Questions_and_Answers_-_SOL-263-15-000006.pdf

No. SOL-263-15-000006 The Middle East and North Africa Services IDIQ

# QUESTIONS RESPONSES

1 Can the Mission provide an anticipated start date for the contract?

If the solicitation, evaluation, and award process goes according to schedule, we expect an award in the 3rd Quarter.

2 Could USAID please provide a major subcontractor threshold? Yes. Please see revised RFP, Section B.

Please confirm that the Offeror will be providing assistance only to USAID staff and Missions, and not to implementing partners.

Confirmed. The contractor will be providing assistance to USAID staff and Missions, not implementing partners.

4 Could USAID please provide a budget template? Yes. Please see revised RFP, Section B and L.

5 Could USAID provide anticipated lengths of time for STTA and LTTA trips?

STTA is generally considered anything less than 1 month (30 days) and LTTA is greater than 1 month (30 days)

Is the anticipated technical manager referred to on page 4 of the solicitation the same as the IDIQ Manager on page 5 of the solicitation? Yes. Please see revised RFP.

7 Please clarify what “deliverables” are considered to be, given that most of the assistance is anticipated to be ongoing?

This is unclear. Deliverables in the context of the IDIQ will be reports to the COR for the IDIQ. Deliverables for the Task Orders will be reports and possibly more defined products depending on the task order. For instance, a deliverable under one task order could be a draft solicitation for a cost plus fixed fee full and open contract.

Given the size of the PPR matrix, could would USAID accept its submission as an annex on 11”x17” sheet with narrow margins? Alternatively, could the Offeror create and submit our own table with the same headings? Submissions shall be made electronically per Section L of the RFP.

9 Will USAID accept additional annexes to the technical and cost proposals? Yes, but only to the extent defined in Section L of the RFP.

There are two references to core functions/activities (Page 4, B.5 Contract Line Items (CLINs); and Page 67, L.2.f (2) CORE activities) found in the RFP. Will USAID provide a definition of what elements are included in CORE functions/activities? Further will USAID provide further guidance on how the IDIQ is to be priced, based on the definition of CORE functions/activities. This reference has been removed.

Page 3: “The Government will issue task orders that are cost-plus-fixed fee.” Page 4 of the solicitation additionally states “contract Line Items for fixed-price task orders” is anticipated. Does USAID anticipate releasing both cost-plus-fixed-fee and fixed-price task orders?

Possibly. That will be up to the operating units ordering off the IDIQ. USAID desires to make this IDIQ as flexible as possible for operating units to use.

Additionally, page 37 of the solicitation states that, “task orders issued under this IDIQ will either be Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) (term or completion), Cost-Plus-Award-Dee (CPAD), Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF), or any Fixed-Priced type. Can the Mission clarify which types of tasks orders will be issued under the IDIQ?

Different operating units will be using this IDIQ for services. They will state the pricing mechanism for the task order in the RFTOP.

Page 8, Place of Performance: The RFP states that “All services performed under this SOW must be executed off-site from a location in or within close proximity to Frankfurt, Germany and/or USAID Missions or Offices in the Middle East and North Africa. However, this does not mean that the Contractor must maintain a home office or centralized office in the region as long as relevant staff are in close proximity to these locations.” Could USAID please clarify what is meant by “these locations?”

This paragraph has been clarified. Please see revised RFP. Nevertheless, "these locations" refers specifically to Frankfurt, Germany and the locations of current USAID operations or Missions within the region.

Page 9: The RFP states that the Offeror must have the “capacity to secure security clearances for staff as may be required for regular access to United States Government (USG) facilities and/or information systems.” Could USAID please clarify whether the ability to have facilities clearance or security clearance for personnel is required?

Facility Clearance is not required for this requirement but facility access clearance will be required. Information pertaining to this has been added to the RFP.

Page 9: The RFP states that “it is envisioned that the principal demand for such support services would come from USAID’s limited and/or non-presence programs (currently Yemen, Lebanon, Tunisia, Libya, Syria and Iraq).” Is travel to these non-presence countries anticipated? If so, could USAID please provide guidance as to how to budget for this travel?

There is no need to budget for travel at this point. That will be done at the task order level.

Page 10: In proposing ceiling daily rates for positions, not all positions are listed with professional level classification (senior, mid, junior). Could the Mission classify for the following positions at what level of professionalism they are anticipated? (Travel Specialist, Communications and Records Specialist, Property Management Specialist, Information Technology Project Management Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Technical Advisor, GIS Specialist, Evaluation Advisor, Performance Monitoring/Indicator Specialist, Evaluation/Performance Monitoring/Training Specialist, Evaluation Methods Specialist, Communications Specialist, Program Information Management Specialist, Translator, Facilitator/Events Manager, Program Budget Specialist

The new table in the revised RFP will clarify this. Offerors will be required to propose rates in accordance with Section L, using the table in Section B.

Page 10: Can USAID confirm that it would like the Offeror to propose ceiling daily rates for Junior, Mid and Senior level positions rather than each proposed technical and program support position listed starting on page 10 of the solicitation? See revised Sections B and L

Page 10: In addition to the ceiling rates, should the Offeror propose daily rates for each of the positions starting on page 10? Yes, daily rates will also be required in accordance with the new table.

