Amendment_02_Solicitation_Number_SOL-613-16-000011 _Governance_and_Growth_Program_-_GGP.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

1 14

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

07/07/2016

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

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

USAID/Zimbabwe

No. 1 Pascoe Avenue

Belgravia, Harare

Zimbabwe

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

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

SOL-613-16-000011

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

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 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) See continuation page.

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: 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 02 is to:

1. Correct the SF-33 form;

2. Make revisions to the RFP; and

3. Provide answers to the questions received.

Please see attached list of changes to the RFP and list of questions and answers.

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

Leona Sasinkova, Contracting Officer, USAID/Zimbabwe

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

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 3 of 14 Amendment No. 2

Block 14, Continued

Changes to the RFP are as follows:

Page 29, F.4 PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL LEVEL OF EFFORT, DELETE the following:

“(c) This labor can be U.S., third country or Zimbabwean staff and can be long or short-term labor. It should not include administrative positions such as the Program Officer, HR Manager, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Manager, Program Assistant or any other positions that has the primary function of providing administrative support to the contract. The Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and Senior Policy Advisor are included as professional technical labor.

(d) The number of person days for any labor category may be used in any other labor category, subject to the prior written approval or direction of the COR. Once the level of effort has been fully expended, this contract is complete.”

Page 34, F.5.h. Grants Under Contract Manual: DELETE “30 days” and REPLACE with “90 days”.

Page 34, F.5.i. Other Reporting: DELETE the following:

“Sub-Contractor and Grants under Contracts Audits To the extent that sub-contractors and grants under contracts are not required to have recipient-contracted audits performed, the Contractor shall, at the direction and approval of the Contracting Officer, provide, or arrange for annual independent financial audits of the sub-contractors and grants under contracts. USAID will assist the Contractor in developing the terms of reference for these audits and may clear the terms of reference through the Office of the Regional Inspector General.”

Page 51, INSERT the following after H.16:

“H.17 AUTHORIZED WORKWEEK

The contractor is authorized up to a six-day workweek for short-term consultants in the field with no premium pay.”

Page 77, L.6(4) CONTRACTOR PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION, INSERT the following at the end of section (d)(3)(B):

“Offerors are requested to submit no more than ten (10) relevant SF-294 forms that are not duplicated on eSRS.”

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 4 of 14

USAID Responses to Questions for RFP # SOL-613-16-000011 – USAID/Zimbabwe

Governance and Growth Program

1. Is USAID intending for the proposal to fall with a specific budget range in addition to the estimated LOE?

USAID Response: Offerors’ budgets should be based on the LOE guidance in the RFP. In accordance with ADS 302.3.5.7, the Contracting Officer (CO) must not include the Government cost estimate in a competitive solicitation. COs may not include estimated price ranges in solicitations for a cost-reimbursement term (LOE) contract.

2. Is there a file size limit for the submitted proposal documents?

USAID Response: Offerors must submit electronic proposals through email. Each email attachment must not exceed 5MB in size and must be compatible with Microsoft Windows (unprotected Word and/or Excel) and PDF format. Offerors must clearly and sequentially label their emails should they submit multiple emails.

3. On page 5, Section B.8 references FAR 52.217-2, Multi-Year contract. Was this reference (for Multi-Year, and cancellation under such a contract) included by error in this solicitation? All other sections of the solicitation are in line with a multiple year type contract rather than a multi-year contract. Further, the matrix included in the FAR shows that FAR 52.217-2 is not applicable for a ‘cost reimbursable service’ type contract.

USAID Response: This is a multi-year contract. Per FAR 17.109(a): The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.217-2, Cancellation Under Multi-year Contracts, in solicitations and contracts when a multi-year contract is contemplated.

4. On page 73, Section L.6, the RFP makes reference to “annexes listed above,” although there are no listed annexes. Can USAID please clarify what information it would like to see included in annexes (past performance short forms, table or matrix of short-term technical advisors, small business info, organizational chart)? The only instructions provided on information to be included in the annexes is the branding and marking plans

(p. 84).

USAID Response: As stated in the RFP, items A through D on page 72 are not included in the page limit. The first three items (cover page, table of contents, and acronyms) should be included at the beginning of the proposals and all remaining items can be included as annexes.

None of them will count against the 40 page limit.

5. On page 76, in Section L.6 the RFP provides instructions to list up to five recent and relevant projects in the Past Performance section, and the RFP makes no other reference to past performance references. Does USAID intend for past performance short forms to be included within the technical proposal, counting towards the 40-page limit, and not as an appendix?

