SOL-OAA-11-000018 Tasc4 - ICT.pdf

�/��������01#2332�"34���52�26!�2�"34�!"5�72��5 !8!93/��������6�2�"��4�� �:232�"�����&���%�-��� �&���%&-%����99����� 3�! ��301;�6�����!99��� #3�!"5�6�"52�2�"3�6�"�!2"�5�2"���23�3�9262�!�2�"�

9�6!9��2#�0"�295�<�32�� =�9�6!��5�2"

6�<2�3��� ��0 "23�2">�����30<<92�3�� �3� :26�3�2"������6��509��8299�1�� �6�2:�5�!������<9!6��3<�62�2�5�2"� ��#��4�� �2���!"5�6! 2�54�2"�����

?�����!9�5����� 3�2"�� 2>2"!9�!"5�

��4�����

�� �������4��.+

A�

B

���B�, �,��������B

�*������*7 �B����������

%&����+��B�

���������������D$�'����������������D$�'����������������D$%'����������������D$

5�32>"!��5�<�2"��3$4�82��2"������2#��3<�62�2�5�2"�����36��509��

1=��������� � $�� �#�����5!����� � �6�2<��������� 3�3<�62�2�5�!1�:�4�����0 "23��!"=�� �!99�2��#3�0<�"�8�26��< 26�3�! ������ �5�!������< 26��3����<<�32����!6��2��#4�5�92:� �5�!�������

"�6�#<92!"6��82�������!1�:�4�����0"5� 32>"�5�!> ��34�2����23����� �23�!66�<��5�82��2"�EEEEEEEEEEEEEE�6!9�"5! �5!=3��('�6!9�"5! �5!=3�0"9�33�!�52��� �"��<� 2�5�23�2"3� ��5��

�$��� * �%��������'������0�����!

�� ������-��8! 5�8299�1��#!5���"���23� � #4�� ��"���!"5! 5� � #��(4�� �1=����� �!0��� 2F�5����262!9�8 2���"�"��26��

�����7��������

�&����������7

����� ����������+ 7��

�%���������&���6$���%'����������'���6$���

1���"�# ���

�2 �(��+�����

�3�����4���"56#�/

7����7��

C���

� �:2�03��52�2�"�23�0"03!19�

��� ��������$�11�2��+!�3.345�� � �36 21�5�1=�,����-� �$�&���%��6$��

+7

7)

�� �� 6���� ��7

8�9 8*9 8�9 8'9 8 9 8:9

��<;" �5 ��.-6

2�.�=���� ���=��5�5 �6

A

�<�"3� �5�1=�,��

Issuance Date: April 21, 2011 Closing Date: May 23, 2011 Closing Time: 2:00 PM Local Time

Subject: Request for Proposals (RFP) No. SOL-OAA-11-000018 Technical Assistance Support Contract Four – Information and Communications for

Health (TASC 4-ICT for Health)

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking proposals to provide Technical Assistance Support Contract Four – Information and Communications for Health (TASC 4-ICT for Health) for USAID’s Office of Global Health, Health Infectious Diseases and Nutrition (HIDN) as described in the attached Request for Proposals (RFP).

USAID anticipates the award of up to six (6) five-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contracts (IDIQ). This is a total small business set-aside.

USAID anticipates that the maximum aggregate ordering limitation for the contracts resulting from this RFP will be $60 million over the 5-year ordering period. The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded to all contractors cannot exceed this contract ceiling. This ceiling is not being subdivided among the number of awardees nor is it being multiplied by the number of awardees. There is no guarantee on the number of task orders that the successful contractors will receive or the amount of money beyond the minimum order guarantee set forth in the RFP.

Please refer to Section L for information regarding proposal requirements. Offerors should take into account the expected delivery time required by the proposal transmission method they choose, and they are responsible to ensure that proposals are received at USAID by the due date and time as specified in Section L.6. Failure to comply with the submission date will deem any submission unacceptable and it will not be reviewed or evaluated. Faxed proposals are not acceptable, nor will they be reviewed or evaluated.

Section L of the RFP sets forth all instructions for the preparation and submission of required proposal contents, including critical dates/times for submission of questions, proposal submission closing date and time. Section M states the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated. Oral explanations or instructions given before award of the Contract will not be binding.

This RFP in no way obligates USAID to award a contract nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. Award of a Contract under this RFP is subject to availability of funds and other internal USAID approvals.

RFP: SOL-OAA-11-000018

TASC4 – ICT

This RFP can be viewed and downloaded from the Internet at Worldwide Web address www.fedbizopps.gov. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Further, be aware that amendments to solicitations are occasionally issued and will be posted on the same Internet site from which you downloaded the solicitation.

You are therefore advised to regularly check the above internet site for amendments.

