Responses_to_Questions_on_Amendment_2__.docx

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES ON PROMOTE IQC RFP

SOL-306-13-000033 AMENDMENT 2 RECEIVED BY SEPT. 18, 2013

1. IQC and TO2 L and M, throughout the solicitation document, with the exception of L and M, the RFP references the “contractor”. In sections L and M of the IQC and TO2, the RFP references the “offeror”. It is our interpretation based on specific use, contractor is referring to the awarded contractor and all related requirements for the “contractor” are due post award as indicated; and that “offeror” is referring to all competing providers and all related requirements for the “offeror” are due with the proposal. Is this correct?

Yes, this is correct.

2. Please provide a complete list of Section L deliverables for the IQC and the TO2. It seems Section L does not capture all required deliverables in a single list. Please advise.

Instructions for the IQC and TO2 Section L are set forth in Section L. Illustrative Deliverables for the IQC are set forth in Section C.7.4. Deliverables for Task Order 2 are set forth in Section C and Section F.3.

3. Written_Answer_to_Questions _received_ before_ August_ 6_2013.pdf, Question 9 asks for clarification regarding a PMP, and the answer clarifies that a Performance Monitoring Plan is required under Task Order 2…the RFP has been amended… In searching the RFP, there is no reference to a Performance Monitoring Plan, only the Performance Management Plan – are these the same?

The “Performance Monitoring Plan” and “Monitoring and Evaluation Plan” are part of the “Performance Management Plan”.

4. Written_Answer_to_Questions _received_ before_ August_ 6_2013.pdf, Question 21, F.3 Deliverable 16 and C.10.3 provide contractor specific requirements for a knowledge management strategy and plan. Question 21 indicates the “contractor” is required to develop a Knowledge Management strategy and plan. Please confirm the “offeror” is not required to deliver this plan as part of the TO2 proposal response, as it is not accounted for in sections L and M of TO2. Section M.2(a)(1) Technical Approach, item 3) is the only area where the TO2 offeror response requirements introduces knowledge management and the requirement provides no indication for an actual strategy and plan, but states: “Demonstrates knowledge management and sharing of key findings/best practices/lessons learned to leverage collaboration and inform evidence-based decision making on leadership development programming for the target groups.”

The offeror is required to deliver a Knowledge Management Strategy and Plan as part of TO2; “knowledge management” in Section M.2(a)(1) Technical Approach of TO2 is referring to the knowledge management strategy and plan described in Section C.10.3 and Deliverable 16 of TO2

5. TO2, C.6 Monitoring and Evaluation, Paragraph 5: The Contractor must also monitor WLD participants based on frequency and timing as stated in the approved Monitoring and Evaluation Plan…: Please clarify if the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan is the same as the Performance Management Plan mentioned in Paragraph 1. If not the same, what is the difference and what is the specific guidance for each?

The “Performance Monitoring Plan” and “Monitoring and Evaluation Plan” are part of the “Performance Management Plan”.

6. TO2, C.8 Communications and Messaging:…the Contractor shall develop a communications plan…: Please clarify if the communications plan is a requirement of the Task Order 2 response and if so, please account for it in Section L – where should the offeror place the response and what are the page limitations if any.

The communications plan is a requirement of the TO2 response and should be placed in Annex 5. There is a 5 page limit for Annex 5.

7. TO2, C.10.1 Planning and Development, C.10.2 Procurement and Selection of Training Venue and Logistics Providers, and C.10.3 Knowledge Management: Section L does not sufficiently account for a response to these items – it is not clear where our approach to providing these items should be provided. Should we respond to these items as part of our technical approach and/or management approach? The management approach annex only permits the mobilization plan and not a detailed approach to managing the life of the program as it relates to these SOW items. Please clarify.

These items should go in the sections that are relevant to your strategy and approach. The management approach annex is not part of the 40 page limit of the Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal allows up to 40 pages for discussing technical approach, key personnel, management approach, and past performance.

8. TO2, C.11.5 Environmental Compliance Paragraph 4: An Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EEMP) on how the Contractor intends to carry out the mitigation measures that will minimize environmental impact required for activities that have a Negative Determination with Conditions. Please clarify the meaning of this sentence, it seems fragmented. Also, the EEMP is not accounted for in Section L or Section M, please clarify the placement of this item as part of the section L outline.

An Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) on how the Contractor intends to carry out the mitigation measures that will minimize environmental impact is required for activities that have a Negative Determination with Conditions. A basic framework EMMP is to be included in Annex 6 of the Technical Proposal.

