SOL-176-11-000002-02.pdf

SOL-176-11-0000002-02

1. Cover letter of the RFP, 1 page revise closing date and closing time as following:

All offerors should provide an electronic and hard copies of proposals as follows:

a. Electronic media (CD or e-mail) submission of proposals:

CLOSING DATE: March 15, 2011 CLOSING TIME: 5:00 pm, Almaty Time (or 6:00 am Eastern time)

b. Hard copies submission of proposals:

Please provide a dated receipt from courier pick-up showing submittal by March 15, 2011, 5:00 pm, Almaty time (or 6:00 am Eastern time). A scanned copy of the receipt should be sent to AlmatyAASolicitations@usaid.gov by March 16, 2011, 5:00 pm, Almaty Time (or 6:00 am Eastern time).

2. PART I - THE SCHEDULE, B.6 INDIRECT COST: delete:

“(“major subcontractors” are those subcontractors expected to perform at least 20 percent of the technical effort or provide the professional expertise for any particular sector of the contract Statement of Work (SOW), even if the sector is expected to be less than 20 percent of the effort under the contract):”

and substitute with the following:

“(“major subcontractors” are those subcontractors expected to perform at least 10 percent of the technical effort or provide the professional expertise for any particular sector of the contract Statement of Work (SOW), even if the sector is expected to be less than 10 percent of the effort under the contract):”

3. PART I - THE SCHEDULE, B.9 CEILINGS ON FIXED FEE: delete:

“(“major subcontractors” are those subcontractors expected to perform at least 20 percent of the technical effort or provide the professional expertise for any particular sector of the contract Statement of Work (SOW), even if the sector is expected to be less than 20 percent of the effort under the contract):”

and substitute with the following:

“(“major subcontractors” are those subcontractors expected to perform at least 10 percent of the technical effort or provide the professional expertise for any particular sector of the contract Statement of Work (SOW), even if the sector is expected to be less than 10 percent of the effort under the contract):”

4. PART I – THE SCHEDULE, B.11 CEILING DAILY RATES, paragraph (a): revise as follows:

(a) The contractor will include the cost of home office management as part of their indirect cost or direct cost paragraph (d): add

Only one set of unburdened CDRs must be proposed by the prime that covers the prime and major subcontractor.

5. PART I - AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE, H.7: add:

The IQC itself is subject to geographic code “000” and “110”.

6. PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES, SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES, I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, add:

“52.237-8 Restriction on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals (AUG 2003)”

7. PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS, SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS,

CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS, K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION

PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, delete:

“52.237-8 RESTRICTION ON SEVERANCE PAYMENTS AUG 2003”

TO FOREIGN NATIONALS

8. SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS, L.6 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS, Item (i) add:

Proposals must be submitted both electronically and in hard copy. A dated receipt from courier pick-up showing submittal by March 15, 2011, 5:00 pm, Almaty time (or 6:00 am Eastern time) is required. A scanned copy of the receipt should be sent to AlmatyAASolicitations@usaid.gov by March 16, 2011, 5:00 pm, Almaty Time (or 6:00 am Eastern time).

Item (ii) first paragraph is revised as follows:

(ii) as electronic media to the issuance office. The media is to be either compact disk or email with attachments.

Email with attachments must be no larger than 4MB per email and no more than (6) attachments per email and sent to AlmatyAASolicitations@usaid.gov and copy to rrabie@usaid.gov and copy to galohsl@usaid.gov. Emails with attachments and compact disks (one for technical and one for cost proposals) must use Microsoft Windows Office Suite 2010, or be Adobe Acrobat version 8 or 9 Portable Document Format (PDF) files or another software application compatible with either MS Windows Office Suite 2010 or Adobe Acrobat version 8. Do NOT send compressed files, leave all files “unzipped” in submissions. There is no limit on the number of emails that may be sent just the size of each email. Delivery of proposals as paper copy is however acceptable.

9. SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS,L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE

PREPARATION OF THE MACRO TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, paragraph (b) from the beginning through the sentence “The submission must address:” is revised as following”:

“b) The written technical proposal is limited to (10) pages and shall be written in English. Offerors shall use only 8.5 inch by 11 inch (210mm by 297mm) paper, single-spaced pages with margins no less than one inch on each border. Number each page consecutively. Do not use a type smaller than 11-point font size. Information submitted over the page limit will not be evaluated.

Note: A page in the technical proposal that contains a table, chart, graph, etc., not otherwise excluded below, is subject to the above-stated page limitation.

Not included in this page limitation are the following:

1. Table of Contents

2. Cover Page

3. Acronyms list

4. Dividers

5. Appendix attachments which contain biographical information (i.e. resumes, CVs and other credential type documentation provided by the Offeror) for proposed candidates.

6. Contractor / Major Subcontractor Past Performance Listing (to be generated by the bidder) and included in the

Technical Proposal.

7. Charts, such as Management Structure, Organizational Charts. All critical information from appendices should be summarized in the technical proposal.

The submission must address:”

10. SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS, L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE MACRO TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, paragraph (b), Past Performance Information [See Section M.3 (b)], is revised as following:

2) Past Performance Information [See Section M.3 (b)]

The Offeror (including all partners of a joint venture and local implementers as consortia members) must provide performance information for itself and each major subcontractor (one whose anticipated involvement in IQC and future task orders implementation will exceed 10 percent of the Offeror’s total proposed technical effort), in accordance with the following:

In a separate annex, Offerors should submit final past performance reports or interim past performance reports if final reports are not available in the Government past performance databases such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) database. If these reports are not available in CPARS offerors should submit CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT SHORT FORM, see ATTACHMENT J.6.