Sincerely, /s/

Bruce Baltas Contracting Officer, USAID

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this Contract is to provide services that enable USAID operating units to access the most capable people and skills in the area of information and communications technology to support health activities for the Technical Assistance Support Contract 4-Information and Communications for Health (TASC 4-ICT for Health). USAID Task Order Contracting Officers (TOCOs) will request the work through the issuance of Task Orders during the ordering period as specified in Section F of the Contract.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is a multiple award IDIQ contract. The Government will issue Task Orders that are Cost- Plus-Fixed Fee (Completion or LOE) (CPFF) or Firm Fixed Price (FFP). The Contractor must perform the services set forth in Task Orders at prices consistent with Section B of this Contract.

B.3 MINIMUM OBLIGATED AMOUNT

The basic contract includes an initial obligation of funds in the amount of $25,000 to cover the minimum order guarantee. USAID is required to order and the Contractor is required to furnish the minimum order amount of work.

Following this initial obligation, individual task orders will obligate funds to cover the work required under that task order. The initial obligation will be applied towards the first task order awarded under this contract.

B.4 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

The maximum aggregate ordering limitation for contracts resulting from this RFP will be $60 million over the 5-year ordering period. The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded to Contractors cannot exceed the contract ceiling. This ceiling is not being subdivided among the number of awardees nor is it being multiplied by the number of awardees.

B.5 ESTIMATED COST AND FIXED FEE

(a) The Total Estimated Cost plus Fixed Fee for each task order must be negotiated in accordance with the terms of the IDIQ contract. In no event may the indirect rates or fixed fee for a task order exceed the ceilings set forth in Section B.7 or B.8 of IDIQ contract. The U.S. dollar costs must be limited to reasonable, allocable, and allowable costs determined in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment, and FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, A-21 (for universities), and A-122 (non-profit).

(b) Fixed Fee Payment. For any task order issued under this contract, at the time of each payment of allowable costs to the Contractor, the USAID paying office ordinarily pays the Contractor a percentage of the fixed fee that directly corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs being paid. Two exceptions to paying fixed fee in this manner apply:

(i) If the TOCO determines that this method results in paying a disproportionately higher ratio of fixed fee than the percentage of work the Contractor has completed, then the TOCO may suspend further payment of any fixed fee until the Contractor has made sufficient progress to justify further payment, up to the agreed percentage.

(ii) Because the clauses entitled "Allowable Cost and Payment" (FAR 52.216-7) and "Fixed Fee" (FAR 52.216-8) are incorporated into this contract, the terms and conditions of these clauses apply after total payments of fixed fee reach eighty five percent (85%) of the total fixed fee.

B.6 INDIRECT COSTS

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs shall be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Description Rate Base Type Period

% 1/ 1/ 1/ % 2/ 2/ 2/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

Source:

2/Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

Source:

Note 1: Contractors are allowed to recover applicable indirect costs (i.e., overhead, G&A, etc.) on other direct costs (ODCs), if it is part of the contractor's usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31, and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

Note 2: While Subcontractor indirect cost rates are not incorporated above, subcontractor indirect cost rates as indicated in Note 1 above may be included in task order proposals, and are subject to approval of the TOCO in accordance with FAR 52.244-2, Subcontracts.

B.7 ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING ON CEILING ON INDIRECT COST RATES AND

FINAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIRECT COSTS

(a) Reimbursement for indirect costs shall be at the lower of the negotiated final or predetermined rates, or the following ceiling rates:

Description Rate Base Type Period

% 1/ 1/ 1/ % 2/ 2/ 2/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

Source:

2/Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

Source:

(b) The Government shall not be obligated to pay any additional amount should the final indirect cost rates exceed the negotiated ceiling rates. If the final indirect cost rates are less than the negotiated ceiling rates, the negotiated rates shall be reduced to conform to the lower rates.

(c) This advance understanding shall not change any monetary ceiling, obligation, or specific cost allowance or disallowance. Any changes in classifying or allocating indirect costs require the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

(d) The contractor will make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect costs without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer and OAA/CAS.

(e) This advance understanding shall not change any monetary ceiling, cost limitation, or obligation established in the contract.

(f) The distribution base for establishment of final overhead rates is --------------. The distribution base for establishment of final G&A rates is ----------------------------.

NOTE: The TOCO shall determine a fair and reasonable indirect cost rate ceiling for each task order awarded to a small business that does not have an established NICRA.

B.8 CEILINGS ON FIXED FEE

(a) For each task order issued under this IDIQ, the TOCO and Contractor agree to negotiate a set dollar amount for fixed fee. In negotiating the fixed dollar amount for fee, the TOCO must consider the policies and factors for establishing fee in FAR 15.404-4 as well as any applicable USAID policy on establishing a fixed fee amount.

In no event, however, may the amount of fixed fee in any individual task order exceed _____ percent (offeror proposes ceiling percentage) of the task order’s estimated cost, excluding fee.

