Amendment_1_SOL-611-15-000002_PAMO.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

1 14

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (IF OTHER THAN ITEM 6) CODE

Office of Acquisition and Assistance USAID Zambia

Subdivision 694/Stand 100 Lusaka Zambia

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State, and Zip Code)

All Prospective Offerors

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO. SOL-

SOL-611-15-000002

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11) 12/03/2014

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

CODE: FACILITY CODE: 10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered, solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers, FAILURE OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If Required)

N/A

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO., AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify Authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43,103 (b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is NOT is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1)Amend Section M.1(b) 2)Add attachment 7-Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) 3)Insert item under Section H - Special Contract Requirements 4)Provide answers to questions

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

ADAM COX, CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 15C. DATE

SIGNED

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 16C. DATE

SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Previous Edition Unusable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

1. Section M- Evaluation Factors for Award

Amend Section M.1(b) to read “The Technical Approach will weigh more than personnel;

personnel will weigh more than past performance. Sub-factors under each of the four main factors are listed in descending order of importance.”

2. Section H - Special Contract Requirements

ADD: H.21 GRANTS UNDER USAID CONTRACT

Under this contract the Contractor will execute grants of behalf of USAID. If the Contractor awards grants under this contract, the Contractor shall ensure that grantees comply in all material respects with ADS 303 (including mandatory and supplementary references), as well as the Code of Federal Regulations 22 CFR 226, where applicable.

In addition, the following requirements shall apply to the grants awarded by the Contractor under this contract:

a. The maximum value of any individual grant to any U.S. organization is $100,000.

b. USAID shall be significantly involved in establishing the selection criteria and must approve the selection of grant recipients.

c. USAID retains the right to terminate the grant activities unilaterally in extraordinary circumstances.

d. The Contractor shall not execute or administer Cooperative Agreements on

USAID’s behalf.

e. Requirements which apply to USAID-executed grants shall also apply to grants executed by the Contractor.

f. The Contractor shall close out all grants prior to the estimated completion date of this Contract. The Contractor shall comply in all material respects with Contract Information Bulletin (CIB) 90-12 regarding grant close-out

3. Answers to Questions

1. Question: Can USAID confirm that all the responses provided in response to questions regarding the pre- solicitation still apply to the RFP; specifically:

a) Response to Task 2, page 4 – The contractor will support training, supervision and mentorship for ICCM and IMCI focusing on hard to reach areas.

b) Response to Task 4, page 5 - PAMO will be responsible for BCC around IRS. The IRS partner will be responsible for all other IRS activities

c) Response to page 5 - The contractor will not be required to conduct baseline and endline surveys. The Malaria Indicator Surveys will be used for this purpose.

d) Response to PPID - The maximum number of past performance information data sheets for the prime/sub-contractor team is eight.

USAID/Zambia is not imposing a minimum number of data sheets for the prime contractor and that USAID will accept past performance references for assistance awards.

Answer: We confirm above statements

2. Question: On page 8, Section C.3 Scope, paragraph 2, Considering the existing variability in coverage across districts, could USAID provide clarification is PAMO able to focus technical assistance based on the needs of each district and does this meet the requirement of "covering all districts in four districts"?

Answer: PAMO will focus technical assistance based on the needs of each province.

All districts in each province will be covered.

3. Question: On page 9, Section C.4.1.1 Tasks No. 3, Could USAID clarify if PAMO can support human capacity development and systems strengthening for focused ANC services, recognizing this is the key platform for the delivery of MIP services including IPTp

Answer: PAMO will support human capacity development for malaria in pregnancy.

The focus will be on MIP and not on the broader area of antenatal care services.

4. Question: On page 9, Section C.4.1.1 Tasks paragraph 2 and throughout document:

USAID states "The contractor must provide technical and material assistance/ support…" Could USAID provide clarification on what is meant by material assistance/support?

Answer: Material support will include but not limited to financial and logistical support towards implementation of malaria activities outlined in district action plans.

