FORECast Amendment.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

1 8

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

NO. 1

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

05/09/2011

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (IF OTHER THAN ITEM 6) CODE

U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Acquisition and Assistance, M/OAA/EGAT

Rm. 562-K, SA-44

1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20523

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State, and Zip Code)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

SOL-OAA-11-000051

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11) 04/19/2011

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

CODE:

FACILITY CODE:

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered, solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers, FAILURE OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If Required)

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

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

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify Authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43,103 (b).

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

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is NOT is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Extend the closing date of the solicitation;

2. Insert Attachment J.9: Questions and answers to the subject RFP;

3. Amend paragraph (I) IDIQ Reporting Requirements sub-paragraph (B) to correct oversight and clarify reporting requirements;

4. Amend Section L.9 subparagraph (c) Part 3 Representations, Certifications, and Other

Statements of Offerors, to require submission of SFLLL by subcontractors and delete the requirement to submit a Form DD 254.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

Joseph Lentini

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 15C. DATE

SIGNED

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

16C. DATE

SIGNED

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

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Previous Edition Unusable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

AMENDMENTS:

1. On the Cover Letter, SF-33 Block 9, and in Section L.6.(b), DELETE “May 19, 2011” and REPLACE with

“May 23, 2011.”

2. Section F.5 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

Subsection (I)(B), page 21 DELETE “The above reports shall be submitted within 30 days of the six-month periods (semi-annual) ending on March 31 and September 30.”

3. Section L.9 (c) Part 3: Representations, Certifications and Other Statements to Offerors

Page 101, second paragraph, delete the paragraph in its entirety and insert in lieu thereof: “In addition, Offerors and all subcontractors must include a completed copy of SF LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying

Activities (See Attachment J.2).”

ATTACHMENT #J.9

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Question: In the previous version of the solicitation, the number of years of international development experience was “preferred” but in this version is “required.” Is this requirement amendable to the “preferred” language of the previous solicitation?

Response:

This RFP was substantially revised and supersedes the prior RFP. Ignore the prior RFP in its entirety.

2. Question: Can the NAICS be changed from $7M to $25M?

No, the small business size standard for each NAICS code is determined by the Small Business Administration.

3. Question: On page 10, the RFP states “country training plan.” On page 11, the RFP states “participant training plan.” Can you please clarify the difference?

The participant training plan and country participant training plan are the same.

4. Question: On pages 98 and 99, the RFP states states “This section is not applicable to prime offers submitted by small business concerns.” Does this apply to a small business that is responding as a large business?

Section M.1(d) of the RFP states that offers received from small businesses will be evaluated separately from the unrestricted offeror pool and will be considered for the small business set-aside award(s) only.

5. Question: We are a woman-owned 8(a) small business, can we use ourselves in the Small Business Plan (Attachment J.5) to meet the women small business concerns?

Attachment J.5 is the Small Business Subcontracting Plan and it is not required to be submitted by small business prime offerors. Pursuant to #4 above, small business prime offerors will only be considered for the small business set-aside awards.

6. Question: On page 14, the RFP states “IDIQ Director” – is that the same as the “IDIQ Manager”?

Yes.

7. Question: Is the Labor Distribution Chart (J.6) specific to the Illustrative Task Order on page 100?

No, the Labor Distribution Chart provides the offeror’s estimate of labor utilization for the prime and subcontractor over the entire period of the IDIQ. It is not related to the Illustrative Task Order.

8. Question: Can we make adjustments to the Illustrative Task Order Budget Proposal Template (J.8), e.g., to include subcontractors?

No, offerors must follow the instructions in the RFP.

9. Question: Page 20, Section (I) (A) (2) says: “Contract Financial Report. The contractor shall provide to the

IDIQ COTR a concise quarterly report within 30 days of the three-month periods ending on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.” Later in the same section on page 21, subsection (B) says: “The above reports shall be submitted within 30 days of the six-month periods (semi-annual) ending on March 31 and September 30.”

Please clarify reporting requirements for Contract Technical and Financial Reports.

The RFP Amendment corrects this oversight.

10. Question: Page 97: Please confirm that the Past Performance References do not need to be submitted separately from the Technical Proposal, as required on page 98 of the cancelled solicitation.