(i) List in an annex to the technical proposal up to five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal. List five for the prime bidder and five for the major subs, if each performed five contracts for work/similar work to Section C Technical Tasks representing the most relevant indicators of past performance for this RFP.

(ii) Provide for each of the contractors a list of contact names, job titles, mailing addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and a description of the performance to include:

Scope of work or complexity/diversity of tasks Primary location(s) of work Term of performance Skills/expertise required Dollar value Contract type, i.e. fixed-price, cost reimbursement, etc. (USAID recommends that you alert the contacts that their names have been submitted and that they are authorized to provide performance information concerning the listed contracts if and when USAID requests it.

(iii) If extraordinary problems impacted any of the referenced contractors, provide a short explanation and the corrective action taken, per FAR 15.305(a) (2).

(iv) Describe any quality awards or certifications that indicate exceptional capacity to provide the service or product described in the statement of work. This information is not included in the page limitation.

(v) Information on small business participation (FAR 19.001), as annex.

(1) This section (v) is not applicable to offers from small business concerns.

(2) As part of the evaluation of performance in Section M.3 (b) of this solicitation, USAID will evaluate the extent you used and promoted the use of small business concerns under current and prior contracts. The evaluation will assess the extent small business concerns participated in these contracts relative to the size/value of the contracts, the complexity and variety of the work small business concerns performed, and compliance with your SB subcontracting plan or other similar small business incentive programs set out in your contract(s).

(3) In order to fully and fairly evaluate performance in this area, all Offerors who are not small business concerns must do the following:

(A) Provide a narrative summary of your organization's use of small business concerns over the past three years.

Describe how you actually use small businesses--as subcontractors, as joint venture partners, through other teaming arrangements, etc. Explain the nature of the work small businesses performed--substantive technical professional services, administrative support, logistics support, etc. Describe the extent of your compliance with your SB subcontracting plan(s) or other similar SB incentive programs set out in your contract(s) and explain any mitigating circumstances if goals were not achieved.

(B) To supplement the narrative summary in (A), provide with your summary a copy of the most recent SF 294 “Subcontracting Report for Individual Contracts" for each contract against which you were required to report for the past three years.

(C) Provide the names and addresses of three SB concerns for us to contact for their assessment of your performance in using SB concerns. Provide a brief summary of the type of work each SB concern provided to your organization, and the name of a contact person, his/her title, phone number, and e-mail address for each.

Performance information will be used for both the responsibility determination and best value decision. USAID may use performance information obtained from other than the sources identified by the offeror/subcontractor. USAID will utilize existing databases of contractor performance information and solicit additional information if needed.

However, USAID has a preference for past performance information that comes in through CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System).

If the performance information contains negative information on which the offeror has not previously been given an opportunity to comment, USAID will provide the offeror an opportunity to comment on it prior to its consideration in the evaluation, and any offeror comment will be considered with the negative performance information.

11. SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS, L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE

PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL, b) Part 2 – Proposed Costs/Prices, (1)Ceiling Daily Rates, paragraph (a) Labor Categories (US Expatriate Ceiling Daily Rates). : add:

Only one set of CDR’s must be proposed by the prime that covers the prime, major subcontractors, and consultants.

paragraph (b): delete “and resumes”; and delete paragraph (c).

12. SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS, L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL, b) Part 4 – Indirect Cost Information (ii): delete “optional”.

13. SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD, M.3 (c) TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING, first sentence:

delete (iii) and (iv).

14. PART III – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS, SECTION J - LIST OF

ATTACHMENTS, add the following:

Attachment J.6 - CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT SHORT FORM

Attachment J.7 - SAMPLE LOCAL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

Attachment J.8 – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Attachment J.9 – LIST OF INTERESTED PARTIES

Attachment J.10 – LETTER ON LOCAL PROCUREMENT BLANKET WAIVER

15. Attachment J.5 - MACRO ECONOMIC COST EVALUATION MATRIX, is revised as follows:

Attachment J.5

MACRO ECONOMIC COST EVALUATION MATRIX

The following sets forth the process to be utilized for price evaluation under this RFP. For ease of reference, the Government has provided an example utilizing the following illustrative ceiling daily rates.

U.S. Expatriates Ceiling Daily Rates:

Labor Category

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7

1001 Macro-Economist/ Business & Finance Environ Specialist / Labor Economist / International Economist /

Trade Policy Specialist / Labor Specialist / Public Sector Accounting Specialist IQC Manager

Senior Level: $750 $750 $750 $775 $785 $795 $805 Mid Level: $550 $550 $550 $575 $585 $595 $600 Junior Level: $250 $250 $250 $275 $285 $300 $310

1002 Institutional Development Specialist / Workforce Development Specialist / Environmental Specialist /

Engineer / Social Scientist / Sociologist

Senior Level: $700 $700 $700 $715 $725 $735 $755 Mid Level: $500 $500 $500 $525 $535 $555 $565 Junior Level: $250 $250 $250 $275 $285 $300 $310

1003 Attorney / Accountant

Senior Level: $700 $700 $700 $715 $725 $735 $755 Mid Level: $500 $500 $500 $525 $535 $555 $565 Junior Level: $250 $250 $250 $275 $285 $300 $310

