FaBS Amedment No. 1 Q A Form 30.pdf

Amendment No. 1 FaBS RFP SOL-663-12-000013

Responses to Questions received on RFP No. SOL-663-12-000013 Finance and Business Services (FaBS) Project

Question 1. Section C.7 of the RFP states that there is a grant/innovation fund capped at $5 million for the life of the project. Additionally, the last sentence in Section C.6 states, “The successful offeror will also be encouraged to use grants-under-contract or contracts-under-contract approaches, preferably working with local partners, as appropriate.” Both sections seem to indicate that the innovation fund may be used for more than grants under contract. Can USAID please confirm that the $5 million innovation fund may include mechanisms such as subcontracts, training, and other special activities, in addition to grants under contract?

Response 1. The Grants Innovation fund will be used to issue either cooperative agreements or grants. It is not anticipated that contracts will be issued under this Item.

Question 2. On page 83, the Itemized Program Budget allocates $1 million per year for grants over the life of the project. Would USAID consider a prorated grants budget throughout the project years based on envisioned project activities?

Response 2. No, not at this time. There is a possibility that after award, some pro-ration might be considered.

However, options under this award may or may not be exercised.

Question 3. Section L.7.B details required qualifications for key personnel. We noted that this project will indeed require strong leadership and highly-skilled experts. However, would USAID consider candidates with extensive experience, for example more than 20 years of direct experience, in lieu of a Master’s degree? By offering extensive experience as a substitute for higher education, offerors will be able to consider a larger pool of candidates with the talent, skills, energy, commitment and availability to effectively serve USAID on this important program. We believe that USAID will receive better candidates and better value by revising these minimum qualifications.

Response 3. The qualifications remain as stated in the RFP.

Question 4. In Section L.D. Corporate Experience, the RFP states the offeror will be evaluated on their experience in “private sector development and value chain experience, financial sector reform, including regulatory, product development, trade facilitation and ability to leverage ICT to expand financial services delivery, gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction; however, Section M.3.IV states the offeror will be evaluated on their experience in “livestock, value chain development, agribusiness development, gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction.” Please confirm which set of technical areas USAID will evaluate on.

Response 4. Offerors will be evaluated based on experience in “private sector development and value chain experience, financial sector reform, including regulatory, product development, trade facilitation and ability to leverage ICT to expand financial services delivery, gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction”.

Question 5. On page 90, the RFP states USAID will evaluate on a Year-one work plan; however, page 77 indicates we must submit a work plan for Program Module 1 (which covers 2 years). Please confirm only a Year-one work plan must be submitted.

Response 5. Offerors are required to provide a work plan for program module 1, which covers a two year period.

Question 6. Section B.3 contains two itemized program budget templates, one by program module and the other by IR. Please confirm budgets must be submitted in both formats.

Response 6. Budget should be submitted in both formats.

Question 7. In Section L.8(4) 8 and 9, rent and utilities are included under Direct Facilities Costs and Other Direct Costs. Please confirm which category rent and utilities should be budgeted under.

Response7. Rent and utilities should be budgeted under Direct Facilities Costs .

Question 8. In Section H. 9(a)(3), the RFP states “Contracting Officer approval is required for salaries exceeding the above LCP threshold.” Section H.9 (f) states “Contractor’s proposed salary scale which reflects its proposed staffing plan covering all planned non-US (CCN/TCN) positions, together with Contractor’s compensation policies are hereby approved by the Contracting Officer.” Section L8 (4) 1 states rates above the local compensation plan will not be approved. Please clarify if CO approval is required for salaries exceeding the LCP.

Response 8.USAID/Ethiopia provided summary of the LCP so that offerors will use it in developing their cost proposals. CO Approval is required for salaries exceeding the Local Compensation Plan (LCP). This approval is granted case by case depending on the candidate’s earning history and the justification provided.

Question 9. H.9 (d) Annual Salary Increases states that one increase of “not more than (COLA, 5%, or Company Policy) (includes promotion increase)”. Please confirm we, and any sub-awardees, may propose one increase of the three (COLA, 5%, or Company Policy).

Response 9. Confirmed. One salary increase is allowed, either COLA, 5% or Company Policy.

Question 10. On pages 73 and 74, the RFP lists different requirements for hard copy submissions: Sections L.6.2(b) requests one original and three copies of each volume, but Section L.6.2(b)(ii) lists one original and one copy of each volume. Please confirm how many copies of each volume you would like submitted.

Response 10. The correct requirement is as follows: One original and three copies of Technical Proposal and one original and one copy of cost proposal.

Question 11. On page 81, the RFP gives instructions for Past Performance; however, item L.7.E(b) requests “resumes or curriculum vitae of Key Personnel.” Can USAID confirm that this information will be evaluated as part of the Key Personnel (Section L.7.B and M.3.II), and not Past Performance (Section L.7.E and M.3.V)?

Response 11. Resumes or Curriculum Vitea of Key personnel will be evaluated as part of the Key Personnel.

Question 12. On page 28, the RFP instructs offerors to include “a disability inclusion plan.” Can USAID confirm that this information should be provided as an annex to the proposal?