9. TO2, F.3 Reports and Deliverables Annual Work Plan: Section L accounts for a draft work plan (5 years), is this Annual Work Plan the same as the draft work plan mentioned in Section L. If it is not part of the draft work plan, it is not accounted for in section L, please clarify the placement of this item as part of the section L outline.

TO2, Section L requires a draft work plan for 5 years, this includes the Annual Work Plan which is the same as the draft work plan for year 1 mentioned in TO2, Section F.3. The Annual Work Plan / draft work plan for year 1 and should be in greater detail.

10. TO2, F.3 Reports and Deliverables Performance Management Plan, A PMP, excluding PIRS, should be no more than 25 pages…PMP must be provided with the initial Annual Work plan: Section L requires a draft PMP with a maximum page limitation of 5 pages. This section requires the PMP as part of the initial Annual Work plan (which if it is the same as the draft work plan (5 years), will be submitted as part of the proposal. Is the PMP 5 pages long or 25 pages long?

As stated in TO2, Section L, the Draft Performance Management Plan (PMP) must not exceed 5 pages in total. The initial Annual Work Plan is part of the draft 5-year Work Plan which must not exceed 5 pages. The 25 page PMP is the plan that will be finalized after award.

11. TO2, F.3 Reports and Deliverables, Deliverable 15, the Contractor must develop in collaboration with Afghan, USG, PROMOTE IQC holders and donor stakeholders a broad internal and external communications and messaging strategy and plan: Is the Communications and Messaging Strategy and Plan the same as the previously used Communications Plan within the solicitation documents…please clarify?

Yes.

12. TO2, L.1 Technical Proposal, Text attachments shall adhere to the same formatting specifications given above: What is a “text attachment”, is it an attachment the offeror provides outside of the annex. Are such attachments permitted and evaluated?

Text attachment is an attachment that is not a graph, chart, or table. Text attachments can be included in the Annexes listed in Section L within the page limit for each Annex. These permissible Annexes will be evaluated.

13. TO2, L.1.1(4) Past Performance, (a) the offeror (including all partners of a joint venture) must provide past performance information for itself and major subcontractors. “Major subcontractor” is any business relationship to implement task order requirements that is projected to be valued at more than 20% of the anticipated contract value or performs a critical activity. Narrative past performance information for task order two must demonstrate past performance that is relevant to developing strong, demand-driven technical skills, plus senior level management and leadership abilities, facilitating women’s entry and advancement into mid-level positions in government, the private sector and civil society. In addition, Offerors must provide the following information:

(i) List in an annex to the technical proposal, (See Annex 2 at attached at the end of this RFP for a template for Task Order Past Performance information), five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts or grants for efforts similar to the work specified in Section C of task order two in the past three (3) years. The most relevant indicators of performance are awards which contain similar services provided in countries with similar operational, socio-economic, political, and cultural characteristics to Afghanistan, and the currency of the performance.

Question: Although question 127 of the questions received by August 6, 2013 responds to this requirement, the answer still remains vague. As presented above, the two paragraphs are separate and can be interpreted we are permitted to submit five of the Offerors most recent and relevant past performance and five of the subcontractors most recent and relevant. Please clarify if it is 5 total, combining both offeror and subcontractor past performance?

Yes.

14. TO2, M.2(a)(1) Technical Approach, the offeror is to submit a: 1) draft PMP and 2) draft five year work plan with greater detail in Year 1, an illustrative Results Framework and Data Quality Assessment Plan, as annexes. Question: Although question 97 of the questions received by August 6, 2013, provides a response to a similar question, the placement of the Illustrative Results Framework and Data Quality Assessment Plan is not clear in Section L – the answer to 97 does not specify. Section L does not account for these items in the outline at all. Please clarify the placement of these items in section L and page limitations.

The Illustrative Results Framework and Data Quality Assessment Plan are part of the draft Performance Management Plan in TO2, Section L, Annex 1 (a) – not to exceed 5 pages total.

15. Questions Received Prior to August 6, 2013 and Answers Received on 9/12/2013, Question 116: Per Section L.5.b.2, p.325, the Staffing Plan/Organizational Structure is included in the 40-page limit for the Key Personnel section of the Task Order Two proposal, but per Section L.6 on the same page, the Staffing Plan with Key Personnel Summary Table is to be annexed. Please clarify.

Annex 2 Key Personnel Annex is to include the information described in Annex 2 (a), (b), and (c). Annex 2 allows for additional information not included in the 40 page limit.

