SOL-176-15-000005_01.pdf

SOL-176-15-000005-01

Accordingly the following changes are made:

1. Page 12, Section C, C. 8.1, delete the sentence beginning with “Feed the Future Tajikistan Agriculture and Water activity will continue…” and replace as follows: “Feed the Future Tajikistan Agriculture and Water activity will continue to develop an agriculture advisory service and information system in the Feed the Future area which builds on USAID’s priority to empower local solutions.”

2. Page 19, Section C.9, Expected Results, 4th paragraph, Expected water results, third bullet, delete:

“WUA support entity established and self-sustaining” and substitute with “WUA support entity established;”.

3. Page 19, Section C.9, Expected Results, Table entitled “Feed the Future Standard Indicators”, delete title “Feed the Future Standard Indicators” and replace with “Required Feed the Future Standard Indicators”.

4. Page 26, Section F, F.5 DELIVERABLES AND REQUIRED REPORTING , A. Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (AMEP), 1. Illustrative Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for Proposal, delete the sentence in its entirety:

“The Offeror will propose financial and other sustainability targets for transfer of operations to Government of Tajikistan institutions, as well as other targets by which USAID can evaluate local capacity building.”

5. Section F, F.5 DELIVERABLES AND REQUIRED REPORTING, Reports and Outputs, A. Progress Reports, the following changes are made:

Page 26: delete:

“1. Quarterly reports: The Contractor shall submit quarterly performance reports within 30 calendar days after the end of each standard USG fiscal quarter (i.e. October 30, January 30, April 30, July 30) to the COR and one copy shall be provided to the CO at AlmatyAAReporting@usaid.gov. The fourth quarterly report (October 30) shall serve as an annual report summarizing the fiscal year achievements including participant training and indicator data for the fiscal year. Reports may be submitted electronically. Regardless of the start date of the contract all reporting will be adjusted to the USG fiscal year calendar.”

and substitute with:

“1. Quarterly reports: The Contractor shall submit quarterly performance reports within 45 calendar days after the end of each standard USG fiscal quarter (i.e. October 30, January 30, April 30, July 30) to the COR and one copy shall be provided to the CO at AlmatyAAReporting@usaid.gov. The fourth quarterly report (October 30) shall serve as an annual report summarizing the fiscal year achievements including participant training and indicator data for the fiscal year. Reports may be submitted electronically. Regardless of the start date of the contract all reporting will be adjusted to the USG fiscal year calendar.”

Page 27: delete:

“2. Annual reports: Every fourth Quarterly report will serve the purposes of an Annual report and will be due within 30 calendar days after the end of each USG fiscal year, ending September 30. These reports shall be based on the approved Annual Work Plans and Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and will cover the information described above in the quarterly reports section, plus the following additions:

and substitute with:

“2. Annual reports: Every fourth Quarterly report will serve the purposes of an Annual report and will be due within 45 calendar days after the end of each USG fiscal year, ending September 30. These reports shall be based on the approved Annual Work Plans and Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and will cover the information described above in the quarterly reports section, plus the following additions:”

Page 27: delete:

“3. Final Report: Within 30 calendar days after the Order completion date, the Contractor shall submit electronically a Final Report that details accomplishments against the tasks, targets, and deliverables set forth in the Order and in the Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan; highlights major achievements;

addresses lessons learned during implementation; and suggests ways to resolve identified constraints. The COR and the Contractor will agree on the format of the Final report. A draft of the Final Report will be submitted to the COR no later than 30 calendar days prior to the Order completion date. The Contracting Officer and/or COR may provide comments, which the Contractor shall address in revising the draft prior to final submission of the Final Report.”

and substitute with:

“3. Final Report: Within 45 calendar days after the contract completion date, the Contractor shall submit electronically a Final Report that details accomplishments against the tasks, targets, and deliverables set forth in the contract and in the Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan; highlights major achievements;

addresses lessons learned during implementation; and suggests ways to resolve identified constraints. The COR and the Contractor will agree on the format of the Final report. A draft of the Final Report will be submitted to the COR no later than 30 calendar days prior to the contract completion date. The Contracting Officer and/or COR may provide comments, which the Contractor shall address in revising the draft prior to final submission of the Final Report.”

