Global_linkages_Soclicitation_Amendment.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

1 9

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICAITON NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

Sept 4, 2014

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicble)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance, USAID/India American Embassy, Shanti Path Chanakyapuri New Delhi, 110021 India

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

To all offereors

(X) 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICIATION NO.

SOL-386-14-000001

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

Sept 4, 2014

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

CODE FACILITY CODE

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended, is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a)By completing items 8 and 15, and returning copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment your desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPIRATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE 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, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

The purpose of this modification is to amend the solicitation to incorporate the following.

1. Please see attached for the most up-to-date definition of a local entity. The new definition is different than what was listed on the first page of the RFP.

2. The due date on the cover page says proposals are due at 10:00am on October 10, 2014, this is being changed to 3:00pm on October 10, 2014.

3. The Budget Template in Section J.4 should include a line item of fixed fee.

4. Section L.8 of the RFP stated that proposals should not exceed 30 pages, but then mentions a maximum page limit of 25 pages. The correct page limit is

30 pages.

5. Section L.9 of the RFP stipulated that the electronic technical and financial proposals should be submitted in a version that is compatible with Windows XP.

This was stated in error, all technical and financial proposals must be submitted in a version that is compatible with Windows 7.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

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

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

//ps// Paul A. Seong

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C. DATE SIGNED

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Contractual Questions

Clarification: The RFP stipulated that the electronic technical and financial proposals should be submitted in a version that is compatible with Windows XP. This was stated in error, all technical and financial proposals must be submitted in a version that is compatible with Windows 7.

Clarification: What constitutes a local entity?

According to Section 7077 of Public Law 112-74, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (P.L. 112- 74), also known as "Local Competition Authority" and (ii) contracts awarded to local entities (as defined in Section 7077 of Public Law 112-74) under the authority at AIDAR 706.302-70, the definition of a local entity is as follows:

By submission of an application and execution of the award, the Applicant/Recipient represents that it is an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that:

(1) Is legally organized under the laws of India;

(2) Has as its principal place of business or operations in India;

(3) Is majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of India; and

(4) Is managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of India

For purposes of this provision, “majority owned” and “managed by” include, without limitation, beneficiary interests and the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exercisable, to control the election, appointment, or tenure of the organization's managers or a majority of the organization's governing body by any means.

Question: Could you please clarify page limit for technical proposal. Is it 30 pages or 25 pages? Page 82 of the RFP document mentions both 30 and 25.

Answer: The proposal can be a maximum of 30 pages.

Question: How many hard copies of the final proposal (both technical and financial) need to be submitted?

Answer: Each bidder will need to submit four (4) hard copies and one electronic copy (technical and financial proposals must be in separate files). Both hard copies and electronic copies must be submitted by the closing date of this RFP.

Electronic files must be emailed to IndiaRCO@usaid.gov and hard copies must be delivered to:

RCO India American Embassy, Shanti Path Chanakyapuri New Delhi, 110021 India

All hard copies and electronic copies must be submitted by 3:00pm local Indian time on October 10, 2014.

mailto:IndiaRCO@usaid.gov

Question: If there is a consortium, can some of the members be non-local entities? / Can we identify subawardees outside of India?

Answer: Please see section H.2 of the RFP for exact language in accordance with ADC 302.3.5.17 . Only the prime contractor is required to be a local entity. You can have sub-contractors that are non-local entities, however only 50% of your proposed budget can go to non-local entities.

Question: Who will have the copyright of everything developed under this project?

Answer: USAID will have exclusive rights to all materials developed. If a contractor would like to use any of the documents created under this contract for any purpose, including for academic purposes, they will need to receive prior approval from USAID. Please refer to ADS 318.3.2.2 Copyrights and Contracts for additional information.

Question: Section H of the RFP mentions the Defense Base Act (DBA), do the Indian entities need to comply with this?

Answer: No, Indian entities do not need to comply with the Defense Base Act (DBA). However, if there are US subcontractors on the project, the US organizations will need to comply with the DBA.

Question: I understand that prime needs to submit Certs & reps, do bidders need to include these for the proposed subcontractors as well?

Answer: Yes, named subcontractors need so submit Certs & reps

Question: If countries are fully compliant with local Indian laws how do we also comply with USAID regulations?

Answer: Bidders are expected to comply with both local Indian laws and USAID regulations. If you are concerned about any conflicts in the two, please contact your organization's legal experts.

Question: How many awardees will there will be?

