WGA Amendment 1 and Responses to Questions.pdf

December 7, 2020

SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) 72027820R00008 - Amendment#1 USAID/Jordan Water Governance Activity

The Purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Disseminate responses to questions received from potential Offerors in Attachment#1 to this amendment.

2. Extend the deadline for submitting proposals.

3. Replace the word “museum” with “exhibit” in all related sections of the RFP.

4. Revise Section C.

5. Revise Section D.

6. Revise Section F.

7. Revise Section J.

8. Revise Section L.

Accordingly the RFP is amended as follows.

Sincerely, Camille Garcia Supervisory Contracting Officer

Request for Proposal (RFP) 72027820R00008-Amendment#1

I. Cover Letter: DELETE “Closing Date: December 18, 2020, 3:00 p.m. Amman time” and REPLACE with “Closing Date: January 4, 2021, 3:00 p.m. Amman time”

II. General: DELETE the word “museum” wherever found in the RFP and REPLACE with “exhibit”.

III. Section C, Task 5.8: Water Museum Establishment Supported. DELETE in its entirety and REPLACE with:

“Task 5.8: Water Exhibit Establishment Supported. The contractor must support the conceptual design and provision of the tools and equipment to support the establishment of a water exhibit targeting school students and the public. The water exhibit design should focus on water conservation and behavior change interventions. The Contractor must think creatively about the definition of the “exhibit” while still achieving the aims of increasing public (and particularly children’s) awareness of water-related issues.”

IV. Section D, D.3 APPROVAL OF COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, DELETE in its entirety.

V. Section F:

A. F.5 Key Personnel, 2) Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) - Technical/ Senior Water Utility Expert: DELETE:

“S/he must have at least 15 years of experience working in water governance in relation to water resources and/or water supply, operation and maintenance, and service delivery within countries in a similar context to Jordan.”

and REPLACE with:

“S/he must have at least 15 years of experience working in water governance in relation to water resources and/or water supply, and/or water utility management in relation to operation and maintenance, and service delivery within countries in a similar context to Jordan.”

B. F.7 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS,

1. K. List of Other Activity Deliverables, Table F-1, Due column for tasks 4.1, 4.3 and 5.4 is amended as follows:

- Deliverable 4.1: DELETE “Q4FY21 - Q4FY24” and REPLACE with

“Q4FY1 - Q4FY4”

- Deliverable 4.3: DELETE “Q2FY23” and REPLACE with “Q2FY3”

- Deliverable 5.4: DELETE “Q1Q4” and REPLACE with “FY1 and FY4”

2. K. List of Other Activity Deliverables, Table F-1, Deliverables Column for Task 5.4, DELETE “Two study tour reports” and REPLACE with “Two study tours conducted and a report submitted for each tour”

3. Add the following:

“O. Security Plan The Contractor shall develop a security plan to safeguard all project operations and to comply with all United States Government regulations.

The plan is to be implemented and maintained by all subcontractors (and/or sub-grantees). The Security Plan shall include a point of contact to answer questions or provide clarifications regarding security throughout the life of the project. The security plan is due within 30 calendar days of the contract award date and will be reviewed by the COR in consultation with USAID/Jordan’s Public Liaison Security Officer. The plan shall include:

● Procedures for reporting and addressing security threats.

● Procedures for reporting any deaths related to the project.

● Procedures for reporting and addressing any persons missing or kidnapping incidents.

● Name and contact information of the security of security contact person for the head office and regional office(s).

● An internal “cascade” list for communicating with staff, which should be updated/, maintained by the Contractor. The prime Contractor shall provide the name, address and telephone numbers of the COP and their designee to USAID as principal contacts in case of security situations/emergencies. The Contractor will be responsible for passing information to their staff.”

VI. Section J: ADD the following: “Attachment #5 - Initial Environmental Examination”.

VII. Section L:

A. L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL

PROPOSAL,

1. Paragraph (b), DELETE “Smaller fonts, but not smaller than 10, can be used in tables and graphs.”and REPLACE with “Smaller fonts, but not smaller than 10, can be used in textboxes, tables and graphs.”

2. Paragraph (c), Instructions table:

a) CVs of Key Personnel, DELETE “Section C” and replace with

“Section F”

b) Staffing and Management Plan - Supporting documents.