Question: The answer “The Annexes referenced in L require more detailed information and supporting documentation for the relevant technical proposal sections….” presents a challenge for the offerors as the annexes are all limited to either five pages each or five pages per subsection, which is not sufficient for “more detailed information and supporting documentation…”, especially for items representing the communications plan, the management approach, etc…, Currently the management approach annex (for example) is only comprised of mobilization and does not account for “how” the offeror will manage this effort. Equally, there is insufficient page allocation in the actual management approach section, with only 40 pages spread across four major and evaluated sections, plus the technical proposal, as stated in the RFP should only summarize the annexes…

Further, with all due respect (sincerely), according to the USAID Partner Learning (http://www.usaidallnet.gov/partner-learning/3/ ), Slide 37, Appendices are intended to be supplemental and should not contain key information to be scored. Are the requested annexes the same as appendices. Please clarify the role of the appendices vs. the annexes requested, and if the annexes requested will be scored. Especially since as currently outlined the scored elements reside in the section L outline as a preface to all the annexes.

The annexes are the same as appendices and will be included in the scoring for the evaluation criteria where applicable.

16. Questions Received Prior to August 6, 2013 and Answers Received on 9/12/2013, Questions 117: the answer to question 117 states the branding implementation plan and marking plan should be submitted as an annex; however Section L was not modified to account for its placement and section M does not account for its scoring.

Also IQC, D.2 BRANDING, IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING PLAN states: The contractor shall develop a broad Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP) for the IQC to describe how the program deliverables will be branded. The BIP shall implement the Branding Strategy for the PROMOTE program (unless specified otherwise in a specific task order).

17. Questions Received Prior to August 6, 2013 and Answers Received on 9/12/2013, Question 118: SF294 is not accounted for in section L, please clarify its placement.

SF 294 will be submitted as Annex 3 to the IQC Technical Proposal.

18. Questions Received Prior to August 6, 2013 and Answers Received on 9/12/2013, Question 122: The answer to this question indicates the offeror should submit a Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program Subcontracting Plan and Targets as part of TO2 as an Annex; however, this requirement has been removed from the TO2 Section L and answer 106 indicates it is not required.

The IQC states in Section L.8(c), a Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program Subcontracting Plan is to be included in the IQC proposal and it will not be included in the 10 page limit.

19. M.2.a.(1) item 4, Describes a draft Performance Management Plan (PMP) that includes: 1) critical assumptions to WLD; 2) indicators that measure the enhanced leadership knowledge and skills of PROMOTE participants over time; 3) indicators that measure the application of leadership knowledge and skills in the public, private and civil society sectors in Afghanistan; 4) an illustrative WLD Results Framework; 5) illustrative data sources and method of data collection; and 6) an illustrative Data Quality Assessment Plan;

and M.2.a.(1) item 5, The offeror is to submit a: 2) draft five year work plan with greater detail in Year 1, an illustrative Results Framework and Data Quality Assessment Plan, as annexes

Question: Items 4 and 5 contradict each other, with 5 requiring the Illustrative Results Framework and the Data Quality Assessment Plan as annexes to the Draft Five Year Work Plan; while 4 requires these items as part of the Performance Management Plan – please advise.

The Illustrative Results Framework and Data Quality Assessment Plan are part of the draft Performance Management Plan in TO2, Section L, Annex 1 (a) – not to exceed 5 pages total.

20. Past Performance, will the government consider extending the past performance requirement from three (3) years to the standard five (5) years?

No.

21. F.10 (e), this statement indicates a Quality Control Plan will be provided with each Task Order. A QCP is not mentioned anywhere else in the IQC or Task Order #2. Is this QCP based on the contractors Performance Management Plan, or is the Government providing the QCP?

The QCP is included in the contractor’s Performance Management Plan.

22. Answer 127, page 25 and IQC section L.8(c)1., page156 --- Please confirm that USAID would like past performance information for "up to five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts or grants for efforts similar to the work specified in Section C of the RFP in the past three (3) years" for the prime contractor and, in addition, up to five past performance references for each major subcontractor. (This would result in more than five total past performance references if a bidder has major subcontractors.)

No, five includes the total for both the prime contractor and major subcontractor/s combined.

23. Section L.8 (d) of the IQC (pgs. 156-157) and Section L.1.1 (4) of the Task Order 2 (pgs. 336-337) -- Please confirm that the information requested on (d) “extraordinary problems,” (e) “quality awards and certifications,” and (f) “performance in using Small Business Concerns should be included in the Past Performance annex?

