Request_for_Proposal.pdf

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE 1 OF 49

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE

DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/

LOCAL TIME

9. ISSUED BY

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

CODE

15. DELIVER TO 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE17a. CONTRACTOR/

OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

CODE

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN

OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK

BELOW IS CHECKED

RFQ IFB RFP

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

DATED . . YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 30c. DATE SIGNED

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

SET ASIDE: % FOR:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

8 (A)

EDWOSB

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SMALL BUSINESS

2016151

RFP-PO201611151

Angela M. Williams 703.875.4357 1153 100

See Block 9

See Block 9

U.S. Trade and Development Agency Finance Office finance@ustda.gov

See Continuation Page

DUNS:

CAGE:

GARTH A. HIBBERT

541690

05/17/2016

05/31/2016 4:00 P.M.

U.S. Trade and Development Agency Office of Acquisition Management 1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1600 Arlington, VA 22209-3901

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

40. PAID BY

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

PARTIAL FINAL

37. CHECK NUMBER

38. S/R ACCOUNT NO. 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER

36. PAYMENT

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

0001 Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series

0002 Preliminary Assessment 9 EA 0003 Funding Proposals 7 EA 0004 1 EAFinal Report (w/Confidential Volume and Public Market

Report)

Option for Additional Assessments1001 1002 Preliminary Assessment 3 EA 1003 Funding Proposal 3 EA

SECTION C – CONTRACT CLAUSES

Clauses Incorporated By Reference

52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and APR 2014

Requirement to Inform Employee of Whistleblower Rights

52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Postconsumer MAY 2011

Fiber Content Paper

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items MAY 2015

52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations JUN 2013

52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim OCT 2004

Clauses Incorporated by Full-Text

52.212-5 -- Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive

Orders -- Commercial Items (MAR 2016)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or

Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov

2015)

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Public Laws

108-77, 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the contracting officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

_X_ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

___ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (41

U.S.C. 3509).

___ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub L. 111-5) (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009).

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series Solicitation No.: RFP-PO201611151

_X_ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive compensation and First-Tier Subcontract

Awards (Oct 2015) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

___ (5) [Reserved]

___ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Jan 2014) (Pub. L. 111-

117, section 743 of Div. C).

___ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery

Contracts (Jan 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

_X_ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with

Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Oct 2015) (31 U.S.C.

6101 note).

___ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility

Matters (Jul 2013) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

___ (10) [Reserved]

___ (11) (i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011)

(15 U.S.C. 657a).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011) of 52.219-3.

___ (12) (i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small

Business Concerns (Oct 2014) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer)(15 U.S.C. 657a).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2011) of 52.219-4.

___ (13) [Reserved]

___ (14) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011).

___ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2011).

___ (15) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C.

644).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7.

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series

_X_ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2014) (15 U.S.C.

637(d)(2) and (3)).

___ (17) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Oct 2015) (15 U.S.C. 637

(d)(4)).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

___ (iv) Alternate III (Oct 2015) of 52.219-9.

_X_ (18) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

___ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

___ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C.

637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

___ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-

Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

___ (22) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Re-representation (Jul 2013)

(15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

___ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically

Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Dec 2015) (15 U.S.C.

637(m)).

___ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned

Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program

(Dec 2015) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

_X_ (25) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

_X_ (26) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Feb

2016) (E.O. 13126).

_X_ (27) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

_X_ (28) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Apr 2015) (E.O. 11246).

_X_ (29) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (30) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29

U.S.C. 793).

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series

_X_ (31) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Feb 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (32) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor

Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

_X_ (33) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter

78 and E.O. 13627).

_X_ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50, (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

___ (34) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015). (E. O. 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

___ (35) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-

Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

___ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

___ (36) (i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT® -Registered Imaging Equipment (Jun

2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514

___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2015) of 52.223-13.

___ (37) (i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT® -Registered Television (Jun 2014)

(E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-14.

___ (38) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (Dec 2007) (42

U.S.C. 8259b).

___ (39) (i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT® -Registered Personal Computer Products

(Oct 2015) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16.

___ (40) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while

Driving (Aug 2011) (E.O. 13513).

