Amendment_01_-_SOL-391-17-000007.pdf

Annex - I

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Solicitation no. (RFP) SOL-391-17-000007 Ambassador’s Fund Grant Program (AFGP)

1. C.2, page 10-11 With regard to pre-award processing of applications, the RFP does not specifically define the role of the Ambassador’s Grant Review Committee (AGRC) in the initial scrutiny of fresh applications for further processing. It implies that the prospective contractor will be supposed to scrutinize/shortlist fresh applications and only submit fully processed applications to AGRC for their decision. Please confirm this understanding.

USAID Response: The contractor will be expected to review grant applications and provide recommendations to the COR and AGRC for potential grants and perform other tasks as listed in Section-C of the solicitation.

2. C.2, page 10-11 What would be the minimum and maximum duration of grants under AFGP?

USAID Response: The duration of each grant will be defined in close coordination with COR and AGRC after the award and before finalizing the grants manual.

3. C.2.3, Page 12 In order to facilitate scaling up and sustainability of initiatives supported under

AFGP, would USAID allow partnerships between the prime and public commercial banks/institutions, specifically established and working to promote women economic empowerment?

USAID Response: USAID encourages partnerships with public commercial banks/ financial institutions. However, the offeror should clearly explain how this arrangement would help AFGP in achieving its objectives.

4. L.5, subsection ‘d’ page 93, - USAID normally conducts pre-award assessment of local/national organizations to be eligible as Prime for the first award. If a local/national organization implements a USAID contract successfully, would that organization be required to qualify the fresh pre-award assessment requirements in order to be considered as a Prime for AFGP?

USAID Response: Determination on conducting a formal pre-award assessment will be based on the review of information shared by the offeror in accordance with section “L.7.6 Part 6—Evidence of Responsibility”, and any other information the Contracting Officer review as part of responsibility determination in accordance with FAR Part 9 and agency established policies.

5. L.6.5- subsection 1 and 2 (about immediate availability of key staff to launch AFGP), page 98 - If a local/national contractor of USAID is already implementing a Grant project and wins the AFGP award as well, would USAID allow that contractor to split responsibilities of some of its staff to take care of the close out of ongoing Grants program as well alongside AFGP’s roll out? Subject to a successful bid for AFGP, there might be an overlap period of few months.

USAID Response: The resultant contract against solicitation No. SOL-391-17-000007 will be an independent contract and therefore any proposed staffing arrangement by the offeror will be reviewed independently to make a best value decision. However, the offeror may propose any staffing arrangement that is in line with their implementation methodology.

6. L.7.2.1. page 103, Indirect Cost Whether the indirect cost rate of a contractor, duly approved by USAID for an ongoing Grants program, will be valid for AFGP as well or a fresh determination would be required at this stage?

USAID Response: Proposed indirect cost will be reviewed by taking in to consideration the information requested in section L.7.2.1(9) of the solicitation.

7. Should we assume that USAID does not expect the implementer to provide subject matter expertise related to the range of the Ambassador’s priorities (for example on techniques for disaster preparedness or expertise in providing services to people with disabilities)?

USAID Response: The implementer is expected to engage short term subject matter experts, related to the range of the Ambassador’s priorities.

8. C.2.1 (4) page 10 states that contractor will be responsible for “vetting potential subgrant recipients.” It would be helpful to clarify whether this is a reference to facilitating the Mission’s Partner Vetting Program, or an additional vetting responsibility for the implementing partner above and beyond the Partner Vetting Program.

USAID Response: The contractor should normally have its own vetting procedures in order to determine the responsibility of the potential grantees. The Mission Vetting requirements in accordance with Section- I.29 are in addition to the contractor’s established vetting procedures.

9. Are the reports listed under numeral F.6.12 (Quarterly Progress Report, page 27) and numeral

F.6.13 (Quarterly Financial Report, page 27) required to be submitted separately? Or can the Quarterly Financial Report be submitted as part of the Quarterly Progress Report?

USAID Response: Quarterly Progress Reports and Quarterly Financial Reports are required to be submitted separately.

10. F.6.11 – Monthly Activity Reports on page 27 states that “during monthly quarters where a quarterly report is due, the monthly report will be part of the quarterly report.” Would USAID have a similar consideration for having the last quarterly report as part of the Annual Summary Report listed under F.6.16 on page 28?

USAID Response: The last quarterly report should be submitted separately from the annual summary report.

11. Section L.6.4 – Contractor Performance Information on Page 98 asks offerors to list up to three of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work stated in the proposal.

May offerors list relevant cooperative agreements in addition to contracts? If bids include major subcontractors, should we list three contracts/cooperative agreements total for all partners or three for the prime and three for each major subcontractor?

USAID Response: Yes, the offeror may list relevant cooperative agreements in addition to contracts.

