SOL-514-16-000013_(01)_-_Attachment_2_-_Q A.pdf

ATTACHMENT 2 – Q&A DOCUMENT Page 1 of 31

Q&A Producers to Markets Alliance (PMA) – SOL-514-16-000013

1. Does the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation under solicitation number SOL51416000013 contain requirements similar to a current contract? If possible, please provide the current contract number. Or, is this a new requirement for the government?

This is a new requirement for the government, related to previous activities’ experience, such as the CONSOLIDATION AND ENHANCED LIVELIHOOD INITIATIVES (CELIs) – NORTH/SOUTH & CENTRAL REGIONS, the AREAS FOR MUNICIPAL LEVEL ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT (ADAM) and the MORE INVESTMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT (MIDAS). Please see Attachment J.7 in www.fbo.gov for further information on these activities.

2. (Bidders’ Conference) To allow bidders to make any necessary travel arrangements, would USAID please provide information on the location of the June 16 bidders' conference referenced on the cover page, as well as instructions for how to register attendees (if applicable)? (C)

Instructions and registration forms have been posted along the solicitation in www.fbo.gov as per this request.

3. Would it be possible for USAID to provide remote conferencing capabilities via web or phone so that international partners may attend the bidders' conference virtually? (C)

As USAID/Colombia is not able to warrant the availability or quality of a video conference service, this feature will not be offered for the PMA Bidders’ Conference. Attendance will be in-person only.

4. Could USAID please confirm that the closing date and time for the proposal is Friday, July 8 at 15:00 LT (i.e., not July 5 per RFP page 105, section L.6.5)? (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On page 104, PART IV – REPRESENTATION AND

INSTRUCTIONS - SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO

BIDDERS - L.6. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - L.6.5, please delete “July 5” and replace with “July 8”.

5. If we develop a proposal is required to participate in the execution of the three components? or I could make just a proposal focused on Component 1: Increased Sales and Export Component 2:

Expanded Value Chain Production?

Please see page 122, M.2 EVALUATION FACTORS - FACTOR 1 – TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION - Sub-factor 1. Technical Approach - a) “The offeror’s technical quality and realistic strategy to achieve the expected results and deliverables described in the Statement of Work for each component of the activity, as well as the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed list of indicators to measure and monitor the results of Components 1, 2, and 3 of the activity over the five-year period (maximum ten indicators) and compliance with environmental guidelines.” A proposal that is missing information and an approach on one (or more) of the three components will be rated accordingly.

6. […] Moreover regarding the execution of the project, if (offeror) were to meet all the requirements set in the TORS (sic), there is the possibility of sign a memorandum of agreement with advance economic resources, or conversely is (sic) done through legalizing management activities with a contract?

Please see page 103, PART IV – REPRESENTATION AND INSTRUCTIONS - SECTION

L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO BIDDERS - L.2. 52.216-1 TYPE

http://www.fbo.gov/

SOL-514-16-000013 – Producers to Markets Alliance Amendment 1

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OF CONTRACT – “The Government contemplates award of a Cost plus Fixed-Fee (CPFF) completion-type contract resulting from this solicitation.” Payment will be made via cost reimbursement. No assistance type activities are being considered for the prime award at this time.

7. The cover page of the RFP states that proposal are due to USAID on July 8, 2016, 3:00pm (local time), however, page 105 (Section L) lists July 5, 2016, 3:00pm (local time) as the due date for proposal submissions. Could USAID please clarify which is the correct final submission date? (C)

Please see answer to question 4.

8. The cover page indicates a bidder’s conference will be held on June 16, 2016. Would USAID please provide the following information: where the conference be held, the start and end time of conference, and what interested offerors must do to participate in this conference? Additionally, will the responses provided in the bidder’s conference be circulated to the bidders in a subsequent RFP amendment? (C)

Please see answer to question 2. Responses to questions received via e-mail and during the bidder’s conference are incorporated as part of this amendment.

9. Would USAID confirm that the “GUC manual” referenced on page 44 of the RFP is not separate from the Activity Fund Management Guide (AFMG)? Would USAID further confirm that the AFMG shall incorporate a description of all potential mechanisms to be implemented under the activity fund, including grants under contract? (C)

Solicitation amended. On page 44, F.5.1.18. Activity Fund Management Guide, please delete “GUC’s Manual” and replace with “Activity Fund Management Guide (AFMG)”. On page 44, F.5.1.18. Activity Fund Management Guide, please delete ”The AFMG must include procedures for the selection of instrument, design of the activity, negotiation of the subaward, monitoring and evaluating the outputs and outcomes; and closing out the subaward in compliance with US law and USAID policies and regulations. The AFMG will also include the subaward templates to be used throughout contract implementation” and replace with ”The AFMG must include procedures for the selection of instrument, design of the activity, negotiation of the subaward (under the context of this solicitation/contract, “subaward” includes Sub-Contracts, Grants under Contracts, and all Short-Term Technical Assistance (STTA) under the prime contract), monitoring and evaluating the outputs and outcomes; and closing out the subaward in compliance with US law and USAID policies and regulations. The AFMG will also include the subaward templates to be used throughout contract implementation”