6. Pages 30-33, Section F, F.6 DELIVERABLES, DELIVERY SCHEDULE AND FIXED FEE PAYMENT

SCHEDULE, F.6.1 Schedule delete and replace with the following:

Deliverables for Year 1

Deliverables

Delivery Schedule

Format

Fixed Fee Payment Schedule, % of the base period fee

Finalized Annual Work Plan and Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (AMEP)

Within (45) days after the effective date of the Contract

Electronic 8% of base period fee

FY 2016 1st Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

FY 2016 2nd Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

FY 2016 3rd Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

FY 2016 4th Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

Annual Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG 4th fiscal quarter

Electronic 8% of base period fee

Deliverables for Year 2

Annual Work Plan – with AMEP revisions as necessary

45 days prior to the end of the USG fiscal year

Electronic 8% of base period fee

FY 2017 1st Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

FY 2017 2nd Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

FY 2017 3rd Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

FY 2017 4th Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

Annual Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG 4th fiscal quarter

Electronic 8% of base period fee

Deliverables for Year 3

Annual Work Plan – with AMEP revisions as necessary

45 days prior to the end of the USG fiscal year

Electronic 8% of base period fee

FY 2018 1st Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

FY 2018 2nd Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

FY 2018 3rd Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

FY 2018 4th Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of base period fee

Annual Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG 4th fiscal quarter

Electronic 8% of base period fee

*Final Report Due 45 calendar days after contract completion

Electronic 8% of base period date

Achieving Feed the Future Standard

Indicators

Quantity Units

Farmers applying new technologies

33,000 number 4% of base period fee

Firms or CSO's engaged in food security manufacturing

44 number 3% of base period fee

Enterprises applying new technologies

22 number 3% of base period fee

Improved technologies and management practices

Improved agriculture technologies applied

33,000 hectares 2% of base period fee

Improved water technologies applied

33,000 hectares 2% of base period fee

New private sector investment leveraged

720,000 dollars 2% of base period fee

Stakeholders implementing risk-reducing practices

20,000 number 1% of base period fee

Value of incremental farm-level sales

$2,000,000 dollars 1% of base period fee

Vulnerable households benefiting from USG assistance

4,000 number 1% of base period fee

Individuals who have received short-term training

33,000 number 1% of base period

*Only applicable if the option is not exercised. If the option period is exercised this percentage will be combined with the percentage for the third year annual performance report and payable at the acceptance of the third year annual performance report.

Deliverables for Option Period

Delivery Schedule Format Fixed Fee Payment Schedule, % of the option period fee

Annual Work Plan – with AMEP revisions as necessary

45 calendar days prior to the end of the USG fiscal year

Electronic 12% of option period fee

FY 2019 1st Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of option period fee

FY 2019 2nd Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of option period fee

FY 2019 3rd Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of option period fee

FY 2019 4th Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of option period fee

Annual Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG 4th fiscal quarter

Electronic 12% of option period fee

Semi-Annual Work Plan

– with AMEP revisions as necessary

45 days prior to the end of the USG fiscal year

Electronic 11% of option period fee

FY 2020 1st Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of option period fee

FY 2020 2st Quarterly Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter

Electronic 2% of option period fee

Semi-Annual Performance Report

Within 45 calendar days after the end of USG 4th fiscal quarter

Electronic 11% of option period fee

Final Report Due 45 days after contract completion date Electronic 12% of option period fee

Achieving Feed the Future Standard Indicators

Quantity Units

Farmers applying new technologies

17,000 number 5% of option period fee Firms or CSO's engaged in food security manufacturing

22 number 4% of option period fee

Enterprises applying new technologies

11 number 4% of option period

Improved technologies and management practices Improved agriculture technologies applied

17,000 hectares 3% of option period fee

Improved water technologies applied

22,000 hectares 3% of option period fee

New private sector investment leveraged

480,000 dollars 3% of option period fee

Stakeholders implementing risk-reducing practices

10,000 number 2% of option period fee

Value of incremental farm-level sales

$1,000,000 dollars 2% of option period fee Vulnerable households benefiting from USG assistance

2,000 number 2% of option period fee

Individuals who have received short-term training

17,000 number 2% of option period

7. Page 33, Section F, F.7 KEY PERSONNEL, is revised as follows:

(a) The key personnel proposed are considered essential to the work being performed. Unless otherwise agreed by the Contracting Officer. The contractor will be responsible for providing such personnel for performance of this contract.

TITLE

Chief of Party Deputy Chief of Party Water Specialist Contracts Manager Financial Manager

(b) Prior to replacing any of the specified individuals, the contractor must immediately notify both the

Contracting Officer and USAID Contracting Officer Representative (COR) reasonably in advance and must submit written justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the project. No replacement of key personnel will be made by the contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The personnel specified above are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder.

(c) Qualifications of Key Personnel

The required qualifications for key personnel include:

Requirements for Chief of Party (COP) Requirements for Deputy Chief of Party Requirement for Water Specialist Contracts Manager Financial Manager

[Offerors should propose Key Personnel in accordance with instructions provided in Section L.]

8. Page 64, Section K, K.2 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (Oct 2014), paragraph

(a)(1) is revised as follows: (a) (1) The North American Industry classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541 – Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services/541990 – All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services;

9. Page 77, Section L, L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, the text from the beginning of this Section until paragraph 1. Technical Approach is deleted and replaced with the following:

“The Technical Proposal in response to this solicitation must address how the offeror intends to carry out the Statement of Work contained in Section C of this RFP. It must also contain a clear understanding of the work to be undertaken and the responsibilities of all parties involved. The technical proposal must be organized by the technical evaluation criteria listed in Section M. The technical proposal should not merely repeat the contents of this RFP and Statement of Work; rather, it should offer original, critical thinking and analysis, related to each component and it should tie the technical approach to deliverables and results to be achieved.