Yes

24. The answer to question #138 in the original RFP (p.240) states: “Offerors may propose a separate non-Key Personnel Summary table annex.” However, this annex is not listed in Section L of the revised RFP. Please confirm that offerors may propose this table as an annex under Task Order 2.

Under Section L in TO2, offerors are to discuss the Staffing Plan in the Technical Proposal in the 40 page limit and attach in Annex 2 a Staffing Plan with a Key Personnel Summary Table (not to exceed 3 pages in total), a Key Personnel Statement of Qualifications (not to exceed 3 pages for each person), and an Illustrative Organizational Chart (not to exceed 1 page in total).

25. Section K.5 (page 128), Part (a)(2) of the RFP has been updated to state that “The small business size standard is $10 million.” Please confirm that Section K.9 (page 136), Part (a) (2) should also say that the small business size standard is $10 million.

The small business size standard is $10 million.

26. RFP Section C.7.2, p.27, states that “USAID intends to work through local, private sector providers for the provision, of training, including leadership training,” whereas RFP Deliverable 8, p.328, states that “The Contractor, in consultation with USAID must develop criterion and select a minimum of 5 training partners (i.e. university departments of education, public sector training departments, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs).” Does USAID have a preference for any specific training partner category or categories?

USAID does not have any specific training partner preference.

27. The RFP and answers to questions require submission of a number of annexes that do not appear on either the list of approved annexes for the IQC (Section L.8(c), pp.155-156) or the list of approved annexes for Task Order 2 (Section L.1, pp.333-334). Can USAID please confirm that the following annexes are required and that they will not count against the IQC Annex 2 page limits or the IQC Annex 5 page limits?

The RFP is amended to include the following Annexes:

IQC:

Annex 3 in the IQC proposal, Section L.8.(c) is for the SF 294.

Annex 4 in the IQC proposal is for the list of eSRS Reports and other subcontracting reports (must not exceed 5 pages) Task Order 2:

TO2, Section L.1., Annex 5 is changed to be for the Communications Strategy and Plan (must not exceed 5 pages) TO2, Section L.1, Annex 6 is for the basic framework EMMP (must not exceed 5 pages)

TO2, Section L.1, Annex 7 is for the Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP); (must not exceed 5 pages).

TO2, L.1, Annex 8 is for the list of eSRS Reports and other subcontracting reports (must not exceed 5 pages)

TO2, L.1, Annex 9 is for Other Charts, attachments, Offeror may wish to provide (must not exceed 5 pages in total).

28. Please clarify whether (i) a knowledge management strategy and plan and (ii) a communications strategy and plan are required as part of the Task Order 2 proposal and if so, whether they can be included as separate annexes that do not count against any page limits. There is differing guidance about this at various points in the RFP and answers to questions, and neither annex is listed as a permitted annex in RFP Section L.1, pp.333-334).

The knowledge management strategy and plan and communications strategy and plan are required as part of the Task Order 2 proposal. The knowledge management strategy and plan should be included in the technical proposal while the communications strategy and plan should be included in Annex 5. There is a 5 page limit for Annex 5.

29. RFP Deliverable 8, p.328, calls for dividing the initial 40 trainers equally among the five training venues. Given the unequal population distribution among the five specified population centers (Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat, Jalalabad, Kandahar City and Kabul), would USAID consider a different proposed distribution?

The offeror must distribute the trainers among the specified population centers where the majority of educated young women reside and the greatest opportunities for advancement are located, as well as consider other socio-economic factors.

30. Section C.9.6 states that the “Contractor must be fully familiar and compliant with the requirements and procedures of Section H.29. Further, Contractor must comply with all GIRoA and U.S. Government civilian/military agency policies and orders (COM/FRAG) as they relate to contracting with private security contractors (PSCs). Contractor must assure that unlicensed private security contractors are not used by Contractor or any of Contractor’s subcontractors.” PSCs are no longer operating in Afghanistan as per Presidential Decree 62 ordering the disbandment of private security companies. We request that Section C.9.6 be updated to reflect current security arrangements.

Section C.9.6 Security of the IQC is deleted and replaced with:

“All contractors will be required to work with the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF).”

31. In the revised RFP the total target for female participants in the Women’s Leadership component has been decreased to 18,000. Could USAID share the rationale for the reduction as well as USAID’s thoughts on the impact the reductions will have on achieving a 30% critical mass of female leaders?

The reduction is based on changes to the overall Promote design, however, the 18,000 women is an initial estimate as per TO2, C.10.1. Promote seeks to achieve 30% by the end of the project, however, this may be revised based on the analysis conducted by Task Order One: Baseline Collection Services.