19 Page 10: Should the budget provide daily rates, not salaries, for proposed personnel? Yes.

Page 10: Are the proposed technical and program support positions to be treated as employees or consultants/STTA/LTTA?

All proposed personnel will be treated by USAID as non- USAID employees. They may be the offeror's employee or consultants.

21 Please confirm that the IDIQ Manager’s labor costs cannot be direct billed. Confirmed.

22 Please confirm that the IDIQ Manager is the only anticipated Key Personnel and will not function at 100% LOE.

Confirmed. At this stage, it is not anticipated that the IDIQ Manager will be required at 100% LOE. That could change depending on the number and complexity of task orders issued. For this reason, USAID believes that having the IDIQ Manager as an indirect cost makes more sense so there is not an uneven distribution of the cost of the IDIQ Manager.

23 Page 51: May the Offeror include the SF LLL as an annex to the cost proposal? Yes, that is acceptable.

24 Page 51: Could USAID please provide the SF LLL? The link is not live. The link has been updated.

Pages 73 and 77: Could USAID confirm that a biodata for the one key personnel member (IDIQ Manager) is required in both the technical and cost proposal appendices? The instructions have been updated. A bio-data sheet will not longer be necessary.

26 Page 75: Can USAID confirm that both the cover letter and an annex of the Cost Proposal shall include the NICRA? The instructions have been updated.

Page 75: The cost proposal must have “(5) Identification and description of each labor category proposed.” Should this description be pulled from those listed on page 10? Yes, the labor category descriptions should correspond to the required labor categories.

Page 77: The RFP states that “the Offeror must also provide a Prime and Major Subcontractor Percentage of Work Overview Chart (See Attachment J.3) as an annex to the Cost/Business Proposal identifying the anticipated labor utilization for the prime and all subcontractors.” However, it will be difficult to determine workshare without task orders. Could USAID please provide further guidance on how to do so? This requirement has been removed.

Page 77: “The prime Offeror must provide a narrative justifying the labor rates for each labor category proposed with supporting information such as historical biodata forms used…” Can the Mission confirm this is different than the proposed rates for Section B.6? Please see the updated information in the RFP regarding narrative justifications.

30 Page 79, Direct Facilities Costs: Should the Offeror assume these facilities will be an office In Frankfurt? No direct facility costs will be required at this stage.

31 Page 79: What is meant by “non-expendable property purchases”? This requirement has been removed.

Pages 81-82: Could USAID please clarify whether major subcontractors, or all subcontractors, need to provide the following for the cost proposal: Part 4 - Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences; Part 6- Evidence of Responsibility; Part 8-Letters of Commitment All subs.

Page 82: The RFP states that the cost must include “Part 9 - Legislative Reporting Information.” Could USAID confirm that a standardized form does not exist for this section? No USG standard form exists as far as we are aware.

Page 83: Should the Offeror propose associated costs for the branding and marking plan in the budget and cost proposal at this time for the IDIQ? No. A draft plan is all that is necessary.

Page 87: “USAID’s goal is to achieve low administrative costs and focus funds for local engagement and program implementation, hence, will be considered for the evaluation of the cost/price.” Please clarify if local hires are desired for the IDIQ Manager and the technical and program support positions. If so, can the Mission clarify whether this means hires from Germany, or hires from potential countries of TOs? This is for offerors to determine, explain and justify in their proposals.

Could the Mission confirm that the CLIN 001 budget should include IDIQ functions only, and that the CLIN 002 budget should be for future task orders only? This has been clarified. Please see revised RFP.

Can USAID clarify whether all necessary costs for management of the IDIQ shall fall under CLIN 001 and all potential TOs shall fall under CLIN 002? This has been clarified. Please see revised RFP.

Could USAID clarify whether proposed technical and program support positions for Tasks 1-5 will function at full-time 100% LOE? If so, will these personnel work from a field office in Frankfurt, Germany or remotely?

We expect positions for Tasks 1-3 to function at full-time. Positions for Tasks 4 & 5 may be full-time or part-time depending on the tasks. Where and how staff will work will be a critical part of each offeror's proposal.

39 Could a travel plug figure for the IDIQ be provided at this time for budgeting purposes? No. It is unnecessary at this stage.

40 Will the Mission allow offerors to propose HQ support personnel? Yes.

Page 9, Under Section C.3 Objective, the RFP requests that companies expressing interest in executing this work document “Liquidity of funds of at least $1.8million”. Would a Line of Credit in excess of $1.8 million sufficiently meet that standard? Yes.

Page 30, In the Deliverables chart under Section F.5.1 IDIQ Level Reports and Deliverables or Outputs, the RFP shows the IDIQ Performance Monitoring Report due “upon award.” Would USAID consider changing this due date to 15 days after award? Yes, this has been changed. Please see revised RFP.

