RFP 72038823R00001 Access to Finance - Signed_9.21.23.pdf

Issue Date: Sepetmber 21, 2023

RFP Questions Due: October 2, 2023, 8:00 am Dhaka time

Phase One Proposal Submission Due Date: November 19, 2023, 8:00 am Dhaka time

Phase Two Proposal Submission Due Date: 45 days after NOTICE to proceed to

Phase Two, 8:00 am Dhaka time

SUBJECT: USAID/Bangladesh Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 72038823R00001

Feed the Future (FtF) Bangladesh Inclusive Access to Finance Activity (IAF)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Bangladesh is seeking proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing the services as described in this solicitation. USAID invites all interested and responsible organizations to submit offers in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation.

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. USAID anticipates that the total estimated cost will be approximately $33 to $35 million. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this solicitation is 541618 and the small business size standard is $16.5 to $17 million. The authorized geographic code for the prime contractor of this procurement is 937.

This procurement will be conducted under full and open competition procedures, pursuant to Part 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1). The Government reserves the right to award a contract without discussions or the submission of final proposed revisions, based upon evaluation of the Offeror’s submitted technical and price information. Accordingly, the Offeror’s initial offer should contain its best terms for both price and technical proposal. Offerors should retain for their records a complete copy of their proposals for future reference.

The Government intends to conduct the evaluation and selection process in two phases. This is a voluntary down select process as described in the solicitation. All Offeror’s responding to Phase One are eligible to continue to Phase Two although Offeror’s will be advised after evaluation of Phase One proposals on whether or not they are considered viable and encouraged to continue. Please refer to

Section L for detailed information regarding the Offeror's submission of proposals in Phase One and

Phase Two.

Failure to comply with the submission dates and times indicated above may result in a submission being deemed unacceptable, as such it will not be reviewed or evaluated. Faxed proposals are not acceptable, nor will they be reviewed or evaluated. Section M states the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated.

Proposals are to be submitted to USAID/Bangladesh no later than the closing date and time stated above, to the email address designated in Section L for receipt of proposals. If the proposal is received after the closing date and time, or if it is incomplete, it will not be accepted nor considered unless authorized by the Contracting Officer pursuant to FAR 15.208.

USAID/Bangladesh RFP # 72038823R00001

FtF Bangladesh Inclusive Access to Finance Activity

USAID reserves the right to amend or rescind this solicitation at any time. If substantive questions are received which affect the response to the solicitation, or if changes are made to the closing date and time, as well as other aspects of the RFP, this solicitation will be amended and amendments to this solicitation will be issued and posted on the U.S. government website: https://sam.gov/content/home.

This RFP in no way obligates USAID to award a contract nor does it commit USAID to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. Award of a contract under this RFP is subject to availability of funds and other internal USAID approvals. Furthermore, USAID reserves the right to reject any and/or all offers if such action is considered to be in the best interest of the Government.

All questions, comments, and/or requests for clarifications must be sent in writing to Jerome Robinson

Jr., at jerrobinson@usaid.gov and a copy to Ahsan Rahman at marahman@usaid.gov, no later than the date and time indicated above.

This RFP can be viewed and downloaded from https://sam.gov/content/home. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Further, be aware that amendments to solicitations are occasionally issued and will be posted on the same website. USAID advises interested parties to regularly check the above websites for amendments.

Offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation, which includes all pertinent technical sections and the terms, conditions and instructions required for submitting proposals. Any empty fill-in spaces in

Sections B through J will be completed by the Contracting Officer before final award.

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to your participation.

Sincerely, Jerome Robinson, Jr

Contracting Officer, USAID/Bangladesh https://sam.gov/content/home mailto:jerobinson@usaid.gov mailto:marahman@usaid.gov https://sam.gov/content/home

Office of the Acquisition & Assistance USAID/Bangladesh

Madani Avenue, Baridhara Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than item 7)

Jerome Robinson, Jr., Contracting Officer, USAID/Bangladesh, C/O American Embassy, Madani Avenue, Baridhara Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

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

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and copies for furnishings the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in item 8, or if hand carried, in the depository located in until local time

(Hour) (Date)

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.