___ (41) 52.225-1, Buy American--Supplies (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

___ (42) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act (May

2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, Pub. L. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43).

___ (ii) Alternate I (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

___ (iii) Alternate II (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

___ (iv) Alternate III (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

___ (43) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Feb 2016) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C.

3301 note).

___ (44) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the

Department of the Treasury).

___ (45) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the

United States (Jul 2013) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

___ (46) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42

U.S.C. 5150).

___ (47) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area

(Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

___ (48) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002)

(41 U.S.C. 4505), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

___ (49) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C.

4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

_X (50) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award

Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (51) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than System for

Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (52) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (53) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

___ (54) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels

(Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

___ (1) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014) (E.O. 13495)

___ (2) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter

67.).

___ (3) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29

U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___ (4) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards --

Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (May 2014) (29 U.S.C.206 and

41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___ (5) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards --

Price Adjustment (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___ (6) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--

Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

_X_ (7) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___ (8) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2015) (E.O.

13658).

___ (9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (May

2014) (42 U.S.C. 1792).

___ (10) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Sep 2008) (31 U.S.C.

5112(p)(1)).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records -- Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the

Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e)

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause—

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (41

U.S.C. 3509).

(ii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2014) (15 U.S.C.

637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $700,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(iii) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014) (E.O. 13495).

Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (1) of FAR clause 52.222-17.

(iv) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

(v) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Apr 2015) (E.O. 11246).

(vi) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(vii) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29

U.S.C. 793).

(viii) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Feb 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series

(ix) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor

Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(x) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (May 2014), (41 U.S.C. chapter

67).

(xi) __X_ (A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22

U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

_X_ (B) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 E.O.

13627).

(xii) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor

Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain

Equipment--Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67.)

(xiii) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor

Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (May 2014) (41

U.S.C. chapter 67)

(xiv) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015) (E. O. 12989).

(xv) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2015).

(xvi) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the

United States (Jul 2013) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

(xvii) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations.

(May 2014) (42 U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph

(e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xviii) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately-Owned U.S. Flag Commercial Vessels

(Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the Contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(End of Clause)

Alternate I (Feb 2000). As prescribed in 12.301(b)(4)(i), delete paragraph (d) from the basic clause, redesignate paragraph (e) as paragraph (d), and revise the reference to “paragraphs (a), Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series Solicitation No.: RFP-PO201611151 http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/12.htm#P120_20017

(b), (c), or (d) of this clause” in the redesignated paragraph (d) to read “paragraphs (a), (b), and

(c) of this clause”.

Alternate II (Dec 2015). As prescribed in 12.301(b)(4)(ii), substitute the following paragraphs

(d)(1) and (e)(1) for paragraphs (d)(1) and (e)(1) of the basic clause as follows:

(d)

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, an appropriate Inspector General appointed under section 3 or 8G of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), or an authorized representative of either of the foregoing officials shall have access to and right to—

(i) Examine any of the Contractor’s or any subcontractors’ records that pertain to, and involve transactions relating to, this contract; and

(ii) Interview any officer or employee regarding such transactions.

(e)

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause in a subcontract for commercial items, other than—

(i) Paragraph (d) of this clause. This paragraph flows down to all subcontracts, except the authority of the Inspector General under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) does not flow down; and

(ii) Those clauses listed in this paragraph (e)(1). Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause—

(A) 52.203–13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct

2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

(B) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-

5).

(C) 52.219–8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2014) (15

U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $700,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(D) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series Solicitation No.: RFP-PO201611151 http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/12.htm#P120_20017

(E) 52.222–26, Equal Opportunity (Apr 2015) (E.O. 11246).

(F) 52.222–35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C.

4212).

(G) 52.222–36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul

2014) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(H) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor

Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(I) 52.222–41, Service Contract Labor Standards (May 2014) (41 U.S.C.

chapter 67).

(J) ____ (1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22

U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

___ (2) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 E.O.

13627).

(K) 52.222–51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract

Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of

Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(L) 52.222–53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor

Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (May 2014)

(41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(M) 52.222–54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015)

(Executive Order 12989).