USAID Response: The format of the contractor past performance information is at the discretion of the offeror, but please ensure that there is sufficient information on each relevant contract to address the requirements listed on page 76 and keep in mind the 40 page overall limit.

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 5 of 14

6. Can USAID provide a copy of the most recent local compensation plan?

USAID Response: USAID will provide the most recent LCP upon request. Email Alfred Magudhu and amagudhu@usaid.gov for a copy.

7. Section L.7 (b)3 of the RFP states that, “Labor Cost for Locally Employed Staff (LES) must not exceed USAID/Zimbabwe’s local employee compensation plan.” This restriction may preclude offerors from complying with AIDAR 752.7007, incorporated by reference in RFP Section H.16 (b), which states that “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.” Mandating that locally employed staff salaries are not to exceed USAID/Zimbabwe’s local employee compensation plan may result in offerors deviating from AIDAR 752.7007. We respectfully request that USAID remove the clause which prevents local employed staff from exceeding the local compensation plan, thereby allowing offerors to submit cost proposals in accordance with their established policies, procedures, and practices.

USAID Response: Yes, compensation of the Contractor’s personnel will be in accordance with the Contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices, and the cost principles.

However, reimbursement of the employee's base annual salary plus overseas recruitment incentive, if any, which exceed the USAID Contractor Salary Threshold (USAID CST) stated in USAID Automated Directives System (ADS) Chapter 302 USAID Direct Contracting, must be approved in writing by the contracting officer, as prescribed in 731.205-6(b) or 731.371(b), as applicable. In addition, locally employed staff and third country national salaries must be within USAID/Zimbabwe’s Local Compensation Plan (LCP) per AIDAR 722.170, unless the Mission Director has given approval for salaries outside of this range, which is done on a case-by-case basis. For any salaries that exceed the range stated in the LCP, offerors must provide an explanation/justification to show that the salary is fair and reasonable (i.e., that the salary is in line with the individual’s salary history, and the contractor’s established policies).

8. Page 14 of the RFP mentions grants to “member-based organizations, small enterprises, individuals, students and others.” Per the GUC authorizing language in ADS 302.3.4.13, contractors are authorized “to execute grants with non-governmental organizations (non-profits or for-profits) and partner government entities” and not with individuals.

Furthermore, individuals will not meet the pre-award requirements in ADS 303, and there is increased liability if an individual does not perform in accordance with a grant agreement. Given these constraints, can USAID confirm how it envisions a contractor issuing grants to individuals, or if the mention of individuals should be removed?

USAID Response: ADS 303.1 states that, “USAID provides assistance to U.S. or non-U.S organizations, individuals, nonprofits, and for-profit entities. Authorizing legislation (including the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended), other statutes, Government-wide directives and regulations, and Agency policies specify the eligibility requirements for individual assistance programs.” ADS 302.3.4.13 states that, “USAID must be significantly involved in establishing the selection criteria and must approve the recipients. USAID may be less significantly involved when grants are quite small and are incidental to the contractor's technical activities.” If an individual is proposed for a grant, the contracting officer will make the final decision based on his/her due diligence at that time.

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 6 of 14

9. As per the grants under contract authorizing language in ADS 303.3.4.13 located in section H.11 of the RFP, the contractor must ensure compliance with ADS 303 and its mandatory provisions, which outline the requirements for audits of organizations receiving USAID assistance. Can USAID confirm that the contractor shall follow ADS 303 and the Standard Provisions in respect to the auditing of grantees, rather than the language stated in section F.5.i of the RFP?

USAID Response: Through this amendment, the following language has been deleted from section F.5.i of the RFP:

Sub-Contractor and Grants under Contracts Audits To the extent that sub-contractors and grants under contracts are not required to have recipient-contracted audits performed, the Contractor shall, at the direction and approval of the Contracting Officer, provide, or arrange for annual independent financial audits of the sub-contractors and grants under contracts. USAID will assist the Contractor in developing the terms of reference for these audits and may clear the terms of reference through the Office of the Regional Inspector General.

10. Would USAID consider revising the due date for the grants under contract manual to 90 days after the effective date of the contract in order to incorporate technical activities from the first year work plan into the grants manual development?

USAID Response: Through this amendment, the requested change to 90 days has been made.

11. Could USAID kindly confirm whether a 6-day workweek is authorized for short-term technical assistance?

USAID Response: Yes, as reflected in this amendment, a 6-day workweek is authorized for short-term technical assistance.