10. Would USAID confirm that approval for disposition of equipment purchased under grants (including in-kind grants) is not required in accordance with the Mandatory Standard Provisions on Title to and Use of Property (Dec. 2014), which states that title to all property financed under this award vests in the recipient upon acquisition? (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On page 56, PART I – THE SCHEDULE – SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS, please insert the following clause:

H.6. Title to and Care of Property (APR 1984)

(a) Title to all non-expendable property purchased with contract funds under this contract and used in the Cooperating Country, shall at all times be in the name of the Cooperating Government, or such public or private agency as the Cooperating Government may designate, unless title to specified types or classes of non-expendable property is reserved to USAID under provisions set forth in the schedule of this contract; but all such property shall be under the custody and control of Contractor until the owner of title directs otherwise, or completion of work under this contract or its termination, at which time custody and control shall be

ATTACHMENT 2 – Q&A DOCUMENT Page 3 of 31 turned over to the owner of title or disposed of in accordance with its instructions. All performance guaranties and warranties obtained from suppliers shall be taken in the name of the title owner. (Non-expendable property is property which is complete in itself, does not lose its identity or become a component part of another article when put into use; is durable, with an expected service life of two years or more; and which has a unit cost of $500 of more.)

(b) Contractor shall prepare and establish a program, to be approved by the Mission, for the receipt, use, maintenance, protection, custody, and care of non-expendable property for which it has custodial responsibility, including the establishment of reasonable controls to enforce such program.

(c)(1) For non-expendable property to which title is reserved to the U.S. Government under provisions set forth in the schedule of this contract, Contractor shall submit an annual report on all non-expendable property under its custody as required in the clause of this contract entitled “Government Property”.

(2) For non-expendable property titled to the Cooperating Government, the Contractor shall, within 90 days after completion of this contract, or at such other date as may be fixed by the contracting officer, submit an inventory schedule covering all items of non-expendable property under its custody, which have not been consumed in the performance of this contract. The Contractor shall also indicate what disposition has been made of such property.

11. Section H.8.b.4, Annual Salary Increases, notes that salary increases can be made in accordance with the contractor’s policies and practices; however, it also states: “The negotiated escalation percentage for labor costs per annum under this contract is the inflation percentage in Colombia for the preceding year, as provided by the GOC.” This presents implementation and budget challenges. Would USAID allow offerors to propose their own salary increases in accordance to policies and practices of the offeror? (C)

Offerors are allowed to propose salary increases in accordance to their own policies and practices, along with an analysis of the historic and projected inflation rates in Colombia.

Once the contract has been awarded, the Contractor is required to follow all terms and conditions related to salary compensation in accordance with cost principles and audit requirements.

12. Page 111, section L.9.1.3(c), states: “Although not key personnel, USAID expects to see the following positions and personnel identified in the contractor’s proposed staffing plan:

- Administrative and Finance coordinator

- Monitoring and Evaluation expert

- Communications/Technical writer

- Senior domestic market advisor (focused on the domestic market)

- Short-term Advisors: As part of the proposal, the Contractor must specify the profile of the short-term consultants it envisions recruiting, the balance between permanent staff and short-term consultants, the anticipated duration of short-term consultancies, and how the anticipated profile of the staff (permanent and short-term) will enable the Contractor to maximize results.

USAID/Colombia expects that throughout the implementation of this contract, the Contractor will use a judicious mix of Colombian and international short-term consultants. TDYs for expatriates of less than two weeks are strongly discouraged.”

Beyond including the proposed candidates’ on the org chart and in the cost proposal, does USAID expect or want CVs, biodatas and letters of commitment for the four candidates?

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In accordance with the Terms & Conditions of the solicitation, resumes and/or CVs are required only for key personnel.

13. Would you also confirm that the term “staffing plan” refers to the narrative in the personnel section of the technical proposal included within the 30-page technical approach limit?

Solicitation has been amended. On page 110, Section L.9.1.3 (b), delete in its entirety and replace with “Offerors must include [in their proposals] a description of the proposed staffing plan, including specific position titles and level of effort for each position. The staffing plan must relate directly to the approaches, strategies, and interventions proposed for achieving the results of Section C and include the anticipated short-term technical assistance needs.

Offerors must discuss the role of the field office(s) and home office(s) (if applicable).

Offerors must provide an organizational chart (of maximum 2 pages) supporting the main description of the proposed staffing plan in an annex to the Technical Proposal.”

14. Section H.8.1. Personnel Compensation, Limitations notes that salary ranges for all the professional positions in this contract will be established based on market value of the position in the country of contract performance. Additionally, H.8.5 Personnel Compensation, Approvals states that for short-term technical assistance (STTA) a pay scale must be submitted. Would USAID please confirm that pay range for professional staff and the pay scale for STTA should be presented as an annex to the cost proposal? (C)

Pay range for professional staff and the pay scale for STTA must be included in the cost proposal, under xvii) Offeror compensation plan.