(N) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec

2015).

(O) 52.226–6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit

Organizations. (May 2014) (42 U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226–6.

(P) 52.247–64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial

Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247–

64.

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series

52.217-8 -- Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The

Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days.

(End of Clause)

52.252-2 -- Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

www.farsite.hill.af.mil

(End of Clause)

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series Solicitation No.: RFP-PO201611151 http://www.farsite.hill.af.mil/

SECTION D – ANY CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS OR ATTACHMENTS

D.1 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

D.1.1. OVERVIEW:

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is a foreign assistance agency that delivers its program commitments through grants and contracts. The projects supported by USTDA activities represent strong and measurable development priorities in the host country and offer opportunities for the sale of U.S. goods and services. Requests for USTDA assistance are made by either public or private sector project sponsors for implementation in developing and middle income countries.

D.1.2. SCOPE OF WORK:

USTDA requires services under this non-personal services Contract to support or improve its decision-making relative to the funding of gas sector projects or activities in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Contractor shall provide a report (a “Business Confidential Analysis and Recommendation”) to USTDA, which will:

Assess and provide a recommendation on whether or not USTDA should provide funding for the proposed feasibility study, technical assistance or other trade capacity building activity, hereinafter referred to as “activity;” and

Provide supporting analysis for the recommendation on the activity in a final report

(“Final Report”) that analyzes all the relevant issues.

In addition, the Contractor shall assess the potential of the relevant market sector in the host country for U.S. suppliers of goods and services in a Public Market Report suitable for public distribution. Each Public Market Report should include current market information on the segment of the Sub-Saharan Africa natural gas sector (including upstream, midstream, and downstream) considered under the DS, and be specific to the market of the proposed activity. Each Public Market Report should include current market information on the proposed project(s) being considered under the DS.

The Desk Study (DS) series requires that the DS contractor(s) complete: (i) a preliminary assessment of up to twelve (12) proposals or initial assessments of project planning activities

(such as feasibility studies, technical assistance, legal advisory services, engineering and design, environmental impact assessments, and pilot projects) in the natural gas sector in Sub-Saharan

Africa (each, a “Preliminary Assessment”); and (ii) a detailed funding proposal of up to ten (10) project planning activities for USTDA consideration (each, a “Funding Proposal”). USTDA’s

Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Team will assign each of the Preliminary Assessments and

Funding Proposals to one of the selected DS contractor(s) and may request for the DS contractor(s) to complete a Funding Proposal without having the DS contractor first complete a

Preliminary Assessment The DS contractor(s) are required to evaluate the proposed activities’ eligibility for USTDA’s program and funding under USTDA’s Power Africa interagency agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The review and

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series preparation of each of the twelve Preliminary Assessments as selected by USTDA shall include an analysis of whether the project meets Power Africa transfer agreement intended uses, general project criteria, additionality criteria, and environmental impact criteria. For the ten Funding

Proposals as selected by USTDA, the DS Contractor is required to include an analysis of whether the project meets Power Africa transfer agreement intended uses, collect all information and documentation necessary from the project sponsors and relevant entities to develop a detailed funding recommendation report including terms of reference and budget estimate and confirm

U.S. industry competitiveness and foreign competition for sources of supply and implementation of the project.

D.1.2.1. USTDA Funding Criteria:

The DS Contractor’s recommendations shall be based upon USTDA funding criteria, which are that the project must: (1) be likely to receive implementation financing, (2) have a procurement process that provides “equal access” to U.S. companies; (3) represent an opportunity for sales of

U.S. goods and services that is many times greater than the initial investment of USTDA assistance; (4) be a development priority of the project sponsor and host country where the project is located and have the endorsement of the U.S. Embassy in that host country, and (5) involve U.S. companies that are facing market entry problems and/or strong competition from foreign companies which often receive subsidies and other support from their governments.