Response 12. Yes, the disability inclusion plan should be provided as an annex to the technical proposal

Question 13. On page 29, Environmental Compliance, if a Categorical Exclusion has been granted for the project activities, can USAID please provide a copy?

Response 13. No. However, USAID confirms that a categorical exclusion for environmental compliance has been obtained for FaBS.

Question 14. On page 36, F.3 states the Contract Monitoring Plan “will be submitted as part of the Work Plan within 30 days of award.” On page 39, F.5 Summary Reporting Matrix states the Contract Monitoring Plan will be due “two weeks after start of the contract.” Would USAID please clarify the due date?

Response 14. The contract monitoring plan must be submitted as part of the work plan within 30 days of contract award.

Question 15. Thank you for including the Branding Strategy and Marking Plan Review Form. Does the USAID/Ethiopia Mission have a template and/or strategy for the Branding Implementation and Marking Plan?

Response 15.Guidelines for implementation of the Branding and Marking Plan can be found on the main USAID website in the Public Affairs section. Please use the following link to access it http://www.usaid.gov/branding/

Question 16. Would USAID kindly provide a copy of the USAID EG PSPD strategy?

Response 16.The Mission’s EG PSPD document is currently under review. As indicated in the RFP, all publicly available documents have been posted at: http://ethiopia.usaid.gov/finance-and-business-services-fabs-projectno663-12-000013

Question 17. Section L.8 (4), Salaries and Wages states that rates in excess of the local compensation plan will not be approved, while section H.9 (a) states that salaries and wages should be in accordance with the contractor's established policies and procedures and that rates in excess of the local compensation plan may be approved by the Mission Director or the Assistant Administrator. Could USAID please confirm that contractors may request salary waivers for CCN/TCN individuals with an established salary history in excess of the local compensation plan?

Response 17. Please see question #8

Question 18. Section L.8 (2) states that offerors must complete section B.4 or otherwise be determined non-responsive to the RFP. Section B.4 of the RFP relates to paying office information and does not contain any items that need to be completed. Our understanding is that Section B.3 should have been referenced in section L.8 (2).

Could USAID please confirm that our understanding is correct or clarify the requirements in section L.8 (2) with regard to what information needs to be completed for the cost proposal to be determined responsive as it pertains to this reference?

Response 18. The correct reference is B.3 NOT B.4. The offerors must complete Section B.3 or otherwise be determined non-responsive to the RFP.

http://www.usaid.gov/branding/ http://ethiopia.usaid.gov/finance-and-business-services-fabs-projectno663-12-000013 http://ethiopia.usaid.gov/finance-and-business-services-fabs-projectno663-12-000013

Question 19. Section L.8 (2) notes that the cost proposal must be submitted in a summary and detailed program budget. Section B.3 includes budget templates for both a detailed itemized budget and budget by Intermediate Result. Could USAID please clarify whether a budget broken out by intermediate result is required? If so, would a summary level budget broken out by Intermediate Results be acceptable?

Response 19. Yes. A detailed budget by Intermediate Result is also required as shown in B.3

Question 20. Could USAID please confirm that detailed budgets are only required for subcontractors over $650,000

Response20. Confirmed. A separate detailed budgets are required for all sub-contractors over $650,000.

Question 21. Could USAID please confirm that “Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors” are only required for subcontractors over $650,000

Response21. Confirmed. Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors are required for all sub-contractors over $650,000.

Question 22. Section L.8 (4) requires that the contractor propose a fee schedule. Section B.2 specifies that the contract type is a cost plus fixed fee completion type contract and section B.5 notes that fee will be applied in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, which notes that costs will be reimbursed as the program progresses and fee will be applied as a fixed percentage of total allowable costs at the rate agreed upon. Therefore, the requirement for a fee schedule seems to conflict with B.2 and B.5 of the RFP. Could USAID please confirm that a fee will be reimbursed at the rate agreed upon which will be taken as a percentage of total allowable costs?

Response 22. The anticipated contract type is a cost plus fixed fee and fee will be reimbursed as per 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, in solicitations and contracts when a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (other than a construction contract) is contemplated. Contractor proposed fee schedule is not required.

Question 23. Generally, USAID guidance on the matter of ceiling on indirect cost rates is that the ceiling should not be established to exceed the provisional rates by more than 10%. Would USAID consider revising the requirement provided under Section B.7 on page 10 and allow ceilings without the 2% cap, and up to 10% over the current provisional rates?

Response23. No. The Contractor shall not receive indirect costs that exceed rates two percentage points or 10% of the individual indirect cost rates above, whichever is lower.

Question 24. Section L.8 Part 11 (e) requires details of the Offeror's management structure as it relates to performance of services described in Section C. Could USAID please provide additional clarification as to whether/how the information requested in the Management Plan to be included with the technical proposal differs from this budget narrative requirement?

Response 24. Please provide the information requested in the management plan as is appropriate. Also, please provide details of the management structure as it relates to performance of services described in Section C, as appropriate. It is the Offeror’s decision on how to best submit the information requested.