1004 Grants Manager / ICT Specialist / Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist / Communications Specialist /

Event Specialist / Training Specialist

Senior Level: $600 $600 $600 $615 $625 $635 $655 Mid Level: $400 $400 $400 $425 $435 $455 $465 Junior Level: $200 $200 $200 $215 $230 $255 $265

1005 Administrative Support Specialist

Senior Level: $500 $500 $500 $525 $535 $545 $555 Mid Level: $300 $300 $300 $325 $335 $345 $355 Junior Level: $150 $150 $150 $175 $200 $225 $240

Locally-hired national personnel or other non-U.S. expatriate salaries should be based on USAID local compensation plans. However, for the purpose of this price evaluation, labor costs of locally-hired national personnel will be ignored.”

CALCULATIONS

Step 1: The Government will calculate an average ceiling daily rate for U.S. expatriate ceiling daily rates proposed for Years 1-7.

For the purpose of calculating an average U.S. expatriate ceiling daily rate for each labor category grouping for Years 1-7, the proposed ceiling daily rate for the Senior Level in each category grouping will count as 70% of the average and the proposed ceiling daily rate for the Mid Level and the Junior Level in each category grouping will count as 15% of the average. For instance, using the sample ceiling daily rates shown above, the average U.S. expatriate ceiling daily rate for Year 1 for the first labor category grouping will be calculated as follows [($750 * 0.70) + ($550 * 0.15) + ($250 * 0.15)] = $645.00

AVERAGE U.S. EXPATRIATE CEILING DAILY RATES:

Labor Category

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7

#1 $645.00 $645.00 $645.00 $670.00 $680.00 $690.75 $700.00 #2 $602.50 $602.50 $602.50 $620.50 $630.50 $642.75 $659.75 #3 $602.50 $602.50 $602.50 $620.50 $630.50 $642.75 $659.75 #4 $510.00 $510.00 $510.00 $526.50 $537.25 $551.00 $568.00 #5 $417.50 $417.50 $417.50 $442.50 $454.75 $467.00 $477.75 $555.50 $555.50 $555.50 $576.00 $586.60 $598.85 $613.05

CALCULATED AVERAGE CEILING DAILY RATE = Year 1 $555.50 Year 2 $555.50 Year 3 $555.50 Year 4 $576.00 Year 5 $586.60 Year 6 $598.85 Year 7 $613.05 OVERALL AVERAGE: $577.29 [USFDR IN Step 2]

Step 2: The Government will enter the overall calculated average for the U.S. expatriate ceiling daily rates (USFDR) and the contractor’s proposed provisional indirect cost rate to be applied to ODCs into the cost evaluation matrix Budget below. This computation will result in the contractor’s proposed price for evaluation purposes.

COST EVALUATION MATRIX BUDGET

[The figures in “ “ are plug-in figures and will be used for evaluation purposes. Each Offeror’s proposed / calculated prices will be incorporated into the budget below where indicated.]

Labor:

A. “4,000 person-days” * USFDR = $ (Note: include home office support if charged directly to the project)

Other Direct Costs:

B. Offeror Travel, Transportation & Per Diem = “$250,000” C. Subcontractor Travel, Transportation & Per Diem = “$125,000” D. Offeror Allowances = “$50,000” E. Subcontractor Allowances = “$25,000” F. Offeror Miscellaneous ODCs = “$200,000” G. Subcontractor Miscellaneous ODCs = “$100,000” H. Non-Expendable Equipment and Commodities = “$50,000”

Indirect Costs [On Other Direct Costs]:

I. Indirect Costs on Line Item A Above = $ J. Indirect Costs on Line Item B Above = $ K. Indirect Costs on Line Item C Above = $ L. Indirect Costs on Line Item D Above = $ M. Indirect Costs on Line Item E Above = $ N. Indirect Costs on Line Item F Above = $

O. Indirect Costs on Line Item G Above = $ P. Indirect Costs on Line Item H Above = $ Q. Fee =$

[Note: FOR EVAULATION PURPOSES ONLY. The figures are not meant as a guide. USAID by policy imposes a Maximum Unburdened Rate of $635.76. The prime Offeror’s applicable indirect costs allocated to these other direct costs line items shall be used. The proposed applicable indirect costs allocated to these other direct costs line items should be in accordance with the contractor’s usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31, and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements (NICRA).]

Sample Cost Evaluation Matrix Budget [A+B+C+D+E+F+G+H+I+J+K+L+M+N+O+P+Q]: = $

ATTACHMENT J.6 CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT SHORT FORM

CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT - SHORT FORM

PART I: Contractor Information (to be completed by Prime)

1. Name of Contracting Entity:

2. Contract Number:

3. Contract Type:

4. Contract Value (TEC): (if subcontract, subcontract value)

5. Problems: (if problems encountered on this contract, explain corrective action taken)

6. Contacts: (Name, Telephone Number and E-mail address)

6a. Contracting officer:

6b. Technical Officer (COTR):

6c. Other:

7. Contractor:

9. Information Provided in Response to RFP No. :

PART II: Performance Assessment (to be completed by Agency)

1. Quality of product or service, including consistency in meeting goals and targets, and cooperation and effectiveness of the Prime in fixing problems. Comment:

2. Cost control, including forecasting costs as well as accuracy in financial reporting. Comment:

3. Timeliness of performance, including adherence to contract schedules and other time-sensitive project conditions, and effectiveness of home and field office management to make prompt decisions and ensure efficient operation of tasks. Comment:

4. Customer satisfaction, including satisfactory business relationship to clients, initiation and management of several complex activities simultaneously, coordination among subcontractors and developing country partners, prompt and satisfactory correction of problems, and cooperative attitude in fixing problems. Comment:

5. Effectiveness of key personnel including: effectiveness and appropriateness of personnel for the job;

and prompt and satisfactory changes in personnel when problems with clients where identified.