Three most recent contract information references are required for the prime and three for each major subcontractor.

12. Would USAID/Pakistan consider extending the submission deadline, as March 23 is a national holiday?

USAID Response: USAID has no plans for extending the submission deadline.

13. L.7.2.1 (6) Subcontracts on page 102 states that “the Offeror must separate consultants that provide Short Term Technical Assistance (STTA) cost into two categories: (1) those which are employees of the Offeror (i.e. InHouse STTA like Home Office staff) and (2) those that are contracted (i.e. independent consultants).” It would be helpful to clarify if the STTAs who are HO staff should indeed be budgeted under the Subcontracts line item as opposed of the Personnel category.

USAID Response: Category one STTA’s i.e. “In House STTA like Home Office staff” should be budgeted under “Personnel” line item. Category two STTA’s i.e. “independent consultants” and their related cost should be budgeted under “Subcontracts” line item. Section L.7.2.1 has been revised to provide more clarity.

14. In the relation to the question just mentioned above, if STTAs who are HO employees should be budgeted under the Subcontracts category, should their fringe benefits also be budgeted under Subcontracts category?

USAID Response: STTAs who are Home Office (HO) employees should be budgeted under the “Personnel” line item and their fringe benefits, allowances and travel cost etc. should be budgeted under the relevant cost category as any other employee proposed for the project.

15. Similarly, L.7.2.1 (6) Subcontracts on page 102 also states that “the Offeror must include all costs associated with each STTA engagement (Salaries and Wages, Fringe Benefits, Allowances, Travel and Transportation, Equipment or supplies specific to the engagement, etc.).” Should these STTAs’ Fringe Benefits, Allowances, Travel and Transportation, Equipment or supplies, be budgeted under the Subcontracts category as well? Or would it be easier to budget for such benefits under the corresponding categories (i.e. STTAs’ fringe benefits under the same fringe benefits category or STTAs’ travel under the Travel category, and so on)?

USAID Response: STTA’s that are Home Office staff should be budgeted under “Personnel” line item and their associated cost should be budgeted under the relevant line item. STTA’s that are “independent consultants” and are only hired from outside to perform certain assignment under AFGP should be budgeted under “Subcontractors” line item (including Salaries and Wages, Fringe Benefits, Allowances, Travel and Transportation, Equipment or supplies specific to the engagement, etc.).

16. C.2.2 Grants under Contract: The total grant fund under the Contract will be at least $10,000,000 and priorities and activities must be jointly developed between USAID and the Contractor through input provided by the COR.

- We understand the amount for grants is not part of the total estimated cost of the contract i.e.

$20-25 m. Please confirm

USAID Response: The amount for grants ($10,000,000) is part of the total estimated cost of the contract, i.e. $20-25 M.

17. C.2.1 Establish and Manage the Ambassador’s Grant Fund

2) Submitting a Grants Manual

- The contractor will be required to develop new Grants Manual or an existing document will have to be updated?

USAID Response: The contractor will be required to develop a new Grants Manual.

7) Designing a monitoring, evaluation and learning framework including appropriate gender indicators to ensure AFGP objectives are being met;

- The contractor will be required to develop new Framework or an existing document will have to be updated?

USAID Response: The contractor will be required to develop a new Monitoring, Evaluating and Learning Framework.

18. Please confirm that organizations registered in Pakistan – whether as for or nonprofit entities – are eligible for consideration for award under the subject solicitation.

USAID Response: Principal geographic code defining eligible sources and nationalities for this Procurement is 937. This includes local for or nonprofit entities registered in Pakistan that are eligible to submit their proposal against this solicitation.

19. Will USAID give consideration to some level of prefunding general and administrative costs to the successful awardee, in addition to advances for the Grants under Contracts referenced on page 6 of the RFP?

USAID Response: Payment to the contractor will be made in accordance with Section B.6.

REIMBURSABLE COSTS of the solicitation.

20. Are Pakistan registered offerors exempt from having “..utilization of Small Business concerns…” as part of their evaluation?

USAID Response: Pakistani registered offerors are not exempt from “…utilization of Small Business concerns as subcontractors”.

21. Could USAID please share relevant documentation – quarterly or annual work plans, reports, evaluations, etc. – from the Small Grant and Ambassador’s Fund Program?

USAID Response: Relevant reports are available at the Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) website at https://dec.usaid.gov.