DELETE “5 page limit” and REPLACE with “8 page limit”.

c) Past Performance Matrix, DELETE the row in its entirety and

REPLACE with the following:

B. L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST

PROPOSAL,

1. First Paragraph (top of page 124), third paragraph, DELETE in its entirety and REPLACE with “The Cost Proposal must be submitted as a separate electronic file from the Technical Proposal. Offerors must provide the necessary detail and supporting information to address the solicitation requirement and to allow a complete analysis of each line item cost. Offerors must provide a workable spreadsheet (MS Excel with unlocked formulas), using the mandatory budget template provided in Attachment# 3. The spreadsheet must include a detailed budget with all cost items broken out. Offerors must provide a detailed narrative explaining the basis for the estimate for each category of cost in sufficient detail to facilitate determination of cost reasonableness. Certified cost or pricing data is not required for this proposal.”

2. Part 2 Proposed Costs/Prices,

a) Standard Cost Elements, DELETE “Any major subcontractors should include the same cost element breakdowns in their budgets as applicable.” and REPLACE with “All subcontractors should include the same cost element breakdowns in their budgets as applicable.”

b) A. Direct Costs, (1) Personnel, ADD the following:

“Either the Biodata sheet or the budget narrative must include supporting rationale for the market value of each proposed position.

The offeror must separate expatriate and CCN labor categories for short/long-term technical and administrative staff. The offerors

Past Performance Matrix and Performance in Using U.S. Small Business Concerns

(Annex D)

- Past Performance Matrix (Template provided in

Attachment #2)

- For offerors who are not small business concerns:

Narrative related to Performance in Using U.S. Small Business (SB) Concerns (2 page limit) should note the difference in short-term technical assistance (STTA) provided by employees vs. consultants.”

3. Part 3 Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors, Paragraph (1), DELETE in its entirety and REPLACE with “Offerors must ensure they are registered with the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) per FAR part 4.”

[End of RFP Amendment no.1]

Attachment No. 1 – USAID/Jordan’s Responses to Questions Received.

I. General Questions:

1. Would USAID kindly consider granting a 2 week extension to the proposal due date?

Answer: Please see RFP Amendment no. 1. The deadline for submission of proposals is extended to January 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Amman time.

2. As a significant number of tasks in the WGA RFP, particularly in Components 1, 2 and 3, are also activities under the current USAID Water Management Initiative (WMI) program, we kindly request USAID’s assistance in ensuring that all technical reports are available to offerors. According to the latest WMI Quarterly Report, there have been many technical reports developed by USAID WMI, however these are not available on either the Development Exchange Clearinghouse the Jordan Knowledge Management Portal. We do appreciate that these sites include WMI quarterly progress reports, annual progress reports, and the Mid-term Evaluation as well as newsletters, success stories, fact sheets, and background reports from other sources. Still, in order to enable all offerors to have a clear understanding of the work carried out to date on the current program and equal access to information, studies, and analysis on a large number of WGA tasks, could USAID kindly consider providing the technical reports developed under the WMI program?

Answer: All of the above mentioned reports are available on the USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC), under the below link:

https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/home/Default.aspx

3. General Question The RFP appears to assume that WAJ has already been merged with MWI. Would USAID confirm this merger and provide any additional information about the new institutional arrangement under the merged entity, such as how WAJ’s prior roles and responsibilities have been integrated into MWI, particularly in light of recent parliamentary elections?

Answer: USAID understands that the merger is still pending;, however, once institutional changes are officially approved, USAID encourages bidders to communicate with the MWI for any updates on this subject.

4. General Question Could USAID provide or upload to the USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) all Water Management Initiative (WMI) program technical reports and annual and quarterly reports? This would include the documents mentioned in RFP including USAID/Jordan Water Management Initiative (WMI) 2016 Gender Analysis and Action Plan; and Results Based Action Plans mentioned in Component 1.2; Assignment Agreements mentioned in Component 1.3 (where WMI is supporting). These documents are not currently found on USAID Development Clearinghouse.

Answer: All of the above mentioned reports are available on the USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC), under the below link:

II. Section C:

5. Can USAID clarify the difference between Task 1.2 “ Water Sector Policies Strengthened” which requires offerors to resolve major issues in the water sector policy documents and the requirements in task 1.9, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3. 2.4, and 2.6 etc that also require offerors to update the water sector policies?

Answer: Please refer to Section C and Table F-2 under section F.7 for the corresponding deliverables under each task.