Page 43-44, The RFP references a maximum annual salary specified to be found in Sections H.2 and H.X; however, Section H.2 is Authorized Geographic Code and Section H.X seems to have been omitted. Can USAID clarify what the maximum salary requirements are for RFP # SOL-263-15-000006?

These sections have been removed as not applicable in this award and the maximum salary requirements are in accordance with USAID's Contractor Salary Threshold.

Page 72, In Section L.8 (a) Organization of Technical Proposal, the RFP states “The total pages for the Technical Proposal shall not exceed thirty (30) pages exclusive of Annexes and other pages not subject to a page limitation as specified below .” Does USAID consider the compliance matrix to be a “free standing chart” that will not be counted against the Technical Proposal’s 30 page limit? Yes. This has been clarified.

Page 72, In Section L.8 (a) Organization of Technical Proposal, the RFP states “Do not use a font smaller than 11 point.”

Would USAID consider allowing offerors to use a font no smaller than 9 point for graphics and tables? Yes. That is acceptable for graphics and tables.

REF: B.6(a), The RFP states that “Highest degree obtained should be related to work being performed.” Please consider removing this requirement, as Bachelor’s degrees may not relate to the specific work area. For example, someone with a political science degree may be a facilitator, but someone could argue that the degree is not relevant. Changed. Please see revised RFP, Section B.

REF: B.8, page 6; L.8(b), page 74; L.9, Labor Costs paragraph, page 77; L.9, Indirect Costs paragraph, page 79; M.2.D, page 86 --- Please provide the definition of “major subcontractor.” Added. Please see revised RFP, Section B.

48 REF: B.9, page 7, May the IDIQ Manager also serve as a Task Order Project Manager/Lead? Yes.

REF: B.12, page 8, The second line allows for COs from the Middle East to request Task Orders. It does not mention COs from Northern Africa. Will COs from Northern Africa also be allowed to request Task Orders? Yes. COs from North Africa will be allowed to order from the IDIQ.

REF: SOW, pages 12-20, The illustrative Labor Categories under Tasks 2, 4, and 5 do not have skill level information. Will the government please provide the level the offeror should use to price these labor categories? Or are we to price all Labor Categories at all skill levels?

Please complete the chart provided in Section B and L. Offerors are to provide qualifications associated with each level proposed.

REF: SOW Task 2, page 11-14, For support under the illustrative labor categories where USAID receives these services through a non-USAID ICASS service provider, what would the role of the position be vis-a-vis the service provider? For example, would the property management specialist be responsible for liaising with the GSO, entering things into Ariba, and tracking or actually working directly with the host-country customs service?

No work would be carried out directly with the host government since that is the role of DOS. It would include preparing forms, reviewing shipping documents, corresponding with CORs and GSO personnel, and forwarding documents as needed. Work in the Ariba system would only be required if the incumbent is provided access to the DOS OpenNet system (which is likely to require access to a DOS Embassy or Consulate facility.)

REF: SOW Task 2, page 12 Is the SHRA responsible for the recruitment process to fill all vacancies including FS, CCN, and TCN or will their scope be limited to a specific hiring type(s)?

The scope would include all hiring types so that knowledge of all hiring mechanisms would be required.

REF: C.7, page 21, C.7 specifies that in addition to ID and photos we will need to submit “related background checks”.

Can any additional clarity be provided? Will CCN staff be approved for logical access by the USAID Mission or W/SEC and what background check will be required before logical access will be granted? Does each Mission have the ability to provide remote logical access to its systems and files for CCN staff?

Additional language regarding security clearances has been included. Please see revised

RFP.

REF: C.11, page 23, In the event a mitigation plan is needed, will it be the IDIQ CO or the Task Order CO that reviews and determines if the mitigation plan is sufficient?

The Task Order Contracting Officer will make the determination but will have to engage the IDIQ Contracting Officer as a matter of course.

REF: F.5.1, Section 2, page 30, Section 2 mentions both an annual and quarterly performance reports? Is it correct that the non-financial reports are required not more than annually at the IDIQ level? For the IDIQ, that is correct.

REF: F.5.2, Pg. 33 requires financial statements broken down by funding account type. Will USAID provide the funding type information to the contractor for this purpose?

Funding type will either be Operating Expenses (OE) or Program Expenses. Each task order will indicate the type of funding, especially if there are multiple types of program funds in the award.

REF: F.5.2 Section 8, page 34 This section states that “USAID requires the Contractor to coordinate closely with current partners to ensure a smooth transition and seamless continuation of key activities and interventions.” Can the government provide the company names and contract names of these current partners? We do not have this information.

58 REF: I.3, page 49, November 1, 2014 through October 31, 2019 are listed as the order dates. Are these correct? No. Please see revised RFP.

59 REF: J, page 51, The hyperlinks for Attachments J.1, J.4, and J.5 do not provide the listed documents. Please provide. All have been checked and updated as necessary.

60 REF: J, page 51, Please confirm that form SF LLL is to be completed by the prime contractor only. It should be filled in and delivered by the prime and every major subcontractor.