12. Our hardcopy subcontracting reports, SF-294s, for the recent three years total more than 800 pages and constitute 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 SF-294 forms that are not duplicated on the eSRS?

USAID Response: As reflected in this amendment, Offerors are requested to submit only 10 relevant SF-294 forms that are not duplicated on the eSRS.

13. Is the bilateral agreement between the US Government and the Government of Zimbabwe still in effect? What kind of tax implications are there?

USAID Response: As indicated in Section I. 52.229-8 Taxes—Foreign Cost-Reimbursement Contracts, USAID contractors should be exempt from VAT imposed by the Government of Zimbabwe. The bilateral agreement states to the following, “(a) Any supplies, materials, equipment, or funds introduced into or acquired in Zimbabwe by the Government of the United States of America, or any contractor financed by that Government, for purposes of any program or project conducted hereunder shall not, while such supplies, materials, equipment, or funds are used in connection with such a program or project, be subject to any taxes on ownership or use of property and any other taxes, and investment or

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 7 of 14 deposit requirements in Zimbabwe, and the import, export, purchase, use or disposition of any such supplies, materials, equipment, or funds in connection with such a program or project shall not be subject to any tariffs, customs duties, import and export taxes, taxes on purchase or disposition of property, and other taxes or similar charges in Zimbabwe. Specific arrangements to implement this sub-paragraph shall be set forth in each Project Agreement. The Government of Zimbabwe shall grant the necessary import licenses required for any supplies, materials, or equipment imported in terms of the Project Agreement, and shall ensure their expeditious clearance through customs.

(b) All personnel (and their families), except citizens and permanent residents of Zimbabwe, whether (i) employees of the Government of the United States of America or any agency thereof, (ii) individuals under contract with, or employees of public or private organizations under contract with, the Government of Zimbabwe or any agency thereof, or (iii) individuals under contract with or financed by, or employees of public or private organizations under contract with or financed by, the Government of the United States of America or any agency thereof, who are in Zimbabwe to perform work in connection with this Agreement, shall be exempt from income and social security taxes levied under the laws of Zimbabwe with respect to income upon which they are obligated to pay income or social security taxes to any other Government. Such personnel (and their families) who are United States Government employees attached to the special mission shall be exempt from customs, import, and export duties on all personal effects, equipment, and supplies imported into Zimbabwe for their own use, and from all other duties and fees of whatsoever nature.

All other such personnel shall be exempt from customs, import, and export duties on all personal effects, equipment, and supplies imported into Zimbabwe for their own use, and from all other duties and import taxes of whatsoever nature, provided that such personal effects, equipment and supplies are acquired by such personnel within three months after arrival of such personnel in Zimbabwe. If such articles are disposed of in Zimbabwe within a period of 12 months, or otherwise than by the prior permission of the Controller of Customs and Excise, by gift or to a person or organization who or which is not entitled to purchase such articles free of import or customs duty, such duty will be payable at the rate required by the law of Zimbabwe at the time of disposal. The repatriation of any proceeds arising from any sale will be subject to prevailing exchange control regulations.

(c) Funds introduced into Zimbabwe for purposes of furnishing assistance hereunder shall be convertible into currency of Zimbabwe at the rate providing the largest number of units of such currency per United States Dollar which, at the time the conversion is made, is not unlawful in Zimbabwe.”

14. Can USAID please provide all deliverables produced under SERA? We kindly requests a two week extension on the submission date from July 18th to August 1st, in order to adequately review and study these additional SERA deliverables.

USAID Response: Please find all SERA deliverables on the USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse by searching for contract number AID 613-C-11-00001. There will be no extension of the submission date.

15. We note that FAR 19.702(b)(3), provides exception to subcontracting plan requirement for contracts that will be performed entirely outside of the United States. Please clarify that the small business subcontracting plan provided in attachment A of the RFP is required as the principle place of performance under this RFP is Zimbabwe.

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 8 of 14

USAID Response: Yes, it is required.

16. This RFP Section indicates that labor cost for locally employed staff {LES) must not exceed USAID/Zimbabwe's local employee compensation plan. Please provide Local Compensation Plan for USAID/Zimbabwe.

USAID Response: See number 6.

17. Can we assume that the term “Consultants” includes all technical short -term advisors (whether they are employees of the prime or subcontractors, independent consultants, CCNs or TCNs)?

USAID Response: Yes, in relation to the Section L LOE plug figure listed in Amendment 1, consultants do include all technical short term advisors.