The contractor will not procure malaria commodities i.e. ITNs, RDTs, antimalarial.

5. Question: On page 10, Section C.4.1.2 Targets: 80% of households with an ITN-to-sleeping space ratio of at least one to one. What is the methodology used/recommended to measure sleeping spaces? Does it require seasonal adjustment in Zambia to account for outdoor sleeping? Also, should we assume that “ITN” is defined by the respondent, rather than any chemical measurement, and is not characterized by condition of the net (number/size of holes)?

Answer: Outdoor sleeping is not a major issue in Zambia. Sleeping spaces are measured by counting sleeping spaces in households. ITN is respondent reported.

This indicator does not report on condition of the net.

6. Question: On page 11, C.4.2.2 Targets: 2. Over 60% of planned case management supervisory visits conducted at health facilities in all districts in the target provinces.

Could USAID please clarify how this target will be measured? For example, is 60% required in each of the districts (implying that if one district is 59% we have failed to meet the target)? Or will this percentage be calculated across all districts (as the number of planned visits in all districts divided by the number of conducted visits in all districts)?

Answer: Number of supervisory visits for each district (all districts in each province) divided by number of planned supervisory visits for each district. A target of 60% must be achieved for each district.

7. Question: Similarly, on page 11, C.4.3.2 Targets: 2. Over 60% of planned district-level planning meetings held t o discuss HMIS data. Could USAID please clarify how this target will be measured? This could be measured in many different ways, for example, are we trying to count meetings held as a proportion of meetings planned; or meetings in which HMIS data were discussed as a proportion of meetings held?

Answer: Meetings to discuss HMIS data held as a proportion of meetings to discuss HMIS data planned.

8. Question: On page 12, Section C.7.4, USAID states that “The contractor must, to the extent possible, promote the takeover of project functions by provincial and local counterparts as soon as capacity is developed.” Can USAID please provide more detail about what it means to “promote the takeover”? Can USAID please clarify what the implications of this are for branding and marking of activities being “taken over”?

Answer: Project functions must be gradually transitioned to provincial local counterparts as capacity is developed. The counter parts are the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health at province, district and community levels. There are no branding and marking implications.

9. Question: On page 17, Section D.3.III, Acknowledging other Partners: USAID states that “It is in the best interest of the sustainability of the NMCP that the Ministry of Health continues to lead collaborative efforts and take public credit for implementation. Can USAID please provide more clarity on the implications of this for branding and marking, in particular the co-branding with GOZ.

Answer: The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) in Zambia implements malaria activities in close collaboration with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP).

The NMCP leads and coordinates all malaria activities in Zambia. National level successes recorded in malaria control in Zambia are therefore ascribed to the NMCP.

PMI/Zambia is an active participant in the NMCP. Branding and marking as stated in the Branding and Marking Strategy will therefore not be impacted.

10. Question: With reference to page 38, Section H.15: Could USAID please provide the Environmental documentation that governs this award?

Answer: Attached as Attachment 7.

11. Question: On page 39, Section H.17: Could USAID please clarify clarification how the IMPACT project will be expected to engage with PAMO to inform and validate the development of those SBCC strategies and materials?

Answer: IMPACT is USAID/Zambia’s flagship SBCC project, and will take a leadership role in developing BCC strategies and materials for malaria. PAMO will collaborate closely with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and IMPACT to develop information education communication materials when developing SBCC campaign strategies (inclusive of materials and approaches to community level and interpersonal communications activities). PAMO will utilize these materials and implement the communications strategies at district and community levels. If the materials need further refinement to better reach a specific group or community, PAMO may make the required revisions in collaboration with the NMCP, and IMPACT if technical support is needed. IMPACT will conduct follow up operations research on the SBCC materials and strategies throughout the implementation period to ensure efficacy, and make needed revisions.

