Final_Amendment_1-SOL-486-13-000004__JAN42012.pdf

Part A. Specific changes to SOL-486-13-000004 as stated below:

1. In Box 12 of the RFP cover sheet, the following is inserted: “60 days”

2. In Section F.5 – Level of Effort, and Section L.9.1.b(i) – Submission Instructions, delete the following chart:

Labor Category Number of

Work Days Long-term Technical Assistance (U.S, CCN, TCN) 7,550 Short-term Technical Assistance (U.S, CCN, TCN) 1,020 Home Office Support 244 Total 8,814

And replace with the following:

Labor Category Number of

Work Days Long-term Technical Assistance (U.S, CCN, TCN) TBD Short-term Technical Assistance (U.S, CCN, TCN) TBD Home Office Support TBD Total 8,814

3. In Section L.9.1.b(i), Note 5 (paragraph 2), delete the following:

“The above chart defines the required level of effort to be delivered in the performance of Section C of this contract. Once the required level of effort has been provided, the contract will be completed; however, the Offeror can, with the written approval of the Contracting Officer, modify the contract by reallocating level of effort between labor categories within the general scope of the contract. No reallocation of level of effort can result in an increase in the total estimated cost of, or exceed the obligated amount in, the contract without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.”

And replace with the following:

“The above chart defines the required level of effort to be delivered in the performance of Section C of this contract. Once the required level of effort has been provided, the contract will be completed. The level of effort for key personnel of 260 work days per year is required. The level of effort for Long Term Technical Assistance, Short Term Technical Assistance and Home Office Support is illustrative and may be adjusted by Offerors among the three categories and distributed differently over the contract period.”

4. In Section H.2(a), delete the following:

“The authorized source for procurement is Geographic Code 000 unless otherwise specified in the schedule of this contract.”

“The authorized source for procurement is Geographic Code 937 unless otherwise specified in the schedule of this contract.”

5. In Section L.9.1.b(ii), delete the following chart:

6. In Section J, LIST OF ATTACHMENTS, revise to include the following documents (see Attachments A- G of this Amendment):

Attachment A: ASEAN Notional Calendar 2013 Attachment B: ICT Strategy Presentation

7. In Section L.8.1(d), revise to clarify documents not included in the page limitation for the technical proposal, as follows:

“Items such as graphs, charts, are included in the 30-page limitation. Key personnel résumés, tables summarizing qualifications of proposed personnel, past performance summary tables and past performance report forms, branding implementation plan and marking plan, cover page, table of contents, dividers, and the SF 294s and the PMEP, are not included in the 30-page limitation.”

Total Salaries and Wages Fringe Benefits Travel and Transportation (includes regional participant travel)

Equipment and Supplies

Grants under Contracts (if applicable)

Windows of Opportunity $1,000,000 Other Direct Costs (includes workshops/seminars)

Indirect Costs Total Estimated Cost Fixed Fee TOTAL Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

Total

I. Operations Costs

Salaries and Wages Fringe Benefits Travel and Transportation (includes regional participant travel)

Equipment and Supplies

Grants under Contracts (if applicable)

Windows of Opportunity $1,000,000 Other Direct Costs (includes workshops/seminars)

II. Indirect Costs III. Total Estimated Cost IV. Fixed Fee TOTAL Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

8. In Section L.9.1, INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL, Submission Instructions revise and replace “(c) Part 3 - Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors”, with the following:

“(c) Part 3 - Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors (See Section K and Section J of the RFP)

The Offeror and each proposed large sub-contractor (see Section L.8.2.5) must complete Section K, "Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offeror", and sign and date on the last page in the space provided. The Offeror and each sub-contractor must include a Statement of Contingent Fees (SF 119) if required by Section K. In addition, the Offeror and each proposed large sub-contractor must submit a completed SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.”

9. To revise the term “Performance Management and Evaluation Plan (PMEP)”, wherever it appears in the RFP to

“Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (PMEP)” and confirm that only one PMEP is required.

Part B. Questions Received Pertaining to SOL-486-13-000004 and Corresponding USAID Answers:

Question 1. Will PROGRESS replace the ADVANCE IQC or will there be a new IQC in addition to the PROGRESS award?

USAID Answer: There is no planned additional IQC for ASEAN programs.

Question 2. Could USAID please clarify whether offerors are allowed to adjust the LOE levels given in Sections F.5 (page 27) and L.9.1. (page 76), specifically for home-office support, to be consistent with the offeror’s best approach to Section C and to follow the offeror’s cost accounting structure with regards to home-office support?

USAID Answer: Please see the changes made to the RFP in Part A.2 and Part A.3 above. LOE levels may be adjusted, but must conform to the total LOE.. Please see USAID’s Answer to Question 28 below regarding an offeror’s cost accounting structure and the required LOE.

Question 3. Could USAID kindly confirm that the only costs to be included in the “Operations Costs” line of the summary table are for STTA (operations and program STTA, as described in L.9.2 4.a and L.9.2 4.b on page 79)?

USAID Answer: Please see the change made to the RFP in Part A.5 above. “Operation Costs” should include all direct costs.

Question 4. Could USAID please provide a listing or an organizational chart of all ASEAN working groups and committees relevant to the PROGRESS SOW, along with names of members and chairs of each and identification of each member’s country of origin?

USAID Answer: The RFP indicates many of the main sectoral bodies relevant to the activities described. All ASEAN sectoral bodies are made up of members from all 10 ASEAN Member States. Chairmanship rotates and is determined differently by each individual group. The names of members and Chairs and their country of origin is not necessary or relevant for the purposes of a proposal.

Question 5. Could USAID please provide the schedule of planned 2013 meetings of ASEAN sectoral bodies, working groups, and committees?

USAID Answer: The most recent ASEAN Notional Calendar for 2013 is attached (Attachment F).

Question 6. The Work Programme to Implement the Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime is referenced in the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint in Section B.4.1. We are aware of a May 17, 2002 version; could USAID please provide an updated version, if available?