32. USAID’s response to the total target for the WLD Component and the total target for PROMOTE suggest that USAID is no longer requiring all the PROMOTE female participants to be enrolled in the WLD component. Can USAID confirm or explain?

Promote seeks to include all Promote female participants in the WLD component.

33. In the revised RFP, implementation and deliverable deadlines such as the knowledge management plan (month 2), leadership styles survey (month 2), intermediation service manual (month 4),TOT materials (month 4),TOT assessment materials (month 4), and TOT (month 5) have been pushed up. Can USAID commit to review and approval of training materials and plans that will allow contractor to maintain this schedule?

USAID will work closely with the contractor to ensure the schedule of deliverables is maintained.

34. Is USAID requiring separate letters of commitment (LOC) for the Overall IQC proposal and the TO proposals or is the inclusion of duplicate LOCs acceptable?

Separate letters of commitment (LOC) are required for IQC and TO proposals.

35. For Task Order 2, deliverable 8 you stipulate that trainer are to be equally divided among region implying that the same number of women will be trained in each of the five designated locations. Give the difference in population density and other socio-economic factors would USAID reconsider this requirement or accept plans that take socio-economic and population factors into consideration in determining the target number of participants for each location?

The offeror must distribute the trainers among the specified population centers where the majority of educated young women reside and the greatest opportunities for advancement are located, as well as consider other socio-economic factors.

36. Section D of the revised RFP requires the submission of a Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan specific to Task Order 2. Responses to questions submitted prior to August 6 stipulate that the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan should be submitted as an Annex. However, the revised RFP does not specify whether the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan should be an annex to the Technical Volume or Cost Volume. It is not listed as one of the required annexes to either volume. As such, is it restricted to the page limit (5 pages) for additional annexes?

These should be submitted as Annex 7 and it must not exceed 5 pages.

37. Section H.7 on page 72 states that “if, during contract performance, the Contractor proposes salary or wages for an individual(s) that exceeds 4% percent of the individual’s current salary or wage or the highest rate of annual salary or wage received during any full year of the immediately preceding three (3) years, the cognizant Contracting Officer’s approval is required.”

On page 73 under H.7 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (d) Annual Salary Increases, there appears the following language: “Annual salary increase (of any kind -- cost of living, merit, promotion increase, or any other type) of not more than 2% cumulatively may be granted after the employee's completion of each twelve month period of satisfactory services under the contract. Annual salary increases of any kind exceeding these limitations or exceeding the restrictions detailed in Section H.4 and H.5 may be granted only with the advance written approval of the Contracting Officer.” Please provide clarification on the different rates.

Section H.7 is corrected to state 2% cumulatively.

38. Please confirm that a Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan are not required to be submitted with the IQC.

Yes, Branding Plan and Marking Plan are not required to be submitted with the IQC proposal.

39. Please confirm that the Small Business Utilization information requested on page 157 in sections L.8(d).1(f)(3)A, B, and C of the IQC instructions (requiring a narrative, subcontracting reports submitted to eSRS, and SB concern references) may be included as an annex. Please confirm that this information replaces the Annex 1(b) requirement (page 155).

Yes, the Small Business utilization information on page 157 will be included in Annex 1(b), not in another annex; each project must not exceed 3 pages.

40. Answer 105 of the September 12 amendment indicates that the RFP (Attachment J.18) has been amended to delete the “duplicative” requirement for Small Business Utilization information in Attachment J.18. However, these requirements are still found on page 334 (in regards to Annex 4(b)) and page 336 (Section L.1.1(4)(d)(1)A, B and C). Please confirm that offerors are not required to provide information regarding past performance on Small Business Utilization in our response to the RFTOP in Attachment J.18.

Answer 105 did not take out the requirement under Section L of TO2 to provide 3 examples of small business utilization. Past performance information on small business utilization is required on page 334, Annex 4(b) and page 336, Section L.1.1(4)(d)(1) A, B and C.

41. Regarding Question and Answer 127 in the September 12 amendment, and the instructions provided in Sections L.8(d)1(a) and (b) (page 156) of the IQC proposal instructions, please confirm that, using the template provided in Attachment J.5, we may present up to 5 of the most recent and relevant contracts or grants per each major subcontractor in addition to the 5 presented for the prime contractor.

No, five includes the total for both the prime contractor and major subcontractor/s combined.