22. Does USAID have a page limitation for the Executive Summary?

USAID Response: No. However, the offerors are expected to be precise and clearly reflect the important aspects of the proposal in the Executive Summary.

https://dec.usaid.gov/

Issuance Date: February 7, 2017 Deadline for Submitting Questions: February 21, 2017, at 2:00 PM (Pakistan Time), Closing Date for Receipt of Proposals: March 24, 2017, at 2:00PM (Pakistan Time)

Request for Proposal (RFP) SOL-391-17-000007, Ambassador’s Fund Grant Program (AFGP)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Pakistan, is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide technical services to implement the Ambassador’s Fund Grant Program (AFGP), which will enhance the Ambassador's outreach to private sector and community groups to achieve shared objectives and continue to expand and strengthen the relationship between the United States and the people of Pakistan. The authority for this RFP is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

This procurement is being conducted through full and open competition, for which the procedures set forth in FAR Part 15 shall apply. USAID encourages the participation to the maximum extent possible of small business concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in this activity as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor, in accordance with Part 19 of the

FAR.

USAID anticipates awarding a five-year Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee (CPFF) completion-type contract, for the implementation of this activity, with a total estimated cost of between $20 - 25 million. Revealing the estimated cost range for the contract does not mean that Offerors should necessarily strive to meet the maximum amount estimated. Offerors must propose costs that they believe are realistic and reasonable for the work required. USAID’s principal geographic code defining eligible sources and nationalities for this procurement is 937. The NAICS code is 541990.

USAID/Pakistan encourages prospective Offerors to regularly check the Federal Business Opportunities (“FedBizOpps”) website at www.fbo.gov for any amendments to this solicitation. Additionally, prospective offerors can register and use the interested Vendor List on this website to contact other interested firms to develop teaming arrangements in response to this solicitation.

Offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation, which includes all pertinent technical sections and the terms, conditions, and instructions required for submitting a proposal. Any blanks in Sections B through J will be completed by the Contracting Officer before award. Offerors must comply with FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management, and adhere to the requirements set forth in Section K – Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors.

It is the responsibility of the recipient of this solicitation document to ensure that it has been received from the internet in its entirety. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion process.

Annex –II http://www.fbo.gov/

SOL-391-17-000007

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

SEALED BID (IFB)

5. DATE ISSUED

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED RATING PAGE OF PAGES

1 111

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)A. NAME

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

CAUTION: LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

(Date)(Hour) depository located in copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if hand carried, in the

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

CONTRACT CLAUSES

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

I

J

K

L

M SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

PACKAGING AND MARKING

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSESPART I - THE SCHEDULE

H

G

F

E

D

C

B

A

SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (X) DESCRIPTION SEC. (X)

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

18. OFFER DATE17. SIGNATURE

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

(Type or print)AND

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER15A. NAME

DATEAMENDMENT NO.DATEAMENDMENT NO.

and related documents numbered and dated):

amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

CALENDAR DAYS (%)30 CALENDAR DAYS (%)20 CALENDAR DAYS (%)10 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232.8)

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within ______________ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

CODE 24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

41 U.S.C. 253 (c) ( 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION20. AMOUNT19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED

AWARD (To be completed by government)

CODE

REQ-391-17-00003202/07/2017

X

PAKISTAN

USAID/Pakistan Office of Acquistion and Assistance U.S. Embassy Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5 Islamabad, 4400, Pakistan

See item 7 until TBD local time TBD

Faisal Jawad fjawad@usaid.gov

X

X

X

X

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PAGE(S)

Anthony E. Amerson

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

AMBASSADOR’S FUND GRANT PROGRAM (AFGP)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION B—SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1. PURPOSE

B.2. CONTRACT TYPE

B.3. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

B.4. BUDGET

B.5. INDIRECT COSTS

B.6. REIMBURSABLE COSTS

B.7. PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

B.8. MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT AND CANCELLATION CEILING

SECTION C—STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1. BACKGROUND

C.2. STATEMENT OF WORK

C.3. GENDER CONSIDERATIONS

C.4. GRANT FUND CONSTRAINTS

C.5. LIMITING APPLICANT OBSTACLES

SECTION D—PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1. AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.2. BRANDING

D.3. BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION AND MARKING PLAN

SECTION E—INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1. NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE . 17

E.2. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.3. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

SECTION F—DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1. NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE . 18

F.2. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.4. KEY PERSONNEL

F.5. AUTHORIZED WORK DAY/WEEK

F.6. REPORTS/DELIVERABLES & SUBMISSION SCHEDULE

SECTION G—CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

G.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY

G.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE

G.4. TECHNICAL DIRECTION

G.5. PAYMENT & PAYING OFFICE

G.6. AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION OF PAYMENT (NOV 1998)

G.7. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

SECTION H—SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

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H.2. AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.3. DEFENSE BASE ACT INSURANCE AND SERVICES

H.4. 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)

H.5. AIDAR 752.222-71 NONDISCRIMINATION (JUNE 2012)

H.6. AIDAR 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY (DEC 2004)

H.7. AIDAR 752.7036 IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR

ACQUISITION (JULY 2014)

H.8. AIDAR 752.231-72 CONFERENCE PLANNING AND REQUIRED APPROVALS

(AUGUST 2013)