The Technical Proposal is limited to twenty (20) pages, must be written in English, offeror must use only standard 8 1/2" x 11"paper (210 mm by 297mm paper), single spaced. Only 11 point Times New Roman font or larger may be used, with each page numbered consecutively at the bottom of the page. Page margins must be a minimum of one inch at the top, bottom and each side. The font used in tables and charts may be adjusted as appropriate but may not be smaller than 9 point.

The Technical Proposal must clearly indicate and delineate the proposed activities, indicators and results to be completed for each year during the three (3) year base period and for the option period to allow the evaluation of both the base and the option proposals in addition to the aggregate proposal. This delineation must be clear in the Technical Approach, Implementation Plan, Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, and any other relevant portion of the proposal.

The following documents are required, but exempt from the page limitation:

Cover page Executive Summary Table of contents Dividers, and past performance report forms Results framework with indicators (maximum 2 pages) Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (maximum 3 pages) Mobilization and Implementation Plan (maximum 3 pages) Draft Work Plan (as part of the Mobilization and Implementation Plan) (maximum 10 pages) Key Personnel CVs and Letters of Commitment (not to exceed 3 pages per individual for resume and 1 page for LOC) Diagram of the staff/organizational chart (as attachment) Past Performance References Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan Environmental compliance approach (maximum 2 pages) List of acronyms

No additional attachments or appendices may be incorporated in the proposal to circumvent the page limitation. Pages that exceed the page limitation will not be evaluated.

The Technical Proposal shall include the following information:

Cover Page The offeror will include the name (both typed and his/her signature), phone, and contact information for the person authorized to bind the organization.

Executive Summary The offeror will describe its understanding of the challenges identified in this RFP and the proposed solutions. The executive summary shall include how the offeror will achieve the desired results, a description of the organizational structure and a brief summary of the management and staffing arrangements. Not to exceed 2 pages.”

10. Page 78, Section L, L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, 1. Technical Approach: add paragraph 5.

“5. Offerors’ approach to achieving environmental compliance and management in accordance with the Section H.22. Please pay particular attention to plastics recycling in regard to extended season vegetable production and integrated pest management for vegetable and fruit production. The farmers have a lot of interest in limiting pesticide use and will be generally receptive. Pesticides are not permitted at all in the household plots which is a special concern and will need to be separately addressed.”

11. Page 77, Section L, L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL

PROPOSAL, 2. Key Personnel and Staffing Plan, delete in its entirety and substitute with the following:

“2. Key Personnel and Staffing Plan

A. Key Personnel The offeror must propose a Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Water Specialist, Contracts Manager, and Financial Manager. The Chief of Party must be an employee of the prime contractor.

USAID requires the following key personnel:

Chief of Party: She/he must have more than six years of similar experience in the management of large agricultural projects with other donors or USG agencies including experience managing agricultural extension and/or agricultural production projects. Strong administrative and management skills required.

Experience working in a post centrally planned economy preferred. Graduate degree required in agriculture, natural resources, business administration or a closely related field. The candidate must have a demonstrated ability to adapt to changing situations and ability to implement projects with diverse subject matter. English language fluency is required.

Deputy Chief of Party: She/he must have more than four years of similar experience in the management of large agricultural projects with other donors or USG agencies including experience managing agricultural extension and/or agricultural production projects and/or private sector development. Strong administrative and management skills required. Experience working in a post centrally planned economy preferred. Graduate degree or relevant work experience required in agriculture, natural resources, business administration or a closely related field. The candidate must have adaptive management ability to implement projects with a diverse subject matter. English language fluency is required.

Water Specialist: She/he must have extensive experience in irrigation water management and especially in working with water user associations. Must have three years of relevant experience. The person must speak Russian, Tajik, and English. Bachelor’s degree required.

Finance Manager - Responsible for overall financial management, analysis, and reporting on the USAID Feed the Future Tajikistan Agriculture and Water Activity in the Zone of Influence.

- Master’s degree, or higher, in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related subject matter;

- Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in financial sector;

- Ability to compile and prepare financial and budget data in line with USG rules and regulations;

- Experience analyzing budget trends and monitoring funding levels across multiple accounts;

- Expertise with procedures required for adequate planning, monitoring, and re-aligning of complex budgets; and,

- Proficient in English, Tajik, and Russian.

Contracts Manager - This position is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating a robust, diverse sub-contract program that is responsive to this solicitation.

- Master’s degree, or higher, in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Law, or related subject matter;

- Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in finance or grant or contract management;

- Ability to compile and prepare financial and budget data in line with USG rules and regulations;

- Experience with Tajik Government laws and requirements for contracts in Tajikistan

- Expertise with procedures required for adequate planning, monitoring, and re-aligning of complex budgets; and,

- Proficient in English, Tajik, and Russian.