Comment:

[Note: The actual dollar amount of subcontracts, if any, (awarded to the Prime) must be listed in Block 4 instead of the Total Estimated Cost (TEC) of the overall contract. In addition, a Prime may submit attachments to this past performance table if the spaces provided are inadequate; the evaluation factor(s) must be listed on any attachments.]

ATTACHMENT J.7 - SAMPLE LOCAL BUSINESS MASTER SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

MODEL SUBCONTRACTING MASTER PLAN OUTLINE *

Identification Data

Contractor: ___(add as many contractors as necessary)___________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________

Contractor: ______________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________

Solicitation or Contract Number:___________________________________________

Project Title: _____________________________________________________________

Total Amount of Contracts (Including Options) $_____________________________

Period of Contracts Performance (MO. & YR.)_______________________________

* The following is a suggested model for use when formulating local business subcontracting plan.

A. Type of Plan

____ Master plan (Goals developed for this contract; all other elements standard; must be renewed annually).

B. The offeror's subcontracting plan shall include the following:

(1) Goals, expressed in terms of percentages of total planned subcontracting dollars, for the use of local business as subcontractors. The offeror shall include all subcontracts that contribute to contract performance.

(2) A statement of--

(i) Total dollars planned to be subcontracted to local businesses is:

$_______________ and _______________%*

(3) A description of the principal types of supplies and services to be subcontracted

(4) A description of the method used to develop the subcontracting goals in paragraph (b)(1) of this clause.

(5) A description of the method used to identify potential sources for solicitation purposes.

(6) The name of the individual employed by the offeror who will administer the offeror's subcontracting program, and a description of the duties of the individual.

7) A description of the efforts the offeror will make to assure that local businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete for subcontracts.

(8) Assurances that the offeror will--

(i) Cooperate in any studies or surveys as may be required;

(ii) Submit periodic reports so that the Government can determine the extent of compliance by the offeror with the subcontracting plan;

(9) A description of the types of records that will be maintained concerning procedures that have been adopted to comply with the requirements and goals in the plan; and a description of the offeror's efforts to locate local business and award subcontracts to them.

SUBCONTRACTING PLAN AUTHORIZATION:

NAME: __________________________________________________________

TITLE: __________________________________________________________

DATE: __________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE: ____________________

Attachment J.8 - Questions and Answers

SOL‐176‐11‐000002

The USAID Macroeconomic Foundations for Growth IQC

Questions And Answers Small and local businesses:

1. Given that the mission encourages participation of small and local businesses, can you clarify the evaluation mechanism that will be applied in this case? Will there be a difference in the weight given to small businesses and local ones?

Answer: Please see Section M.3(a) on page 82.

Subcontractor:

2. B.6 Indirect Costs, page 7, describes Major Subcontractors as "...those subcontractors expected to perform at least 20 percent of the technical effort or provide the professional expertise for any particular sector of the contract SOW..." On page 72, part L.7.2) Past Performance Information describes Major Subcontractor as, "...one whose anticipated involvement in IQC and future task orders implementation will exceed 10 percent of the Offeror's total proposed cost..." Are we to define Major Subcontractor two different ways depending on purpose ‐ Indirect Rate or technical role?

Answer: The definition for major subcontractors will be the same in Section B.6 Indirect Costs, and in Section L.7.2 Past Performance Information. A subcontractor is considered major if they will have 10% or more of the overall anticipated effort for the IQC. The RFP will be amended accordingly.

3. Section B.6 on Page 7 of the RFP defines major subcontractors as "those subcontractors expected to perform at least 20 percent of the technical effort or provide the professional expertise for any particular sector of the contract Statement of Work, even if the sector is expected to be less than 20 percent of the effort under the contract." However, Section L.7(b)(2) on Page 74 defines a major subcontractor as "one whose anticipates involvement in IQC and future task orders implementation will exceed 10 percent of the Offeror's total proposed cost." We would appreciate clarification regarding the definition of major subcontractors.

Answer: Please see answer to question 2 above.

4. Section L.7(b)(2)(3)(B) (Page 75) instructs offerors to provide a copy of the most recent SF 294 "Subcontracting Report for

Individual Contracts" for each contract against which they were required to report for the past three years. Given the large volume of our SF 294s for the past three years, which total hundreds of pages, would USAID consider receiving these forms on CD‐ROM as an annex to the technical volume? Alternatively, we respectfully request the option of selecting 10 recent and relevant SF 294 forms for USAID's review.

Answer: 10 recent and relevant SF 294 forms can be selected and submitted on CD‐ROM as an annex to the technical volume for USAID’s review.

5. If proposed local consortium subcontractors require pre‐award due diligence on the part of the prime to establish billing rates, and this information cannot be provided at the time of the IQC proposal, would USAID consider providing subcontractor consent at the IQC level for such organizations after contract award so we would not have to obtain consent for each individual task order?