61 REF: L.2(f)(2), page 67, Please define “CORE activities.” This has been removed.

REF: L.8(a), page 71, The second bullet from the end of the page references a Contractor Performance Report Short- Form, and states that this is provided in Section J. This was not included in Section J. Please provide. Also, please provide a Word version for ease of completion. Link has been added to Section J.

63 REF: L.8(a), page 72, Can font sizes smaller than 11-point be used in charts, illustrations, graphics, and tables? Yes. See above.

REF: L.8(b), page 72, Can the government please confirm that the compliance matrix required by RFP Section L.8.b is not subject to Technical Proposal’s 30 page limit? Confirmed.

REF: L.8(b), page 73, There is only one Key Personnel called for…the IDIQ Manager. Yet the RFP says “Clearly identify each of the individuals proposed for the Key personnel positions.” Are there others? Or is USAID asking us to designate additional Key Personnel? This has been updated.

REF: L.8(b), page 73, Please define “appropriately cleared individuals.” Are there clearance requirements for some, any, or all of the proposed labor categories?

An "appropriately cleared individual" is someone who possesses or is able to receive the nececessary clearance for the position to be incumbered. It is unlikely that a proposed personnel would require a secret level clearance. The type of clearance needed would be determined per task order. All positions requiring access to USAID systems and/or facilities would require a Facility Access clearance. See the updated information in the RFP regarding security clearances.

REF: L.8(b), page 74, The RFP requires offerors to “List in an annex to the technical proposal at least three (3) but no more than five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal.”

Should this be using the Contractor Performance Report Short-Forms referenced on page 71? An Excel matrix is also provided in J.6. Should that be inserted in the technical proposal or should it be a standalone file? Both should be used.

REF: L.8(b), page 74, Please confirm that the “at least three (3) but no more than five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts” requirement applies to the team as a whole, i.e. 3-5 contracts from the prime contractor plus subcontractors, and not 3-5 from the prime, plus 3-5 from each subcontractor. See updated language in Section L.

69 REF: L.9, page 75, Is the government going to provide a pricing template? Yes.

70 REF: L.9, page 75, Should offerors only propose rates for those labor categories listed under Tasks 1-5? Yes

REF: L.9, Part 1, page 76, Proposed Costs/Prices, states, “the detailed budget must reflect every estimated cost item, broken out.” It is impossible to price every estimated cost item when there are so many unknowns regarding the task orders. Can a sample task be used for pricing evaluation purposes? This has been updated. Please see revised RFP.

REF: L.9, Part 1, page 76, Detailed Budget Cost – Without a sample task order, how would USAID like offerors to estimate all possible costs? This will vary depending on the task location and scope. The instructions have been updated. Please see revised RFP.

REF: L.9, Part 1, page 76, Summary Budget – how would USAID like the offeror to summarize the budget category “Labor Costs” without having hours to total? The instructions have been updated. Please see revised RFP.

REF: L.9, Part 1, page 77, Under Travel, Transportation and Per Diem states, “information should indicate the number of trips, domestic and international, and the estimated costs per trip. Specify the origin and destination for each proposed trip, duration of travel…” This cannot be estimated without knowing the number of task orders, their locations, and the needs of the missions. Can this be based on a sample task order? Or can the government provide a NTE amount? This requirement has been removed.

REF: L.9, Part 1, page 77, Several of the items requested will vary based on the task order such as the travel, equipment and supplies, other direct costs, direct facilities costs, consultants, etc., should this information be evaluated at the task order level or based on a sample task order?

Actual costs and prices will be evaluated at the task order level. For the purposes of the IDIQ, policies and procedures, as noted in Part 3 of the Cost Proposal Instructions may be reviewed as necessary.

REF: L.9, page 79, Will the government confirm that subcontractors can provide NICRA and indirect costs directly to the government in sealed packages?

Yes, that is confirmed. If it is not possible to submit these by email, please alert USAID immediately to expect express delivery.

REF: L.9, page 79, For companies that do not have established NICRA with USAID, will USAID accept forward rate agreements that have been certified by an independent entity or forward rate agreements that have been submitted to DCAA but are pending approval by DCAA? Or do those companies need to include audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements for the last two complete years, and the current year-to-date states under ii) on Page 80?

Yes, but a fully approved agreement or documentation en lieu of would have to be in place prior to award for the offeror to be considered.

REF: L.9, Part 2, page 80, If the Offeror and its subcontractors are in SAM.gov, must Section K still be completed and submitted with the proposal? Or can the offerors and subcontractors use a screen shot of their SAM registration instead?

We use Section K as a back up for possible system errors with SAM and therefore encourage completion of the Section.

REF: L.10, page 83, Are the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan required at submission or after award? If at submission, please confirm that they are not part of any proposal page limit. A draft plan is required with the proposal. It is not a part of the page limitation.

REF: M.3, page 87, A “cost/price matrix” is referenced throughout. Will USAID provide the matrix to offerors for completion? This reference has been removed.

81 Does USAID have a preference for the offeror to staff using U.S. citizens, TCN, or HCNs? No, USAID has no preference.

What location should offerors use for pricing evaluation purposes? Prices are likely to vary across Frankfurt, the Middle East, and North Africa.