6. Would USAID please make the referenced NRW and SCADA Master Plans referenced on page 16 of the RFP available to all offerors?

Answer: USAID is not able to provide these and feels that Offerors do not necessarily need these to inform proposal preparation. However, offerors may choose to contact the Ministry of Water and Irrigation for details about Master Plans.

7. Section C.4 - Task 1.9 (Page 15) Concerning Task 1.9, Surface Water Master Plan

Developed, the language in the task reads, “The master plan shall be developed based on updated hydrological analysis and studies.” To clarify, would the contractor be responsible for conducting these analyses and studies as part of this contract? Or would the contractor use current studies and data to prepare the surface water master plan.

Answer: Yes, the contractor will be in charge of collecting the data and updating all the required analysis and studies to develop the Surface Water Master Plan.

8. Section C.4 - Task 2.7 (Page 16) Is it USAID’s intention to develop level 2 SCADA to monitor certain water quality parameters?

Answer: Water quality parameters are not required for the expansion of the existing SCADA up to the secondary level.

9. Section C - Task 3.4 (Page 18) Could USAID provide IMF Action Plan document as referenced in the RFP?

Answer: Please refer to the “The Structural Benchmark Action Plan to reduce Water Sector Losses” and its revisions which includes the IMF’s recommendations for the water sector.

10. Section C.4 - Task 5.8 (Page 21) With regard to the establishment of the water museum, what commitments and/or in-kind contributions are expected from the Government of Jordan (GOJ), if any, toward the establishment of the museum? Is the GOJ expected to provide physical infrastructure for the museum, funding for core staffing, coverage for operations and maintenance, and other costs not covered by the WGA? Is there a preference from the GOJ for location(s) of the museum? Is this intended to be a new stand-alone museum or is the Contractor to design a program within an existing museum or similar infrastructure within Jordan?

Answer: Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

11. Section C.4 - Component 6 (Page 21-22) Component 6 provides a list of technologies for the offeror to address in the response. Would USAID accept an illustrative list of equipment that will be confirmed with counterparts upon award? A detailed list would be provided after award and contractor has conducted a detailed needs assessment with project stakeholders.

Answer: Yes, since the list of technologies under component 6 is general and does not limit the contractor to specific technologies. Moreover, the detailed specifications and full list of the tools and equipment will be determined based upon consultation with stakeholders after assessing their needs. The tools and equipment should be selected to complement the activities under components 1-6.

III. Section D:

12. On p. 23, Section D.3, USAID notes that the Communication Strategy and Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan will need to be finalized and submitted prior to award. On page 120, Section L.8(c) and page 133, Section L.10, USAID requires the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan as Annex A but does not include mention of a Communication Strategy. Would USAID please confirm that the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan is the only document required in Annex A?

Answer: Confirmed. Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

13. Page 23, Section D.3 states, “The contractor’s Communication Strategy and Branding

Implementation Plan and Marking Plan will be finalized and submitted for Contracting Officer approval prior to award.” However, there is no other reference to the Communication Strategy in the RFP. As such, does the offeror need to submit a Communication Strategy in addition to the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan with the proposal or not?

Answer: No, offerors are only required to submit the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan with the proposal. Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

IV. Section F:

14. Would USAID please revise the COP qualifications to read “The COP must possess at least 15 years of professional experience in managing large projects that are similar to this activity in terms of complexity, scope, and budget, preferably in water policy development and implementation, institutional reform, water resources management, water demand management and conservation, Non-Revenue Water (NRW), and/or institutional capacity building of water sector institutions.”

Answer: Key personnel requirements for the COP remain unchanged.

15. Page 25, Section F.5 –

a. For COP requirements, and in order to allow some flexibility, may the offeror substitute additional COP years of experience for post-graduate qualifications?

For example, instead of the candidate having an MA may they have additional years of experience to supplement this degree.

Answer: No, offerors may not substitute years of experience for post-graduate qualifications.

b. For COP requirements, and in order to allow some flexibility, will USAID accept a candidate with the outlined years of experience but not solely in the Middle East? For example, could the candidate have less than 15 years of experience working in the Middle East and the rest of their work experience be from other regions outside the Middle East?

Answer: No, the key personnel requirements for the COP remain unchanged.

16. Would USAID please revise the requirements for the DCOP Operations to provide greater flexibility for candidates without degrees? (ie: 20 years of experience or a B.S.c degree in finance accounting, economics.)

