START IQC RFP

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER RATING PAGE OF PAGES

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED 6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

9. Sealed offers in original and _____________________________ copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in until local time _______________________ (Hour) (Date)

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All Offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

A. NAME B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS) C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

AREA CODE NUMBER EXT.

(X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM I CONTRACT CLAUSES

B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

D PACKAGING AND MARKING PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA L INSTR., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

K

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _(See Section L.6)_ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT 10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 20 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) CALENDAR DAYS (%)

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8)

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the

SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated:

CODE FACILITY

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER 15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

(Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER 17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AREA CODE NUMBER EXT.

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS IS DIFFERENT FROM

ABOVE - ENTER SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: 23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified) 10 U.S.C. 2304(a) ( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c) ( )

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE CODE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD DATE

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

(REV. 9-97)

10. FOR INFORMATION CALL:

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

STANDARD FORM 33

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

SOLICITATION

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

1 N/A 101

SOL-OAA-11-000049

X

09/01/2011 REQ-OTI-11-000086

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

OFFICE OF ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE

M/OAA/DCHA/OTI, SA-44, ROOM # 516-B

1300 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20523

See Section L.6

See Section L.6 1:00 PM EDT 10/17/2011

Arthur R. Muchajer 202-567-5077 amuchajer@usaid.gov

See Attached Table of Contents

X 1

X 6-10

X 11-18

X 19-20

X 21

X 22-32

X 33-36

X 37-45

X 46-60

X 61

X 62-77

X 78-97

X 98-101

Mark Walther

Contracting Officer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS……………………………6

B.1 – PURPOSE…………………………………………………………………………………...6

B.2 - CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES……………………………………………………...6

B.3 - MINIMUM OBLIGATED AMOUNT………………………………………………………6

B.4 - MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING……………………………………………………….6

B.5 - ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE PAYMENT & CEILING ON THE FIXED FEE………6

B.6 - MAJOR SUBCONTRACTORS……………………………………………………………..7

B.7 - INDIRECT COSTS AND ADVANCED UNDERSTANDING ON CEILINGS…………...7

B.8 – LABOR……………………………………………………………………………………...9

B.9 - TASK ORDER LIMITATIONS……………………………………………………………..9

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK………….11

C.1 – OBJECTIVE………………………………………………………………………………..11

C.2 – BACKGROUND…………………………………………………………………………...11

C.3 - STATEMENT OF WORK…………………………………………………………………12

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING………………………………………………19

D.1 - AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (January 1993)…………………………………………….19

D.2 - BRANDING STRATEGY, IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING PLAN……..19

D.3 - BRANDING STRATEGY…………………………………………………………………19

D.4 – MARKING…………………………………………………………………………………20

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE…………………………………………21

E.1 - NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE…….21

E.2 - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE………………………………………………………21

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE………………………………

F.1 - NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE…….22

F.2 - PERFORMANCE PERIOD………………………………………………………………...22

F.3 - PLACE OF PERFORMANCE……………………………………………………………...22

F.4 - PERFORMANCE STANDARDS………………………………………………………….22

F.5 - REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES………………………………………………………..23

F.6 - ORDERING PROCEDURES………………………………………………………………25

F.7 - TASK ORDER AWARD CONTENT……………………………………………………...27

F.8 - TASK ORDER ADMINISTRATION……………………………………………………...28

F.9 - KEY PERSONNEL…………………………………………………………………………29

F.10 - 752.7005 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT…………………...29

EXPERIENCE DOCUMENTS (JAN 2004) (ACQUISITION AND

ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVE 04-06, ISSUED FEB. 26, 2004)

F.11 - REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)……………………………………...31

F.12 - SUBCONTRACTOR REPORTING………………………………………………………32

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA…………………………………..33

G.1 - NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE……33

G.2 - CONTRACTING OFFICER……………………………………………………………….33

G.3 - CONTRACTING OFFICER‘S TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE (COTR)……………33

G.4 - CONTRACTOR‘S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT…………………………………...34

G.5 - PAYING OFFICE………………………………………………………………………….34

G.6 - ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA………………………………………...34

G.7 - CONTRACTOR'S PAYMENT ADDRESS………………………………………………..34

G.8 - TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID………………………….34

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS………………………………...37

H.1 - NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE……37

H.2 - AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JUL 1997)……………37

H.3 - AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JUL 2007)………………………...37