15. Per section E.3.3 of the RFP, when would USAID consider the project to be in a cost overrun or underrun situation? Would it be when a contractor is within a certain percentage of the anticipated cost of an activity, a CLIN, or a cost element? Would USAID provide parameters so the contractor can identify when the cost under or overrun has reached an unacceptable level? (C)

Cost Overruns occur when a budget line is exceeded and underruns occur when costs are below the estimate. Recent examples of underruns have occurred in most activities due to the exchange rate issue. At this point USAID will not provide a parameter to identify when the cost under or overrun has reached an unacceptable level.

16. Section F.5.1.6 of the RFP states that the contractor must submit accrual reports on a quarterly basis and that USAID will provide the date this report is due. However, in F.6 (Timeline of Deliverables table) the due date is set as 30 days after the end of each U.S. government fiscal year calendar quarter.

Would USAID please confirm that the due date for the accruals report is due 30 days after the end of each U.S. government fiscal year calendar quarter? (C)

IAW Section F.6. REPORTING AND DELIVERABLES MATRIX, Quarterly Activity, Financial & Accrual Reports are due 30 days after end of each USG fiscal year calendar quarter.

17. The RFP cover page indicates that the authorized source for this procurement is geographic code is 541 while Sections H.3 and H.18 indicate that the geographic code is 937. Would USAID please confirm the authorized geographic code for this procurement? (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On the Cover page, please delete “Geographic Code for this Solicitation is 514 – Colombia” and replace with “Authorized Principal Geographic Code for this solicitation is 937 – Default.”

18. Restriction on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals (Aug 2003) is included on page 85 of the RFP. Consistent with the guidance in FAR 37.113-1 and considering that the anticipated contract will be performed entirely overseas, we respectfully request that USAID include FAR 52.237-9, Waiver

ATTACHMENT 2 – Q&A DOCUMENT Page 5 of 31 of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals, to prevent conflict with applicable local employment laws. (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On page 84, PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES - SECTION

I - CONTRACT CLAUSES - I.1. 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE. (FEB 1998), please delete “52.237-8 Restriction on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals (Aug 2003)” and insert the following “52.237-9 Waiver of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals (May 2014)”

19. Section F.7.1 Key Personnel notes that a master’s degree is required for the chief of party position.

May we substitute years of experience for a master’s degree for this position?

Solicitation has been amended. On page 32, PART I – THE SCHEDULE – SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS – C.5 KEY PERSONNEL – C.5.1 Chief of Party, please add “S/he will provide strategic vision and will manage relationships with high level GOC and USG counterparts as well as private sector representatives.” Also on page 47, PART I –

THE SCHEDULE – SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE – F.7 KEY

PERSONNEL – F.7.1 Chief of Party (1), please add ” or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in relevant fields plus at least fifteen years of professional experience in lieu of the master degree.” Finally, on page 47, PART I – THE SCHEDULE – SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE – F.7 KEY PERSONNEL – F.7.1 Chief of Party (2), please delete “At least fifteen years of”, “would be an advantage” and add “Knowledge of the Colombian context”.

20. In Section J, the RFP notes that the mission order on public-private partnerships is available at https://goo.gl/51292tf, a link that does not work. Please update the link or provide the document as an attachment to the RFP. (C)

Document (mission order on public-private partnerships) has been included in www.fbo.gov.

21. Page 123 Section M.2. Evaluation Factors mentions a “proposed list of indicators,” including significant details like targets and data collection methods, yet the list of annexes does not include a monitoring and evaluation plan. Would USAID like offerors to submit a monitoring and evaluation plan as part of the proposal submission? If yes, please confirm these documents should be provided in an annex along with other requested attachments listed in L.8.3.1(e) on page 107.

IAW Section F.6 REPORTING AND DELIVERABLES MATRIX, a draft Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan is only required 60 days after award.

22. Component 1’s title and required results refer solely to export sales, yet the description of the objective states that its purpose is more broadly “…to close business deals,” implying both exports and domestic sales. In addition, the last two illustrative activities in Component 1 reference local market development. Component 2, meanwhile, specifies targets for transaction sales, though the description of the objective and activities place much greater emphasis on expansion of production.

Please confirm we may include our approach to domestic sales in Component 1.

The main focus of this activity is to increase exports but in doing so some domestic sales will naturally occur.

23. Our hardcopy subcontracting reports, SF-294s, for the past three years total more than 800 pages and comprise more than 40 MB. In addition to the hardcopy SF-294s for projects not registered in the eSRS, we have also submitted individual subcontracting reports through the eSRS for registered projects. Instead of submitting the electronic files totaling 40 MB with 800 pages of SF-294s, may we submit only 10 relevant eSRS reports and SF-294 forms that are not duplicated on the eSRS? (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On page 111, Section L.9.2 PAST PERFORMANCE, please delete the text in its entirety and replace with:

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L.9.2. PAST PERFORMANCE

L.9.2.1. The Offeror (including all partners of a joint venture) must provide performance information for itself and each major subcontractor (one whose proposed cost exceeds 10% of the offeror’s total proposed cost) in accordance with the following:

1. List in an annex to the technical proposal of a minimum of three (3), up to five (5) of the most recent and relevant performed contracts or on-going contracts (or assistance instruments such as cooperative agreements/grants) for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal for the offeror and up to (3) three for each major subcontractor using the template provided in Attachment J.2. The most relevant indicators of performance are contracts of similar scope, size, geographic coverage and/or complexity.