H.9. AIDAR 752.204-72 ACCESS TO USAID FACILITIES AND USAID’S

INFORMATION SYSTEMS (AUGUST 2013)

H.10. ADS 302.3.5.19 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (AUGUST 2013) . 40

H.11. ADS 302.3.5.22 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA

LIBRARY (DDL) (OCTOBER 2014)

H.12. ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM

H.13. ANTI-FRAUD HOTLINE

H.14. AMMONIUM NITRATE AND CALCIUM AMMONIUM NITRATE

RESTRICTION (SEP 2011)

H.15. SECURITY CONDITIONS AND REPORTING

H.16. CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT

H.17. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.18. FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO INTERNATIONAL

CONFERENCES

H.19. LOGISTIC SUPPORT

H.20. PROHIBITION OF ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS

H.21. AMERICAN CITIZENS SERVICES REGISTRATION

H.22. GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

H.23. 52.203-99 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT

REQUIRE CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS (APR

2015)(DEVIATION 2015-02)

H.24. NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES AND INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

H.25. MANAGING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

SECTION I—CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

SECTION K—REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS

SECTION L—INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

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Acronym List

ADS USAID’s Automated Directives System AFGP Ambassador’s Fund Grant Program AGRC Ambassador’s Fund Grant Review Committee AIDAR USAID Acquisition Regulation CCN Cooperating Country Nationals CFR Code of Federal Regulations CO Contracting Officer COP Chief of Party COR Contracting Officer’s Representative

CPARS Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

CPFF Cost plus Fixed Fee CSO Civil Society Organization DEC USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse DFID U.K. Department for International Development DO Development Objective DQA Data Quality Assessment DUNS Data Universal Numbering System EU European Union

EXO/SSO USAID’s Executive Office/Security & Security Office

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation FMD Financial Markets Development GOP Government of Pakistan GST Pakistan’s General Sales Tax ICT Information Communication and Technology IMF International Monetary Fund NGO Non-governmental organization NICRA Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement OAA USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance OPM Office of Program Management PII Personally Identifiable Information RFP Request for Proposal SAM System for Award Management SOW Scope of Work STTA Short-Term Technical Assistance TA Technical Assistance TCN Third Country Nationals USAID United States Agency for International Development USAID CST USAID Contractor Salary Threshold USG United States Government VAT Value Added Tax

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SECTION B—SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Ambassador’s Fund Grant Program (AFGP) is to improve economic and social conditions of the people of Pakistan by supporting high impact activities focused around priority areas identified by the United States Ambassador to Pakistan.

B.2. CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Completion contract. For the consideration set forth in the contract, the Contractor for AFGP (“Contractor”) must provide the deliverables and outputs described in Section C and Section F.

B.3. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

(a) The total estimated cost for the performance of the work required for the contract, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is $TBD. The fixed fee, if any, is $TBD. The total estimated cost plus fixed fee, if any, is $TBD.

(b) The total obligated amount available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the

Contractor (and payment of fixed fee, if any) for performance under the contract is $TBD. The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) 52.232.22, “Limitation of Funds.” In accordance with Section-F, the Contractor must not exceed the Pre-Mobilization Budget to be proposed by the Contractor after award until otherwise notified in writing by the Contracting Officer.

B.4. BUDGET

Line Item Total

1. Personnel $

2. Fringe Benefits $

3. Travel and Transportation $

4. Equipment $

5. Supplies $

6. Subcontracts

7. Ambassador’s Fund / Grants Under Contract (GUC) $10,000,000

8. Other Direct Cost (ODC) $

TOTAL DIRECT COST $

9. Indirect Cost $

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST (EXCLUDING FIXED FEE) $

10. Fixed Fee $

TOTAL COST PLUS FIXED FEE $

(a) The inclusion of any costs in the above budget does not obviate the requirement for prior approval by the Contracting Officer of cost items designated as requiring prior approval by any

6 | P a g e of the terms and conditions of this contract, including the applicable cost principles (see FAR 52.216-7, “Allowable Cost and Payment”); nor, does it constitute a determination of allowability by the Contracting Officer of any item of cost, unless specifically stated elsewhere in this contract. Also, the Contractor must not adjust these amounts without a written modification signed by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor must not bill any amounts against this contract in excess of the amounts specified for each line item.

(b) The Contractor agrees to furnish data that the Contracting Officer may request on costs expended or accrued under this contract.

(c) Without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer, the Contractor must not exceed the total estimated cost set forth in the budget or the total obligated amount, whichever is less.