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

A. NAME B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS) C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

AREA CODE NUMBER EXTENSION

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 3

I CONTRACT CLAUSES 46

B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS 4 PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT 7

J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 53

D PACKAGING AND MARKING 8 PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 11

K

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 13

G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 25

L INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 71

H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 29

M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 89

OFFER (Must be fully completed by Offeror)

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

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 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 set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

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

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

(The Offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for Offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND THE TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN

OFFER(Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS IS

DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER SUCH

ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AREA CODE NUMBER EXTENSION

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL OPEN COMPETITION:

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) 41 U.S.C. 3304(a) ( )

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

USAID/Bangladesh C/O, American Embassy

Madani Avenue, Baridhara Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

USAID/Bangladesh, Office of Financial Management

American Embassy, Madani Avenue, Baridhara Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

Jerome Robinson, Jr.

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

28. AWARD DATE

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

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 6/2014)

Previous edition is unusable Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214 (c)

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER RATING

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

PAGE OF PAGES

3 94

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

72038823R00001

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

SEALED BID

RFP

5. DATE ISSUED

9/21/2023

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

REQ-388-23-000100

7. ISSUED BY CODE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES/PRICES

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide technical assistance and services as described in detail in Section

C, Performance Work Statement (PWS), for the implementation of the Feed the Future Bangladesh

Inclusive Access to Finance Activity.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND CONTRACT SERVICES

This is a cost-plus-fixed fee (CPFF) completion-type, cost reimbursement contract. For the consideration set forth in the contract, the Contractor shall provide the deliverables or outputs described in Section C and comply with all contract requirements.

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

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is

$TBD. The fixed fee, if any, is $TBD. The estimated cost-plus fixed fee, if any, is $TBD. Cost must be limited to reasonable, allocable, and allowable costs determined in accordance with Federal

Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.216-7.

(b) Within the estimated cost-plus fixed fee (if any) specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is $TBD at time of award . The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount.

(c) Funds obligated are anticipated to be sufficient for the period of performance from the effective date of the contract through [TBD]. The Contractor shall not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount unless authorized by the Contracting Officer pursuant to the clause of this contract entitled “Limitation of

Funds” (FAR 52.232- 22). Funding for this contract will be on an incremental basis, subject to the availability of funds.

B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET AND CEILING

Description Amount (USD)

Program Activities TBD

Fixed Fee TBD

Total Estimated Cost-(TEC) plus Fixed Fee TBD

Notes:

(a) The inclusion of any costs in the above budget does not obviate the requirement for prior approval by 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”); 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) The Contractor must not adjust the above line items without a written modification signed by the

Contracting Officer.

(c) The Contractor must not bill any amounts against this Contract in excess of the amounts specified for each line item without the Contracting Officer’s prior authorization.

(d) The Contractor agrees to furnish data that the Contracting Officer may request on costs expended or accrued under this contract

B.5 INDIRECT COST

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

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD % 1/ 1/ 1/

1/ Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

B.6 REIMBURSABLE COSTS

USAID will only reimburse the Contractor for allowable costs in accordance with FAR § 52.216-7, “Allowable Cost and Payment,” FAR § 52.216-8, “Fixed Fee,” FAR § 52.232-20, “Limitation of Cost,” and FAR § 52-232-22, “Limitation of Funds,” if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003, “Documentation for

Payment.”

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

Pursuant to FAR 16.306(d)(1), payment of fixed fee shall be based on completion of the deliverables described in Sections C and F of this contract and in accordance with the approved Fee Schedule below.

Performance Objective/Deliverable/Output Due Date Percentage Fee Amount ($)

TBD TBD TBD TBD

TBD TBD TBD TBD

B.8 MULTIYEAR CONTRACT CANCELLATION PROCEDURES

USAID considers this Contract non-severable. Therefore, as a multi-year Contract as defined in

FAR § 17.103, it remains subject to the requirements contained in FAR § 17.106.

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 is expected not to incur any costs which would have been amortized over the life of the contract should the contract be cancelled in accordance with FAR 52.217-2. Therefore, the cancellation cost for each cancellation date is [TBD – to be filled in at the time of award].

Cancellation

Date

Total Cost Fixed Fee Total CPFF Cumulative

CPFF

Contract Year 2

Contract Year 3

Contract Year 4

Contract Year 5

B.9 APPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

[To be inserted at time of award]

[END OF SECTION B]

[THE REMAINDER OF THE SECTIN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]

SECTION C – PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMNET (PWS)

[To be inserted at time of award]

[END OF SECTION C]

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

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.

Specific guidance on marking requirements should 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 contracting officer’s technical representative (COR) indicated on the cover page of this Order, or by the Mission Director in the Cooperating Country to which commodities are being shipped, or in which the project site is located.