H.4 - ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION…………….38

H.5 - SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASSIFIED CONTRACT……………………….39

H.6 - DEFENSE BASE ACT (DBA) INSURANCE……………………………………………..39

H.7 - MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES…………………………………...40

H.8 - AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE…………………………………………………...40

H.9 - LOGISTIC SUPPORT……………………………………………………………………...40

H.10 - LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS………………………………………………………...40

H.11 - ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: PRECLUSION FROM…………..41

IMPLEMENTATION CONTRACT (Design Services)

H.12 - ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: PRECLUSION FROM………….41

FURNISHING CERTAIN SERVICES AND RESTRICTION ON USE OF

INFORMATION (Evaluation Services)

H.13 - ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: PRECLUSION OF………………42

SWIFT PARTNERS

H.14 - EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON TERRORISM FINANCING…………

H.15 - FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL………………..42

CONFERENCES (JAN 2002)

H.16 - NTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL……………………………………………...43

H.17 - USAID DISABILITY POLICY (DECEMBER 2004) (ACQUISITION AND…………..43

ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVE 04-17)

H.18 - AIDAR 752.7101 VOLUNTARY POPULATION PLANNING ACTIVITIES…………43

(JUN 2008) (AAPD 08-01)

H.19 - COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 508 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973,…44

AS AMENDED

H.20 - PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR……

PERSONNEL (JUL 2007)

H.21 - PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO PROMOTE,……………….45

SUPPORT, OR ADVOCATE THE LEGALIZATION OR PRACTICE OF

PROSTITUTION– TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ACQUISITION (MAY 2007)

(AAPD 07-03)

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES………………………………………………………..46

I.1 - NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE……..46

I.2 - 52.203-13 CONTRACTOR CODE AND BUSINESS CONDUCT………………………...50

I.3 - 52.204-7 CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (APR 2008)……………………54

I.4 - 52.216-18 ORDERING (OCT 1995)………………………………………………………..57

I.5 - 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)…………………………………………...57

I.6 - 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)………………………………………...58

I.7 - 52.222-50 COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS…………………………………58

PART III – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS……………………………………………………61

ATTACHMENT J.1 - IDENTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL GEOGRAPHIC

CODE NUMBERS

ATTACHMENT J.2 - USAID FORM 1420-17 - CONTRACTOR BIOGRAPHICAL

DATASHEET

ATTACHMENT J.3 - SF LLL - DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

ATTACHMENT J.4 - DD 254 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTRACT

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATIONS

(including Supplemental Security Guidance for Item 13)

ATTACHMENT J.5 - FREIGHT DELIVERY REQUEST FORM (See Section L)

ATTACHMENT J.6 - CONTRACTOR AND MAJOR SUBCONTRACTOR

POLICY FOR WORKDAY, WORKWEEK, AND PAID

ABSENCES (TO BE ATTACHED AT AWARD)

ATTACHMENT J.7 - PRE-SOLICITATION CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT

ATTACHMENT J.8 - LIST OF REGISTERED PRE-SOLICIATION CONFERENCE

ATTENDEES

ATTACHMENT J.9 - POWER POINT PRESENTATION, OFFICE OF

TRANSITION INITIATIVES (OTI)

ATTACHMENT J.10 - POWER POINT PRESENATION, OTI BUSINESS MODEL

ATTACHMENT J.11 - START BUDGET SUMMARY FORMAT

PART IV – REPRESENTATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER……………….62

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 - NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED………………...62

BY REFERENCE

K.2 - 52.204-3 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (OCT 1998)………………………………….62

K.3 - 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2006)……..64

K.4 - 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS…………….64

(APR 2010)

K.5 – 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS……………..67

(JAN 2011)

K.6 - 52.215-6 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE…………………………………………………...68

K.7 - 52.219-1 SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM REPRESENTATIONS (APR 2011)………..69

K.8 - 52.222-22 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS (FEB 1999)…..72

K.9 – 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984)……………………...72

K.10 - 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION….73

(OCT 2008)

K.11 - 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE--COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE…………...75

CHANGES (APR 2005)

