Amdt1RFQ72068824Q00001PartnerLiaisonSecurityOperationforUSAIDMali.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES 1 ⎜ 8

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

See Block 16C

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

Office of Acquisition and Assistance USAID Mali

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (NO., street,city,county,State,and ZIP Code) X 9a. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

RFQ 72068824Q00001

To all Offerors 9b. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

02-06-2024

10a. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10b. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

[ X] The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers [X] is extended, [ ] is not extended Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods: (a) By completing Items 8 and 15 and returning _______ copies of the amendment;(b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or(c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) N/A

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b)

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

Mutual Agreement of Parties D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor [X] is not, [ ] is required to sign this document and return ___ copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

The purpose of this amendment is to

● Extend the quotations submission due date through March 1, 2024;

● Provide responses and clarifications to questions raised and submitted to USAID by January 30, 2024, in Attachment A;

● Illustrate the list of changes to the text of the RFQ in Attachment B;

● Revise the RFQ as detailed in Attachment C; and

● Provide the map of Mali showing the locations of USAID’s programs in Attachment D.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 16A. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. NAME OF CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

BY

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C.DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C.DATE SIGNED

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev.10-83)

RFQ72068824Q00001 Amdt#1

Attachment A: Responses to Questions

General

1. In order for all offerors to submit a comprehensive and responsive to the request for proposal in the subject line, would the government consider extending the final response deadline to 3/15/2024?

Response: Yes, with this Amendment the quotations submission due date is extended to March 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Bamako, Mali Time. The Request for Quotation (RFQ) is revised on the cover page to reflect the change.

2. Is this a brand-new contract? Is there an incumbent performing these services? And if so, what is/was the current/previous award number?

Response: Yes, this is a stand-alone contract.

3. For travel planning purposes, could you please provide us with an overview of the geographical footprint of current Implementing Partners (Ips)?

Response: A map of Mali showing the locations of USAID’s programs is attached.

4. Has USAID/Mali had any form of Partner Liaison Security Operation for USAID Mali (PLSO) function previously? If so, what was/is its capacity, functions, and annual budget?

Response: No previous PLSO program has been in place, to date.

5. Following response from USAID to these clarifications, will USAID offer an opportunity for bidders to seek additional clarification? Or request follow-up for more clarity?

Response: Yes, USAID will offer an opportunity for bidders to seek additional clarifications or request follow up for more clarity.

6. Will notifications and clarifications related to the RFQ be emailed to bidders in reply to their questions?

Response: No, notifications and clarifications related to the RFQ will not be emailed to bidders in reply to their questions. However, they will be posted to beta.SAM.gov.

7. Based on recent PLSO tenders and awards, the contract seems significantly undervalued for a complex market such as Mali. Please confirm whether the Firm Fixed Price contract value of USD 1 – 1.5m is based on the initial Base Period of 2 years or the maximum contract duration of 5 years?

Response: USAID confirms that the Firm Fixed Price contract value is based on the initial Base Period of 2 years. The estimated cost is approximately $2 million for the 2-year base period of the contract. The Request for Quotation (RFQ) is revised on the cover page to reflect the change.

8. In considering the estimated cost range of $1 - 1.5 million for the PLSO program, and with a focus on achieving cost-effectiveness and efficiency in program implementation, we recognize the importance of aligning resources with the scope of work, technical requirements, and program objectives. Given the anticipated complexities and objectives, is there an opportunity to revisit the estimated cost range? We believe a thorough evaluation could contribute to the efficient execution of the PLSO program, exceeding expectations and aligning seamlessly with the objectives set forth by USAID and its implementing partners.

Response: Please see the response to Question 7.

Section 2

9. Section 2.3.3 Training and Briefing, page 8, could you provide details of the type of travel required outside of Mali, its frequency and how we should budget annually?

Response: The only anticipated travel outside of Mali is one trip per year to Washington, DC for the

PLSO Operations Manager to attend an annual weeklong PLSO conference led by USAID’s Office of

Security. This travel should be budgeted for in your offer.

10. Section 2.3.3 Training and Briefing, page 9, could you provide more details on the frequency of these training sessions and if travel to Washington D.C. is required. If travel to the US is required will this be a separate pot of money or does the USG want us to add this to our budget? How much should we budget annually?