Answer: Subcontractors with no pre‐award due diligence at time of IQC proposal will not be evaluated.

6. Would USAID consider granting a consent to subcontract with a partner whose cost structure does not allow CPFF type agreements, whereas individual TO subcontracts will be of T&M and FP type with the approved GSA schedule serving as the basis for an estimated cost?

Answer: Subcontractor cost structure should only allow for cost plus fixed fee (CPFF) and firm fixed price

(FFP) type agreements.

7. Will Contractor Performance Reports for firms other than those identified as major sub‐contractors be taken into account in the evaluation of past performance? Can offerors submit CPR short forms for other than major subcontractors? Since some subcontractors/organizations may not have CPRs in the CPARS system or other official site, can offerors submit written past performance information on these firms with contact information?

Answer: Yes Contractor Performance Reports for firms other than those identified as major sub‐contractors will be taken into account in the evaluation of past performance. Offerors can submit CPR short‐forms for other than major subcontractors. Offerors can submit written past performance information on these firms with contact information. A short form is attached; see Attachment J.6 Contractor Performance Report Short Form.

8. In section B.6, the RFP states "“major subcontractors” are those subcontractors expected to perform at least 20 percent of the technical effort or provide the professional expertise for any particular sector of the contract Statement of Work (SOW) even if the sector is expected to be less than 20 percent of the effort under the contract". However, the RFP does not define what makes up a sector. QUESTION: Can we assume that subcontractors will be considered major if they will have 20% or more of the overall anticipated effort for the IQC?

9. Are the 7 years of overhead rate predications requested in section L.8 b) (4) required for major subcontractors as well as the prime contractor?

Answer: Yes, they are required for major subcontractors as well as the prime contractor.

10. Many local associations and organizations are likely to be beneficiaries or to support implementation. Given that these organizations will support whichever Offeror is awarded the contract, does USAID prohibit or discourage bidders from obtaining exclusive letters of commitment from these organizations?

Answer: USAID does not require or encourage exclusive letters of commitment.

11. In Sections B.6 and B.9 it states “major subcontractors” are those expected to perform at least 20 percent of the technical effort, yet on Page 74 it states 10 percent of the technical effort. Please clarify.

12. Section L.8, e) on Page 79. Would USAID consider removing the requirement for submission of a subcontracting plan as part of the business proposal since the work under task orders will be performed wholly overseas?

Answer: No.

13. B.8, Subcontractors. Can USAID please clarify what will be included within this section?

Answer: Section B.8 will include a list of the approved subcontractors.

14. Definition of Major Subcontractor B.6 Indirect Cost, Page 7 B.9 Ceilings on Fixed Fee, Page 9

L.7 Instructions for the Preparation of the Macro Technical Proposal, Page 72 Please confirm the definition of a major subcontractor. Page 7 (Section B.6) and page 9 (Section B.9) of the RFP indicate that “major subcontractors” are those subcontractors expected to perform at least 20 percent of the technical effort or provide the professional expertise for any particular sector of the contract Statement of Work (SOW), even if the sector is expected to be less than 20 percent of the effort under the contract. However, page 72 (Section L.7(2) ) defines a “major subcontractor” as one whose anticipated involvement in IQC and future task orders implementation will exceed 10 percent of the

Offeror’s total proposed cost. Please clarify.

15. "Major subcontractors" are defined as those subcontractors expected to perform at least 20 percent of the technical effort in Articles B.6 and B.9., while Article L.7 2) defines major subcontractor as "one whose anticipated involvement in IQC and future TOs implementation will exceed 10 percent of the Offeror's proposed cost". Please confirm the "major subcontractor" definition and clarify if it applies to an individual Task Order level, or to the whole IQC;

Answer: Please see answer to question 2 above for major subcontractor definition and it applies to the whole IQC.

16. Article L.8, e) on page 77 of the Macro RFP establishes the goal for use of SB under the IQC at twenty percent (20%) of Task

Order Value. In addition, it requires for the goal to be established for use of local businesses at twenty percent(20%) of total Task Order value. The FAR requires reporting on subcontracting plans based on specific percentage goals for U.S. small, small disadvantaged, women‐owned, HUBZone small, veteran‐owned and service‐disabled veteran‐owned small businesses, and the eSRS system would not allow for an additional "local businesses". Please confirm if a separate subcontracting plan must be submitted with the proposal for the utilization of local businesses. If so, please provide a definition for "local business", for example, would local independent consultants fall under the definition?

Answer: Answer: A separate subcontracting plan must be submitted with the proposal for the utilization of local businesses. A local business is any individual or organization whose permanent and primary business location is in the Central Asian Republics.

Delivery:

17. Section L.6 of the RFP document specifies the delivery method for the Proposal documents. Can you clarify whether proposals must be submitted both electronically and regular mail or would it be acceptable to submit the proposal via email only?

Answer: Please submit the proposal both electronically and via regular mail.

18. Section L.6(ii) (Page 73) indicates "the media is to be either compact disk and email with attachments." Should this read, "the media is to be either compact disk or email with attachments"?

Answer: The media is to be either compact disk or email with attachments.

19. On Page 73, the delivery instructions say proposals will be accepted by electronic media but then say “and” regular mail. Are offerors required to send hard copy proposals in addition to e‐submissions?