K.12 - INSURANCE - IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY………………………………..76

K.13 - AGREEMENT ON, OR EXCEPTIONS TO, TERMS AND CONDITIONS……………76

K.14 - AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATORS………………………………………………………...76

K.15 – SIGNATURE……………………………………………………………………………..76

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS…….78

OR RESPONDENTS

L.1 - 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY………………………..78

REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

L.2 - 52.215-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION………...78

(JAN 2004)

L.3 - 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)…………………………………………….82

L.4 - 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)…………………………………………

L.5 - GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS……………………………………………83

L.6 - DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS……………………………………………………………..84

L.7 - DELIVERIES TO LOADING DOCKS (FOR USAID/W ONLY)………………………...85

L.8 - INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL…………………..87

PROPOSAL

L.9 - BRANDING AND MARKING PLAN…………………………………………………….94

L.10 - INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS…………….95

PROPOSAL

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD………………………………….98

M.1 - GENERAL INFORMATION……………………………………………………………...98

M.2 – TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS……………………………………………….98

M.3 - PRICE/BUSINESS EVALUATION……………………………………………………100

M.4 - DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE……………………………………101

M.5 - SOURCE SELECTION…………………………………………………………………101

ATTACHMENTS……………………………………………………………………………...102

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide services that fall within the Scope of Work

(SOW) specified in Section C for the Support That Augments Rapid Transitions (START)

Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC). 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, Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC). The Government will issue task orders that are either Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) or Firm Fixed-Priced (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 $50,000.00 to cover the minimum order guarantee. USAID is required to order and the Contractor is required to furnish the minimum order amount of services.

Following this initial obligation, individual task orders will obligate funds to cover the work required under that task order.

B.4 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

This is a multiple award Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) with an overall ceiling price of $30,000,000.00. The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded to all 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.

The number of awards under START is ______________(the number will be inserted at the time of contract award. See Section L.5).

B.5 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE PAYMENT & CEILING ON THE FIXED FEE

(a) The Total Estimated Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) for each task order must be negotiated in accordance with the terms of the IQC contract. In no event may the indirect rates or fixed fee for a task order exceed the ceilings set forth in Section B.5(c) and B.7 of the IQC contract. The U.S. dollar costs must be limited to reasonable, allocable, and allowable costs determined in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (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 fixed fee that directly corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs being paid. Two exceptions to paying fixed fee in this manner apply:

(1) If the TOCO determines that this method results in paying a disproportionately higher ratio of fixed fee than the percentage of work that 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.

(2) 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.

(c) For each task order issued under this IQC, 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 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 exceed the percentage reflected below.

Fee: _________%

The above fee ceiling is only applicable to CPFF type task orders and applies to the prime contractor and its major subcontractors.

NOTE: For Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Task Orders, the ceiling percentage above serves as the basis for negotiation only.

B.6 MAJOR SUBCONTRACTORS

Major subcontractors are those organizations identified as being integral to the accomplishment of the requirements in the statement of work, and are required to perform at least

20% of the technical effort.

(LIST HERE)

B.7 INDIRECT COSTS AND ADVANCED UNDERSTANDING ON CEILINGS

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 for prime contractors and their major subcontractors (―major subcontractors‖ are those subcontractors expected to perform at least 20 percent of the technical effort or provide the professional expertise for any particular sector of the contract Statement of Work (SOW), even if the sector is expected to be less than 20 percent of the effort under the contract):

PRIME

Description Rate Base Type Period

1/ 1/ 1/

2/ 2/ 2/

3/ 3/ 3/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

Source:

2/Base of Application:

3/Base of Application:

MAJOR SUBCONTRACTOR(S)

Description Rate Base Type Period

1/ 1/ 1/

2/ 2/ 2/

3/ 3/ 3/

1/Base of Application:

2/Base of Application:

3/Base of Application:

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.

Reimbursement for indirect costs shall be at final negotiated rates, but not in excess of ceiling rates specified above.

The Government shall not be obligated to pay any additional amount on account of indirect costs above the ceiling rates established in the contract. This advance understanding shall not change any monetary ceiling, cost limitation, or obligation established in the contract.

B.8 LABOR

(a) Compensation of personnel under this contract or any resulting subcontract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation (July 2007).

