Annex_I_-_Q A.pdf

Amendment No. 1

SOL-391-15-000017

Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA)

ANNEX – I

By way of Annex-I to Amendment No. 001 to the solicitation, the contracting Officer provides the below answers to the questions submitted by prospective offerors.

Question 1

Section C.2.2: How PREIA is supposed to interact with other regional interventions related to trade i.e.

Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) and Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC)?

Answer 1

The Implementing Partner will be required to leverage existing relationships to closely coordinate work with other donors. This will be achieved by sharing work plans, participating in regular coordination meetings, holding joint consultations (either in person or remotely) and keeping abreast of the various developments in each other’s programs.

Question 2

Section C.4.2.2: Are there specific sectors for which the contactor is expected to improve regional B2B linkages?

Answer 2

The focus of B2B efforts under PREIA will be those Pakistani goods and services for which there is significant demand across the region. Examples include but are not limited to fruits and vegetables, surgical instruments, cement, textiles etc. Final selection of sectors will be based on assessments carried out by the Implementing Partner for PREIA.

Question 3

Section C.5: 35% increase in trade volume with specific bilateral and regional partners. Does this mean increase in trade volume only with existing bilateral and regional trade partners?

Answer 3

No. The parameters for achieving this indicator are to be determined in consultation with the COR as part of the work planning process and will be updated continuously throughout the implementation of the Activity.

Question 4

Section C.6 states: “The Contractor will expand upon the draft LFA proposed in this SOW. The Contractor must work closely with USAID to refine performance indicators and performance targets for each technical area covered in the draft LFA. The Contractor will provide a revised/updated/adjusted LFA for USAID’s clearance within two (2) months of the award.” Does this imply that the expanded LFA must be completed at the proposal stage, or should the LFA be expanded into the AMEP upon contract award?

Answer 4

The submission of LFA is not required at the proposal stage. The LFA is required to be submitted within sixty (60) days of the start of the Contract as required under section F.8.3.

Question 5

Under sub-component C.4.1.2 Improved Private Sector and Civil Society Engagement in Policy-making, it is unclear to us what is meant by “civil society.” Are there specific civil society organizations in mind?

If so, which ones? If not, will the contractor select a few civil society organizations to build their capacity, so they are able to take part in policy dialogue?

Answer 5

USAID anticipates working with a wide range of entities including institutions representing academia, independent research firms and advocacy groups, including chambers of commerce. Criteria for selection will be developed by the Implementing Partner in consultation with the COR once activity implementation commences.

Question 6

Under sub-component C.4.1.2 in the illustrated activity No. 3, there is a mention of providing grants to media. What are these grants going to be used for by the media, and what role do they see for media under PREIA?

Answer 6

Media can play a vital role in creating public awareness regarding trade-related issues. Examples include disseminating information regarding the effects of trade policies, and sharing the potential benefits of liberalizing trade. In addition to face-to-face events such as trade shows and conferences, social media and digital content can also help facilitate contact among businesses and enhance trading relationships.

Question 7

Could USAID kindly allow an annex in the technical volume to briefly feature illustrative short-term technical assistance?

Answer 7

No additional annex is required besides those listed in section L.7.4.

Question 8

Are visits to Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, or northeast Balochistan envisioned in the implementation of this activity?

Answer 8

Periodic visits may be required to ensure timely and effective implementation.

Question 9

Section F.5 (c): USAID states that Key Personnel should be available immediately upon award. Since the standard notice requirement in Pakistan is 30 days, will USAID consider revising the stated time period?

Answer 9

No. All Key Personnel must be made available in accordance with the requirements set in Section F.

Question 10

Section L.7.4: The RFP requires bidders to include CVs, Letters of Commitment and three references of key personnel in the proposal annex. Since CVs are limited to two pages, may references be included on a separate sheet?

Answer 10

Professional references and Letter of Commitment are not part of the two page limit set for the CV’s and therefore may be provided separately from the CV’s.