(b) The fixed fee for any subcontractor not listed above, whether a new subcontractor approved by the IDIQ Contracting Officer or TOCO or included as a non-major subcontractor in the contractor’s original teaming arrangement, shall not exceed the prime contractor’s IDIQ fee ceiling.

(c) The Total Estimated Cost plus Fixed Fee for each Task Order must be negotiated in accordance with the terms of the IDIQ Contract. Small Business Concerns: The TOCO shall determine a fair and reasonable indirect cost rate ceiling for each task order awarded to a small business that does not have an established NICRA.

B.9 LABOR

(a) Compensation of personnel under this contract or any resulting subcontract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation (July 2007), the full text of which is in Section H.

(b) Central management costs will be handled through the following method:

The Contracting Officer has determined that a key (full-time) technical manager is not necessary or required to administer the basic IDIQ. Contractors will not be authorized to bill USAID directly for IDIQ management costs under this IDIQ or under task orders. Contractors shall propose a centralized management structure that allows for recovery of IDIQ management costs as part of its indirect costs.

(c) The work day and work week policies and method of accounting for paid absences including holidays for the contractor and major subcontractors is set forth in Attachment J___. (The Contracting Officer will fill in the Attachment number at the time of award and incorporate the information from the contractor’s proposal into Section J of the contract).

(d) Salary Approval: Acceptance of the Contractor labor rates presented during IDIQ or task order negotiation does not constitute approval of final salary rates above the Contractor Salary Threshold (CST). (See ADS 302.3.6.10.) All TOCOs will comply with the approval requirements in ADS 302. See section H.9 and H.10 for guidance regarding approvals.

(e) Labor Categories: The Contractor shall furnish personnel with the necessary education, training and/or relevant experience, as specified in the task orders to be issued under this contract. Task order proposals must justify proposed rates to the satisfaction of the TOCO.

(f) Locally Hired National Personnel or Other Non-U.S. Expatriates

(1) Third Country Nationals (TCNs) and Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs) who are working in the United States or are legal residents of the United States at the time they are hired for a task order, must be extended benefits and subject to restrictions on the same basis as U.S. citizens who work in the

United States. The U.S. labor rates may be applied to TCNs and CCNs conforming to this regulatory provision.

(2) Salaries for locally-hired personnel and other non-U.S. labor under this contract or any resulting subcontract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007, Personnel Compensation (July 2007), and should be based upon a combination of factors including prevailing in-country salaries for the professional category being negotiated and consideration of the individual's education, work experience and recent relevant salary history.

Unless otherwise authorized by the Mission Director, the compensation for CCN and TCN labor shall not exceed the Mission’s Local Compensation Plan and shall be paid in the currency of the cooperating country.

B.10 TASK ORDER LIMITATIONS

(a) Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Task Orders:

When issuing CPFF task orders, the TOCO must state in the task order the total estimated cost plus fixed fee, which is the total amount of the task order and the maximum amount the Contractor may be paid without the advance written approval of the cognizant Contracting Officer. This maximum amount represents the negotiated mix of the prime contractors’ and subcontractors' professional labor categories and salaries, an estimated number of workdays, other direct costs, and fixed fee.

(b) Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Task Orders:

When issuing FFP task orders, the TOCO must state in the task order the firm-fixed-price, which shall be the total amount of the task order and the maximum price the contractor may be paid to perform the services, reports, or other deliverables in the task order.

(1) The Firm-Fixed Price for each task order will be negotiated based on the price to complete the work. After acceptance of a fixed price task order by the Contractor, the task order price will only be adjusted to reflect changes in scope or conditions governed by other clauses (differing site conditions, etc.).

(2) Cost reimbursable line items may be allowed in Firm-Fixed Price task orders for elements of the task order that cannot be reasonably estimated.

(c) Notwithstanding the above, if issuance of a task order to, and acceptance of a task order by, the Contractor would: (1) result in the Contractor (or its personnel or its subcontractors or their personnel) having an organizational conflict of interest for which restrictions would be placed on the Contractor's (or its personnel's or its subcontractors' or their personnel's) future activities; or (2) violate the provisions of the Procurement Integrity legislation, i.e., Section 27 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 423), as amended by Section 814 of Pub. L.

101-189 the Contractor, after written notification to the TOCO is not obligated to furnish those services or reports and other deliverables under this contract, and USAID may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

B.11 OTHER DIRECT COSTS – MATERIALS (CPFF ONLY)

(a) In additional to direct labor, other direct costs necessary for the performance of the work under task orders, such as travel and transportation, lodging and subsistence expenses, and allowances may be authorized by the task order.

