed Fee, for required template).

[Contractor’s Fixed Fee Schedule to be inserted at time of Award]

All fixed fee payments are subject to the inspection and acceptance by USAID as specified in

Section E of the same and in compliance with the terms of this contract. Upon successful completion of a deliverable, the Contractor must provide evidence of its achievement in accordance with performance standards specified in Section E to the Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR). Upon receipt of concurrence by the COR, the Contractor shall submit an invoice for the amount of the fee associated with the deliverable.

In the event of discontinuance of the work in accordance with the clause of the contract entitled

FAR 52.249-6 Termination (Cost Reimbursement), the fee must be re-determined by mutual agreement equitably to reflect the reduction in the work actually performed. The amount by which such fee is less than, or exceeds, payments previously made on account of the fee must be paid to, or repaid by the Contractor, as applicable.

Pursuant to FAR 52.216-8 Fixed Fee, after payment of 85 percent of the fixed fee, further payment of the fee will be withheld until a reserve is set aside not to exceed 15 percent of the total fixed fee or $100,000, whichever is less.

Performance Objective/Outcome Due Date Percentage Fee Amount ($)

TBD TBD TBD TBD

B.8 CANCELLATION CEILING AND MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT

The costs for this contract are considered non-severable and are therefore multi-year contracts as defined in FAR 17.103 Definitions.” This contract is subject to the requirements of FAR

17.106 Procedures.

. Performance under this contract during the second and subsequent years is contingent upon the appropriation of funds. All program years except the first are subject to cancellation.

Cancellation shall occur by the dates specified below if the Contracting Officer:

▪ Notifies the Contractor that funds are not available for contract performance for any subsequent program year or

▪ Fails to notify the Contractor that funds are available for performance of the succeeding program year.

b. Cancellation Ceiling:

This is a CPFF type contract where the Contractor is authorized to be reimbursed for all costs which are allowable in accordance with FAR 52.216-7 Allowable Costs and Payment.

Therefore, the Contractor will not incur any costs which would have been amortized over the life of the contract should the contract be canceled in accordance with FAR 52.217-2

Cancellation under Multi-Year Contracts.

The Government’s liability for cancellation charges shall not exceed [$0.00]. This amount will be reduced in accordance with FAR 17.106-1(c)(1) at the conclusion of each program year, as follows:

Cancellation Dates and Ceiling:

Program Year Cancellation Date Cancellation Ceiling

Year 1 N/A N/A

Year 2 $TBD before award

Year 3 $TBD before award

Year 4 $TBD before award

Year 5 $TBD before award

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C: STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

[“The successful Offeror’s proposed Performance Work Statement (PWS) in response to the

Statement of Objectives included in Attachment J.1 will become Section C in the resultant contract followed by the sections below. Instructions are found in Section L.”]

WOMEN AND MEN IN AGRICULTURE STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO) (See

Attachment J.1)

[END OF SECTION C]

SECTION D: PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 – MARKING (JAN 1993)

(a) It is USAID policy that USAID-financed commodities and shipping containers, and project construction sites and other project locations be suitably marked with the USAID emblem. Shipping containers are also to be marked with the last five digits of the USAID financing document number. As a general rule, marking is not required for raw materials shipped in bulk (such as coal, grain, etc.), or for semi-finished products which are not packaged.

(b) Specific guidance on marking requirements must be obtained prior to procurement of commodities to be shipped, and as early as possible for project construction sites and other project locations. This guidance will be provided through the cognizant technical office indicated on the cover page of this contract, or by the Mission Director in the

Cooperating Country to which commodities are being shipped, or in which the project site is located.

(c) Authority to waive marking requirements is vested with the Regional Assistant

Administrators, and with Mission Directors.

(d) A copy of any specific marking instructions or waivers from marking requirements is to be sent to the Contracting Officer; the original must be retained by the contractor.

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

Branding and Marking under this contract must comply with the requirements outlined in

USAID Automated Directives System (ADS) 320: Branding and Marking in USAID Direct

Contracts and the USAID Graphic Standards Manual.

