TASC 4 ICT for Health Amendment 03 final.pdf

Administrative changes to RFP

1) Delete in its entirety ―H.39 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INTERNATIONAL

TRAVEL‖

2) In L.6.d.2.a), Delete the link for the Freight delivery Request form:

http://inside.usaid.gov/forms/a519-1.doc. The correct link for this form is www.usaid.gov/forms/a519-1.doc

3) In L.8 4 (ii) Delete the following:

TASC4 – ICT for Health IDIQ Project Director Qualifications:

1. Bachelor degree or higher from accredited institution in relevant area.

2. Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in managing and implementing international programs including field-based implementation.

3. At least seven years of experience in public health programs

4. Five or more years of experience in managing ICT activity in public health programs

5. Demonstrated understanding of global health data and corresponding information systems

6. Broad knowledge of information and communication technology

7. Experience in managing donor-financed projects and staff and in the design and implementation of overseas ICT projects

8. Experienced in providing leadership and foster working relationships with international partners in challenging environments.

9. Knowledge of USAID global health programming

10. Proven ability to assess priorities, manage a variety of activities effectively to meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality

11. Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing

And Replace with:

TASC4 – ICT for Health IDIQ Project Director Qualifications:

1. Bachelor degree or higher from accredited institution.

http://inside.usaid.gov/forms/a519-1.doc http://www.usaid.gov/forms/a519-1.doc

2. Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in managing and implementing international programs including field-based implementation.

3. Two or more years of experience in managing ICT activity in health services or public health.

4. Demonstrated understanding of global health data and corresponding information systems.

5. Broad knowledge of information and communication technology.

6. Experience in managing donor-financed projects and staff and in the design and implementation of overseas ICT projects.

7. Experienced in providing leadership and foster working relationships with international partners in challenging environments.

8. Knowledge of USAID global health programming.

9. Proven ability to assess priorities, manage a variety of activities effectively to meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.

10. Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing.

4) Add as second paragraph to Section L.8.4) (iii): Professional references are required for the proposed IDIQ director. Three professional references must be provided on a list with the following details for each:

Contact Name

Contact Email

Contact Phone Number

Name of Contact’s employer

# of years of professional relationship w/proposed IDIQ Director

Relationship to proposed IDIQ Director.

This information shall be included as the IDIQ reference list in the Annex along with the

CV/Resume and Letter of Commitment/acknowledgement letter.

5) In M.4 Personnel Delete (16 points) and Replace with (15 points)

6) In M.4 Personnel, second bullet-delete ―Extent to which Other Personnel proposed fill the needs for and address the technical areas outlined in Sections C and L.10‖, and replace with

―Extent to which Other Personnel proposed fill the needs for and address the technical areas outlines in Sections C and L.8.

7) In M.5 Past Performance Delete (15 points) and Replace with (16 points)

Attachment A- Answers to the Questions submitted by the May 4, 2011 and May 17, 2011 deadlines.

1) Is this procurement SOL-OAA-11-000018, TASC 4-Information and Communications for Health, new or a follow-on to previous work? If it is a re-compete could you please provide me with the incumbent name and contract number?

TASC4 ICT Health is a new procurement.

2) We are a small business interested in responding to the TASC 4 RFP. We have significant experience as a sub-contractor to USAID, as well as a prime contractor to the

NIH and DOD. However, we do not have a NICRA nor do we have independently audited financial statements (they are certified by our accounting firm, however). on Page 100, in clause g), it states:

[Referenced L.9, Section II Proposed Costs/Prices, Subsection 1, Bullet (g) on waivers for submission of certified financial statements]I am writing to request this waiver. We will be able to provide tax returns from the last three years, as well as P&Ls, Balance

Sheets, overhead calculations, and certified letters from our accountants on the overhead calculations. Please let me know if this is acceptable. In addition, page 101 states:

[Referenced L.9, Section II Proposed Costs/Prices, Subsection 2 on Indirect cost information]Would our waiver, if approved apply to clause b.2. or would we be disqualified if we cannot provide audited statements?

In accordance with FAR Part 9, sufficient detailed financial background and documentation is required so that USAID may determine contractor responsibility.

The information provided should be adequate enough to permit USAID to develop an indirect rate, if responsibility is determined.

In determining what information to provide, please pay special attention to FAR

Subparts 9.1, 9.5 and 9.6.

3) Can you clarify in Part L.9, Part II Proposed Costs/Prices, Section 1.g. first-bullet (page

100) what is required from subcontractors where the subcontract is below $100,000?

Particularly with regards to the following guidance from Note 3 on page 102:

(iv) Subcontracts – Labor cost including subcontractor’s staff and subcontractor’s consultants, fringe benefits and overhead; proposed subcontractors must submit

NICRA(s), and/or other documentation required in the RFP as applicable;

Please refer to FAR part 52.244-2 and 44.203 for sub-contract requirements.

4) In Budget Table included on Page 102, several cost elements have amounts already provided. Were the figures provided for Subcontracts, Allowances, Travel, Transportation and Per Diem, and Other Direct Costs meant to be ―plug-in‖ figures or are they included only for illustrative purposes?