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

All locally hired national personnel and other non-U.S. expatriates must be paid in accordance with AIDAR 722.170(a).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 be subject to restrictions on the same basis as U.S. citizens who work in the United States.

Salaries for individual locally-hired personnel and other non-U.S. expatriates under this contract and 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.

B.9 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.

(b) Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Task Orders: When issuing FFP task orders, TOCOs must state in the task order the offeror-fixed-price, which represents 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.

(c) Minimum Order: When USAID requires services or reports and other deliverables covered by this contract in a Task Order in the amount of less than $50,000.00, the Contractor is not obligated to accept an order to furnish those services or reports and other deliverables under this contract. However, if the Contractor agrees to furnish services or reports and other deliverables required by USAID in an amount of less than $50,000.00 and is awarded a Task

Order to do so, the Contractor is required to provide said services and reports/deliverables in accordance with the contract's terms and conditions.

(d) Maximum Order: When USAID requires services or reports and other deliverables covered by this contract in a Task Order amount of more than $1,000,000.00, the Contractor is not obligated to accept an order to furnish those services or reports and other deliverables under this contract. However, if the Contractor agrees to furnish services or reports and other deliverables required by USAID in excess of $1,000,000.00 and awarded a Task Order to do so, the Contractor is required to provide said services and reports/deliverables in accordance with the contract‘s terms and conditions.

(e) 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 Contracting Officer, 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.

END OF SECTION B

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 OBJECTIVE

The Support That Augments Rapid Transitions (START) Indefinite Quantity Contract

(IQC) provides the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) with the means to support U.S. foreign policy objectives via targeted, short-term assistance in priority countries experiencing recent transition, instability, or crisis. OTI‘s country program team, comprised of OTI and Contractor personnel, will work on the ground to provide fast, flexible programming and logistical support targeted at key political transition and stabilization needs. Through specific task orders (TOs), the

Contractor will establish, staff, manage, operate, and support a flexible, quick-response mechanism capable of program assessment and program management, including administering and implementing operational and logistical support to OTI‘s Washington and field teams, when the engagement and deployment of longer term mechanisms are not appropriate. This program management IQC is expected primarily to augment longer term mechanisms including the

Support Which Implements Fast Transitions (SWIFT) mechanism.

C.2 BACKGROUND

The USAID Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) was created in 1994 as a distinct operating unit within USAID to help local partners advance peace and democracy in U.S. foreign policy priority countries. Seizing critical windows of opportunity, OTI works on the ground to provide fast, flexible, and short-term assistance addressing key transition needs in countries with needs that cannot be fully addressed by traditional disaster relief (such as countries experiencing a significant political transition, in the midst of a disaster, or emerging from civil conflict). Located in USAID‘s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, OTI has laid the foundation for long-term development in over 45 country engagements.

OTI uses innovative programming to promote reconciliation; jump-start local economies;

support nascent independent media; and foster peace and democracy. In countries undergoing a transition from authoritarianism to democracy, violent conflict to peace, or other pivotal political events, OTI‘s initiatives serve as catalysts for positive political change. OTI programs are short-term -- typically, two to three years in duration. OTI works closely with regional bureaus, missions, and other counterparts to identify programs that complement other assistance efforts.

OTI‘s strategies and programs are developed and designed to meet the unique needs of each situation. Timely and effective assistance to promote and consolidate peaceful, democratic advances can make the difference between a successful and a failed transition. Effective deployment of personnel and staff resources in a timely, flexible, and effective manner can significantly and positively influence the outcome of immediate program objectives.

Existing implementing mechanisms that OTI utilizes to carry out country assessments or programming have not always provided sufficient capacity to operate in some of the more challenging and restrictive environments where OTI has deployed. For example, OTI programming efforts may be impacted when existing USG facilities do not have adequate resources to support additional USG personnel. Also, deployment of personnel to an urgent assessment or country start-up may not be rapid when standard hiring processes require more time and qualified staff are not immediately available for deployment. The START IQC is intended to address these and related personnel and logistical support issues and enable OTI to more effectively respond to urgent and rapid assessment or programming needs in high U.S.

foreign policy priority countries.

C.3 STATEMENT OF WORK

The Contractor will provide institutional and operational logistical support and short-term technical assistance , in the field and Washington, as needed by current country programs and/or prior to and during new country program start-ups.