Question 11

Section C.6 : Please clarify that funds for Activity Fund (Grants under Contract) are not included in the price range given for the contactors i.e. $10 ‐ $15 million.

Answer 11

The $1 million funds allocated for Activity Fund are included in the price range given in the solicitation.

The $1 million Activity Fund is included in the summary budget as a plug figure (See Section L.8.2).

Question 12

Would USAID consider including only the names and contact information for key personnel references instead of a full letter of recommendation?

Answer 12

No. The information must be submitted in accordance with the requirements set in the solicitation.

Question 13

Can USAID please confirm that proposed key personnel should complete “K.12 Key Individual Certification” for the proposal submission? If so, please advise if USAID prefers for these key personnel certifications to be included alongside curricula vitae, letters of commitment, and professional references.

Answer 13

Yes. Key Personnel are required to complete “K.12 Key Individual Certification” and submit in accordance with section L.6.(g) of the solicitation.

Question 14

Section L.6.1.2 indicates that USAID will not accept hard copy proposals from the offeror. However, Section L.8 notes that the offerors shall submit the cost proposal in one (1) original and three (3) hard copies. Please confirm that only e-submission is required.

Answer 14

USAID/Pakistan amended the solicitation (Section L.8) to confirm that only the e-submission is required.

Question 15

Section L.8.2.1(A) notes that the offeror must complete a biographical data sheet (Form AID 1420-17) for expatriates providing short-term technical assistance (STTA). However, as STTA will be approved upon each assignment, would USAID allow a pool of STTA without biographical data sheets at the proposal stage?

Answer 15

USAID/Pakistan has amended the solicitation (section L.8.2.1(A)(ii)) to clarify the requirement on submission of Form AIDS 1420-17 for STTA’s. If the individuals are already identified as an STTA’s at the time of submission of proposal then the Offeror must provide the Form AID 1420-17.

Question 16

Please kindly clarify instructions for inclusion of Branding and Implementation and Marking Plan. Per Section L.9, the offeror must address the Branding Strategy described in Section D, but only submit “a Marking Plan after the issuance of award, if at all.” Would USAID like the offeror to include the marking plan in accordance with Attachment J5 in the cost proposal submission, or not at all?

Answer 16 USAID/Pakistan amended the solicitation (Section L.9) so that it clearly states that the offerror is required to submit the Branding Implementation Plan and the Marking Plan as an annex to the cost proposal.

Question 17

Section L.10 requests that the offeror provide a security plan and budget in accordance with Attachment J.7. Would USAID prefer to see the security plan as a separate part in the cost volume or as an annex to the cost volume?

Answer 17

USAID/Pakistan amended the solicitation (Section L.10) so that it clearly states that the Offeror is required to submit the Security plan as an annexure to the cost proposal. Security costs shall still be included in the total project budget.

Question 18

Regarding Section L.7.3.3(b), our hard copy subcontracting reports not submitted to eSRS (i.e., SF-294 reports) for the past three years total more than 800 pages and comprise more than 40 MB. In addition to

Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA) providing a list of our last three years of contract reports submitted to eSRS, may we submit only 10 recent and relevant SF-294 forms that are not duplicated on the eSRS?

Answer 18

USAID/Pakistan amended the solicitation (Section L.7.3.3(b)) so that it limit the submission of subcontracting reports to only three (03) during the last three years.

Question 19

Please indicate whether the definition of "professional labor" in paragraph 3 of the Cover letter includes positions other than senior LTTA technical staff.

Answer 19

Yes. The Professional Labor may include other than Senior LTTA technical staff.

Question 20

Section F.5(c): The RFP indicates that Key Personnel should arrive in country within twenty working days of the award effective date; however Section F.8.2 on page 28 indicates that the Chief of Party should arrive in country within twenty days after the award. Would USAID kindly confirm which personnel must arrive in country within 20 days and whether these are calendar days or business days.

Answer 20

USAID/Pakistan amended the solicitation (F.5(c) & F.8.2) to clarify the Key Personnel availability requirements. Please note that all days in section F to be considered as calendar days.

