SOL-520-13-000005_-_Amendment_No._1.pdf

2. Cover letter, fourth paragraph delete the following:

“and via Courier Service:

USAID/Guatemala Km. 6.5 Final Boulevard Los Próceres Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala

Attention: Acquisition and Assistance Office”

2. Standard Form 33, Box 9 delete “2 (two)” and substitute with the following “0”.

3. Section D.3 Branding Strategy for Lifelong Learning Project, first paragraph, last sentence, delete “30-page” and substitute with “40-page”.

4. Section F.7.2 Performance Monitoring Plan, delete “45 days” and substitute with “90 days”.

5. Section F.7.10 Reporting Requirements Summary, Performance Monitoring Plan, delete “120 days” and substitute with “90 days”.

6. Section F.8 Monitoring and Evaluation, delete the phrase “percentile points” and substitute with the phrase “percentage points”.

7. Section H.16, delete item “a” in its entirety and substitute with the following:

“a. The Offeror may propose the amount of each subaward most effective to its own strategy, taking into consideration that the total value of any individual grant to any US non-governmental organization shall not exceed $100,000.00 per ADS 302.3.4.8.b(1).”

8. Section I.12 752.225-9 BUY AMERICAN ACT - TRADE AGREEMENTS ACT - BALANCE OF PAYMENTS PROGRAM, delete in its entirety.

9. Section L.7 Delivery Instructions, delete item (d) in its entirety, hard copies will not be required for the submission of the original proposals under this RFP.

10. Section L.7 Delivery Instructions, item (e), delete second and third paragraphs; hard copies will not be required for the submission of the original proposals under this RFP.

11. Section L.8 Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, item 1. Technical approach, delete in its entirety third paragraph and substitute with the following:

“The strategy submitted should take into consideration progress done to date in the Guatemalan education field, exploiting best practices and transferring these to government structures. It will propose innovative and creative solutions to achieve the objectives of this RFP. This technical approach will include an overall strategy, methodology, timelines, milestones for results, and a comprehensive and realistic approach to build a performance monitoring plan, based on the proposed strategy, including additional milestones/deliverables for program components not included as Sub-results requirements in the Scope of Work. The Offeror will also submit a comprehensive approach to develop local capacity and create partnerships at the central and local levels in order to strengthen, consolidate, and sustain new approaches. This will include but won’t be limited to an approach that adapts to local context and ensures that all plans, designs and interventions are situated within the national policy context or strategic plans of the MOE.”

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12. Section L.9 Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost/Business Proposal, (b) Part 2 – Proposed

Costs/Prices, (2)(M), add the following:

“The offeror shall propose ceiling of indirect cost rates for both the prime and each major sub-contractor.”

13. Section L.9 Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost/Business Proposal, (b) Part 2 – Proposed Costs/Prices, (2)(O), delete LOE table in its entirety and substitute with the following:

“Labor Category LOE (person-days)

Base Period

Option Period 1

Option Period 2

Total

US Personnel

US Expatriates

CCN Professionals

CCN Administrative

TCN professionals

Local Consultants

International Consultants

Total LOE”

14. Section L.9 Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost/Business Proposal, Part 6 through 10, items (g) through (k) are incorrectly numbered, modify as follows:

“(e) Part 5 – Joint Venture Information

(f) Part 6 – Evidence of Responsibility

(g) Part 7 – Letters of Commitment (Subcontractors)

(h) Part 8 – Information to Support Consent to Subcontractors

(i) Part 9 – Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences.”

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SOL-520-13-000005 01

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. SOL‐520‐13‐000005 Lifelong Learning Project

Amendment No. 1 Attachment No. 1

RFP No. SOL- 520-13-000005

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

SECTION C

1) The assumption is that this solicitation is funded with Basic Education Funds. Is this correct?

USAID is still pending to receive funds for this activity. Therefore, we cannot answer this question yet. However, regardless of source of funds, the offeror shall propose a project complying with all technical areas detailed in the RFP.