USAID Answer: ASEAN has not made any update to this Work Programme public/available to USAID.

Question 7. Could USAID please provide a copy of the ASEAN Work Plan for Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking, referenced in the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint at Section B.4.1 (vi), if available?

USAID Answer: ASEAN has not made this Work Plan public/available to USAID.

Question 8. Could USAID please provide a copy of relevant annual work plans between the U.S. government and ASEAN (see page 13 under Component 1, Output 2) if available?

USAID Answer: “Annual work plans” refers to the eventual PROGRESS annual work plans, not U.S.-ASEAN annual work plans.

Question 9. The work plan for the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers is referenced on page 14 under Component 1, Output 3.

We are aware of a 2008 version; could USAID provide an updated version of this work plan, if available?

USAID Answer: To USAID’s knowledge, this work plan has not yet been updated and there is no further information available to USAID at this time.

Question 10. Could USAID please provide a copy of the full current work plan of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, as referenced on page 16 of the RFP?

USAID Answer: ASEAN has not made the work plan available to USAID. Please see http://www.asean.org/news/asean-secretariat-news/item/fifth-press-release-of-the-asean-commission-on-the-promotion-and-protection-of-the-rights-of-women-and-children-acwc for a general description of the work plan contents.

Question 11. Could USAID please provide a copy of the university curriculum on legal systems of ASEAN Member States that was to be created by the ASEAN University Network, according to the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint, Section A.1.3. (iii)?

USAID Answer: USAID has not been able to locate any significant information on the status of such a curriculum.

Question 12. Could USAID please provide copies of any prior organizational capacity assessments done for the ASEAN Secretariat?

USAID Answer: In addition to the ADVANCE Mid-Term evaluation, which touched on ASEAN Secretariat capacity (See Question 15 below), the evaluation of the AusAID ASEAN project mentions ASEAN Secretariat capacity and can be found here: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/Publications/Pages/1777_1201_2105_3352_3719.aspx. There is no other currently available public document on ASEAN Secretariat capacity of which USAID is aware.

Question 13. The following illustrative input under Component 1, Output 2, page 13 of the RFP, appears to be missing a word or phrase: “Support public awareness-raising, training and information exchange for government officials for cooperation and ________ among potential victim communities.” Could USAID please provide any missing text?

USAID Answer: There is no missing text, but missing helpful punctuation. To clarify, the output is to support (i) public awareness-raising; (ii) training and information exchange for government officials to improve cooperation; and, (iii) training and information exchange among potential victim communities.

Question 14. Could USAID please provide copies of ADVANCE periodic reports submitted to USAID?

USAID Answer: The requested documents will be available on the ADVANCE website, advanceiqc.com, no later than January 7, 2013.

Question 15. Could USAID please provide a complete copy of the mid-performance evaluation done of the ADVANCE project?

USAID Answer: The ADVANCE Mid-Term evaluation was recently posted to the Development Experience Clearinghouse https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/home/Default.aspx. The document ID# is 22693816-67d3-4aad-b20c-728792421d4b.

Question 16. Could USAID please provide a copy of the Revised Priorities for Cooperation under the ASEAN-U.S.

Enhanced Partnership 2009?

USAID Answer: This document from July 2009 referred to “priorities for the coming year” and is therefore outdated. Offerors should refer to the ASEAN-U.S. Enhanced Partnership Plan of Action as noted in the RFP and publicly available outcome documents from the most recent ASEAN-U.S. Leaders meeting in November 2012 for current stated priorities.

Question 17. Our SF-294 report submissions for the past five years constitute more than 15 MB and 500 pages. May we instead submit 10 of our most recent and relevant SF-294 reports? Alternatively, may we submit SF-294 reports for the past five years only on a CD-ROM accompanying our technical proposal?

USAID Answer: Offerors may submit 10 of its most recent and relevant SF-294 reports. This is not included in the page limitation of 30 pages for the technical proposal.

Question 18. On page 21 of the RFP, under Performance Management and Evaluation Plan (PMEP), USAID notes the draft PMEP is due within 45 days following the contract signing; however, also on page 21, under Work Plans, USAID states the work plan is due 30 days after the contract signing and must be accompanied by a draft PMEP. Please clarify when USAID requires the submission of the draft PMEP.

USAID Answer: The correct submission timeline for the PMEP is 45 days after award. The Work Plan as required on Page 29 is due 30 days after award and must not be accompanied by the PMEP.

Question 19. On pages 11 and 21, USAID refers to a “Performance Management and Evaluation Plan (PMEP)”.

However, on pages 20 and 73, it is referred to as a “Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (PMEP)”. Similarly, on page 83, there is a discrepancy in terminology. Can USAID please clarify which terminology should be used, or if offerors are required to submit two different plans?

USAID Answer: The correct terminology is Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan. Only one PMEP is required.

See changes made to the solicitation in Part A.9 above.

Question 20. We understand that USAID previously supported the development of an ICT strategy with the ASEAN Secretariat. Could USAID please provide a copy of that strategy and any related work plans?

USAID Answer: A presentation summarizing the USAID-supported ICT strategy is attached (Attachment G). Please note that the strategy was presented to ASEAN, but has no formal ASEAN endorsement. There are no further related work plans.

Question 21. The ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint, at A.1.4, refers to a “study… on partnership between public and private sectors and academia in creating a conducive climate for good governance to provide concrete recommendations to appropriate ASEAN sectoral bodies,” which was to be completed in 2009. Could USAID please provide a copy of this study?

USAID Answer: USAID was not able to secure further information on the status of the above-mentioned study.

Question 22. For USAID’s convenience, may we include an acronyms list not subject to the page limitation?

USAID Answer: Yes.

Question 23. Would USAID kindly confirm that 11 x 17 inch paper is acceptable for cost proposal spreadsheets when necessary, provided they are folded to 8.5 x 11 inches in size?

USAID Answer: Confirmed.

Question 24. May the "schedule of activities represented in a graphic timeline" referred to on page 72 of the RFP be included as an annex not subject to the page limit?

