Amendment 3 to RFP 294-2008-003.doc

Solicitation No.

294-2008-003

Amendment No.

Three (3)

IFB Issuance Date

MAR 17, 2008

Amendment Issuance Date: APR 24, 2008

Closing Date & Time :

MAY 12, 2008

4:00 pm, (Tel Aviv time) Subject: Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 294-2008-003, Solicitation of USAID/West Bank Gaza’s “Infrastructure Needs Program” Project - Amendment No. Three (3) Dear Offerors:

The purpose of this amendment to the subject RFP is to provide clarifications and responses to questions. Kindly note below.

No further questions will be accepted as of the date of this amendment. All other terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged.

Sincerely, /S/ Ron Breen Contracting Officer

USAID/West Bank and Gaza

Questions & Answers

1. RFI #15: While reviewing the BOQ of Task Order #1, items #70 to #75, there is no mention of manhole or concrete chamber to facilitate cable pulling and concrete encasement for road crossings. Please confirm that the rate for ducts of any size or number shall not include handholes, manholes, or concrete encasement for road crossings.

A. USAID confirms that Task Order #1, items #70 - #75, only includes supply and laying of PVC pipes.

2. RFI #11: Page A-2, item 17, Annexes A-1 and B-1 and Q&A #6. Item 17 of SF-1442 states: “The offeror agrees to perform the work required at the prices specified below in strict accordance with the terms of the solicitation, if this offer is accepted by the Government in writing within 120 calendar days after the date offers are due”.

We are of the understanding that the rates submitted with this RFP are only indicative by reference to the Title block on all Cost Proposal Forms (Annex A-1 and B-1) which states:

“Proposed unit costs … must be provided for each item…Indicative quantities/volumes are provided for pricing purposes only…The information provided on this and other Annex A-1 forms will serve as an element of the Offeror’s cost proposal…and will have a dual purpose. The first purpose will be to provide USAID a basis for comparing the various costs proposed by the various Offerors. The second and equally important purpose of the cost proposal will be to provide USAID points of reference that it can use in evaluating proposals received under actual RFTOPs under awarded INP IQCs. Given this latter purpose, Offerors are cautioned to be realistic in preparing their Cost Proposal”.

However, both the bidder’s Question #6 and USAID’s Answer #6 (issued with Amendment No. 1), insinuate that any Task Order issued within the first 120 days from Bid Submission, will be awarded based on the submitted “INDICATIVE” rates”. Please clarify.

A.

USAID hereby amends the requirements so that prices will be indicative. Task orders will be competed and negotiated with the three IQC holders, regardless of the indicative prices submitted in the RFP.

3.

RFI #12: FAR Clause 52.211-12 Liquidated Damages – Construction (Sept 2000) Alternate I (Apr 1984). We could not find reference in the FAR’s for Alternation 1 (Apr 1984). Please advise.

A.

Correct. This is a typographical mistake.

4.

RFI #13: Section L, item L.11, Part 7, Information to Support Consent to Major Subcontractors it is stated that: “The Offeror must address each of the elements in FAR 44.202-2 in order for proposed subcontractors to be considered by the contracting officer for consent of subcontractors to be granted with the initial award.”

Since there will be no Subcontract Agreements issued at this award point (IQC), then this consent information is not available until after specific project information becomes available under the IQC. In the event the Awardee is issued a specific Task Order then he will comply with each of the elements in the FAR in order for consent to be granted for each subcontractor to receive a subcontract agreement. Does USAID concur with this? If not, please provide further guidance.

A.

USAID hereby waives this requirement

5.

RFI #14: Attachment J-7, Cost Proposal Form B-1-1 (Works & Materials) of Illustrative Task Order No. 2 of RFP294-2008-003, Section 2: Concrete Works, Bill Items No. 2/5 and 2/8. Presumably, measurement unit for these two Bill Items should be m2 and not m3. Please confirm.

A.

Measurement units shall be m2.

6.

Can we send our bid thru email?

A.

No

7.

Although we are a US construction company, we will be having a hard time bringing US construction workers with vast experience in West Bank Gaza due to security reasons. Can we bring Third Country National (TCN) to help in the construction of public infrastructure?

A.

Yes. However, bringing TCNs to work in Israel and the West Bank is logistically and bureaucratically fraught with complications – none of which USAID will be responsible for. USAID strongly advises contractors to use local labor, which from USAID’s experience, is both plentiful and qualified. Additionally, please be advised that the COP and all Task Order Managers are required to be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

8.

Will USAID accept Joint Ventures under this RFP?

A.

Please be advised that Joint Ventures will be allowed as long as they meet the criteria in 22 CFR 228.31, Individuals and Privately Owned Commercial Firms.

U.S. Agency for International Development American Embassy

71, Hayarkon St.

Tel Aviv 63903