B.5. INDIRECT COSTS

(a) Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, USAID/Pakistan will reimburse allowable indirect costs on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases pursuant to the contractor’s current executed Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA):

Description Rate Base Type Period

% 1/ 1/ 1/

1/ Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

(b) The Contractor will make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect costs without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

B.6. REIMBURSABLE COSTS

(a) The U.S. dollar costs allowable will be limited to reasonable, allocable, and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 31 (Contract Cost Principles), FAR 52.216-7, “Allowable Cost and Payment,” FAR 52.216-8, “Fixed Fee,” FAR 52.232-20, “Limitation of Cost,” and FAR 52-232-22, “Limitation of Funds,” if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003, “Documentation for Payment.”

(b) Grants under Contract: The Contractor is authorized to receive advance payments for the Grants under Contract in accordance with ADS 636. Accordingly, funds will be advanced to the Contractor to facilitate the making of Ambassador’s Fund grants following a determination that the recipient’s financial systems meet USAID acceptability requirements. The amount and frequency of individual advances will be determined by the COR based on an analysis of the Contractor’s capital requirements.

[NOTE: Contractors may elect not to receive reimbursements if they possess sufficient working capital to implement the AGFP on a cost-reimbursement basis. The Contractor’s decision to fund the AGFP through working capital or advance payments will be taken into account in determining the amount of fixed fee in accordance with FAR 15.404]

B.7. PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

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(a) Fixed Fee under this Contract is [TBD]. USAID/Pakistan will pay a portion of the contractor’s fixed fee upon the receipt of the deliverables listed in Section F. The portion of fee allocated to each result/deliverable is listed in the table at F.6. In the event the contractor does not fulfill a deliverable/result, then the contractor will not be entitled to the corresponding fee.

(b) In accordance with FAR clause 52.216-8 “Fixed Fee”, USAID reserves the right to withhold a reserve not to exceed $100,000. The Contracting Officer shall release 75 percent of all fee withholds under this contract after receipt of an adequate certified final indirect cost rate proposal covering the year of physical completion of this contract, provided the Contractor has satisfied all other contract terms and conditions, including the submission of the final patent and royalty reports, and is not delinquent in submitting final vouchers on prior years’ settlements.

The Contracting Officer may release up to 90 percent of the fee withholds under this contract based on the Contractor’s past performance related to the submission and settlement of final indirect cost rate proposals.

B.8. MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT AND CANCELLATION CEILING

USAID/Pakistan considers this contract non-severable. Therefore, as a multi-year contract as defined in FAR 17.103, the contract remains subject to the requirements contained in FAR 17.106. However, as a cost-reimbursement contract, USAID/Pakistan will authorize the reimbursement for all allowable costs incurred by the Contractor pursuant to FAR 52.216-7, “Allowable Costs and Payment.” As a result, the Contractor will not incur any costs that require amortization over the contract’s period of performance in the event that the Contracting Officer cancels the contract pursuant to FAR 52.217-2. Thus, TBD will serve as the cancellation ceiling for each cancellation date. Accordingly, no requirement to include cancellation dates in the contract exists.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C—STATEMENT OF WORK

The Ambassador’s Fund Grant Program (AFGP)

C.1. BACKGROUND

The Ambassador’s Fund Grants Program (AFGP) will enhance the Ambassador's outreach to private sector and community groups to achieve shared objectives and continue to expand and strengthen the relationship between the United States and the people of Pakistan. AFGP objectives are to:

● Work within communities to empower vulnerable populations, encourage social entrepreneurship, develop small-scale energy solutions, promote culture and the arts and build resilience.

● Provide men and women with equal access to the program through outreach, extension, and participation that will emphasize the importance of gender equality.

● Create relationships with nontraditional partners to implement projects which foster sustainable grassroots development through the support of local development initiatives that especially benefit vulnerable populations including women, disabled, religious, ethnic and sexual minorities, poor and disenfranchised groups.

● Expand US government (USG) support to community based organizations particularly those working on issues of gender equality and women’s rights in specific regions to address geographic gaps in programming.

USAID requires the services of a Contractor that will function in a project management role for the AFGP.

In this role the Contractor will process grant applications, manage awarded grants and build the capacity of grantees and potential grantees. The Contractor will align grants with priority areas as defined by the Ambassador, which will complement the Development Objectives (DOs) of USAID/Pakistan:.

DO1: Increased Sustainable Energy Supplied to the Economy DO2: Improved Economic Status of Focus Populations DO3: Increased Stability in Focus Areas DO4: Improved Opportunities for Learning and Work DO5: Improved Maternal and Child Health (MCH) outcomes in Focus Areas

The current Ambassador’s priorities for the AFGP are described below. However, these priorities may change during the implementation contingent upon the priorities set forth by each new Ambassador.

• Empowering Vulnerable Populations:

Grants in this sector seek to empower vulnerable populations such as persons with disabilities, widows, orphans, the elderly, religious and ethnic minorities, victims of violence, street children, displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups. Grant activities will include technical assistance for institutional strengthening of the grantees, advocacy, and communication.