2. For all contracts listed above that are not in CPARS, provide a list of contact names, job titles, mailing addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, explanation of relevance to the proposed acquisition and a description of the performance to include:

• Scope of work or complexity/diversity of tasks;

• Primary location(s) of work;

• Period of performance;

• Skills/expertise required;

• Dollar value; and

• Contract type, i.e., fixed-price, cost reimbursement, etc.

Note: USAID recommends that the Offeror alert the contacts that their names have been submitted and that they are authorized to provide performance information concerning the listed contracts if and when USAID requests it.

L.9.2.2. If extraordinary problems impacted any of the referenced contracts, provide a short explanation and the corrective action taken (FAR 15.305(a)(2)).

L.9.2.3. Describe any quality awards or certifications that indicate exceptional capacity to provide the service or product described in the statement of work. This information may be included in an annex and is not included in the page limitation.

L.9.2.4. Performance in using Small Business (SB) Concerns (as defined in FAR 19.001)

1. This Paragraph (D) is not applicable to offers from small business concerns.

2. As part of the evaluation of performance in Section M – Factor 2 d)5) of this solicitation, USAID will evaluate the extent the offeror used and promoted the use of SB concerns under current and prior contracts. The evaluation will assess the extent SB concerns participated in these contracts relative to the size/value of the contracts, the complexity and variety of the work SB concerns performed, and compliance with your SB subcontracting plan or other similar SB incentive programs set out in your contract(s).

3. In order for USAID to fully and fairly evaluate performance in this area, all offerors who are not SB concerns must do the following:

a. Provide a narrative summary of your organization’s use of SB concerns over the past three years.

Describe how you actually use SB--as subcontractors, as joint venture partners, through other teaming arrangements, etc. Explain the nature of the work SB performed--substantive technical professional services, administrative support, logistics support, etc. Describe the extent of your compliance with your SB subcontracting plan(s) or other similar SB incentive programs set out in your contract(s) and explain any mitigating circumstances, if goals were not achieved.

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b. To supplement the narrative summary in (a), provide with your summary a copy of the five (5) most recent SF 294 “Subcontracting Report for Individual Contracts” which you submitted subcontract reports to eSRS (FAR 52.219-9(d)(10) or a copy of any similarly recent subcontracting reports if they were not submitted to eSRS. The reports may be enclosed as an annex and will not be considered in the page limit.

c. Provide the names and addresses of three SB concerns for us to contact for their assessment of your performance in using SB concerns. Provide a brief summary of the type of work each SB concern provided to your organization, and the name of a contact person, his/her title, phone number, and e-mail address for each.

24. Section L.8.3 (pages 107-108) lists several annexes excluded from the page limitation in the technical proposal, including: key personnel resumes, individual letters of commitment for key personnel, and a list of five references for each key personnel. Can offerors provide these documents in a single annex (bundled by key personnel) or would USAID prefer these documents to be kept in separate annexes (one for resumes, one for letters of commitment, one for references)? (C)

This approach is acceptable as long as the required information is complete.

25. Section F.7 Key Personnel states that the proposed Senior Infrastructure Advisor must “meet required qualifications for registration as a Professional Engineer in Colombia Board of Engineers.” Could USAID please confirm the name of this institution in Spanish and provide the registration qualifications?

The institution is “Consejo Profesional Nacional de Ingeniería”. For more information visit COPNIA’s web page (www.copnia.gov.co).

26. Section H.3.752.225-70, Sources of Nationality Requirements, and subsection (b), ineligible goods, mentions surveillance equipment as restricted. Would CCTV systems (security cameras) used for office security fall within this limitation? (C)

IAW ADS 312.3.4.2. “All types of surveillance equipment are ineligible for USAID financing. The ineligible items include equipment such as microphones, transmitters, listening devices, and recording devices of microminiature design, and components thereof.

In rare instances, some of these devices will have a non-surveillance use in USAID programs.

In such instances, it is the legitimacy of the purpose rather than the specific characteristics of the commodity that determines its eligibility.” If any of these devices has a legitimate purpose that furthers the objectives of the contract, this purpose must be justified and documented in full, in order to enable the contracting office to determine the allowability of a cost.

27. Section B.7 Fee Schedule states: “The fixed fee payable under this contract will be tied to the completion of deliverables specified in section F.6 and in accordance with the schedule below.” There is no schedule provided. Please confirm the fee schedule to be inserted in section B.7 is the same as the one referred to on page 46 section F.6 “Deliverables and Outcomes by Component.” (C)

The fee schedule to be inserted in section B.7 is the same as the one referred to on page 46 section F.6 “Deliverables and Outcomes by Component.”