Authority to waive marking requirements is vested with the Regional Assistant Administrators, and with

Mission Directors.

A copy of any specific marking instructions or waivers from marking requirements is to be sent to the

Contracting Officer; the original should be retained by the contractor.

D.2 COMPLIANCE WITH BRANDING STRATEGY AND BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION &

MARKING PLANS

(a) The Contractor must comply with the approved Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan

(MP)

(b) The Activity BIP/MP will be incorporated as a material part of the Contract.

(c) The Contractor must comply with the following Branding Strategy:

Activity Name: USAID Feed the Future Bangladesh Inclusive Access to Finance Activity

Positioning: The activity will be positioned as a partnership between USAID and private enterprises, associations, business service providers, finance providers, and other stakeholders that have critical roles with respect to expanding access to finance in Bangladesh.

Visibility: The activity will have high visibility in Bangladesh among its targeted audiences. As such, USAID expects it to be actively publicized and requests pre-production review of all materials that include the USAID logo. All materials must be marked in compliance with the USAID Graphic standards manual at https://www.usaid.gov/branding/gsm.

Acknowledgements: Should a partnership arise between other counterparts, they will be acknowledged as appropriate in all work per USAID’s regulations. In any collaboration with other donors, those donors will be acknowledged per USAID’s regulations.

Activity Main Messages: Through the activity’s interventions, the USAID Feed the Future Bangladesh

Inclusive Access to Finance Activity will advance the following messages:

• USAID is unlocking financing for small businesses and farmers in Bangladesh.

• USAID is helping to make Bangladesh’s agricultural supply chains more inclusive and sustainable.

• USAID is making Bangladesh’s financial sector more inclusive.

• With an ambitious goal of catalyzing over $400,000,000 in new financing for MSMEs and farmers, https://www.usaid.gov/branding/gsm

• USAID is leveraging private sector financing to generate social impact at scale in Bangladesh.

When appropriate and in coordination with the COR, the activity’s communication approach will also highlight the profiles of finance providers and finance recipients participating in the activity.

Activity Audiences: The primary audience for project publicity is the Bangladeshi public, including small and medium size agribusinesses and other leading private sector companies, policy makers, opinion leaders, the media, youth, and local producers. The project will engage with the associations, government agencies, business service providers, and private companies focused on the modernization of Bangladesh’s banking sector and increasing Bangladesh’s agricultural production.

Materials & Communications Positioning: The project will incorporate the message that this “assistance is from the American people” in all oral and written communication, in accordance with the ADS 320, the

USAID Graphic Standards Manual, and per USAID guidance.

• The Contractor must comply with 2 CFR 700.16, AIDAR 752.7009, and use ADS 320, USAID

Graphic Standard Manual, ADS 557 Public Information and ADS 558 Use of Social Media for

Public Engagement for guidance.

• Failure to meet branding and marking requirements may be considered noncompliance with the

Contract.

D.3 EXCEPTIONS AND WAIVERS TO USAID BRANDING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS

USAID may consider programmatic exceptions to its requirements for branding and marking, as outlined in ADS 320.3.4.1. Exceptions are rare, programmatic in nature, and reflect the categories of foreign assistance USAID generally does not want marked. USAID may approve exceptions post-award when appropriate. Guidance for applying for exceptions can be found at USAID ADS 320, Branding and

Marking. USAID will only grant waivers in rare circumstances, after considerable deliberation and analysis, and will be narrowly targeted in terms of geography, time, and programmatic application. Guidance for applying for waivers can be found at USAID ADS Chapter 320, Branding and Marking.

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.

Only the CO has the authority to inform the Contractor to comply with such exceptions or waivers. Any branding and marking requirement waiver will be subject to review every six months.

[The following section will be inserted in the resulting contract if applicable (based on the Offeror’s approach)]

D.4 BRANDING AND MARKING FOR GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

The Contractor is responsible for including branding and marking requirements for grants under this contract (GUC) in accordance with 2 CFR 700.16. To ensure the marking requirements “flow down” to grantees, subgrants must include the provision as outlined in 2 CFR 700.16(a)(4). As part of the

Contractor’s responsibility for managing grants, the Contractor must ensure that all grantees follow the same rules for branding and marking as assistance awards, as described in ADS 320, Branding and Marking, and incorporated herein by reference. USAID reserves the right to require the USAID Identity to be larger and more prominent if it is the majority donor, or to require that a cooperating country government's identity be larger and more prominent if circumstances warrant; any such requirement will be on a case-by-case basis depending on the audience, program goals and materials produced. USAID reserves the right to request pre-production review of USAID funded public communications and program materials for compliance with the approved Branding Strategy, Branding Implementation Plan, and Marking Plan.

