SOL-176-11-000003-02.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.5 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS, delete “RFP: SOL-176-11-000002” and substitute with “RFP: SOL-176-11-000003”.

9. SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS, L.6 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS, first paragraph of item (ii) is revised as following:

(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.

10. 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:”

1. 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 (CPFF), a) Part 1 – Standard Form (SF) 33: revise as follows:

The Offeror must submit the cover page (Section A) of this Solicitation [Standard Form (SF) 33, “Solicitation, Offer and Award”], with blocks 12 through 18 completed, with an original signature of a person authorized on behalf of the Offeror tosign the offer. Offerors are cautioned to complete all required blocks (including acknowledgement of Amendments).

The proposal shall be valid for 120 days.

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

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 - MICRO ECONOMIC COST EVALUATION MATRIX, is revised as follows:

Attachment J.5

MICRO 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:

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

2. 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:

3. 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:

4. 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‐176‐11‐000003

The USAID Microeconomic 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?

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

2. Will there be a difference in the weight given to small businesses and local ones?

Answer: No

3. Does USAID intend to award one or more small business set‐asides through this solicitation? Under Section F.7‐ Fair Opportunity to be Considered, part b (5) (on page 30 of the RFP), it is stated that “USAID may directly place Task Orders with any category of small or small disadvantaged business that received a prime Contract award from the same solicitation that resulted in the award of this Contract.” While understood that this is referring to Task Orders awarded within the IQC, it is never explicitly stated if this solicitation intends to set aside a slot (or multiple slots) for small businesses as holders of the IQC.

Subcontractor:

4. 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. Subcontractors will be considered major if they will have 10% or more of the overall anticipated effort for the IQC. The RFP will be amended accordingly.

5. 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 72 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 3 above.

6. Section L.7(b)(2)(3)(B) (Page 73) 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 allow for cost plus fixed fee (CPFF) and firm fixed price (FFP) type agreements.

9. Section B. 6 (Indirect Cost) on page 7 states 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’s SOW, even if the sector is expected to be less than 20 percent of the effort under the contract. However, Section L.7 2) (Instructions for the preparation of the Micro Technical Proposal) on page 72 defines a “major subcontractor” as one whose anticipated involvement in the IQC and future task orders implementation will exceed 10 percent of the Offeror’s total proposed cost. Please clarify.

10. Please confirm that the Offeror and each major subcontractor are required to submit ceiling rates for each of their respective indirect cost type.

Answer: Yes, the offeror and each major subcontractor are required to submit ceiling rates for each of their respective indirect cost type.

11. Please clarify whether an Offeror and each major subcontractor may propose ceiling rates for the entire duration of the IQC

(per Section B.7) instead of proposing separate ceiling rates for each of the IQC years (per Section L.8, page 76).

Answer: We leave this decision up to your discretion.

12. Section L.7 (2a(3) (Page 73): Can Offerors submit their “small business concerns” required information as an appendix to their Technical Proposals (particularly due to the number of pages of the required SF294s)?

Answer: Yes, “small business concerns” required information can be submitted as an appendix. The RFP will be amended to include small and local business subcontracting plans as part of the annexes.

13. On page 7 of the RFP, a major subcontractor is defined as one who is: “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”. This description is reiterated on page 9. However, 2) Past Performance Information [See Section M.3 (b)] on page 72] states that each major subcontractor is one “whose anticipated involvement in IQC and future task orders implementation will exceed 10 percent of the Offeror’s total proposed cost)”. Please clarify what is the threshold for a major subcontractor.

14. Page 77, states “the goal of local businesses is twenty percent (20%) of total Task Order value.” Will anticipated grants under contract count toward the local subcontracting goals?

Answer: Yes

15. 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.

16. 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 3 above for major subcontractor definition and it applies to the whole IQC.

17. . 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: 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:

18. 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.

19. Section L.6(ii) (Page 71) 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: This should read “,the media is to be either compact disk or email with attachments.”

20. Section L.6 (Delivery Instructions) on page 71, states that proposals will be accepted by electronic media “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.

21. Section L.6. Delivery Instructions (Pages 70‐71): there are several inconsistencies in the RFP language about the submission requirements for Offerors’ proposals. Please clarify the allowable submission requirements: (i) electronic media to the issuance office. Is it BOTH compact disk AND email with attachments? Or may an Offeror submit its proposal either way?

While delivery of proposals as paper copy is acceptable—as stated on Page 71 of the RFP—is it required?

Answer: Compact disk or email with attachments and paper copy proposals are required.

22. Section L.6. (iii) (Page 71): “Regardless of the method used, the Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal must be kept separate.” If an Offeror transmits its proposal via email, in addition to the RFP # required in the Subject Line, should the Offeror also specify “Technical Proposal” and “Cost Proposal” in the Subject Line?

Answer: Yes, please specify “Technical Proposal” and “Cost Proposal” in the Subject Line.