The fluid situation in countries where OTI operates requires tools and mechanisms to respond to unforeseen changes and contingencies that may arise over the course of programming.

The Contractor should be prepared to expand, diminish, or change operations with as little notice as a few days. The Contractor must possess adequate capital investment and flexibility in order to rapidly expand or halt program support if needed. The Contractor must also be able to plan, procure, and deploy sufficient security measures that commiserate with the country‘s security environment. Upon award, the Contractor may be required to obtain security clearances for key staff and consultants as identified in the TO. TOs under the START IQC will be incrementally funded. The Contractor should not assume that it will receive any funding beyond what is currently obligated to the TOs.

The support provided by the Contractor is a critical component of OTI‘s programmatic success. The Contractor is expected to have significant experience deploying and supporting field personnel as well as setting up and maintaining field offices and operations both within and outside countries‘ capitals. Such experience includes, but is not limited to, field accounting;

overseas staff deployment and support; quickly learning, understanding, and applying pertinent host nation regulations on residency and employment taxes; identifying and providing staff benefits and allowances; and managing payroll and related administrative tasks. Additionally, the

Contractor may be requested to provide ―surge‖ capacity in response to heavy workload demands both in the field and in Washington. For example, surge capacity staff may be needed to deploy with an OTI assessment, start-up or field team on very short notice, as quickly as one week.

Surge capacity staff may also be required to provide country program support from Washington.

Operational and logistical support will vary according to the demands of each task order or country program and programming area. Each TO will indicate specific in-country requirements that the Contractor will need to plan and budget for, but these will generally consist of the responsibilities outlined below, as needed. For each TO the exact operational and logistical support requested will be determined by the Task Order Contracting Officer Technical

Representative (TOCOTR) and OTI field staff in keeping with the task order scope and budget, programmatic focus, cost effectiveness, and efficiency.

In acknowledgement of the environments where OTI may require START services, it is the responsibility of the Contractor to notify OTI as soon as possible if the Contractor cannot perform duties as assigned after TO award. If at any point during the TO an unforeseen event does not allow for OTI to operate within the place of performance, unilateral termination of the

TO may occur.

The Contractor may be requested to procure goods and services to carry out OTI program objectives as identified by the TO. This may include the local procurement of commodities or local contracting for program related services. All procurements will be reviewed and approved by OTI. The Contractor may also support field teams by locating and contracting for housing, office space, vehicles, and other support as directed by the TOCOTR.

While the OTI SWIFT IQC is designed for program implementation, START will be used primarily for program management. To this end, Contractor personnel, for example a

Program Director (PD) and Deputy Program Director (DPD), will assist OTI staff in providing program support such as monitoring and oversight of assessments and program design, while program implementation of the programming mechanisms, is through SWIFT or another mechanism. Such program support should also include building staff capacity for the effective use of program performance management tools and systems.

The Contractor shall be able to provide the following services under START:

1. Logistical Long-Term Support In-Country

2. Immediate and/or Long-Term Surge Support In-Country

3. Short-Term Technical Assistance for OTI programs

4. Short-Term Activity Implementation

All of the above types of support will have some level of US-based support structure, backstopping the needs in the field.

C.3.1 Logistical Long-Term Support In-Country

In certain country instances, due to severe space limitations, operating environment security concerns, and other operational constraints, it has not always been possible for OTI to place a sufficient number of official USG employees within Embassy/USAID facilities to oversee and work closely with SWIFT personnel. In such a scenario, the Contractor may be asked to field and support long-term local hires and USPSC/TCN, such as a PD and a DPD, to fulfill the roles that would typically be served by the OTI Country Representative, Deputy Country

Representative, or other OTI staff. Since Contractor personnel are not official USG employees, they often conduct in-country travel and monitoring not permissible for official USG employees subject to USG security and in-country travel restrictions. Furthermore, Contractor personnel will allow OTI to have oversight capacity when the USAID mission and/or US Embassy cannot support that presence.