2) On page 42, the RFP reads “…youth-led digital mapping…” Does this refer in an exemplary way to the effort conducted by UNICEF, or does it refer to a USAID funded project already using this approach in Guatemala? If the latter, kindly provide contact information for the implementing group.

It refers to the effort conducted by UNICEF. Please note that this is only for illustrative purposes.

3) Should the technical proposal include information relevant to requirements under C.4 regarding additional activities (page 43-44)? If so, is this information to be included in the 40 page limit?

Yes

4) The final sentence of Section C Submission Requirement A.1.2 on page 20 requests progress reports and refers the offeror to Submission Requirements as detailed in Section F. However, Section F does not appear to providee further instructions for this specific Submission Requirement. Can USAID please clarify the details on how progress will be reported for this Submission Requirement?

Please see pages 44, 57 and 58 of the RFP for details on how to report to the Secondary Analysis and Results Tracking (SART) system.

Offerors may propose additional reports as deemed necessary in routine report mechanism (quarterly and annual reports).

5) Does USAID wish to specify the frequency of project-implemented assessments under Result A.1.2 (e.g., quarterly, semi-annually, annually, biannually, etc.), or does USAID wish offerors to propose a frequency?

Please see response to Question #4.

6) Could USAID please confirm that the Guatemala Lifelong Learning Project will work only with children in grades 1, 2, and 3 under Component A and that all interventions will be directed at improving reading outcomes for those children?

The core element in Component A is to improve reading outcomes in early grades in elementary school. Interventions beyond grades 1 to 3 (emergent literacy) and the classroom setting (stakeholders, education community as a whole, etc.) are needed to contribute to the multidimensional nature of this objective.

7) Can USAID confirm that the successful offeror will develop materials only in the indigenous languages that are languages of instruction in the 12 selected municipalities in which the project will work?

As stated in the RFP, learning materials can be developed in mother tongue languages in the selected municipalities and in Spanish

SECTION F

8) RFP Section F.7.2 Performance Monitoring Plan states that the PMP “is due within 45 days of the award,” while the table in RFP Section F.7.10 Reporting Requirements Summary states that the PMP is due “120 days after award date.”

Please confirm the time period for PMP submission.

The due date for this report is being modified through this Amendment No. 1. The correct due date is 90 days after the award.

9) PMP question: on page 54, it is indicated that the PMP “is due within 45 days of the award.” However, on page 59, it is indicated that the due date is “120 days after award date.” Please clarify.

Please see response to Question #8.

10) In the illustrative indicators, pages 64, 65, 67, the concept “proportion of” is used with various indicators. Which are the denominators? Should the potential denominators be agreed upon before submitting the PMP?

Yes, denominator will be quantified according to the intervention area.

Potential denominators will be agreed upon before submitting the

PMP.

11) In the illustrative indicators, pages 64, 65, 67, the concept “proportion of” is used with various indicators and the concept “percentile points” is used to set illustrative targets. Given that proportion is a ratio measure and percentile is an ordinal measure, should these read as “percentage points?”

Yes, this language is being modified through this Amendment No. 1.

12) On page 65, there is mention of “end of the primary cycle.” Does this mean the end of third grade or the end of elementary school, sixth grade?

It means the end of sixth grade.

13) On page 65, the indicator for sub component 1 “USAID Goal 1 standard indicator 3.2.1-38:” and the indicator for sub component 2, “USAID Goal 1 standard indicator 3.2.1-38:” are the same. Is this correct?

Yes, the same indicator is being proposed for different Sub-components of Component A.

SECTION H

14) Section H states that English and Spanish language proficiency is required for all Key Personnel as well as all “other consultants.” Please clarify what is meant by “other consultants.” Does it include only expatriate/third country national short-term consultants?

Yes, per Section H. 11 the English and Spanish language proficiency is required for all key personnel as well as for all consultants, as needed (including expatriates, third country nationals) to perform contract requirements.

15) On page 81, the RFP reads “The Contractor shall not execute or administer Cooperative Agreements on USAID’s behalf.” Does this preclude local grantees from making in-kind contributions such as office space, for example? Please clarify

This language does not preclude local sub-recipients from making in-kind contributions such as office space.

