MIKAJY--SOL-687-17-000001_Amendment_01.pdf

5. PROJECT NO.

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODECODE

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:

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning _____1_____ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR AC- KNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 10-83)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

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.

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

D. OTHER

BY

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 STANDARD FORM 30

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(If applicable)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

SOL-687-17-000001

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

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

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

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

1 7

01 See Block 16c

USAID/Madagascar Lot 207 A, Point Liberty Andranoro – Antehiroka 105 Antananarivo

MADAGASCAR

All Prospective Offerors

The purpose of this amendment is to: (1) extend the deadline of Proposal submission by two weeks, from July 25th, 2017 to August 8th, 2017; and (2) provide answers to potential Offerors’ questions regarding the RFP.

Continued on Page 2

Jessica R. Faber Regional Contracting Officer

(X)

X 07/07/2017

X

July 7, 2017

RFP No. SOL-687-17-000001 Amendment 01

The purpose of this Amendment 01 is to

I. Provide the closing times under the RFP.

Accordingly, the RFP COVER PAGE is REVISED as follows:

Date Issued: June 13, 2017 Questions due Date: June 27, 2017 Questions due Time: 5:00 PM Local Antananarivo Time Closing Date: August 08, 2017 Closing Time: 5:00 PM Local Antananarivo Time

II. Answers to questions received on the RFP as follows:.

1. We would like to find out if there is an incumbent contractor currently performing these services or if this is a new requirement. If there is an incumbent, could you please provide the contract number?

Answer: There is no incumbent contractor for this procurement. Mikajy is a new site-based biodiversity conservation activity.

2. Section C.8 (Attachment 1, page 25) refers to a Theory of Change (TOC) used to develop the CCP’s Logical Framework. Would USAID share this TOC with offerors?

Answer: USAID has already provided sufficient information for use by the offerors for the purpose of this RFP.

3. Would USAID please clarify the lines of supervision to be included in the “performance monitoring and supervision strategy” referenced in M.4.2.3 (page 87) as a subfactor in the evaluation of the MEL Plan?

Answer: The principal “lines of supervision” for this strategy directly involve the MEL Specialist Key Personnel Position. The incumbent would likely have staff reporting to her/him. The staff would, in turn, be overseen by and report to the COP/DCOP (as the Offeror sees fit).

4. Per Section H.17(b) of the RFP, would USAID please provide the most current local compensation plan against which salaries are to be considered?

Answer: Attached please find a copy of the most recent local employee compensation plan (LECP) for USAID/Madagascar.

5. Per Section D.3 of the RFP, could USAID confirm if a branding and marking plan is required at the proposal stage or if it will be submitted at USAID’s request at competitive range or award?

Answer: Offeror(s) are required to submit a preliminary Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP) as a separate annex to the cost proposal. Offeror(s) will be required to submit formal and detailed Branding and Marking Plan(s) for final review before award or inclusion in the competitive range.

Costs of Branding and Marking (ADS 320.3.7.3) should be included in the total estimated cost of the Offeror; these costs are eligible for financing if reasonable, allocable, and allowable in accordance with the applicable cost principles.

6. In section L.6.d (page 71), the RFP mentions the environmental compliance capacity statement and budget should be included as an annex. However, in section F.6.2 (5d) (page 19), it says the budget should be included in the Cost Proposal. Because it is our understanding that the Technical Proposal should not include any cost information, could USAID please confirm that the environmental compliance capacity statement belongs in an annex to the Technical Proposal, and that the illustrative budget for implementing environmental compliance activities should be presented in the Cost Proposal?

Answer: The environmental compliance capacity statement is included in the technical proposal as an annex. The corresponding illustrative budget for environmental compliance implementation and monitoring is included in the cost proposal. Therefore, please read Section L.6.b. (d), 4th bullet: “Environmental compliance capacity statement (refer to Section F.6.2.5a-5c).

7. Would USAID please confirm if a six-day work week is authorized for short-term expatriate and non-CCN technical experts in the field?

