RFP_USIP_1_Amend_No_01.pdf

AMENDMENT No. 01

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

SOL-497-15-000021

“USAID “US-INDONESIA PARTNERSHIP FOR SOUTH-SOUTH AND TRIANGULAR

COOPERATION Component 1 (USIP 1)”

Issuance Date: May 13, 2015 Question Due Date: May 22, 2015 Question Due Time: 2:00 PM, Jakarta Time Closing Date of Proposals: July 1, 2015 Submission Time of Proposals: 2:00 PM, Jakarta Time

The purpose of this Amendment No. 01 to the RFP SOL-497-15-000021 is to respond to questions and requests for clarifications which were received prior to the closing date for acceptance of questions and to provide additional information which is of relevance to prospective Offerors in responding to this RFP.

RESPONSES TO QUERIES RAISED IN RESPONSE TO THE RFP

1. Question: For B.3, absent audited financial reports, what might be an acceptable alternative to document indirect costs allocable and recoverable under the contract?

Response: Most local non-U.S. organizations have a handful of employees, few U.S.

Government awards at one time and basic accounting systems. Indirect cost rates are generally not warranted unless an organization has many government awards at once necessitating a system to equitably allocate shared costs (i.e. indirect cost rates). Thus, it is highly recommended for local non-U.S. organizations to charge all costs direct when possible, rather than establish indirect cost rates. However, it is ultimately up to the management of the subject organization to determine if it will establish an indirect costing system. If a firm meets the requirements for the establishment of indirect cost rates, including an adequate accounting system, then the proposed indirect cost rates should be honored. USAID does not have a preference regarding the existence of an indirect costing system. The absence of an established NICRA should not be viewed as detrimental, while the existence of NICRA does not mean that firm is better than a firm without a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). The Overhead and Special Costs and Contract Closeout Branch OCC of the Office Acquisition and Assistance personnel are available for assistance with such matters.

2. Question: We understand this is a Cost-Reimbursable contract type and that no fee is permitted. Wording in several sections (e.g. L.9 (3), L.11.2), however, imply a profit or fee may be acceptable. Can USAID please clarify the permissibility of fee or profit? What might be an acceptable fee structure?

RFP SOL-497-15-000021 Amendment No 01

USAID/INDONESIA USIP 1

Response: The Offeror may propose and explain the basis for their proposed fixed fee.

3. Question: With respect to Grants Under Contract (GUC), there is considerable risk and cost of capital associated with the management of Grants Under Contract. Grantees, in many cases, require some level of advance funding (subject to applicable rules and regulations) to perform service(s) and/or supply product(s). Such costs are not always or adequately captured in indirect cost rates. As such, will USAID permit a fee, expressed as a percentage of total GUC, to be included in the budget that aims to recover such costs and associated contract risk factors, as described in FAR15-404-4(ii)?

Response: Percentage of fee can be expressed and shall be included in the total GUC.

4. Question: For C.9, are US and TCN resources permitted to be included on the delivery team for LTTA and/or STTA positions? If so, what are the range of permissible positions such resources may fill? Is there a limitation (absolute or percentage based) on the number of non-Indonesian resources?

Response: USAID believes there are many local experts available to deliver various technical assistance for the purpose of USIP1 implementation. Therefore, the contractor is encouraged to use local experts to the extent possible. When necessary, U.S and TCN resources are permitted to be included in the STTA or LTTA positions. There are no formal limitations on the number or range of non-Indonesian resources. However, hiring the STTA/LTTA (regardless of their origin) needs to be documented and justified for Contracting Officer Representative’s (COR) approval.

5. Question: For C.9.1 (and F.4), is it acceptable to propose US and/or TCN resources for the key personnel roles identified on page 37 (assuming such resources meet the respective minimum qualifications)?

Response: USAID strongly encourages the employment of host country nationals for the three key personnel positions, per section C.9.1 and F.4. This is for both local capacity building and budgetary reasons.

6. Question: For L.9, c (page 93), was the intent that the local organization be “majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Colombia” OR of “Indonesia”?

Response: Indonesia.

7. Question: For L.9 (page 93), is there a quantitative measurement for “beneficiary interest”?

Response: No specific quantitative measurement for beneficiary interest, but according to the RFP the entity must: a) be organized under the laws of the recipient country; b) have its principal place of business in the recipient country; c) be majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the recipient country or be managed by a governing body, the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of a recipient country; and d) not be controlled by a foreign entity or by an individual or individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents of the recipient country.

RFP SOL-497-15-000021 Amendment No 01

USAID/INDONESIA USIP 1

8. Question: For L11.2, (page 99), please clarify what, if any, requirements regarding local organization apply to consultants.

Response: Requirements regarding local organization apply to consultants. Please refer to page 99 of the solicitation.

9. Question: In C.4.1.1, a (page 20) refers to an ongoing study assessing opportunities for

SSTC engagement with CSOs, Universities and the private sector. While recognizing that the RFP notes that the study is not yet complete, would it be possible to obtain access to the methodology and interim results to inform the development of our proposal response?

Response: The study is still ongoing and at this current stage it is not ready to be shared. However, there have been many publications and research conducted on this topic recently, including by CSIS (funded by JICA) and UNDP Indonesia.

Issuance of this Amendment No. 01 to RFP No. SOL-497-15-000021 does not constitute a commitment on the part of the U.S. Government to make an award nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. Further, the U.S. Government reserves the right to reject any proposal received. In addition, final award of any resultant Agreement cannot be made until funds have been fully appropriated, allocated, and committed through internal USAID procedures the condition on which this RFP is issued

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the Original RFP issued on May 13, 2015 remains unchanged and in full force and effect. No further questions will be accepted under this RFP.

The purpose of this amendment is to respond to queries raised to the RFP.

Except as so stated, all other terms and conditions in the original RFP remain the same.

Accordingly, the RFP is amended as the attachment.