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/52_215.htm#P639_112117

Question 25. Section L.6.2 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS, on page 73, indicates that the offeror must submit “(b) Hard Copies – submit one (1) original and three (3) copies of the Technical Proposal and one (1) original and three (3) copies of the cost proposal” if submitted via US Mail. However, on the same page, the instructions for “(ii) Hand delivery (including commercial courier) – submit one (1) original and one copy of Technical Proposal and one (1) original and one copy of cost proposal.” Could USAID please confirm the appropriate number of hard copies of both the technical proposal and cost proposal to be submitted?

Response 25. See response # 10

Question 26. Section L.7.A. Technical Approach (M.3.I), on page 77, calls for “Draft work plan for Program Module I.” Section M.3.I. Technical Approach (Total: 35 points), on page 90, calls for a “Year-one work plan (as described in Section L).” Could USAID please clarify if you want to see a work plan for only year-one of Program Module I or a workplan for all of the Base Period (Program Module I) 2 years?

Response 26. See response # 5

Question 27. Section C.7 of the RFP states that there is a grant/innovation fund capped at $5 million for the life of the project. Additionally, the last sentence in Section C.6 states, “The successful offeror will also be encouraged to use grants-under-contract or contracts-under-contract approaches, preferably working with local partners, as appropriate.” Both sections seem to indicate that the innovation fund may be used for more than grants under contract. Can USAID please confirm that the $5 million innovation fund may include mechanisms such as subcontracts, training, and other special activities, in addition to grants under contract?

Response 27. See response # 1

Question 28. On page 83, the Itemized Program Budget allocates $1 million per year for grants over the life of the project. Would USAID consider a prorated grants budget throughout the project years based on envisioned project activities?

Response 28. See response #2

Question 29. Section L.7.B details required qualifications for key personnel. We note that this project will indeed require strong leadership and highly-skilled experts. However, would USAID consider candidates with extensive experience, for example more than 20 years of direct experience, in lieu of a Master’s degree? By offering extensive experience as a substitute for higher education, offerors will be able to consider a larger pool of candidates with the talent, skills, energy, commitment and availability to effectively serve USAID on this important program. We believe that USAID will receive better candidates and better value by revising these minimum qualifications.

Response 29. UAID will not substitute more than 20 years of direct experience in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Question 30. In Section L.D. Corporate Experience, the RFP states the offeror will be evaluated on their experience in “private sector development and value chain experience, financial sector reform, including regulatory, product development, trade facilitation and ability to leverage ICT to expand financial services delivery, gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction; however, Section M.3.IV states the offeror will be evaluated on their experience in “livestock, value chain development, agribusiness development, gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction.” Please confirm which set of technical areas USAID will evaluate on.

Response 30. See response # 4

Question 31. On page 90, the RFP states USAID will evaluate on a Year-one work plan; however, page 77 indicates we must submit a work plan for Program Module 1 (which covers 2 years). Please confirm only a Year-one work plan must be submitted.

Response 31. See response#5

Question 32. Section B.3 contains two itemized program budget templates, one by program module and the other by IR. Please confirm budgets must be submitted in both formats.

Response 32. Yes. Budget must be submitted in both formats.

Question 33. In Section L.8(4) 8 and 9, rent and utilities are included under Direct Facilities Costs and Other Direct Costs. Please confirm which category rent and utilities should be budgeted under.

Response 33. Rent and utilities should be reported under direct facilities costs.

Question 34. In Section H. 9(a)(3), the RFP states “Contracting Officer approval is required for salaries exceeding the above LCP threshold.” Section H.9 (f) states “Contractor’s proposed salary scale which reflects its proposed staffing plan covering all planned non-US (CCN/TCN) positions, together with Contractor’s compensation policies are hereby approved by the Contracting Officer.” Section L8 (4) 1 states rates above the local compensation plan will not be approved. Please clarify if CO approval is required for salaries exceeding the LCP.

Response 34. Yes. See response #8

Question 35. H.9 (d) Annual Salary Increases states that one increase of “not more than (COLA, 5%, or Company Policy) (includes promotion increase)”. Please confirm we, and any sub-awardees, may propose one increase of the three (COLA, 5%, or Company Policy).

Response 35. Confirmed. See response #9

Question 36. On pages 73 and 74, the RFP lists different requirements for hard copy submissions: Sections L.6.2(b) requests one original and three copies of each volume, but Section L.6.2(b)(ii) lists one original and one copy of each volume. Please confirm how many copies of each volume you would like submitted.

Response 36. See response #25

Question 37. On page 81, the RFP gives instructions for Past Performance; however, item L.7.E(b) requests “resumes or curriculum vitae of Key Personnel.” Can USAID confirm that this information will be evaluated as part of the Key Personnel (Section L.7.B and M.3.II), and not Past Performance (Section L.7.E and M.3.V)?

Response 37. Yes, confirmed.

Question 38. On page 28, the RFP instructs offerors to include “a disability inclusion plan.” Can USAID confirm that this information should be provided as an annex to the proposal?

Response 38. Yes, confirmed.

Question 39. On page 29, Environmental Compliance, if a Categorical Exclusion has been granted for the project activities, can USAID please provide a copy?

Response 39. No. However, USAID confirms that a categorical exclusion for environmental compliance has been obtained for FaBS.