The figures are meant to be „plug-in‟

5) On Page 102 under Note 3ii (Local Professional Staff), it states that the figure for labor cost of professionals staff is estimated at 6500 person days. We assume that offerors should provide a cost for 6500 local professional staff person-days over the two year case study time frame, rather than a cost based on our technical approach to the case study. Is this assumption correct?

Yes, the offerors should provide a cost of 6500 local professional staff person-days over the two year period of the case study time frame.

6) Page 103 of the RFP states offerors should provide ―Total number of hours, and hourly rate for each category per year…‖ however; the labor category chart on Page 104 shows columns for Daily rates and # of Days for LOE. We assume all rates and LOE should be stated in terms of days, not hours. Is this assumption correct?

Yes, the offerors should provide the daily rates and number of days for LOE instead of hourly rates and number of hours.

7) Are offerors required to propose an ―Employee Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rate‖ and a

―Consultant Burdened Ceiling Daily Rate‖ for all functional labor categories (and levels) listed on pages 104, whether or not a LOE for each category is proposed to meet the requirements of the Case Study?

Yes

8) We assume that the ―Employee Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates‖ and ―Consultant

Burdened Ceiling Daily Rates‖ to be provided for the functional labor categories (and levels) listed on pages 104 are for US-based staff only. Is this assumption correct?

It should be provided for both.

9) Cost proposal evaluation criteria are listed on Page 113, but this is not included in the evaluation criteria listed on Page 111. Will case study cost proposals be evaluated as part of the overall case study evaluation (to a total of 10 points for technical and costing), or will cost proposals be evaluated additionally. If additionally, how many points may be awarded to cost proposals?

The case study cost proposal will be used to evaluate cost realism of the contractor‟s technical approach to the case study. If the contractor‟s cost‟s are not appropriate for the case study technical approach than the contractor cannot be considered for award.

10) IDIQ reporting: on pg 24, Section I.A.2 specifies a quarterly submission, while Section

I.B calls for 6-month submission. Which one is the correct frequency for the financial section of the IDIQ progress report?

This is a quarterly submission

11) Page 93 of the RFP indicates the offeror should describe their understanding and general approach to accomplish the six tasks identified in Section C.3.A. Section C.3.A, on page

14 of the RFP refers to the ―objectives‖ for the TASC4-ICT rather than tasks. The tasks, referred to as functional activities, are found in Section C.4 of the RFP (pages 16-18).

Should an offeror’s understanding and approach address the six ―objectives‖ (Section

C.3.A.) or the five ―functional activities‖ (Section C.4)?

The offerors must provide a concise summary of their understanding and general approach to implementing and scaling-up the ability to accomplish the six (6) objectives identified in SECTION C.3.A.

12) Page 112 of the RFP evaluation criteria indicates that 16 points are allocated for

Personnel, which are equally weighted amongst the 3 listed sub-criteria (equaling 5.3 points for each sub-criteria). The first listed sub-criteria is skills and experience of the proposed IDIQ Director however, page 94 of section L of the RFP states that the Project

Director must meet or exceed the 11 qualifications detailed on page 95 of the RFP.

Please confirm that skills and experience is meant to be synonymous with the 11 qualifications.

Yes, the criteria for skills and experience of the IDIQ director prescribed in the personnel section of the evaluation criteria (pg 112) refers to the qualifications listed in L.8, Section 4 (pg 95). Please also see the revised section M point allocation.

13) Please indicate if the PD must meet all 11 qualifications to receive the benefit of the 5.3 points allocated to this sub-criteria and if not, how the government would score the offeror should one or more of the qualifications not be met

Similar to the question above, the requirements called for on pages 95-97 in section L of the RFP detail comprehensive areas of expertise and experience and further states that

‖the Offeror must demonstrate capability in all of the following area to be considered‖.

This requirement appears to be more restrictive than full and open TASC 4 RFPs. Please explain whether an offeror would be excluded from consideration for award should they not meet any single area of expertise and experience.

The IDIQ project director must meet or exceed the prescribed qualifications

(section V) on pg 95. The IDIQ Project Director must be an employee of the Prime.

An offeror would be excluded from consideration if any single area of expertise or experience is missing for “(iv) Other Personnel Requirements” in which they must have expertise in at least two of the technical areas. Under each technical areas ALL capabilities must be met.

14) Section L.8.2 on page 94 refers to 2 functional areas outlined in Section C., and says that the Offeror shall describe the organization’s overall capacity to implement task orders in at least two of the five areas. What does ―the organization‖ refer to in this case: do we

(the prime) need to show we are capable of supporting at least two, or can this include our consortium members as well?

The organizations capacity to implement includes that of the prime and the subcontractors as a whole.

15) In Section L.8.4.vi (page 100), offerors are requested to prepare brief biographical statements for all proposed staff, consultants and other personnel specialists. What does

―other personnel specialists‖ refer to, and how does that differ from staff or consultants?

Other Personnel means staff who are not employees of the Prime Offeror or not considered consultants. An example is subcontracted staff.

16) In response to Section L.8.4.vi, are CVs and letters of commitment needed for proposed staffing?