That is core to each offeror's strategy for staffing the various requirements that are likely to arise as part of this contract.

If USAID does not post answers to questions by January 31, 2016, we request an extension. We need answers to these questions to submit a compliant proposal. Understood.

84 Is the IDIQ Manager billable? No. Please see revised RFP.

Can the government please clarify whether all positions will require secret clearance, or whether this will be determined per Task Order?

This would be determined per task order. It is expected that most positions would not require a Secret Level Clearance. All positions requiring access to USAID systems and/or facilities would require a Facility Access clearance.

Is submission of branding and marketing plan required with the proposal? We believe that the RFP suggests it should be done after the award. Please confirm. A draft plan is required with the proposal. It is not a part of the page limitation.

In case the CEO of the company is the authorized official to negotiate the contract as well as the signatory of the proposal what kind of authorization to sign the proposal is needed, per item L.2.c (2) v on page 65? None as the CEO is understood to hold sufficient authority for the company.

88 Please provide attachments including J3 Yes. Please see revised RFP, Section J.

In C3 Objective, RFP suggests that the contractor will be required to obtain security clearance for staff as needed, but does not require this as a qualification or condition to bid. Please confirm.

Your understanding is correct. The intension here is for each offeror to be reasonably sure of the ability of personnel proposed on future task orders to obtain security clearance if it is required at a future date. Reasonability here suggests that offerors have done some due diligence for staff they may propose, including but not limited to validation of basic personnel information, before stating names as potential staff.

REF: Page 73, “Submit a complete bio-data form and current resume for the proposed IDIQ Key Personnel.” Will USAID please direct us to the biodata form that is referenced in this requirement?

This requirement has been removed. Instead, please use the required Statements of Qualification that require each Offeror to clearly explain and justify why proposed staff will meet or exceed the requirements of the position.

Page 3, Section B.2 states, "USAID is contemplating a single award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract resulting from this solicitation." Question: Is it possible that USAID will issue multiple awards under the IDIQ? Not likely but USAID reserves the right if it is determined to be in the best interests of the Government.

Page 4, B.6 Labor states, "The CO has determined that a key (full-time) technical manager is not necessary or required to administer the basic IDIQ. Contractors will not be authorized to bill USAID directly for IDIQ management costs under this IDIQ or under task orders." Question: Since the IDIQ PM position is part time, will USAID agree that the PM may provide directly billable STTA under task orders, when approved?

Yes. This is acceptable.

Page 5, Section B.6 (a) states, "Minimum of (2) years of overseas field experience working in one or more developing countries undergoing political instability" Question: What constitutes a country undergoing “political instability”?

The term "political instability" is meant to convey many of the attributes frequently ascribed to "fragile states," namely countries characterized by weak state capacity and/or weak state legitimacy, leaving citizens vulnerable to economic, political, or other shocks. Please see revised RFP. This portion has been moved to Section F.

Ref.: Page 44 and Page 59, H.2 Authorized Geographic Code and procurement - "Authorized geographic code is 937" and "Goods and services provided by Offerors under this USAID-financed award are expected to be subject to the 937 Geographic Code." Will USAID consider changing the geographic code to 935, as there could be third country nationals (TCNs) highly qualified to provide their expertise and requesting a waiver for these TCNs will take some time and might not allow a rapid mobilization as required by the IDIQ?

The geographic code for the IDIQ is 937. The geographic code for task orders may be other than 937, if a waiver is approved.

Page 49, I.3 56.216-18 ORDERING (Oct 1995) states, "...delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from November 1, 2014 through October 31, 2019." Question:

Will USAID update the dates for this section? Updated. Please see revised RFP.

REF: Page 64, L.2 52.215-1 Instructions to Offerors states, "(c) Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals. Confirm the delivery address for the hard copy and CD copies of the proposal.Otherwise, will USAID consider an electronic delivery via email? Electronic delivery is preferable.

REF: Page 65, L.2 52.215-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS states, "(1) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. EST one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of proposals; or " Will you confirm that proposal electronic submissions are due on Feb. 12, 2016 by 5 p.m. EST? Should the contractor follow the directions highlighted in L.7 for proposal delivery? Please confirm due date since Feb. 13, 2016 is a Saturday.

Date will be extended to February 16, 2016 by 2:00pm (Cairo time).

REF: Page 71 L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, "In addition, the Technical Proposal shall include a compliance matrix indicating where in the proposal each Statement of Work requirement is addressed." Would you provide a format for the compliance matrix? No.

REF: Page 71, L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, "In addition, the Technical Proposal shall include a compliance matrix indicating where in the proposal each Statement of Work requirement is addressed." Is the compliance matrix part of the 30-page count? No.

REF: Page 73, Staffing Approach (Key and Non-Key Personnel), "Clearly identify each of the individuals proposed for the Key personnel positions. " Confirm that only one individual (IDIQ Manager) shall be proposed as key personnel in the proposal response. The IDIQ Manager is the only Key Personnel.