Question 40. On page 36, F.3 states the Contract Monitoring Plan “will be submitted as part of the Work Plan within 30 days of award.” On page 39, F.5 Summary Reporting Matrix states the Contract Monitoring Plan will be due “two weeks after start of the contract.” Would USAID please clarify the due date?

Response 40. See response #14

Question 41. Thank you for including the Branding Strategy and Marking Plan Review Form. Does the USAID/Ethiopia Mission have a template and/or strategy for the Branding Implementation and Marking Plan?

Response 41. See response #15

Question 42. Would USAID provide a copy of the USAID EG PSPD strategy?

Response 42. See response #16

Question 43. On Page 76, Section L.7 stipulates that Offerors must write proposals in Times New Roman, 11-point font. Would USAID allow fonts other than Times New Roman and in sizes smaller than 11-point in tables, charts, and graphics, provided the text is legible?

Response 43. Yes, provided the text is legible.

Question 44. On Page 73, Section L.6.2 Delivery Instructions, Offerors are asked to submit attachments compatible with MS Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat in MS Windows environment. On Page 84, USAID asks that the cost proposal be submitted in Microsoft Word format. Would USAID accept cost and technical proposals in only Adobe PDF format, with budgets submitted in Excel format with unlocked formulas?

Response 44. Yes, Technical and Cost proposals should be submitted in the specified formats. Budget spreadsheets must be submitted in Excel format with unlocked formulas.

Question 45. Page 21 refers to BMOs as “business management organizations” and further down as “business membership organizations.” Please clarify.

Response 45. BMO refers to “Business Membership Organizations”

Question 46. On Page 27, under Section C.6 Program Structure, USAID writes that an evaluation of the first program module “will examine performance against relevant targets established after a third party baseline survey has been completed.” On Page 78, Offerors are asked to propose indicators and targets for each component with specific values for each indicator as well as justification for target level. It is unclear how Offerors could propose and justify targets in the proposal without baseline information, which presumably would be gathered by a third party evaluator after project award. Please clarify.

Response 46.The Contract Monitoring Plan (CMP) referenced above is only a draft document that will be reviewed/amended post contract award. A baseline assessment study for FaBS is currently underway. The findings of the study will be used to (1) amend the CMP as appropriate and (2) determine the realism of proposed targets for the specified indicators.

USAID also believes there is sufficient information in the public domain to allow offerors to propose realistic targets for the standard indicators outlined in FaBS and also to describe a methodology to achieve those results.

Question 47. On Page 36, Section F.3 Management of Contract, USAID writes that the Offeror will submit the final Contract Monitoring Plan (CMP) as part of the Work Plan within 30 days of award of the contract. Page 39, F.5 Summary Reporting Matrix, indicates that the CMP is due two weeks after the start of the contract. Please clarify when the CMP is due.

Response 47. See response #14.

Question 48. On Page 79, Section M.3.II, the description of the Outreach Coordinator position includes coordination with USAID programs and with donors, as well as budget planning, monitoring and evaluation, and communications activities. In addition, the position is referred to as “technical activity coordinator.” Is the Outreach Coordinator expected to also directly manage technical activities within the program? Lastly, can USAID clarify what is meant by “optimize management units at various ministries?”

Response 48.The Outreach Coordinator will not be expected to directly manage technical activities.

“optimize management units at various ministries” – A central role of the OC will be to identify other donor-funded technical assistance projects that overlap with FaBS. Where such programs involve working with common departments within government ministries, an effort should be made to maximize coordination among/between such projects in order to reduce the administrative burden on government employees.

Question 49. The key personnel descriptions on Pages 79 (Section M.3.II) and 46-47 (H.1) differ. Please clarify which set of descriptions is correct.

Response 49. See response #48.

Question 50. On Page 80, Section C. Management Plan (M.3.III), USAID says that Offerors should provide a plan that includes “a list of committed partners, sub-contractors, sub-awards, and/or public-private alliances.” Could USAID please define committed partners, sub-contractors, sub-awards, and/or public private alliances? Could USAID also provide more information about how Offerors should assign LOE to the different categories of partners, particularly those that are not direct subcontractors, given the modular project structure?

Response 50. Committed partners are those entities that will be expected to manage at least $2,500,000, or approximately 10% of the total budget proposed by the offeror over the five year term of FaBS.

No, USAID does not see the need for further directions on how to allocate LOE for different categories of partners. We believe it is possible to assign estimated LOE for all partners expected to contribute to program module one.

Question 51. On Page 91, in Section M.3.IV. Corporate Experience, USAID asks Offerors to provide organizational experience in managing programs in “livestock value chain development, agribusiness development, gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction.” This is inconsistent with Section D on Page 80 “D. Page Corporate Experience (M.3.IV).” Can USAID confirm that the relevant corporate experience being sought in Section M should be the same as that defined on Page 80?

Response 51. Yes. The relevant corporate experience being sought in Section M should read private sector development and value chain experience, financial sector reform, including regulatory, product development, trade facilitation and ability to leverage ICT to expand financial services delivery gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction.

Question 52. The Itemized Program Budget on Page 7 anticipates $1 million in grants each year, including the final year of the project under the third module (estimated budget of $1-2m). Please clarify whether USAID intends for $1 million in grants to be awarded in the final year (third module).