(b) The Contracting Officer determines which other direct costs are allowable, allocable, and fair and reasonable in accordance with the applicable federal cost principles (i.e., FAR 31.2 and AIDAR 731.2 for commercial (for profit) organizations or FAR 31.3 and AIDAR 731.3 for educational institutions, or FAR

31.7 and AIDAR 731.7 for other not-for-profit organizations). For those other direct costs the TOCO authorizes, the Contractors are allowed to recover applicable indirect costs on these costs, if doing so is part of the Contractor's usual accounting procedures, consistent with the applicable cost principles, and are included in the Contractor's Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 OVERVIEW

Since the original TASC award in 1998, the TASC mechanism has continually evolved to expand its capacity, both in terms of size and technical areas. TASC4 is the fourth generation of the TASC mechanisms that provide USAID missions and other operating units with access to a range of quality technical and implementation expertise. It comprises of four separate IDIQ Contracts.

The three regional TASC4 IDIQ contracts are designed to provide the agency with access to contractors with the best capacity to provide global health technical assistance in three regions: Africa, Asia and Near East, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Similarly, TASC4 also seeks to expand its technical capacity by introducing a separate TASC4 ICT for Health IDIQ, which will enable USAID operating units to access the most capable people and skills in the area of information and communications technology to support health activities. This RFP is for the TASC4- ICT for Health IDIQ only.

C.2 BACKGROUND

For 40 years, USAID has worked to improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world through its global programs in family planning and reproductive health, infectious disease prevention and control, child survival, maternal health, and other life-saving areas. In FY 2007, the US Department of State and USAID established the Foreign Assistance Standardized Program Structure that included the goal to “Help nations achieve sustainable improvements in the well-being and productivity of their populations through effective and accountable investments in education, health, and other social services.” The Foreign Assistance Framework was updated in FY 2010 to include a new Element, Nutrition. In support of the Agency's goal, the Bureau for Global Health (GH) operates under the following nine elements of ‘Investing in People’ program area:

1. Reduce the transmission and impact of HIV/AIDS through support for prevention, care and treatment programs;

2. Reduce the number of deaths caused by TB by increasing detection of cases of TB and by successfully treating detected cases, as well as addressing issues of multi-drug resistant TB, TB and HIV, and investing in new tools for TB;

3. Support the implementation of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), related malaria control programs, and malaria research activities to reduce malaria-related mortality. Develop effective malaria vaccines, new malaria treatment drugs, and targeted operations research;

4. Limit the spread of avian influenza (AI) in animals and help to prevent a human influenza pandemic, and in the event of a pandemic, provide appropriate humanitarian response;

5. Address public health threats posed by infectious diseases not targeted elsewhere in the Framework as well as significant non-communicable health threats of major public health importance;

6. Increase the availability and use of proven life-saving interventions that address the major killers of mothers and children and improve their health status, including effective maternity care and management of obstetric complications;

prevention services including newborn care, routine immunization, polio eradication, safe water and hygiene; and treatment of life-threatening childhood illnesses;

7. Expand access to high-quality voluntary family planning (FP) services and information, and reproductive health (RH) care. This element contributes to reducing unintended pregnancy and promoting healthy reproductive behaviors of men and women, reducing abortion, and reducing maternal and child mortality and morbidity;

8. Ensure broadly accessible, reliable and economically sustainable water and sanitation services for health, security, and prosperity;

9. Increase availability and use of proven nutrition interventions to reduce mortality, morbidity, and food insecurity, including nutrition education to improve maternal diets, nutrition during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, and infant and young child feeding practices; fortified or biofortified staple foods, specialized food products, and community gardens to improve consumption of quality food; and delivery of nutrition services including micronutrient supplementation and community management of acute malnutrition. Strengthen host country capacity by advancing supportive nutrition and food security policies and improving nutrition information systems.

Recent announcement by USAID administrator regarding the USAID FORWARD Reform Agenda to change the way the Agency does business, with focus on new partnerships and emphasis on innovation, has outlined the reform agenda in seven key areas:

1. Implementation and Procurement Reform: USAID will change its business processes—contracting with and providing grants to more and varied local partners, and creating true partnerships to create the conditions where aid is no longer necessary in the countries where the Agency works. To achieve this, USAID is streamlining its processes, increasing the use of small businesses, building metrics into its implementation agreements to achieve capacity building objectives and using host country systems where it makes sense.

2. Talent Management: USAID will explore ways to leverage the enormous talent that lies within the broader USAID family of foreign and civil service officers, and Foreign Service Nationals. To solve the world’s biggest development challenges, it will improve and streamline processes so it can quickly align its resources to support the Agency’s strategic initiatives, with better hiring and training tools as well as incentives. USAID must attract and retain the best people who reflect global diversity and who share the ability to be innovative problem-solvers.

3. Rebuilding Policy Capacity: To make smart, informed decisions, USAID has created a new Bureau of Policy, Planning and Learning (PPL) that will serve as the intellectual nerve center for the Agency. PPL will promulgate cutting-edge creative and evidence-based development policies—leveraging USAID’s relationships with other donors, utilizing its strength in science and technology, and reintroducing a culture of research, knowledge-sharing and evaluation.

4. Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation: Learning by measuring progress is critical for high impact, sustainable development and therefore must be an integral part of USAID’s thought process from the onset of its activities. That requires USAID to do a much better job of systematically monitoring its performance and evaluating its impact. USAID will be introducing an improved monitoring and evaluation process as part of these reform efforts, and it will link those efforts to its program design, budgeting and strategy work.

5. Rebuilding Budget Management: USAID is rebuilding our budget capacity to allow for increased responsibilities and capacity to manage constrained budget resources and ensure the Agency will be able to align resources against country strategies, make difficult trade-offs, and re-deploy resources toward programs that are demonstrating meaningful results. In consultation with the Department of State, USAID has created an Office of Budget and Resource Management in the Office of the Administrator that will provide increased responsibilities over execution of its budget. With these increased responsibilities, USAID will have to propose difficult funding tradeoffs in order to continue robust funding of key operational and program priorities.

6. Science and Technology: USAID has a proud history of transforming development through science & technology (S&T), from the successful use of oral rehydration therapies to the green revolution. As part of these reform efforts, USAID will upgrade its internal S&T capabilities, supporting the expansion of technical expertise and improving access to analytical tools like Geospatial Information Systems. It will also develop a set of Grand Challenges for Development, a framework to focus the Agency and development community on key scientific and technical barriers that limit breakthrough development progress. Finally, USAID will build S&T capacity in developing countries through cooperative research grants, improved access to scientific knowledge, and higher education and training opportunities.

7. Innovation: USAID is putting into place a structure for fostering innovative development solutions that have a broad impact on people, wherever they may arise.

As part of these reform efforts, USAID is creating opportunities to connect its staff to leading innovators in the private sector and academia, and it has created the Development Innovation Ventures Fund—where creative solutions can be funded, piloted and brought to scale.

Working within the Foreign Assistance Framework and inspired by the new USAID FORWARD agenda, the Bureau for Global Health has designed TASC4-ICT for Health IDIQ to meet the need for cost-effective short and long term support to USAID Missions and other USAID operating units in the area of information and communications technology for the health sector by offering its users the flexibility to procure customized services and the ability to operate quickly in emerging and expanding health initiatives. This IDIQ offers a uniquely new way to optimize innovation in technology and its application in health by providing access to the most forward-thinking and results-oriented ICT contractors currently working in health. It will respond to the need for technical assistance in designing and implementing cost-effective and sustainable technology solutions for managing information and communication in the health sector.

C.3 OBJECTIVE

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Global Health will award a contract to provide services in Information and Communications to help bureaus and missions achieve their program objectives. The contract will be awarded for a five-year base period. This contract will be implemented as an IDIQ, with USAID sponsoring units initiating the process to issue individual task orders.

The purpose of the TASC4 IDIQs, which includes TASC4-ICT for Health IDIQ, is to establish mechanisms to contribute to improvements in the health of people, especially women, children and other vulnerable populations in countries of the developing world, through expansion of basic health services, including family planning, strengthening national health systems, and addressing global issues and special concerns such as HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases (Investing in people-Health program area of the Framework for Foreign Assistance). TASC4- ICT for Health IDIQ intends to provide a new mechanism for USAID missions and other operating units to access technical assistance in the specific areas of Information and Communications Technology for health.

A. TASC4-ICT six (6) objectives are to:

(1) Provide USAID with access to technical expertise and implementation support in areas of information and communications technology in the health sector;

(2) Tailored technical consultations and program support to meet the expanding USAID needs in ICT in the health sector;

(3) Provide specialized services and expert assistance to health programs in order to integrate ICT objectives toward achieving the desired health results;

(4) Reduce procurement time for Missions and Bureaus;

(5) Provide a mechanism to allow Missions with reduced management and procurement capacity to implement activities;

(6) Allow USAID/Washington to assist USAID’s “non-presence” countries

(countries without a USAID Mission) and to work with regions and worldwide.

B. Task orders awarded under the TASC4 IDIQ will follow the principles of the Global Health Initiative by promoting the following:

(1) Women-centered approach

(2) Increasing impact by improving strategic integration and coordination:

relevance/buy-in/complementarily w/ USG partners

(3) Strengthened partnership with multilaterals

(4) Developing country partnerships: Country ownership/responsiveness to country priorities/enhanced country partnership: challenge of coordinating TA SWAps/IHP+ move from supply-driven to demand-driven; country involvement in needs ID, contract design, oversight

(5) Increasing sustainability through health system strengthening (use/strengthening of country capacity)

(6) Improving metrics, monitoring and evaluation/involvement of countries in evaluation/ accountabilities to countries as well as to Mission

