Amendment_No._1.pdf

US Agency for International Development American Embassy P.O.Box 354 Amman 11118, Jordan

Tel: +962 (6) 5906000 Fax +962 (6) 5921535 http://www.usaid.gov/jordan

U.S. Department of State 6050 Amman Place Washington, DC 20521-6050

July 16, 2014

Subject: Request for Proposals (RFP) No. SOL‐278‐14‐000013 USAID Schools for a Knowledge Economy Project (USAID SKEP) Amendment No. 1

The purpose of this Amendment is to:

1. Extend the Closing Date for proposals; and

2. Respond to questions received from potential offerors.

Accordingly, the subject RFP is hereby amended as follows:

1. RFP cover page, Closing Date and Time for Proposals, delete “July 27, 2014 at 12:00 pm

Jordan time” and replace with “August 17, 2014 at 12:00 pm Jordan time”.

2. Following are answers to questions received from potential offerors:

Question No. 1: Has a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past? If available, please provide the incumbent contract number. If you are unable to provide a contract number, is it safe to assume this is a new requirement for the government?

Answer No. 1: As mentioned in the RFP, USAID launched in 2006 Jordan Schools Project

(JSP) which had a scope similar to this RFP. The scope of JSP includes the construction of 28 new schools and the expansion of 100 existing schools.

Question No. 2: Please allow us to suggest that the condition for the (REP) will be revised to allow grade (1B) to submit proposals for this project and all similar projects in the future. According to the classification by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, grade (1B) is capable to complete such projects that will be reflected positively on the technical/financial proposal you will get.

Answer No. 2: Only Jordanian A‐E firms classified in grade 1A are eligible to apply under this solicitation.

Question No. 3: Are Jordanian firms permitted to team up with US firms for this RFP, with the US firm as a sub‐consultant or Joint Venture partner?

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Answer No. 3: Jordanian firms may subcontract US firms, or other eligible firms of

Geographic Code 937, provided that the Jordanian firm will be the prime contractor.

There are no specific restrictions on teaming arrangements. However, please note that the arrangements must be identified and company relationships must be fully disclosed in your offer or, for arrangements entered into after submission of an offer, before the arrangement becomes effective.

Question No. 4: Reading through the project description report, we got to know that 27 schools have been already constructed. Thus we would highly appreciate it if you can guide us towards key persons responsible for this project at the Ministry of Education in order to consult them in the site selection process in particular, and to have a clearer view of the already constructed schools, considering it is a very huge step already accomplished.

Answer No. 4: The list of 27 schools constructed under JSP is attached to this

Amendment (Attachment 1). You may contact the Director of the Development Coordination Unit at the Ministry of Education, Engineer Firyal Aqel.

Question No. 5: Reference to the shortened working hours within Ramadan month and the upcoming Eid Al‐Fitr holiday which may occur on the announced submission date of proposals, we kindly request an extension of time for three weeks.

Answer No. 5: Please refer to page 1 of this Amendment for the new deadline.

Question No. 6: In Section C sub item C. 1 page 8, it is mentioned that by the end of 2019

USAID SKEP aims to construct and furnish up to 25 new Ministry of Education schools. Kindly clarify if contract includes construction supervision and furniture procurement services, and if included, kindly clarify schedule of construction supervision and furnishing tasks as the schedule of the contract shows 4 years.

Answer No. 6: The scope of this project does not include construction supervision and/or school furniture procurement services.

Question No. 7: Please confirm tasks included in the scope of the contract are as provided in item C3.1 page 9.

Answer No. 7: Confirmed.

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Question No. 8: In section C sub item 2.2.1 pages 14 and 15 in the RFP, location criteria of the schools Conceptual Design, it is mentioned that the contractor shall take into consideration the “proposed structure fits within the overall site master plan and has no negative impact on existing school functions.

Kindly clarify what is meant by existing schools.

Answer No. 8: This case is only applicable when the new proposed school is adjacent to an existing school.

Question No. 9: In section C sub item 2.5 pages 18 and 19 in the RFP, schedule table, kindly clarify scope of work within year 4.

Answer No. 9: All A‐E school designs shall be completed by the end of year three;

however, the support during bidding and responding to construction contractors’ inquiries related to the design documents is expected to continue through year four.

Question No. 10: In section F Deliveries or Performance page 24 item F.3 the RFP state:

“Construction Phase (Quality of A‐E Services Evaluation).” Kindly clarify responsibilities within this task and how the quality of A‐E services within construction phase will be evaluated.