Answer: We are anticipating making one award. However, as per the cover letter in the RFP, this RFP in no way obligates the United States Government (USG) to pay any cost incurred in preparing and submitting your proposal. In addition, the USG reserves the right to reject any and all offerors, if such action is considered in the best interest of the USG. Furthermore, the USG reserves the right to make an award with or without discussions.

Question: How long does it take to get a DUNS number?

Answer: It depends. Please go to http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform to start the process. If you experience any technical difficulties in getting a DUNS number please contact the help desk at govt@dnb.com. Please remember that after you receive your DUNS number you will need to register it in SAM, which also takes time.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform mailto:govt@dnb.com

Financial Questions

Clarification: The budget template on page 59 (Section J.4) of the RFP should include a line for fixed fee.

Question: How do we factor those risks into our costs risk that we will take for making these consortiums?

Answer: You can add a line item for a fixed fee in your budget.

Question: Is it possible for the funds to be made available outside of India?

Answer: Funds will only be made available to the Prime contractor in India.

Question: The implication is that the funds will be made available in India for them to be expended outside of India. Has there been any clarification on getting money out of the country?

Answer: We encourage each prospective bidder to consult their own legal to team to see how to best coordinate the payment of vendors outside of India. As mentioned above, funds will only be made available to the local Indian entity in India. It is the responsibility of the prime to find out the best, most efficient and legal way to transfer money to subcontractors.

Question: It is not very clear about how the payments will be made. If money will be reimbursed on milestones & I give you an invoice on day 1, what day will the vendor be paid?

Answer: Invoices will not be based on milestones; the intervals at which invoices will be submitted will be negotiated at the time of award (for example monthly or quarterly). Invoices must first be approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (the technical lead assigned to the contract). After they are approved they will go to the finance officer where they are paid within 15 days. It can take an additional 5 days for the funds to reach your account. Please see the Prompt Payment Act online http://fms.treas.gov/prompt/5cfr1315.pdf.

Question: This is a cost reimbursable contact, so any invoice I submit can be auditable?

Answer: Yes, invoices are auditable

Question: Should salaries and wages be the exact cost? We typically have one rate that we pay our staff and another rate that we bill out.

Answer: The budget should show the exact costs that you will be incurring. Any extra fees should go under a separate line item entitled “fees”.

Question: Can we include operational costs in foreign contracts in our budget?

Answer: Yes, please include any costs that you expect to incur for the duration of the project.

http://fms.treas.gov/prompt/5cfr1315.pdf

Technical Questions

Question: If we identify a solution that considers or has proprietary property what should we do? Does, the scope of work support proprietary technologies or just good practices? Is USAID looking at transfer of process or adoption at the individual countries?

Answer: The Indian rules of propriety needs to be adhered. The purpose of the RMNCH+A Global Linkages program is to facilitate transfer of innovations and proven health solutions, that has an impact on ending preventable child and maternal deaths, and includes both transfer and adoption of products, technologies, processes (good practices) and other approaches.

Question: Could you briefly explain the different phases (step by step till the conclusion of the contract) of the RFP?

Answer: The RFP has three components. Component 1 is the planning phase where the shortlisted organization (prime partner) will undertake a landscape analysis of existing global transfer efforts, and provide detailed plans on the proposed approaches for global transfer and adoption. Component 2 is the design phase, where the prime partner will establish systems and tools to identify Indian innovations and proven health solutions, assess the demand for these solutions in partnering countries, identify Indian and partnering country organizations and strengthen their capacities to introduce, adopt, and scale-up innovations and health solutions. Component 3 is the implementation and learning phase where the Indian and partnering country organizations collaborate to introduce the innovation, health solution in partnering countries, and establish systems to monitor the progress and disseminate experiences.

Question: Is there any role for governments in the program, both in India and the partner countries?

Answer: Yes, the government is an important stakeholder and there are several good practices and innovations implemented in public sector settings. Besides the government is also involved in policy and funding programs. Engaging governments in India and partner countries is critical especially for transfer of public sector innovations and health solutions, and issues that require policy and regulatory aspects in partner countries.

Question: The RFP, mentions that adoption, implementation and improving health outcomes in partner countries. Would it be feasible considering that planning would require close to 2 years of the 4 year project?

Answer: Transfer and adoption can happen immediately after assessing needs and demand for Indian innovations and proven health solutions. These need not be after two years and can be rolled out parallely during the planning and design stages. USAID expects that in at least 4 countries, transfer and adoption would be supported in partnership with natural owners who has the capacity to scale-up these initiatives at a national/regional level. The number of innovations and health solutions to be adopted in a particular country will be decided based on the needs assessment. USAID expects a minimum of two best practices to be adopted in each of the four partnering countries.