12. Question: Malaria Indicator Survey: In the Responses to Comments on PAMO’s draft scope of work (Question 10), USAID Zambia clarified that the contractor would not be required to conduct baseline and endline surveys, and should use the Malaria Indicator Surveys (MIS) for this purpose. May USAID clarify whether the contractor should use MIS 2012 or MIS 2015 for baseline figures?

Answer: MIS 2015 will be the baseline

13. Question: Are local organizations allowed to enter into exclusive teaming arrangements? Please confirm.

Answer: It is up to the respective parties to decide whether to enter into an exclusive teaming arrangement or not.

14. Page 3 of the referenced solicitation states: Indirect costs shall not be allowed for organizations that do not have a NICRA. All costs for organizations without a NICRA shall be budgeted and billed as direct costs. Is it USAID’s intention to apply this requirement to potential small business subcontractors registered in the United States?

Answer: No

15. Question: Closing Date: December 29, 2014. Due to the upcoming holidays and the fact that it may be difficult to coordinate work with local organizations in a timely fashion: Would USAID consider extending the submission deadline?

Answer: We appreciate the difficulties of coordinating with local organizations in the time available. However, USAID does not plan to extend the submission deadline

16. Page 96 of the RFP, Section L.10: “Offerors in competitive range must submit a draft branding implementation and marking plan that responds to the branding strategy outlined in Section D of this RFP. Offerors should only submit this plan upon receiving notification from USAID/Zambia’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance.”

Please clarify that Offerors are required to submit a Branding Implementation and Marking Plan and if so, what is the page limit?

Answer: A branding and marking plan will only be required from Offerors in the competitive range. USAID will inform Offerors in the competitive range regarding requirements.

17. Page 99 of the RFP, Section M.2.3: “For example, a small business prime Offeror will not be evaluated on its performance in using small business concerns.” Please clarify and provide instructions on if documents related to “Use of Small Business Concerns” are to be submitted as part of the Technical Proposal attachment for Past Performance References

Answer: The statement referred to is only an example of an instance when an offeror will not be favorably or unfavorably evaluated.

18. Question: Section L. Cost Proposal Instructions. Among the requirements, it is stated: “A copy of personnel and travel policies.” Usually, this requirement applies to potential offerors that have not received any U.S. Gov’t funding. Would USAID rephrase this requirement and make it only mandatory for such organizations?

Answer: USAID would like “a copy of personnel and travel policies” from ALL offerors, regardless of their previous experience in receiving U.S. Government funding. USAID declines the request to rephrase this requirement.

19. Question: How are the services for this contract classified severable or non-severable?

Answer: USAID sees the services being procured, as necessary for the full five years to achieve the objectives stated in the RFP; however, we also believe we'll receive benefits from the services rendered each year once actual project implementation begins.

20. Question: Page 2, Section B.4 Line Item, please add subcontracts to the budget table.

Answer: The table under this section has sub-awards which cover subcontracts.

21. Question: We noted in the RFP that there seems to be contradictory language related to organizations that do not have a NICRA, on page 3, Section B.5 Indirect Cost states that the Contractor is allowed to recover applicable indirect costs (i.e.

overhead, G&A, etc.) on other direct costs (ODCs), if it is part of the Contractor’s usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31, and the Negotiated Indirect cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Indirect costs shall not be allowed for organizations that do not have a NICRA. All costs for organizations without a NICRA shall be budgeted and billed as direct costs. The restrictions on indirect cost appears to be indirect conflict with the guidance provided in Section L.8, page 95 and FAR Part 31 cost principles. In addition the standard practice has been as follows: If the Offeror or major subcontractor does not have a cognizant Government Audit Agency, the proposal must include:

On page 3, Section B.6, Ceiling on Indirect Costs, states that indirect costs shall not be allowed for organizations that do not have a NICRA. This appears to be in conflict with section L.8, which states on page 95 that indirect costs are allowed for organizations that do not have a NICRA if they provide a breakdown of bases, pools and method of determining the rates. Can USAID please clarify whether Offerors without a NICRA are allowed to charge indirect costs under this contract?