USAID Answer: No. As indicated in Section L.8.1(d) (and revised in Part A.7 above): “Items such as graphs, charts, are included in the 30-page limitation. Key personnel résumés, tables summarizing qualifications of proposed personnel, past performance summary tables and past performance report forms, branding implementation plan and marking plan, cover page, table of contents, dividers and the SF 294s and the PMEP are not included in the 30-page limitation.”

Question 25. 1. In addition to the required CVs for key personnel and notional non-key personnel, are Offerors required to include CVs for proposed short-term staff?

USAID Answer: Yes. As stated in Section L.8.2.3.2, the Offeror must provide brief summaries of the job descriptions and qualifications of other full-time technical professional staff, and short-term advisors. In addition, to further illustrate the proposed staffing pattern that will be evaluated in Section M.2.2.1, this section states that the Offeror must submit CVs for notional non-key personnel to demonstrate the skills, experience and capabilities they would seek in filling these positions.

CVs submitted must indicate the relationship between the Offeror and the proposed person (e.g. full-time, part-time, permanent, consultant, subcontractor, etc.), including the person's employer. [Emphasis added]

Question 26. Under Component 2, Output 2, USAID lists as an illustrative activity the provision of a long-term disaster management expert to advise the AHA Centre. Please confirm that USAID would like for offerors to propose a long-term expert to the ASEAN AHA Centre as part of the staffing plan.

USAID Answer: USAID is not requiring that Offerors propose a long-term expert to the AHA Centre. As stated in the RFP, the activities/inputs are illustrative and Offerors are free to consider them along with other activities/inputs to present a technical and management approach that best contributes to achieving the desired outcomes of the activity components.

Question 27. In addition to the long-term advisor to the AHA Centre, does USAID envisage provision of additional “embedded” technical advisors to ASEAN sectoral bodies?

USAID Answer: The usefulness for technical advisors, both long-term and short-term, must be considered in collaboration with ASEAN bodies and agreed activities in annual work plans. At the time of this RFP, USAID is not requiring or aware of the need for specific technical advisors other than opportunities already mentioned in the RFP.

Question 28. Because of the offerors’ varying accounting practices regarding how home office support cost is charged to the client (some firms capture Home Office Support cost as part of their overhead pool whereas others direct bill it to the client as Direct Labor), please confirm that for these firms, only Home Office LOE that is technical expertise will count towards the 244 days requested by the RFP, and direct Home Office Support that is administrative/program management LOE will not.

USAID Answer: All LOE –including Home Office LOE- that contributes to the PROGRESS activity other than the LOE explained in Note 3 of Section L.9.1(b) must be included in the LOE ceiling. The requirement stated in Section L.9.1(b) is intended to ensure that every Offeror proposes the same overall level of effort so that USAID may evaluate the proposals on an equal basis. Offeror’s should provide a budget that is consistent with their accounting policies but must provide a clear explanation in the budget narrative of how their cost proposal and proposed level of effort is consistent with the requirement stated in Section L.9.1(b). USAID will discuss with Offerors the potential of revising their level of effort to be consistent with their accounting practices after USAID completes its evaluation.

Question 29. Page 32 of the RFP, Section H.2, contains outdated Source and Origin requirements. Can USAID please clarify that this section should instead include the updated Source and Nationality requirements that were issued in February 2012?

USAID Answer: Please see the changes made to the RFP in Part A.4 above.

Question 30. Can USAID please confirm that the Program STTA referenced in 4(b) on pg 79 should read, “...should be reflected in the ‘Program Costs’ section of the budget summary”?

USAID Answer: No. Both types of STTA must be included as a cost element under “Operation Costs”. The budget summary should then explain costs of STTA that will support operations and separately Program STTA costs and then provide a summary explanation of the two types of STTA proposed to justify the overall proposed STTA cost.

Question 31. Will USAID provide a template breaking out costs by Program Costs versus Operations Costs, as detailed on pg 79, section 4(b); or are offerors free to provide their own template?

USAID Answer: The budget format included in the RFP is illustrative and is intended to provide the standard cost elements that must be included as applicable. Other line items may be included at the Offeror’s discretion.

Question 32. Can USAID please confirm that COP candidates are not eligible for waiver authorization above the local compensation plan (pg 77)?

Question 33. Can USAID kindly confirm that Regional TCNs can be compensated in US dollars if they are resident in Jakarta, or must local currency be used?

USAID Answer: Confirmed.

Question 34. On page 26, RFP Section F.4 Reports and Deliverables or Outputs lists the fourth deliverable as being the Annual Work Plan and states that it is “due 45 days before the end of the calendar year”. On page 79, RFP Section L.9.2 General Assumptions and Other Instructions, item number 2 states: “The period of performance is 60 months, from on/about May 2013 through on/about April 2018.” Given the anticipated project start in May 2013, the requirement to submit the Annual Work Plan 45 days before the end of the calendar year will result in submitting the annual work plan approximately 5.5 months prior to the start of the new project year. Please confirm that it is USAID’s intention that the due date for the Annual Work Plan is to be 45 days before the end of the calendar year, rather than 45 days before the end of the project year.

USAID Answer: ASEAN operates on a Calendar Year. As the project start date is intended in the middle of the Calendar Year, USAID would like to begin with an initial Work Plan through the remainder of the Calendar Year 2013 and then conform to the Calendar Year for subsequent Work Plans. For example, the 2014 Calendar Year Work Plan will be due 45 days before the end of 2013, and so forth in subsequent years.

Question 35. On page. 56, RFP Section J, List of Attachments, includes SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities as Attachment 3. The instructions for preparation of the proposal in Section L do not make mention of submission of SF-LLL. Will USAID please confirm whether or not the SF-LLL is a required submission document, and if so:

USAID Answer: See changes made to the RFP, Part A.8 above. The SF-LLL is a required document that should be submitted together with the rest of the required “Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors” in Section K of the RFP.

a. Is it to be included in the technical or cost proposal volume?