In those cases where the Contractor fulfills the roles above, responsibilities may include:

a. Provide independent analysis, advice, and reporting to OTI on the following:

i. Current local and regional political developments and security concerns as well as other pertinent information required to achieve program objectives.

ii. Potential areas of intervention for OTI, contingencies, and program and activity adjustments that may be needed to address the rapidly changing political situation or unforeseen events that may arise during the life of the program.

iii. Day-to-day programmatic, operational, and strategic matters related to OTI‘s

Implementing Partners (contractors and/or grantees) ensuring that activities contribute to OTI‘s program objectives and are achievable.

iv. Advice on grant proposals that are proposed by the OTI partner(s); this advice will include areas of proposed interventions (geographic and type), political relevance, opinions on grantees and grantee worthiness, and programmatic approach.

v. Advise and assist on OTI‘s needs (necessary personnel, equipment, grant making capacity, and facilities). Note that the OTI Partner is responsible for administrative, logistics, procurement and finance aspects of the OTI program.

vi. Monitor the security situation, and provide guidance and timely information to staff and partners. This includes leading in the planning and implementation of staff personal security systems and procedures and possible evacuation when directed by OTI.

b. Monitor and report to OTI on the following activities:

i. Program activities, including grants under contract (cash and in-kind), procurement, technical assistance, or sub-contracts that will span a wide variety of sectors.

ii. Monitoring responsibilities include, but are not limited to, quality assurance, implementation, timeliness of activities, observation of events and activities, stakeholder interviews, monitoring that public participation is considered in all grant activities, and review of marking and branding practices.

iii. Identify and procure host country monitoring and evaluation resources.

iv. Lead, guide, and support evaluation processes measuring the impact of OTI activities.

c. Use the OTI Activity Database to develop reports and success stories; review the quality of information within the database; and make recommendations to the COTR for improved data management, maintenance, and database use.

d. Effectively communicate and coordinate to fulfill the duties outlined in the Scope of

Work, under the guidance of the COTR. This includes liaising with the USAID Mission, the U.S. Embassy, and other stakeholders in country as well as between OTI Washington and its Implementing Partners, the USAID Mission, the U.S. Embassy, and other donor organizations.

e. Work collaboratively with the OTI Partner(s) to maintain program flexibility in order to respond to a possible need to close the program as a result of unforeseen events.

f. Assist in the conceptualization and design of program strategies and objectives in close coordination with the OTI staff, the OTI Partner(s), USAID personnel, U.S. Embassy, and government and civil society officials. When necessary, assist in refining strategic objectives and advocating on behalf of new programmatic approaches in-country and/or linked to neighboring country programs, where appropriate.

g. Participate in In-country Strategic Planning/Team Building Workshops, After Action

Reviews, periodic Program Performance Reviews, and After Exit Reviews; provide input to OTI and OTI Partner(s) on the agenda for these workshops.

h. Support OTI Management Reviews, Program Performance Reviews, Program

Evaluations, and other performance monitoring of programs.

i. Maintain adequate staffing. Field staffing and administrative structures may vary according to the demands of the country program and area over the life of the program.

This may require that the Contractor recruit, hire, and support short-term field personnel.

C.3.2 Immediate and/or Long Term Surge Support In-Country

OTI envisions the need for the Contractor to support assessments or implementation of new country programs. The implementation and management of activities for a START contractor generally include three distinct phases:

a. Phase 1 - Pre-Deployment and Startup

b. Phase 2 – Implementation

c. Phase 3 - Close-out

Each specific task order may include other sub-phases, for example, an expansion phase during full implementation where additional services including offices may be required. The following sections describe each Phase.

a) Phase 1 – Pre-Deployment & Startup Phase

The task order will specify the number of days within which the contractor shall participate in a Washington DC-based kick-off conference (generally within 2-7 days after award) and to deploy a startup team (generally within 3-15 days after award).

During the pre-deployment stage the contractor may be called upon to provide initial short-term technical assistance and political analysis or to initiate administrative, management, programmatic and logistical procedures. The contractor must prepare for the process of procuring goods and services to set the platform for OTI program objectives. This may include the independent and rapid local procurement of commodities or local contracting for program-related services. The contractor‘s home or other regional office(s) must be able to support these initial activities as needed.