Answer: Yes, Offerors are required to send hard copy proposals in addition to e‐submissions.

20. On page 73 of the RFP it states “All (hand) deliveries are subject to physical inspection by the U.S. Embassy prior to receipt by USAID and the Contracting Officer”, and “Offerors are advised to allow sufficient lead‐time for the proposal delivery to the Government’s proposals first entry‐point to reach the final point of proposal receipt before the RFP’s closing time and date”.

What would be the absolute deadline for hand delivery, in order for the proposal to be inspected by the U.S. Embassy and be received by the Contracting Officer by the deadline (5:00 pm local Almaty time)?

Answer: Proposals must be submitted both electronically and in hard copy. Dated receipt from courier pick‐up by the delivery date will be acceptable for hard copies.

21. Section L.6 Delivery Instructions, page 72‐73. Please confirm if electronic submission is sufficient. If both electronic media and paper copies are required, would USAID consider receiving the paper copies after the due date provided there is proof of courier pick‐up by the delivery date?

Answer: Proposals must be submitted both electronically and in hard copy. A dated receipt from courier pick‐up showing submittal by March 15, 2011, 5:00 pm, Almaty time (or 6:00 am Eastern time) is required. A scanned copy of the receipt should be sent to AlmatyAASolicitations@usaid.gov by March 16 , 2011, 5:00 pm, Almaty Time (or 6:00 am Eastern time). The RFP will be amended accordingly.

Past performance:

22. L.7, page 72, Past Performance Information requests 3 Small Business references and a brief summary of the type of work each SB concern provided... May we provide these references and descriptions as an annex?

Answer: Yes, the references and descriptions can be provided as an annex.

23. L.7, page 72, Past Performance Information requests final or interim past performance reports (CPARS). Can we substitute PPRs with appropriate contact information for relevant projects for which USAID has not yet provided interim or final

CPARS?

Answer: Yes.

Page Limitation:

24. On page 74 of the RFP offerors are requested to "List in an annex to the technical proposal up to five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal. List five for the prime bidder and five for the major subs,..." Are offerors expected to provide a total of 5 or a total of 10 relevant contracts?

Answer: Offerors are expected to provide a total of 10 relevant contracts.

25. Are annexes beyond the 5 listed on page 74 allowed?

Answer: No, only the 5 listed are allowed.

Bio data sheets:

26. And finally, kindly clarify the number of bio data sheets that need to be submitted with the proposal.

Answer: Signed bio data sheets are required for each labor category and for each ceiling daily rate level in addition to the IQC manager. There are five (5) labor categories, and three (3) ceiling daily rate levels and one (1) IQC manager which equals to 16 total.

27. Can USAID confirm if resumes will be scored?

Answer: Yes, the CV of the IQC manager will be scored.

28. Section L.7(b) on Page 74 lists resumes and CVs as among the pages that do not count against the page limit for the Technical Proposal. In the instructions for the preparation of the cost/business proposal, Section L.8(c) on Page 76, refers to "the biodata sheets and resumes provided." Would USAID please clarify whether resumes should be placed in the cost proposal or the technical proposal?

Answer: Signed bio data sheets should be placed in the cost proposal and the CVs for the IQC Manager (the only CV/resume) required in the technical proposal.

29. Section L.7(4)(iii) on Page 76 states that the information submitted regarding the IQC Manager does not include a biodata sheet; however, Section L.8(a)(1)(b) on Page 76 calls for signed biodata sheets for all proposed consultants and the IQC Manager. Please clarify whether a signed biodata sheet is required for our proposed IQC Manager.

Answer: A signed bio data sheet is required for the proposed IQC Manager as part of the cost proposal.

30. On page 74 under L.8, b(1)(b) –“The offeror must provide at minimum one (1) completed and signed Contractor biographical Data Sheet (USAID Form 1420‐157, attachment J.2) for each of the labor categories and labor levels in Section B.12 and for the proposed IQC Manager. The biodata sheets and resumes provided should be a representation of the prime and/or major subcontractor employees/consultants." QUESTION: Is the offeror to provide a minimum of 1 resume for each of the 5 labor categories for levels I, II, and III plus the IQC Manager for a minimum total of 16 resumes? QUESTION: Are all resumes (CVs) to be submitted for both the Cost and Technical portion of the proposal? QUESTION: Is there a maximum number of resumes that offerors may submit? QUESTION: Is there a page limitation for resumes (CVs) submitted?

Answer: A CV for the IQC Manager and signed bio data sheets need to be submitted for the IQC’s RFP. The signed bio data sheets are required for each labor category and level and one for the IQC manager totaling 16 and will be used for the cost proposal. We also require one CV/ resume for the IQC manager as part of the technical proposal. There is no page limit for the CV or bio data sheets.

31. Please confirm that the salaries on Biographical Data Sheets (USAID 1420s) requested in Section L.8.(b)(1)(b) do not have to exactly correspond to Ceiling Daily Rates (CDR) requested in Section L.8.(b)(1)(a). In other words, can proposed CDRs exceed rates of illustrative candidates?

32. The cost instructions in Section L.8.(b)(1)(b) ask for biodata sheets and resumes for each of the labor categories and labor levels and the IQC Manager. However, the technical instructions on request a CV only for the IQC Manager. Since it is unusual to include CVs in a cost proposal, please clarify if Offerors should include CVs for each labor category and level in the cost proposal.