Response: The only anticipated travel outside of Mali is one trip per year to Washington, DC for the

PLSO Operations Manager to attend an annual weeklong PLSO conference led by USAID’s Office of

Security. This travel should be budgeted for in your offer. USAID/SEC/Washington staff will travel to

Mali to provide PLSO orientation/start-up training at the start of the contract.

11. Section 2.5 Travel, page 10: could you provide more details on the frequency and nature of travel expected, considering the dynamic security environment in Mali?

Response: Travel within Mali will be at the discretion of the contractor, to meet the requirements, set forth in the Duties and Responsibilities of the Solicitation.

12. Section 2.5 Travel, page 10, "the Contractor should propose a budget which includes all estimated travel costs for up to at least 75 activities over the contract period of performance." Please clarify if the budget is to support a total of 75 PLSO activities (i.e. site visits, trainings, briefings) over the contract period or the expected number of PLSO activities over the contract period to support 75 activities implemented by the 106 partners?

Response: The intent of this statement is to define the number of activities and implementing partners that USAID/Mali currently works with. The proposed budget should anticipate providing support to 75 activities implemented by 106 partners. The number of site visits, etc. that the contractor should budget for is at the discretion of the contractor in order to provide the necessary support to the IPs.

13. Section 2.5 Travel, page 11, PLSO activities (IP engagements, site visits, briefings, IP meetings, trainings, USAID meetings, Gov meetings…. etc.). 'Travel will be required for training, briefings, site visits, and responses to security incidents." While we understand that the exact number of security incidents is unpredictable, could you provide guidance on the anticipated frequency of travel requirements for training, briefings, site visits, and other PLSO activities in the context of the PLSO program? This information would greatly assist us in developing an accurate budget that aligns with the program's operational needs.

Response: Response: Please see responses to Questions 11 and 12.

14. Section 2.6, page 10, it is understood USAID/Mali advertised for a Senior Partner Liaison Security

Advisor (PLSA) under Solicitation Number: 72068819B00002 in 2019. Is this position active? Further is the position of PLSO Operations Manager expected to hold similar responsibilities and compensation as what was advertised in the PLSA solicitation?

Response: The Senior Partner Liaison Security Advisor (PLSA) position is not active. The referenced solicitation issued in 2019 was unsuccessful and no PLSA was contracted. The responsibilities of the position of PLSO Operations Manager are defined in the RFQ.

15. Section 2.8, page 11, does USAID have a preference on how the contract should be staffed?

Response: No. The Operations Manager is the key personnel that will be evaluated. Any additional support staff will be at the discretion of the contractor.

16. Section 2.11, page 12, logistical Information - “The Contractor shall be responsible for furnishing all logistical support in the USAID/Mali geographical area and worldwide to meet the terms and conditions of the contract. These shall include but are not limited to all support for database and systems, travel arrangements, communications, appointment scheduling, administrative services, report preparation services, printing, and duplicating.” Does the USG intend that vehicles will be required for this project?

Does the USG have any USG-owned excess property (vehicles, safety equipment or other logistical supplies available...turned from other projects) that will be available for this contract? Does the USG anticipate armored vehicles f(AV) on this program? Do any projects use armored vehicles?

Response: Yes, the use of a vehicle is anticipated as a requirement for this contract. The USG does not have excess property vehicles or equipment available for this contract, and the use of armored vehicles is not anticipated, nor are AVs being used by the implementing partners.

Attachment B: List of Changes to the Text of the RFQ

Cover Page

The closing date and time for additional clarifications is February 13, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Bamako, Mali Time.

The closing date and time for receipt of quotations is March 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Bamako, Mali Time, as mentioned above on the first page.

The first paragraph of the first page was revised to read: “The United States Agency for International Development Mission in Mali (USAID/Mali) is seeking quotations to implement the Partner Liaison Security Operation (PLSO) Contract as described in the attached Request for Quotations (RFQ). USAID anticipates awarding one Firm Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order with a period of performance of five years (2 years Base Period plus 3 years Option Period). The estimated cost is approximately $2 million for the 2-year base period.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 561621. The authorized geographic code is 935.”

Section 1 – The Schedule

1. Standard Form (SF)-1449 Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items

Item 8- Offer Due Date/Local Time reads “March 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Bamako, Mali Time.”

Attachment C: Revised RFQ (this will be added separately)

Attachment D: Mali Showing the Locations of USAID’s Programs (this will be added separately)