B. Staffing Plan

The staffing plan should demonstrate the capacity of staff to successfully implement similar tasks and to deal with a broad range of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, associations, and local and national government authorities.

The staffing plan should also demonstrate the role of local staff in implementation and support of the project, as well as the use of short-term technical experts.

Present a team structure that supports achievement of the RFP’s objectives and of all contractual requirements. Demonstrate that the team has the capacity to deliver technical assistance and conduct donor coordination in appropriate languages and service to USAID in English. A diagram of a staff/organizational chart should summarize the proposed team structure.”

12. Page 80, Section L, L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL

PROPOSAL, 4. Past Performance: second sentence at the top of the page delete and replace as follows:

“In an annex to the technical proposal, offerors must provide information on up to five (5) relevant and recent (within the past 5 years) performed contracts or on-going contracts as a prime or as a major sub-contractor, team or consortium member that demonstrate past experience in carrying out tasks similar in content, magnitude and complexity to this requirement.”

13. Section L, L.8 NSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL, Page 82:

under (D) Procurement: add “and 110” to the end of the last sentence;

14. Page 87, Section M, M.3 EVALUATION CRITERIA, add paragraph (f):

“(f) Environmental compliance will be evaluated as to the total environmental sustainability of the activity.”

15. Questions and Answers

GENERAL

1. Has USAID or FAST produced any report or evaluation of extension efforts to date that may be useful to offerors in preparing their response?

Answer: No.

2. Would USAID please provide the final reports for the Family Farming Program and the Productive Agriculture (ProApt) Project?

Answer: Final reports for Family Farming Program and Productive Agriculture are not available yet. Should any documents become available related to these projects, they will be shared in an additional amendment.

3. The RFP refers to the use of subcontracts to local entities. May grants under contract also be employed?

Answer: Grants Under Contract will not be authorized under this contemplated contract.

4. Section C.8.7 “Subcontracts to Universities, Private Enterprises, and Non-Governmental Organizations” states that the implementer shall provide support to such Tajik entities through subcontracts. Is it USAID’s preference that only subcontracts be used, or are grants acceptable as well? Are grants acceptable to implement other project activities as well?

Answer: See above #3.

5. Section H.22 asks for the offeror’s approach to environmental compliance and illustrative budget. Would USAID please confirm that this document is excluded from the 20 pages provided to the technical volume?

Answer: The environmental compliance approach is exempt from the page limitation of the technical proposal and may be submitted as an annex. The annex for environmental compliance and management should not exceed 2 pages.

Environmental compliance will be evaluated as to the total environmental sustainability of the activity. Please pay particular attention to plastics recycling in regard to extended season vegetable production and integrated pest management for vegetable and fruit production. The farmers have a lot of interest in limiting pesticide use and will be generally receptive. Pesticides are not permitted at all in the household plots which is a special concern and will need to be separately addressed.

The RFP is amended accordingly.

6. We respectfully request that USAID encourage no exclusivity of local firms when partnering.

Answer: This is a full and open competition. Any interested party may submit a proposal. A specific proportion has been set aside for local entities. Aside from that amount offerors may propose any structures as they see fit.

7. Page 24, Clause F.2, Period of Performance, states: the period is a base period of three years with an option period of one and half years. Question: Please confirm anticipated start date for the Tajikistan Agriculture and Water Project to facilitate accurate pricing.

Answer: The estimated start date is October 1, 2015.

8. Page 55, Clause I.2, AIDAR Clause 752.245-70, Government Property – USAID Reporting Requirements, incorporates: a definition of Non-Expendable Property (NXP) of $500 per unit with a two year shelf life.

Question: Please confirm that the A-122 Cost Principles regarding the asset definitions of property will apply to a successful non-profit organization for reporting purposes. This definition is a unit cost of $5,000 and a shelf life of one year.

Answer: Cost Principles FAR Part 31 will apply under this contemplated contract.

9. RFP Reference: H.2, Page Number: 41

Relevant RFP Language: The authorized geographic codes for procurement of goods and services under this contract are 937, and 110.

RFP Reference: H.3, Page Number: 41 Relevant RFP Language: The authorized source for procurement is Geographic Code 937 unless otherwise specified in the schedule of this contract.

RFP Reference: L.8.b.D, Page Number: 82 Relevant RFP Language: Goods and services provided by the offerors under this USAID-financed award will be subject to the Geographic Code 937.

Question: Are we correct that the geographic code for procurement of goods and services is 937 and 110, as stated in RFP section H.2?

Answer: The authorized Geographic Codes for this procurement are 937 and 110. The RFP is amended accordingly.

10. Section H.2 states that the authorized geographic codes for procurement of goods and services are 937 and 110.

However, Section H.3 and Section L.8(b)(v)(D) only list geographic code 937. Please confirm that all sections should include both geographic codes 937 and 110.

