SOL-306-15-000030-_Amendment_01..pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

000001

6. ISSUED BY CODE

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

03/08/2015

AFGHANISTAN

USAID/Afghanistan Office of Acquisition & Assistance

8. NAMEAND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, StateandZIP Code)

CODE FACILITY CODE

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

7. ADMINISTERED BY (Ifother than Item 6)

USAID Afghanistan 00001

(x) 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

SOL-306-15-000030

98. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

03/02/2015

PAGE OF PAGES

1 I 8

5. PROJECT NO. (Ifapplicable)

CODE AFGHANISTAN

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS 6F SOLICITATIONS

HThe above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth inItem 14. Thehour anddatespecified for receipt ofOffers • isextended. [Sis notextended.

Offers mustacknowledge receipt ofthisamendment prior to the hour anddatespecified inthesolicitation oras amended, byoneofthefollowing methods: (a)Bycompleting Items 8and 15, and returning 1 copies ofthe amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt ofthis amendment on each copy ofthe offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THEPLACE DESIGNATED FORTHERECEIPT OFOFFERSPRIORTO THEHOUR ANDDATE SPECIFIED MAYRESULTINREJECTION OFYOUROFFER. Ifby virtue of thisamendmentyou desireto changean offeralreadysubmitted, such changemay be made by telegram orletter, provided each telegramorlettermakes reference to the solicitationand this amendment, and is received priorto the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTINGAND APPROPRIATION DATA (Ifrequired)

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE INTHE CONTRACT

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

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

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor • is not D *srequired to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, includingsolicitation/contractsubject matter where feasible.)

The purpose of this amendment is to incorporate answers to questions recieved from offerors concering the Solicitation number SOL-306-15-000030.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretoforechanged, remains unchanged and in fullforce and effect

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

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

15C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

Jennifer Armstrong

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 16C. DATE SIGNED

3A/2P/5

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Response to Questions for RFP Number: SOL-306-15-000030

1- Question: Does the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation under Solicitation number SOL-306-15-000030 contain requirements similar to a currentcontract? If possible, pleaseprovide the currentcontractnumber.

Or, is this a new requirement for the government?

Answer: This is a new requirement.

2- Question: List of Items, Scheduleof Requirements, Scopeof Work, Terms ofReference, Bill of Materials required.

Answer: This requirement is for Professional services and the Scopeof Workis included in the Solicitation, RFP number SOL-306-15-000030 issued on March 2, 2015.

3- Question: Soft Copy ofthe Tender Document through email.

Answer: The soft copy ofthe RFP is available on FBO.gov, ACBAR.organd USAID website.

4- Question: Names ofcountries that will be eligible to participate in this tender.

Answer: Thecompetition underthis solicitation is limited to local entities. Fordefinition of local entities please refer to the cover page ofthe RFP number SOL-306-15-000030.

5- Question: Information about the Tendering Procedure and Guidelines

Answer: Page 23, section D.2 ofthe RFP number SOL-306-15-000030 provides Instructions to offerors.

6- Question: Estimated Budget for this Purchase.

Answer: As set forth in ADS 302.3.5.7, the Contracting Officer (CO) must not include the Government cost estimate in a competitive solicitation or a Request for Task Order Proposals. USAID will award a Firm Fixed Price Contract to the responsible Offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to

USAID.

7- Question: Any Extension of Bidding Deadline?

Answer: As stated on the cover page of the RFP, the closing date is March 12,2015 at 11:30 PM Kabul time.

8- Question: Any Addendum or Pre Bid meeting Minutes?

Answer: There was no addendum prior to this RFP amendment.

9- Question: On page 23, under section D.2 Instructions to Offerors, it mentions that the page limit "shall not exceed 14 pages" yet further down on Page 23 it mentions that the total technical response is "limited to a total of twelve

(12) pages". Please clarify the page limit.

Answer: In accordance with Section D.2 - Instructions to offerors of the RFP, offerors shall submit their proposals in 2 volumes; Volume 1 Technical Proposal; Volume 2 Price Proposal. Volume 1 technical proposal is limited to 12pages. Volume 2 PriceProposal is limited to 2 pages. Therefore, the offeror's proposal (including Technical and Price Proposal) is limited to a total of 14 pages.