REF: Page 74, CONTENT OF TECHNICAL PROPOSAL: Past Performance, "The Government intends to use its Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) as the primary source for evaluating past performance. The Government reserves the right to obtain and assess past performance information from other sources." Will USAID recognize past performance references from overseas member firms that do not exist in CPARS? Yes, but each Offeror that uses such references must ensure that USAID is able to access all the information required for a thorough evaluation of past performance.

Page 75, L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL, "The proposed CDR’s will be used in the cost/price evaluation matrix and will be incorporated in section B.6 Labor." Is there a desired format for the “Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix”? This reference has been removed.

103 Within what timeframe does USAID anticipate issuing the first Task Order(s) after IDIQ award? Soon after IDIQ award.

Please clarify if USAID anticipates Contractor augmentation resources to support the MERP in Frankfurt, or if USAID anticipates resource needs only arising from the Missions.

Users of the IDIQ will include MERP as well as Missions in the Middle East Region and North Africa.

REF: Page 85, M.2 Evaluation Criteria, How will the various sections of the proposal be rated relative to each other? For example, how will the technical Understanding and Approach be weighed relative to the Staffing Approach, Management Approach or past performance? Please refer to the relative importance of each criteria in Section M.

Is there an incumbent contractor performing this work or is this new work? If there is an incumbent, who is that incumbent and under what contract number is the work being performed? This is new work.

107 Section B.6 - Since this is a senior level position with 8 years experience, does the IDIQ Manager also require a Ph.D? No.

Section B.6 - In considering the 8 years of project management experience, can we use a mixture of the 3 D's (Diplomacy, Development and Defense) to describe the 8 years experience? Yes. Please see revised RFP.

Reference RFP Cover Letter and Section L.2. The RFP Cover Letter specifies the proposal due date, but no time deadline for submission. RFP Section L.2(c)(3)(i) states that if no time is specified in the RFP, the time of receipt is 4:30 pm local time. Please confirm that the deadline for proposal submission is 4:30 pm Cairo time on February 13, 2016. Date will be extended to February 16, 2016 by 2:00pm (Cairo time).

Reference Section B.5 CONTRACT LINE ITEMS (CLINs). This section refers to "core functions." Can the Government define "core functions"? What are other core or non-core functions for the purposes of the task orders (e.g., would there potentially be commodity ordering under the task orders)? This has been updated and revised.

Reference RFP B.6 Labor. Other than the IDIQ Manager is there an expectation for any of the labor categories or positions denoted in Tasks 1-5 to be covered in the contractor’s overhead and available on an ongoing basis to support MERP activities, or will there be an initial task order that would order staffing and services to support the MERP office?

USAID does not expect that any of the other labor categories or positions described would be covered by the contractor's overhead.

Reference RFP B.6 Labor. Do locally hired staff in Frankfurt have to meet the LCP and can we be provided a copy of the

LCP?

In accordance with USAID regulations, AIDAR 722.170, third country nationals and cooperating country nationals must comply with the local compensation plan, unless otherwise authorized. At this time, we are unable to provide a copy of the LCP for Germany, or any other country. However, we may be able to provide to the successful offeror with that information at the task order level. The eventual contractor must also comply with the labor law of the place of performance of the proposed individual under a task order.

Reference RFP B.6 Labor. Which types of roles do you envision needing security clearances? Will USAID recognize USG security clearances issued by other USG agencies, specifically Department of State, Department of Defense, and Department Homeland Security?

USAID cannot recognize clearances from other agencies and all clearances terminate when the position ends so a new clearance is required. If a clearance was held with another agency, there is a possibility that USAID can revalidate the clearance rather than completing the clearance from the beginning. All positions that require access to USAID systems and/or facilities would require a Facilities Access Clearance. Please see also response to Question 68.

Reference RFP B.12 Task Orders. Will the source of the funding for the majority of the task orders be bi-lateral mission funding?

It will vary. There are operating units with funding under bilateral agreement and there are Missions that must obligate all their funds unilaterally that are able to access this

IDIQ.

Reference RFP C.4 Statement of Work, Task 3 – Support for Financial Management. With some of the Financial Management for MERP and other ME Missions being back-stopped in Budapest is there any potential need for staff to be provided onsite in Hungary?

Budapest is not providing backstopping services to MERP or other ME Misions. It is up to the contractor to determine most favorable location for back-office financial management support staff taking into consideration other guidance provided in the SOW related to time differences and geographic proximity.

Reference RFP Section C.8 Security Plan. Is it anticipated that the contractor will need to be able to travel and work in these environments unsupported by USG resources? Yes.

Reference RFP Section L.8(a) Organization of Technical Proposal. This section indicates that “the Contractor Performance Report Short-Forms (Attachment is in Section J)” is excluded from the page count. However, this form is not part of Section J. Please confirm whether this form is part of the required submission and, if so, please provide a copy for completion. The web link has been updated and checked.

Reference RFP Section L.8(a) Organization of Technical Proposal. This section indicates that “Use of Small Business participation program targets information” is excluded from the page count. However, there are no subsequent instructions in Section L.8(b) to address this requirement in the Technical Proposal. Can the Government provide instructions on what is needed to address this requirement in the Technical Proposal? This has been removed from the technical proposal.

