RFP_SAEP_Amendment_2_Signed.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION / MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT SOL-674-16-000021 2 of 5

1. Attachment 2 provided for Offerors Past performance Information

2. SF33Form Amendment numbers and dates added

3. Section L.5 – Attachment size 10MB limit per email

4. Section L.6 – Page Limitation changed to 35pages and Annex D – “resume must not exceed 4 pages”

5. A revised updated RFP with track changes has been uploaded to www.fbo.gov

6. Outcome 1 – Deleted “Increase regional harmonization of energy policies, frameworks, plans, rules and regulations;

7. Additional Questions and Answers are provided below.

Additional QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

Some questions have been rephrased to remove proprietary information or the identity of submitting organizations.

Where multiple questions were submitted regarding the same issue only one question is presented.

1. The Questions and Answers indicate several places where RFP language has been revised. However, in some cases, there do not appear to be corresponding changes in the revised RFP. Are we correct that the changes indicated in the answers to questions supersede the revised RFP and offerors should follow the instructions in the answer?

Answer: That is correct Offerors should follow the changes in the Q&A.

a. Answer #21: up to 35 pages for the main body of the technical proposal

Change made on Page 73 of 92

b. Answer #22: up to 4 pages for each key personnel CV

Change made on Page 75 of 92 http://www.fbo.gov/

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c. Answer #28: revised text for Section M.2.1.A Technical Soundness (15 points): The extent to which the Offeror provides a realistic approach to achieving the contract objectives will be evaluated. The level to which the Offeror demonstrates a sound conceptual framework for achieving results would be important. The logic and technical soundness of the proposed activities and the strength of links to stated short and long-term results, outcomes, and impacts will be considered.

Sustainability (5 points): The effectiveness and extensiveness of the Catalysing Local Opportunities Fund plan, and the extent to which it is able to encourage the collaboration of local entities towards achieving the project outcomes will be assessed. The soundness of the plan, and how well the approach promotes innovation, knowledge exchange between relevant institutions and stakeholders to build a resilient foundation for sustained energy access outcomes, will also be considered.

Partnerships and Alliances (4 points): The robustness and effectiveness of the partnerships and alliances with national and local institutions proposed will be evaluated.

Credit will also be given to strong partnerships with private sector entities that leverage USAID resources to expand impact and achieve the project’s objectives. The commitment of the partners or alliance members as demonstrated in letters of commitment, memoranda of understanding, teaming arrangements or other agreements will be considered, as well the effectiveness of the coordination of alliances and partnerships.

Communications and Outreach Strategy (3 points): The robustness of the communications and outreach strategy for increasing awareness of the project among stakeholders, improving the participation of civil society, and promoting informed planning decision making will be evaluated.

Gender and environmental sustainability (3 points): Evaluation under this subfactor will focus on the strength of the analysis of gender and environmental/climate resiliency issues presented in the technical proposal. On gender, this includes, but is not limited to, whether the proposal has a clearly articulated gender component that is woven through all of the activities and describes how the different activities will address gender issues.

2. Answer #37 from amendment 1 says, “Contractors Performance Report Template is now provided as attachment 2 to the RFP.” However, Attachment 2 of the revised RFP is the USAID Small Business Subcontracting Plan Template. Also, the Contractors Past Performance Information Sheet Template is not included in the list of attachments in Answer #65. Could USAID provide the Contractors Performance Report Template?

Answer: Subcontracting Plan Template provided as Attachment 2 and Past Performance Information Sheet Template is provided as Attachment 6.

3. The SAEP RFP Amendment, item #14.1 refers to the change of date which is July 18 per the RFP, however, the same document in item 11 states that the date “is not extended”. Since we are asked to acknowledge receipt of the Amendment, could you please provide guidance on how to address the inconsistency; and

Answer: Item 11 was in error. It should have read "is extended". The correct closing date for submission is July 18, 2016 at 5:00pm Local Pretoria Time.

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4. H.3 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE The authorized geographic code for the procurement of goods and services under this contract is 935. Does this mean that firms / consultants from any country are eligible to apply under this RFP?

Answer: Yes, under geographic code 935 organizations from any area or country are eligible, excluding any country that is a prohibited source. There are currently no prohibited source countries. Note however, other legal restrictions on individuals or organizations, e.g., OFAC sanctions, may apply.

5. Are subcontractors required to submit a CAS Disclosure Statement, if so, what are the criteria used to determine if they are required.