USAID Answer: The SF-LLL should be included in the Cost Proposal together with the “Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors” of Section K under Part 3.

b. Is it to be completed by only the Prime Contractor, the Prime Contractor and all proposed subcontractors, or the Prime Contractor and a subset of proposed Subcontractors?

USAID Answer: It must be completed by the Prime Offeror and any identified proposed subcontractors .

Question 36. On page 64, RFP Section L.2(d) Offer expiration date states: “Proposals in response to this solicitation will be valid for the number of days specified on the solicitation cover sheet (unless a different period is proposed by the Offeror).”As Box 12 of the RFP cover sheet has not been completed, please confirm that Offerors are being required to provide a sixty (60) day validity period for their submitted proposals.

USAID Answer: Please see the change made to the RFP Cover Sheet in Part A.1 above.

Question 37. On page 65, RFP Section L.2(f)(10) states: “A written award or acceptance of proposal mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful Offeror within the time specified in the proposal shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party.” With regard to this RFP provision:

a. If the successful Offeror does not state a time period in its proposal, please confirm that the time period for this provision defaults to the sixty (60) days following the due date for receipt of proposals as per Box 12 of the RFP cover sheet (SF-33).

USAID Answer: Confirmed. Please also see the change made to the RFP Cover Sheet in Part A.1 above.

b. Please confirm that in accordance with FAR 15.504, a written award or acceptance of proposal mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful Offeror will result in a binding contract without further action by either party only if the award document does not contain information that differs from the Offeror’s signed proposal, as amended by the Offeror’s written correspondence.

Question 38. On page 67, RFP Sections L.7.1 (a)(i) and (ii) state in part: “The written technical and cost proposals must be accompanied by a CD-ROM with electronic copies of both proposals.” Please confirm that USAID is requiring Offerors to include two CD-ROMs, one with only an electronic copy of the technical proposal to be included with the written technical proposal, and a second CD-ROM with only an electronic copy of the cost proposal to be included with the written cost proposal.

USAID Answer: Confirmed.

Question 39. On page 68, RFP Section L.7.1 (j) states: “In case of any disagreements or discrepancies between the terms and conditions of this RFP and the FAR, the RFP shall prevail.” It is our understanding that in such cases, it is actually the FAR that would prevail. Please confirm that this provision is correct as written, i.e., that the RFP shall prevail rather than the FAR.

Question 40. On page 69, RFP Section L.8.1 (d) states that “Proposals must be written in English and typed on standard 8 1/2" x 11" paper or A4 (216mm by 297mm paper), single spaced, using Times New Roman font, regular, size 12 with each page numbered consecutively”. Please confirm that for charts and graphs, the Offeror can use a smaller font, such as Arial Narrow, size 9, for the text.

USAID Answer: Text included in graphs and charts is not subject to the font requirement identified in Section L.8.1(d) of the RFP. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure that all text is legible.

Question 41. On page 71, RFP Section L.8.2.3 (1) states that “a draft field staffing plan, as well as a notional plan addressing programmatic and operation requirements, must be submitted”. How is this different from the requested mobilization plan? What is meant by the “notional plan”? Is USAID referring to the staffing plan overall, as describe in the entirety of RFP Section L.8.2.3? Please clarify.

USAID Answer: Yes, USAID is referring to the staffing plan overall as described in the full Section L.8.2.3. The mobilization plan in L.8.2.3 (1)(d) refers only to the timelines of staff and activity mobilization.

Question 42. On page 73, RFP Section L.8.2.4 Program Management, Performance Plan, and Evaluation Methodology states that “the Offeror must submit an abbreviated draft PMEP as part of the technical approach…” We ask that USAID please include the abbreviated PMEP in the list of proposal elements (e.g. key personnel resumes, personnel summary tables, etc) not included in the 30-page limitation.

USAID Answer: Yes, the PMEP will not be included in the 30-page limitation for the technical proposal. See the change made in Part A.9 above.

Question 43. On page 75, RFP Section L.8.2.6 Corporate Capability (3) states “the Offeror must describe its general management structure. The Offeror must also describe the roles and responsibilities of its home office management staff and the Offeror’s contract manager in the field, its assigned management and decision-making rules, and the relationship the Offeror will have with expected subcontractors.” This requirement appears to overlap with similar requirements asked of the Offeror on page 71, RFP section L.8.2.3, specifically in part “c”. This RFP section asks the Offeror to describe the “proposed delegation of financial and programmatic authority to its Jakarta office”, “a description of proposed home office structure and how the home office will directly support the Jakarta field office and ensure overall program oversight and guidance”. This section also asks the Offeror to “clearly outline the operations, duties, responsibilities and relationship of the Prime and Sub-Contractors as appropriate”. Please clarify the distinction between what is being asked of the Offeror in Section L.8.2.6 (Corporate Capability) and Section L.8.2.3.c. (Management/Staffing Plan, etc).

USAID Answer: Please review the requirements in the context of the two categories, namely, “Management/Staffing Plan, Organizational Structure, and Mobilization Plan” and “Corporate Capability.” The former category requests detailed information of how an Offeror will manage the PROGRESS activity, the latter category asks for general information of an Offeror’s experience in implementing similar activities.

Question 44. On page 76, RFP Section L.9.(b)(i) presents a LOE chart. Note 5 states, in part: “The above chart defines the required level of effort to be delivered in the performance of Section C of this contract. One the required level of effort has been provided, the contract will be completed; however, the Offeror can, with the written approval of the Contracting Officer, modify the contract by reallocating level of effort between labor categories within the general scope of the contract. No reallocation of level of effort can result in an increase in the total estimated cost of, or exceed the obligated amount in, the contract without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.” With respect to this RFP provision:

a. Will USAID explain the rationale behind the number of professional technical level of effort work days allocated to each category (LTTA, STTA, and Home Office)?