Question 21

Section L.8: Please confirm that the statement “Offerors shall submit the Cost Proposal in one (1) original and three (3) hard copies …” should be deleted.

Answer 21

USAID/Pakistan amended the solicitation (Section L.8) to remove the requirement for hard copy submission.

Question 22

Section L.7.3: Please confirm that the Past Performance annex is an additional annex to those cited in Section L.7.4, and will not count against the page limitation.

Answer 22

USAID/Pakistan amended the solicitation (Section L) to confirm that past Performance information required in Section L.7.3(a)1 can be submitted as an annex to the technical proposal and will not count against the page limitation for technical proposal.

Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA)

Question 23

Section L.7.3(a): The RFP defines major subcontractors as "one whose proposed cost exceeds $1,000,000 of the offeror's total proposed cost." Would USAID please clarify the major subcontractor definition?

Answer 23 A major subcontractor is a subcontractor implementing a subcontract with a total cost of greater than $1 million. If the Offeror is proposing an already determined subcontractor in their proposal who will be implementing a subcontract worth a total value of greater than $1 million during the PREIA project, then past performance information should be provided for that subcontractor in accordance with L.7.3.

Question 24

Section L.8.2(d)(3): The RFP requires that the offeror and major subcontractors describe their work-day, work-week, and paid absences policies as part of their budget narratives. Would USAID kindly consider removing this requirement as it duplicates the requirement in Section L.8.5 on page 104 that the offeror and major subcontractors describe their work-day, work-week, and paid absences policies in Part 5 of the cost proposal?

Answer 24

USAID/Pakistan doesn’t believe that there is any duplication of the requirements. Section L8.5(b) is further explanation to the requirements set in L.8.2(d)(3). The budget narrative may refer to the Annex requested as per L8.5 to more fully explain work policies that may differ from the standard work day/week/year.

Question 25

Section M.4: The table in the RFP indicates that the Personnel and Management section will be worth 25 points and the Key Personnel section will be worth 15points, but Section M.4.2 on page 109 indicates that the Personnel and Management section will be worth 30 points and the Key Personnel section will be worth 20 points. Would USAID kindly confirm how many points these sections are worth?

Answer 25

USAID Pakistan amended the solicitation (Section M) to clarify the points assigned for “Personnel and Management”.

Question 26

Will there be a TCN Waiver for allowances at the duty station for both long- and short-term team members?

Answer 26

TCN allowances will be reviewed in accordance with AIDAR 722.170.

Question 27

Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA)

F.6 Authorized Work Day/Week: (p.27): Please clarify if a six-day work week applies to all long-term expatriate and CCN personnel.

Answer 27

No. Six-day work week is not authorized for long-term expatriate and CCN personnel.

Question 28

H.24.e Grants Under Contract (p.51): Please clarify if US organizations can receive more than $100,000 in cumulative grants even if each grant under contract is capped at $100,000? For example, could the same US organization receive a life of project total of $500,000 with the annualized total capped at $100,000?

Answer 28

Please note that the total value of any individual grant to a U.S. organization shall not exceed $100,000.

See ADS 302.3.4.13(c)(1).

Question 29

L.6.1.1.2 Proposal Preparation and Submission: Electronic Submission: Format: Please clarify if the Cost Proposal can be submitted in PDF in full or in MS Word? (Please note: integration of signature pages and some documents must be in PDF and production of a single, continuous, document is best handled in PDF alone).

Answer 29

USAID/Pakistan believes that the instructions on proposal format are very clear and therefore no further clarification can be provided on this requirement.

Question 30

L.10 Security Plan (p.106): Please clarify if the separate budget for the security plan falls within the stated $10 to $15 million budget range.

Answer 30

Yes. The security budget falls within the total range $10 to $15 million.

Question 31

The deadline for proposal mentioned in RFP is April 16th where as Devex is showing that proposals are due by May 16th. Which one is it?

Answer 31

The proposal due date is as stated in the RFP posted on www.FBO.gov .

[ END OF ANNEX – I ]

http://www.fbo.gov/