• Encouraging Social Entrepreneurship:

Grant applications in this sector should identify economic or social problems and propose innovative, sustainable, and scalable business opportunities through formation of social enterprises. These organizations will apply commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human, social and environmental well-being. It will include small businesses across a variety of sectors. Agricultural production activities are not envisaged but may include small cottage agro-processing activities. Grant funds will be used to provide technical assistance, purchase small pieces of equipment and production materials and supplies. Pesticides will not be provided under these grants.

• Developing Small-Scale Energy Solutions:

Grant applications in this sector should improve access of remote and underserved areas to alternative and renewable energy solutions. Activities should not only emphasize renewable energy sources for generating livelihoods and improving quality of life, but also contribute to easing pressure on existing energy infrastructure. Agency regulations restricting construction under grants (ADS 303.3.30), and Mission Order 200.8, “Construction and Oversight Procedures,” dated 12/10/2013, severely limit the parameters of these types of grants. Grant funds will, therefore, be used to provide technical assistance and equipment that will not require any structural support, alteration or renovation of existing structures for its installation, as defined in reference documents. An example of exempted equipment or supplies would include hand-held solar lamps, and energy-efficient bulbs. Equipment purchase must meet the applicable specifications in ADS 312 to the satisfaction of the activity COR and USAID, Pakistan/OIE.

• Promoting Culture and the Arts:

Grant applications in this sector aim to preserve key components of Pakistan's rich heritage while creating income for host communities. Projects can preserve languages and dialects, cuisine, aesthetics (art, music, dances, and fashion), architecture, and traditional recreational activities such as festivals and sporting events. Grant funds will be used to provide technical assistance, materials and supplies for cultural events, institutional strengthening for grantees and for communication. Construction activities, as defined in previously referenced documents, will not be funded. Work on the preservation of historic sites, for example, would be excluded. USAID/Pakistan will comply with all applicable laws and UNESCO conventions during the design and implementation of these grants, where applicable.

• Improving Disaster Preparedness:

Grant applications in this sector should support community-based projects that prepare communities to respond to natural disasters, improve their resilience and enhance their ability to compliment government disaster relief efforts. Grant funds will be used to provide technical assistance, equipment and supplies, institutional strengthening for grantees, communication, planning, and workshops.

Construction activities, as defined in previously referenced documents, will not be funded. Equipment purchase must meet the applicable specifications in ADS 312 to the satisfaction of the activity COR and USAID, Pakistan/OIE.

Potential AFGP grantees may include non-governmental organizations (NGOs), women’s organizations, community-based organizations (CBOs), non-government academic research and training institutions, professional and business associations, media, civic advocacy organizations (CAOs) and civil society coalitions (CSCs). No grants will be made to individuals. AFGP awards that improve coalition-building efforts, facilitate the formation of strategic alliances and partnerships, expand the USG’s geographic reach, have a private-public partnership component and support/complement other USAID/Pakistan activities are especially encouraged.

The AFGP contractor shall be capable of employing a menu of sub-award options such as quick impact grants, service delivery grants, advocacy grants, research grants, and targeted sustainability grants to achieve the AFGP objectives. In accordance with ADS 302.3.4.13(d), the Contractor cannot execute cooperative agreements under the AFGP.

C.2. STATEMENT OF WORK

C.2.1 Establish and Manage the Ambassador’s Grant Fund

The Contractor will fulfill a range of program-related and administrative functions to establish and manage the grant fund. As grant-maker, the Contractor will be responsible for:

1) Designing a website for grant applications;

2) Submitting a Grants Manual

3) Receiving and logging proposals;

4) Vetting potential sub-grant recipients;

5) Providing organizational support to first-time recipients, especially small women’s organizations, to ensure that proper administrative and financial controls are in place to administer funds;

6) Coordinating the review and approval process with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Ambassador’s Grant Review Committee (AGRC);

7) Designing a monitoring, evaluation and learning framework including appropriate gender indicators to ensure AFGP objectives are being met;

8) Monitoring and reporting upon grant implementation; and,

9) Providing a robust platform for capacity building support to AFGP grantees. This support will be preemptive in nature to familiarize potential grantees with the grant application process, and include ongoing support to the grantees on systems strengthening.

The Contracting Officer will nominate a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) who will be responsible for contract administration and providing technical direction to the AFGP contractor. The USAID COR will provide final approval for all proposed AFGP awards as well as all deliverables under this contract.

A majority of AFGP sub awards will have a ceiling cap of $50,000. In unique cases AFGP grants can allow for funding up to $100,000. The COR will approve any grants with a USAID contribution of $50,000 or less. In addition to COR approval, any grants to be made with a total USAID contribution of over $50,000 will require prior approval by the Contracting Officer. USAID reserves the right to alter the ceiling amount for grants, or redefine the duration of grants during contract implementation. Any additional specific guidance regarding the amount and duration of prospective grants will be provided in writing by the COR.