The DS contractor(s) shall provide a report (“Business Confidential Analysis and

Recommendation”) to USTDA, which shall:

Collect and organized all necessary information and documentation from the project sponsor(s) and relevant third party sources as needed to undertake high-level analysis of the proposed project;

Assess and justify whether or not USTDA should provide funding for the proposed feasibility study, technical assistance, pilot project, or other activity(ies), hereinafter referred to as “activity(ies)”;

Develop terms of reference and budgets for up to ten activities for USTDA funding consideration;

Provide supporting analysis and recommendations on the above information and all the relevant issues.

D.1.2.2. Climate Resilience Screening:

Per Executive Order (EO) 13677, USTDA is required to consider climate resilience in its international development work. The Agency has determined that in order to be compliant with the EO, climate resilience screenings must be conducted at the project scoping stage for all feasibility studies (FS) and technical assistance (TA) activities. Accordingly, the Contractor shall conduct a climate resilience screening utilizing the guidance provided in Attachment IX.

Categorical exclusions to climate resilience screening include: all Global Procurement Initiative activities, all de minimis training grants, and all International Business Partnership Programs (i.e.

reverse trade missions, conferences, and workshops). Activities that fall into the categorical exclusions do not need to undergo a climate resilience screening.

D.1.2.3. Project Profile:

Gas sector activities reviewed and prepared by the DS would support the U.S. government’s

Power Africa initiative that seeks to increase access to power in sub-Saharan Africa and encourage greater private sector investment in the region’s power generation capacity.

Power Africa is a U.S. government initiative launched in 2013 to increase the number of people with access to power in sub-Saharan Africa and support an enabling environment for private sector investment in the region’s energy sector development. USTDA is utilizing its project planning programs to support the development of gas sector projects that are eligible for financing and insurance products from the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation's

(OPIC), the Export-Import Bank of the United States (U.S. Ex-Im) or other international financiers. USTDA supports the Power Africa initiative through the strategic deployment of its program tools and works through the U.S. private sector to implement its programs, brining best practices and U.S. technology to bear in delivering specific, results-oriented development assistance.

Methodology:

In the course of carrying out this Desk Study, the DS Contractor shall take the following steps:

1. Desk Study Kick-Off: The DS Contractor shall arrange a conference call or meeting with the

COR at (703) 875-4357 to discuss initial observations and raise any questions or concerns about the proposal and the project and plan and expectations for the DS. At this time, USTDA will provide the DS Contractor with additional guidance on the Agency’s requirements for the preparation of TORs and budgets for the selected projects. The DS

Contractor shall also consult with USTDA's Evaluations Department regarding the drafting of host country development impact measures for the Desk Study project reports (see

Attachment I below, Section O.6 of the Business Confidential Analysis and

Recommendation Outline).

2. Evaluation of Project Proposals: The DS Contractor shall assist USTDA in the review of up to twelve (12) Preliminary Assessments and/or project concepts. The project proposals and concept papers may be in various formats, stage of readiness/completeness, and originate from foreign government/private sector and/or U.S. companies. USTDA will notify the DS

Contractor when it has a project proposal or concept for review. To complete review of each project proposal or project concept, the DS Contractor shall review the proposal and/or supporting documentation and coordinate a call with USTDA and the project sponsor to discuss the proposed activity and ask questions during the call or in follow up correspondence to collect all necessary information needed for an initial evaluation of the proposal or project concept. Upon completion of the assessment, DS Contractor shall provide a written statement (Evaluation Statement) to USTDA that includes, but is not limited to: 1) a brief summary of the proposed project and request for assistance, and 2) a summary of the

DS Contractor’s high-level assessment of the proposed activity and fit with USTDA/Power

Africa project criteria identified in this Scope of Work (Attachment IX).

In the event that the DS Contractor does not recommend a proposed activity for further consideration by USTDA or that it is not competitive with other proposals under evaluation, the DS Contractor shall identify the specific factors leading to this determination. The DS

Contractor’s feedback in the assessment may be used by USTDA to inform project sponsors of the areas for improvement in their proposals and/or technical factors that may make the proposed activity not suited for further consideration by USTDA.

The DS Contractor shall provide their Evaluation Statement for each project proposal or concept to USTDA via email (Microsoft Word document attachment) within three (3) days of the scheduled call with the project sponsor.