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY

(a) In accordance with ADS 320, USAID policy is to require exclusive branding and marking in USAID direct acquisitions using any source of funds. Contractors and Subcontractors' corporate identities or logos must not be used on USAID-funded program materials. Marking is not required on contractor vehicles, offices, office supplies or other commodities used solely for administration of the USAID-funded program. Marking is not permitted on any communications that are strictly administrative, rather than programmatic, in nature. USAID’s identity is also prohibited on contractor and recipient communications related to award administration, such as hiring/firing of staff or renting office space and/or equipment.

(b) The contractor must develop a broad Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking

Plan (MP) for the contract to describe how the program deliverables will be branded. The branding strategy for this contract, as specified in USAID ADS 320.3.2.1 is as follows:

(a) Activity Name: Women and Men in Agriculture (WAMA).

(b) Branding Strategy: The branding will incorporate the message that the assistance is “From the American People and through USAID”.

(c) Desired Level of Visibility: USAID’s identity must be prominently displayed on commodities or equipment; in printed, audio, visual or electronic public communications;

in studies, reports, publications, web sites, and all promotional and informational products;

and events.

(d) Branding: How the USAID logo will be positioned on materials and communications: All

USAID logos on materials and communications produced under this contract must be positioned in accordance with the standardized USAID regulations on branding. The

Contractor must use full branding and the USAID tagline “From the American People” on materials and communications, which may be translated into local languages as appropriate. Co-branding and no branding must only be considered on a case-by-case basis as considered appropriate by the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR).

(e) Organizations to Acknowledge: The branding may acknowledge other organizations deemed as partners of an event or deliverable.

(f) Exceptions: Situational Branding: USAID/Afghanistan recognizes that full branding may not be appropriate for all materials/products/events, in all locations, at all times. In accordance with ADS 320, only the Contracting Officer has the authority to inform the

Contractor of USAID’s decision to approve an exception or grant a waiver to the branding and marking requirements.

D.4 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING PLAN

(a) The Contractor must develop a Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan

(MP) for the Contract to describe how program deliverables will be branded and marked. The Marking Plan must enumerate all public communications, commodities, infrastructure projects, program materials, events, deliverables, and other items that shall be marked with the USAID identity or brand. Except for the manufacturer’s trademark on a commercial item, the corporate identities or logos of contractors or subcontractors are not permitted on USAID-funded program materials and communications, unless specified in the USAID Graphic Standards Manual or approved in advance by the Principal Officer.

(b) Marking and attribution for physical structures may need to be visible as soon as work commences. Contract deliverables to be marked with the USAID identity must follow design guidance for color, type, and layout in the USAID Graphic Standards Manual and all successor branding policies (if any).

(c) The Marking Plan may include requests for exceptions to marking requirements for programmatic reasons, to be approved by the Contracting Officer. Waivers, as defined by ADS 320, may be necessary for compelling political, safety or security concerns, or if the marking will have an adverse effect in the host country. The Contractor must follow the approved plan during implementation of this award unless a waiver is requested and approved by the Contracting Officer.

(d) The approved Branding Implementation and Marking Plan, dated TBD, is incorporated in this Contract as an Attachment TBD after award.

D.5 APPROVAL OF CONTRACTOR BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN &

MARKING PLAN

All Branding & Marking under this contract must be marked in compliance with the USAID

Graphic standards manual at https://www.usaid.gov/branding/gsm. or any successor branding policy. The Contractor’s Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan will be reviewed by the COR and the DOC, and will be approved by the CO at the time of contract execution.

[END OF SECTION D]

https://www.usaid.gov/branding/gsm

SECTION E: INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference

(by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR 52.252-2

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE in Section I of this contract. Full text of the FAR clauses is available at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and full text of the AIDAR clauses is available at http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar-http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/300.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1)

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.246-3 INSPECTION OF SUPPLIES— COST REIMBURSEMENT MAY

52.246-5 INSPECTION OF SERVICES—COST REIMBURSEMENT APR

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports and other required deliverables or outputs must take place at the principal place of performance or other location as designated by the COR.

