SOL-176-15-000001-01.pdf

6A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

R. Clark Pearson Contracting c)f-f-i-- r

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

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 15C DATE SIGNED 16B, UNITED S ICA

BY

(Signature of

16C)

D TE SIGNED

q (Signature of person authorized to sign)

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

I 1.CONTRACT ID CODE EPA NO.

PAGE OF PAGES

1 12

2, AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

See block 16C

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

6. ISSUED BY

CODE

USAID/CAR/AA

7030 Almaty place Department of State Washington DC 20521-7030

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)

USAID/DOS

7030 Almaty Place

Washington, DC 20521-7030

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code) (x) 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

SOL - 176 - 15 - 000001

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

12/11/2014

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B, DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

CODE 1 FACILITY CODE

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended, is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR AC- KNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) see page 2

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

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

(X)

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc)

SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(5)

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

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

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

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

The purposes of Modification 01 to this solicitation are to:

1) Delete Section 1.3 in its entirety

2) Section F.2 page 37: Replace "The estimated period of performance for this Contract is three base years with one two-year option period (the specific dates will be specified at contract award)." with "The estimated period of performance for this Contract is five base years with an additional quantity option for Year's 2- 5(the specific dates will be specified at contract award)."

3) Section L.7.(e),: Technical Approach, fifth bullet, second sentence, page 86: Replace "Years two, three of thE base period and years four and five of the option period must be shown by quarter." with "Years Two through Five must be shown by quarter."

4) Page 91 under (D) Procurement: add "and 110" to the end of the last sentence

5) Respond to questions as included in the following pages

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect, STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

SOL-176-15-000001-01

Responses to Questions

1. Please confirm that USAID only expects applicants to set aside funding for the LCD fund at this time and not to select actual local organizations that will be provided.

USAID Response: This is correct.

2. Page 32 of the RFP says that the LCD Fund will "demonstrate CAR government's commitment forming partnerships with local NGOs". Will USAID please clarify the role they anticipate government playing in the LCD Fund?

USAID Response: USAID expects the government to be a collaborator in forming partnerships. The LCD Fund will be managed by the contractor.

3. How large does USAID expect the average LCD Fund award to be?

USAID Response: Current award to service delivery NGOs are between $30,000-$50,000 per year.

However, the bidder should propose LCD award levels based on proposed activities.

4. Will the LCD Fund be separate from the funding offered to local implementing NGOs assisting with program activities?

USAID Response: No, please re-read p. 32, C-7, paragraph 3.

5. On page 32 of the RFP, please clarify the meaning of "specific goal oriented objectives of recipients" of the LCD Fund.

USAID Response: This may include other goals and objectives besides of comprehensive package of services or institutional capacity development such as special events (World AIDS Day), advocacy activities, operations research, etc.

6. Could USAID kindly describe the difference between the required 5-Year Activity Management Plan and the 5-Year Implementation Plan?

USAID Response: The 5-Year Activity Management Plan should state how the project will be managed including information on collaboration with consortium partners if any, in what countries and how the partnerships will be developed. The 5-Year Implementation Plan will specify a timetable (gantt chart) for the implementation of all planned activities, reflecting major tasks, milestones, deliverables, and institutional responsibilities. The bidder is to submit both a 5-Year Management Plan and 5-Year Implementation Plan.

7. On page 23 of the RFP, Base Illustrative Indicators with targets, in some cases, are provided. We note that for the illustrative indicator, "% of sex workers reporting the use of a condom with their most recent client" that USAID is suggesting a target of 100%. While we equally agree that an ambitious target is needed, we request that USAID consider a target somewhat lower than 100%.

USAID Response: Given the only way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV is to promote use of condoms among key populations every time. While 100% is the target, the bidder is encouraged propose activities that will get as close to the target as possible.

8. Please confirm that not all illustrative indicators are required for the Draft Activity and Monitoring Plan.

USAID Response: That is correct.

9. Is there a template to be used for the Draft Activity and Monitoring Plan?

USAID Response: There is no template available.

10. Will USAID please clarify the difference between the first two "expanded illustrative indicators" found on page 24?

USAID Response: The first bullet is "Training of Trainers" or master trainer, while the second bullet is training of actual outreach workers.