Response 52. The planned grants figure of $1 Million each year is no more than an equal allocation of $5 Million spread across five years. This is for planning purposes under this RFP. After award, it will be determined if any adjustments need to be made to this plan.

Question 53. On Page 29, under the heading “Environmental Compliance,” USAID recommends a Categorical Exclusion for FABS. On Page 87, item (k) asks Offerors to include as part of their cost proposals an “approach to achieving environmental compliance and management.” Can USAID confirm that this is still required given that there is a Categorical Exclusion for FaBS?

Response 53. Categorical exclusion is granted for this project. Therefore, there is no need to set aside a budget for FaBS Environment Compliance and Management. See response #13.

Question 54. On Page 49, Section H.9 a(3),USAID writes that it is “USAID policy that cooperating country nationals (CCN’S) and third country nationals (TCN’s), who are hired abroad for work in a cooperating country under USAID-direct contracts, generally be extended the same benefits, and be subject to the same restrictions as TCN’s and CCN’s employed as direct hires by the USAID Mission.” On Page 51,Section H.9 (f), however, USAID writes that “TCNs will be authorized packages similar to US Nationals consistent with Contractor approved policies and procedures.” Please clarify which is correct.

Response 54. Both are correct. It is USAID general policy that CCN’s and TCN’s hired to work in the cooperating country are extended the same benefits as TCN’s and CCN’s currently working at the Mission. In addition, TCNs will be authorized packages similar to US Nationals consistent with Contractor approved policies and procedures.

Question 55. On Page 84, USAID asks Offerors to submit Biographical Data Sheets for all key personnel and professional positions. Does this include STTA professional positions?

Response 55. Yes – if the STTA professional position is expected to provide the equivalent of 90 or more days of LOE in any calendar year.

Question 56. On Page 95, could USAID provide its definition of qualifications for the Professional/Senior Professional position identified in the Local Compensation Plan in the Appendices, including educational background, years of professional experience and other required qualifications at that salary range?

Response 56. It is difficult to provide the requested information since the information provided is presented in a range. Offerors should use their judgment when proposing salary for their staff.

Question 57. On Page 95 under the Local Compensation Plan for FSNs, USAID notes that the salaries listed for the various employee categories are inclusive of fringe benefits and allowances. Could USAID specify what the base salary ranges are by employee category exclusive of fringe and allowances? Furthermore, can USAID specify what allowances are applicable to FSNs?

Response 57. Allowances include meals and miscellaneous benefits allowances.

Question 58. For budgeting purposes, could USAID please clarify the anticipated start date for FaBS?

Response 58. Anticipated start date for FaBS depends on a lot of factors. But, it is anticipated to be awarded before the end of this calendar year.

Question 59. Commercial couriers such as DHL require a telephone number for the recipient to facilitate communications as may be necessary prior to package delivery. Would USAID please provide a telephone number for Ms. Yifru or Mr. Taitt?

Response 59. Ms. Yifru’s Telephone # +251-111-306096

Question 60. The Cover Letter of the RFP states that Offerors shall submit one (1) copy of their proposal. Section L of the RFP (pages 73-74) states that Offerors shall submit three (3) copies of their proposal (L.6.2 (b)) or one (1) copy (L.6.2 (b.ii)). Please confirm the required number of copies of the proposal.

Response 60. See response #25

Question 61. The Cover Letter of the RFP indicates that a CD-ROM should be submitted with the hard copies of the proposal; however, Section L.6.2 of the RFP (page 73) does not indicate that a CD-ROM is required, and the fourth paragraph on page 74 includes the following statements, “Packages should include printed documents only. CDs, videos, catalogues, and magazines should not be included.” Could USAID please confirm that a CD- ROM is not required as part of the hard copy submission?

Response 61. CD-ROM is not required as part of the hard copy submission.

Question 62. Section B.3 of the RFP (page 7; Itemized Program Budget – by Program Module) shows a plug figure of $1,000,000 for Grants in Option II/Program Module III; however, the cover letter indicates that the total funds available for Option II/Program Module III is $1-2 million. To ensure that there is sufficient grants management support during Option II/Program Module III, may Offerors propose an alternate allocation of grant funds over the life of the project?

Response 62. No. The planned grants figure of $1 Million each year is no more than an equal allocation of $5 Million spread across five years. This is for planning purposes under this RFP. After award, it will be determined if any adjustments need to be made to this plan.

Question 63. Regarding Section B.6 of the RFP (page 9), if the local organization is a branch or representative office of a U.S.-based organization that has a NICRA, would USAID consider accepting indirect costs in the local organization’s budget?

Response 63. We would expect that the Prime has reviewed and evaluated the costs proposed by the sub-awardee including all direct and indirect costs and that the Prime has the determined that the costs proposed are justifiable, fair and reasonable in accordance with government regulations. USAID will review each offerors (and its subs) costs independently for acceptability.

Question 64. Regarding Section B.7 of the RFP (page 10), could USAID please confirm that fringe benefits are excluded from the ceiling rates since some fringe benefits costs, e.g., FICA, are not under the direct control of Offerors?