Answer USAID will only accept a six-day work week for short-term expatriate and non-CCN technical experts in the field if the Offeror’s Human Resources policy states that a six-day work week is authorized. The Offeror must provide USAID with evidence of this policy.

8. Would USAID please consider exempting organizational charts and other full-page graphics from the page limit?

Answer: Organizational charts and other graphics are included in the technical proposal page limitation. However, if some of these charts and graphics are added into annex documents in a logical and referenced fashion, they will be counted against the annex page limitation.

9. Section E.3 on page 13 states, “The MEL Plan exists as a ‘living’ document reviewed and updated on an annual basis;” however, Section B.3(f) requires offerors to propose a fee payment schedule based on the MEL Plan which implies the fee payment schedule will also be updated annually. Would USAID reconsider the Fee Payment Schedule and agree to reimburse fee based on a percentage of costs in each invoice in accordance with FAR 52.216-8? In this way, the MEL Plan can be updated as needed and would not require a parallel renegotiation of the Fee Payment Schedule.

Answer: No.

10. Could USAID clarify that the third key personnel is a Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Specialist as referenced throughout the proposal and not a MEL and Compliance Specialist as noted under the “Education Requirements” subheading on pages 75 and 89?

Answer: The MEL and Compliance Specialist and Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Specialist are one in the same; the titles were used interchangeably in the RFP. That being said, the title of Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Specialist is the proper title for that Key Personnel position.

11. May offerors include a cover letter that will not count against the 30-page limit?

Answer: As per Section L.6.B.(e) the page limitation does not include the cover pages.

12. Given the 75-page limit for annexes, may we include a list of the 10 most recent SF294s (Section L.6.6(d)(3)(ii)), rather than copies, if they have been submitted to eSRS?

Answer: No, as that would impose an additional burden on USAID.

13. Regarding Section L.7.2, Page 78, (1. Detailed Budget Preparation Guidance), could USAID confirm that offerors may submit one detailed budget (with detailed costs for all five years) and one summary budget for all five years as part of the cost proposal submission?

Answer: Section L.7 refers to preparation of the cost/business proposal. The budget submission must include an overall summary budget for all five years and detailed budget worksheets supporting the summary data as stated in Section L.7.2.1. and be submitted as part of the cost proposal.

14. Regarding the Budget Line Item Headings in Section L.7.2, Page 78, could USAID please confirm offerors may include Subcontracts as a cost element in the prime budget for clarity of presentation of proposed cost reimbursement type subcontracts?

Answer: Offerors should include Subcontracts as a separate cost element in the prime budget.

15. Section L.7.3, Page 81 requires offerors to budget all costs associated with each STTA engagement (Salaries and Wages, Fringe Benefits, Allowances, Travel and Transportation, Equipment or Supplies) in the Consultant cost category. Could USAID confirm that offerors may budget these costs in the appropriate category per their approved cost accounting structure?

Answer: Please follow the guidelines in Section L.7.3 on Page 81. It requires that Offerors budget all costs associated with each STTA engagement in the Consultant cost category. This reduces the burden on USAID and streamlines the evaluation process.

16. Regarding Section L.7.4 on page 82, a.Could USAID please clarify that separate budgets are required only for sub-offerors with cost-reimbursement-type subcontracts and not for firm fixed price subcontractors?

Answer: Separate budget tabs are required for all proposed Subcontracts.

b.We are unclear on the purpose of “consolidation” of sub-offeror costs; will USAID please clarify this requirement or confirm that offerors only need to submit a standard summary budget and detailed budget for each cost reimbursement type subcontract?

Answer: Prime Offerors must submit sub-offeror budgets in accordance with the instructions located in Section L.7.4.

17. Per Section L.6 (B)(d), Page 71 the technical proposal must include an environmental compliance capacity statement and budget. Could USAID confirm that offerors should include an illustrative environmental compliance budget in the cost proposal as stated in Section F.6.2(5d), Page 19 and not in the technical proposal?

Answer: Please refer to our answer to Question 6.

18. Regarding Section L.7.7, would USAID consider authorizing a six-day work week for short-term personnel?

Answer: Please refer to our answer to Question 7.