Ignore the prior RFP in its entirety.

11. Question: Page 130: In the illustrative task order, it is clear that there will be 15 third country study tour groups of 12 and 30 US study tour groups of 12. However, can you please clarify whether a particular number of groups is envisioned for the 7,500 in-country, 50 third country and 75 US-based short-term and certificate programs? Can you also clarify the distinction between a US study tour and a US short-term program?

A US study tour is basically visits to multiple sites to observe production, business practices, work delivery, and engage in information exchange meetings and interactive discussions with key people within the organization. The study tour is designed to meet pre-determined program objectives. Such an activity does not involve course fees, tuition, instructor fees, and related expenses. A short-term program might be any type of learning activity ranging from a few days up to six months. It might be a generic off-the-shelf course with enrollment open to any interested, eligible person/group, or it might be a program that is tailored especially to the needs of (and limited to) USAID participants.

12. Question: Page 131: Please confirm that of the 5 specified personnel in the illustrative task order the expectation is that all will be US-based except the Country Coordinator.

EGAT Specified personnel are expected to be U.S.-based with the exception of the Country Director.

13. Question: Page 101: (C) Part 3 – Representations, Certifications, and

Other Statements of Offerors. Please confirm if proposed subcontractors need to complete a copy of SFLLL-

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities and DD 254 – DOD Contract Security Classification Specifications. Are these two documents for Prime offeror completion only?

The prime and each subcontractor must submit the SFLLL. The requirement to submit a DD 254 has been removed. The RFP has been modified to reflect these changes.

14. Question: Page 103: (i) Part 9 – Information to Support Consent to Subcontractors. The RFP instructs that each offeror must address each of the elements in FAR 44.202-2. However, the text/considerations for this FAR clause seem to be instructions/guidance to the contracting officer rather than the Offeror. Please provide some additional guidance on what type of response USAID is looking for from offerors to be compliant with this request.

FAR 44.202-2 provides the information that is considered by the Contracting Officer in assessing requests for consent to subcontract. The RFP directs offerors to this section so that offerors are aware of the factors that must be addressed in the Cost/Business Proposal.

15. Question: Please clarify the maximum total number of points a small business can earn in the Past

Performance category. The guidance in the RFP states that a total of 20pts is available for this category, but that the max total number of points, throughout all categories, that a small business can receive is 85 points. Following this guidance, please confirm that the number of maximum points that can be awarded to a small business for the category of Past Performance is 5pts.

Please refer to the Note at the end of Section M.2. that explains the small business scoring. Neither M.2(e)(B), Past

Performance in Using Small Business Concerns (10 points), nor M.2(f), Small Disadvantaged Business

Participation Program Targets (5 points), are applicable to small business prime offerors.

16. Question: Please confirm that small businesses and their major subcontractors must provide up to 5 past performance references using the short form provided and that the small business offeror does not need to complete their performance in using small business concerns and small disadvantaged business participation program targets.

Confirmed.

17. Question: Are the numbers provided (In-Country: 7,500; Third Country: 50; US-Based: 75) meant to represent the total number of individuals completing a short-term or certificate (group) program OR are these numbers representing the total amount of short-term and certificate (group) programs delivered within the Period of

Performance?

The numbers reflect the total number of individuals completing short-term or long-term programs. A program might be planned for individuals or for groups.

18. Question: Please provide guidance on the approximate size of each Group. What is the desired maximum number of individuals for each group program?

The group size depends on the type of program and learning objective. For purposes of this RFP, a group size is estimated to be 10-12 maximum.

19. Question: Are the numbers provided (In-Country: 25; Third Country: 20; US-Based: 20) meant to represent the total number of individuals completing a long-term degree program OR are these numbers representing the total amount of long-term degree programs delivered within the Period of Performance?

The numbers reflect the total number of individuals completing degree programs during the period of performance.

20. Question: Are participants in these long-term degree programs meant to complete the programs as cohorts

(for example, 25 cohorts of in-country degree programs). If so, please confirm maximum number of participant in each cohort program?

The numbers reflect the total number of individuals (not cohorts) completing a degree program during the period of performance.

21. Question: Please confirm that these degree programs are at the graduate level.

The programs are expected to be at the graduate level or associate degree level.