Answer: Key personnel requirements for the DCOP Operations remain unchanged..

17. On p. 26, Section F.5(2), USAID notes the DCOP – Technical/Senior Water Utility Expert as the title for this position; however, the qualifications focus on water governance. Would USAID please confirm that Offerors may use the title “Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) – Technical/Senior Water Governance Expert”?

Answer:Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

18. Section F.5 (page 27) states that the Deputy Chief of Party – Operations, “must have a B.Sc. degree in finance, accounting, economics, engineering, or a relevant field.”

USAID personnel policies often allow for the substitution of years of work experience for a specific degree. As such, and to allow for a broader and more diverse candidate pool, would USAID kindly consider modifying this requirement to “a bachelor’s degree or corresponding years of experience in finance, accounting, economics, engineering, or a relevant field”?

Answer: Key personnel requirements remain unchanged for the DCOP Operations.

Offerors may not substitute additional years of experience for education requirements.

19. On pp. 38-43 (Table F-2), USAID provides the list of other activity deliverables per component. While most deliverables use Quarter and FY1-5 (for Years 1-5 of the project), the deliverables in 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, and 5.4 use different styles (i.e.,FY21, FY23, and FY24, or Q4 with no year specified to FY4 with no quarter specified) and are less clear. Would USAID consider revising these sections for consistent and clear representation of timeline?

Answer: Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

20. Would USAID allow offerors to amend or revise the timeline for deliverables in accordance with their technical approaches. For example, USAID has asked for the surface water master plan to be prepared by FY1 Q4, but also set a requirement in Task

1.2 for all the water policies to be updated in FY 3 Q1, then in Task 2.1 USAID requires all national master plans frameworks and policies which address IWRM to be completed by FY2.

Answer: USAID requires the contractors to adhere with the timeline for deliverables as per the RFP.

21. Table F-2 lists the official opening of the water museum as a deliverable. Can USAID clarify that the offerors are required to establish a brick and mortar establishment?

22. Section F.7 - Table F-2 - List of Other Activity Deliverables per Component (Page 42) Could USAID confirm Task 5.4 deliverable due date is Q1FY4 and not Q1Q4?

V. Section H:

23. Given that the direct compensation is in accordance with the Contractor's established policies, procedures, and practices per section H.4(a), can the Contractor use its established Local Compensation Plan for CCNs?

Answer: Yes, as long as it is based on market value, the Offeror’s personnel policies and the maximum compensation is in accordance with H.5(b).

24. Would USAID please provide the Mission Local Compensation Plan referenced in section H.5(b)?

Answer: The Local Compensation Plan will not be provided to the offerors, the maximum salary under the Mission Local Compensation Plan is JOD331.84 ($468.70) per day.

25. Section H.5 Kindly provide the most recent Jordan Local Compensation Plan (LCP)?

Answer: The Local Compensation Plan will not be provided to the offerors, the maximum salary under the Mission Local Compensation Plan is JOD331.84 ($468.70) per day.

26. Would USAID please confirm whether consent to subcontract for subcontractors must address the elements in FAR 52.244-2 or FAR 44.202-2?

Answer: Consent to subcontract is required as per FAR 52.244-2 and the offerors must address the considerations under FAR 44.202-2

27. Section H.18 Could USAID kindly provide the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) as referenced in the RFP?

Answer: The IEE is included as an attachment to RFP Amendment no. 1.

VI. Section J:

28. Page 90, Section J – Please confirm that offerors are to complete the Attachment #2 Past

Performance Matrix template as provided. The template currently does not conform to the Section L requirements for page size, font, and software product as outlined on page 122, Section L.8.C.

Answer: Confirmed

VII. Section L:

29. Page 119, Section L.8.B – May offerors use smaller fonts, but not smaller than size 10, for textboxes in addition to tables and graphs?

Answer: Yes. Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

30. Page 119, Section L.8.C – May offerors include a Cover Page?

Answer: Please refer to the instructions under L.8(c) first row of the table at the bottom of page 119.

31. Page 120, Section L.8.C – Please confirm that the reference to “criterion for key personnel outlined in Section C under CVs for Key Personnel should instead refer to Section F.

Answer:Confirmed. Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

32. Section L.8 - Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal (Page 120) In the table under Section L.8 (c), the CVs of Key Personnel (Annex C) “must be in a standardized format that explicitly identifies each criterion for key personnel outlined in Section C...” Please clarify whether USAID is referring to the criterion in “Section F.5 Key Personnel” rather than “Section C?” Further, does USAID have a template for the referenced “standardized format?”