19. May the offeror include a brief transmittal letter that does not count against the page limit?

Answer: USAID equates a transmittal letter with a cover letter. Please refer to our answer to Question 11.

20. Re L.6.B.(d) (page 71) requires the submission of an Environmental compliance capacity statement and budget. Typically, the technical proposal does not include any reference to project costs. Please confirm that offerors are required to submit a budget for environmental compliance in the cost proposal only, and not in the technical proposal.

Answer: Please refer to our answer to Question 6.

21. Re L.6.6(d)3.(ii) – If the offeror has submitted all small business subcontracting reports to the eSRS, does USAID still require submission of SF 294s?

Answer: Please refer to our answer to Question 12.

22. Would USAID please provide its local compensation plan (LCP)?

Answer: Please refer to our answer to Question 4.

23. Would USAID provide a fixed exchange rate to facilitate a standard conversion of the LCP to USD across bidders?

Answer: Each Offeror should propose a fixed exchange rate for use throughout their individual proposal. This rate should be based upon the Offeror’s own best business judgment.

24. Please confirm that full-page tables or graphics in the technical proposal are not considered as counted pages within the 35-page limit?

Answer: Please refer to our answer to Question 8.

25. Re Section C (page 10) states “USAID will insert the contractor’s statement of work at award, see Attachment 1 in Section J of this RFP for the Statement of Objectives that informs the development of Section C.” Typically, USAID requests a Performance Work Statement in response to the Statement of Objectives. The instructions for the preparation of the technical proposal (page 70) do not explicitly request the technical proposal to be presented as a Performance Work Statement. Does USAID expect the technical proposal to be presented as a Performance Work Statement?

Answer: No.

26. Please confirm that previous Chief of Party experience a requirement for the proposed Mikajy Chief of Party. If yes, can USAID please clarify the minimum number of years?

Answer: There is no mandate that the proposed COP have prior COP experience. However, the Offeror must demonstrate that the proposed COP has proven leadership experience of large and complex international donor support programs.

27. Re H.4 (page 27) states “No overtime or premium pay is authorized under this contract.”

Would USAID approve 6-day work week for short-term technical assistance trips to minimize international per diem costs?

Answer: Please refer to our answer to Question 7.

28. L.6.B(b) (page 70) states that Past Performance should be included as a chapter in the technical proposal, but Past Performance is later referenced as an annex (pages 71 and 76). Would USAID please confirm that the past performance information should be included as an annex?

Answer: The technical proposal should contain a synopsis of the Offeror’s Past Performance.

However, detailed Past Performance references should be included in the Annex in accordance with L.6.B(d).

29. L.6.6. (page 76) indicates that up to 5 past performance references may be submitted and that past performance references are required for each major subcontractor. Will USAID confirm that 5 past performances references are required for the offeror and that additional references may be added for each major subcontractor?

Answer: Up to five Past Performance references may be submitted for the Offeror; Past Performance references are required for each major subcontractor.

30. Can USAID clarify if the offeror should include SF LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities on page 55 of 92 as part of the Cost Proposal?

Answer: Offerors will submit the SF LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities as part of the Cost Proposal.

31. On page 81 under Consultants, USAID requires the inclusion of costs that are accounted for in other cost categories. For example, salaries and wages, fringe and overhead costs, travel and transportation, equipment are all covered by other cost categories. Will USAID confirm that only direct labor costs related to the contracting of “non in-house” STTA should be included on the consultant tab?

Answer: Please refer to our answer to Question 15.

32. On page 80 under Other Direct Costs, USAID requests that the salary costs for locally employed persons be included here. However, it is in line with the Offeror’s Cost Accounting Standards to budget for and bill local administrative and support staff as an Other Direct Costs.

May offers budget for support staff in accordance with their CAS?

Answer: Local administrative and support staff are generally considered locally employed persons.

33. Re: B.3(f) USAID indicates Offeror to propose fee payment schedule based on Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan (MEL Plan). Will USAID confirm that this fee payment plan will be determined at award as the final MEL is due 120 days after award?

Answer: Please refer our answer to Question 9.

[END OF AMENDMENT 01]