USAID reserves the right to require marking with the USAID Identity in the event the grantee does not choose to mark with its own identity or logo.

D.5 FEED THE FUTURE TRADEMARKING AND BRANDING

Per ADS 320.3.4, a special determination signed by the USAID Administrator in December 2014 authorized the Feed the Future initiative to issue its own naming, marking and branding guidance for use by USAID and its implementing partners. It is the first (and currently only) Presidential Initiative to receive this exception.

Per this determination, USAID contracts, grants and cooperative agreements awarded on or after January

1, 2015, which are funded by the USG’s Feed the Future initiative must include the Feed the Future logo in addition to USAID’s identity on communication products. The Contractor is required to comply (and ensure compliance by partners) with USAID’s branding and marking requirements set forth in 2 CFR

700.16 with Feed the Future specific guidance located at feedthefuture.gov.

[END OF SECTION D]

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

In accordance with FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this contract, the following contract clauses are hereby incorporated by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. See https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far / for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

FAR (48 CFR Chapter 1)

52.204-14 SERVICE CONTRACT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OCT 2016

52.246-3 INSPECTION OF SUPPLIES--COST-REIMBURSEMENT MAY 2001

52.246-5 INSPECTION OF SERVICES--COST-REIMBURSEMENT APR 1984

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports and other required deliverables or outputs shall take place at principal place of performance or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and deliverables or outputs are produced or submitted. Unless otherwise stated, the designated Contracting

Officer's Representative (COR) has been delegated authority to inspect and accept all services, reports and required deliverables or outputs.

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 process with the intent of encouraging maximum performance, efficiencies, and cost effectiveness by the Contractor and can be modified at any time by the Government. In conjunction with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

(MEL) plan, the QASP shall be used as a Government monitoring process to enforce the inspection and acceptance clauses of the contract. The QASP may require modification and/or updates after selection for award to reflect the Contractor’s known strengths and weaknesses. Both the MEL Plan and the QASP are

“living” monitoring documents that should be discussed, reviewed and updated regular but no less than 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. It is evident that all QASPs are jointly developed, and although the QASP may be drafted by the Contractor – it is an aid for the USG to ensure that the performance measures and objectives are on track to be achieved.

A distinguishing feature of this activity is its reliance on adaptive management. As noted in Section F, the work planning process will be the key tool for USAID in collaboration with the Contractor to manage adaptively. The MEL and QASP will therefore play a key role in informing the work planning process, and the adaptive changes required to achieve the objectives of the contract. The QASP should include processes that ensure that the rationale behind adaptive changes is well-documented and backed by strong evidence.

Other Key Components of the MEL Plan and QASP will be:

• Ensuring that financing made available due to the activity’s support have sufficient evidence of

“additionality.”

• Ensuring that financing made available as part of the activity’s Environmental, Social, and

Governance Policy meet the prescribed criteria.

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. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to follow up with the COR to ensure the QASP https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far monitoring process is implemented and updated.

A variety of mechanisms included but not limited to the following may be utilized by the Contractor and

COR to monitor the progress/success of the activity and the Contractor’s performance:

a) Weekly contract mobilization meetings including minutes (minutes may address issues, actionable items, steps to address and solve any issues/actions as well as POCs for each issue/action item) during the first three months of contract implementation;

b) Monthly progress review meetings, including similar protocols as above, with the implementation teams;

c) Review and proposed feedback and/or edits, if any, to the Contractor’s scheduled reports (see Section

F);

d) Feedback in the form of action memos, emails or other forms of communication agreed upon by the parties from GoB and collaborating partners utilized to inform and improve program performance;

e) Site Visits as needed or directed by USAID personnel organized by the Contractor;

f) Quarterly reviews of work plan with performance milestones and proposed feedback and/or edits, if any, to the Contractor’s work plan and performance milestones incorporated/addressed;

g) Periodic impact and performance evaluations as required by the contract and /or determined as necessary by the COR and approved by the CO during contract administration; and

h) Review of deliverables achieved as stated in section F and C and proposed feedback and/or edits, if any, to the Contractor’s work plan and performance milestones incorporated/addressed.