11. Please clarify the meaning of the term "seasoned NGO"? (page 30-31)

USAID Response: This is an experience NGO that has demonstrated capacity over time to reach key populations with prevention, treatment and care services.

12. Does USAID define "hard to reach populations" differently from key populations? (RFP page 20).

USAID Response: no, these are the same two populations.

13. Page 32 of the RFP also discusses the "the strengthening and competitiveness of the select value chains". Will USAID kindly clarify which value chains this statement is referring to?

USAID Response: Please disregard the part of the sentence "business environment reforms, and the strengthening and competitiveness of the select value chains". This will be replaced with "health reforms and government-NGO networking".

14. On page 32, under the Local Capacity Development Fund (LCD, the RFP says that the activities budget may include local sub-contracts which may use technical assistance services. Does USAID anticipate that all of the funding under the LCD will be applied to local sub-contracts to local organizations or can some portion be applied to costs to administer the LCD?

USAID Response: LCD fund will support local NG0s. All administrative costs should be included in other program and non-program costs separate from LCD Fund.

15. Does USAID envision the procurement of any commodities (e.g., condoms, lubricants, needles) under this contract? If so, please provide a list of commodities and quantities.

USAID Response: No, not with funds under this contract. However, it is envisioned that the contractor will use condoms procured by GFATM, government and possibly USAID (from the PEPFAR funded Commodity Fund).

16. Does USAID envision any technical assistance to the private healthcare sector under this contract?

USAID Response: Please re-read RFP Section C5. - Private sector engagement and public private partnership opportunities on page 19. The bidder should respond accordingly.

17. On page 22 second to the last paragraph refers to "countries where multi-referral systems exist," can USAID please clarify their priority countries for harmonizing MIS systems?

USAID Response: In countries where multiple referral systems exist, the contractor will harmonize the systems to develop one which is owned by government. All countries of Central Asia where HIV Flagship Activity is going to be implemented are priority countries for harmonizing referral systems. The contractor is to work with governments on existing referral systems with the aim to define the one referral system which reflects most of the needs of KPs in health services. The referral system for KP has to be recognized by the governments in countries for improved access of KPs to health services and improved patient tracking systems.

18. Regarding the list of documents not included within the page limitation on page 85, please clarify what USAID is looking for in the content of the 5-Year Activity Management Plan vs. the 5-Year Implementation Plan.

USAID Response: For more details on 5-Year Activity Management Plan please see Management Plan list on page 86. Please also see response to question 6 for details.

19. Will all the funding for this contract be PEPFAR funding? Or will there also be D&G funding provided for this activity? If there is both PEPFAR and D&G money, would the contractor be expected to budget and report separately based on funding stream?

USAID Response: The base scenario only includes PEPFAR funding. However, the bidders are encouraged to leverage funding from other sources including private funding under the expanded scenario. D&G funding is not included in the activity.

20. Would USAID please confirm that Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan should not be included in the base period? Should they be included in option year period, within the $35-37 million or will there be additional funding for these countries? For budgeting purposes, can you tell us how much money overall USAID would expect to provide if Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are added so that we can budget accordingly?

USAID Response: Confirm: Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are not included in the base scenario (please see page 20 of the RFP). These two countries will be included in the expanded scenario in case USAID received supplemental PEPFAR funding and in case the bidders suggest a plan for leveraging private sector funding.

21. Under Implementation Approach on page 20 of the RFP, will 10-20% of the additional option funds apply to additional activities to be carried out in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan?

USAID Response: Yes, in case USAID receives supplemental funding 10-20% of this funding should be spent on implementation of activities in new geographic areas in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

22. Would USAID kindly provide further clarification as to the difference between the Activity Management Plan required as part of the "Technical Approach" on page 86 of RFP and the Implementation Plan?

USAID Response: Please see responses to questions 6 and 18.

23. Past efforts to expand social contracting have been met with resistance or lack of enthusiasm from host government partners, particularly in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. In addition to the development of Investment Frameworks/Investment Cases, does USAID anticipate taking an active role to advocate directly to government partners for increased government funding of NG0s/CSOs?