23. It is unclear whether solely submitting proposals electronically is sufficient, or if electronic submissions must also be supplemented with hard copy submissions. On page 71 of the RFP, under L.6 Delivery Instructions, part ii, it states that “electronic submissions will be accepted for this procurement,” but also that proposals can be submitted via regular mail or hand‐carried. Please clarify if electronic submissions alone are acceptable; if they are not, must proposals be submitted both electronically and in hard copy?

Answer: Proposals must be submitted both electronically and in hard copy.

24. Page 71 of the RFP reads “Because electronic submissions will be accepted for this procurement, please be advised that the US Government shall not be responsible for incomplete/corrupted or missing information in electronic submissions.” Could you please confirm that proposals submitted only via electronic media will satisfy the delivery requirements of the RFP? Is the delivery of hard copies of the proposal required? If hard copies are required, must they be postmarked by the closing time or received by the closing 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.

25. Section L.6 Delivery Instructions, Page 70‐71. 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: Please see answer to question 24 above.

26. Will USAID accept proposals electronically OR hard copy? Or is it both electronic submission AND hard copy?

Answer: please see answer to question 24 above.

Past performance:

27. 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?

28. 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?

29. Section L.7 (2a(i)) (Page 72): We understand we must submit five of the most recent and relevant contracts for the prime bidder for work similar to that in the subject proposal. Can USAID please clarify if we should submit five (5) for ALL major subcontractors on a team OR five (5) for EACH major subcontractor on a team?

Answer: 5 for all of the major subcontractors on the team

30. Section L.7 (2a) (Page 72): Does USAID require BOTH Contractor Performance Reports (CPARS) and past performance

“information” for the Offeror and each major subcontractor? Or only past performance “information” as specified in (ii)?

Answer: Both

31. On page 72 of the RFP, under section 2) Past Performance Information (ii), it is requested that the offeror 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. Must this information be represented in a separate attachment as well, or may it be incorporated into the annex containing past performance information?

Answer: It may be incorporated into the annex containing past performance information.

32. Section L.7, part A, under point 2 (Past Performance Information) on page 72 of the RFP. It is stated that offerors must provide past performance references for "up to five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal." Are past performance references for cooperative agreements, rather than contracts, acceptable as well? This clarification is pertinent to all NGOs who may be submitting bids in response to this opportunity, as the most recent contracts may not be as relevant (in subject matter) to the proposal as their most recent cooperative agreements may be.

Answer: Yes, past performance references for cooperative agreements will be acceptable as well.

Page limitation:

33. On page 72, USAID lists items that do not count against the page limitation. A cover letter is not listed. Will a cover letter count against the 10‐page limitation?

Answer: The cover letter does not count against the 10‐page limitation.

34. Section L.7 (Page 72): Given the short page limit for the proposal, may Offerors submit an Acronym Listing in their proposal and NOT have it count against the 10 page limitation for the Technical?

Answer: An Acronym Listing will not count against the 10 page limitation for the Technical Proposal.

35. Page 72 of the RFP lists items not included in the page limitation. In addition to the items listed, is the cover page of the RFP also excluded from the page limitation?

Answer: The cover letter does not count against the 10‐page limitation.

36. 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.

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

Answer: No, only the 5 listed are allowed.

Bio data sheets:

38. 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 to be included in the cost proposal. We also require one resume for the IQC manager to be included in the technical proposal.

39. Section L.7(b) on Page 72 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 74 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 only one CV is required, that of the IQC Manager, which should be included in the technical proposal.

40. Can USAID confirm if resumes be scored?

Answer: Yes, the resume of the IQC Manager will be scored.

41. Section L.7(4)(iii) on Page 74 states that the information submitted regarding the IQC Manager does not include a biodata sheet; however, Section L.8(a)(1)(b) on Page 74 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.

42. Section L.8.b.1 (Ceiling Daily Rates) on page 74 requests one biodata sheet and resume for each of the labor categories and labor levels in section B.12. Can USAID confirm that offerors are required to submit 15 biodata sheets and resumes (5 labor categories and 3 labor levels) and not 36 (for 12 labor positions and 3 labor levels identified in Section B. 13)?

Answer: Please see answer to question 38 above.

43. Section B.12 Labor Categories (Page 11): USAID mentions that “At the time a Request for Task Order Proposal is issued”

Offerors must provide completed and signed SF 1420s for positions listed, but then says in the subsequent sentence that “The biodata sheets and resumes should be a representation of the prime and/or major subcontractor employees/consultants.” We request USAID to clarify whether SF 1420s and resumes need to be submitted at this time and for the IQC’s RFP or only later in response to Request for Task Order Proposals. Would the Mission like full resumes of proposed candidates/consultants for each labor category and level, totaling at least 15 CVs, included with the proposal? If so, is there a page limit for each CV?

Answer: A CV for the IQC Manager s 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. We also require one resume for the IQC manager. There is no page limit for each CV or bio data sheet.

44. Section L.7 (Page 72): Appendix attachments. For which proposed candidates are resumes/CVs required to be submitted?

The IQC Manager? Others? Please clarify.