The start-up begins upon the contractor's team arrival in country and is the most critical phase of an OTI program, during which time the contractor will establish key implementation systems and prepare for field staff deployment. The contractor will be required to put into operation administrative, management, programmatic and logistical procedures initiated during the pre-deployment phase. Among other things, this will require the contractor to establish and equip office and temporary residences for its staff and OTI staff where applicable; obtain access to vehicle(s) and driver(s); procure and establish communications equipment and information systems; hire temporary local staff; establish its legal and tax status with the host government;

develop initial work plans as well as coordinate closely with OTI, the USAID Mission, the U.S.

Embassy and other prospective counterparts on initial program strategy and implementation.

The Contractor may be required to provide short-term operational field support until a long-term TO or cooperative agreement is awarded and activated. For example, a new OTI country program may require a start-up logistics phase taking place prior to OTI field staff setting up in-country, during which the Contractor may set up necessary administrative, management, programmatic, and logistical procedures to enable OTI field staff or long-term partner personnel to begin work immediately upon arrival. In certain cases, the Contractor may be required to secure personnel with relevant language abilities. The Contractor‘s initial team will deploy in-country and overlap with OTI and long-term partner field staff to ensure a smooth transition between the Contractor‘s eventual departure and a long-term Contractor taking over under another mechanism separate from the START IQC.

c) Phase 2 – Implementation Phase

The implementation begins at the end of Phase 2 and continues throughout the life of the program. The contractor will be responsible for managing the implementation of programmatic activities. The on-going management of personnel, finances, operations, and rapid and realistic assessment and analysis to implement programs will be required. Offices outside the capital may also be required at any time after program startup. In addition, it will also continue to provide security, political analyses, ground-truthing, administrative, evaluation and other program implementation aspects.

The Contractor will bring to bear its best corporate capacities and strengths, through and in support of long-term local and US expat hires, to contribute to sound program direction and oversight within the OTI one-team approach. Unlike traditional assistance formats, OTI is deeply involved with its Contractors in day to day operations and implementation. In other words, OTI is an ―operational donor‖ that has a very interactive relationship with the Contractor.

The level and quality of this close interaction and one-team approach is critical to overall program success. As a result, the Contractor may be co-located with other OTI implementing partners. This integrated approach is important for dealing with the stress of rapidly implementing a complex and politically delicate program in an uncertain environment while maintaining programmatic flexibility. The periodic re-examination of programmatic goals and objectives, roles and responsibilities, lines of communication, policies and procedures at scheduled strategic planning/team building events throughout each year of operation provides a formal process for strengthening team skills and program focus.

d) Phase 3 - Closeout

The Contractor will develop and then implement a cost-effective and efficient Close-Out

Plan (administration, information, finance, procurement, and management) within a timeframe approved by the TOCOTR. The Contractor will provide OTI with the following required tasks and deliverables: Contractor Close-Out Plan; contract files as required for audit purposes and final billing to OTI; final reports and close-out procedures; property disposition plan (in accordance with USAID regulations applicable to property disposition) for the TOCOTR and

Contracting Officer to approve at least sixty days prior to the end of the task order; as well as any monitoring and evaluation activities as identified by OTI.

Similarly, OTI may request the Contractor to provide long-term surge support in-country for new or current country programs ranging approximately two to four years. The implementation and management of activities for a START contractor under long-term support follows the four distinct phases mentioned above under section C.3.2. More specific details will be provided if required within the TO solicitation.

C.3.3 Short-Term Technical Assistance (STTA) for OTI Programs

The Contractor may be required to identify and procure, depending upon the specific needs of the country program, one or more short-term consultants of specific expertise to address discrete issues for program development and implementation (e.g. campaign, polling, media, reintegration of ex-combatants, conflict resolution, engineering) on short notice, in as little as two weeks. STTA may include an interim (1 week to 12 months) PD, DPD, an interim Program

Analyst, and other consultants to provide technical assistance for administration, management, operational capacity building, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and political analysis. TO

COTR concurrence must be secured on all STTA trips and scopes of work. In addition, training materials will be developed in close coordination with identified OTI staff.