USAID Response: Yes (please see pp. 30-31 of the REP)

24. Can USAID provide a list of priority interventions for the Flagship Activity?

USAID Response: This HIV Regional Flagship Activity will be implemented under three major Results (page 21) which align directly with the CAR PEPFAR strategy. Please re-read Section C on pages 21-31 for information on priority interventions for the HIV Flagship Activity.

25. Can USAID provide detail on what is scheduled to occur after March 2015 with regards to the key elements of the Dialogue project? In particular, is there a handover plan for vouchers and multi-disciplinary teams? Will these be funded by government or other donors?

USAID Response: The HIV Flagship Activity will build upon the successful models of Dialogue project (please see page 17 of the RFP).

26. Expansion of rapid testing by NGOs and primary care facilities is mentioned multiple times in the REP. Is the contractor expected to procure rapid test kits for pilot facilities under this contract (such as in a circumstance where government and/or GF funds will not provide test kits for the uses outlined in this REP)? Or is it envisioned that this contract will provide only TTA to improve rapid testing systems with test kits that are already available?

USAID Response: No, the test kits will be procured by GFATM and the government but the contractor is expected to provide TA to NGOs to be able to provide rapid testing of key populations.

27. We request USAID kindly consider only requiring bio-data sheets for key personnel at the application stage rather than for all staff proposed.

28. Are personnel biodata forms required for all personnel or only key personnel?

USAID Response: Offerors can submit bio-data sheets for key personnel only.

29. For past performance references, can we provide examples of past cooperative agreements and grants or is this only limited to contracts?

30. Page 88 of the REP indicates Offerors must submit "up to 3 of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal." Please confirm that applicants may include relevant cooperative agreements/grants in addition to contracts as past performance references?

USAID Response: Offerors can provide examples of assistance instruments (grants and cooperative agreements) as well as contracts.

31. Could USAID kindly describe the difference between the required 5-Year Activity Management Plan and the 5-Year Implementation Plan?

32. Regarding the list of documents not included within the page limitation on page 85, please clarify what USAID is looking for in the content of the 5-Year Activity Management Plan vs. the 5-Year Implementation Plan.

33. In section L.7, one of the approved annexes is a five-year activity management plan. Later in the in the same section there is a detailed description of the requirements for a Management Plan (p. 86). Is the Management Plan referenced on p. 86 the same as the one referenced for the Annexes, or are these two separate requirements? If they are separate requirements, what details are expected to be in the five-year activity management plan?

USAID Response: See response to Question 6.

34. In the list of annexes provided on page 85, both Letters of Commitment from key personnel and Personnel Statements of Availability are requested. Could we place a sentence in the Letter of Commitment indicating when the person would be available satisfying both document requirements? If this is not acceptable, could USAID explain what a Personnel Statement of Availability is and how it differs from key personnel Letters of Commitment?

35. Can personnel statements of availability be incorporated into the letter of commitment, or should they be submitted as a separate document (page 85)?

36. Also, regarding the list of documents on page 85, assume Letters of Commitment from key personnel are the same as Personnel Statements of Availability. Please confirm.

USAID Response: These requirements can be combined into one letter where the Key Personnel states they are available and are committing to the position.

37. On page 92 of the RFP, Part 4 states that the offeror must submit a copy of its policies and procedures.

Could USAID please clarify which policies and procedures should be submitted?

38. The offeror is requested to submit a copy of all policies and procedures (see p.92). Does this requirement apply to those companies that have implemented multiple USAID-funded projects? If it does, should we submit all policies or only those related to personnel matters?

USAID Response: An Offeror must submit main policies such as: Procurement, Human Resources, Financial Operations, Management, Travel, etc.

39. For personnel, do we need to submit both international and domestic personnel policies for INGOs?

USAID Response: Yes.

40. Could USAID provide more information on the schedule of payments in terms of payment amounts and timing?

USAID Response: This is a cost-reimbursement contract where payment is made based on vouchers submitted by the contractor. Please review G.4 and Section I for clause pertaining to payments. Please also review F.6 for information on fee payment.

41. Can the contractor be paid through the Letter of Credit rather than the submission of SF-1034?

USAID Response: Payment by Letter of Credit is possible.