Question: Program monitoring is possible, but what is expected from evaluation?

Answer: Evaluation would assess if proven strategies were cost effective and had contributed to improving health and behavior outcomes. Evaluation would also assess effectiveness of strategies to sustain the RMNCH+A Global Linkages Platform, approaches for partnerships between Indian and partnering country organizations, and systems to create demand with key stakeholders.

Question: Is adoption at the national or district levels. Is the focus on adoption at the government level?

Answer: USAID expects that the transfer and adoption of innovations and proven health solutions would be with the natural owners in the partnering countries, and who have the capacity to scale-up the initiatives at a national/regional level to have RMNCH+A impact. Natural owners could include the government, private companies, and social entrepreneurs in the respective partnering countries.

Question: How does USAID define the 20 solutions?

Answer: Section C of the RFP provides this information.

Question: What is the level of resources to go into each of the 20 solutions?

Answer: Detailed budget of all the program elements needs to be factored and provided by the applicant in their proposal, along with areas and level of resources that will be leveraged from different stakeholders/partners.

Question: Where exactly do you see the model cost set in?

Answer: Detailed budget of all the program elements needs to be factored and provided by the prime partner in their proposal, along with areas and level of resources that will be leveraged from different stakeholders/partners. USAID envisions organizations from India and partnering countries to support the pilot initiatives, however if there are any costs for model programs that is planned to be supported through the RMNCH+A Global Linkages program, then these need to be budgeted and detailed in the proposal.

Question: If the process of selecting best practices, organizations, and partnering countries is going to be decided by the vendor, will this be biased?

Answer: Robust systems need to be established to decide the innovations and proven health solutions to be transferred, nature of organizations to partner with, and deciding on the final list of partnering countries. USAID expects the prime partner to establish an inclusive and transparent process to shortlist the best ideas, organizations. It is a requirement that these systems are approved by USAID.

Question: At the time of the proposal does the bidder need to list out the countries that they intend to work in up front in the proposal?

Answer: This is expected within six months from award of contract.

Question: In terms of the 20 innovations that are identified in India. Is there any scale to the adoption?

If one country adopts one of the solutions do you get a tick mark? Or do the majority of countries need to adopt the majority of the solutions.

Answer: The number of innovations and health solutions to be adopted in a particular country will be decided based on the needs assessment. USAID expects a minimum of two best practices to be adopted in each of the four partnering countries.

Question: We need to identify 20 Indian organizations. If the Indian organizations do not have capacity to go global, can the prime partner provide a grant to the Indian organizations to bring up their capacity.

Answer: The prime partner should match demand and market potential for the innovation/health solution with willingness of Indian organizations to transfer it globally. Capacity building to willing and potential Indian organizations can be supported through this contract.

Question: Can USAID support in identifying competent organizations in partnering countries?

Answer: The responsibility for identification, prioritization, transfer, and adoption, rests with the prime partner. The prime partner is expected to coordinate with all key stakeholders in India and partnering countries to achieve the planned deliverables.

Question: Are we looking at all 22 countries for doing the feasibility?

Answer: Deliverable 1.2 requires that approaches for prioritizing and selecting partnering countries be provided by the prime partner within six months from award of contract. Based on this criterion, feasibility would be undertaken in select countries.

Question: How do we know the list of 22 USAID priority countries?

Answer: Please refer page 11 of the RFP

Question: How does USAID define adoption? Does it mean you have shown a best practice and a partner has agreed to scale it?

Answer: Adoption refers to a situation when there is a demand for the innovation/health solution in partnering countries, and there is a clear commitment from the natural owners of the partnering countries, in terms of resources, roadmap for introducing, and milestones to monitor progress of the innovation/proven solutions. It can be both for piloting as well as scale up.

Question: When we submit the proposal do we need to name the local partners in the proposal?

Answer: Not required. This will have to be submitted within six months from the date of contract for USAID approval.

Question: Would USAID help the prime partner to identify organizations in partnering countries?

Answer: The prime partner will be required to identify the vendors in partnering countries and understanding their organizational structure and capacities. Please refer to Deliverable 2.8, where the prime partner is required to establish criteria and methodology to identify potential organizations in partnering countries.

Question: In key personnel, only two are named, should the applicant identify the remaining three?

Answer: That is correct. Please refer to section F5 in the RFP

Question: The RFP mentions a minimum of 20 innovations/health solutions to support. Should each innovation/health solution be associated with one organization, or could one organization be associated with multiple innovations/health solutions?