Answer: See above #9.

11. Section L.6(b), page 76, lists Microsoft Office and/or WordPerfect as acceptable file types. To facilitate submission of signed documents, please confirm that offerors also may submit the proposal in Adobe Acrobat (pdf).

Please confirm that offerors can submit the technical proposal and cost narrative in PDF format.

Would USAID accept a PDF version of cost spreadsheets in lieu of Microsoft Excel or other formats?

RFP Reference: L.8.b.iv, Page Number: 81. Relevant RFP Language: The cost proposal must be in MS Excel and compatible with a MS Windows operating environment. Question: May offerors submit budget narratives in MS Word or PDF and signed documents, such as Representations and Certifications and Biographical Data Forms, in PDF format?

Answer: USAID will accept Technical Proposal submission in Adobe Acrobat (pdf).

Cost Proposal: The Cost spread sheets must be in MS Excel, the excel worksheets must not contain passwords, locked cells, or references to calculations not provided elsewhere in the proposal and all calculations and formulas must be visible. Documents, such as Budget Notes, bio-data sheets, Certifications, etc. will be accepted in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) and/or MS Windows environment. It is at the discretion of the offeror to submit additional cost spreadsheets in the PDF version.

Answer: See #11.

12. Recently [Organizations A & B] are working in Tajikistan in a same project. I would like to know if our two companies can submit an offer for the above mentioned project.

Answer: This is Full and Open competitive award, any interested party may submit an offer. Refer to FAR 9.6 regarding Contractor Team Arrangements.

STATEMENT OF WORK

13. Would USAID consider extending the timeframe for projects eligible to write up in PPRs from within the past three years to within the past five years?

Answer: Yes. Please see the revised RFP. Past Performance Reports within the past 5 years may be submitted.

14. On page 8, the RFP states that: “Increasing the yields and returns from household plots and positively impacting nutritional outcomes is Feed the Future Tajikistan Agriculture and Water activity’s primary focus.” On page 19, the RFP lists expected agricultural (vegetable, fruit, and dairy) results, including: “Farmers are trained in extended season vegetable, orchards, and/or dairy production in order to meet nutritional goals.” Has USAID established specific nutritional goals or outcomes, and if so can these be shared?

Answer: Please see Attachment J.15 for all relevant information. Feed the Future in Tajikistan has a goal to decrease stunting of children by 20% by 2017.

15. Page 11, Clause C.7, Strategy, Underlined first paragraph states: Level of effort should follow these approximate guidelines:

At least half of the level of effort should focus primarily on these two areas:

Agricultural Extension Service Development Extended Season Vegetable Production

These areas should be addressed in descending order of importance:

Orchards Production Dairy Production Water Communications

For instance, the RFP establishes a value of $200,000 for the base period of the Communications area – this value could be a percentage of total base contract value of 1.83% - 1.75%.

Question: Since a CPFF Completion contract is anticipated, is this guideline referring to amount of technical activities (less operations and plug figures) or to total value of the anticipated contract value (including technical activities, operations, subs, procurement)?

Answer: The communications component requires $200,000 during the base and $100,000 during the option period. This refers to the total amount to be allocated towards these areas.

16. Page 17, Clause C.8.5, Water states: the “Budget allocation should be approximately $1.6M”. Question:

Does this figure include any value for subcontracts or is it all technical assistance and direct implementer activities?

Answer: This figure refers to the total amount to be allocated towards this technical area. Offerors may propose as they see fit.

17. Section C.8.5 Water on p. 17 of the RFP indicates that “budget allocation should be approximately $1.6M.” Can USAID clarify whether this is intended to mean $1.6M for the base period only or for the base period and the option period?

Answer: The $1.6 Million is for both the potential contract base and option periods. $1,000,000 should be allocated for the base and $600,000 for the option period.

18. Page 18, Clause C.8.7, Subcontracts to Universities, Private Enterprises, and Non-Governmental Organizations states: will be utilized to assist with the implementation of Feed the Future Tajikistan Agriculture and Water activity. Page 82, Clause L.8 b) (v) (G) Proposed Costs/Prices, Subcontracts identifies: “A Plug figure of $2.1M for base and $1.2M for the option period has been inserted for this RFP for subcontracts with local partners.” Question: The Offeror respectfully requests USAID to confirm that this plug figure shall be used for implementation of the Clause C.8.7 referenced local subcontracts.

Answer: Yes.

19. Page 82 of the RFP states that “a Plug figure of $2.1M for base and $1.2M for the option period has been inserted for this RFP for subcontracts with local partners” Does this figure include the $300,000 for subcontractor’s development and dissemination of agriculture messaging, mentioned on page 18?

Answer: Yes.

20. Page 19, Clause C.9, Expected Results, 4th paragraph, Expected water results, third bullet, states: “WUA support entity established and self-sustaining”. This is an expected result within the Base period of three years.