[END OF SECTION E]

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1. NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

In accordance with FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this contract, the following contract clauses are hereby incorporated by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. See https://acquisition.gov/far/index.html for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1)

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.242-15 STOP-WORK ORDER AUG 1989

ALTERNATE I APR 1984

752.7005 SUBMISSION

REQUIREMENTS FOR

DEVELOPMENT

EXPERIENCE DOCUMENTS

SEP 2013

F.2. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance is Bangladesh.

F.3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of this contract is five (5) years from the date of contract signature.

F.4. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Evaluation of the Contractor's performance must be conducted in accordance with the performance standards set forth in the contract, if any, the Contractor's overall performance toward achievement of the objectives in Section C and provision of deliverables in Section F, and the Contractor's compliance with all other terms and conditions of 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 as required in FAR Part

42.15 and AIDAR 742.15.

The Contractor’s performance will be evaluated annually and at contract completion, utilizing at minimum, the following factors:

(i) Technical (quality of product or service).

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

(iii) Schedule/timeliness.

(iv) Management or business relations.

(v) Small business subcontracting (as applicable).

(vi) Other (as applicable) (e.g., late or nonpayment to subcontractors, trafficking violations, tax delinquency, failure to report in accordance with contract terms and conditions, defective cost or pricing data, terminations, suspension, and debarments).

F.5. AUTHORIZED WORK WEEK

The standard work week is from Sunday through Thursday unless the CO authorizes differently. No overtime or premium pay is authorized under this Contract. For full-time personnel, the contractor is authorized up to a 5-day, 40-hour workweek. A six-day work week when travel per diem is paid may be authorized on a case-by-case basis with the prior written approval of the designated Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR).

F.6. KEY PERSONNEL AND OTHER STAFFING

The Contractor has the ultimate responsibility for managing this Activity and achieving the desired performance results. USAID anticipates that this Activity will be managed require a mix of long and short-term expatriate and local staff, along with home office support staff and management. The Contractor must utilize the most appropriate and cost-effective staffing mix to achieve the objectives of this project. To support the Journey to Self-Reliance, the Contractor will identify and develop Bangladeshi talent and expertise in this sector. The Contractor will establish annual targets for the utilization of local long-term and short-term experts and subcontractors to implement the Activity. The Contractor’s performance in achieving the target will be factored into their Management Performance evaluation rating. The contract will be managed on the basis of adaptive management and therefore the Contractor must furnish staff who has solid understanding or experience in adaptive management.

The Contractor must have up to five Key Personnel positions. Of these five positions, the Project

Manager/Chief of Party (COP) must be included as one position, with the remaining key personnel proposed by the Contractor. Key personnel must have the requisite skill set to implement the approach set forth in Section C, achieve sustainable results, and coordinate and cooperate with a wide range of stakeholders as well as complement other USAID-and donor-funded programs. All key personnel must be full-time, located in Bangladesh, and the COP must be employed by the prime contractor. The key personnel qualifications for the other four key personnel must be targeted to the individual job descriptions designed by the contractor; they are expected to be similar to the qualifications described below for the PM/COP, with at least one key personnel experienced using adaptive management techniques. At least one key personnel should have extensive experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment in addition to other technical qualifications. The responsibilities and qualifications for the Project Manager are described below. Local professionals must be used to the maximum extent possible.

1. Project Manager (PM)/Chief of Party (COP)

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

● Providing overall vision, management, and strategic leadership to the Activity.

● Identifying adjustments in scope and operations to ensure that the project adapts to changes in need and context.

● Supervising and empowering all personnel.

● Establishing effective partnerships with relevant local stakeholders, including the

Government of Bangladesh.

● Effectively communicating in large public settings, as well as with senior government officials.

● Ensuring that managerial, administrative, and financial procedures comply with USAID policies and procedures.

The minimum requirements for this position are as follows:

● Demonstrated experience managing large, dynamic, and complex projects, especially those with an access to finance component.

● Excellent interpersonal, diplomacy, and leadership skills, including the ability to manage high-level relationships

● Proven ability to form collaborative relationships with intergovernmental, government representatives, and other stakeholders.

● Demonstrated ability to motivate and lead a dynamic team.

● Experience and familiarity with Bangladesh are preferred.

2. The contractor must propose up to four additional Key Personnel positions for the Activity that have the requisite skill set to implement the approach outlined in the proposed PWS, to achieve sustainable results, and coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including USAID Feed the Future projects, private sector partners, and Government of Bangladesh representatives.