28. Section B.3. Estimated Cost, Fixed Fee, and Obligation amount shows the summary budget broken down by component. As such, is it possible to present the detail budget by CLIN with each CLIN on a separate tab? (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On page 7, Section B.3.4, delete in its entirety and replace with “The following is the Budget summary for this activity:

Description Total ($) http://www.copnia.gov.co/

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Activity Costs………………………

Non-construction sub activities………

Construction subcontracts……………

Total Activity Fund……………………..

Total Estimated Cost……………………

Fixed-Fee……………………………….

Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

29. For the first activity-level top line indicator listed in Section C.1.4 (page 10) of the RFP (“Increased total value of exports by at least 300 to 500% [depending on the economic activity and product demand] of targeted value chains as producers respond to market demand”), does “increased total value of exports” refer to total value of exports of targeted value chains for all of Colombia or just for supported beneficiaries?

“Increased total value of exports” refers to total value of exports of targeted value chains for supported beneficiaries.

30. For the second indicator listed in Section C.1.4 (“Increased farm gate sales by at least 250 to 300% [depending on the economic activity and product demand] of the total overall annual sales, due to enhanced production volumes and technical capacity”), does the 250%–300% increase of total overall annual sales refer to the entire value chain or just those benefiting from the PMA activity?

The “250%–300% increase of total overall annual sales” refers to supported beneficiaries in the targeted geography.

31. Also for the second activity-level indicator, please clarify how farm gate sales will be measured at baseline since it is unlikely that all farmers and associations will have been identified at contract start (risking delay of M&E Plan completion).

As mentioned on p.11 of the solicitation USAID will define the baseline information for all expected results through a separate mechanism and the data will be shared with the selected contractor as the basis for the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.

32. Section C.1.4 (page 11) of the RFP states that USAID will define baseline data at a later date through a separate mechanism. As it is difficult to provide estimates for indicator targets without baseline data and a precise definition of the indicator, and the M&E Plan completion date will be dependent on the availability of the data, will USAID please confirm when the baseline will be available to the contractor?

The baseline information will be shared with the selected Contractor at the time of Contract award.

33. As Section C.1.4 of the RFP (page 11) states that baseline data for expected results will be collected by a third party, could USAID confirm that the contractor will be responsible for follow-up measurements and should include these costs in the cost proposal?

IAW Section L.10.2.7 (k), “Offerors must include costs of data collection, analysis, and reporting as a separate line item in their budgets to ensure that adequate resources are available.” This includes follow-up measurements of progress against targets.

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34. Section C.3.2(2) (page 15) states, “In the first year the Contractor will support some of the priority activities proposed by the Ministry of Post Conflict.” Will USAID provide additional information on these proposed priority activities or indicate where more information about them can be found?

This is part of the contextual information that potential offerors will need to gather from any available sources and analyze accordingly.

35. Section C.3.3.4, Local Solutions/Staffing Patterns, of the RFP (pp. 19–20) states that the contractor must “maximize the use of Local Solutions Partners.” Section H.29.2, USAID Legal and Policy Considerations (page 76), indicates that “if providing capital (for example, construction) assistance, U.S. engineering and professional services must be used to the maximum extent.” Will USAID please clarify how offerors should balance these competing interests in the implementation of the productive infrastructure anticipated under Component 3?

IAW C.4.3.2, this Activity will perform “small infrastructure construction with a limitation of no more than $70,000 per project.” By this standard, none of these will be classified as “capital assistance” and therefore the use of Local Solution Partners must be maximized.

36. Section C.3.3.7 of the RFP (page 21) states that PMA will be required to closely coordinate with Chemonics’ RFS activity and the investment fund cooperative agreement with SEAF, ACUMEN, and Terra Bella Capital Funds. Will USAID provide additional information on which specific activities PMA will be required to coordinate with?

This is part of the contextual information that potential offerors will need to gather from any available sources and analyze accordingly.

37. Will USAID please provide additional information on the USAID/USDA PAPA program on cacao referenced in Section C.3.3.7 (page 21)?

Document (summary of the Cacao for Peace activity) has been included in www.fbo.gov.

38. Throughout Section C.4, Tasks (pp. 23–32), the RFP requests 15 expected results across the four components. Section M.2 (a) under Sub-factor 1 indicates that offerors should propose a maximum of 10 indicators. Is this discrepancy between 15 expected results and a maximum of 10 indicators intentional?

Indicators are measurable variables used as a representation of an associated (but non-measured or non-measurable) factor or quantity. Expected results are the probable specific, observable, and measurable characteristic or change that will represent achievement of the activity’s objectives. These concepts are not the same, and the discrepancy between them is not correlative.

39. Section F.6, Reporting and Deliverables Matrix (pp. 46–47), includes deliverables tied to payment of fee. Many of the deliverables included in the table are impact-level indicators. While PMA will contribute to achievement of these impacts, they will not be directly attributable to the activity alone, will be strongly influenced by factors outside of the activity’s control (e.g., weather, commodity price fluctuations, and currency fluctuations), and will not be directly tied to the activity’s performance.

