Amendment_No_02-_SOL-391-15-000030.pdf

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. Please confirm that a draft 1 year Work Plan is not required in this proposal, or should offerors include a draft Year 1 Work Plan as an annex to the technical proposal?

USAID Response: Draft work plan for year 1 is not required in the proposal.

2. Will a draft organizational chart be required? If so, can it be included as an annex?

USAID Response: A draft organizational chart is required and can be included as an annex.

3. Are there any geographic areas of Pakistan which cannot be considered for project operations?

USAID Response: None.

4. Can USAID provide further definition of the Hospitality sector? Are restaurants included?

USAID Response: The hospitality sector includes four sub-sectors: food and beverage, lodging, recreation, and travel and tourism. Restaurants are part of the food and beverages sub-sector.

5. Are any staff positions required to be filled by expatriates?

USAID Response: No

6. Is there a limit to the number of short term technical staff integral to the implementation of the Activity that can be included in the CV annex?

USAID Response: USAID does not have any preference. This will be evaluated on the proposed approach of the Offeror.

7. Would a routine diagnostic laboratory be considered under this program? This facility would also provide education and training in a certified medical technology program to a limited number of students. Would there be any restrictions for this? This would be a small to medium size laboratory. What are the limitations?

USAID Response: The main focus is small and medium enterprise sector. It may be considered only if it fits in the overall scheme of work, links to the requirements and to the expected results stated in section C. This will be evaluated on the proposed approach of the Offeror. The project-managed Pakistan Challenge Fund for technology and Innovation could cater to such initiatives provided they meet the prescribed evaluation criteria.

8. With reference to RFP Section L.6 (d), page 100, would USAID please clarify whether tables, charts, and graphics are included in the 25-page limit for the technical proposal?

USAID Response: The Offerorss can add annexes to reflect tables, charts and graphics.

9. Section L.6.1. (page 101) states: “The technical approach must clearly describe a sound Monitoring and Evaluation Plan with performance indicators addressing gender integration as described in Section C.” Can USAID please clarify if the draft M&E Plan should be included as part of the technical approach; or alternatively, can we present the M&E Plan within an annex?

USAID Response: A brief narrative must be included as part of the technical approach. The details could be presented in an annex.

10. A footnote in RFP Section C.2.1, at the bottom of p.14, references a document by A.

Murtaza entitled “Report for Legal Environment, January 2013.” Can USAID please provide us with an electronic copy or a link to this document?

USAID Response: Attached herewith.

11. May offerors submit a full PDF of the technical and cost volumes along with the Word version of the technical approach and the unlocked Excel spreadsheets for the cost?

USAID Response: Offerors may submit PDF versions of the technical and Cost proposal along with the Word version of technical proposal and unlocked Excel spreadsheet for the Cost proposal.

12. Per RFP Section M.4, page 113, past performance is not among the technical evaluation factors listed. Please clarify whether USAID intends to evaluate the offeror’s past performance when selecting an awardee for this contract and if so, its importance relative to the other four evaluation factors. Also, if USAID requires a past performance narrative, may we place it in an annex together with our past performance references?

USAID Response: Past Performance is not an evaluation criterion for the technical proposals evaluation. However, this will be evaluated for the responsibility determination and best value decision. Past performance narrative can be placed in an annex together with the past performance references.

13. Per Section H.2, page 44, the authorized geographic code is 937. Would USAID consider a 935 or 110 code that would allow for flexibility in activity implementation?

USAID Response: No

14. On October 1, 2014, ADS 302 was changed and will now allow for grants to government entities on a solely in-kind basis without requiring mission director approval (ADS

302.3.4.13 (b1), as previously required. The last paragraphs of Section C.5 on pg. 22 state that, “The contractor will not be sub-awarding funds from the Pakistan Challenge Fund to any partner government entities.” Does this prohibit all grants to public or quasi-public institutions (such as universities or public-funded incubators) under the award, or will in-kind grants be allowed under the new regulations?

USAID Response: The contractor will not be sub-awarding funds from the Pakistan Challenge Fund to any partner government entities. This does prohibit bilateral grants to public or quasi-public institutions.

15. Can you please point us to where we can get our hands on the 6+1 reports mentioned in the RFP in the first part of the scope of work section?

USAID Response: Attached herewith.

16. Can a local NGO take the prime position as contractor for this project? It would use subcontractors for areas it does not have current expertise in. What would be the requirements or preferences in for such an arrangement?

USAID Response: USAID does not have any preference. This will be evaluated on the proposed approach of the Offeror. As this procurement is being carried out under GEO Code 937, local organizations are eligible to apply as prime Offeror.

17. Can an iNGO (foreign registered NGO) take the prime position as contractor for this project? It would use subcontractors for areas it does not have current expertise in. What would be the requirements or preferences for such an arrangement?

USAID Response: Please refer to the response to Q.16

18. In case of multiple partners is a JV a better option that one party taking on the prime hat -what are the factors to be considered here?

USAID Response: Please refer to the response to Q.16

19. If we provide a very experienced candidate for one of the required positions - However the candidate has a Bachelors from a recognized international university (does not have a Masters) - Would the Masters requirement be relaxed - what would be the factors considered here?

USAID Response: This will be assessed in light of other required credentials of the candidates.

20. Is it mandatory to do all 7 verticals or can be winning proposal focus on a subset of these

- what are the factors that USAID will consider here.

USAID Response: It is mandatory to do all 7 verticals.

21. How much of the work can be farmed out to consultants vs in house staff - are there any specific guidelines here.

USAID Response: USAID does not have any preference. This will be evaluated on the proposed approach of the Offeror. However, key positions mentioned in section L.6. must work full time.

22. What are the max and min limits and ranges on consultant rates and for the required and other positions?

USAID Response: The proposed Consultant’s compensation must be in accordance with the current “Market Value” and compensation history of the proposed individual.

23. Apart from the allowances in L.6.6 and L.6.5, can references, including tables, partnership LOI's, press releases etc. be included in annexures to the proposal. If so, please confirm that they will not count against the 25 page limit of the technical proposal or provide further clarification on this matter.

USAID Response: Yes, they can be included in annexes to the proposal and will not be counted against the 25 page limit of the technical proposal.

24. All International Non-Government Organizations in Pakistan are undergoing a re-registration process with the Ministry of Interior. Many organizations are awaiting registration under the new policy. Will this “pending” status (rather than confirmed re-registration) have any impact on USAID’s assessment of a Proposal, even if it primes the proposal?

USAID Response: This will not affect assessment/evaluation of any Proposal.

25. Re B.7 (a), “Fixed Fee under the Contract is [TBD]”. Has anything further been decided on this other than what is given in section B.7 (a) and (b)?

USAID Response: Offerors need to propose Fixed Fee on the basis of their calculation.

26. Re B.4: The table shows an allocation of $7.5m to the Pakistan Challenge Fund as a component of the total SMEA budget. Please confirm or correct our understanding that this means that $7.5m is potentially available for Grants under Contracts for the Challenge Fund, i.e. this amount does not include management/administration costs of the Fund.

USAID Response: The $7.5m does not include management/administration costs of the Fund.

27. Please confirm re the seven identified sectors (C.3.1) that the key impediments to growth and competitiveness to be identified are for each sector, not for all sectors taken together.

USAID Response: The key impediments to growth and competitiveness to be identified are for each sector and not for all sectors taken together. However as mentioned in section C, there are certain growth and competitiveness impediments which will apply across the board on all SMEs which the offeror are required to address.