42. Please confirm the period of performance for the Base & Option years. F.2 indicates a three-year base period and one two-year option period (5 years). L.7(c) indicates that the Option period begins in Year 2, which would indicate a 3 year program if the option period is only two years. L.7 (Technical Approach, bullet 5) indicates that the Options Period goes through Years 4 and 5.

43. Throughout the RFP there are different definitions of the base and option years. Would USAID please confirm which years are the base years and which years are the options years? How many years are in the base period? How many years are in the option period? Is the $22-24 million for just the base period?

44. Can USAID provide additional clarification on overall funding levels anticipated for base vs option years?

45. As the cover sheet of the RFP indicates, the solicitation will result in an estimated five-year Cost Plus Fixed Fee Completion type contract with an option for extra quantity. Section L.8.b notes that "Option 1 would increase the quantity of interventions of the contract starting in Year 2," but Section F.2, Period of Performance, and page 86 refer to three base years with one two-year option period. Would USAID confirm whether it envisions a five-year contract (with no option period) with the option for extra quantity (Option 1) or a three-year base period and two-year option period?

46. Is it envisioned that the option for extra quantity would be exercised as funding becomes available at any point during the five-year contract, or would the contract be extended for two additional years at the end to include Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan?

47. The cover of the RFP states that "the estimated value of the base period is $22 million - $24 million. The total estimated value of the entire award with the option exercised is $35 million - $37 million."

There is some guidance that indicates that the Base period is for Years 1 — 3, and the Option is for Years 4 — 5:

a. Page 37 of the RFP (F.2 Period of Performance) states that "The estimated period of performance for this Contract is three base years with one two-year option period (the specific dates will be specified at contract award)."

b. Page 86 (Technical Approach) of the RFP states that "Years two, three of the base period and years four and five of the option period must be shown by quarter."

Other guidance in the RFP indicates that the Base and Option periods will overlap, beginning in Year 2:

c. Page 89 (L.8 b) states that "There is one option that may be exercised. Option 1 would increase the quantity of interventions of the contract starting in Year 2. All proposed costs and accompanying narrative must clearly delineate between the base and Option 1."

d. The CLIN Summary template in attachment J.7 indicates an overlap beginning in Year 2.

Would USAID please clarify the base period and the option years?

USAID Response: The award will be for a five year period. The option is an option for additional quantities during Years 2-5 depending on funds availability. Please see the amendment to the solicitation for revisions that clarify this point. The base period for five years is estimated at a value of $22-$24 million. The total estimate value of the base plus option is $35-$37 million. The J.7 CLIN Summary Tab is correct.

48. Please confirm that offerors do not need to present a detailed breakdown of the Option Years 2-5 as separate from the base year. The template has a tab for the base year and then another tab for the base + option. But no tab indicates just the option budget.

USAID Response: Please review M.1 for the clause incorporated by reference regarding the evaluation of the options. The template only has tabs for the base period and for the base + option period.

Offerors are encouraged to include a separate tab to indicate the option period alone, or any other information, if they believe it will add better clarity to their cost proposal.

49. Should Consultants be included under the major Cost Category for Direct Labor

USAID Response: Yes, please include Consultants salary rates under Direct Labor cost category.

50. May offerors add a sub-category for "Home Office Technical Staff' under the major Cost Category for Direct Labor?

USAID Response: Yes, offerors can add sub-category for Home Office Technical Staff under Direct Labor cost category

51. Will the offeror be allowed to add new tabs to the budget template?

USAID Response: Yes, offerors are allowed to add new tabs to the budget template and are encouraged to do so if additional tabs clarify the cost proposal.

52. Can USAID confirm if PDF documents are acceptable for submission?

53. Would USAID please confirm that PDF is an acceptable format for electronic submission of the

Technical Proposal?

USAID Response: Yes, PDF documents are acceptable for submission. Budget must be submitted also in Excel format unprotected with visible formulas. If formulas are not used for calculations or the formulas are not unprotected and visible the cost proposal may be deemed to be unresponsive to the requirements of the RFP.

54. May applicants include an acronyms page for ease of understanding by the reader? If so, can the acronyms page be excused from the 40 page limit?

55. Should the technical proposal include an acronym list?

USAID Response: Yes, a list of acronyms can be included and will not be counted toward 40 page limit.