Reference Section L.8(b) Content of Technical Proposal. This section indicates a compliance matrix is required in the Technical Proposal. Is this matrix included in the 30-page limit for the Technical Proposal? No.

Reference Section L.8(b) Content of Technical Proposal, Staffing Approach, Page 73. A bio-data form is required for the IDIQ Key Personnel in addition to a resume. Does the Government have a required format or content for the bio-data form?

This requirement has been removed. Instead, please use the required Statements of Qualification that require each Offeror to clearly explain and justify why proposed staff will meet or exceed the requirements of the position. Please see revised RFP.

Reference Section L.8(b) Content of Technical Proposal, Staffing Approach, Page 73. Please confirm that the 5-page resume described is required only for the IDIQ Program Manager.

The requirement for a resume has been removed. Instead, please use the required Statements of Qualification that require each Offeror to clearly explain and justify why proposed staff will meet or exceed the requirements of the position. Yes, this only was referring to the IDIQ Manager. Please see revised RFP.

Reference Section L.8(b) Content of Technical Proposal, Past Performance, Page 74. This section indicates performance information is required for the offeror and “each major subcontractor.” Can the Government provide a definition of “major subcontractor”? Please see definition in Section B of revised RFP.

Reference Section L.9(b)(5) Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost Proposal. These instructions require identification and description of each labor category proposed. Is the offeror expected to use the Government-provided labor categories in Section C or define their own labor categories?

The table in Section B and attached should be followed, but if an offeror wants to add additional levels or categories to augment the table, USAID will consder those additions.

Reference Section L.9 Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost Proposal, Part 1 – Proposed Cost/Prices. The Government has not provided any staffing mix or hours to price. Given this is an IDIQ with no defined scope, can the Government provide guidance on sample labor mix and hours to price so that a common pricing submission is provided from all offerors for comparison and evaluation purposes? No. Please see revised RFP.

Reference Section L.9 Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost Proposal, Part 3 – Policies and Procedures. Please confirm the experienced Federal contractors do not need to provide this information. Please see revised RFP.

Could you kindly consider extending the due date as the current due date of the tender does not allow enough time to respond to the solicitation. We hereby request a minimum two weeks extension. Date will be extended to February 16, 2016 by 2:00pm (Cairo time).

127 Could you please clarify how you expect the IDIQ management costs to be billed for. A part of the offeror's indirect costs.

The RFP states that all rates must be fixed for the life of the project page 6 B7 and then it allows for a 5% yearly increase H.1.1 (1) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (d) Annual Salary Increases.

Please see revised RFP. However, the rates proposed should allow for increases. Any such increases proposed should be fuly explained and justified.

The Conflict of Interest issue being one of the biggest concerns for bidders on this solicitation. Could you clarify if it is correct to assume that the COI will not preclude the bidder from bidding on other projects but might limit the orders he gets under this IDIQ.

Each situation of possible OCI is dealt with separately. I cannot make a determination now regarding possible mitigation in the future.

Page 76, Section L.9 Part 1-Proposed Costs/Prices, The referenced section gives instructions for a detailed budget, while Section B.6 specifies that “Contractors will not be authorized to bill USAID directly for IDIQ management costs under this IDIQ or under task orders.” Could USAID please clarify the types of costs that are authorized in the detailed budget requested?

Please see revised RFP.

Page 37, Section F.8.2. Task Order Limitations/Award Types - The referenced section stipulates that there will be no minimum order for this award. FAR 16.504 (a) (1) & (2) states that the Government must guarantee a minimum quantity in order for the contract to be binding. Could USAID please identify a minimum order amount?

The FAR requires a minimum guarantee. Please see revised RFP, Section B.

Page 71, Section L.7(a)(4) Delivery Instructions and Page 73, Section L.8.b Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal - Section L.8 requires the Offeror to submit “a complete bio-data form” for key personnel as an appendix to the technical proposal. Meanwhile, Section 7 stipulates that the technical proposal “must not make reference to pricing data”. Given that the bio-data form will include pricing data in the form of salary history and a proposed rate, can USAID confirm that the bio-data form should be included in the cost proposal rather than the technical proposal? Please see revised RFP.

Page 65, Section L.2(c)(3)(i) Instructions to Offerors - The referenced section states that “If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that proposal or revision is due.” However, the Fed Biz Opps page indicates that responses are due at 11:59PM Eastern time on Feb 13, 2016. Can USAID please confirm the submission time for the proposal? Date will be extended to February 16, 2016 by 2:00pm (Cairo time).

Page 71, Section L.8(a) Organization of Technical Proposal - Section L.8.a refers to “past performance report forms” in addition to the past performance matrix, references, and Past Performance information in using small business concerns. Can USAID please provide a template for these report forms, or describe how the information on the report forms differ from the information to be included in the Past Performance matrix?

The matrix is a summary listing where the forms gives the Government more detail on the past performance referenced.