Yes

17) In Section L.8.4.vi which outlines various qualifications, there is a reference to

―developing-country health-relevant work experience‖ and to ―working in a developing country context.‖ What is the distinction being made here?

Working experience in „developing country context‟ covers a broader range of industries and areas, which may include education, agriculture, security, or health.

„Developing-country health-relevant work experience‟ means working and residing in a developing country.

18) May we include appendices in addition to those outlined in Section L.7 (pg. 92): staffing matrix, biographical statements, IDIQ CV and letter of commitment, past performance references, management structure organizational chart, and small disadvantaged business plans.

No

19) Section L.9.II.2) presents a budget shell (page 102) and notes (page 102-103).

a. The budget shell has figures already in it for subcontracts, allowances, travel/transportation/per diem, and other direct costs. Are we to consider all of these as plug figures or only those specifically noted as such in the Notes on page 107:

travel/transportation/per diem and other direct cost? Subcontracts and allowances are not listed as plug figures in Note 3.iv and v, although they seem to be from the table on page

102. Please clarify what is to be considered a plug number.

Please use plug in figures on page 102 for all subcontract costs.

b. For subcontractor costs (Note 3.iv on page 102), it mentions that this includes subcontractor labor costs, but in Note 3.vi, it mentions that the plug figure does NOT include subcontractor travel). Where would that travel be included? Or are we to consider all this as plug figures. Are we supposed to break down the subcontractor costs?

Please use plug figures.

20) In Section L.9.ii.2), the instructions ask for the offeror to propose the respective level of effort to ensure successful performance for work specified in the case study.

a. The Labor Category template on pages 103-104 specifically lists ―Employee Unburdened

Ceiling Daily Rates‖ and ―Consultant Burdened Ceiling Daily Rate.‖ However instructions following the template state on page 104 that ―Daily rates shall be included as base, unburdened rates.‖ Please clarify if Employee and Consultants are to be listed differently.

Yes, please list differently.

b. If our case study response does not use a labor category listed on page 103-104, should we still price it?

No, only provide rates for the proposed positions.The Offeror shall determine its own staffing requirements to successfully implement the scope of work it has proposed for the case study. It shall propose its own level of effort/person days per category as it pertains to this requirement, selecting the category and level of staff required.

21) Section L.9.II on page 105 requests Biographical Data Sheets for three candidates for each level of ―each functional labor category listed‖ that should be a representation of the prime and/or subcontractor employees.

a. Does the functional labor categories referred to reflect those listed on pages 103-104?

Responses in the technical proposal (Section L.8.4.iv on page 94) only ask offerors to be able to cover a minimum of 2 of the 5 technical areas (A-G) which appear to correspond with the labor categories on page 103-104. Are we required to provide biodatas for ALL categories? What about for the categories of Capacity Building specialist, M&E specialist, local professional staff?

Offeror shall provide ONE biodata sheet for EACH level of category proposed. That would be a maximum of 3 biodata sheets per Labor Category, if the offeror wishes to propose all three levels. Selection of levels to be proposed is offerors choice. The labor proposed shall be for the case study only. Please note the instructions stated in

Section L.9,II regarding the Biodata sheets and the information and signatures required. This information will be considered as part of the Government‟s cost realism analysis. Biographical data sheets detail actual candidates with current salary information, not composite rates or ceiling rates.

b. Does the term ―subcontractor‖ here refer to major subcontractors only? We have many local collaborating partners not listed as major subcontractors. Can we include their employees in this response?

“Subcontractor” refers to any subcontracting partner included in offeror‟s response to the case study. Any subcontractor employees proposed in the case study may be included.

c. We assume that the request for Biographical Data Sheets for 3 candidates per level of functional labor is not related specifically to the case study response but a more general representation of costs of this offeror for any future task order. Is that correct?

Yes, See a.

22) In Section L.9 Case Study Cost/Business Proposal Case Study Budget (Note 4—see page

104 or 119):

a. Health Communications Specialist is listed twice. Are we meant to propose two different health communication areas, or is this a duplications?

Duplicated, Will be removed

b. Also, in this same section and page, you list capacity building specialist twice—the first time this labor category is broken into Level I, II, and III, and the second time it is not. Please clarify how we should interpret this.

The second one will be deleted.

23) Is the executive summary included in the 25 pages?

An Executive Summary is not required, but if it is provided it shall be included in the

25 page limit, which includes the case study.

24) On personnel/labor categories, pages 95-96, please confirm that offerors can propose

―Other Disciplines‖ as in the regional TASC4 RFPs?

No

25) On page 98, under past performance references, please confirm that the instruction is to provide five (5) PPRs for the prime and for each major subcontractor. For example, if there are three major subcontractors, a total of 20 (twenty) PPPs should be submitted.

Please confirm.

Yes this is correct.

26) On page 98, under past performance references, the RFP asks offerors to list ―five most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to this requirement.‖ Please confirm that offerors and subcontractors can include past performance references acquired under any mechanism, whether contract, cooperative agreement, or grant.

Yes, but must be relevant to this requirement.