3. Develop Project Reports: For project proposals that meet the identified criteria and receive a positive recommendation, the DS Contractor shall consult with USTDA for further guidance on developing a full Business Confidential Analysis and Recommendation report (Project

Report) for the identified activity. The DS Contractor is required to develop up to ten (10) full Project Reports in accordance with guidelines provided in this Statement of Work and the Project Report Outline (Attachment I).

Once USTDA has indicated that a recommended activity should be further developed for a

Project Report, the DS Contractor shall conduct additional review of the project and request, as necessary, additional information, documentation, and/or clarifications from the project sponsor(s) in order to conduct the DS evaluation as outline in the SOW. A copy of any such requests or correspondence with the project sponsor should be provided to the COR. Where applicable, the DS Contractor’s review shall include an assessment of the project for funding under the Power Africa transfer agreement criteria as applicable.

Based on the proposal and any additional information or clarifications provided by the project sponsors and participating U.S. firms, the DS Contractor shall prepare and provide to the COR a first draft Project Report (email attachment of Microsoft Word/Excel budget files is acceptable). The DS Contractor shall provide the first draft Project Report to USTDA within two weeks of receiving approval from USTDA to develop an identified project.

The draft report must be clearly marked “First Draft” on the cover. If it is anticipated that the draft cannot be provided within two weeks, the DS Contractor shall immediately contact the

COR via email and phone call to note the specific reasons for the delay and establish a new target date for submission of the draft report. USTDA will review the first draft Project

Report and provide comments.

The DS Contractor shall provide to USTDA and to the project sponsor for its review and comment a second draft Project Report, which incorporates USTDA’s comments on the first draft Project Report (email attachment is acceptable) within one week of receipt of USTDA’s comments. This draft Project Report must be clearly marked “Second Draft” on the cover.

The DS Contractor shall discuss the comments from the project sponsor and any participating

U.S. firms with the COR and, based on that discussion, prepare and provide to USTDA within one week a finalized Project Report. The DS Contractor shall also email the finalized

Project Report to the COR (both Microsoft Word/Excel files and a combined PDF file). The

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series finalized Project Report shall be grammatically correct and free of typographical errors. The

DS Contractor may submit an invoice upon completion of each finalized Project deliverable with USTDA approval.

4. Public Market Report: Upon finalizing each of the Preliminary Assessments, the DS

Contractor shall prepare a Public Market Report that will share current market information in the country(ies) and sector considered under this DS (rather than the project-specific analysis contained in the business confidential project reports) with U.S industry, to better enable U.S.

companies to assess and pursue export opportunities. The Public Market Report shall include the sections of the DS Contractor’s research most likely to be useful to U.S. firms considering the market. The DS Contractor shall provide a draft of the Public Market Report for USTDA comment. The DS Contractor shall incorporate any comments and make requested changes from USTDA. The approved Public Market Report shall be delivered with the DS final report. The finalized Public Market report shall be grammatically correct and free of typographical errors. Note that USTDA may publish the Contractor’s Public Market

Report on its website and/or in other media. DS Contractor shall ensure that Public Market

Report is suitable for publication. The DS Contractor shall not include any business confidential information in the Public Market Report and shall include the following confidentiality certification in the final invoice:

“I hereby certify that the Public Market Report contains no business confidential information.”

D.1.2.3.3. Deliverables:

The Contractor shall review the proposal and provide to USTDA:

(a) Evaluation Statements: Evaluation Statements for up to 12 project proposals or project concepts reviewed by the DS Contractor.

(b) Project Reports No. 1-10: A Business Confidential Analysis and Recommendation report

(Project Report) for up to each of the ten (10) feasibility study, technical assistance or pilot projects identified by USTDA for development. The Project Report must conform to the outline found in Attachment I and provide the requested information and analysis, unless otherwise agreed in writing by USTDA. The Project Report shall also include the

Public Market Report and must conform to the outline found in Attachment II, and unless otherwise agreed to in writing by USTDA, provide the requested information and analysis in sufficient detail to be useful to prospective U.S. equipment and service providers. USTDA anticipates that much of the information in the Public Market Report will also form a part of the Business Confidential Analysis and Recommendation.