Key Personnel # 2 – As proposed

● Minimum qualifications

Key Personnel # 3 – As proposed

Key Personnel # 4 – As proposed

Key Personnel # 5 – As proposed

The personnel specified above are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder. Prior to replacing any of the specified individuals, the Contractor must notify both the CO and the COR reasonably in advance and submit written justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the activity. No placement/replacement will be made by the Contractor without the written consent of the CO.

F.7 OTHER PERSONNEL

The staffing plan must include other personnel needed to accomplish the Activity’s goals including those responsible for:

● Grants and Subcontracting

● Environment and Sustainability

● Gender and inclusive development

● Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

F.8 DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

F.8.1 Reporting Requirements

(a) The cover page of all deliverables must include the USAID and Feed the Future Identity prominently displayed (in accordance with the Feed the Future Branding and Marking plan), the Contract number, Contractor name, the publication or issuance date of the document, document title, author name(s), and activity title. Descriptive information is required whether contractor-furnished products are submitted in paper or electronic form. All materials must include the name, organization, address, and telephone/fax/internet number of the person submitting the materials.

(b) All reports and deliverables must be in the English language. All approved reports must be delivered to the COR and CO in electronic format unless specified otherwise by the COR. Deliverables must be submitted to the COR in draft form for comments at the timeframe specified or as directed by the COR.

Unless specified otherwise, the Contractor must re-submit a revised version, incorporating the comments, for final approval within a time period as requested by the COR. If a report or deliverable below does not have a report format or template, the Contractor must coordinate with the COR to agree on a format.

Submission of final deliverables must be both PDF and MS Word (unlocked), and/or Excel (unlocked).

(c) All reports below have illustrative page numbers. Final number of pages, format, and content of each report will be agreed upon between the Contractor and the COR. The Contractor must promptly notify the

COR of any problems, delays or adverse conditions which materially impair the Contractor’s ability to meet the requirements of the Contract. The COR has flexibility in adjusting the due date, except for the Financial

Reports; however, any delay that will impact the Contract period of performance must be approved by the

CO. All reports and plans are subject to written final approval and/or acceptance by the COR.

(d) All reporting and data must be synchronized with the United States Government (USG) fiscal year.

Quarterly periods are from October 1 –December 31; January 1- March 31; April 1 – June 30; and, July 1

– September 30. Thus, quarterly reports are due on: January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 respectively.

F.8.2 Reports and Deliverables

# Deliverable Due Date

Technical

I Annual Work Plans and

Financial Plan

● Year 1 (Y1) plan and budget due within 60 days of award date with end date of the fiscal year in which the award is made. With COR approval, the draft Work Plan submitted as part of the proposal may be considered the

Y1 Work Plan.

● Subsequent AWPs and budgets due 30 days prior to the end of the fiscal year

● Subject to be approved by the CO or his/her designee

II Quality Assurance

Surveillance Plan (QASP)

● Draft due within 30 days after workplan approved as annex to the MEL plan

III Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and

Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptability (CLA)

Plan

● Draft due within 30 days after workplan approved.

IV Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Impact Policy and

Standards for Gender, Food Security and

Nutrition, Climate-Smart

Agriculture, and Youth

Inclusion Criteria

● Within 180 days of contract award

V Geographic Information

System (GIS) Plan

● Within 180 days of contract award

VI Monthly Newsletter ● Due monthly or as agreed upon with COR

VII Quarterly Progress

Reports

● Within 30 days prior to the end of each fiscal year quarter. The last quarterly report of the reporting year shall be replaced by an annual report that summarizes the entire year’s accomplishments and lessons learned.

Quarterly reports shall include reporting on indicators per the approved MEL plan, workplan progress, and financial information.

VIII Annual Report ● Within 30 days of the end of the reporting period (i.e., the end of the fiscal year). The last annual report shall be replaced by the final report that summarizes the entire project’s accomplishments, annual government property report, and reporting on indicators and milestones as detailed in the approved MEL plan.

IX Feed the Future and

Performance

Plan Report

● Draft report and first system input by October 15; final by

November 10 each fiscal year

X Access to Finance

Landscape and Gender and Social Inclusion

Assessment

● Within 180 days of contract award and updated annually

XI Bumpers/” Gray Area”

Analyses

● Due on an as-needed basis if supporting crops outside of those covered by the Mission’s Bumper’s analysis.