Answer No. 10: As stated in the same item, the contractor’s performance will be evaluated by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and the Contracting Officer. The quality of A‐E services during the construction will be evaluated based on multiple factors, including but are not limited to, constructability, final cost, number of variation orders due to incomplete design or design mistakes, issues revealed and responsiveness of the A‐E Contractor to requests for information and/or requests for clarifications during the construction phase.

Question No. 11: In section H item 2 in page 33 the RFP states “ Negative Determination with Conditions per 22 CFR 216.3(a)(3)(iii), as the activities result in A‐E designs which impact the construction of new schools and KGs and the rehabilitation of existing schools and sports facilities occurring under Task

2. Best, management practices (BMPs) must be followed to minimize soil erosion, dust, debris and solid waste generation, flooding of sewerage, traffic disturbance, risks to workers and community safety, and to ensure proper disposal of debris and waste. The conditions are to implement environmentally sound designs, use Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plans (EMMPs), and the BMPs as detailed in Environmentally Sound Design and Management Capacity Building for Partners and Programs in Africa Guidelines for Small‐Scale Activities Chapter 3:

Construction (http://www.encapafrica.org/sectors/contruction.htm) and

‐4‐ chapter 18: Primary and Secondary Day Schools (http://www.encapafrica.org/sectors/schools.htm); and IFC Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines:

www.ifc.org/ifcext/sustainability.nsf/Content/EnvironmentalGuidelines , where relevant.”

Kindly clarify if the scope includes new schools and KGs and the rehabilitation of existing schools and sports facilities occurring under Task

2. Also please confirm that the African guidelines apply for Jordan.

Answer No. 11: The referenced Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) was prepared to cover more than one project. As indicated under Section C, the scope of work under USAID SKEP is to provide A‐E planning, design and other services for the construction of 25 new schools. A‐E services for the rehabilitation of existing schools or sports facilities are not included under this RFP. The contractor is expected to review the indicated guidelines and use the relevant provisions.

Question No. 12: It is our understanding that the Schools for a Knowledge Economy Project is to provide full A‐E planning, design and other services for the construction of 25 new schools. Please confirm that the Contractor’s services will be limited to responding to any inquiries or requests for information on the A‐E designs only.

Answer No. 12: Per Answer No. 6 above, the scope of services under this contract does not include the construction supervision services. During the construction, the A‐E Contractor will be responsible to respond to inquiries or requests for information related to the contract documents.

Question No. 13: Please confirm that the Project involves no renovation or rehabilitation services.

Answer No. 13: See Answer No. 11.

Question No. 14: What is the expected range of the built up areas of the schools and kindergartens? If this information is not available, can you please at least advise what is the expected average number of students per school? From our previous experience, the schools’ built up area range is estimated between 1,200 sqm – 3,200 sqm.

Answer No. 14: Attachment 1 to this Amendment provides a summary of the 27 new schools constructed under the JSP project. However, it shall be noted that the built‐up school areas under USAID SKEP would not necessarily be the same as under JSP.

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Question No. 15: What is the initial number of sites which the Contractor will assess and select from to reach to the 25 sites for the new schools?

Answer No. 15: The initial number of sites is expected to be around 50 schools.

Question No. 16: It is mentioned under Section H.1 – Environmental Compliance (d), page

32, that “An initial Environmental Examination (IEE) (me 13‐107) has been approved for funding this contract”. Please advise if this study is available.

Answer No. 16: The IEE findings are summarized under Section H.1 of the RFP.

Question No. 17: Please confirm that Attachment #1 – SF LLL‐Disclosure of Lobbying

Activities is not required to be filled out at this stage, and it will be submitted with the cost proposal after the Contractor is shortlisted to submit the cost proposal.

Answer No. 17: Form SF LLL must be submitted with the technical proposal.

Question No. 18: Can you provide us with an indicative construction cost per school?

Answer No. 18: The construction cost will be shared with the successful contractor at a later stage.

Question No. 19: Please advise if the BOQ’s, General and Special Conditions and

Specifications need to be issued in both Arabic and English languages?

Answer No. 19: All documents shall be in English.

Question No. 20: Although it is mentioned that the Firm‐Fixed‐Price A‐E contract will be for four years, but the schedule of shown under section C page 19 shows that all designs must be completed within the third year. Please confirm that year 4 will be dedicated for tendering services only for the final package of 7 schools.

Answer No. 20: See Answer No. 9.