USAID Answer: The LOE days allocated by category represent USAID’s reasonable estimation of the mix of LTTA, STTA and Home Office support need to achieve the desired outputs.

b. Will USAID explain how the 7,550 work days for LTTA was derived as this number does not work out to an even number of staff when using a 260-day work year over the five year life of the activity?

USAID Answer: The 7,550 days estimates that some of the LTTA may not begin immediately upon contract award, but be hired during initial mobilization and start-up period.

c. Is it a strict requirement that all Offerors propose costs based on a total of exactly 8,814 work days of professional technical assistance labor allocated between LTTA, STTA and Home Office as presented in the LOE table?

USAID Answer: As noted, LOE allocations among categories may be adjusted in line with the Offerors approach to Section C, but within the total maximum days as indicated in the RFP and with explanations for adjustments.

Question 45. On page 77, Section L.9, paragraph b) 4), states that, “For purposes of Offerors’ calculating the required level of effort in the cost proposal, a proposed professional that will work full time on the Activity – such as key personnel – is equal to 260 work days per year. Twenty-two work days per month must be used by Offerors in calculating the level of effort for any proposed professional that is proposed to work less than full time.” Please clarify how the Mission is taking into consideration that some Offerors budget less than 260 days per year for long-term personnel based on their company’s indirect structure.

USAID Answer: The requirement stated in Section L.9.(b)(4) is intended to ensure that every Offeror proposes the same overall level of effort so that USAID may evaluate the proposals on an equal basis. Offeror’s should provide a budget that is consistent with their accounting policies but must provide a clear explanation in the budget narrative of how their cost proposal and proposed level of effort is consistent with the requirement stated in Section L.9.(b)(4). USAID will discuss with Offerors the potential of revising their level of effort to be consistent with their accounting practices after USAID completes its evaluation.

Question 46. On page 77, RFP Section L.9.1 5. 11) states that “offerors should consider the use of Grants Under Contract (GUCs) in their technical approach, GUCs must not exceed $600,000 total for the life of the Activity.” Can USAID confirm that $600,000 should be used as the plug figure for GUCs for all offerors in budgeting assumptions?

USAID Answer: There is no requirement for GUCs or a required plug figure. USAID is noting a $ 600,000 ceiling for GUCs over the life of the project. Offerors are asked to consider utilization of GUCs as appropriate for its overall technical approach.

Any proposal that excludes the use of GUCs would benefit from an explanation as to why the Offeror determined GUCs are not appropriate for its technical approach.

Question 47. On page 79, Section L.9.2 paragraph 4, states, “The cost proposal must include the following Operations Costs distinction:

a. STTA in support of Offeror operations (e.g. staff training, facilitation of strategy sessions, admin/finance/management, etc.) that is neither part of implementation activity nor directed toward a program beneficiary should be reflected as part of the “Operations Costs” section of the budget summary. The COR must concur on trips and scopes of work for these STTA.

b. Program STTA (local and expatriate) e.g., a facilitator for a beneficiaries’ conference, technical assistance to local governments or NGOs, a trainer for a training in support of an activity, engineer, should be reflected in the “Operation Costs” section of the budget summary.”

With regards to this RFP requirement:

a. Will USAID provide a clear definition of “Operations Costs” and clarify if Offerors should assume STTA in support of these “Operations Cost” should be deducted from the level of requirement set under Section L.9.1 paragraph b) i) (page 76)?

USAID Answer: Please see the change made to the RFP in Part A.5 above to better understand the main cost elements that should be included in “Operation Costs.” Basically, “Operation Costs” should include all direct costs. STTA in support of Offeror operations is not additional to the LOE total provided. As stated in L.9.1, Note 2, of the RFP “The required level of effort does not include non-professional support staff (e.g., office managers, administrative assistants, or drivers).”

b. Also, points (a) and (b) appear to be making a distinction between types of labor that should and should not be considered “Operations Costs”; however, the RFP appears to be instructing the Offeror that STTA in support of Offeror operations AS WELL AS Program STTA are to be considered “Operations Costs”. Please confirm that the type of labor described in (b) are actually NOT Operations Costs, but rather, programmatic costs.

USAID Answer: Both types of STTA must be considered “Operation Costs”. Section L.9.2 paragraph 4 of the RFP instructs Offerors to include in their budget summary the cost of STTA that will support operations and separately Program STTA costs and then provide a summary explanation of the two types of STTA proposed to justify the overall proposed STTA cost.

c. Will USAID provide a budget template summary inclusive of said “operations cost”?

USAID Answer: Please see the change made to the RFP in Part A.5 above. The budget format included in the RFP is illustrative and is intended to provide the standard cost elements that must be included as applicable. Other line items may be included at the Offeror’s discretion.

‐ End of Amendment No. 1 -

ATTACHMENT A

ASEAN Notional Calendar 2013

As of 14 December 2012-Inputs from ASEC

ASEAN Notional Calendar 2013

DATE MEETING VENUE

PARTICIPATION

LEVEL

JANUARY

4 23rd High Level Task Force (HLTF) Meeting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

High Level Task Force-Senior Official Level

8-10 ASEAN SOM Retreat Temburong, Brunei

Darussalam

SOM

9-11 Multi-sectoral High Level Meeting on PPR

Manila, Philippines

SOMHD

14-16 ARF Disaster Relief Exercise (ARF DiREx) 2013 Initial Planning Conference and Site Survey

Bangkok/Cha-am, Thailand

15-17 9th ASEAN Single Window Steering Committee

(ASWSC)

Lao PDR Senior Officials

15-16 Sub-Committee on ATIGA Rules of Origin

(SCAROO)

Brunei Darussalam

Sub WG of CCA

15-18 Coordinating Committee on Services (CCS) Working Groups and MRA Implementing Committees

Brunei Darussalam

(TBC)

Sub WG of CCS

17-19 72nd CCS Brunei Darussalam

CCS (WG under

SEOM)

59th Coordinating Committee on Investment

(CCI)

CCI (WG under

SEOM)

Coordinating Committee on Trade in Goods

(CCA)