16) Section H.16.a of the RFP lists the ceiling for grants to U.S. organizations as $150,000, which is inconsistent with the threshold of $100,000 for U.S.

organizations in ADS 302.3.4.8.b.(1). Will USAID consider revising the ceiling for grants to U.S. organizations to be consistent with ADS 302?

This section is being modified in this Amendment No. 1 to the RFP reflecting consistency in the threshold for Grants under Contracts per ADS 302.3.4.8.b.(1). Grants to U.S. Organizations utilizing the Simplified Grants or Fixed Obligation Grants mechanisms allowed in ADS 303.3.24.b and ADS 303.3.25a.(7) shall not exceed $100,000 which is the ceiling authorized under the resulting contract for Grants under Contracts per ADS 302.3.4.8.b(1).

17) H.17 contradicts the majority of H.20; can this be clarified by USAID?

AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (July 2007) included in Section H.17 complements Section H.20 of the RFP entitled “Personnel Compensation”. While direct compensation of the Contractor’s personnel will be in accordance with the Contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices, and the cost principles applicable to this contract, any proposed annual salary or honoraria included in the cost proposal or resulting contract shall not exceed the USAID established rate for agencies without a certified SES performance appraisal system (AWCPAS) published at http://www.opm.gov/oca/09tables/html/es.asp , as amended from time to time, unless the Contracting Officer has provided prior written approval in accordance with the Agency policy and procedures in ADS 302 "USAID Direct Contracting."

SECTION I

18) Section I.12 752.225-9, Buy American Act - Trade Agreements Act - Balance of Payments Program, states that “the clause prescribed by FAR 25.408(a)(2) is not generally included in USAID contracts when more stringent source requirements are stated in the contract or when inclusion is not appropriate under FAR 25.403, or 725.403 of this chapter. (See Executive Order No. 11223, dated May 12, 1965, 30 FR 6635.) The clause setting forth USAID’s source restrictions is shown in section 752.225-70.” Please confirm whether USAID meant to include this clause since the RFP already provided a geographic code to be used to determine the eligibility of goods/services to be purchased under the contract.

Correct, AIDAR Clause 752.229-9 does not apply to this RFP and resulting contract since AIDAR Clause 752.225-70 entitled “Source and Nationality Requirements (Feb 2012) will apply to the RFP and resulting Contract. Therefore, AIDAR Clause 752.225-9 is being deleted from the RFP through Amendment No. 1.

SECTION L

19) Please confirm that both hard copies and electronic copies of the technical and cost proposals are to be submitted in Guatemala by the due date.

The requirement of hard copies is being deleted from the RFP through Amendment No. 1. Submission of hard copies for the original proposals will not be required under this RFP.

20) RFP page 158 notes that letters of commitment are excluded from the 40-page limitation. Is a cover letter from the offeror also excluded from the 40-page limitation?

No, it is not excluded.

21) Please confirm (as indicated on page 158 of the RFP) that offerors should present a proposed M&E strategy solely in an annex (along with the proposed performance monitoring plan) and should not include this information in the technical approach section.

The M&E Strategy should be included as an annex along with the PMP and this annex is excluded of the 40 page limit.

22) Could USAID clarify what the RFP means when it requests “methodology timelines” (page 158 under “1. Technical Approach”)? Does this mean that description of proposed activities should include description of timing for the activity?

The correct text is the following:

“This technical approach will include an overall strategy, methodology, timelines, milestones for results, and a comprehensive and realistic approach to build a performance monitoring plan, based on the proposed strategy, including additional milestones/deliverables for program components not included as Sub-results requirements in the Scope of Work.”

This section is being modified in the amendment No. 1.

23) Please confirm that language requirements for key personnel shall be consistent with Special Contract Requirements H.11, Language Requirements, which states that “Contractor key personnel and/or consultants shall have English, and Spanish language proficiency, as needed, to perform contract requirements.”

Correct, the above is confirmed.