Answer: If the Contractor does not have a NICRA, all costs must be budgeted and billed as direct costs.

22. Section B.5. Indirect Costs states that, “Indirect costs shall not be allowed for organizations that do not have a NICRA. All costs for organizations without a NICRA shall be budgeted and billed as direct costs.” We request that USAID provide offerors with the flexibility of entering into cost-plus- fixed-fee (CPFF) or time and materials (T&M) type subcontracts with organizations when the following conditions are met:

• An organization can provide evidence that it has an accounting system capable of administering a CPFF or T&M type subcontract;

• An organization is committed to undergoing annual audits of their indirect cost rates in accordance with the cost principles of FAR Part 31;

• The prime contractor has the appropriate subcontract management systems in place to ensure a CPFF or T&M subcontract with an organization is administered properly; and

• An organization has established indirect cost rates and the use of indirect cost rates is an integral part of their cost accounting standards.

With strong prime contractor oversight and the requirement for organizations to undergo annual audits in accordance with the cost principles of FAR Part 31, these contracting mechanisms serve as a tool to build the capacity of these organizations.

Answer: Types of subcontracts will be addressed at with offerors in the competitive range.

23. Page 11, Section C. 6 Grants under Contract indicates that the contractor must award grants to qualified recipients on behalf of USAID to help realize the objectives of the activity. Please confirm as stated on page 95, section L.8 that Grants under Contracts will be a component of the resulting award and shall be incorporated in the contract schedule in accordance with ADS 302.3.4.13.

Answer: Confirmed

24. Question: On page 3 of the RFP, Section B.5, Ceiling on Indirect Costs, requires

“major subcontractors” to provide ceilings on indirect costs. Can USAID define “major subcontractors” for the purposes of this proposal?

Answer: Any subcontract with a dollar value above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.

25. Question: On page 11, Section C.6 requires Grants under Contracts: Could USAID provide a plug figure or range to be set aside for these grants?

Answer: USAID is not mandating a GUC program ceiling or minimum. The funding levels will be proposed by offerors based upon their technical approach.

26. Question: Through what mechanism with GUCs be funded? Is it expected that money will be given directly to the Government of Zambia.

Answer: Grants will be given to local NGOs and the Government of Zambia

27. Has USAID/Zambia received prior approval from USAID/Washington for use of Grants under Contract?

Answer: USAID/Zambia has addressed all internal USAID issues related to Grants under Contracts

28. As USAID intends to have the contractor award Grants Under Contract as per Section C.6 of the RFP, can USAID please include the applicable 302.3.4.13 and ADS

302.3.5.6 clauses authorizing the contractor to execute Grants Under Contract?

Answer: Included.

29. Question: On Page 94, Section L.8., in the instructions for the detailed/itemized budget, the bulleted list of line items to include have both Branding and Marking Activities and Monitoring and Evaluation Activities. On page 95, the next paragraph after Indirect Costs states that “In addition to the detailed budget, Offerors must create a separate worksheet to highlight and summarize all anticipated costs attributable to Branding and Marking Activities and Monitoring and Evaluation Activities. The detailed budget will not include separate line items for Branding or Marking Activities and Monitoring and Evaluation Activities.” Could USAID clarify how offerors should show these items in the budget as these two instructions appear to be conflicting?

Answer: Offerors must include the Branding and Marking Activities and Monitoring and Evaluation Activities on separate tabs highlighting the cost of these activities, and should not include them as separate line items in the detailed budget.

30. Question: Section L.8 Cost Proposal Instructions - On page 94, the sixth bullet reads, “A detailed/itemized budget in MS Excel with all formulas included. Offerors must include each line item listed below (as application to your technical proposal)” and Branding and Marking Activities and Monitoring and Evaluation Activities are two line items included under this listing. However, on page 95, it states, “In addition to the detailed budget, Offerors must create a separate worksheet to highlight and summarize all anticipated costs attributable to Branding & Marking activities and Monitoring & Evaluation activities. The detailed budget will not include separate line items for Branding & Marking activities and Monitoring & Evaluation activities.”Can USAID please clarify how they would like offerors to present the costs associates with Branding & Marking and Monitoring & Evaluation?