Inspection of all deliverables required hereunder must be made by the COR. The COR listed in Section G has been delegated authority to inspect and accept all services, reports and other required deliverables. Acceptance of services, reports and other deliverables by the COR shall form the basis for payments to the contractor.

E.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

The progress, success, and impact of the Contractor’s performance under this contract will be monitored and evaluated as a part of the overall activity results. The QASP is a management tool with the intent of encouraging maximum performance, efficiencies, and cost effectiveness by the Contractor and can be modified at any time by the Government. The QASP will be used as a government document to enforce the inspection and acceptance clauses of the contract. The QASP proposed by the winning offeror will be incorporated in this section after award. The QASP may require revision after selection for award to reflect the Contractor’s known strengths and weaknesses. This is intended to be a “living” document that will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis. It is based on the premise that the Contractor, not the Government, is responsible for managing and ensuring that quality controls meet the terms of the contract. The Government reserves the right to modify performance standards and/or metrics during the life of this contract, in order to ensure that the right outcomes are being assessed and that the performance standards are appropriate. The COR will ensure that the

QASP is implemented and updated. A variety of mechanisms may be used to monitor the progress/success of the activity and the Contractor’s performance:

a. Meetings during contract implementation https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar-http:/www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/300 http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar-http:/www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/300

b. Monthly progress review meetings

c. Review of Contractor’s scheduled reports (See Section F)

d. Feedback from stakeholders

e. Site visits by USAID personnel or third party monitoring

f. Quarterly reviews of work plan with performance milestones

g. Periodic impact evaluations

[END OF SECTION E]

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference

(by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES

INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

See https://www.acquisition.gov/ for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

52.242-15 STOP WORK ORDER APR 1989

52.242-15 STOP WORK ORDER (ALTERNATE I) APR 1984

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for the Women and Men in Agriculture (WAMA) contract is five years and is anticipated to be from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2029 subject to the conditions set forth in Section H.50.

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance for this contract is Afghanistan (Expatriates may be based in the

U.S. but preferably have a regional presence (e.g. Istanbul, Doha, Dubai, Almaty, etc.).

F.4 AUTHORIZED WORKDAY/WEEK

The contractor's workweek shall not be less than 40 hours, unless otherwise provided in the

Contract Schedule, and shall coincide with the workweek established for the Mission employees most closely associated with the work of this contract. Work in excess of 40 hours/week or a six-day week is authorized, provided a written justification is presented to

USAID and approved in advance.

F.5 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

(a) Evaluation of the Contractor's performance must be conducted in accordance with the performance standards set forth in this Contract, if any, the Contractor's overall performance toward achievement of the objectives in Section C and provision of deliverables in Section F of the Contract, and the Contractor's compliance with all other terms and conditions of the Contract.

(b) Contractor Performance Reports: On an annual basis, the COR will complete a

Contractor Performance Assessment Report System (CPARS) for the Contract. Each evaluation will be conducted jointly by the COR and the CO and must form the basis of the Contractor's permanent performance record with regard to this Contract as required in FAR Part 42.15 and AIDAR 742.15. Contractor’s performance will be evaluated utilizing at minimum, the following factors:

https://www.acquisition.gov/

(1) Technical (quality of product or service);

(2) Cost control (not applicable for firm-fixed-price or fixed-price with economic price adjustment arrangements);

(3) Schedule/timeliness;

(4) Management or business relations;

(5) Small business subcontracting, including reduced or untimely payments to small business subcontractors when requires a subcontracting plan; and

(6) Other (as applicable) (e.g., trafficking violations, tax delinquency, failure to report in accordance with contract terms and conditions, defective cost or pricing data, terminations, suspension and debarments, and failure to comply with limitations on subcontracting).

(c) USAID reserves the right to conduct, and the Contractor must expect and be prepared for a management and/or financial audit by USAID at any time to ensure systems

(management, administration, finance, procurement, and program) are in place as per the Contract. Such audit(s) will focus on program management and performance, including such factors as cost, timeliness, and accountability; and will include field and home office records pertaining to operations and program activities. The

Contractor must cooperate with and contribute to a final management and financial review conducted by USAID prior to program closeout.