56. The google drive web links in the RFP do not work. Can USAID please provide the correct links for these documents?

57. The links referenced on pages 11, 12, 17 and 27, https://drive.google.com/a/usaid.gov/?tab=moltfolders/OBwqSvvfookm1WmZZQ011R0t3Nmc requires a username and password to access the files. Will USAID please provide access to the documents referenced?

58. This RFP includes hyperlinks to documents that are available on a Google drive, but these documents are inaccessible without a password. Would USAID kindly post the documents to FBO?

59. The RFP provides links to multiple Google Docs. It appears Offerors do not have the required permission levels to access these documents. Can USAID please check the permission settings on these documents or provide an alternative way to view these documents?

USAID Response: All documents will be uploaded to FBO web site as Attachments 1-13.

60. In regards to the above mentioned opportunity for the HIV Regional Flagship Activity, could you please tell me if a in Germany based consultancy would be eligible to participate?

USAID Response: No, only companies that fall within geographic codes 937 and 110 are eligible to apply.

61. Please confirm that both key personnel CVs and letters of commitment can be included as annexes and do not count toward the technical proposal page limit.

62. Can letters of commitment from proposed subcontractors or major partners be included as an annex?

USAID Response: Yes, CVs and letters of commitment can be included as annexes and will not count towards the 40 page limit.

63. Should the illustrative public-private partnerships required as part of the implementation plan and described on page 86 of the RFP be included with the implementation plan in an annex or within the body of the technical narrative?

USAID Response: This requirement and the exposition of its details must be included as part of the technical approach. The partnership activities themselves may also appear within the Implementation Plan as that document demonstrates the activities to be performed.

64. Page 86 of the RFP states that USAID will not approve any Grants Under Contract for this award.

However, elsewhere the RFP references both sub grants and sub-contracts. Please confirm whether USAID will allow GUCs under the award.

USAID Response: Yes, we confirm that USAID will not allow Grants under this Contract.

65. Can references for key personnel be included with CVs and LOCs in the technical proposal annexes?

USAID Response: References for key personnel can be provided upon USAID's request.

66. Is there required to be a discussion of the AMEP in the main narrative, or can it be included only as an annex?

USAID Response: The AMEP may be included as an annex. It is up to the offeror to determine the extent to which they should discuss this document in their technical approach. This determination should be based on the instruction in Section L and the evaluation criteria in Section M.

67. Is a narrative section on past performance required in addition to the references required in the annexes?

USAID Response: It is up to the offeror to determine what to include or not include in their main narrative. This decision should be based on the instruction in Section L and the evaluation criteria in Section M.

68. Following the release of the RFP the Government of Kazakhstan announced that the full first week of January will be a public holiday. In light of this and the fact that many local stakeholders will be closed for the week, we request a one week extension to the proposal deadline.

69. Will USAID consider offering an extension, ensuring the strongest responses and regional ownership, by accommodating the appropriate level of inputs from country and technical stakeholders which are constrained by the holidays? Suggesting an extension of 1-2 weeks.

USAID Response:No extension for the due date will be given.

70. Please verify that the consultant daily rate maximum is $635.77 per day.

71. On page 9, the Contractor Salary Threshold is listed as $635.77/day. However, the current Contractor

Salary Threshold is $642.31. Would USAID confirm whether bidders should use the current threshold ($642.31) or use $635.77 as the threshold?

72. Page 90, Section L.8.b.ix.A, refers to the "Contractor Salary Threshold (CST) in the amount of $635.77/day," but effective January 1, 2014, the new USAID contractor salary threshold daily salary maximum is $642.31. Could USAID confirm the CST for this project?

USAID Response: USAID Contractor Salary Threshold is $648.85 per day ($168,700 annually) as of

January 2015.

http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversiq ht/pay-leave/salaries-waqes/salary-tables/pdf/2015/ES.pdf

73. Is there a restriction on fee charged under the Local Capacity Development Fund?

USAID Response: There is not restriction on the proposed fees however USAID always encourages offerors to lower their costs wherever possible.

74. Are there are any restrictions on fee for this award?

USAID Response: There is not restriction on the proposed fees however USAID always encourages offerors to lower their costs wherever possible.