Question No. 21: In order for us to submit a fully and comprehensive proposal, we appreciate granting us an extension of time of three (3) weeks from the original deadline.

Answer No. 21: Please refer to page 1 of this Amendment for the new deadline.

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Attachment 1

# Final School name National ID No.

Governorate Directorate Land Area

Building Area Constructed/ Rehabilitated

Scope of JSP Number of Students

Al Karamah Secondary Co.

Girls

113705 Aqaba Aqaba 9000 5462

2 Kindergarten classrooms 28 General Classrooms 2 Special Classrooms 4 Specialty Labs 2 Computer Labs 1 Multipurpose Hall 1 Library and resource center Administration Services Site Facilities

10th Area Secondary Co.

Girls

113704 Aqaba Aqaba 8320 6287

2 Kindergarten classrooms 28 General Classrooms 2 Special Classrooms 4 Specialty Labs 2 Computer Labs 1 Multipurpose Hall 1 Library and resource center Gymnasium Administration Services Site Facilities

3 8th Area Secondary Boys 113701 Aqaba Aqaba 15360 4725

23 General Classrooms 2 Special Classrooms 4 Specialty Labs 2 Computer Labs 1 Multipurpose Hall 1 Library and resource center Administration Services Site Facilities

4 Saad Bin Abi Waqas School 113817 Amman Amman 4 5,000 4,600

24 class rooms 2 computer labs 1 science lab 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Othman Bin Affan Sahab School

113436 Amman Amman 3 6,000 5,700

2 KG

30 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

6 Madaba Basic Co School 110478 Madaba Madaba 5,200 5,100

2 KGs 24 class rooms 2 computer labs 1 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Um Qsair W Il Muqabaleen School

112671 Amman Amman 3 9,000 5,000

23 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Othman Bin Affan Irbid School

113782 Irbid Irbid 1 6,000 4,700

22 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

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Maimouna Bint Al Hareth Basic Co School

110600 Irbid Ramtha 5,700 4,800

2 KGs 20 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Safieh Bint Abd Al Mutaleb School

110816 Zarqa Rssaifeh 6,000 4,600

2 KGs 23 class rooms 2 computer labs 1 science labs 1 Art and Music Lab

Jabal Tareq Basic Boys School

113805 Zarqa Zarqa 1 8,000 5,000

23 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

12 Aysha Al Rsaifeh School 113808 Zarqa Rssaifeh 4,131 5700

2 KGs 28 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

13 Abd Al Munem Riyad School 112562 Amman Amman 4 5,000 4,600

23 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Dahiet Al Ameer Hassan School

112616 Amman Amman 4 9,000 6200

2 KGs 28 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab Gym

Al Qadesieh Tabarbour School

113812 Amman Amman 4 5,000 5300

23 class rooms 3 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Al Qadesieh Ein Al Basha School

113798 Al Balqa Ein Al Basha 5,385 5800

2 KGs 27 class rooms 3 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Khawala Bint Al Azwar Basic Girls School

111485 Irbid Aghwar Shamalieh

10,835 4872

2 KGs 22 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

18 Hetin Basic Co School 113288 Ajloun Ajloun 5,781 4,590

2 KGs 19 class rooms 2 computer labs 1 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Princess Alya'a Basic Co School

111864 Al Mafraq Al Mafraq 10,000 5218

27 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Aysha'a Al Baouneye Basic Co School

111260 Irbid Irbid 2 6,000 4664 2 KGs 20 class rooms 2 computer labs

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2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Aysha'a Bint Abi Bakr Secondary School

113890 Al Balqa As SALT 6,597 5,093

2 KGs 24 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Um Al Somaq AlJanoobi Basic Co School

110263 Amman Amman 2 5,000 5,281

2 KGs 24 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Al Jofeh Secondary Boys School

110990 Al Balqa

SHOUNA

Janobieh

10,400 4,540

24 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Al Bnayat Secondary Boys School

110291 Amman Amman 2 5,000 5,227

28 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

25 Al Marj Basic Co School 112125 Al Karak Al Karak 5,900 5,220

2 KGs 22 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

26 Fatima Al Zahra'a School 113915 Al Karak Aghwar Janobieh

10,000 4,600

2 KGs 18 class rooms 2 computer labs 2 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

Al Madina Al Wardya Basic Co School

113900 Al Patra' Al Patra' 4,500 3,714

1 KGs 14 class rooms 2 computer labs 1 science labs 1 P.V. Lab 1 Art and Music Lab

[End of Amendment No. 1]