(7) Leading the way in R&D and innovation; promote innovation, best practices;

dissemination/scale-up; support of in-country capacity to lead R&D

C. In pursuit of its goal, TASC4 will produce the following outputs:

(1) Engage in long-term, in-country coordination and implementation of population, health, nutrition and infectious diseases activities;

(2) Provide short-term technical consultations and program implementation support;

(3) Disseminate information through seminars, workshops, conferences, and working papers;

(4) Increase capacity of host-country decision-makers and technical personnel to manage information and communications technology solutions for the health sector;

C.4 STATEMENT OF WORK /PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

The TASC4-ICT for Health IDIQ will provide a technical resource mechanism from which Missions and other operating units may draw to meet broad-based or specific requirements to support health activities and programs with information and communications technology.

Based on task order requirements, Global Health Sector contractors may be expected to design and implement appropriate information systems and communication technology to support the promotion of PHN services at the community, district, or national levels for delivery of services at all possible levels of a country’s health system. Requests may also include, but are not limited to: decision support and strategic information, behavior change, monitoring and evaluation, system strengthening, capacity building, and commodity system development and management.

This Information and Communications Technology for Health IDIQ will provide USAID Missions and Bureaus with the capacity to obtain highly-tailored sets of skills in the development and application of information and communications technology for strengthening of information systems as part of the health system (e.g., routine data collection strengthening activities), as well as technical and logistical support in health communication and social mobilization, including behavior change communication and public/media relations by various health activities.

DESCRIPTION OF FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES

The anticipated means for achieving results under TASC4 will be through separately awarded task orders. When a task order is placed under this contract, the Contractor shall be required to perform the functions and tasks within the framework of that task order.

Contractor performance shall be evaluated against the performance indicators established in each task order.

TASC 4-Information and Communications Technology for Health (TASC 4-ICT for Health) activities that the contractors may be requested to perform are:

Activity # 1 Computer Systems Design Services

Provide short and long term technical assistance to host government ministry of health (MOH) or Non-government Organization (NGO) working in health programs on computer hardware and software assessment, evaluation, source selection, implementation and maintenance.

Analyze current information systems that directly support specific health program, including software evaluation, and propose strategy for improvement of data quality, process efficiency and the overall health program effectiveness.

Provide services for strategic integration of existing health program information systems, including analysis, design, and implementation.

Provide Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) services for IT projects and activities that are part of the USAID-funded health programs in accordance with the project requirements and applicable standards. These services may include but are not limited to on-site assessments; review of developer plans as a software development plan, configuration management plan, or quality assurance plan with milestones reviews and test readiness reviews.

Support implementation of selected ICT activities under USAID-funded health programs.

Activity #2 Data Management Services

Perform tasks related to data migration, backup & recovery, and data warehousing in support of the systems integration strategy to improve specific health activities or overall health system infrastructure.

Provide short and long term technical assistance for data quality assurance (data entry, database integrity, data validation & verification, etc.) to host governments, NGOs and other local partners to improve health activities.

Support local clients working in health activities to create a long-term plan for the most reliable and cost-effective hosting of IT applications, web sites, and web applications.

Activity #3 IT Infrastructure Management Services

Work with host country counterparts to draft appropriate strategy for IT governance for the health sector.

Provide technical support to the ministry of health, NGOs and other partners to develop IT policies to enhance the implementation and impact of various health activities.

Plan and implement capacity for IT end user support, including but not limited to help desk services and trainings for end users and IT administrators

Provide technical assistance for IT facilities planning, implementation and maintenance.

Coordinate and facilitate IT capacity-building programs for health activities Provide a variety of institution and organizational support to assist in the transitional change process, i.e. change management, as part of the IT Service Management (ITSM) package.

Coordinate and facilitate targeted, measurable, IT capacity-building projects to support health programs and activities. This activity may include but not limited to providing technical support to establish community-based or facility-based ICT programs and increasing technical skills and capability among in-country providers via short and long term training programs.

Activity # 4 Health Communication Services

Provide support, including but not limited to editing and publishing services, to the production of health reports and other related publications

Create strategy for internet publishing and broadcasting for health programs and provide support for the implementation plan.

In collaboration with local partners, design, create, and maintain web portals for specific health interests

Coordinate, design and implement a strategy that utilize social media and mobile communication technology for the promotion of healthy behaviors

Media and public relations services for local government and other local partners to support the promotion of health services and healthy behaviors.

Activity #5 Organizational Development and Change Management Support Services for Global and In-country Health Strategic Information

Provide the expertise to conduct institutional assessments to identify the strengths/weaknesses in the areas of governance, strategic planning & financing, policy & regulatory environment, infrastructure, human capital development and information use.

Based upon the assessment results, work with host country institutions to develop and implement an action plan to strengthen these institutions over the short to medium term (1-5 years)

Provide technical assistance (ie. change management), as needed, in the areas of institutional strengthening over the life of the implementation plan.