XII Other Reports and

Analyses or Ad Hoc

Reports

● Due on an as-needed basis as identified and approved through the annual work plan and in consultation with the

COR.

XIII Sustainability and Exit

Strategy

● Due as part of final annual work plan

XIV Final Activity Report ● 30 days prior to contract completion

Operations

XV Meeting Minutes ● Within 3 days of any meeting with USAID

XVI Quarterly Financial

Reports

● Within 30 days following the end of each quarter

XVII Environmental

Management and

Mitigation Plan (EMMP) and Climate Risk

Mitigation (CRM) plan

● Within 180 days of contract award

XVIII Travel & Training Plan and Reporting

● As requested by the COR

XIX Security Plan ● Within 90 days after contract award

XX Close-out Plan ● 90 days prior to contract completion

XXI System Assessment and

Authorization Plan

● Within 30 days after contract award

I. Annual Work Plans

Annual work plans will be developed in consultation with USAID, other USAID partners, and key counterparts as appropriate, which will be approved by the COR. The work plan must be accompanied by a financial plan or work plan budget linked to the activities proposed in the work plan. The Contractor must collaborate with USAID to develop annual work plans. Given the experimental nature of this activity, the

Contractor must work closely with USAID during the work planning process to assess the progress and promise of ongoing interventions, and to evaluate, adjust, and set the activity's indicator targets. The work plan and budget will be tied to each U.S. fiscal year of the contract. The draft annual work plan and budget shall be submitted by August 31 of each year. USAID will provide feedback within two weeks, and the

Contractor shall submit a final work plan and budget within two weeks after receiving feedback. The

Annual Work Plan and Budget is due on September 30 of each year. The annual work plan and budget will include a list of all anticipated activities and associated funding requirements for the coming year, as well as anticipated outcomes and key milestones. The work plan shall be comprehensive, but concise. The annual budget should constrain a line-wise summary and detailed budget in line with the subsequent work plan.

In all Work Plans, the Contractor must:

a. Provide a brief narrative to define each task assignment, propose a completion date and state who shall accomplish the task. Present recommendations for addressing identified issues and gaps related to gender.

b. Identify milestones as well as deliverables under each task and propose deadlines for their completion, including milestones.

c. Identify any assumptions used in preparing the Work Plan, suggest possible modifications to the approach, if needed, and describe anticipated problems or potential barriers including gender barriers with regard to achieving the project objective Incorporate a women’s economic empowerment action plan into the overall Work Plan; a proposed milestones to be addressed in the next year.

At the stage of work plan development, the Contractor may be advised by the COR to engage in a coordinated work planning process with other USAID/USG Activities to ensure that their planned interventions support and complement each other, share target groups and implementation areas, and are implemented over a coordinated timeline. As part of its initial work plans, and all annual work plans thereafter, the contractor in collaboration with the COR and the Mission Environmental Officer or Bureau

Environmental Officer, as appropriate, will review all planned and ongoing activities under this contract to determine if they are within the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation. If the contractor plans any new activities outside the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation, it shall prepare an amendment to the documentation for USAID review and approval. No such new activities will be undertaken prior to receiving written USAID approval of environmental documentation amendments.

The workplan will be the key tool for USAID’s approach to adaptive management. In collaboration with the Contractor, USAID will periodically review and—based on experience, progress, and learning—make changes to the workplan and/or the Contractor’s overall approach. At least annually, USAID and the

Contractor will engage in a collaborative process to review performance targets based on the MEL Plan and QASP to ensure that they are rooted in evidence and learning, realistic, and aggressive. As advised by the COR, all other reports and plans must be linked as applicable with the contents of the work plan.

If necessary and given COR consent, the Contractor may revise the Annual Work Plan. USAID reserves the right to review and re-approve Annual Work Plans quarterly or on an as-needed basis.

II. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

The QASP will be developed in order to meet the purpose of describing the systematic methods used to monitor performance and to identify the required documentation and resources. The QASP provides a means for evaluating whether the contractor is meeting the performance standards/quality levels identified in the PWS and the contractor quality assurance plan, and to ensure that the Government pays only for the level of services received. The Offeror must submit a draft QASP that will ask/answer the following questions:

● What will be inspected/monitored/reviewed?

● How it will be inspected?

● Who is responsible for inspection?

● The final QASP will be inserted into the contract upon award.

It is evident that all QASPs are jointly developed, and although the QASP may be drafted by the Contractor

– it is an aid for the USG to ensure that the performance measures and objectives are on track to be achieved.