Question: The Offeror understands that a number of WUAs have been receiving capacity building supporting since 2004 and apparently are not yet fully self-sustaining. The Offeror respectfully requests USAID to identify the USAID definition of “self-sustaining”.

Answer: “Self-sustaining” is removed from the RFP.

21. Attachments J.10, USAID/Tajikistan Scaling Agricultural Technologies Plan, and J.13, Tajikistan Nutrition- Sensitive Vegetable Technologies Scope of Work: 2014-2016 AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center: both refer to and rely on using FAST extension services in the implementation of Tajikistan Agriculture and Water Activity.

Question: To ensure complementarity and avoid redundancy, the Offeror respectfully requests that USAID provide additional details with regard to what extension activities FAST will continue providing during the implementation of Tajikistan Agriculture and Water Activity.

Answer: None. FAST will not provide concurrent extension activities. There will be no overlap of extension activities.

22. Attachments J.10, USAID/Tajikistan Scaling Agricultural Technologies Plan, and J.13, Tajikistan Nutrition-

Sensitive Vegetable Technologies Scope of Work: 2014-2016 AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center: both refer to and rely on using FAST extension services in the implementation of Tajikistan Agriculture and Water Activity.

Question: If FAST extension services are to be assumed by the Tajikistan Agriculture and Water Activity, please provide further detail on the design, implementation, and beneficiary groups of the FAST extension services to date and which activities Tajikistan Agriculture and Water Activity are expected to implement, including, for example, whether Tajikistan Agriculture and Water Activity is expected to take on the same extension agents and community groups.

Answer: The Tajikistan Agriculture and Water Activity is not expected to take on the same extension agents and community groups.

USAID is interested in the development of new innovative approaches to the delivery of extension services both private and public sector which will be cost effective and sustainable after the end of the activity. Most extension work done to date has relied on donor support and is not sustainable.

23. What type of entity does USAID envision the water users association entity to be—an NGO, an agency, other?

Does USAID anticipate this entity being based in Dushanbe or Khatlon?

Answer: The Offeror should propose and justify the type of entity and location which is most appropriate for the given technical approach. However, the water users association must be separate, with identifiable technical staff that have responsibility solely for the water component.

24. In Section C.10 Gender Considerations on p. 20 USAID requests an outline of potential gender issues. Can USAID confirm that this section is outside the page limit and should be included as an annex to the technical section?

Answer: The outline of gender issues is included in the 20 page limit for the technical section. Gender issues should be integrated throughout the proposal.

25. Under Feed the Future Standard Indicators for the Option Period (Table on page 19), for Improved water technologies applied, is 22,000 the correct number or should it be 17,000 to correspond with the structure of the other indicators (that the target for the option period is half the target of the base period)?

Answer: 22,000 is the correct number for the base period.

26. RFP Reference: C. 8.1, Page Number: 12. Relevant RFP Language: Feed the Future Tajikistan Agriculture and Water activity will continue to develop an agriculture advisory service and information system in the Feed the Future area and improve on the pilot which builds on USAID’s priority to empower local solutions.

Question: Could USAID specify which pilot the referenced text is referring to?

Answer: Please disregard “and improve on the pilot”. The RFP is amended accordingly.

27. RFP Reference: C. 8 and L.8.b Part 2. Page Number: 12-18; 81-83

Question: In Section L.8, USAID does not include grants under contract as one of the cost categories; however, several tasks listed in Section C might be accomplished most effectively and sustainably with the use of grant funding. This would be consistent with ADS 303, which states that grants should be “used when the principal purpose of the relationship between USAID and the recipient is to transfer anything of value to the recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation.” Would USAID allow offerors to issue grants under contract as a funding mechanism to achieve program results?

Answer: No, Grants under Contract will not be authorized under this contemplated contract.

28. Women and children are principal resources for farm management and labor in Tajikistan. Can youth be separated as a separate component of this project or should they be subsumed under the emphasis on women-led enterprises?

Answer: No, youth cannot be separated as a component of this project.

29. Extension is emphasized as if appropriate technologies are available. Yet local verification and adaptation of technologies is likely needed. Can these functions be subsumed under "Extension" activities?

Answer: Yes.

DELIVERABLES

30. Page 25, Clause F.5.A.1, Deliverables and Required Reporting, third paragraph, second sentence, states:

“The Offeror will propose financial and other sustainability targets for transfer of operations to Government of Tajikistan institutions, as well as other targets by which USAID can evaluate local capacity building.” Question:

The Offeror respectfully requests that USAID amplify its requirement for transfer of operations to the GoT, which is not apparently discussed elsewhere in the RFP or its attachments.

Answer: The RFP is revised to remove this sentence.

