Amend_03_-_ES_Competitive_RFP_SOL-519-16-000004.pdf

Amendment 03, Annex A

El Salvador Competitive RFP SOL-519-16-000004

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. In question and answer #39, USAID confirms that the SF 294 will be submitted in pdf format. Would USAID kindly confirm that we can present all documents in pdf format, not just the SF 294?

ANSWER: For the technical proposal, PDF is acceptable. For the cost proposal, we need documents in formats: MSWord, PDF, and MS Excel (just the budget). Please unlock cells and no hidden formulas.

2. In question and answer #41, USAID mentions that cost proposal spreadsheets can be accepted in Legal Paper 8.5” x 14”. We have found that using tabloid size paper in 11” x 17” makes it much easier for the reader to see and clearly read the tables, and additionally it uses less paper. Would USAID consider allowing cost proposal spreadsheets on 11” x 17”, tabloid size paper?

ANSWER: Yes, we will accept that size for cost proposals spreadsheets. Please remember a hard copy of the cost proposal is due a week later, so you need to be able to print that size as well.

3. The RFP states (p. 179): "Technical and Cost/Business Proposals must be kept separate from each other. Technical Proposals must not make reference to pricing data in order that the technical evaluation may be made strictly on the basis of technical merit." Question 43 (asked by another prospective Offeror) asked, "In L.8 (a) (5) Additional Annexes to Technical Proposal, Annex E includes the SF 294 Subcontracting Plan under the Technical Proposal. As the SF 294 Subcontracting Plan includes financial information, would you clarify if this should be included in the cost volume? USAID's answer was, "The Subcontracting Plan must be submitted as part of the Technical Proposal - Annex G per Section L.8."

In the template USAID provided with the answers to questions (Annex B, Subcontracting Plan Template), the second page of the template (p. 17 of the Modification 1 to the RFP) clearly specifies that total contract cost is to be provided. Would USAID please explain to Offerors how we may comply with p. 179 stipulations and the response to Question 43 (and similar questions at 13 and 27), which would appear to be at odds? Perhaps the Mission would consider shifting the Small Business Subcontracting Plan to the Cost Proposal and having Offerors add LOE for prime and subcontractors in the table requested in Annex D so that the Technical Approach makes it clear how significant each Consortium member's role is in relation to the achievement of the project's results?

ANSWER: Please submit your Small Business Subcontracting Plan as annex G of the technical proposal, but as a separate PDF file, so we can review it separately if needed. Also note your technical proposal (not annexes) should describe the role of all consortium members.