42. Regarding Question and Answer 127 in the September 12 amendment, and the instructions provided in Sections L.1.1(4)1 (pages 336 and 337) of the Task Order 2 proposal instructions, please confirm that, using RFP Annex 2 as a template, we may present up to 5 of the most recent and relevant contracts or grants per each major subcontractor in addition to the 5 presented for the prime contractor.

No, five includes the total for both the prime contractor and major subcontractor/s combined.

43. In light of electronic file size limitations if offerors were to present budgets in multiple formats, and for ease of USAID’s review, may offerors use separate tabs for each task (rather than one long spreadsheet as shown in the budget template provided in J.19, Annex 10])?

A detailed budget is required in addition to the Budget Summary Spreadsheet. The detailed budget must be in a format consistent with the Budget Summary Spreadsheet provided in J.19, Annex 8. Yes you may use tabs for each task in your detailed budget.

44. Section L.2 of the Task Order 2 cost proposal instructions (page 338) lists the overall cost categories. Subcontracts is missing from that list and from the Budget Summary Spreadsheet (RFP Attachment J.19, Annex 8). May we include subcontracts as an overall cost category?

A detailed budget is required for subcontractors in addition to the Budget Summary Spreadsheet. The detailed budget must be in a format consistent with the Budget Summary Spreadsheet provided in J.19, Annex 8. Yes you may use tabs for each task in your detailed budget.

45. Deliverable 4 states, “…a procedural manual that clearly describes participant selection criteria for the primary and secondary target groups, support, and other requirements to be adhered to by the training partner institution or other subcontracted provider…Due Month 3.” Deliverable 7 states, “…A manual must be developed that clearly describes at a minimum the selection criteria [for the secondary target group], support, and other requirements to be adhered to by all training partner institution or other sub-contracted providers… Due Month 4”. Should the Deliverable 7 manual be removed?

Deliverable 7 should be incorporated into Deliverable 4.

46. In light of the revised RFP and the September 12 amendment questions and answers, please confirm that offerors are to include the Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Attachment J.6) as an annex to PROMOTE IQC technical proposal, despite the fact that it will contain financial details (dollar amounts and percentages).

Yes.

47. Cover page, time of submission changed between from Amendment #1 to Amendment #2. Amendment 1 lists the closing time as October 5, 2013, 12:00PM Kabul time. The revised RFP, with Amendment 2 lists the closing time as October 5, 2013, 12:00AM Kabul Time. Kindly confirm the closing time: 12:00PM (noon) on October 5 or 12:00AM (midnight) on October 5.

The closing date is October 5, 2013 12:00 PM Kabul Time

48. The RFP cover page states that 19% of the ceiling of $416M, or ($79M) will be allocated to WLD. P. 152 states that, “Task Order 2 is estimated in the range of $40 million to $42 million.” P. 309 states that, “It is expected that women participating in Components 1, 2 and 3 will also participate in Component four—WLD.” Since TO#2 for WLD only serves 25,000 women, does this mean there will be another WLD task order for the remaining $37M to serve the additional 50,000 women? Or, will the balance of WLD services be offered as a deliverable under Task Orders for the other components?

The notional percentage is based on USAID’s contribution, i.e. up to $42 million for TO2. There is no guarantee that donors will contribute to funding in any one component to reach the $416 million ceiling.

49. P. 5 indicates that there will be an IQC manager. P. 51 indicates that there are no Key Personnel for the Basic IQC. Please confirm that the IQC manager is not Key Personnel. Also, kindly indicate whether the CV for the IQC manager should be provided in the annex. And if provided in the annex, does it count against the allowable 5 pages of “additional annexes”?

Yes, IQC Manager is not a key personnel and no CV is required.

50. P. 152, Section L.8 (d)1 (a) states that “the offeror (including all partners of a joint venture) must provide past performance information for itself and major subcontractors, relevant to all four PROMOTE components, outlined in section C of the RFP.” Please confirm that, in the technical narrative, the offeror may describe relevant past performance of non-major partners, in addition to the past performance of the offeror and the major subcontractors.

Yes

51. P. 318, Deliverable 8, instructs “…hiring and training of initially 40 Training Specialists, to be equally divided among the 5 training venues.” Please clarify whether the number of training specialists should be divided proportionally to the anticipated number of participants in each venue; or whether USAID anticipates that an equal number of participants will be trained in each venue, for instance the same number in Kabul as in Kandahar.

The offeror must distribute the trainers among the specified population centers where the majority of educated young women reside and the greatest opportunities for advancement are located, as well as consider other socio-economic factors.