10- Question: Please clarify if there are any language requirements for the personnel.

Answer: Proficiency in English is required.

11-Question: Pleaseclarifyif the annexes suchas past performance references and the personnel CVs are included in the page limit?

Answer: No

12-Question: Pleaseclarifyif the personnel would needto travel outside of Kabul city.

Answer: Most work will occur in Kabul. However, there is possible travel to Kandahar.

13-Question: Can USAID/Afghanistan shareany existing documentation from the implementing partner to facilitate and better inform the approach in the technical response for this RFP?

Answer: See attached background information.

14-Question: Can USAID/Afghanistan please clarify the evaluation criteriafor cost/price i.e. are thereany points allocated to the offerors cost / price?

Answer: Per Section D.3.2 of the RFP, points are only allocated towards technical factors. However, an award will be made to the offeror whose proposal represents the best value to USAID.

15- Question: Can USAID/Afghanistan clarify the number of past performance references that need to be submitted?

Answer: A minimum of 3.

16- Question: Please clarify if the past performance references are subject to the page limit for the technical response.

Answer: No, past performance references do not count against the page limit.

17- Question: Does the offeror need to budget for security services and lodging? Please clarify.

Answer: Yes, USAID cannot provide lodging or security coverage for contractors. It is desirable that the bidder make use of, to the greatest extent possible, personnel already stationed in country.

18- Question: Does USAID/Afghanistan want cost notes in a Microsoft Word Document?

Answer: Submit all portions ofthe Price Proposal in an MS Excel document.

19- Question: Does USAID require biodatas to be submitted for all personnel as an annex to this proposal?

Answer: Yes, please complete attached Form AID 1420-17 (04/2007).

Attachment 1

USAID AFGHANISTAN

FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

Agriculture

Agriculture is critical to Afghanistan's food security and a key driver of economic growth. Sixty percent of Afghans rely on agriculture for their livelihoods and their family's sustenance. The sector accounts for about 40 percent of Afghanistan's gross domestic product. Prior to decades of conflict, Afghanistan's agricultural products earned a global reputation for excellence, particularly almonds, pomegranates, pistachios, raisins, and apricots. Decades of war and neglect devastated Afghanistan's farmland, displaced millions of people, and largely destroyed the country's existing infrastructure.

OUR WORK

U.S. assistance to Afghanistan's agricultural sector focuses on creating jobs, increasing incomes and productivity, enhancing food security, creating export markets and strengthening the Afghan government's ability to promote broad-based growth.

USAID makes a tangible impact on the lives of farmers and their families while laying the foundation for Afghanistan's economic growth.

RESTORING AFGHANISTAN'S AGRICULTURE STRENGTH

Since 2002, USAID has supported the distribution of vouchers for seed, fertilizer, tools and technology to approximately hundreds of thousands of farmers to jumpstart production. By 2014, USAID interventions have generated more than S306 million in sales and services for farmers and agribusinesses. USAID has trained more than 1.5 million people, and provided more than 24,600 households with access to credit, while providing financing to agribusinesses that has generated 2,913 jobs (direct and indirect). In total, USAID investments in agriculture have helped create over 358,968 new agricultural jobs.

USAID investment in rehabilitating irrigation infrastructure has increased water availability for approximately 106,000 hectares of agricultural land. As a result, farmers are able to grow morethan one crop, increasing the total land farmed and the volume and value of crops produced. In western Afghanistan, rehabilitating 12 canals and associated water containment structures has increased cultivatable land by almost 9,000 hectares, benefitting over 17,000 households across the country.

To prevent environmental degradation and enhance land productivity, USAID has supported tree planting, improved water management, reduced soil erosion, and increased water retention.

USAID supports every link in the agricultural value chain by promoting and supporting production, processing, and sales of commodities. USAID will continue to safeguard food and economic security, increase post-harvest storage capacity, encourage market-led agricultural growth, and promote women's participation in the agriculture sector.

INCREASING ACCESS TO CREDIT AND STRENGTHENING AGRIBUSINESS

USAID has helped to create the Agriculture Development Fund dedicated to serving the agriculture sector and facilitating access to specialized credit lines, including financial products designed specifically for business women and farmers, USAID is supporting development of newagribusinesses andenabling farmers to improve the quality andquantity of their products. Since 2010, USAID hasprovided $53 million in loans to farming households and agribusinesses to increase farmers' access to credit, generating more than $25 million inhousehold income and creating thousands of full time jobs.