However, as this report may be widely distributed by USTDA, it must not contain any confidential information.

(c) Final Report: The DS Contractor shall submit a Final Report to USTDA that includes an executive summary of the DS purpose and itemized listing of all project Evaluation

Statements, Project Reports, and Public Market Report completed by the DS Contractor

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series in accordance with the SOW. The DS Contractor’s Final Report shall be organized into two separate volumes:

i. Confidential Volume: The Confidential Volume shall contain all individual project Evaluation Statements and Project Reports (see Section 6.2-6.3) completed by the DS Contractor.

ii. Public Market Report: The Public Market Report shall contain all individual project Market Reports and must conform to the outline found in Attachment II and, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by USTDA, provide the requested information and analysis in sufficient detail to be useful to prospective U.S.

equipment and service providers. USTDA anticipates that much of this information will also form a part of the Business Confidential Analysis and

Recommendation. However, as this report may be widely distributed by USTDA, it must not contain any confidential information.

Contractor shall ensure that Public Market Report is suitable for publication.

D.1.2.3.4. Final Report:

The Final Report shall include the TOR and budget that the Contractor has developed in coordination with the Project sponsor and U.S. firm. If it is anticipated that the Final Report cannot be provided within two weeks, the Contractor shall immediately contact the COR to discuss the reasons for the delay. The COR may also request the Contractor to provide portions of the Final Report before the submission of the entire Final Report.

The Final Report shall incorporate all mutually agreed upon material and revisions. The report shall include all supporting documentation. It shall be grammatically and factually correct in all respects, internally consistent, and all statements and tables shall be clear and easily understood by a competent reader, and contain no typographical errors. Upon direction from the COR, the

Contractor shall submit electronic copy of Final Report(s) to USTDA. No hardcopy submissions will be accepted. All reports must be paginated, clearly labeled, and submitted electronically in Adobe PDF format to USTDA via the following email:

finalreports@ustda.gov

The email subject line must include the title of the desk study and the project number so that it is easily identifiable. The Public Market Report shall be submitted as a separate electronic document, subject to the same requirements as those noted above. Any copies of Project proposal materials must be returned to USTDA with the submission of the Final Report.

Upon government approval of the Final Report, the Contractor shall submit an invoice, to

USTDA via invoices@ustda.gov.

mailto:invoices@ustda.gov

D.1.3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The Period of Performance for this Contract shall be two years from the date of the Contracting

Officer's signature on the Contract.

D.1.4. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Places of performance shall be at USTDA's Office, Arlington, VA and at the Contractor’s facility.

D.1.5. QUALITY CONTROL AND PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT:

D.1.5.1. Quality of Final Report:

The Final Report shall be grammatically and factually correct in all respects, internally consistent, and all statements and tables shall be clear and easily understood by a competent reader, and contain no typographical errors. The Contractor is responsible for quality control actions necessary to achieve quality in the delivery of the required services, which may include the services of a professional editor. The COR will reject a Final Report that does not conform in all respects to the Contract requirements, including but not limited to, the written quality of the

Final Report. The Contractor shall correct all deficiencies at no additional cost to the

Government.

D.1.5.2. Performance Assessment

1. Monitoring Performance. During the course of contract period, the COR will track

Contractor’s performance. At the end of the performance period, the COR will assess the

Contractor’s performance in accordance with FAR 42.15 and report to the Contracting

Officer for submission to the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

(CPARS).

2. CPARS Assessment. The COR will consider all pertinent information during the preparation of the Contractor’s performance assessment. The Contractor will be afforded the opportunity to identify factual errors. The COR’s assessment is not subject to negotiation and the COR will not engage in discussions with the Contractor. Any errors identified by the

Contractor will be addressed by the Reviewing Official. A copy of the final performance assessment will be available in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS).