Answer: Please see answer to question 30 above.

33. Regarding section L.8.b.1, USAID requests one Biodata sheet and resume for each of the labor categories and labor levels in section B.12. Are Offerors required to submit a minimum of 15 Biodata sheets and resumes (5 labor categories and 3 labor levels) or 36 Biodata sheets and resumes (12 labor positions and 3 labor levels)?

34. Please confirm if the requirement for provision of EBDs and CVs as stipulated in Article L.8 (b) is applicable only to future Task Orders, and not to the response to the RFP for the IQC. If so, please advise if a CV and an EBD would be required for the IQC manager;

Deadline and formatting:

35. No closing date is included in Block 9 of SF 33 in the RFP. Would USAID please confirm that the closing date is February 28, 2011?

Answer: The closing date is March 15, 2011 at 5:00 pm, Almaty Time (or 6:00 am Eastern time).

36. Regarding the technical proposal, Section L.7(b) (Page 74) states, "Offerors shall use only 8.5 inch by 11 inch...paper." Does this apply to annexes as well as the actual proposal?

Answer: Yes, it applies to annexes as well as the actual proposal.

Geographic Code:

37. Section H.7 (Page 41) stipulates an authorized geographic code of 000, while section H.19 (Page 46) states that "the authorized source for procurement is Geographic Code 000 and 011." Would USAID please clarify?

Answer: The authorized source for procurement is Geographic Code 000 and 110. The RFP will be amended accordingly.

Attachment J.5:

38. Should offerors disregard the reference in Attachment J.5 at the top of Page 99, "Locally‐hired national personnel or other non‐U.S. expatriate multipliers should be based on USAID local compensation plans"?

39. The price evaluation methodology in Attachment J.5 requires that all offerors use a plug amount of 4,000 days and then apply their proposed indirect rate and fee ceilings. However, some firms bill certain types of labor directly, such as home‐ office backstopping, that other firms include in their indirect rates. Those who bill directly would require more LOE days to provide the same package of technical assistance as an offeror who bills indirectly, and would presumably have lower indirect rates as a result of the direct billing. This could artificially cause offerors who bill such costs indirectly to appear more expensive in the IQC evaluation when in fact they may cost the government the same or less on actual task orders. The effect is that the price evaluation largely amounts to a comparison of indirect rates at the rate level, which is inherently misleading and unequal for the reasons that OAA describes in USAID's Best Practices Guide for Indirect Costing. How will USAID's price and cost realism analyses be adjusted to account for such disparities in offeror rate structures, given that there is not a sample task order that would help to normalize such disparities?

Answer: Prime indirect rates are generally applied to ALL legitimate costs. If you do not do so, explain (briefly) what you did in your offer and it will be taken into account. Attachment J.5 will be amended accordingly.

40. Should any of the 4,000 days be considered as subcontractor days and burdened with subcontractor indirect rates? If so, how should this be determined with regard to dividing days among the prime contractor and subcontractors? If not, can USAID confirm that prime contractor indirect rates apply to all 4,000 days?

Answer: Only one set of CDRs must be proposed by the prime that covers the prime and major subcontractors. The RFP will be amended accordingly.

41. In Attachment J.5, the RFP states "non‐U.S. expatriate multipliers should be based on USAID local compensation plans." For expatriates from non CCN countries (such as Western countries), can the compensation rates be treated similarly to U.S.

expatriates?

Branding and Marking:

42. Does USAID require offerors to submit a branding implementation plan and marking plan with the IQC proposal, or only with each Task Order proposal? If a branding implementation plan and marking plan is required as part of our IQC proposal, please clarify whether it should be included as an annex to the Technical Proposal or the Cost Proposal.

Answer: Please see D.2 (c) of the RFP. The branding implementation plan and marking plan is required for each task order.

Labor and CDR:

43. Section B.14 defines the junior labor category criteria as a Bachelor and three years of experience. We request that USAID allow the COTR to make an exception on a case by case basis?

Answer: Yes

44. Section L.8.b.1 states that CDRs cannot exceed the USAID maximum allowable unburdened rate of $635.76. Would USAID kindly consider a percentage increase each year for the 7 years?

Answer: The outyears may escalate‐at the time of the task order if the current rate proposed is above the USAID Contractor Salary Threshold (CST) and below the CDR, special approval will have to be sought.

45. Section B.11 (d) Ceiling Rates, page 10 and L.8 (b) (1) (a) Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost/Business Proposal, page

76. (a) We would appreciate some clarification about the construction of the CDRs; for Employees, USAID states in B.11 that the rate is to be unburdened. However, for Consultants, USAID states that the rate should be loaded with Consultant’s indirect costs (which we understand). Our assumption is that we are to then blend the results for Employees and Contractors, recognizing that the result may well be CDRs as showing in Attachment J.5 that are above the current maximum allowed rate of $635.76. However, USAID states in Section L.8. that the rates may not exceed the USAID maximum. Please clarify.

(b) We would also appreciate confirmation that the rate a successful contractor would be reimbursed once a Task Order is awarded is the negotiated CDR for the category for staff meeting the qualifications for the particular category.

46. L.8(1)(a), Ceiling Daily Rates, and Attachment J.5 (note)

Please confirm that Offerors may follow the directions of the attachment and use their current Indirect rates on file with DCAA for all calculations.