Answer: It is possible that one organization can be associated with multiple innovations/health solutions.

Question: Is the government in partnering countries your primary partners or can it include non-profits and for-profit organizations.

Answer: Partners can include governments, private sector (companies, innovators, business associations, and hospital chains), academia, civil society, and research organizations.

Question: What does adoption mean? Does it include scaling up or a plan to scale up?

Answer: Adoption means that there is a demand for the innovation, health solution in partnering countries, and there is a clear commitment from the natural owners of the partnering countries, in terms of resources, road map for introducing, and milestones to monitor progress of the innovation, proven solutions. It can be both for piloting as well as scale up.

Question: Is 4 years realistic for 20 innovations in 4 partnering countries?

Answer: The time span is for prioritizing 20 innovations/health solutions, and for strengthening capacities of Indian and partnering country organizations to transfer, implement, and adopt these solutions in partnering countries. Past experiences indicate that this time frame is reasonable.

Question: In the 4 years what is the timeframe planned for adoption? The first two years will be identifying the innovation.

Answer: Transfer and adoption can happen immediately after assessing needs and demand for Indian best practices and innovations. These need not be after two years and can be rolled out immediately after the assessment is completed.

Question: The RFP mentions that 20 innovations/health solutions to be implemented. Should, all the 20 innovations be implemented in the 4 different countries?

Answer: The number of innovations and health solutions to be adopted in a particular country will be decided based on the needs assessment. USAID expects a minimum of two best practices to be adopted in each of the four partnering countries.

Question: The RFP mentions “proven” in your statement of work. What does proven mean?

Answer: Section C of the RFP provides this information.

Question: How intensively are you looking at these partnering countries to accept, roll out, and scale up of innovations and health solutions?

Answer: The overall goal of the RMNCH+A Global Linkages program is to support the global goal of “Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths by 2035”. Adoption of globally proven practices facilitates in achieving this goal, and therefore, USAID expects that the partnering countries will be interested in the RMNCH+A Global Linkages program and will be supportive of this effort as this will be based on a needs assessment and will be demand driven..

Question: In the designing of the program there may be situations where there is a need for modification/adaptation of the proven innovations so that they work with the partnering countries. Can we support this effort?

Answer: Yes, this would depend on the needs assessment and market feasibility assessments. If the applicant proposes to support modifications then these need to be factored in the budget and detailed in the technical proposal. Modifications need not be always supported by USAID, and the organizations implementing the innovation/health solution should be encouraged to make the required modifications for transfer and adoption in partnering countries.

Question: Does this initiative support piloting, evidence creation for introduction in a country support?

Answer: Yes. The proposal should state what is the technical approach and level of funds planned to support evidence-creation, capacity building, and piloting.

Question: What constitutes an innovation?

Answer: Section C of the RFP provides this information.

Question: Is the applicant required to match funding? Do we need to contribute money to this process outside of this contract? Is this same as cost sharing?

Answer: Resource mobilization (in cash or kind) is expected to be leveraged through this initiative. It would be ideal to have matching funds leveraged from private sector or other sources, but is not a requirement. Applicants should provide a clear plan and the amount to be leveraged in their proposal.

This is not cost sharing.

Question: What is the role of USAID to facilitate the transfer of the innovations/health solutions to partner countries?

Answer: The responsibility for identification, prioritization, transfer, and adoption rests with the prime partner. The prime partner is expected to coordinate with all key stakeholders in India and partnering countries to achieve the planned deliverables. USAID/India office will keep the other missions informed about the RMNCH+A Global Linkages program.

Question: Would USAID support in identifying partners in India and partnering countries?

Answer: The responsibility for identification, prioritization, transfer, and adoption rests with the prime partner, and the prime partner is expected to coordinate with all key stakeholders in India and partnering countries to achieve the planned deliverables. USAID/India could perhaps help with an initial introductory mail to the USAID mission in the partnering countries.

Question: Can prime partners sub-contract organizations who are involved in innovations?

Answer: Left to the prime on how they would like to engage with these organizations. Prime Partner can certainly sub-contract other organizations. These need to be approved by USAID.

Question: Can we add subawardees after we submit our proposal?

Answer: Please include all of your proposed subcontractors in the proposal that you submit to USAID.

You will not be able to modify your proposal after it is submitted. In the exceptional case that another subcontractor is needed, once a contract has been awarded, the contractor will have an opportunity to add additional subcontracts with USAID approval.