Answer: A disclosure statement is required for subcontractors who, in your most recent accounting period, received CAS-covered contracts totaling $50 million or more. The criteria for requiring disclosure statements for subcontractors is company specific and considers all business segments. Subcontractors must submit a Disclosure Statement if they meet the requirement of 48 CFR 9903.201-1

6. If a Disclosure Statement is required, page 65 of 92 states the applicable Form CASB DS-1 or CASB DS-2 can be obtained from the ACO. Can you provide the appropriate form for us to use or let us know where an appropriate form can be obtained?

Answer: Both forms can be found at the following links:

http://www.dcaa.mil/cas.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/procurement/casb_ds-1.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/procurement_casb/casb_ds-2.pdf

7. Does the fact that a company is registered on SAM eliminate the need to submit a Disclosure Statement?

Answer: No

8. Will US National and TCN employees be authorized duty free entry of their effects?

Answer: In South Africa yes. In other countries, the USAID bilateral or other arrangements may provide for privileges and immunities of USAID-financed contractors. Any offeror proposing to have their main or satellite offices in any country outside South Africa may request CO for this RFP provide information for that specific country.

9. L.10 page 79: The paragraph states “In the Technical Proposal Body, the Offeror should highlight those aspects of its past performance that it believes is relevant and briefly discuss how its past performance indicates that it has a strong probability of successfully performing. In the Annex, the Offeror must provide an information sheet for contracts, orders or other projects that are similar to the scope of work in this solicitation. The Offeror’s ten (10) most relevant contracts, orders and projects shall be summarized.”

Do we understand correctly from the above that summaries and highlights are (a) for the Technical Proposal Body, and (b) we can summarize more than 10 projects, whereas the information sheets are (b) more detailed, formatted narratives for the Annex, and are limited to the 10 to be featured? Are we correct in reading that the http://www.dcaa.mil/cas.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/procurement/casb_ds-1.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/procurement_casb/casb_ds-2.pdf

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Technical Proposal Body only includes highlights and a brief discussion of past performance, with the material requested in subsections (a)-(d) included in the information sheets?

Answer: Your understanding is correct.

10. L.10 page 79: The same paragraph continues by stating that

The Offeror’s ten (10) most relevant contracts, orders and projects shall be summarized. In addition, the Offeror must provide information sheets for the five contracts or orders with a value over $5 million that have been completed most recently, assuming that such contract or order was not already listed.”

Please clarify if the “ten (10) most relevant contracts” and the “five contracts” (for which information sheets are asked) are mutually exclusive or part of the same set of 10. It isn’t clear whether Offerors have to provide information sheets for 5 contracts or for 10 or for 15? It may be that we do different kinds of data sheets for different sets of contracts, but the information request only discusses the information sheets for the set of 10 contractors. Is the content different for the subset of 5 contracts?

Answer: Offerors will provide up to 15 information sheets - ten (10) most relevant contracts, orders and projects and in addition the five contracts or orders with a value over $5 million that have been completed most recently. The content is not different for the 5 contracts over $5 million.

11. On page 11, section C.6 of J.1, USAID includes the illustrative intervention “Increase regional harmonization of energy policies, frameworks, plans, rules and regulation.” This intervention seems to duplicate illustrative interventions under outcome 3. Could USAID please clarify whether this is indeed a duplication or provide clarification on a distinction between this intervention and those listed under outcome 3?

Answer: This was a duplication. Increase in regional harmonization and all related activities should fall under Outcome 3.

12. Given USAID’s response to question # 43 of Amendment 1 regarding subcontracts,

43. On Page 84, Section L.11.3 (Subcontracts), can USAID please confirm that only cost-type subcontracts exceeding $150,000 need to provide the same budget detail as the prime contractor?

Answer Yes however the Offeror should include a discussion of proposed fixed price contracts in the budget narrative so the Contracting Officer an understand how the Offeror priced the prime contract.

Please clarify if USAID anticipates that only Fixed Price subcontracts of less than $150,000 will be permitted.

If Fixed Price subcontracts larger than $150,000 are permitted please clarify whether or not Fixed Price subcontracts are considered a suitable and/or preferred mechanism by which a prime contractor can engage a major subcontractor.

Answer: No USAID does not anticipate that only fixed price subcontracts of less than $150,000 will be used on this activity nor are they the preferred mechanism. USAID expects offerors to select a subcontract type that is appropriate for the risks involved and consistent with current policy.