47. B.6 and B.7 (Ceiling) Indirect Costs

(a) Please confirm that subcontractors may submit their Indirect Cost data via sealed bid due to the proprietary nature of the data.

Answer: Yes

(b) Please confirm that B.6 is to be filled out with current indirect costs

Answer: Offerors may propose lower indirect rates than those established in their NICRA or propose their current rates – whichever business decision they deem as being competitive for their proposal. If the offeror opts to propose lower indirect rates, they will be asked to sign the letter provided in CIB 92‐10.

48. B.9, Ceiling on Fixed Fee

(a) Can USAID please clarify the intent of the fixed fee percentage ceilings, especially given the differences of risk associated with CPFF and Fixed Price Task Orders?

(b) Please confirm that the ceiling on Fixed Fee is the basis for negotiations as outlined in B.9 rather than strictly as a Ceiling as outlined in L.8(b)(3).

(c) We are unclear as to whether Offeros are to submit different ceilings for both Cost‐Plus and Fixed Price efforts.

Please clarify.

Answer: Yes, the ceiling proposed will be enforced for CPFF type task orders only. Offerors are encouraged to propose lower than the ceiling for future task orders, but not required. For FFP task orders, this ceiling only serves as a basis for negotiation only as stated in the terms and conditions in section B.

49. L.8(b)(4)(ii), Indirect Cost Information

(a) Are Offerors to submit their current Forward Pricing Indirect rates within the table indicated?

Answer: Offerors are to fill out Section B and provide supporting NICRA or audited indirect rate agreements. If an audited rate agreement is not available, please refer to the RFP for supporting document submission requirements.

(b) Please clarify what is “optional” – as indicated in parenthesis in L.8(b)(4)(ii).

Answer: The word “optional” will be removed and the RFP will be amended accordingly.

50. Article B.11 Ceiling Daily Rates, (a) states that "the contractor will include the cost of home office management as part of their indirect costs".

Please confirm if technical work performed by contractor's home office staff will be allowed to be treated as direct cost under the Task Orders;

Answer: Yes. USAID prefers cost of home office management to be a part of the indirect costs. The home office management costs must be reflected in the cost matrix as either indirect or direct costs. Attachment J.5 will be amended accordingly.

51. In accordance with Article B.11 (d) consultant daily rates should be "loaded" rates, but "separate from the contractor's or major subcontractor's indirect cost/profit. Please confirm prime's and major subs' indirect cost/profit will be allowed to be applied on "loaded" rates proposed for consultants, and must not be included in the CDRs for consultants;

52. Article H.4 (d) establishes a limit on annual salary increases at 2%.

Please confirm that this limitation does not apply to CDRs, and that contractor may propose CDRs annual escalation greater than 2%

Answer: This limit does not apply to the proposed CDRs.

53. Please confirm if the USAID maximum allowable unburdened daily rate of $635.76 is applicable to Years 1‐7 of the IQC;

Section C:

54. Will descriptive information on technical experts in addition to the IQC Manager be expected/accepted as part of the offeror’s technical proposal?

Answer: No

55. Is it envisaged that knowledge management and program implementation related activities could be undertaken under the same task order?

56. Would USAID attach background documents from current projects in the Central Asia region, including interim and final reports, or provide instructions where Offerors can access these background documents?

57. Is USAID anticipating awarding a RFTOP to conduct the Knowledge Management component described on page 21 of the RFP, or will it be conducted on a task order basis?

Answer: Task order basis.

58. How will KM responsibilities be assigned under the IQC? Will each task order have a distinct KM component?

Answer: Knowledge Management is not a distinct component of each task order. It is the part of the management of each task order that does the things described in Section C.4.A of the RFP.

59. If so, how will the overall project integrate each TO's knowledge management products (specifically websites)?

Answer: Each TO is an overall project. If by “overall project” all TOs under the IQC are intended, that will not be the responsibility of any single contractor.

IQC Manager:

60. Section B.13 Labor Position Descriptions, IQC Project Manager, page 13. From our reading of the RFP, we were unable to determine where USAID expects the IQC Project Manager to be based – in the Central Asia region or in the contractor’s home office. We would appreciate receiving clarification.

Answer: USAID does not expect the IQC Manager to be based in Central Asia.

61. Section B.13 Labor Position Descriptions, Page 13. The pre‐solicitation stated that the IQC Manager may work on Task Orders up to 150 days per year, provided a number of conditions are met. This clause was not included in the RFP. For costing purposes, we would appreciate receiving further guidance on the prospects for having the ICQ manager chargeable to Task Orders for some amount of time.

Answer: The IQC Manager may charge task orders for actual time spent on management of that TO.

62. B.14 Labor Categories – Level of Qualifications

(a) Please confirm if there are any language requirements for the IQC Manager.

Answer: There are no language requirements

(b) Would USAID consider including the CPA designation plus 12 years experience in the Level 1 designation?

63. Should the IQC Project Manager be based in the region, i.e. Kazakhstan, or in Washington DC?

Answer: Wherever the contractor feels it will be most efficient. This is not anticipated to be a full time job.

Other:

64. Would USAID please clarify what is meant by "the proposed increase should not exceed the TEC" under Section H.4(a)(1) on Page 39?

Answer: TEC stands for “Total Estimated Costs”

65. Section H.23 (Page 47) requires Contractors to "request authorization from the Government to purchase equipment and/or resources for Contract." Because this requirement would result in significant implementation delays, we…