Response 64. Section B.7 discusses a ceiling that the government will pay on indirect cost rates. The composition of your organization’s indirect rates will be determined by your organization. Therefore, which costs are included or not as a part of your organization’s indirect rate structure is an organizational management decision.

Question 65. Regarding Section C of the RFP (Sub IR 3.1), could USAID please clarify the working definition of “non-bank actors or non-bank intermediaries” for FaBS? Please clarify the types of institutions that would be encompassed under this categorization, such as MFIs, cooperatives, etc.

Response 65. A non-bank intermediary is an institution that is NOT registered as a Commercial Bank by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) but that is engaged in facilitating credit facilities to local firms/individuals. This may include equipment suppliers and/or equipment rental companies or MFIs, cooperatives, cooperative unions, etc.

Question 66. Section C.4 of the RFP (page 22; Sub IR 3.3) indicates that key objectives include, "… (b) improve Ethiopia's trade policies, remove trade barriers, build well-functioning trade facilitation and promotion institutions and improve regulatory policies that affect the way firms trade." The illustrative assistance that follows, however, focuses almost entirely on building firm/sector-level capacity or streamlining transportation procedures. Given the ongoing WTO accession efforts under other USAID projects, could USAID please clarify their expectations related to the role that FaBS will play regarding trade policy and the removal of trade barriers (relative to other USAID projects)?

Response 66.USAID is not presently providing support to GoE towards WTO Accession. The government of Ethiopia is carrying out a comprehensive needs assessment related to WTO accession. Once this assessment is completed, USAID will hold discussions with GoE on potential support towards trade policy in general and WTO accession in particular. As we await the outcome of this assessment, any trade policy related support under FaBS will be expected to be channeled through the chamber associations in particular and/or private sector actors in general.

Question 67. Section C.5 of the RFP (page 24; last paragraph of CIP 4) states, "…we expect expenditure for ICT-related interventions to be capped at no more than 10% of total funding over the life of FaBS". In this instance, does "total funding" refer to the $5 million grant budget, or does it refer to the entire project budget?

Response 67. Total funding refers to the entire project budget.

Question 68. Section L.6.2 (b) of the RFP (page 75) states, “the size of each electronic submission should not exceed 5MB.” Please confirm that this is a per-message limit, and that multiple messages may be sent, provided that they are clearly labeled as to how the proposal would be assembled. For example, the subject line would include “FaBS Technical Proposal, Message 1 of 3.”

Response 68. Yes, confirmed.

Question 69. Please confirm that items such as a transmittal letter and table of acronyms are excluded from the 30-page limit for the technical proposal.

Response 69. Yes, confirmed.

Question 70. Section L.7 of the RFP (page 77) indicates that the “Draft Branding Strategy and Marking Plan” is excluded from the page limit for the technical proposal. Section L.9 of the RFP (page 88) indicates that the Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) is to be submitted as part of the cost proposal. This paragraph also refers to the Branding Strategy and Marking Plan. Please clarify in which section of the proposal the Branding Strategy, BIP, and Marking Plan should be submitted.

Response 70.The draft branding and marketing plan should be included as an annex to the technical proposal.

And, anticipated costs to implement the draft branding strategy should be included in the cost proposal.

Question 71. Section L.7.B of the RFP (page 78) indicates that Offerors should submit detailed CVs/resumes in an Annex for key personnel. Section L.7.E(b) of the RFP (page 81) states that “resumes or curriculum vitae of Key Personnel and other professionals working on the Project” could be included as an attachment to the proposal.

Could USAID please confirm that CVs are required for key personnel only?

Response 71. CVs are required for Key personnel and professional positions. See response # 55

Question 72. Regarding Section L.7.B of the RFP (pages 78-79), would USAID consider relevant work experience as a substitute for a specialized advanced degree? If so, could USAID please confirm the number of years of relevant work experience that would be required in place of a specialized advanced degree?

Response 72. No. USAID is not considering work substitutes for specialized advanced degrees.

Question 73. Regarding Section L.7.B(b) of the RFP (page 79), the criteria for Finance Specialist mentions 10 years or more of experience in the management of financial reform projects. Would USAID please consider broadening the criteria to include financial sector development projects, which also aligns with the scope of FaBS?

Response 73. Yes, financial sector development projects is also acceptable.

Question 74. Section L.7.E(a) of the RFP (page 81) states, “The Offeror (including all partners of a consortium) must provide performance information for itself and each major subcontractor…” Could USAID please confirm that Offerors may submit past performance information for itself and all subcontractors?

Response 74. Yes, confirmed.

Question 75. Section L.7.E(b) of the RFP (page 81) refers to biographical data sheets being excluded from the page limit for the technical proposal. Please confirm that biographical data sheets should be submitted as part of the cost proposal, as indicated in Section L.8(3) of the RFP (page 84).

Response 75. Yes, confirmed.

Question 76. Section L.8(1) of the RFP (pages 82-83) requires Standard Form (SF) 33; however, one has not been included with the RFP. Could USAID please provide a copy of SF 33 for FaBS?

Response 76. Here is the link for Standard Form (SF) 33 http://contacts.gsa.gov/webforms.nsf/0/884DE4C90A9F054C85256A1F005ABDB1/$file/SF%2033.pdf

Question 77. Section L.8(2)(a) of the RFP (page 83) requires that Offerors submit a completed Section B.4;

however, this section of the RFP refers to USAID’s paying office in Section G.4. Could USAID please clarify what Offerors should submit regarding Section B.4?