27) On past performance references for new small businesses submitting as prime offerors, and in light of USAID’s new procurement reform to expand it partner base and increase funding to small business, please provide guidance on what should be presented under past performance to best assist USAID in its evaluation and also please clarify how

USAID will score past performances in such instances.

Past Performance will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria P. 113 section

M.4.

28) Section L.10 does not provide instructions to select a specific country for the case study.

However, in Section M.4., on Technical Approach, there are several references to

―selected country.‖ Please clarify if offerors should select a specific country for the case study or present a hypothetical example.

Offerors must select a specific country.

29) Section M.4. Technical Approach includes a reference to the sample budget. While it is clear that the sample budget for the case study is to be included in the cost volume, please confirm that the sample budget in the cost volume does not count towards the five (5) page limit set for the case study.

No does not count. The budget is part of the cost proposal submission.

30) Attachment J.7 on page 119: Past Performance Matrix. No headings are provided in the matrix and there are not instructions on this matrix in Section L. Please provide guidance on the contents of this matrix.

Offeror may provide headers appropriate to offeror‟s proposal.

31) Section B.7(f): Can you please explain what information you are seeking here?

This section refers to the distribution base as identified in the negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.

32) Section B.7 deals with ceilings on indirect cost rates. It includes the following statement

―Note: 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.‖ Given this statement, do small business concerns still need to submit ceilings on indirect cost rates and the IDIQ level?

If an offeror has an existing approved indirect ceiling rates established with a government agency,they should propose the approved rate. If offeror has an existing indirect rate agreement with USAID or another government agency with no ceiling rates approved, offeror shall propose ceiling rates for indirect expenses. If offeror has no indirect rate agreement, with any US Government agency, please see Section

L.9.II.1)f.

33) Section B.8(c): Section B.8 deals with ceilings on fixed fee. Subsection B.8(c) states

―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.‖ Please clarify this statement.

Please review Section L.9.b) II f.

34) Section L.9.II.c states ―A Level of Effort (LOE) breakdown is given in Note (4) to be used in generating the cost proposal. Use the labor categories/levels and corresponding

LOE.‖ Yet the next sentence states ―Determine the estimated LOE usage of employees for that particular labor category/level…‖. Please clarify whether or not LOE will be provided for the development of the budget.

Offeror shall determine its own staffing requirements to successfully implement the scope of work it has proposed for the Case Study. It shall propose its own level of effort/person days per category as it pertains to this requirement, selecting the category and level of staff required.

35) Section L.9.II.c states the following:

―Offerors shall use the dollar estimates to calculate the appropriate indirect rates and fee for its budget. A Level of Effort (LOE) breakdown is given in Note (4) to be used in generating the cost proposal. Use the labor categories/levels and corresponding LOE.

Determine the estimated LOE usage of employees for that particular labor category/level and apply the Unburdened Daily Rate Ceiling (for Employees). In a like manner, determine the estimated usage of consultants for a particular category/level and apply the

Burdened Daily Rate Ceiling (for Consultants). The Ceiling rates for both the employees and consultants shall be equal to or greater than the highest daily rate for any of the employees or consultants proposed and will be used as guidelines for equivalent/similar labor categories that are not listed below. (Note that the ceiling rates will also be listed in

Section J of the contract and daily rates for employees/consultants proposed for any task order shall not exceed the Daily Rate Ceilings set forth. Supporting information must be provided in sufficient detail to allow a complete analysis of cost.‖

We believe that the reference to daily rate ceilings is most appropriate for Time and

Materials type contracts that use burdened Fixed Daily Rates, as CPFF and Fixed Price contracts are already subject to the maximum daily rate for agencies without a certified performance appraisal system. For this reason, we believe that the reference to ceiling rates to be listed in Section J of a resultant contract is unnecessary and could well conflict with the application of an organization’s execution of its own policies and procedures that need to be submitted as part of the business proposal documentation (Part IV, Policies and Procedures on page 109).

As was the case with the previous TASC IQCs, we respectfully asked that the requirements be changed to allow Offerors to propose candidates at a rate supported by their bio data, and then apply their appropriate indirect rates for employees and consultants. Contractor may only bill the US Government at approved salary rates.

36) Section L.9.II, Case Study Cost/Business Proposal Case Study Budget, Note 4 directions request ―total number of hours, and hourly rate for each category per year‖ yet the rate list indicates providing LOE in person/days and daily rates. Please clarify

If we should provide LOE and rates in hours or in days.

The labor category chart shall include person/days and daily ceiling rates.

If you want us to show LOE and rates for each year as the current rate format only shows one set of columns. If you retain the one set of columns, do you want aggregate LOE for the 5 years and then the rates for Year 1?

Offeror shall provide a chart that provides person/days and ceiling rates for each category and each type of rate (employee unburdened and consultant burdened) to be proposed.

The rates should be proposed for year 1&2 with corresponding LOE.

Base ceiling rates proposed will be fixed in the IDIQ award for the five years with corresponding escalation rates.

For ―Local Professional Staff‖, the rate list only allows for one rate for employees and one for consultants. Given that there could be a wide range of rates, can you define the level of professional you want us to price, or provide several levels for us to price as you do for the expatriate categories?‖

Offerors must propose rates for local professional staff based on the person days provided. If offeror chooses to propose different levels of personnel (I, II, III) it is offeror‟s choice.