24) On page 159 the solicitation reads. “The offeror will list all other professional personnel who will be participating in the project. Discuss the qualifications, experience, and accomplishments. State why the position is necessary to reach the program objective, proposed duties on the project, and the areas or phases for which each will be responsible.” Should this list include personnel from local entity staff, subcontractors and other partners? Are letters of commitment, CVs and 1420s also required of these other professional personnel?

Yes, it should include all technical/professional personnel to be proposed for the implementation of USAID/Lifelong Learning Project.

Letters of commitment, CV’s and 1420 for each one of these professionals are required.

25) Please confirm that the technical proposal is limited to 40 pages as stated in Section L.8, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, and that the 30-page limit referenced in Section D.3 does not apply.

The 30-page limit referenced in Section D.3 does not apply. The Technical Proposal is limited to 40 pages. Information submitted beyond 40 pages will not be accepted. Section D.3 is being modified through Amendment No. 1.

26) If a hard copy submission is required, will USAID/Guatemala accept applications if they are postmarked by the closing date and time indicated on the cover letter (August 14, 2013, 10:00am, Guatemala Time)?

The requirement of hard copy submission is being deleted from the RFP. Submission of hard copies for the original proposals will not be required under this RFP.

27) Is there a current Past Performance Short Form template that USAID recommends? What information should be included in the Past Performance Information/Summary Table?

As indicated in Section L.8.3.2, the information you should include in the past performance summary table is the following:

Provide for each of the contracts a list of contact names, job titles, mailing addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and a description of the performance to include:

a) Scope of work or complexity/diversity of tasks,

b) Primary location(s) of work,

c) Term of performance,

d) Skills/expertise required,

e) Dollar value, and

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

Here is a suggested past performance short form template you may use:

Scope of work summary

Primary location of work

Term of performanc e

Dollar Value

Contract type & Number

COR

name

COR email address and Tel.

No.

28) Please confirm that Components 1 and 2 referenced on Page 163 are the same as Components A & B referenced on Page 160.

Confirmed. They are the same.

29) Page 163 states: “Provide a description of the relationship between your organization and the proposed personnel, including a certification as to whether the individual is a full-time, intermittent employee, or a consultant.” Please clarify what you mean by “certification”.

Certification means a document/letter from your organization certifying the type of business relationship with the proposed personnel.

30) Page 166 shows the LOE table. Please clarify if this table is for the base period only or the base period and option periods 1 and 2?

USAID requests that offerors present the detail of the Level of Effort broken down by Base and Option Periods. Therefore, this Section is being modified in this Amendment No. 1 of the RFP.

31) Please provide a current local compensation plan, if available.

USAID is not permitted to share its entire Local Compensation Plan (LCP) as part of this RFP. However, a summary of its LCP is included in Section L.9.b.(2), page 163 of the RFP.

32) Section B.6 on Page 11 provides for a ceiling on indirect cost rates for the prime contractor as well as major subcontractors. The instructions for the cost proposal do not request proposed indirect ceiling rates for the Prime or Sub- Offerors. Please clarify whether the Offeror and proposed major subcontractors should also propose ceiling indirect rates for the duration of the contract including option years.

USAID request offerors to propose ceiling on indirect costs rates for both the prime and each major subcontractor. The Instructions for

Preparation of Cost Proposals are being modified in this Amendment No. 1 to the RFP to reflect this requirement.

33) For specialized charts in the technical volume and spreadsheets in the cost volume, may we use 11 x 17-inch paper folded to 8½ x 11-inch paper?

No. Offerors will use only 8.5 inch by 11 inch (210mm by 297mm) paper, single-spaced pages with margins no less than one inch on each border, as indicated in the RFP. Pages in a different format will not be printed.

34) Please note that on RFP page 167, Part 5 and items (e) and (f) are omitted.

Should we simply renumber, changing Part 6 (Joint Venture Information) to Part 5 and so on?

Thanks for noticing this omission. The RFP is being modified to correct this mistake.

USAID/Guatemala is still working on answering some of the questions received. Additional questions will be answered in the amendment No. 2 to this RFP.