Response 77. See response#18

Question 78. Regarding Section L.8(4)1 of the RFP (page 84), would USAID consider approving a rate above the local compensation plan (LCP) in exceptional circumstances, i.e., if a proposed local professional candidate were to have an established rate above the LCP from a private-sector employer, an international organization, or an international donor-funded project?

Response78. See Response#18

Question 79. Section L.8(4)3 of the RFP (page 84) indicates that Offerors should budget the costs for In-House STTA under “Consultants”. If it is an Offeror’s practice to budget In-House STTA labor costs under “Salaries and http://contacts.gsa.gov/webforms.nsf/0/884DE4C90A9F054C85256A1F005ABDB1/$file/SF%2033.pdf

Wages” and the associated material costs under the applicable cost elements (e.g., Travel, Transportation, and Per Diem, ODCs, etc.), may Offerors budget In-House STTA costs per their typical practice?

Response79. No. The budget should be submitted as requested.

Question 80. Section L.8(f) of the RFP (page 86) requires Offerors (and their proposed subcontractors) to submit a completed and signed Section K; however, this section of the RFP does not contain a signature block. Could USAID please clarify how they would like Offerors to submit a signature on Section K?

Response 80. A revised Section K is posted together with this amendment. Offerors should complete and sign the attached.

Question 81. Section L.8(j) of the RFP (page 87) indicates that Offerors should submit audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements for the last two complete fiscal years and for the current fiscal years as of 30 days prior to proposal submission. Could USAID please confirm that an Offeror may submit a NICRA in lieu of these financial statements?

Response 81. NO. Audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements are important for the Contracting Officer to make a responsibility determination. Therefore, you need to submit them together with your NICAR rate.

Question 82. Regarding the key personnel, given that the BDS/Market Advisor and Trade Specialist positions have been removed from the draft scope of work, and a Finance Specialist added, does USAID still intend for the COP to serve as a Finance Component lead (as is indicated on page 46, Section H.1.A)?

Response 82. No.

Question 83. Section H.1 (p. 47) states that “at a minimum the technical advisors should have 8 years of working experience in similar type of projects and must have a masters degree in Business or economics.” In keeping with USAID/Forward, we believe there are many highly qualified Ethiopian candidates who could serve in the Outreach Coordinator position, but who might not have a master's degree. Would USAID consider revising the degree qualifications for the Outreach Coordinator position, to allow for the substitution of a bachelor's degree plus an appropriate number of years of professional experience in lieu of a master's degree?

Response 83. No.

Question 84. The Itemized Program Budget table (found on pages 7 and 83), as well as the information on the cover page, indicate that Base Year/Program Module 1 includes years 1 and 2, with Option 1/Program Module 2 starting in year 3. On page 23, however, the RFP states: "after implementation of program module one which is expected to occur from 1 year to 18 months..." Please confirm that Base Year/Program Module 1 comprises years 1 and 2, with Option 1/Program Module 2 comprising years 3 and 4, and Option 2/Program Module 3 comprising Year 5."

Response 84. Yes, confirmed.

Question 85. On page 6 of the RFP, Part B.3 includes "Itemized Program Budget: by Program Module" and "Itemized Program Budget: by Intermediate Results (IRs)" to be submitted with our proposal. However, on page 83 of the RFP, only the Itemized Program Budget: by Program Module is mentioned. Are offerors required to submit the Itemized Program Budget by IRs in addition to “Program Budget: by Program Module?”

Response 85. Yes.

Question 86. Section L.7.A, page 77 states that offerors must include activities related to “the cross cutting themes of gender, ICT, and NRM and global climate change,” and that “the technical proposal must incorporate these cross cutting areas as well as the value chain facilitation principles into the approach to each component.”

a. Please clarify whether FaBS should include NRM and global climate change as cross-cutting areas.

b. Please confirm that “value chain facilitation principles” may be replaced with “core implementing principles,” as is found in Section C.5.

Response 86. a) Yes, NRM and global climate change should be included as part of cross-cutting areas.

b) Yes, “value chain facilitation principles” may be replaced with “core implementing principles”

Question 87. on page 77, Section L.7.A. Technical Approach, offerors are required to submit a “draft work plan for Program Module 1.” However, on page 90, Section M.3.I. Technical Approach, offerors are required to submit a “year-one work plan.” Can USAID clarify whether the draft work plan should cover year one or if it should cover years one and two?

Response 87. See response #5.

Question 88. Can USAID confirm that the staffing plan required in Section L.7.C. Management Plan (page 80) may be included as an annex with the Management Structure Organization Chart?

Response 88.Yes, confirmed.

Question 89. Page 80 of the RFP, Section L.7.D. Corporate Experience states: “USAID shall evaluate the quality of the Offeror’s experience in the following areas: Private sector development and value chain experience, financial sector reform, including regulatory, product development, trade facilitation and ability to leverage ICT to expand financial services delivery gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction.” However, page 91 of the RFP, Section M.3.IV. Corporate Experience states: “USAID will evaluate Offerors and their proposed major subcontractors on the depth of their corporate capabilities and their organizational experience in managing the programs in livestock value chain development, agribusiness development gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction. The evaluation will consider the depth of the offeror in the context of being capable of successfully implementing the project.