Answer: Confirmed. Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

No, USAID does not have a template.

33. Section L.8 (pages 120-121) includes the following for the Staffing and Management

Plan and associated Annex B:

a. The Plan must, “propose the level of effort for positions and indicate where the team members will be based.” Can USAID confirm that this information can be provided in Annex B rather than in the Staffing and Management Plan in the body of the proposal, as Annex B also requires, “responsibilities and LOE in relation to the components under Section C”?

Answer: Confirmed.

b. Similarly, the Plan must, “Clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of the team (including but not limited to key personnel, managers, technical staff, short- term and long-term consultants, and subcontractors), and how the proposed entities/positions contribute to the achievement of results.” While a description of the overall team and organizational structure will be presented in the proposal body, can USAID confirm that the roles and responsibilities of each position can be included in the Staffing and Management Plan – Supporting documents table in Annex B?

c. Given the central importance of the organizational structure and the Staffing Plan to the proposed technical approach and the need to adequately present all proposed positions and their responsibilities, would USAID kindly consider increasing the page limit for the Staffing and Management Plan - Supporting documents annex (Annex B) to more than 5 pages in total?

Answer: USAID increased the maximum page limit to 8 pages. Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

34. Page 122, Section L.8. C. - Please confirm that all of the information required for past performance on pages 122 and 123 is to be provided in Annex D.

35. On p. 123, Section L.8, Section 3 (c), USAID requests quality awards or certifications.

Would USAID please clarify if the description of quality awards or certifications should specifically pertain to the three projects included as past performance references or of if a broader selection of relevant projects may be included?

Answer: The description of quality awards or certifications does not necessarily need to pertain to the three projects included as past performance references but it has to be relevant to the SOW.

36. Section L.8 Section 3: PPRs instructs offerors to include PPRs in Annex D, can USAID clarify what content offerors should include in Section 3 : Past Performance that is to be included in the body of the technical proposal?

Answer: Please refer to the instructions under section L.8, Section 3: Past Performance Pages 122 and 123 of the RFP.

37. Would USAID please consider allowing offerors to include Factor 3: PPRs as an annex, rather than in the body of the technical proposal?

38. Section L.8 (page 123) requests that the contractor describe any awards and certifications and the contractor’s performance in using Small Business concerns.

Please confirm that offerors can include this information in Annex D following the past performance matrix rather than in the proposal body.

Answer: Offerors who are not small business concerns can include contractor’s performance in using Small Business concerns (2 page limit) in Annex D following the past performance matrix. Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

39. Section L.8 - Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal (Page 123) In Section c subpoint 3 on Past Performance, the RFP states that “USAID will evaluate the extent the Offeror used and promoted the use of small business concerns under current and prior contracts”, requiring considerable content described under three sub-bullets to be organized and provided. In light of page constraints for the main text of the Technical Proposal, may Offerors provide all of the required small business narrative and content as part of Annex D on Past Performance or a separate Annex? As currently written those Offerors (e.g. small business offerors) who do not have to provide this information would be advantaged compared to all Offerors.

Answer: Offerors who are not small business concerns can include contractor’s performance in using Small Business concerns (2 page limit) in Annex D following the past performance matrix. Please see Amendment no. 1.

40. Section L.8 - Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal (Page 122) In

Section c, subpoint 3 on Past Performance, for evaluation of Offerors’ capabilities and experience, will USAID consider revising the major subcontractor definition from ‘one whose proposed costs exceeds 20% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost’ to ‘one whose proposed costs exceeds 10% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost or is expected to perform a significant share of the work’? This will better reflect the diverse and comprehensive scope of WGA and allow for more complete demonstration of the capabilities for Offerors, inclusive of their integral teaming partners.

Answer: No, the percentage of the Major Subcontractor remains at 20%.

41. Would USAID please consider reducing the major subcontractor threshold to 15% instead of 20%? Is the 20% threshold for major subcontractors inclusive of the $6.9M plug figure?

Answer: No, the percentage of the Major Subcontractor remains at 20%.

Yes, the 20% threshold is inclusive of the $6.9M.

42. On p. 124, Section L.9, Part 1, USAID states that an original signature is required for the Standard Form (FF) 33. Since proposals will be submitted electronically, would USAID please confirm that a scanned or electronic signature is sufficient?