Organizations will generally be restricted to only receiving one Ambassador’s Fund grant during the performance of this contract. In the event that the AGRC recommends funding another grant application of an offeror that has already implemented a grant under the AFGP, the Contractor shall obtain written approval from the Contracting Officer prior to signing an additional grant with the applicant.

In accordance with ADS 302.3.4.13(c)(1), the total value of an individual grant to a U.S. NGO must not exceed $100,000. This limitation does not apply to grant awards to non-U.S. NGOs. Pakistan Government Entities will not be eligible to receive Ambassador’s Fund grants. The target recipients are private sector and community groups, such as, but not limited to, CSOs, CBOs, trade unions, women’s organizations, and human rights organizations. The AFGP seeks to implement solutions that differ from USAID’s Government-to-Government assistance efforts.

To manage and implement the AFGP the Contractor will:

● Develop a set of grant application selection criteria including criteria for assessing gender integration in the proposed activities in coordination with the Ambassador’s Grant Review Committee (AGRC), to be approved by the COR. These criteria will also set the framework for requesting grant applications under the AFGP.

● Accept grant applications on a rolling basis, to be reviewed quarterly, and establish application files for all grant requests that have been received. Grant applications will be accepted up until the end of the period of contract performance unless otherwise directed by the COR. The final date for any new evaluations of grants received and any new grants to be made will be agreed to by the COR and the Contractor as part of the Year 4 Work Plan.

● Review grant applications and provide recommendations to the COR and AGRC for potential grants.

When grants are recommended to the COR and AGRC, the Contractor shall share the results of its assessments and vetting efforts to facilitate AGRC evaluation. Although grants will be accepted on a rolling basis, it is anticipated that the AGRC will convene on a quarterly basis to review potential grants. USAID/Pakistan retains final authority over grant selection and approval.

● Provide formal feedback to each applicant (to build capacity and future relationships with each organization) including letters of regret to be prepared and delivered by the Contractor.

● Undertake regular field visits to assess the organizational capacity and technical assistance needed for potential grantees to perform the proposed activities. The Contractor will develop or adapt an Organizational Capacity Assessment tool to assist potential and first-time USAID grant recipients with assessing and improving their capacity to implement donor-funded activities including gender integration requirements. As an example, the USAID Learning Lab Organizational Capacity Assessment tool is available at the following address:

http://usaidlearninglab.org/library/organizational-capacity-assessment

● Assess the viability and appropriateness of each grant application. This may include talking with principal stakeholders (including local government institutions and organizations) and potentially with other donors active in the area. These communications will be documented to support the Contractor’s recommendation to fund a prospective grant and shared with the USAID COR and

AGRC.

● Assist Grantees with developing their own metrics to measure the impact and outcomes of each of the grants. The Contractor will work with Grantees to utilize existing metrics and IRs from the USAID/Pakistan’s strategic and DO framework as applicable. The Contractor will facilitate the collection of the Grantees’ monitoring and evaluation data that is sex dis-aggregated to the extent possible. Verified data and information will be made available for media use and public outreach involving AFGP.

● Execute approved grants using funds provided by USAID under the AFGP contract. Following grant approval by the COR and signing of the grant by the Grantee, the Contractor will be responsible for on-going grants management, capacity building and oversight, and ensuring to the extent possible successful project completion and proper financial accounting. Grant management will include project close-out and submission of final performance and accounting reports.

● Produce and periodically update a robust media and communications plan which will specify how the

Contractor will:

o Collaborate with grantees, USAID and the Department of State to plan and execute appropriate signing ceremonies to publicize the grant program and the U.S. support being provided;

o Create press releases on newly awarded or ongoing grant programs;

o Write success stories for each implemented grant;

o Coordinate with the USAID Development Outreach and Communications Office and Public

Affairs office at the Department of State to develop and execute a social media outreach/communications strategy;

o Conduct outreach to different communities affected by the AFGP activities (such as an announcement, meeting, or fliers); and o Coordinate with USAID and the Department of State to plan the Ambassador’s participation in public events related to grants.

● Evaluate the AFGP’s progress in attracting new USAID partners, and improve the Annual Work plan as needed to refine the project activities to expand the population of potential grant partners, particularly those engaged in the promotion of women’s participation.

● Establish coordination linkages with other grant-making organizations and donors to vet potential grantees, avoid duplicate financing, and inform other potential donors of grants being made under the AFGP.

● Collect lessons learned throughout the program, and refine the AFGP based on these findings during the process of implementation.

C.2.2 Grants Under Contract

Grants Under Contract (GUC) will be employed under the AFGP activity.