18. Foreign Taxes. Can USAID provide additional clarification as to if Zimbabwe is VAT exempt?

USAID Response: Same as number 13.

19. Proposal Validity. Can USAID provide additional information regarding the length of validity of offeror’s proposal submissions?

USAID Response: The validity of Offeror’s proposal submissions should be 90 days after the proposal submission date.

20. Contractor Past Performance. Page 76 of the RFP states “List up to five of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal”; can USAID clarify if up to five past contracts should be presented for the prime contractor and each major subcontractor or if a total of five past contracts are to be presented for the entire team?

USAID Response: Yes, up to five past contracts can be listed for the prime contractor, and up to five for each major subcontractor (one whose proposed cost exceeds 10% of the offeror’s total proposed cost), as long as offerors do not exceed the page limit.

21. Charts & Graphics. Will USAID allow for charts, tables, and graphics, to be included in the Technical proposal with a font type and size other than the Times New Roman 12 point font required for the narrative? Additionally, do charts, tables, and graphics count against the overall page limit?

USAID Response: Yes, charts, tables and graphics do count against the overall page limit.

Font type and size other than Times New Roman 12 are acceptable as long as they are able to be read without difficulty. Any charts, tables and graphics that are too difficult to read will not be considered in USAID’s technical evaluation of any proposal.

22. Page Length. Can USAID please confirm that a cover letter would not count against the overall page limit? Will USAID also please note if there is a page limitation for a cover letter?

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 9 of 14

USAID Response: As already stated in the RFP, a single “cover page” does not count against the page limit. A “cover letter” would indeed count against the page limit.

23. Procurement. Did USAID intend to leave the amount of the procurement blank? If so, could we have a plug figure for budget purposes?

USAID Response: Yes, it was intentionally blank and USAID cannot provide plug figure.

24. Sub-awardees. Will USAID allow sub-awardees who do not have a NICRA to be included as subcontractors on the USAID Governance & Growth project?

USAID Response: Yes.

25. Section H.5 ADS 302.3.5.5 Reporting of Foreign Taxes (JUL 2007): What is the corporate tax status for USAID implementing partners in Zimbabwe? Are we tax exempt?

USAID Response: Same as number 13.

26. Can we get a copy of the US Government local compensation plan/schedule?

USAID Response: Same as number 6.

27. Can the mission share a copy of its Country Strategy Plan (2016 – 2021) with us? It is not available on the USAID website.

USAID Response: No.

28. I am contacting you regarding the requirement mentioned above. Two modifications were released for the effort on June 15 and June 16; however, no information was provided with the modifications. Could you please clarify the purpose of the modification?

USAID Response: Yes, these were minor corrections on Solicitation Title and Response date.

29. I am a U.S. company with contracts in Botswana and Nigeria. Currently, living in the US and South Africa. We are very much interested in the GGP. Are you accepting bids from US based companies? And if so will there be any preferences for African/US companies?

USAID Response: Yes, but USAID does not have preferred Offerors.

30. On page 6, the RFP states the project will contribute towards “strengthening public financial management.” However, public financial management is not explicitly mentioned as a component anywhere else in the RFP. Can USAID elaborate more on how public financial management should be incorporated into the project?

USAID Response: Public financial management may be an area where opportunities for economic policy reform arise throughout the course of the project given the importance of the public deficit in a dollarized economy and of public sector in general for sustained economic growth. Activities could affect public financial management either directly or indirectly. But, it is

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 10 of 14 only one example of the kind of reform that the project can try to work on and not to be the sole focus of the project.

31. On page 24, the RFP instructs offerors to provide a “complete list” of indicators, including higher level indicators to measure the larger impact. On page 74, the RFP instructs offerors to provide “no more than twelve indicators to monitor performance towards the activity objectives.” Do the 12 indicators constitute the complete list, such that offerors should indicate no more than 12 indicators, including higher level indicators?

USAID Response: Offerors should include no more than 12 illustrative indicators in their proposals, including higher level indicators, as stated on page 74. It is envisioned that the final monitoring and evaluation plan for the project would be based on those 12 illustrative indicators, with adjustments as agreed upon with USAID.

32. Could USAID kindly confirm whether it prefers that offerors partnering with local organizations do so on a non-exclusive basis, to ensure that no strong local organizations are excluded from the offer that is ultimately successful?

USAID Response: Yes, USAID prefers that offerors partnering with local organizations, or any other type of organization, do so on a non-exclusive basis, although this is not a requirement.