37) Reference RFP Section L.9.II.2.b.ii: ―(ii) Local Professional Staff – Figure for labor cost of professional staff estimated at 6500 person days;‖

Question 1: Is the 6500 person days counted across the entire 5-year contract period, the

2-year case study duration/period of performance, or for each year of the contract (1, 2 or

5 years)?

2 year case study period.

38) Reference Attachment J.6: CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT – SHORT

FORM. The requirements stated in Sections L and M of the RFP do not include the need for distribution of Past Performance Questionnaires, but Attachment J.6 is provided in long form (Parts I & II: Part I being the Short Form)

Question 2: Is it correct that Offerors are only required to submit the completed Short

Form (Part I only), and that the Past Performance Questionnaires are not required to be distributed to the list of references that offerors will provide in the Past Performance section of the proposal?

Yes.

39) Reference RFP Section L.9.II.: In the list of technical labor categories, Health

Communications Specialist and Capacity Building Specialist are both listed twice. Also, this is the only place where the ―Chief of Party‖ labor category is listed.

Question 3: are the duplicate labor categories in error/a typo?

Yes, this is a duplicate

40) Question 4: Is the ―Chief of Party‖ labor category the same as the ―IDIQ Project

Director‖ position? If not, please clarify the distinction between the 2 positions.

They are different positions. The IDIQ Director manages all the task orders under the IQIQ. The Chief of Party manages the overall work covered under a particular task order.

41) Question 5: also referencing RFP Section L.9.II, the instructions state that offerors are permitted to add to the list of labor categories. With respect to the labor category ―Other

Professional Staff‖, must offerors price that category specifically if there are positions that we employ in the PMO and would prefer to replace the Other Professional Staff category with?

You cannot replace the categories.

42) Reference RFP Section L.8(5)(i): ―For the offeror and each major subcontractor: list five

(5) most recent and relevant contracts‖.

Question 6: Is the offeror required to provide the full amount of 5 past performance references for each major subcontractor (e.g., 5+5), in addition to 5 from the prime, or do we provide a total of 5 for the prime and all major subcontractors, altogether (5 total)?

Five for the prime and five for each subcontractor. Therefore, if you had one prime and 2 subcontractors you would have 15 in total.

43) Page 102 Case Study Cost / Business Proposal Case Study Budget. In the table at the top of page 102, plug numbers are provided for four line items, including subcontractors.

Are these numbers fixed and should appear in the proposal as provided in the RFP?

Yes

44) If the plug numbers are fixed, what cost and level of effort supporting information is required for Subcontractors?

Use the plug numbers.

45) Can ―major‖ subcontractors at IDIQ level be non-US based? If not, can the geographic code be changed from 000 to 935?

Geo code will remain 000. A 935 waiver will need to be obtained at the Task Order level.

46) Considering the geographic code is 000, must we formally request a waiver at IDIQ level to include non-US subcontractors as a major subcontractors?

No, see answer to 44

47) Will the daily rates established in the cost proposal be fixed for the duration of the IDIQ?

48) Considering the TASC 4 ICT proposal is expected to be utilized worldwide, and would therefore benefit from regional or local subcontractors at task order level, does the 20% benchmark for ―major‖ subcontractors apply to the IDIQ or the case study?

The 20% references the percent of work to be performed relative to the case study presented. Task orders and subsequent requests to approve subcontractors will be subject to approval by the Task Order CO.

49) Selected illustrative staff for each labor category: Is USAID expecting that the three specialists presented in each Labor Category include only one of each Level? In other words, for example, must the Health Communications Specialists category contain precisely one Level I, one Level II and one Level III named personnel?

Ceiling rates shall be proposed for all labor categories offeror desires to propose to successfully implement the scope of work it has provided for the case study. These ceiling rates shall establish the cap for those positions proposed. Offerors discretion on how to escalate rates for positions proposed.

50) Related to the above: Is USAID expecting three CVs (named candidates) in the COP labor category, or will the CV of the proposed IDIQ Project Director suffice?

IDIQ Project director is key personnel and the CV is required. Chief of Party is not key, but if proposed, bio-data sheet is required.

51) Must the Management Plan for implementing Task Orders be an annex or can bidders chose to include it in the 25 pages of main text?

The management plan for implementing future task orders is the outline of offerors plan to manage implementation of future task orders. This information shall be included in the Annex section. The organizational chart depicting relationships and the overall plan for using local host country staff and consultants shall also be included in the Annex section.

52) Section L.9 – Parag II.1.c of this Section refers to ―corresponding LOE‖ for the Labor

Categories and Levels for the full IDIQ. However, no specific LOE for each level – or for the total table – is cited by USAID. Does USAID intend to provide bidders with average amounts of LOE that it would like us to cost for each Labor Category, for the full 5-year

IDIQ, or is each bidder to propose its estimated total LOE for each category? [We understand that, for the Case Study, bidders propose Task Order LOE according to its proposed Case Study Technical Approach. Our question is about the full IDIQ.]