22. Question: Are the numbers provided (Third Country: 15; US-Based: 30 meant to represent the total number of individuals completing a study tour OR are these numbers representing the total amount of study tours

(comprised of groups of 12 participants each) delivered within the Period of Performance?

The numbers reflect the total number of study hours.

23. Question: Please confirm that the total number of individuals trained through study tours would equal 540 persons (45 groups X 12 participants in each group).

24. Question: Is there any additional information that USAID can provide on the category of Partnership

(Grants under Contract)? For example, will it be the responsibility of the Offeror or USAID to identify and select the two training institutions? When will these institutions be selected and finalized – ie, prior to the start of programs for participants or while programs are underway; in Year 1, 2, or 3? Does USAID wish the offeror to propose and price sample training interventions for these two institutions that would support their management of training and measuring of results.

For purposes of this RFP evaluation and responding to the illustrative task order, offerors should assume that

USAID has identified two partners for the Grants under Contracts that have been identified prior to award.

Offerors must use the plug figure for the Grants Under Contracts line item set forth in the budget template.

25. Question: Please confirm that the offeror should complete only the following Cost Elements in the

Illustrative TO Budget Proposal Template:

o A. Labor (Categories 1-5) o B. Fringe Benefits o C. Overhead o E. G&A o F. Fixed Fee o Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

26. Question: Please confirm that the costs entered for D. Other Direct Costs are to be used by all Offerors and that each cost presented in D. cannot be modified.

27. Question: Does USAID wish to see a detailed break-down for the plug numbers in “Other Direct Costs” ---i.e, justifications on how the offeror would utilize these amounts per category (for example, specific amounts that comprise misc. ODCs)? Or is USAID providing these amounts for estimation purposes only and requires no further costing or narrative to address these.

No.

28. Question: Section D.2(b) states that “the contractor shall develop a broad branding implementation plan

(BIP) and Marking Plan (MP) for the IDIQ…” In (c) it is stated that each request for task order proposals shall request a program specific BIP and MP. Section L of the RFP does not include instructions for preparation of a BIP and MP. Please clarify whether a BIP and MP are required for the IDIQ proposal.

A BIP and MP are not required for the RFP. These will be requested at the task order level.

29. Question: Section L.8.2, requires the prime contractor to submit “a signed acknowledgement letter for each candidate proposed to fill the four positions identified in the Illustrative Task Order.” Can USAID confirm that the acknowledgement letter is only written verification that the candidates know they are being identified in the

Illustrative Task Order?

30. Question: USAID provides Attachment J.8, Illustrative Task Order & Budget Proposal Template, which indicates that that Country Coordinator, the U.S. Program Coordinator and the Program Design/Placement

Specialist will have 220-person days per year. However Section L.J.2 indicates that a normal work-year, including paid absences is 2,080 hours (260X8 hours per day). Can the prime contractor assume that 220 days is considered a full work-year for responding to the illustrative task order so that we may correctly convert the annual rate into a daily rate for budgeting purposes (i.e. annual salary / 220 = daily rate which should be used)?

The positions in the illustrative task order are envisioned as part-time.

31. Question: Referring to Attachment J.8, Illustrative Task Order & Budget Proposal Template, Note 4 indicates, “Miscellaneous ODCs line-item includes costs such as travel, transportation and per diem, local office rental, supplies, equipment, courier services, phone and fax, Internet services, etc.” It appears that the illustrative budget assumes that all offerors’ cost structures apply G&A to all ODCs. Please clarify how offerors are to account for differences in how to apply indirect rates against elements which would bear a different load but are within the

“Misc. ODC” plug figure to be able to provide accurate “Overhead” and “G&A” amounts. For example, the

NICRA for Firm A may specify that a G&A rate is applied against equipment, which is a cost included in “Misc.

Other Direct Costs,” whereas the NICRA for Firm B might exclude it from their G&A rate.

USAID understands that offerors’ NICRAs may differ in their indirect recovery on equipment costs (e.g., M&H).

However, equipment costs under the illustrative task order are envisioned to be extremely minor (e.g., computer rental) and insignificant for evaluation purposes. As such, a separate line item was not presented in the budget template.