31. Section F.5, Deliverables and Required Reporting:

B. Annual Work Plans, page 25, states that after the first-year work plan, subsequent work plans are to be submitted 45 days prior to the commencement of every fiscal year. In the schedule under Section F.6.1, the RFP states that Year 2 and Year 3 annual work plans are due 60 days prior to the end of the U.S. government fiscal year. Would USAID please confirm when Years 2 and 3 annual work plans will be due?

Answer: Yes. Annual work plans for years 2 and 3 will be due 45 days before the end of the prior fiscal year.

A. Progress Reports – 3. Final Report, page 27, states the final report is due within 30 calendar days after the order completion date. However, the table in F.6.1 (page 31) states the final report is due 45 days prior to the completion of the contract. Would USAID please confirm when the final report will be due?

Answer: The RFP is revised. Due dates under Sections F.5 and F.6 are revised. The Final Report is due 45 calendar dates after the completion of the contract. The draft of the Final Report for COR’s review is due 30 calendar days prior the completion of the contract..

D. Invoices and Quarterly Financial Reports, page 28. All other reports required under this RFP are aligned with the fiscal year, with the exception of financial reporting. Aligning the financial reporting requirement to the fiscal year would facilitate implementation and reporting. Would USAID consider aligning the financial reporting requirement to the fiscal year rather than the calendar quarter?

Answer: Financial Reports are aligned with the fiscal year. The end of the year is the September 2015 quarter which corresponds to Sept 30 end of the fiscal year.

KEY PERSONNEL

32. RFP Reference: F.7.c, Page Number: 34. Relevant RFP Language: The required qualifications for key personnel include: Requirements for Chief of Party (COP), Requirements for Deputy Chief of Party, Requirement for Water Specialist. Offerors should propose three additional Key Personnel in accordance with instructions provided in Section L. These positions will be added to this section at the time of the award. Question: Given that Section L does not mention three additional Key Personnel and the ADS 302.3.5.4 limit of five individuals designated as key personnel, are we correct that the COP, DCOP, and Water Specialist are the only three key personnel on this activity?

Answer: Five Key Personnel are now required, see revised requirements in Sections F and L. No additional key personnel are permitted.

33. Page 34, Clause F.7(c), Key Personnel, states: “Offerors should propose three additional Key Personnel in accordance with instructions provided in Section L. These positions will be added to this section at the time of the award.” Question: Please confirm that only two additional Key Personnel should be proposed to ensure that the maximum number of Key Personnel is held to the regulatory guidelines of a maximum of five Key Personnel.

Answer: See #32.

34. Section F.7(a) states that the chief of party, deputy chief of party and water specialist are key personnel. However, under F.7(c), the RFP states that “Offerors should propose three additional key personnel in accordance with instructions provided in Section L.” Section L does not provide these instructions. Furthermore, per ADS 302.3.5.4(a), the number of key personnel must not be more than five individuals or 5 percent of the contractor employees working under the contract, whichever is greater. Please confirm that only the chief of party, deputy chief of party, and water specialist are considered key personnel in accordance with Section F.7(a) and L.7(2)(A) and that offerors are not required to propose additional key personnel.

Answer: See #32

35. On page 34, the RFP states: “Offerors should propose three additional Key Personnel in accordance with instructions provided in Section L. These positions will be added to this section at the time of the award”. However, Section L pages 78-79 mentions only three key personnel positions (Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and Water Specialist). Please confirm that no additional key personnel positions are required beyond the three identified in Section L.

Answer: See #32

36. On page 77, the RFP lists among the required documents Key Personnel CVs and LOCs (not to exceed 3 pages per individual), along with Key Support Staff CVs (not to exceed 2 pages per individual). Who does USAID consider to be Key Support Staff?

Answer: References to Key support staff have been removed from the RFP.

37. Section L.7, page 77, states that “Key Support Staff CVs” are required. Please define key support staff.

Answer: See #36

38. Page 77, Clause L.7, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, fourth paragraph requires:

the Offeror to submit “Key Support Staff CVs”. Question: Please confirm that the use of “Key” in this bullet refers to “Senior” and these CVs, if any, would not be listed in Clause F.7 in the award.

Answer: See #36.

39. RFP Reference: L.7, Page Number: 77. Relevant RFP Language: Key Personnel CVs and Letters of Commitment

(not to exceed 3 pages per individual). Question: Are we correct the Letter of Commitment does not count against the 3-page limit for each key personnel CV?

Answer: The RFP is revised to 3 pages for the resume and 1 page for Letter of Commitment for Key Personnel only.

Page 77, L.7 requests submission of Key Personnel CVs and Letters of Commitment (not to exceed 3 pages per individual). Can the CV alone be 3 pages total, or must the CV and LOC be 3 pages total combined?

Answer: See #39

40. Are offerors permitted to provide CVs for non-key personnel?

Answer: No.