Answer: Electronic Signatures are acceptable by USAID.

43. On p. 125, Section L.9, Part 2, under Standard Cost Elements, USAID states that any major subcontractors “should include the same cost element breakdowns in their budgets as applicable.” However, on p. 126, Section L.9, Part 2, A(5) states “The offeror’s budget shall contain a separate tab for each subcontractor that contains similar information as submitted by the prime Offerors on the cost proposal.” Would USAID please confirm detailed budgets in the same level of detail are required only for major subcontractors?

Answer: Detailed budgets are required for all subcontractors. Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

44. On p. 125, Section L.9, Part 2.a, USAID states, “Offerors must provide a summary budget (see budget template in Attachment#3).” The order of major cost categories in the budget template differs slightly from the order listed in Section L.9, Part 2 on pages 125-130 of the RFP. Noting these discrepancies, and that the RFP does not state Offerors are required to use the budget template provided in Attachment #3, would USAID confirm Offerors may use their own budget templates provided they include the required cost elements and detail as described in Section L.9, Part 2 on pages 125-130?

Answer: No, offerors are required to use the budget template provided in Attachment #3.

Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

45. Would USAID please confirm that the Contractor is allowed to use their own budget templates in place of the budget template included in Attachment 3?

Answer: No, offerors are required to use the budget template provided in Attachment #3.

Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

46. On p. 127, Section L.9, Part 2, B, USAID states “The budget must include a separate sheet that details the equipment proposed under Component 6. This line item must include costs for equipment only in the amount of $6.9M, as detailed in the following table,” referring to Table L-1 on page 127. Would USAID please confirm they would like to see Table L-1 duplicated in a sheet within the cost spreadsheet, but that no further details regarding Systems Improvement Activities – Equipment and Tools are required?

Answer: Confirmed

47. On p. 130, Section L.9, Part 4, USAID states the Offeror must submit a copy of its personnel policies and procedures. Would USAID please confirm that only offerors without extensive prior USAID contracting experience are required to submit personnel policies?

Answer: All offerors must submit a copy of their personnel policies and procedures.

48. Would USAID please clarify if the language in L.9 Part 2 requires bio data sheets for all personnel from proposed Partners that will be traveling to Jordan for LTTA and STTA?

Answer: Yes, the bio data sheets are required for all personnel from the proposed partners that will be travelling to Jordan..

49. Would USAID allow offerors to propose their own ceilings for the categories listed in the table? Would USAID allow offerors to propose labor costs under the systems improvement activities plug figure? Would USAID confirm this pool should be used for tools and equipment to support management contracts and not to finance the actual management contracts?

Answer: No, the offerors must commit to the ceilings stated in the RFP.

No, the line item for the systems improvement activities must include costs for equipment and tools only.

Confirmed, this pool should be used for tools and equipment to support management contracts and not to finance the actual management contracts

50. Would USAID please confirm that all subcontractors must be registered in SAM.gov prior to the submission of the proposal?

Answer: Prime offerors are required to be registered in SAM.gov prior to submission of the proposal. Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

51. Page 124, Section L.9 – Under Direct Personnel Costs, does USAID want to see consultant costs as its own line item?

Answer: Yes. Please see RFP Amendment no. 1.

52. Page 124, Section L.9 – Please confirm there is no Grants component to this RFP.

Answer: Confirmed

53. Page 127, Section L.9 – Under Other Direct Costs USAID states, “If seminars and conferences are included, the Offeror should indicate the subject, venue, and duration of proposed conferences and seminars, and their relationship to the objectives of the program, along with estimates of costs.” It will be difficult to establish a set venue at the proposal stage. Would USAID be amenable to removing the venue component?

Answer: Adequate detail is required to determine the reasonableness of the proposed costs. At this stage it is sufficient to determine if the offeror is anticipating to use the project offices or rent an outside venue while providing a reasonable estimate of the rental cost of an outside venue.

54. Section L.11 (page 134) states, “the selected offeror will prepare a Security Plan detailing an approach to safety and security for their personnel and facilities.” Can USAID specify the expected due date after award for the Security Plan as it is not currently included in the reports and deliverables referenced in Section F.7?

Answer: Within 30 calendar days of the contract award date. Please see RFP Amendment

no. 1.

55. Section L.11- Security Plan (Page 134) Please confirm that the Security Plan is a post-award requirement and that one is not required as part of the proposal submission.