The Contractor will develop and manage a GUC mechanism for Civil Society Organizations and Community-Based Organizations in order to enhance the Ambassador's outreach to private sector and community groups to achieve shared objectives and to continue to expand and strengthen the relationship between the United States and the people of Pakistan.

The total grant fund under the Contract will be at least $10,000,000 and priorities and activities must be jointly developed between USAID and the Contractor through input provided by the COR.

All GUCs under this program will be in compliance with all conditions set forth in ADS 302.3.4.13 (c):

(1) Award Amount Thresholds

• Non-Government Organizations: The total value of an individual grant to a U.S. NGO must not exceed $100,000. This limitation does not apply to grant awards to non-U.S. NGOs.

(2) USAID must be significantly involved in establishing the selection criteria and must approve the recipients. USAID may be less significantly involved when grants are quite small and are incidental to the contractor’s technical activities.

(3) Applicable Policies

(i) Non-Governmental Organizations. USAID must ensure that the requirements that apply to

USAID-executed grants (including the agency policies regarding construction activities in ADS 303, Grants and Cooperative Agreements to Non-Governmental Organizations, applicable standard provisions in ADS 303) are also applied to grants that a USAID Contractor executes.

(4) USAID must retain within the contract the ability to terminate the grant activities unilaterally in extraordinary circumstances.

C.2.3 Capacity Building of Potential and Selected Grantees

The Contractor will provide capacity building training, service delivery, technical assistance including gender integration, infrastructure support, systems development, research, multi-media productions or other creative forms of assistance to AFGP awardees. The Contractor will propose and implement strategies for facilitating scale-up and sustainability of initiatives supported under AFGP.

● Illustrative capacity building activities:

o Providing “how to” trainings on the USAID grant application process;

o Assessing the capacity building needs of prospective applicants;

o Developing capacity building plans in close collaboration with the Grantee organization's staff and management; and o Designing and delivering technical assistance, mentoring, and/or trainings on:

▪ Advocacy skills and scaling up activities;

▪ How to increase logistical and financial management capacity, and strengthen organizational internal controls.

▪ How to integrate gender in the project cycle

● In addition to coordination with other grant making organizations, the Contractor will also work with

Grantees to focus on coalition building among same-sector organizations to learn from each other’s experiences.

C.2.4 Performance Monitoring

Managing for results is an important dimension of the AFGP and the Contractor will prepare and submit an overarching monitoring, evaluation and learning plan to monitor and evaluate all AFGP activities including those designed to enhance gender integration. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (MEL) will include performance indicators that empirically measure results especially those designed to measure the change in the status of women and other vulnerable groups. Initially, USAID will accept illustrative performance indicators, however the Contractor will develop a fully articulated MEL by the due date in Section F that includes a timeline for: 1) building capacity within each grantee for their own monitoring and evaluation data in order to demonstrate impact or outcomes from each grant; 2) a plan for facilitating data collection that is sex-disaggregated to the extent possible from each grantee, and storing this information in a central location or database; 3) developing metrics as well as baseline and target data for the project management portion of the grantee program; 4) capturing and analyzing data using clearly articulated methods; and, 5) providing a variety of reports (in accordance with approved work plans). All data should be disaggregated by gender, disability, and age, whenever applicable.

C.2.5 Personnel Requirements

The Contractor has the ultimate responsibility for managing the contract, for achieving the performance results in the activity areas, and for determining the appropriate staffing pattern in support of its technical approach. The Contractor must assemble a team with the required knowledge and demonstrated experience in addressing gender equality and female empowerment in development programming in addition to expertise in other areas mentioned above.

C.2.6 Technology Requirements

Database System The Contractor will provide a user-friendly information management database and system to assist USAID to track the progress of the GUCs to be updated on a regular basis. The database will track information such as: name of grantee, duration of grant (award and end date), thematic area according to the priorities set forth by the Ambassador, brief project description, and other data as necessary. This shall be developed in consultation with the COR and must be approved in writing by the COR.

AFGP Website The Contractor will design a website that:

--Provides an overview of the AFGP and its priorities --Describes the application process and contains a FAQ for interested applicants

--Hosts electronic application templates and explains the selection process including criteria --Publicizes news and success stories related to Ambassador’s Fund grants.

C.3. GENDER CONSIDERATIONS

The USAID Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy 1 requires USAID’s development programming to advance equality between women and men, and empower women and girls to participate fully in and benefit from the integration of gender throughout the entire program cycle. The AFGP project shall make meaningful contributions in support of the USAID Gender Policies’ key overarching outcomes:

1. Promoting gender equitable, socio-economic development; enhancing women and girls‘ empowerment for sustainable and equitable development; enhancing gender mainstreaming in the national development processes; and creating and strengthening gender responsive structures, processes and mechanisms for development in which both women and men…