No LOE is provided for the full 5 year IDIQ and not required. Offeror must propose own LOE based on response to case study.

53) Biodata Sheets: Does USAID want one biodata sheet for each level or a biodata sheet for each of the three illustrative experts proposed in the Technical Volume for each Labor

Category (which aren’t necessarily one per level, within each Labor Category, e.g., if we present one Level I expert and two Level II experts in a specific category). Relates to our

Technical Question 1, above.

See answer to question 48

54) Daily vs. Hourly Rates: Could USAID please confirm that it wants Daily, rather than

Hourly, rates presented?

Daily rates

55) Fee on Consultant Burdened Rates? – Could USAID please clarify whether or not the burdened Consultant Rates must include any fee on consultants? Conversely, do bidders have the option to apply the fee on Consultants at ―the bottom‖ of the spreadsheet, when applying the fee onto other Labor and ODCs? Please clarify.

Consultant line item should include all items related to consultants.

56) How should exceptions to the FAR clauses in the RFP be addressed if they are coming from the subcontractors? Should these exceptions be addressed at the time of the prime contract award?

Yes, if the subcontractor wishes to take exception to the clauses they must be addressed before prime contract award.

57) Pg 97, Section 4 - Personnel:" (v) To be included in the Personnel Annex section shall be a two page (maximum)summary on the expertise of staff, consultants, and other personnel specialists, preferablyin the form of a matrix (this summary NOT included as part of the Technical Proposal 25-page limitation; include this summary in the Annex."

Q: Can the matrix be produced on 11" by 14" sheets of paper? And can the font style and size be reduced?

No.

58) Pre-proposal conference:

Q: Will a transcript of the meeting be provided? We called in but the phone line meeting was never started by the host so we did not hear any of the meeting.

Yes, it will be provided on Fed bizopps.

59) I would like to know if the dead line for submitting questions regarding SOL-OAA-11-

000018 will be extended.

60) The requirement states:

―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.‖

Must this be limited to USAID-funded health programs thereby excluding other health related programs such as NIH?

The activities do not need to be limited to USAID-funded health programs. Other

US government funded health programs are acceptable.

61) The requirement states:

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

Must this be limited to selected ICT activities under USAID-funded health programs thereby excluding other health related programs such as NIH? Please also define selected ICT activities under USAID-funded health programs?

Any of the information, communication, and technology programs that USAID has sponsored either on a stand-alone basis or as a part of another program. As stated above, activities with other US government agencies can be included.

62) The requirement states:

―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.‖

Would “local partners” include medical research organizations and hospitals?

That is a decision of each offeror.

63) The requirement states:

―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.‖

Would “local partners” include medical research organizations and hospitals?

see above

64) The requirement states:

―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.‖

Must all areas covered or is adequate to cover some of the referenced areas and not others?

It is adequate to cover just some of the areas.

65) The requirement states:

" (b) In order to be considered for a classified Task Order, the Contractor must obtain and maintain a "Facility Clearance" at the "Secret" level."

For a classified Task Order, would other active clearances (e.g., NIH, DHS, DoE) be considered?

A Facility Clearance at Secret from USAID must be obtained.

66) Can a company be a subcontractor on two different Primes?

67) Are contractors on 1099's classified as employees?

These are not considered employees but consultants or independent contractors.

68) Can you please clarify the difference between the technical personnel categories (level 1, 2, 3) and the labor categories listed in the cost proposal? Are they meant to overlap? For example: Is the role for Level 1 Computer Design Specialist on Page 95/96 interlocked with the Systems Design/Architect in the Cost Proposal on Page 104?

No, they are separate.

69) Based on the presentation at the pre-proposal meeting, is there any thought to broadening the applicable skill set for the Project Director, i.e., less health-oriented and more IT focused?

The 11 criteria has been amended. Please see new requirements.

70) In the Cost Proposal, Section L.9, II, 1, g. - If Offeror does not have audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements and has not filed taxes for 2010 as of yet, can tax returns for 2008 and 2009 along with unaudited balance sheets and profit and loss statements for 2010 and YTD 2011 be submitted instead?

See answer to question #2

71) Section L.9, II, 2 - If Offeror does not have a NICRA or audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements and also does not have rates audited by a certified accounting firm, are there other options that can be used for b. 1. and b. 2?

Offeror and subcontractors without a NICRA shall follow instructions in L.9. II.1.f.

72) Can the requirements for the IDIQ key personnel be satisfied utilizing two individuals

(with one of them defined as the ultimate responsible person for the program/project)?

Only one key personnel can be proposed.

73) Can the requirement of submitting the proposal on hard copies be changed to an email submission?

74) What constitutes reasonable costs?

Reasonable costs are verifiable, allocable, allowable and are realistic for the service/commodity proposed.

75) Reference Paragraph #: L.9, L.9 II

RFP States:

L.9, page 99 clearly states a cost proposal is only required for the Case Study. But L.9 II seems to ask for far more elaborate submittal. I can’t tell whether the Case Study cost proposal needs to be as elaborate as described, or whether L.9 II wasn’t properly edited to be consistent with the actual case study submittal.