Answer: See response to question #18.

31. Question: Monitoring & Evaluation Costs Worksheet: Page 95 of the solicitation states "In addition to the detailed budget, Offerors must create a separate worksheet to highlight and summarize all anticipated costs attributable to Branding & Marking activities and Monitoring & Evaluation activities. The detailed budget will not include separate line items for Branding & Marking or Monitoring & Evaluation activities." May USAID confirm that a summary and detailed budget are required, and in addition, a separate Excel worksheet is required that lists out, by line item, costs attributable to solely Monitoring & Evaluation activities?

32. Question: Branding & Marking Costs Worksheet: Page 95 of the solicitation states

"In addition to the detailed budget, Offerors must create a separate worksheet to highlight and summarize all anticipated costs attributable to Branding & Marking activities and Monitoring & Evaluation activities. The detailed budget will not include separate line items for Branding & Marking or Monitoring & Evaluation activities." May USAID confirm that a summary budget, a detailed budget, and a separate Excel worksheet listing Monitoring & Evaluation activity costs are required, as well as a separate Excel worksheet that lists out, by line item, costs attributable to solely Branding & Marking activities?

Answer: Confirmed

33. Question: Branding & Marking Costs: Given that PAMO will work in collaboration with Improving Prevention and Adherence to Care and Treatment (IMPACT), USAID Zambia’s Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) project, PAMO Branding & Marking costs are anticipated to be a miniscule percentage of the overall PAMO budget. May USAID confirm that it will still require a separate Excel worksheet listing Branding & Marking costs?

34. Question: Branding & Marking Plan: May USAID confirm that a draft branding implementation and marking plan are not required as part of the proposal submittal?

35. On page 95, Section L.8, Cost Proposal Instructions, signed Biographical Data Sheets are required to be submitted. Can USAID confirm that this is required only for key staff?

Answer: Yes, also refer to AIDAR 752.7001

36. Question: For budgeting purposes can USAID please provide an anticipated start date for the activity?

Answer: USAID cannot provide an anticipated start date at this point

37. Question: Section C.6 Grants Under Contract:

I. On page 11 the RFP states ‘These awards will fund the Zambian government and local organizations to conduct district and community level malaria control activities.’ Does USAID have further guidance on the mechanism that will be used to transfer funds to Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) entities?

Answer: USAID will discuss the mechanism to be used with Offerors in the competitive range

II. Will it be possible for the project to transfer funds directly to GRZ entities at the sub-national level?

Answer: Yes

38. If grants to Zambian government entities are indeed contemplated under this contract per C.6, can USAID please confirm whether partner government entities will be included in the project appraisal document (PAD) or if USAID will complete a determinations and findings per ADS 302.3.4.13.?

Answer: USAID/Zambia has addressed all internal USAID issues.

39. Section L.7 Technical Proposal Instructions I. On page 91 under General Instructions USAID notes that that the page limit for the technical narrative is 20 pages. What is USAID’s required page limitation on Annexes to the technical narrative?

Answer: Annexes will not count towards the technical proposal page limit.

II. On page 91 in the section Technical Proposal Narrative, USAID asks the offeror to ‘present a comprehensive strategy, methodology and a clear workplan to meet the objectives and expected results described in the SOW.’ Would USAID like to see the workplan in the body of the technical proposal or may offerors include this as an Annex?

Answer: The workplan should be attached as an annex.

III. On page 92 under Past Performance Information Data Sheet the RFP states

‘The Offeror must provide performance information for itself and each major subcontractor’. Can USAID please provide a definition for ‘major subcontractor’?

Answer: See response to question #25.