Page 71, Section L.8(a) Organization of Technical Proposal - Related to question 5 above, Section L.8.a refers to the Contractor Performance Report Short-Forms located in Section J. Section J contains a Past Performance Matrix, but not the short-forms. Can USAID please clarify where these short forms are located? Web link has been updated and checked in Section J.

Page 71, Section L.8(a) Organization of Technical Proposal - Can USAID please specify if the Branding Strategy, Implementation Plan, and Marking Plan should be included in the 30-page technical proposal, or if this belongs in an annex?

These items shall be included in the annex and are excluded from the technical proposal page count.

Page 9, Section C.4, Statement of Work and page 4 Section B.6 (a) Minimum Qualifications for Task 1-5, Would USAID consider proposals by the contractor which include additional levels (Junior, Mid, Senior) to the illustrative positions in the Statement of Work, where one is not specified or it would benefit the Contractor’s proposed technical or cost approach?

The table in Section B and attached should be followed, but if an offeror wants to add additional levels or categories to augment the table, USAID will consder those additions.

Page 81, Part 5 Subcontracting Plan and Small Business Concerns, In reference to FAR 19.708 Contract clauses , which states: “(a) Insert the clause at 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns, in solicitations and contracts when the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold unless— (1) A personal services contract is contemplated (see 37.104); or (2) The contract, together with all of its subcontracts, will be performed entirely outside of the United States and its outlying areas.” The Place of Performance of this solicitation details, “all services performed under this SOW must be executed off-site from a location in or within close proximity to Frankfurt, Germany and/or USAID Missions or Offices in the Middle East and North Africa.” Would USAID confirm that Small Business Concerns are not applicable and remove the Subcontracting Plan and Small Business Concerns requirements? No.

139 Can USAID provide a scoring rubric that will be used for assigning points during the evaluation of the proposal? No.

Will USAID weigh each task equally while evaluating the Technical Approach and Understanding section, or will the tasks be valued at different levels of importance? If the latter, can USAID please provide more information about the value of different tasks within the technical approach?

Please refer to Section M for the relative weight and importance of each factor and subfactor. The ability to be responsive to all tasks is what is required by USAID.

Page 3, Section B.2 Contract Type and Services - The RFP states that “The Government will issue task orders that are Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF).” Sections B.4, B.5 and B.8 discuss Fixed-Price Task Orders, while Section F.8.2 says: “Task orders issued under this IDIQ contract will be either Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) (term or completion), Cost-Plus-Award- Fee (CPAF), Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF), or any Fixed-Priced type.” Can USAID please confirm that only CPFF task orders will be issued under this IDIQ or would USAID consider adding Fixed Price to Section B.2? This section has been updated and revised. Please see revised RFP.

There is no mention of a requirement to submit relevant data to the USAID Development Data Library (DDL). Does USAID anticipate including this requirement at the Task Order level only when it is applicable?

The standard provision "SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (OCTOBER 2014)" will be incorporated into the amendment and required as applicable at the task order level. Please see attached RFP.

Page 74, Section L.8(b), Past Performance - Does the limit of three to five relevant contracts apply collectively to an offeror’s consortium, or will three to five past performance references be accepted per team member of a consortium? Please see revised RFP.

144 Please clarify if any information is missing from page 78 of the RFP. It was an unintended page break.

Please confirm performance evaluation factors referenced in F.4 will be in accordance with CPAR factors as required by FAR Part 42.15. The section states that it will be done in accordance with FAR 42.15.

Page 9, Section C.3; page 41, Section G.7(b)(7); page 44, Section H.3(c); page 51, Section J.4 - The RFP makes multiple references to the offeror’s capacity to obtain security clearances for staff under this IDIQ. In past experience with USAID and other USG clients, only contractors on cleared contracts (and hence with facility clearances) are able to obtain security clearances for contractor staff. We note the inclusion of Form DD-254 in Section J, however no mention is made elsewhere in the RFP of a facility clearance requirement. If USAID intends to require contractors to obtain security clearances for staff under this IDIQ, will it then require offerors to possess and maintain a facility clearance?

Please see response to previous questions on this issues and the revised information in the RFP related to security.

RFP Page 4, Section B.6 Labor, states that “the CO has determined that a key (full-time) technical manager is not necessary or required to administer the basic IDIQ. Contractors will not be authorized to bill USAID directly for IDIQ management costs under this IDIQ or under task orders. Contractors shall propose a centralized management structure that allows for recovery of IDIQ management costs as part of its indirect costs.” However, the RFP details the responsibilities and requirements of the IDIQ Manager included as Key Personnel in Section B.6 (a) Minimum Qualifications for Task 1-5 and Section B.9 Key Personnel Requirements. a. Would USAID confirm that the IDIQ Manager position is considered key personnel? Will USAID also confirm if this person’s time billable against the contract for time worked is directly related to the IDIQ and/or subsequent task order? The IDIQ Manager is the only Key Personnel for the IDIQ. No direct billing to the IDIQ or subsequent task orders is authorized at this time. Please see answer to previous question regarding the use of the part-time IDIQ Manager as possible STTA on task orders.

RFP Page 8, Section B.11 Place of Performance states that “the Contractor must be responsive during the operating hours of the supported…