Then, at the bottom of page 101 the focus seems to shift back to SPECIFIC requirements for the Case Study cost proposal.

Question / Recommendation:

L.9 seems to be ambiguous about the Case Study Cost Proposal content and format.

Recommendation: Simplify or clarify L.9 so that the specific cost proposal requirements are in one location, and Section M be made consistent with L (i.e. the evaluation criteria be more tightly coupled to the proposal content instructions) and/or provide an explicit pricing template for IDIQ task orders.

There is no question here, please follow the RFP accordingly.

76) Reference Paragraph #: L and M

Section L.7 directs the offerors to organize the proposal ―by the evaluation criteria listed in Section M.‖

Question / Recommendation:

Following Section M for literal proposal structure creates some difficulty since Technical

Approach, Part 2 (Cost Proposal) needs to be separated from the rest of the Technical

Approach.

Recommendation: Structure L and M to precisely the same outline.

Recommendation: restructure L and M to make the Case Study TWO separate volumes:

Technical and Cost, and present the following structure in M.4:

1. Technical Approach including Overall understanding

2. Institutional Capability

3. Management Plan

4. Personnel

5. Past Performance

6. Case Study, Technical Volume

7. Case Study, Cost Volume

77) Reference Paragraph #: M.4 (1)

RFP States: Section refers to ―Sample Task‖, but the common terminology elsewhere in the RFP is ―Case Study‖.

Question / Recommendation: Recommend simplifying and clarifying the terminology, structure, and instructions throughout L and M.

78) Reference Paragraph #: M.4 (1)

Technical Approach Part 1 evaluation instructions require the offerors to demonstrate

―effective approaches to the implementation and scale-up of the five tasks within the statement of work.‖

Question / Recommendation:

The five ―Activities‖ in the SOW are not tasks; they are functional areas and as such they neither describe ―tasks‖ as would be included in a task order nor provide a framework for

―approaches‖ to ―implementation‖ since no specific implementation is prescribed therein.

Recommendation: To evaluate an offeror’s capability to accomplish ―tasks,‖ evaluate:

1. Case Study responses, (already in RFP)

2. Past performance, (already in RFP) and

3. Team capabilities compliance across the 5 ―Activities.‖

Recommendation: Replace the Section M.4 (1) Part 1 evaluation criteria with criteria consistent with item 3 above.

Recommendation: Add details and assumptions to the Case Study scenario.

79) Reference Paragraph #: L.7

Reference paragraph on page 92 that begins with ―Not included in the stated page limitations …‖

The bulleted list complicates the proposal volume (e.g. the organizational chart is NOT in the page count, but it reasonably SHOULD be in the Management Plan.)

Question / Recommendation:

Recommendation: Specify an ―Annex Volume‖ to include:

Resumes, and Letters of Intent

Biographies of staff resources

And fold the rest into this volume structure

1. Technical Approach including Overall understanding

2. Institutional Capability

3. Management Plan

4. Personnel

5. Past Performance

6. Case Study, Technical Volume

7. Case Study, Cost Volume

80) Reference Paragraph #: L.8 and M.4

L.8 includes the phrase ―…ability to accomplish the six (6) tasks identified in SECTION

C…‖ and

M.4 includes the phase ―…―effective approaches to the implementation and scale-up of the five tasks within the statement of work.‖

Question / Recommendation:

Aside from the preceding comment about ―tasks‖, these two references to the same proposal content are inconsistent.

Recommendation: Delete this entire proposal requirement and revise the proposal and evaluation instructions as noted in comments above re: M.4 (1).

81) H.16 Refers to the requirement for DBA Insurance. Will the government reimburse the expense based on actuals as ODC's? The next clause H.17 refers to MEDVAC and says it is reimbursable to the government but there is nothing regarding the DBA being reimbursable.

USAID reimburses BPA premiums see H.16.

Attachment B-Transcripts from Pre-Proposal Conference May 13, 2011

Please note: There may be answers to questions from the conference transcript that conflict with question answers in Attachment A. Attachment A question answers supersedes answers in the transcripts.

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

TASC4 PROCUREMENT CONFERENCE

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2011

9:00 AM

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Transcript by

Federal News Service

Washington, D.C

MR. : Want to make a comment that with all the technologies, we still have to wait.

(Laughter.)

MR. : You need a really good subcontractor. (Laughter.)

MR. : Yeah. Imagine this in the field, in Asia, in Africa and everywhere. Sometimes it’s better.

Sometimes – a lot of times it’s more challenging.

MR. : OK. I think we’re going to go ahead and get started, because I think my part of it is not all that critical. So I don’t think it’s – I think it’s OK if people on the phone can’t hear. Is – can everybody hear me that’s in here?

MR. : Yes.

MR. : Yeah.

MS. : Yes.

MR. : OK, great. OK, well, good morning.

MS. : Good morning.

MS. : Good morning.