D.1.6. CONFIDENTIALITY:

The proposal of the U.S. firm is a proprietary document and should not be distributed without permission from USTDA and the U.S. firm. The Contractor shall treat any proposal and supporting information submitted by the U.S. firm as business confidential in its entirety, unless otherwise stated in writing by the U.S. firm. The Contractor shall not include any business confidential information in the Public Market Report and shall include the following confidentiality certification in the final invoice:

“I hereby certify that the Public Market Report contains no business confidential information.”

D.1.7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:

This Contract is funded by the United States Government. All intellectual property generated and/or delivered pursuant to this Statement of Work shall be subject to appropriate federal acquisition regulations which entitle the Government to unlimited rights to technical data developed exclusively with Government funds. The Government may: (1) use; (2) disclose; (3) reproduce; (4) prepare derivative works; (5) distribute copies to the public; (6) perform publicly;

and (7) display publicly, the “data” in any manner and for any purpose, and have or permit others to do so (i.e., the Government may sublicense these rights to another contractor). See FAR

52.227-14(a).

D.1.8. IMPARTIALITY:

It is essential that the Desk Study be conducted with complete impartiality and objectivity and that the Contractor and its Subcontractors not obtain an unfair competitive advantage in USTDA-funded activities resulting from this Contract. In accordance with the principles of FAR Subpart

9.5 and USTDA policy, the Contractor and its Subcontractors, if any, for this Contract shall be ineligible to compete for, as a prime or subcontractor or otherwise, USTDA-funded activities that result from this Contract, unless USTDA through its Office of Acquisition Management, shall have granted a waiver, based upon FAR 9.503, that preclusion of the Contractor or its

Subcontractors from the follow-on activity would not be in the Government’s interest. This restriction shall remain in effect for three (3) years from the termination of this Contract. The

Contractor is responsible for including this restriction in all subcontracts under the Contract.

D.1.9. COORDINATION WITH OTHER CONTRACTORS:

The government may award other contracts for additional work not prescribed in this contract. The

Contractor shall fully cooperate with such other contractors in performance of the requirement herein, and as directed by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall not commit or permit any act, which will interfere with the performance of work by any other USTDA Contractor.

D.2 ATTACHMENT

ATTCH/ TITLE PAGES

EXHIBIT

I Desk Study Business Confidential Analysis and

Recommendation Outline

II Desk Study: Public Market Report Guidance and Outline

III Impact on U.S. Labor Statement

IV USTDA Nationality Requirements

V Required Budget Format

VI Task Completion Schedule

VII Budget Narrative Requirements

VIII Guidance on Development Impact Assessment

IX Guidance on Climate Resilience Screening

Regional Africa - Natural Gas Sector Desk Study Series

Attachment I

Desk Study: Business Confidential Analysis and Recommendation Outline

A. Executive Summary.

The Desk Study contractor (“Contractor”) shall provide an executive summary of the Contractor’s findings and recommendations.

B. Project Description.

The Contractor shall provide a brief description and history of the project (the “Project”). The

Contractor shall describe the proposed technology from the U.S. firm to be used in the Project.

The Contractor shall describe whether the proposed U.S. solution is technically viable and/or commercially available. If the Contractor finds the proposed U.S. solution is not technically viable and/or commercially viable, the Contractor shall discuss these issues with USTDA program staff before providing a recommendation.

The Contractor shall describe relevant issues to the Project [e.g. host country and/or other stakeholders, sector, Project location, source of raw materials, infrastructure requirements, proposed technological approach, legal and regulatory framework (licenses, permits, etc.), implementation schedule, economic fundamentals (estimated capital cost, operating costs, interest expense, taxes, expected revenues, etc.), the specific objectives of the proposed activity, how the proposed USTDA activity supports the Project implementation process, and any other variables or issues the Contractor deems critical as part of a thorough activity/Project evaluation.]

C. Project Sponsor’s Capabilities and Commitment.

This section describes the Project sponsor’s commitment and capabilities to undertake the activity and the subsequent Project. The purpose is to understand the experience of the Project sponsor and any previous work undertaken by the Project sponsor in the sector. This section should also include a discussion of any potential risks of working with the Project sponsor that could delay Project implementation.