CCA (WG under

SEOM)

18-24 ASEAN Tourism Forum 2013 Vientiane, Lao

PDR

Ministerial

18 37th ASEAN NTOs Meeting Vientiane, Lao

PDR

SOM

22nd ASEAN Plus Three NTOs Meeting

Vientiane, Lao SOM

LEVEL

10th ASEAN-India Tourism Working Group Meeting

PDR SOM

4th ASEAN-Russia Tourism Consultation

SOM

20 16th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-

ATM)

Vientiane, Lao

PDR

Ministerial

20 Committee of the Whole Meeting Brunei Darussalam

SEOM

21 12th Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Ministers

Vientiane, Lao

PDR

Ministerial

4th Meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers Ministerial

21 TOT Workshop on ASEAN Cities Getting to Zero

TBC ATFOA (Working Group)

21-22 Senior Economic Officials Meetings (SEOM) 1/44

Brunei Darussalam

SEOM

21-25 The ADMM-Plus Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR)/Military Medicine Exercise Mid- Planning Conference

Singapore Working Group

21-25 Workshop on MRLs, and the 15th Meeting of EWG on Harmonisation of MRLs of Pesticides

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Working Group

29-30 7th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW) Instrument Drafting Team

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

ACMW Focal Points

29 Jan – 1 Feb

High Level Meeting on Nutrition

Bangkok, Thailand

SOMHD

TBC 6th CLMV SEOM Brunei Darussalam

CLMV SEOM

TBC

Third Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group (ACCWG)

Singapore SOM,SEOM,SOCA

TBC ASEAN Plus Three FETN Thailand FETN Focal Points (Working Group)

PARTICIPATION

LEVEL

FEBRUARY

4-8 ‐ ASEAN Finance and Central Banks Deputies Working Group Meeting (AFDM-

WG)

‐ 35th Working Committee on Financial Services Liberalisation (WC-FSL)

‐ 25th Working Committee on Capital Account Liberalisation (WC-CAL)

Working Committee on Capital Market Development (WC-CMD)

Brunei Darussalam

Directors, Senior Officer

5-6 ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting Working Group (ADSOM WG)

Brunei Darussalam

Working Group

7 ADSOM-Plus WG Brunei Darussalam

Working Group

14 The ADMM-Plus EWG on Maritime Security Field Exercise (FTX) Initial Planning Conference

Sydney, Australia

13-15 Gender Training for ASCC Department ASEAN Secretariat

ASEC Staff

19-22 22nd Working Group on Technical Matter on ASEAN Single Window (TWG)

Indonesia ASW Working Group

20-22 1st WG Regional Competition Advocacy Meeting

Singapore Sub Working Group AEGC

26-28 24th Working Group on Accreditation and Conformity Assessment

Myanmar Working Group

26-1 March

18th Working Group on Legal & Regulatory Matter on ASEAN Single Window (LWG)

Myanmar LWG Working Group

27-28 Preparatory Meeting of the 17th ACCSM Bagan, Myanmar

ACCSM

TBC

Possibly week of 4th Feb, 1 day

2nd Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting of ASEAN-GIZ (formerly GTZ) Project on Competition Policy and Law

ASEC ASEAN Expert Group Members

TBC

7th ARF Experts and Eminent Persons (EEPs) Meeting

TBC Track 1.5

TBC Second Working Group Meeting on the Guilin, China Working Group

PARTICIPATION

LEVEL

Implementation of the Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation

TBC ASEAN-ROK Training on ITS Standards Integration

ROK

TBC 17th APWG Lao PDR AP Working Group

TBC 8th ASEAN Korea Free Trade Area Implementing Committee (AKFTA IC) and related Meetings

TBC AKFTA IC and Working Groups

TBC Working Group Meeting on ASEAN Capital Market Forum (ACMF-WG)

Singapore ACMF Working Group

TBC ASEAN – WHO Meeting ASEAN Secretariat

SOMHD

TBC ASEAN Focal Point on Tobacco Control

Cambodia AFPTC (Working

TBC 10th Meeting of the Technical Working Group on Transboundary Haze Pollution in the Mekong Sub-Region (TWG Mekong)

3rd Meeting of the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution in the Mekong Sub-Region (MSC Mekong)

Cambodia TWG Mekong

MSC Mekong

TBC 8th ASEAN Korea Free Trade Area Implementing Committee (AKFTA IC) and related meetings

TBC AKFTA Working Groups

TBC 2nd ASEAN Conference on Working Toward a Cyber Pornography and Cyber-Prostitution Free-Southeast Asia

Philippines SOMSWD

TBC 5th Regional Seminar of the ASEAN- ILO/Japan Project on Industrial Relations

Ha Noi, Viet Nam

SLOM

TBC ASEAN Workshop on Resolving Employment Disputes – Approaches and Mechanisms

Singapore SLOM-WG

MARCH

3-5 Joint Preparatory Meeting Brunei Darussalam

SOM, SEOM,

SOCA

4 18th ACMF Meeting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Deputies Level

5-6 1st ASEAN Transport SAR Forum Indonesia Working Group

5-7 TELSOM JWG/WGs + Dialogue Partners &

ITU

Lao PDR TELSOM Working Group

7-9 19th AEM Retreat Hanoi, Viet Nam

SEOM

7-9

- AEM-EU Consultation Hanoi, Viet Nam

SEOM

- 3rd ASEAN-EU Business Summit Ministers, SEOM

11 4th AANZFTA IPC Meeting Luang Prabang, Lao

PDR

AWGIPC

11-13 ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Counterterrorism’s Exercise (CTX) Final Planning Conference

Sentul, Indonesia

12-14 25th ASEAN China Free Trade Area Joint Committee (ACFTA JC) and related Meetings

China ACFTA Working Groups

12-14 25th ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (MTWG) Meeting

Mandalay, Myanmar

MT Working Groups

12-15 40th AWGIPC Meeting Luang Prabang, Lao

PDR

Working Group

15 1st ECAP III PCS Meeting Luang Prabang, Lao

PDR

ASEAN Expert Group Member

18-22 ASEAN Tourism Working Group and Committee Meetings:

1) 5th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Marketing and Communication Working Group (MCWG)

2) 5th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Product Development Working Group (PDWG) 3)5th Meeting of ASEAN Quality Tourism Working Group (QTWG)

4) 5th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Integration and Budget Committee (TIBC)

Pakse, Lao

PDR

ASEAN Tourism Working Group

PARTICIPATION

LEVEL

5) 6th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Professional Monitoring Committee (ATPMC)

18-19 SEOM + AFP Consultations Brunei Darussalam

SEOM + FTA plus

19-20 Seminar on ACIA for IPA officials ACIA Kuala Lumpur, Investor Promotion officials

21 ACIA Socialization / Promotion Forum (Forum to Promote ACIA for Investors and Business People) and Seminar on ACIA for IPA officials

Kuala Lumpur, Private sector/Investor Promotion officials

20-21 3rd Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership-Working Group on Trade in Goods

(RCEP-WGTIG)

Brunei Darussalam

RCEP-TIG Working Group

20-21 1st Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership-Working Group on Trade in Services (RCEP-WGS)

Brunei Darussalam

RCEP-Services Working Group

22-23 1st Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership-Working Group on Investment

(RCEP-WGI)

Brunei Darussalam

RCEP-Investment Working Group

TBC

(possibly week of 2th march, 2 days)

11th AEGC Meeting Manila, Philippines

AEGC Working Group

TBC 16th RBPWG Myanmar RBP Working Group

TBC

12th ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Disaster Relief

Indonesia ISM

TBC

5th ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non- Proliferation and Disarmament

Philippines ISM

TBC

11th ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Counter- Terrorism and Transnational Crime

TBC ISM

TBC

Fourth Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group (ACCWG) (to be held back to back with the JPM per the TOR of the

ACCWG)

Brunei Darussalam

SOM,SEOM,

SOCA

TBC TMHSPWG Inter-sessional meeting 1 Myanmar TMHSP Working Group

TBC 19th ACC Lao PDR ACC Working Group

TBC 19th ATRC JWG/WGs Viet Nam ATRC Working

PARTICIPATION

LEVEL

Group

TBC TELSOM JWG/WGs + Dialogue Partners &

ITU

Lao PDR TELSOM working Group

TBC Liaison Officials' Meeting for the 10th China ASEAN Business and Investment Summit tbc Ministers

TBC Senior Officials Meeting for the 10th China- ASEAN Expo (SOM CAEXPO)

Nanning Ministers

TBC 9th ASEAN Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Joint Committee (AJCEP JC) and related meetings

TBC AJCEP Working groups

TBC 42nd IAI Task Force TBC Senior Officials

TBC Outbond Investment Mission from ASEAN-6 to

CLMV

Vientiane, Lao

PDR

Private Sector and Investment Officials

TBC - 5th ASEAN Senior Level Committee on Financial Integration (ASLC) Meeting

- Steering Committee on Capacity Building (SCCB) Meeting

Deputy Director Level

TBC ASEAN Forum on Taxation (AFT) Meeting Senior Officer

TBC Working Group on Dispute Resolution and Enforcement Mechanism (WG-DREM) Meeting DREM Working groups/Senior Officer

TBC ASEAN Working Group on PPR

Cambodia AWGPPR (Working

TBC 4th EAS High-Level Seminar on Environmentally Sustainable Cities

TBC EAS Ministers

EAS Senior Officials

TBC 3rd Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC)

Cambodia AWGCC

APRIL

1 - ASEAN Finance and Central Banks Deputies Meeting (AFDM)

Jerudong, Brunei

Darussalam

Deputies

2 - Formal ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Banks Deputies Meeting (Formal AFDM+3)

Deputies

2-3 - Informal ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Banks Deputies Meeting (Informal AFDM+3)

Deputies

3 - Minister’s Retreat

- 17th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting

Ministers

PARTICIPATION

LEVEL

4 (17th AFMM)

2-3 ADSOM

Brunei Darussalam

SOM

4 ADSOM-Plus Brunei Darussalam

SOM

7-11 Prep SEOM for JPM Brunei Darussalam

Senior Official

9th AEC Council Meeting Minister

8-12 1st Meeting of the Special Experts Working Group on the ASEAN Regional Standard for Organic Agriculture, & 9th Meeting on ASEAN Standards and for Horticulture Produce and Other Food Crops

(MASHP)

Bandar Seri Begawan

Working Group

8-10 6th ACWC Meeting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ACWC

Representatives

9-11 10th ASEAN Single Window Steering Committee (ASWSC)

Philippines ASWC Senior Officials

9-11 ATRC JWG/WGs Viet Nam ATRC Working Groups

14-15 3rd ASEAN-Japan Heads of IPOs Meeting Kyoto, Japan High Level

15-19 The ADMM-Plus HADR/Military Medicine Exercise Final Planning Conference and Site Visit

Brunei Darussalam

23 SOM

Darussalam

SOM

24-25 22nd ASEAN Summit Brunei Darussalam

Leaders

22-26 ‐ 27th ASEAN Air Transport Working Group Meeting

‐ 6th ASEAN Air Transport Economic Cooperation Sub-Working Group Meeting

‐ 6th ASEAN Air Transport Technical Cooperation Sub-Working Group Meeting

‐ 2nd Meeting of 7th round ATSN

Krabi, Thailand Air Transport Working Group

‐ 23-24 or 24-

The 1st Consultative Meeting of the Working Group on Cross Border Consumer Redress on Development of Complaint and Redress Mechanism Models in ASEAN

Bangkok, Thailand

Working Group

25-26 5th Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Education (AWGEE)

Malaysia AWGEE

PARTICIPATION

LEVEL

30 April – 2 May

(TBC)

7th ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP) Meeting

Viet Nam Senior Officials

TBC 15th SWG SKRL (Sub-Working Group Singapore-Kunming Rail Link)