MR. : We’re very glad that you’re here. This is the pre-proposal conference for the global health TASC for ICT procurement. OK, want to make sure everybody’s in the right room. We have another USAID event upstairs, the advisory committee on voluntary foreign assistance, that’s meeting, and a lot of people – a couple people I know went up there and thought they were here, and then the administrator was there, and somebody said to me, wow, this is very – how’d you get the administrator to come to your pre-proposal conference? I said, well, no. (Laughter.) Not quite. Not quite.

So I actually had to walk out on his speech, which I know I’m going to – I got a dirty look for from

– (off mic).

But anyway, I say that to say that, you know, the speech – the event upstairs is our advisory committee that works on our foreign assistance issues, and it’s the first meeting that they’ve had in quite some time. But the administrator was talking about some of the reforms that have taken place since he’s been here for a little – for about a year and a half now. And it’s called USAID Forward, which

I’m sure most of you are familiar with, to some extent.

And part of that USAID Forward initiative is, of course, procurement reform.

Are we working?

(Off mic.)

MS. : Does this work? (Off mic.)

MR. : OK. Hello, hello, hello.

We don’t need it. (Laughter.)

Yeah, OK.

But anyway, so as far as procurement reform, he was actually just talking about that when I walked out. But procurement reform is a series of changes in the way we do business, OK? And one of them is – of course, is expanding our partner base, which is a key initiative for us in the small business office. So I’ve been chairing that working group that’s been working on ways of how we can increase our partner base and, of course, work with more U.S. small businesses.

Part of – one of the results of that procurement reform initiative was the establishment of a board for acquisition and systems reform, which reviews all the new proposed IQCs – indefinite-quantity contracts – that are being proposed by the agency. Well, this contract that we are going to be listening or hearing about today is a result of one of those reviews by that board.

Last year, we reviewed 19 proposed IQCs, ranging from values of about 75 million all the way up to, I think, about $2-1/2 billion of ceiling. And one of them was the TASC4 from global health. And we looked at it and saw what creative ways we can – we can do – we can work on to increase the use of small businesses. So we highly encourage them to set part of it aside, and this is the result of that; this is part of that TASC4 ICT.

Of course, on that board, I – I’m not going to take full credit for it. That board is chaired by

Maureen Shaoket (sp), the director of the Office of Acquisition of Assistance, and several other senior leaders at the agency. And they – you know, I can just tell you that that board is very aggressive and assertive about including small businesses in every way that we can. And I think there’s been new additions to that board, including our chief operating officer, Sean Carroll, this year, who is even more aggressive about it.

So I think we’re going to see a lot more opportunities for small businesses.

Anyway, I know you’re not here to listen to me speak. I do have the pleasure of introducing

Bruce Baltas and Kate –

MS. : Bryant.

MR. : – Kate Bryant from our contracts office, who are the contracting officer and the branch chief for the – for this procurement, and also Matt Sattah from our Global Health Bureau, who is the technical representative. Matt and I met last week, and Matt – one of the things that he said – and I – and I really credit you for this – is that – you know, he said he wants to get as many businesses engaged in this particular procurement as possible – something you don’t hear a lot in our building. (Chuckles.)

So we’re very happy to be in this more transparent mode. And we are, you know, certainly advocating for that.

So we’re very happy to have Matt and Bruce and Kate here today. And they’re going to talk to you some specifics about the procurement. And without further ado, let me introduce Bruce Baltas.

BRUCE BALTAS: Great. Well, thank you, Mauricio (sp). I appreciate it.

MR. : Sure.

MR. BALTAS: You all know why you’re here. (Chuckles.) Obviously, the TASC4 – oh, it’s working now.

MR. : There you go. Yup.

MR. BALTAS: Great. Hello? Hello? Does that sound better, or does this sound better?

(Laughter.)

Great. Well, now that you can all hear me better, I’ll just reiterate that obviously you know the

TASC4 ICT IQC is closing on May 23rd. Based on, you know, our conference here, there’s a very high probability that, based on the number of questions that are submitted and addressed here, it will probably be extended for a few days. I’m not sure yet right now, but please keep your eye out on

FedBizOpps to make sure that you find out when we post the amendment.

The amendment, of course, will have all the Q&As, because either you’re going to submit those

Q&As electronically to us or you’re going to address them here, we’re going to catch it with this transcriber – (chuckles) – and of course we will answer those questions and post them, of course, to have fair opportunity for everybody.

So regardless of what is said here in the conference, always look to the amendment of the RFP regarding the Q&As, because those will have the specific responses, so that there is no misunderstanding. What we may have said here is more informational, but the actual response in the amendment will hold true. So I want everyone to just understand that clearly right now.

I will be the contracting officer for this.

MR. : Excuse me.

MR. BALTAS: Yes.

MR. : Isn’t it June 6th?

(Off-side conversation.)

MR. BALTAS: Was that recently?

MR. BALTAS: Oh, that’s right. That was – but that didn’t include this one?

MS. : It doesn’t include the questions.

MR. BALTAS: Yeah. So regardless of what that may have said, it will be extended. (Laughter.)

So I apologize.

But we will come out with an amendment on this specific one. I apologize. There are four of these IQCs going around, so if I’m mixing up some of them I apologize for that. But –

MR. BALTAS: So please keep an eye out, regardless, for the Q&As, because that will be the final amendment, and…