TOs may require the Contractor to perform the following tasks:

a) Provide technical experts for short-term assignments to support new or existing country programs. Technical program areas include, but are not limited to Peace Processes, Reconciliation, Conflict Resolution, Media, Governance, Small-Scale Infrastructure, Communications, Small Enterprise Stimulus, Civil Society Engagement, Protection, and/or

Reintegration. Technical experts may be required in the field or in Washington, D.C.

b) Provide logistical support to STTA activities, including but not limited to procuring and managing travel, program or management documentation, information technology support, telecommunications, facility rental, transportation, lodging, and meals for Contractor staff.

c) Provide technical experts for short-term assignments to support OTI‘s reporting needs, including but not limited to providing quality assurance and editing on reports; developing reports for USAID, inter-agency, Congress, or the public; and assisting with office processes

(including but not limited to budgeting, organization, strategy, and evaluation planning).

d) Provide technical experts for information technology and database support, including Social

Media, Blogging, Mobile Technology, Geospatial technologies and mapping, and trainings for the users of these tools.

e) Provide technical experts for financial oversight, management, training, and capacity building to benefit program staff, host country and/or grantee recipients.

f) Create and/or provide technical assistance and tools to aid OTI personnel in consistently conveying the knowledge and skills needed for successful, new and current country program management such as field trainings on OTI‘s IT systems, grant development, and best practices and procedures.

C.3.4 Short-Term Activity Implementation

The contractor may be required to develop, award, administer, and procure short-term in-kind assistance such as technical assistance and direct distribution of goods and services (DDGS) to local beneficiaries to respond to critical needs in transition/ post-conflict environments.

Responding to critical needs can be a catalyst for positive change in transition and post-conflict environments. The Contractor will ensure that procurements include delivery to the beneficiary, inspection, requisite field demonstrations where applicable, training on use of the commodity, warrantee/maintenance agreements, and monitoring of procurement item use. Illustrative examples of DDGS include media equipment, print materials, clean-up equipment and supplies, and electronic equipment. Under programmatic STTA, the Contractor provides an expert to an organization or government entity to help them perform a specific function more efficiently and effectively for a short period of time. Under both activity types, the Contractor will work closely with OTI in the process of in-kind assistance identification, development, implementation, and support. Total amount of in-kind activities and procurement will not likely exceed $500,000 over the course of 6-months country engagement. All activities will be designed in accordance with

U.S. government policy and must be cleared by OTI and OAA.

END OF SECTION C

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (January 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 will 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 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 STRATEGY, IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING PLAN

Markings under this contract shall comply with the USAID ―Graphic Standards Manual available at www.usaid.gov/branding or any successor branding policy.

In accordance with ADS 320 ―Branding and Marking‖ this IDIQ Contract incorporates

USAID‘s policy directives and required procedures on branding and marking of USAID-funded programs, projects, activities, public communications, and commodities with the USAID identity.

The Branding Strategy for the Support That Augments Rapid Transitions is included in the D.3.1 below.

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY

Program/Activity Name: Support That Augments Rapid Transitions (START)

Positioning: All materials developed as a result of this activity will contain the following attribution statement:

―This project was made possible by the United States Agency for International

Development and the generous support of the American People through Support That

Augments Rapid Transitions (START).‖

Level of Visibility: All publications developed through this project, with the exception of research articles published in academic journals, will also display currently approved USAID http://www.usaid.gov/branding

Identity graphic and conform to other requirements of the USAID Graphic Standards Manual.

D.4 MARKING

Description of public communications and program materials to be produced as part of the activity that will visibly bear the USAID Identity:

1. Standard USAID Identity

2. ―This project was made possible by the United States Agency for International Development and the generous support of the American People through the Support That Augments Rapid

Transitions (START), Task Order No. TBD.‖

END OF SECTION D

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following 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 contract. 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)

52.246-4 INSPECTION OF SERVICES—FIXED PRICE AUG 1996

52.246-5 INSPECTION OF SERVICES—COST APR 1984

REIMBURSEMENT

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports, and other required deliverables shall take place at USAID Washington or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and deliverables 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.

The COTR designated for a specific task order, inspects and accepts all services, reports and deliverables required by the task order.

END OF SECTION E

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following 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 contract. See FAR

52.252-2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

(48 CFR Chapter 1)

52.242-15 STOP-WORK ORDER AUG 1989

ALTERNATE I APR 1984

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

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

F.2 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

The base period (ordering period) of this IQC will be five (5) years from the date of award.

Task orders may be issued at any time during this ordering period, but two constraints apply to the period of performance…