China Senior Officials/Working group

TBC Pre AEM for the 22nd ASEAN Summit Brunei Darussalam

SEOM

TBC 22nd ASEAN Summit Brunei Darussalam

Ministers

9th BIMP EAGA Summit MInisters

TBC 40th ACCSQ Malaysia ACCSQ DG Level

TBC 17th MDPWG Malaysia MDP Working Group

TBC 17th PFPWG Myanmar PFP Working Group

TBC 9th ASEAN Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Joint Committee Meetings

Myanmar AJCEP Working groups

TBC ASEAN Task Force on NCD

Manila, Philippines

ATFNCD (Working Group)

TBC Regional NCD Manila, Philippines

SOMHD &

ATFNCD Working

Group

TBC 35th Meeting of Sub-Committee on Meteorology and Geophysics (SCMG)

Indonesia SCMG

TBC

ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (EWG on PKO):

Workshop on Force Generation

New Zealand Working Group

TBC

5th ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security

Republic of Korea

ISM

TBC

ARF Defence Officials’ Dialogue / ARF Inter-sessional Support Group Meeting on Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy (ISG on CBMs and PD)

China Defence Officials/ISG

TBC

8th ASEAN Japan Counter Terrorism (AJCT) Dialogue

TBC Expert Working Group on Trafficking in Philippines SOM

PARTICIPATION

LEVEL

Persons

MAY

2-3 MAY ‐ Formal AFDM+3 ‐ Informal AFDM+3 ‐ 16th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers and

Central Banks Governors Meeting

(AFMGM+3)

New Delhi, India

Ministers, Deputies Level

2-3 Sub-Committee on ATIGA Rules of Origin

(SCAROO)

Brunei Darussalam

Sub working Group under CCA

4-6 CCS Working Groups +MRA Implementation Committees

Brunei Darussalam

Sub working group of CCS

4-6 CCA Brunei Darussalam

CCA (working Group under

SEOM)

4-6 73rd CCS Brunei Darussalam

CCS (working group under

SEOM)

4-6 60th CCI Brunei Darussalam

CCI (working group under SEOM)

7 7th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting

(ADMM)

Brunei Darussalam

Ministerial

7-8 TELSOM-ATRC Leaders’ Retreat Viet Nam SOM

7-10 Expert Group Meeting on the Finalisation of ASEAN CBTP and 25th ASEAN Transport Facilitation Working Group (TFWG) Meeting

Langkawi, Malaysia

TF working group

7-11 Senior Economic Officials Meetings (SEOM) 2/44 +Dialogue Partners Consultation

Brunei Darussalam

SEOM & Dialogue Partners

7th CLMV SEOM Brunei Darussalam

CLMV SEOM

8-9 RCEP WG on Trade in Goods Brunei Darussalam

RCEP TIG, TIS

Working Group RCEP WG on Trade in Services

10-11 RCEP WG on Investment Brunei Darussalam

RCEP Investment Working Group

12 1st RCEP TNC Meeting Brunei Darussalam

RCEP TNC

Working Group

14-17 23rd Working Group on Technical Matter on ASEAN Single Window (TWG)

Singapore ASW Working Group

14-17 4th Meeting of ASEAN Multisectoral Road Safety Special Working Group (MRSSWG) and 22nd ASEAN Land Transport Working

Lao, PDR MRSS Working

PARTICIPATION

LEVEL

Group (LTWG) Meeting 20-24 AANZFTA FTA Joint Committee & related meetings Australia Director

20-24 ADMM-Plus EWG on Counterterrorism Exercise Final Site Survey

Indonesia Peace and Security Centre (IPSC), 20 Preparatory SOM for the AMMY VIII Bandar Seri Begawan

SOMY

CAYC

21 Preparatory SOM for the 4th AMMY+3 Bandar Seri Begawan

SOMY

SOMY+3

22 AMMY VIII Bandar Seri Begawan

AMMY

SOMY

CAYC

23 4th AMMY+3 Bandar Seri Begawan

AMMY

AMMY+3

SOMY

SOMY+3

21-24 SOM, SOM APT, SOM EAS, SOM ARF

Brunei Darussalam

SOM

20-23 65th ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) and the following related Meetings:

‐ 43rd Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Food Science and Technology

(SCFST),

‐ 42nd Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Microelectronics and Information Technology (SCMIT), ‐ 42nd Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Materials Science and Technology

(SCMST);

‐ 45th Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Biotechnology (SCB), ‐ 43rd Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Non-Conventional Energy Research

Clark, Philippines

COST

SCFST

SCMIT

SCMST

SCB

SCNCER

SCMSAT

SCIRD

SCOSA

PARTICIPATION

LEVEL

(SCNCER),

‐ Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Marine Science and Technology

(SCMSAT),

‐ 44th Meeting of the Sub-Committee on S&T Infrastructure and Resources Development (SCIRD), ‐ 24th Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Space Technology and Applications (SCOSA), 20th Meeting of the Advisory Body on the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology (ABAPAST);

‐ 21st Meeting of the Advisory Body of the ASEAN Science Fund (ABASF);

‐ 8th Meeting of ASEAN-China Joint Science and Technology Committee

(ACJSTC);

‐ 3rd ASEAN-EU Dialogue Meeting on

S&T (ASEAN-EU DMST);

‐ 4th ASEAN-Japan Cooperation Committee on Science and Technology

(AJJCCST);

‐ 7th ASEAN-COST Plus Three Meeting on S&T.

28-30 35th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting

(STOM)

Lao PDR STOM Senior Officials

28-30 19th Working Group on Legal & Regulatory Matter on ASEAN Single Window (LWG)

Lao PDR Legal & Regulatory Working Group

TBC (1ST

Week)

36th WC-FSL, 26th WC-CAL, WC-CMD TBC Senior Officials

TBC 19th WG 3 Indonesia Legal Metrology Working Group

TBC 15th JSC EEE Lao PDR EEE Working Group

20th Meeting of the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Agriculture…