Will USAID consider removing impact-level indicators from the fee table, specifically “Increased dollar value of exports in new and existing markets of the selected value chains by 300-500%, depending on product demand and market fluctuations” and “At least $130 million in transaction sales. Increased farm gate sales by 250 to 300% (depending on the economic activity and product demand) of the total overall annual sales, due to enhanced production volumes,” and limiting indicators in the fee table to output-level indicators directly attributable to the contractor’s performance?

Solicitation has been amended. On page 46, PART I – THE SCHEDULE – SECTION F –

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE – F.6 REPORTING AND DELIVERABLES MATRIX

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- DELIVERABLES AND OUTCOMES BY COMPONENT – Component C.4.1 Component 1: Increased Export Sales, first deliverable, please delete “by 300-500%”. Also, on page 46, PART I – THE SCHEDULE – SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE – F.6

REPORTING AND DELIVERABLES MATRIX - DELIVERABLES AND OUTCOMES

BY COMPONENT – Component C.4.2 Component 2: Expanded Value Chain Production, first deliverable, please delete “by 250 to 300%”.

40. May offerors propose monthly or quarterly payments where appropriate?

Offerors may propose monthly or quarterly payments where appropriate. This is done in accordance with each offeror’s cash flow needs and expectations.

41. Will USAID please confirm that offerors should incorporate all deliverables from the table titled “Timeline of Deliverables” in Section F.6 into the fee table?

Offerors must incorporate all deliverables from the table titled “Timeline of Deliverables” in Section F.6 into the fee table.

42. Section L.8.3.1.b of the RFP (page 107) states that cover pages and title pages are excluded from the technical proposal page limit. Will USAID please confirm that a cover letter will also be excluded from the 30-page limit? (C)

The cover letter is excluded from the 30-page technical proposal limit.

43. Will USAID confirm that offerors may provide a staffing plan matrix in an annex that does not count against the technical proposal page limit? (C)

Please see answer to question 13.

44. Will USAID confirm that offerors may include additional information about strategic alliance partners (e.g., private sector alliance and/or leverage partners letters of commitment and descriptions) in an annex that does not count against the technical proposal page limit?

This is not required and will not be evaluated.

45. Will USAID confirm that offerors may include maps in an annex that does not count against the technical proposal page limit?

All information relevant to the Technical Approach must be included in the 30-page limit or in any previously defined annexes. No additional information is required or will be evaluated.

46. Will USAID confirm that offerors may include full-page graphics in the technical proposal that do not count against the page limit?

See answer to question 45

47. Regarding Attachment J.2, Past Performance Information, should major subcontractors (in addition to the prime contractor) send Past Performance Evaluation Surveys to the contacts listed in their past performance references for any contracts listed that have not been included in PPIRs, CPARs, or any other Government Point of Entry (GPE)? (C)

Past Performance requirements flow down to subcontractors and joint ventures.

48. Should offerors and subcontractors provide the same information provided in Attachment J.2 in their proposal?

See answer to question 47.

49. Section M.2 (a) Sub-factor 1, Technical Approach (p. 123), references “the proposed list of indicators to measure and monitor the results of Components 1, 2, and 3 of the activity.” However, Section C

ATTACHMENT 2 – Q&A DOCUMENT Page 11 of 31 describes four components. Is this discrepancy intentional or should the maximum 10 indicators only come from the first three components?

IAW Section L.9.1.1 (a) “[o]fferor must propose a list of maximum ten indicators that will be used to measure and monitor progress in components 1, 2 and 3”. This is intentional.

50. The cover letter provides a closing date and time of July 8, 2016, whereas p. 105 states the closing date is July 5. Would the Mission please clarify? (C)

Please see answer to question 4.

51. P. 39 says “The contractor is authorized up to a 5-day workweek in the field with no premium pay” and does not provide for a six-day workweek for expatriates/TCNs on assignment, but p. 61 indicates “for occasions when there are essential and time-sensitive tasks to be performed that cannot be accomplished during a five-day workweek, a six-day workweek is authorized only for consultants and overseas personnel.” Would the mission please clarify? (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On page 61, PART I – THE SCHEDULE – SECTION H –

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUREMENTS - 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

(JULY 2007) (7), please delete “and overseas personnel”

52. Would the mission consider raising the size permitted per email submission from 4.5MB to 12 MB?

(C)

Due to the limited capacity of the reception mailboxes, this request is not possible to implement at this time.

53. Section L.10.11, page 121 – RFP requires offerors to submit long-term personnel letters of commitment as part of the cost proposal, while the Section L.8.3 e) on page 107 specifies that we are to include the Key Personnel LOCs (only) as one of the annexes to the Technical Proposal. Also, LOCs for LTTA personnel are not listed on page 108, Section L.8.3. f). Would USAID please confirm the LOCs for non-key LTTA personnel are not required for this RFP? (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On Page 121, PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND

INSTRUCTIONS – SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO

BIDDERS - L.10. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL –

L.10.11 Biographical Data Sheets and Individual Letters of Commitment - please delete “and individual letters of commitment”. Also, on L.10.11, please delete “A SIGNED letter of commitment is required from each long-term individual indicating his/her: (a) availability to serve in the stated position, in terms of days after award; and (b) intention to serve for a stated term of the service. The letter of commitment must specify the length of commitment to the position.”