75. According to the template provided with the RFP, the PPRs are due on January 12, 2015; however this date is not mentioned elsewhere in the RFP. Would USAID please confirm the due date for PPRs?

USAID Response: Past Performance questionnaires due date is changed to January 26, 2015

76. Can we submit the budget formatted for legal-size paper instead of letter-size?

USAID Response: Yes, you can.

77. For the Contractor Past Performance Information in Section L on page 88, can USAID please clarify if you would like the 3 most recent and relevant contracts from each subcontractor and Abt, or the 3 most recent and relevant contracts from all Abt consortium members?

USAID Response: Please provide the 3 most recent and relevant contracts from each subcontractor and prime.

78. Page 86 F.5.1 requires a detailed annual work plan and budget. Please confirm that, in accordance with section L.6 (p.84), the budget will be submitted separately from the Technical Proposal and will be a part of the Cost Proposal.

USAID Response: Yes, the budget must be submitted as a part of the Cost Proposal.

79. Page 91 under (D) Procurement, only Geographic Code 937 is listed. Would USAID consider including Geographic Code 110 as well?

USAID Response: Please see the amendment to the solicitation.

80. In Section L.8, the REP states that "salary and wages must be based on the requirements of the positions and not on the proposed individuals' salary histories." Would USAID clarify that this limitation applies to CCN salaries only, per the Local Compensation Plan?

USAID Response: This requirement applies to all salaries for the project personnel.

81. Would USAID please confirm that graphics do not count toward the page limit?

USAID Response: Only those items listed in L.7(d) are not included in the page limit. Anything else, including graphic placed in the technical proposal, count towards the 40 page limit.

82. What is USAID's position on engaging CCNs on an exclusive basis as part of the proposal? May CCN candidates for key personnel positions (e.g., country director or deputy chief of party/technical advisor) be proposed on multiple bids?

USAID Response: The offeror must determine the most effective personnel structure to best execute their proposed technical approach while remaining as cost effective as possible.

83. For the position of Regional Finance Director, if a candidate has a master's degree in a field other than finance or accounting but has commensurate experience as a finance director for USAID-funded projects (e.g., more than 10 years of experience in a similar role), would such a candidate be acceptable?

USAID Response: All Key Personnel must meet the minimum requirements listed in F.7(c). Any proposed candidate that does not meet the minimum requirements may be found to be deficient during the evaluation based on the evaluation criteria in Section M.

84. In what currency should we report the daily rate and annual salaries? Should the salary scales be in local currency or USD?

USAID Response: A budget must be submitted in US dollars.

85. Please confirm that USAID wants a total of 8 separate detailed country budget tabs and 2 combined detailed budget tabs (base and base+option) for the Prime Contractor? This would include three detailed country budgets for the base and five detailed country budgets for the base+option. Also, please confirm that USAID wants the same detailed budget tabs (depending on country allocation) for all major subcontractors as well.

USAID Response: The budget template is for the entire project however offerors may further break these down by country budgets if they believe it will add further clarity to their cost proposal.

86. Is it acceptable for the individual offeror to employ its own detailed budget template (instead of Tab 5 of the Budget Template) provided the supporting information is provided in sufficient detail to allow a complete analysis of each line item cost?

USAID Response: Please fill out the entire budget template. Offeror's may add additional tabs if they believe they will add further clarity.

87. Where should type, unit costs, and number of units be included in the Prime Costs Tab (Tab 5) of the

Budget Template?

USAID Response: Offerors may break down tabs 4-7 to include all details or they may use those tabs as summary tables and include separate additional detailed breakdowns in new tabs.

88. I'm writing regarding the subject requirement. I was curious if this was a follow-on requirement. If so, would it be possible for you to provide the incumbent information (we need the contract number and contractor).

USAID Response: This is not a follow—on project, this is a new procurement.

89. Can USAID kindly clarify if the management plan, personnel plan (including organogram), key personnel and draft activity monitoring and evaluation plan are part of the 40 page technical approach or can this information be included in the annex?

USAID Response: Please review L.7 (d) for the list of items not included in the page limit. Any other information the offeror wishes to include will be part of the 40 page limit.

r