(d) USAID will also conduct a number of reviews and evaluations: management reviews, financial reviews, program performance reviews, contractor performance reports, and evaluations. The Contractor must cooperate with and contribute to these reviews and evaluations as requested.

F.6 KEY PERSONNEL

F.6.1 Proposed Key Personnel

The following four positions are illustrative Key Personnel for the activity. The Offeror may adopt this list or propose up to 5 key personnel positions that it considers important for activity implementation:

TITLE

1. Chief of Party

2. Deputy Chief of Party

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist

4. Agricultural Specialist or Grants, Subcontracts, and Procurement Director

The Offeror must propose key personnel that are considered to be essential to the work performed for successful implementation of this activity. Prior to replacing the specified individual, the Contractor must immediately notify both the Contracting Officer (CO) and the

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) reasonably in advance and must submit written justification (including proposed substitution) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the activity and budget. No replacement of Key Personnel will be made by the

Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer and these replacements must meet the same level of qualifications as their predecessors.

A successful contractor must: develop strong working relationships with different stakeholders; coordinate local staff effectively; and maintain excellent communication with the Mission. To accommodate this, the Chief of Party should be based in the region. In addition, it is recommended that at least two other key personnel positions be based in

Afghanistan and have either Dari or Pashto language skills. We allow the Contractor the discretion to decide the best combination of skills and experience to meet these objectives while simultaneously achieving optimal continuity of operations.

Conditions of Work Requirements:

After the award is made, the Contractor is required to submit a Risk Assessment Mitigation

Plan to USAID evaluating potential risks to staff safety and proposing security plans believed to ensure the safety of all personnel. This should be based upon the Contractor’s assessment of risk given the current context and selected geographies where staff will be working. The safety of all personnel is a USAID priority. The Contractor is responsible for remaining current with security information provided by the USG and must adhere to all USG safety requirements.

F.7 PLANS, REPORTS, DELIVERABLES, AND PERFORMANCE

MONITORING

In addition to the requirements set forth for submission of reports in AIDAR clause 752.242-

70, Periodic Progress Reports, the Contractor must submit required deliverables or outputs as specified below.

All reports and other deliverables must be in the English language, unless otherwise specified by the COR. All reports and other deliverables must be submitted to the approver in either electronic format, hard copy, or both, as determined by the COR. The COR and the contractor will develop a standard format for submission of all deliverables and reports within the first 30 days of contract award.

F.7.1 PLANS AND REPORTS

The Contractor must submit the following plans and reports to designated recipients as described below.

A. PLANS

1) Initial Work Plan

The Contractor must submit an Initial Work Plan for the approval of USAID/Afghanistan within 75 days of the award. The Initial Work Plan work plan will contain a detailed schedule for program implementation, expected results, indicators, and targets for each task and for the program as a whole as well as contain a performance monitoring plan for the activity. In addition to the contents of the standard annual Work Plan, described below, the Initial Work

Plan must contain a Women’s Integration Strategy Plan.

2) Women’s Integration Strategy Plan

The Contractor must submit a Women’s Integration Strategy Plan that promotes the vertical integration of female beneficiaries, in the selected value chains, through market activities or value-chain facilitation interventions. Strategies must go beyond both sexes participating in training and actively promote women’s integration into value chain activity when feasible.

3) Mobilization Plan

USAID/Afghanistan requires a swift and efficient start up for the activity. The Contractor must submit a Mobilization Plan for the approval of USAID/Afghanistan within 30 calendar days of the award. The Mobilization Plan should clearly detail how the Contractor is going to establish itself, its staff, and its interventions, providing timelines for the achievement of full operations and staffing. The Mobilization Plan should also include any procurement items that will require

USAID approval.

4) Baseline Data Plan

The baseline data plan must be submitted within 45 calendar days of the award and outline steps to completing baseline data collection and analysis. This must include clearly stating data collection methodology and survey tools.

5) Annual Work Plans

The…