The QASP should be an annex within the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan. For more details on the QASP see Section E.3.

III. MEL Plan

As outlined in USAID’s ADS 201.3.4.10, the Offeror must develop an activity MEL plan. During the initial program planning period, the contractor will work closely with USAID collaboratively to finalize the MEL

Plan and indicators. The contractor will perform assessments and studies, as needed, to inform the development of work plans, major milestones, and program monitoring indicators, as well as establishing baseline data and performance targets for each indicator as they relate to criteria for success. USAID and the Contractor will conduct periodic performance reviews to monitor the progress of work and the achievement of results as based on the targets specified in the MEL Plan. USAID and the Contractor will use objectively verifiable indicators with periodic data collection to measure performance and make adjustments as necessary. The MEL Plan will establish and track a set of required and standard Feed the

Future indicators and targets in accordance with the latest Feed the Future Indicator Handbook, Global

Food Security Strategy, and Global Food Security Strategy Country Plan. In addition to these required and standard indicators, the Contractor may propose additional, “custom” indicators, as may be appropriate, to measure program outcomes.

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will monitor and evaluate the progress, success, and impact of the Contractor’s performance under this contract as a part of the overall activity results using agreed-upon indicators through the Contractor’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan. The

COR will utilize the MEL Plan to assess the impact of the activity and whether it achieves the stated objectives or if the parties should make performance-based adjustments. The MEL Plan exists as a “living” document reviewed and updated as required. The MEL Plan sets forth the specific performance goals for the contract, all in accordance with and subject to Section C and subject to the other terms and conditions of this Contract, the COR, in consultation with the Contractor, may modify the MEL Plan at any time to reflect changing priorities and circumstances. USAID may also conduct management reviews of work progress during the contract’s period of performance. USAID will conduct Data Quality Assessments

(“DQAs”) for selected indicators periodically to ensure that the Contractor collects quality data.

The MEL Plan will be revised as appropriate in collaboration with USAID and evolving USG requirements.

The MEL Plan will include annual and the life-of-activity targets, indicator reference sheets, and the approved process for ensuring data quality. In addition, the MEL Plan will also guide all assessments, studies, pause-and-reflect sessions, data collection, and reporting plans over the life of the activity.

There are some important learning questions that the activity would be well-positioned to explore. Some illustrative learning questions would include:

• Which financial products maximize the number of new, smallholder farmers and agri-SME borrowers?

• What are the economics of lending to smallholder farmers in rural areas?

• What intervention(s) increase the number of finance providers servicing rural areas?

• How much of a subsidy is required to incentivize finance providers to lend to USAID’s target sectors and populations?

• Are digital financial products suitable for increasing the volume of lending to target borrowers?

• What structural and cultural barriers have emerged from implementation that prevent the financial sector from being more inclusive, especially with respect to women and youth?

• What local capacity gaps, if any, exist among local financial institutions preventing them from servicing farmers, agribusinesses, women, and youth?

USAID prefers a third-party to conduct a midterm evaluation and/or final performance evaluation to monitor the progress and/or achievements of results based on the targets specified in the activity MEL Plan.

The Implementer must cooperate with any third-party evaluators hired by USAID. This includes:

• Close coordination with the evaluator to identify one or more interventions to evaluate with a counterfactual, agree on randomization of cohorts or other approach for outreach, eligibility criteria, selection and roll-out schedule for those interventions to allow a counterfactual with evaluators, and implement an agreed approach. As noted above, Offerors should identify in their proposal which interventions would be useful to evaluate as a public good, and which would be best-suited for evaluation, ideally under some kind of randomization.

• Sharing of operational, financial, and other data with the evaluators, under a non-disclosure agreement if necessary

A key component of the MEL plan will be a plan for CLA. The activity will have a CLA Plan that is fit-for-purpose to enable evidence-driven adaptation. The CLA Plan outlines the approaches and resources for learning opportunities for adaptation, measuring results and achievements of activity, collaborating, and adapting. Traditional monitoring and evaluation (M&E) approaches including indicator monitoring are included under the CLA umbrella, specifically the learning section. The activity will apply other complexity-aware monitoring and learning approaches (e.g. outcome harvesting, most significant change) as appropriate.

USAID will review the detailed draft M&E plan and provide comments. Upon resolved of all comments, the final MEL plan will be in place no later than 180 days of the award.

IV. ESG Policy

The purpose of the ESG policy is to document the standards that finance providers…