Increase technical skills and capability among in-country staff to conduct institutional assessments and develop/implement institutional strengthening action plans based upon assessment results and provide change management support.

[END OF SECTION C]

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

(a) It is USAID policy that USAID-financed commodities and shipping containers, and project construction sites and other project locations be suitably marked with the USAID emblem.

Shipping containers are also to be marked with the last five digits of the USAID financing document number. As a general rule, marking is not required for raw materials shipped in bulk (such as coal, grain, etc.), or for semi-finished products which are not packaged.

(b) Specific guidance on marking requirements should be obtained prior to procurement of commodities to be shipped, and as early as possible for project construction sites and other project locations. This guidance shall be provided through the cognizant technical office indicated on the cover page of this Contract, or by the Mission Director in the Cooperating Country to which commodities are being shipped, or in which the project site is located.

(c) Authority to waive marking requirements is vested with the Regional Assistant Administrators, and with Mission Directors.

(d) A copy of any specific marking instructions or waivers from marking requirements is to be sent to the Contracting Officer; the original should be retained by the contractor.

D.2 BRANDING POLICY

(a) In accordance with ADS 320, USAID policy is to require exclusive branding and marking in USAID direct acquisitions using any source of funds. Contractors and subcontractors' corporate identities or logos must not be used on USAID-funded program materials. Marking is not required on Contractor vehicles, offices, office supplies or other commodities used solely for administration of the USAID-funded program. Marking is not permitted on any communications that are strictly administrative, rather than programmatic, in nature. USAID identity is also prohibited on Contractor and recipient communications related to award administration, such as hiring/firing of staff or renting office space and/or equipment.

(b) The contractor shall develop a broad branding implementation plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP) for the IDIQ to describe how the program deliverables shall be branded. The BIP shall implement USAID branding strategy for the TASC 4-ICT for Health (unless specified otherwise in a specific Task Order):

Program Name: TASC 4-ICT for Health

Branding: The branding shall incorporate the message that the assistance is "from the American People and by USAID”

Positioning on materials and communications: USAID policy requires exclusive branding and marking in USAID direct acquisitions. Contractor is required to use USAID identity on any program-related deliverables, commodities or communication to be produced and delivered under this contract.

Contractor and subcontractor’s corporate identities are prohibited on all program materials. Marking is not required on contractor vehicles, offices, and office supplies or other commodities used solely for administration of this contract

Desired Level of Visibility: USAID identity must be prominently displayed in: commodities or equipment; infrastructure projects; printed, audio, visual or electronic public communications; studies, reports, publications, web sites, and promotional and informational products; and events.

Exceptions: Exceptions and waivers to USAID marking requirements may be granted in accordance with ADS 320.3.2.5 Exceptions to Contract Marking Requirements and ADS 320.3.2.6 waivers to Contract Marking Requirements

Organizations to Be Acknowledged: Where appropriate and applicable, the branding may acknowledge the cooperation and participation of other organizations deemed as partners of an event or deliverable.

All branding must comply with the standardized USAID regulations on branding. All branding for USAID, its partners, and other USG and non-USG entities engaged in a specific activity implemented under this task order, must have equal representation on all public or internal documentation, publications, advertising, presentations, brochures, etc.

The MP shall enumerate all of the public communications, commodities, infrastructure projects, program materials, events, deliverables, and other items that shall be marked with the USAID identity or brand.

The contractor shall comply with, and all contract deliverables shall be marked with the USAID identity following the requirements of the USAID “Graphic Standards Manual” available at www.usaid.gov/branding or any successor branding policy.

D.3 BRANDING, IMPLEMENTATION AND MARKING PLAN

The Contractor will adhere to all USAID policy directives and required procedures on branding and marking of USAID-funded programs, projects, activities, public communications, and commodities with the USAID “Standard Graphic Identity” (or “USAID Identity”) as specified in ADS 320 (effective 05/05/2009) and the Graphic Standards Manual (GSM).

(a) In accordance with ADS 320.3.2.1, the Branding Strategy (BS) is a part of the contract requirements. Contracting Officers must ensure that USAID contract solicitations include a Branding Strategy and therefore offerors are instructed to prepare a Branding

Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP) to implement the Branding Strategy for TASC4 – ICT (unless directed otherwise in a specific Task Order). Contractor shall submit Branding Implementation Plan with proposal. The standard forms for the BRANDING AND MARKING TEMPLATES are located at: http://www.usaid.gov/branding/.

(b) Contractors and subcontractors' corporate identities or logos must not be used on USAID-funded program materials. Marking is not permitted on any communications that are strictly administrative, rather than programmatic, in nature. USAID identity is also prohibited on Contractor and recipient communications related to award administration, such as hiring/firing of staff or renting office space and/or equipment.