CONNECTING FARMERS TO REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

The future of Afghanistan's agricultural sector depends on expanding the customer base beyond Afghanistan's borders.

USAID has helped open new markets to Afghan goods by helping farmers meet international packaging and shipping standards and by organizing international agricultural trade fairs, USAID has facilitated agriculture export sales of fresh and dried fruit, nuts, and cashmere worth over$54 million to India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and other countries. USAID funding for various commercial horticulture value chains has helped 1.1 million households, planted over 3.9 million fruit saplings and grape cuttings, established over 25,000 hectares of fruit orchards and vineyards, and built 200 raisin drying facilities and cold storage rooms.

STRENGTHENING FOOD SECURITY

USAID is fighting hunger by providing critical food assistance to Afghanistan's most vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, malnourished children under five, orphans, the indigent, and the elderly. In 2013, about 2.3 million

Afghans received humanitarian assistance. USAID also responds to natural and man-made disasters, price shocks, severe winter weather and deteriorating security by providing immediate help to displaced and suffering families.

CONTACTS

Mission

USAID Development Outreach and Communications

U.S. Embassy

Great Massoud Road

Kabul. Afghanistan Phone:+93 (0)700-10-8000 Email: KabulAIDDOC@state.gov

Washington Headquarters Ciara Corbett, Administrative Assistant

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC, USA 20523 Phone: (202)-712-1900

Email: cicorbett@usaid.gov

Attachment 2

USAID AFGHANISTAN

FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

FACT SHEE"

Date: February 2015 Office: +93(0)700 114015

E-mail: kabulusaidinformation@usaid.gov

Website: httD://www. usaid.aov/afahanistan

Regional Agricultural Development Program-South (RADP-S)

October 2013 - October 2018

$125 million

OVERVIEW

USAID Regional Agricultural Development Program-South (RADP-S) promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth for rural Afghans in Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul and Uruzgan provinces. The program supports farmers and small and medium scale agribusinesses to improve production, processing and commodity sales.

ACTIVITIES

• Food and economic security:

o Train farmers in improved productivity and production practices, particularly in the wheat, high value crops and livestock sectors.

o Improve market value chains so farmers can better respond to market demand, o Increase personal incomes and nutrition for farming families.

• Post-harvest storage capacity: Increase volume of products available for off-season sales and consumption by improving post-harvest technologies, particularly packaging and warehousing.

• Market-led agricultural growth: Improve market efficiency by identifying strong local agricultural firms to champion reforms, and helping those firms lead market growth.

• Women in agricultural value chains:

o Train women in production and post-harvest storage techniques, product value adding processes, and marketing techniques to sell outside their home, o Link women to other value chain actors and increase their nutritional awareness, o Focus project activities on improved women's income, food security, and productivity.

• Enabling policy and regulatory environment: Help the Afghan government draw up modern and enforceable agricultural regulations.

• Improve public and private sector collaboration: Facilitate increased coordination between the private sector, civil society, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (MAIL), and provincial Directorate of Agricultural, Irrigation, and Livestock (DAIL).

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Increase wheat productivity by 20 percent, high value crops by 35 percent and livestock farmer income by 20 percent.

• Introduce new technologies, and improved farming techniques to 138,000 farmers.

• Generate total sales of licit crops by $95 million ($5 million wheat, $85 million high value crops, and $5 million livestock) over the life of the project.

• Provide benefits to a minimum of 15 percent women of total beneficiaries.

• Increase the management and technical skills in 105small and medium agribusinesses, of which at least 25 are in the wheat sector, 60 in the high value crops sector, and 20 in the livestock sector.

• Train 15,000wheat farmers to use improved post-harvesthandling techniques, and 40,000 high value crop farmers in improved-harvest techniques.