54. Section L.10.2.7. d) Procurement on page 115 states that the Geographic code for the RFP is 937, while the cover page of the RFP states 514. Would USAID please clarify the Geographic code for this solicitation and the procurement? (C)

Please see answer to question 17.

55. Section L.10.2.7. d) Procurement on page 115 asks “to specify all equipment to be purchased, including type of the equipment, the manufacturer, the unit cost, the number of units to be purchase and the expected geographic code”. Given the timeframe for the proposal submission and the Offeror’s internal procurement policy requirement for getting at least three quotes for each piece of equipment, Would USAID reconsider the requirement of submitting the manufacturer and the expected geographic source for the proposal? (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On page 115, PART IV – REPRESENTATION AND

INSTRUCTIONS - SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO

ATTACHMENT 2 – Q&A DOCUMENT Page 12 of 31

BIDDERS - L.10. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL –

L.10.2.7 (d), please delete “the manufacturer”.

56. Section L.10.5 page 119 – RFP asks the offerors and each subcontractor to submit the Section K signed on the last page, however there is no signature line allocated in the current Section K. Would USAID please provide the revised template including the signature line, or confirm that the offerors may add the signature line by themselves. (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On page 103, Section K, please add the following language:

K.5. SIGNATURE

By signature hereon, or on an offer incorporating these Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors, the offeror certifies that they are accurate, current, and complete, and that the offeror is aware of the penalty prescribed in 18 U.S.C. 1001 for making false statements in offers.

Solicitation No.: SOL-514-16-000013______ Offer/Proposal No.: _____________________ Date of Offer: __________________________ Name of Offeror: _______________________ Typed Name and Title: __________________ Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________________________________

57. Activity Fund, page 20 of the RFP states that “The Activity Fund can be used for subcontracts, grants under contract (GUCs) and short term technical assistance (STTA) contracts that demonstrably assist the contractor in the achievement of the Activity’s programmatic objectives and results”. Elsewhere on the same page, the RFP states, “The Contractor will also use these funds for … other technical assistance activities in pursuit of the PMA objectives.” Would USAID please confirm that LTTA technical personnel who are essential to “the achievement of the Activity’s programmatic objectives and results” also may be budgeted as part of the Activity Fund? (C)

All long term technical assistance must be budgeted under the appropriate budget line item.

The Activity Fund will be used exclusively for sub-contracts, Grants under Contract and Short-Term Technical Assistance that directly assist the Contractor with “the achievement of the Activity’s programmatic objectives and results”.

58. RFP page 20 states that the Activity fund will “assist the contractor in the achievement of the Activity’s programmatic objectives and results”. Could USAID please confirm that the Activity Fund also includes the ODCs associated to travel? (C)

All travel must be budgeted under the appropriate budget line item. Please see answer to question 57.

59. Could USAID please provide the plug figure it anticipates for the grants under contracts for this activity? (C)

IAW Section L.10.16 Activity Fund Estimate, “USAID anticipates that 59% of the total budget is an appropriate estimate for the Producers to Markets Alliance (PMA) Activity Fund for programmatic subcontracting activities and Grants under Contract (GUCs).” Therefore the amount is contingent to the offeror’s cost proposal. Also, IAW Section C.4.3.2 Objective, “The Contractor will use up to $4 million of the Activity Fund to directly support small infrastructure construction”. These are cost considerations to account when preparing the Activity’s budget.

60. Would USAID please consider substituting 5 years of additional relevant experience in lieu of the master’s degree requirement for the key personnel position of Senior Agribusiness Advisor?

ATTACHMENT 2 – Q&A DOCUMENT Page 13 of 31

IAW Section F.7.1, “Senior Agri-Business Advisor - The required qualifications for this position are the following: (1) Education: A master degree in agricultural economics or a related field (agronomy, marketing, business, etc.) or the equivalent number of years of experience.”

61. Would USAID please consider substituting 5 years of additional relevant experience in lieu of the master’s degree requirement for the Chief of Party position?

Please see answer to question 19.

62. Section L.9.1.1. page 109: Would USAID please consider excluding the following section from the 30-page limitation: “Offerors must propose a list of maximum ten indicators that will be used to measure and monitor progress in Components 1, 2 and 3, including units of measure, targets by year and a succinct explanation of how data will be collected”.

This language will not be excluded from the 30-page limitation to the Technical Proposal.

63. On p. 60, with reference to Short-term Technical Assistance (Consultants), the RFP states that “compensation … must not exceed: 1) the highest rate of annual compensation received by the consultant during any full year of the immediately preceding three years or 2) the maximum daily salary rate as described in ADS 302, whichever is less.” For individuals below USAID Max who are going from a salaried position to a consultant one, would the mission please consider a reasonable conversion from an annual compensation received as a salaried individual (with benefits) to consultant daily rate (to account for the loss of benefits), along the lines of 30%? For individuals below UDAID Max who are going from a consultant position to another consultant position, may we offer a reasonable annual increase of 5-10%?(C)

Any proposed changes on any individual’s compensation rates must be individually justified and documented in the cost proposal. Any increases for compensation rates of individuals who go from long-term to consultants must be individually justified and documented in the cost proposal and during contract implementation.