40. Question: Past Performance Award Type: Page 92-93 of the solicitation (Section L.7) gives instructions on the Past Performance Information (PPI) Data Sheet. USAID requests a PPI Data Sheet for relevant contracts. Would USAID consider accepting past performance information for grants, in addition to contracts?

Answer: Offerors may submit relevant acquisition and/or assistance awards (contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements).

41. Number of Past Performance Awards: Page 92-93 of the solicitation (Section L.7) gives instructions on the Past Performance Information (PPI) Data Sheet. May USAID confirm that the prime contractor may submit up to five PPI, and that the whole prime/subcontractor consortium may submit up to eight PPI?

Answer: Each Offeror should submit no more than 8 past performance information data sheets for the entire prime/sub-Contractor team.

42. Section M. 1 Evaluation Factors for Award - General Information On page 97 under M.1 (b) USAID notes that past performance will weigh more than organizational capacity. However, the technical proposal does not include a section on organizational capacity. Can USAID please clarify where offerors should present organizational capacity in the technical proposal?

Answer: Organizational capacity should be presented as an annex

43. Question: Geographic Code: Both the first page and page 29 (Section H.1.) of the solicitation state that the authorized geographic code for the procurement of goods and services is 935. Page 64 (Section I.12) states that the authorized source for procurement is geographic code 937 unless otherwise specified in the schedule of this contract. May USAID confirm that the geographic code is 935?

Answer: Confirmed, the geographic code is 935.

44. Question: Text Box Font: Page 91 of the solicitation (Section L.7) specifies that the technical proposal may have text boxes, but text within boxes must be 12 point or larger font size (in Times New Roman). May USAID consider instead allowing text boxes with Times New Roman 10 point or larger font?

Answer: USAID prefers texts boxes to be presented in Times New Roman 12.

45. Question: Reporting and Delivery Schedule: May USAID confirm that the December 15 deadline listed in text boxes 3 and 16 on pages 20 and 21, respectively (Section F.4.) are following award, and not part of the proposal submittal?

46. Per Section C.8, the current minimum qualifications for the technical director includes a “medical degree and postgraduate qualification in public health, epidemiology, international health or related discipline.” To expand the range of potential highly qualified Zambian candidates, would USAID consider a master’s degree with additional equivalent years of work experience?

Answer: USAID is of the view that it is possible to find personnel with the requested qualifications.

47. Section M.1(b) references organizational capacity as a weighted element in the evaluation criteria. Can USAID please indicate whether we should include a separate section, as an annex, on organizational capacity? If a separate section is required, could USAID please update its instructions to offerors accordingly and indicate the evaluation criteria for the organizational capacity factor?

Answer: Section M.1(b) has been amended and organizational capacity should be submitted as annex

48. In Section M.2, USAID makes a reference “performance in using small business concerns.” However, no mention is made in the RFP whether such information should be included in the proposal submission. Could USAID please clarify whether past performance in utilizing small business concerns should be included and, if “yes,” could USAID please indicate the relevant evaluation criteria and where this information should be presented.

Answer: Past performance in utilizing small business concerns should NOT be included.

49. Section M.3 states that, “Proposed costs will be evaluated for price reasonableness, completeness, allowability, allocability, and the competitiveness of the target cost, target fee, and maximum fee proposed.” Section B.2 states this is CPFF completion type contract and per FAR 16.306 a CPFF contract is a “cost reimbursement contract that provides for payment to the contractor of a negotiated fee that is fixed at the inception of the contract.” It is our understanding that target cost, target fee, and maximum fee are not applicable to a CPFF type contract. Can USAID please confirm that just a fixed fee should be proposed and not a target cost, target fee, and maximum fee?

Answer: USAID confirms that only a fixed fee should be proposed.

50. Should offerors anticipate the availability of any property from close-out dispositions of USAID programs closing in the near future? If “yes,” could USAID please indicate what inventory may be available and when.

Answer: There is a possibility that some property may be available however offerors should but this cannot be confirmed at this point.