(c) Each request for Task Order proposal (RFTOP) under this IDIQ shall request a program-specific BIP and MP. For each Task Order, the contractor shall develop a detailed Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP). The Marking Plan may include requests for exceptions to marking requirements or programmatic reasons, to be approved by the Contracting Officer. Waivers, as defined by ADS 320, may be necessary for compelling political, safety or security concerns or if the marking shall have an adverse effect in the host country. Marking and attribution for physical structures may need to be visible as soon as work commences. If grants are authorized in a TO, the Contractor shall clearly and conspicuously state in the small grants documentation and all delivered procurement that resources for the grant have been donated by USAID and make clear that the Contractor is acting as USAID's agent.

D.4 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

In accordance with provision D.2 above, and where applicable, the Contractor shall comply with the policy directives and required procedures outlined in USAID Automated Directive System (ADS) Chapter 320.3.2 “Branding and Marking in USAID Direct Contracting (version from January 8, 2007) at http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/320.pdf; and USAID “Graphic Standards Manual available at http://www.usaid.gov/branding, or any successor branding policy.

[END OF SECTION D]

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following Provisions and/or Contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this RFP. See FAR 52.252-2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION

(48 CFR Chapter 1)

52.246-2 INSPECTION OF SUPPLIES—FIXED PRICE AUG 1996

52.246-3 INSPECTION OF SUPPLIES—COST REIMBURSEMENT MAY 2001

52.246-4 INSPECTION OF SERVICES—FIXED PRICE AUG 1996

52.246-5 INSPECTION OF SERVICES—COST REIMBURSEMENT APR 1984

52.246-16 RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPPLIES APR 1984

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports and other required deliverables or outputs shall take place at USAID Washington or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and deliverables or outputs are produced or submitted. The COTR identified in Section G has been delegated authority to inspect and accept all services, reports, and deliverables required by the basic IDIQ.

COTRs may also be designated for a specific task order. If so, the task order COTR (TO COTR) may inspect and accept all services, reports and required deliverables or outputs if specified in the task orders.

E.3 RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL

In accordance with the clauses of this contract entitled ―Inspection – Cost – Cost Reimbursement, (FAR 52.246-5) and ―Inspection – Fixed Price, (FAR 52.246-4), inspection of results or other deliverables required by each Task Order issued hereunder shall be made by the cognizant COTR for that Task Order. Acceptance of goods/services and reports or other deliverables by the cognizant COTR for that Task Order shall form the basis for payments to the contractor, and will form the basis of the contractor‘s permanent performance record with regard to this contract.

[END OF SECTION E]

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following Provisions and/or Contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this RFP. See FAR 52.252-2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.211-11 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES - SUPPLIES, SERVICES,

OR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SEP 2000

52.242-15 STOP-WORK ORDER AUG 1989

ALTERNATE I (AUG 1984)

52.247-34 F.O.B. DESTINATION NOV 1991

52.247-48 F.O.B. DESTINATION – EVIDENCE OF SHIPMENT FEB 1999

52.247-55 F.O.B. POINT FOR DELIVERY OF GOVERNMENT

FUNISHED PROPERTY JUNE 2003

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (CPFF & FFP)

The period of performance for this Contract is five (5) years from date of award.

Although Task Orders may be issued at any time during this ordering period, two constraints apply to the period of performance for Task Orders. First, the period of performance for a Task Order may not go beyond three (3) years after the end of the ordering period of the IDIQ.

Second, a TOCO may not award a Task Order for a period of performance that goes more than five (5) years into the future at the time the order is either awarded or extended by modification.

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Performance of this Contract and Task Orders issued hereunder shall be as specified in the Task Orders.

F.4 PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND STANDARDS

Evaluation of the contractor's performance shall be conducted for each Task Order in accordance with the performance standards set forth in the Task Order and will be conducted jointly by the TOCOTR and the TO CO, and shall form the basis of the contractor's permanent performance record with regard to this Contract as required in FAR Part 42.15 and AIDAR 742.15. Missions and Bureaus that award task order contracts under this IDIQ are responsible for overseeing the results of these task orders through Mission and Bureau monitoring mechanisms. Deliverables are specified in Section F.5.

F.5 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

In addition to the requirements set forth for submission of reports in Sections C, I and J, and in the AIDAR clause 752.242-70, Periodic Progress Reports, the Contractor shall submit required deliverables or outputs as specified in individual task orders to the COTR specified in Section G with a copy to the Contracting Officer. Illustrative reports for task orders include, but are not limited to:

(I) IDIQ Reporting Requirements

(A) Contents of Periodic Progress Reports

(1) Performance Monitoring Reports (PMRs). The contractor shall submit performance reports summarizing progress of the major activities in process during the period in relation to the requirements of the Contract, indicating any problems encountered, and proposing remedial actions as appropriate.