64. Would USAID please provide the filled in SF 33? (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On page 5, PART I – THE SCHEDULE - SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM, please find the complete SF-33 form.

65. LOCs for each major subcontractors are listed to be provided under the Section L.10.10, page 120 while page 108 does not list LOCs as part of the cost proposal. Would USAID please confirm the LOCs are required for major subs? (C)

Solicitation has been amended. On page 108, PART IV – REPRESENTATION AND

INSTRUCTIONS - SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO

BIDDERS -L.8.3.1 (f), please delete the text in its entirety and replace with “The COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL is not page limited; however, it is to be strictly limited to:

i. SF 33

ii. Proposed costs and prices/ Detailed budget narrative

iii. Indirect cost information

iv. Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors

v. Policies and procedures

vi. Small business subcontracting plan

vii. Joint venture information

viii. Evidence of responsibility

ix. Letters of commitment for major subcontractors

x. Biographical Data Sheets

xi. Information to support consent to major subcontractors

ATTACHMENT 2 – Q&A DOCUMENT Page 14 of 31

xii. Information concerning work-day, work-week, and paid absences

xiii. Adequate security costs documentation

xiv. Other price and cost detail instructions

xv. Branding implementation and Marking plan

xvi. Approach to achieving environmental compliance and management

xvii. Offeror compensation plan”

Also, on page 120, L.10.4 Cancellation Ceiling, please delete the text in its entirety.

66. Instructions for preparing the Cost proposal on page 113, Section L.10 do not mention the environmental compliance and management plan as part of the cost proposal, although on the page 108 Section L.8.3 f) the environmental compliance and management plan is listed as part of the cost proposal. Would USAID please consider adding the environmental compliance and management plan to the technical proposal as an annex as it is part of technical evaluation, and remove from the cost proposal.

IAW page 116, Section L.10.2.7, “[E]nvironmental considerations are an integral part of the activities and shall not be considered as an additional component.” The Cost Proposal must take into consideration the costs of this plan in order to fund it after contract award. A cost narrative explaining the environmental approach in full is also required in the cost proposal.

67. Would USAID please clarify whether the Attachment 1 - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities is part of the cost proposal (not currently listed under the cost proposal)? (C)

Attachment 1 - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities is part of the required representations & certifications and must be included in the Cost Proposal at iv) Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors; it is not included in any page limitation.

68. Would USAID please clarify whether major subcontractors also need to provide Attachment 1 – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (or this is only for the prime offeror)? (C)

IAW 31 USC 1352, the regulation is intended to prevent the use of federal funds for lobbying, and to monitor the lobbying expenditures of federal funds recipients. Therefore, all recipients of federal funds under this contract must complete the form at the time they expect to become recipients of these federal funds.

69. It is stated that Activity Fund resources will be used leveraging in a 1 to 8 ratio for Operational Costs and a 1 to 1 ratio for the small infrastructure work (p. 29). Please confirm that regular project funds can be used in the preparation of specific projects that can seek co-financing through the SGR (Sistema Gral. de Regalías).

Regular project funds can be used in the preparation of specific projects that can seek co-financing through the SGR (Sistema Gral. de Regalías).

70. Municipal Governments often do not have counterpart funding to contribute their share of infrastructure projects. Will USAID allow for in-kind contributions to count as part of their share (i.e.

labor, equipment, materials, etc.)?

USAID will allow for in-kind contributions to count as part of the municipal governments’ share (i.e. labor, equipment, materials, etc.).

71. Please confirm that Contractors are encouraged to seek co-financing from other donor or IFI programs that focus on basic infrastructure (water, energy, transport) as part of the public private alliances in Component 3.

The sources mentioned in this question are some of the leveraging sources that the offerors have to comply with the solicitation’s leverage requirements.

ATTACHMENT 2 – Q&A DOCUMENT Page 15 of 31

72. Please confirm the proposal submission date. The cover letter states July 8th, 2016 and in section L, page 105, it states July 5th, 2016. (C)

Please see answer to question 4.

73. Please provide the most recent FSN Scale/Local Compensation Plan for Colombia. (C)

Document (FSN pay scale) has been included in www.fbo.gov.

74. Will any property, such as furniture, equipment or vehicles be made available from another project?

(C)

No property from any other activities will be available for PMA.

75. Section L.8.e (page 107) of the RFP indicates that letters of commitment are required for key personnel, while Section L.10.11 (page 121) notes that “a SIGNED letter of commitment is required from each long-term individual.” Please confirm letters of commitment are required for key personnel only. (C)

Please see answer to question 53.

76. Section L.10.11 also notes that letters of commitment should be included as part of the cost proposal, while Section L.8.e on page 107 of the RFP states that individual letters of commitment should be included as part of the technical proposal. Please confirm letters of commitment should be included in the technical proposal only.