Attachment3

USAID

FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

OMB Control No. 0412-0520; Expiration Date: 02/28/2014

CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE BIOGRAPHICAL DATA SHEET

1. Name (Last, First. Middle) 2. Contractor's Name

3. Employee's Address (include ZIP code) 4. Contract Number 5. Position Under Contract

6. Proposed Salary 7. Duration of Assignment

8. Telephone Number (include area code) 9. Place of Birth 10. Citizenship (Ifnon-U.S. citizen, give visa status)

11. Names, Ages, and Relationship of Dependents to Accompany Individual to Country of Assignment

12. EDUCATION (include all college or university degrees) 13. LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY (see Instruction on Page 2)

NAME AND LOCATION OF INSTITUTION MAJOR DEGREE DATE LANGUAGE

14. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Proficiency Speaking

2/S

2/S

2/S

Proficiency Reading

2/R

2/R

2/R

1. Give last three (3) years. List salaries separate for each year. Continue on separate sheet of paper if required to list all employment related to duties of proposed assignment.

2. Salary definition- basic periodic payment for services rendered. Exclude bonuses, profit-sharing arrangements, commissions, consultant fees, extra or overtime work payments, overseas differential or quarters, cost of living or dependent education allowances.

POSITION TITLE

EMPLOYER'S NAME AND ADDRESS

POINT OF CONTACT &TELEPHONE #

Dates of Employment (M/D/Y)

From To

15. SPECIFIC CONSULTANT SERVICES (give last three (3) years)

SERVICES PERFORMED

EMPLOYER'S NAME AND ADDRESS

POINT OF CONTACT &TELEPHONE #

Dates of Employment (M/D/Y)

From To

16. CERTIFICATION: To the best of my knowledge, the above facts as stated are true and correct.

Signature of Employee Date

17. CONTRACTOR'S CERTIFICATION (To be signed by responsible representative of Contractor)

Days at Rate

Annual Salary

Dollars

Daily Rate In Dollars

Contractor certifies in submitting this form that it has taken reasonable steps (in accordance with sound business practices) to verify the information contained in thisform. Contractor understands that USAID may rely on the accuracy ofsuch information innegotiating and reimbursing personnel under this contract. The makingof certifications that are false, fictitious, or fraudulent, or that are based on inadequately verified information, may result in appropriate remedialaction by USAID, taking intoconsideration all of the pertinent facts and circumstances, ranging from refund claims to criminal prosecution.

Signature of Contractor's Representative Date

AID 1420-17 (04/2007)

INSTRUCTION

Indicate your language proficiencyin block 13 using the following numeric Interagency Language Roundtable levels (Foreign Service Institute Levels). Also, the following provides brief descriptions of proficiencylevels 2,3,4, and 5. "S" indicates speaking abilityand "R"indicates reading ability. For more in-depth description of the levels refer to USAID Handbook 28 or superseding policy directive.

2. Limited working proficiency

S Able to satisfy routine special demands and limited work requirements.

R Sufficientcomprehension to read simple, authentic written material in a form equivalent to usual printing or typescript on familiar subjects within familiar contexts.

3. General professional proficiency

S Able to speak the language with sufficient structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate effectively in most formal and informal conversations on practical, social, and professional topics.

R Able to read withina normal range of speed and withalmost complete comprehension of a variety of authentic prose material on unfamiliar subjects.

4. Advanced professional proficiency

S Able to use the language fluently and accurately on all levels normally pertinent to professional needs.

R Able to read fluently and accurately all styles and forms of the language pertinent to professional needs.

5. Functional native proficiency

S Speaking proficiency is functionallyequivalent to that of a highlyarticulate well-educated native speaker and reflects the cultural standards of a country where the language is natively spoken.

R Reading proficiency is functionally equivalent to that of the well-educated native reader.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT INFORMATION

The information requested by this form is necessary for prudent management and administration of public funds under USAID contracts. The informationhelps USAID estimate overseas logisticsupport and allowances, the educational informationprovides an indicationof qualifications, the salary information is used as a means of cost monitoring and to help determine reasonableness of proposed salary.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT NOTICE

Publicreporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average thirty minutesper response, including the timeforreviewing instructions, searching existingdata sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completingand reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:

United States Agency for International Development Office of Acquisition and Assistance Policy Division (M/OAA/P) Washington. DC 20523-7100;

and

Office of Management and Budget Paperwork Reduction Project (0412-0520) Washington, DC 20503

AID 1420-17 (04/2007)