Please note that there is no USAID policy requiring exclusivity in teaming agreements.

33. Section L.6(2) states that the offeror should “Propose no more than twelve (12) indicators to monitor performance towards the activity objectives,” whereas section C.11 Performance Monitoring appears to refer to a deliverable after award: “The Contractor’s monitoring and evaluation plan (MEP) should show how the Contractor plans to measure activity progress and outcomes… The MEP will include, at a minimum, the following:

results data, including DQAs, baselines, and indicators/targets set per Agency and Mission standards; a description and schedule of key performance management actions such as site visits, review of performance data, etc.; and regular reporting on indicators in the approved results framework, including PIRS. … The Contractor will develop explicit targets, including base- line, quarterly update, annual, and end-of-project reporting on progress.” Can USAID please clarify what form this should take at the proposal stage, if any?

USAID Response: Offerors should include no more than 12 illustrative indicators in their proposals, including higher level indicators, as stated on page 74. It is envisioned that the final monitoring and evaluation plan for the project would be based on those 12 illustrative indicators, with adjustments as agreed upon with USAID. At a minimum, proposals must include the illustrative indicators. Illustrative baselines, targets, and an overall approach to performance monitoring, evaluation and learning may be included at the offeror’s discretion. Also see question 3.

34. Due to the nature of fixed fee collection, can we provide the level of effort for key personnel in line with our company policies on work days and paid time off which is other than 260 days per year?

USAID Response: USAID assumes that each full-time employee provides 260 days of LOE per year (obviously, this number includes leave and holidays). USAID understands that not all companies use this same calculation. USAID requests that all offerors use this same 260-day

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 11 of 14 assumption when calculating LOE for this proposal. If offerors choose to use a different number, USAID will convert that to 260 days when analyzing cost proposals.

Offerors must propose the required key personnel LOE stated in Section F in order to be responsive to the requirement. Offerors must take special notice of the changes made through Amendment 1. The additional consultant LOE stated in Section L was only a plug figure to assist offerors in developing their cost proposals, and does not count towards the required LOE that will be included in the contract.

35. Professional Technical Level of Effort. Per Amendment 1, released on June 22nd, USAID has replaced section F.4 with:

a. The contractor shall deliver 2340 days of key personnel labor during the base period of the contract. This level of effort only includes key personnel labor for the three positions listed in section F.5 below.

b. The contractor shall deliver 1560 days of key personnel labor during the option period of the contract. This level of effort only includes key personnel labor for the three positions listed in section F.5 below.

Can USAID please clarify if sections F.4 (c) and (d) of the original RFP should remain as listed below:

c. This labor can be U.S., third country or Zimbabwean staff and can be long or short-term labor. It should not include administrative positions such as the Program Officer, HR Manager, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Manager, Program Assistant or any other positions that has the primary function of providing administrative support to the contract. The Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and Senior Policy Advisor are included as professional technical labor.

d. The number of person days for any labor category may be used in any other labor category, subject to the prior written approval or direction of the COR. Once the level of effort has been fully expended, this contract is complete.

USAID Response: Through this amendment, USAID deletes “c” and “d”.

36. Consultant Labor. Per Amendment 1 of the RFP, the USAID estimate of 7000 LOE days was provided to assist offerors in preparing cost proposals; can USAID please provide further guidance regarding this estimate. Namely: if necessary can an offeror exceed 7000 LOE days?

USAID Response: As stated in Amendment 1, this number is only a plug figure meant to assist offerors in developing cost proposals. This exact number is not a contract requirement. Offerors may estimate different levels of effort for consultants depending on their technical approach.

37. Consultant Labor. Per Amendment 1 of the RFP, USAID states “Offerors are welcome to propose other approaches and other amounts of consultant labor” and the current deletion of Paragraph (d) in Section F.4; can USAID please provide further information and clarification on this statement. Namely, can we provide different LOE levels for the base and option periods?

USAID Response: The key personnel LOE for the base and option periods, stated in Section F, is required and will be included in the contract. This LOE must be included in offerors’ proposals. Offerors must clearly show that they understand this requirement by including exactly this amount of key personnel LOE in their proposals. The LOE plug figure for CONSULTANT

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 12 of 14 labor only, given in Section L, is only meant to assist offerors in developing cost proposals.

Section L will not be included in the contract. This consultant LOE number will not be a requirement and offerors are welcome to propose other amounts depending on their approaches.

38. Personnel. Can USAID please confirm that key personnel references should be submitted separate from their CVs and do not count against the 3-page limit?

