Q&A's_SMS_Amendment___1.pdf

Strengthening Media Systems Activity (SMS) in Serbia

RFP No. SOL-169-17-000009, Amendment # 01 Questions and Answers

1. Could USAID please share their expectations for project engagement with the Government of Serbia?

USAID Response: Please refer to sections M.2 and C.7 of the RFP. USAID expects that the prospective offerors will identify relevant stakeholders within their technical proposal, and that the project will engage those stakeholders in a way that will ensure meeting the objectives of the contract through proposed implementation approach that is politically, technically and developmentally sound, and informed by local context. As the Government of Serbia has the imperative for legislative development, offerors should consider engagement with the Government as part of their technical approach.

2. Would USAID please provide clarity on the estimated budget, or provide a budget range for this contract?

USAID Response: A budget range for this activity is $5,000,000 to $7,000,000.

3. Can USAID confirm that relevant USAID media Cooperative Agreements similar in size, scope, and complexity to this RFP may be included as Past Performance References in addition to contracts?

USAID Response: Past Performance is tied to the nature of the activity/project, not the implementing mechanism. Similar work performed under a cooperative agreement would be relevant Past Performance.

4. In Section H.8(e), USAID indicates that consultants must be treated as subcontractors if they are not employees of the contractor or subcontractors. According to FAR 44.101, Definitions, “subcontractor” is defined as “any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime contractor or another subcontractor.” Short-term experts and consultants retained by contractors are not suppliers, distributors, vendors, or firms. Would USAID please consider removing this requirement from Section H.8?

USAID Response: We disagree with your interpretation of FAR 44.101 and will not change this requirement.

5. In Section H.8(e) of the RFP, we respectfully request that the restriction for salary increases of no more than the annual 3 percent received by employees be removed, as it appears to be inconsistent with AIDAR 752.7007, Personnel Compensation, which is incorporated in the contract under Section H.3 (page 51). This stipulates that personnel compensation be per the contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices, with reimbursement subject only to USAID’s Contractor Salary Threshold. The limitation on salary increases may preclude contractors from following their established policies, procedures, and practices as required by

AIDAR 752.700.

USAID Response: We will not remove the 3% limitation on annual salary increases.

6. In Section H.8(f), please confirm that a six-day work week is authorized for short-term staff.

USAID Response: Yes, a six day work week may be authorized with the approval of the

COR.

7. According to Section L.6, all graphics count toward the page limit, with no exceptions.

Would USAID please consider making an exception for the organizational chart to be included as an annex to ensure that offerors have adequate space to illustrate their team and office structure?

USAID Response: No, we will not consider making exceptions to the page limitations and content.

Section L.6 indicates that the technical proposal must be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

However, because the technical proposal will include up to 20 separate files, including signed letters of commitment, would USAID allow technical proposals to be submitted in Adobe

PDF?

USAID Response: You may submit technical proposals in Adobe format.

8. The Solicitation document on the page 19 mentions that “the Government estimates 8,904 professional technical staff person days level of effort”. Can you please clarify if Chief of Party and deputy Chief of Party are:

a) Included in the estimated number of 8,904 professional technical staff person days level of effort?

USAID Response: Yes

b) If they are included in the estimated number of 8,904 professional technical staff person days, can you please inform of their indicative expected input in terms of number of working days per month and of number of working days per total duration of the project?

USAID Response: (The COP and DCOP are both required for the life of the)

c) Full-time or part-time engaged?

USAID Response: (Both positions are designated as Full-time.)

9. Can you please clarify what is the expected duration of the project?

USAID Response: Please see F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

10. Can you please clarify what is foreseen total budget of the project?

USAID Response: See response # 2

11. Are we obliged to submit the financial offer in this phase, since we are not given the estimated value and duration of the project?

USAID Response: Yes

12. Is there a foreseen ratio between the administrative and technical costs of the project?

USAID Response: No

13. Is it allowed for one company to submit more than one offer for this solicitation (i.e. to be part of more than one Joint Venture)?

USAID Response: Yes

14. May we ask for the reasoning behind the decision to select a contract rather than an assistance mechanism for this opportunity? According to ADS Chapter 304 (revisions effective April 2016), assistance differs from acquisition in that with assistance, the principle purpose of the relationship is to benefit the recipient through a transfer of a thing of value, not to procure property or services. ADS 304 states that if the principle purpose of the relationship between USAID and the awardee is to assist the awardee rather than to obtain service from them for USAID’s direct-use or benefit, then an assistance mechanism is the appropriate mechanism.

We would be grateful for further clarity on why this type of mechanism has been selected instead.

USAID Response: Acquisition was chosen for this activity because the principal purpose is to provide technical assistance that will help USAID/Serbia to achieve the objectives that it has identified for implementation of the SMS activity.