41. Are offerors permitted to provide additional annexes, such as letters of commitment for non-key personnel?

42. Would USAID accept one-paragraph biographies for non-key personnel in lieu of CVs?

43. On page 79, USAID requests that bidders “(p)rovide position descriptions, a description of key personnel.” Can USAID confirm that bidders are required to provide “brief description of other long-term technical and administrative personnel, relevant expertise and qualifications and their role” for “Key Support Staff” only?

Answer: This requirement is removed from the RFP, see revised Section L.

44. RFP Reference: L.7.2.B, Page Number: 79. Relevant RFP Language: Provide position descriptions, a description of key personnel and a brief description of all other long-term technical and administrative personnel, their relevant expertise and qualifications, and their role in this RFP. Question: Could USAID clarify whether “their role in this RFP” means that offerors should indicate proposed personnel’s contribution to the proposal or what their role will be during project implementation?

Answer: See #43.

45. Would USAID consider candidates for the DCOP position who are proficient in English but not fluent, or who have verbal fluency but not written fluency to enable access to a pool of technically qualified candidates who lack expert fluency?

46. Page 79, Clause L.7 2.A, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, Key Personnel, requires: a graduate degree plus six years of experience in managing USAID programs. Question: The Offeror respectfully requests that an additional two years of experience may be provided in lieu of a graduate degree as part of the requirement for the Chief of Party?

Answer: No, a graduate degree is required. Concerning the issue of experience we will accept similar experience in the management of large agricultural projects with other donors or USG agencies.

47. Page 79, Clause L.7 2.A, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, Key Personnel, requires: a graduate degree plus four years of experience in managing USAID programs. Question: The Offeror respectfully requests that an additional two years of experience may be provided in lieu of a graduate degree as part of the requirement for the Deputy Chief of Party?

Answer: Yes, if it is relevant work experience.

48. Page 79, Clause L.7 2.A, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, Key Personnel, requires: six years of experience in managing USAID programs. Question: The Offeror respectfully requests consideration of similar non-USAID management experience for the Chief of Party?

Page 79, Clause L.7 2.A, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, Key Personnel, requires: four years of experience in managing USAID programs. Question: The Offeror respectfully requests consideration of similar non-USAID management experience for the Deputy Chief of Party?

Answer: Yes, we will accept similar experience in the management of large agricultural projects with other donors or USG agencies. The RFP is revised accordingly.

49. Page 79, Page 79, Clause L.7 2.A, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, Key Personnel, requires: extensive experience in irrigation water management for the Water Specialist.

Question: Please confirm that “extensive experience in irrigation water management” plus a Bachelor’s degree is defined as 3 year of experience in light of the requirements for COP and DCOP.

Answer: Water Specialist should have 3 years of experience and a B.A. The RFP is revised accordingly.

50. Page 42 of the RFP states that “proficiency in Russian and/or a local language is required for local professional and key administrative personnel.” Key positions mentioned in section L, the Chief of Party and DCOP, state only English as a language requirement. Are all key positions required to also speak Russian and/or a local language?

Answer: COP and DCOP are not required to have proficiency in Russian or Tajik.

TECNIICAL APPROACH

51. There are several required documents for the Technical Proposal submission which are exempt from the page limitation listed on page 77 of the RFP. Could USAID please clarify which of these documents shall be included as part of the main Technical Proposal document (but exempt from the 20 pages), and which shall be included as Technical Annexes?

Answer: No Technical Annexes are permitted. No additional annexes will be accepted.

52. There are several required documents for the Technical Proposal submission which are exempt from the page limitation listed on page 77 of the RFP. Could USAID please clarify if there are any page limitations at all for these documents?

Answer: Please see above the revised Section L.7 .

53. The RFP states on page 78 that the Technical Approach “must be realistic and result in an evaluation and design within budget.” Could USAID please clarify the implications of this sentence?

Answer: USAID has nothing further to add to the RFP language.

54. May offerors include a cover letter with the technical proposal that does not count against the 20-page limit?

Answer: Yes, it is listed as cover page.

55. May offerors include full-page figures or tables that do not count against the 20-page limit?

May offerors include personnel position descriptions in a staffing table in an annex that does not count against the page limit?

Answer: No

56. Can USAID clarify what information must be presented in the technical approach with respect to offeror’s approach to performance monitoring vs. what should be included in the annex?

Answer: In the Technical Approach this should only be an over view of the M&E approach.

57. On pg. 77, the RFP states that the Technical Proposal must indicate and delineate indicators and results to be completed for each year. Please confirm that USAID expects bidders to include indicators and detailed information about indicators and targets in the annexes.

Answer: Indicators and detailed information about targets should be included in the AMEP.

58. On page 78, USAID’s instructions regarding M&E and the results framework note that “all other information discussing the offeror’s proposed approach to performance monitoring will be included into the technical approach narrative, including, but not limited to, a clear plan for collecting baseline and subsequent data.” Can USAID confirm that the detailed plan for monitoring and evaluation, including collecting baseline and subsequent data, should…