Can USAID confirm that offerors will be evaluated on experience as listed in Section L.7.D, “Private sector development and value chain experience, financial sector reform, including regulatory, product development, trade facilitation and ability to leverage ICT to expand financial services delivery gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction”?

Response 89. Yes, offerors will be evaluated on experience as listed in Section L.7.D, “Private sector development and value chain experience, financial sector reform, including regulatory, product development, trade facilitation and ability to leverage ICT to expand financial services delivery gender integration, nutrition, and poverty reduction.

Question 90. Regarding Section L.7.D on page 80, can USAID please clarify whether offerors should describe previous experience in nutrition, as this is beyond the FaBS scope of work?

Response 90. Experience in nutrition is NOT considered relevant under FaBS

Question 91. The Past Performance section, page 81, Section L.7.E(b) states: “Resumes or curriculum vitae of Key Personnel and other professionals working on the project (NTE 3 pages per proposed individual). For Key Personnel, submission should include their individual availability statements and their personal references. The biographical data sheet must be completed and signed by both the contractor and employee. These will not be counted against page limit.”

a. Can USAID please confirm that this section should be removed, as personnel information is required in Section L.7.B. Key Personnel?

b. If it is not removed, please confirm that biographical data sheets should be included as part of the cost proposal, not the technical proposal.

Response 91. a) CVs should be provided for key personnel and all professional expected to provide the equivalent of 90 days of LOE in any calendar year.

b) It should be annexed to the cost proposal as indicated in the RFP.

Question 92. Section L.8 (2) (a), Proposed Cost/Prices (p.83) states “Offerors must complete Section B.4 and accompany its proposal with this Section or otherwise be determined non-responsive.” However, Section B.4 describes the USAID paying office information. Please clarify whether USAID meant to refer to Section B.3, Itemized Program Budget: by Program Module and Itemized Program Budget: by Program IRs.

Response 92. Yes the correct reference is Section B.3 and Itemized Program Budget: by Program Module and Itemized Program Budget: by Program IRs.

Question 93. Page 84 of the RFP, Section L.8(4) Part 4 - Budget Narrative states, "The Following is the minimum information required in the budget and budget narrative,” listing:

1- Salary and wages 2-Fringe Benefit 3-Consultants 4- Equipment 5-Participant Training 6-Communications 7-Subcontracts 8-Direct Facilities Costs 9-Other Direct Costs 10- Indirect Costs 11- Fee However, these minimum requirements do not include “Travel, Transportation & Per Diem,” “Allowances,” or

“Grants.” As these three line items are included in the Itemized Program Budget- by Program Module, should they be included in the budget narrative as well?

Response 93. Yes. “Travel”, “Transportation”, “Per diem”, “Allowances” and Grants should be included in the budget narrative. Please make sure that the information provided is sufficient to provide a basis for USAID to determine that the costs proposed are reasonable and realistic.

Question 94. Section L.8(4) Part 4 - Budget Narrative (p. 84) states "The Following is the minimum information required in the budget and budget narrative,” listing:

1- Salary and wages 2-Fringe Benefit 3-Consultants 4- Equipment 5-Participant Training 6-Communications 7-Subcontracts 8-Direct Facilities Costs 9-Other Direct Costs 10- Indirect Costs 11- Fee

However, on page 83, Section L.8(2) Proposed Cost/Prices, Itemized Program Budget - by Program Module does not include Equipment, Participant Training, Direct Facilities Costs, and Communications, which are stated in the Part 4 requirements above. Can USAID please clarify whether the minimum requirements of Part 4 only apply to the budget narrative and that offerors should follow the budget structure in Part 2 - Itemized Program Budget for the detailed budget?

Response 94. See response #93

Question 95. Section L.8(4) Part 4 - Budget Narrative, Other Direct Costs (p.85) states that "Offerors should not include the costs of salary for the locally employed persons, travel and equipment costs in this item." Please clarify whether this requirement is only for the budget narrative or if it applies to the detailed budget as well.

Response 95. This requirement is only for “other direct costs” category of the budget narrative. Salary of locally employee persons, travel and equipment should be included in the appropriate section of the budget narrative.

Question 96. Attachment J.1, the Local Compensation Plan for FSNs (p.95) states "This range of salaries includes fringe benefits and allowances applicable to the local embassy employees". Can USAID provide the breakdown of these salaries?

Response 96. No, the Local Compensation Plan is classified document which cannot be provided as it is.

Question 97. Attachment J.1 the latest FSN Scale for Ethiopia? If not, can USAID provide the latest?

Response 97. There are some revisions made to the FSN scale recently. But, the range provided is good enough for developing your proposals. The salary cap for top category “Professional/Senior Professional” is now $30,314 per annum.

Question 98. In light of the importance of FABS' closely coordinating with ongoing USAID programs such as the AGP-AMD program and CIAFS program, it would be helpful to have access to these projects' quarterly reports and any other…