Answer: Please see answer to question 43 above.

45. Section L.7 (Page 72): Can USAID clarify if it needs resumes/CVs AND SF1420s for proposed candidates? Or only for the IQC

Manager? Please clarify.

46. Page 11 of the RFP states, “The biodata sheets and resumes provided should be a representation of the prime and/or major subcontractor employees/consultants.” Will USAID accept CVs and biodatas from subcontractors that are not classified as major subcontractors?

47. 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;

48. Will CVs and EBDs for each labor category and level be required at the Task Order level?

Deadline and formatting:

49. 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).

50. Regarding the technical proposal, Section L.7(b) (Page 72) 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.

51. In the instructions for the preparation of the cost/business proposal (Section L.8(a), page 74), offerors are directed to complete blocks 14‐18 of SF 33 whereas the general instructions (Section L.5, page 70) directs offerors to complete blocks 12‐18. Please clarify.

Answer: The Offeror must complete blocks 12‐18 of SF 33. The RFP will be amended to correct the inconsistency.

52. Section L.5b (Page 70): States that “The subject line must state: ‘RFP: SOL‐176‐11‐000002.’” This differs from the Solicitation Number provided on FedBizOpps and elsewhere in the RFP which indicates: “RFP: SOL‐176‐11‐000003.” Please specify which number is correct.

Answer: The subject line must state: “RFP: SOL‐176‐11‐000003”. It will be corrected in an RFP amendment.

53. Following the Solicitation Conference on February 11, 2011 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, will USAID release a formal transcript as an amendment to the RFP of the questions and answers discussed at the conference for small businesses and others who cannot afford to send a representative to Central Asia solely for the Solicitation Conference?

Answer: Yes, all questions and answers discussed at the conference will be released as an amendment to the RFP.

Geographic code:

54. Section H.7 (Page 39) stipulates an authorized geographic code of 000, while section H.19 (Page 44) 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.

55. The RFP provides for strong preference of local participation with a minimum target of 20 percent participation from local institutions. However, the Authorized Geographic Code for this procurement is “000” – United States of America. Can you please clarify whether non‐U.S. organizations and firms are eligible to participate as prime or subcontractors given the “000” geo code designation?

Answer: Please see answer to question 5 above.

56. The RFP provides for strong preference of local participation with a minimum target of 20 percent participation from local private businesses. It also encourages local private businesses to register on the “interested vendor list” at www.fbo.gov.

However, the Authorized Geographic Code (page 39) for the IQC procurement is “000” – United States of America. Can you please clarify whether non‐U.S. organizations and firms (including local private businesses) are eligible to participate as subcontractors on the IQC given the “000” geo code designation? Would USAID consider changing the Geo code designation to 935?

Answer: Please see answer to question 5 above.

Attachment J.5

57. Should offerors disregard the reference in Attachment J.5 at the bottom of Page 95, "Locally‐hired national personnel or other non‐U.S. expatriate multipliers should be based on USAID local compensation plans"?

58. 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. 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.

59. 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 unburdened CDRs must be proposed by the prime that covers the prime and major subcontractors. The RFP will be amended accordingly.

60. Attachment J.5 (Micro Economics Cost Evaluation Matrix) on page 95 states "locally‐hired national personnel and other non‐

US expatriate multipliers 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 ". Since Task Orders are expected to be Cost Plus Fixed Fee or Firm Fixed Price, we do not understand the reference to multipliers in this context. Please clarify whether the language should be omitted.

61. Instructions for completing the Micro Economics Cost Evaluation Matrix presented on pages 95 through 97 specify that the

Offeror should apply its indirect costs on Line A (Labor). Could USAID please provide further guidance regarding labor distribution to be used by the Offeror between such labor classes as Home Office Staff, Consultants, Intermittent Staff, and/or Other?

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.

62. Regarding the Cost Evaluation Matrix, Attachment J.5 (page 95 of the RFP), please confirm exactly what USAID would like offerors to provide beyond the CDRs for the 5 labor categories (each with three levels).

Answer: With respect to the Labor Category section of Attachment J.5 CDRs for the 5 labor categories (each with 3 levels) they should be calculated over 7 years. With respect to Attachment J.5 as a whole Offerors need to make the calculations and produce a cost evaluation matrix budget as provided by Attachment J.5.

63. Section L.8 (b)(1)(a), page 74, instructs offerors to fill out Line Item A and I through P in the attachment. However, the instructions in Attachment J.5 Step 1, (page 96), states that the Government will calculate the average ceiling daily rate which is necessary to complete Line Item A and, according to Step 2, the Government will also enter proposed provisional indirect cost rates that are to be applied to ODCs in the Budget (Line Items I through P). Please confirm that rates provided in matrix (Attachment J.5, page 95) can exceed the current maximum unburdened daily rate for employees of $635.76 in the later years of the IQC’s potential eight‐year duration.

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.

64. On Attachment J.5 page 97, under the heading…