USAID Response: Key personnel references can be submitted in any format at the discretion of the offeror. Any information on key personnel, including references, will count against the 3-page limit.

39. Personnel. Will USAID consider the expectation for key personnel to a Bachelor’s Degree and increased additional relevant experience?

USAID Response: No. The minimum for each of the three key personnel is a master’s degree.

40. Work Plan. Can USAID please clarify if, with the proposal submission, they would like the offeror to provide a Work Plan for the life of the project or only for Year 1? Response:

See Pages 31 and 32 for details.

USAID Response: No work plan is required for the proposal submission. The Contractor will be expected to develop an annual work plan for Year 1 and submit it to USAID no later than 60 days after the effective date of the Contract. USAID will provide comments on draft work plan no later than 75 days after the effective date of the Contract. Final work plan should be submitted for USAID’s approval no later than 90 days after the effective date of the Contract.

Please see page 32 for information about annual work plan submissions for subsequent years.

41. Start Date. Can USAID provide additional information as to the anticipated start date for the USAID Governance & Growth project?

USAID Response: Anticipated start date is on or about October 1, 2016.

42. Environmental Compliance. As noted in Section H.13 on page 49, an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) covers activities expected to be implemented under this contract and was determined to show a Negative Determination. Can USAID please provide additional information as to which sectors were evaluated for the IEE and shown to have a Negative Determination?

USAID Response: A copy of the IEE is available upon request, although USAID does not believe it is necessary for offerors to review it prior to developing a proposal.

43. Individual Letters of Commitment. Can USAID please confirm if they would like individual letters of commitment from personnel to be included as an annex to the Technical proposal?

USAID Response: Yes. Please include any letters of commitment from key personnel as an additional annex to the technical proposal.

44. Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan. Can USAID please confirm if they would like a full PMEP to be included as an annex to the Technical proposal or if only

SOL-613-16-000011 Page 13 of 14 monitoring and evaluation narrative, including indicators, is required in the Technical Approach?

USAID Response: USAID does not expect a full PMEP to be included in the technical proposal.

A monitoring and evaluation narrative, including the maximum 12 illustrative indicators, is sufficient. Also see question 33.

45. Program Evaluation. May we assume that the independent program evaluation mentioned on page 25 will be contracted for and paid directly by USAID, or should the offeror include it in its budget?

USAID Response: This is correct. The independent program evaluation will be contracted and paid for directly by USAID and should not be included in the cost proposal.

46. Annexes. Can USAID please provide a full list of required annexes to the Technical Proposal?

USAID Response: See question 4.

47. Local Technical Assistance. Would you kindly confirm that the primary purpose of direct technical assistance to local companies is to improve their participation in the political processes (as opposed to, for example, helping them.to expand their business)?

USAID Response: Interventions under objective 2.1 should increase the organizational capacity and membership base of small enterprise and informal sector organizations and help link informal businesses to formal businesses as stated on page 15. The first set of interventions will improve their participation in advocacy and policy dialogue and the second will help these informal businesses expand.

48. Resource Groups. As Resource Groups, support may or may not come to fruition within the scope and implementation of the project. Deliverable based Resource Groups will not count within the LOE estimates as they would be FP. Is it also correct to assume that Resource Groups which may provide services should also not count within the total LOE? If this LOE is included in proposal phase which may or may not ever come to fruition, there will be a shortfall of LOE during implementation.

USAID Response: Only key personnel labor is included in the required LOE. As stated in Amendment 1, the LOE for consultants is provided to assist in preparing cost proposals, and offerors are welcome to propose other approaches and other amounts of consultant labor.

49. Section H.13 Environmental Compliance: Do we need to include an environmental mitigation and monitoring plan (EMMP) in our Technical Proposal or as an Annex? If within the Technical Proposal, will this count against the 40-page response limit?

USAID Response: An EMMP is not required for the technical proposal.

50. Performance Indicators. Page 74 of the RFP states that offerors should “propose no more than twelve indicators to monitor performance towards the activity objectives”.

Should the 12 indicators be based on the standard USAID indicators? The standard USAID indicators and up to 12 additional custom indicators based on the SoW? Or 12 indicators custom indicators based on the SoW?

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USAID Response: See question 31, question 33 and question 44. The offerors can include any combination of standard and custom indicators based on the activities proposed in the technical approach. These illustrative indicators should represent the offeror’s strongest attempt to demonstrate an understanding of the objectives of the RFP and approach to performance monitoring.