Final_Q A__PDF.pdf

Questions and Answers for Solicitation SOL-OAA-14-000152 Feed the Future Enabling Environment for Food Security

1. Q: We noted from the original posting that the above referenced solicitation was originally designated as a set aside; however, the solicitation does not indicate that it is a set aside. Can you please confirm?

A: The original posting was a Sources Sought Notice to gather information on the availability of capable small businesses, to determine if the solicitation would be a small business set-aside. The competition is full and open and not set aside for small business.

2. Q: Page 7: Section B.4.2 Indirect Costs and Advanced Understanding of Ceilings Per 48 CFR 9903.201-1 (b)(3) CAS applicability and exemptions, and FAR 12.214 Cost Accounting Standards, the CAS requirements and subsequent request for indirect rates and caps are not required for this prime solicitation. Please remove the CAS FAR clause and the B.4.2 Indirect Costs and caps.

A: Section B.3 CALL ORDER TYPES stated that the government anticipates issuing BPA Call Orders that are either Firm-Fixed Price, Time and Material and /or Labor Hour.

FAR 12.214 only applies to Firm-Fixed Price or fixed price with economic price adjustment. As such, the clause is applicable to this solicitation.

3. Q: Page 9: Section B.7 Termination Please change the 52.215-4 Commercial items reference to 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items (FEB 2012)

A: The solicitation will be amended to incorporate the correct TERMINATION clause, FAR clause 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions- Commercial Items (May 2014).

4. Q: Page 11: Section B.8.3 Component 1 In order for respondents to make an informed decision about the potential exclusions from future opportunities resulting from winning this BPA, would USAID provide more information about the “project design” activities in relation to the OCI discussion at C.3.8?

A: Missions may use deliverables generated through Call Orders to inform project design. It is not the intention of the BPA scope to include project design activities, however the Design/Implement OCI clause has been added to the solicitation in the event design of future activities result from this BPA. In the event that future activities are designed around these deliverables, the contractor on this BPA would not be eligible to bid on the implementation of those activities, unless a waiver is obtained from the HCA.

5. Q: Page 12: Section B.8.4 Performance Monitoring Plan Please explain how a BPA level monitoring plan can be prepared in advance of understanding the specific Call Order activities and requirements.

A: The Performance Monitoring Plan to be submitted will be a broad draft based upon the known technical factors/requirements of the Master BPA and the first Call Order.

This PMP will later on be tailored to each specific call order. Two Note: Two PMPs must be submitted:, one for the Master BPA and one for the Call Order.

6. Q: Page 15: Section B.9.2 STTA The experience requirements specified for the Knowledge Management Officer do not seem to align with the requirements described in B.9.1 (Masters and 5 years’ experience).

Please confirm requirements are correct.

A: The experience requirement in sections B.9.1 will be updated to reflect the same as section B.9.2. The solicitation will be amended to reflect the minimum requirements contained in the table in Section B.9.2

7. Q: Page 22 and forward: C.5 Clauses incorporated by reference Please remove those clauses not required for commercial item awards, as specified in FAR 52.212-4 and include FAR 52.212-4—Commercial Items.

A: Remove clauses not required for commercial Item and include FAR 52.212-4 Commercial Item. Accept changes, the solicitation will be amended to incorporate the correct FAR clause.

8. Q: P. 37, A.4 – Can USAID clarify if the PMP section in its entirety and including any tables, figures and or diagrams is included in the 15 page limit of the Technical Proposal Section ?

A: No, the draft PMP is not included within the 15 page limit of the technical proposal section. Offerors may use up to 8 pages for the draft PMP (3 pages for the Master BPA and 5 pages for the Call Order) to be submitted as annex.

9. P. 14. BPA Key Personnel. As years of experience have often been deemed an acceptable substitute for education, can years of experience substitute for a Master’s degree for the

Key Personnel? If so, can the substitution ratio be 2 years of work equating to a Master’s degree?

A: Yes. Years of experience can substitute for the Master’s degree. The requirements are as described in section B.9.2 of the Solicitation. The Solicitation will be amended to reflect the correct requirements for the key personnel positions.

10. Q: P. 8. Other Direct Costs: Can you please clarify whether the list of ODCs noted here is illustrative, or is it definitive? For example, a contractor may need to pay for translation costs, procure data or in the case of a 12-month assignment pay for local hiring allowances, office space, furniture or computer equipment (the possibility for up to a 12-month assignment is mentioned on p.12 Component 4). However, the categories of ODCs as mentioned here is very restrictive. Will items not listed be able to be proposed in response to the needs of individual call-orders?

A: The ODCs referenced in B.4.3.1 are illustrative. ODC’s will be proposed and approved at the Call Order level.

11. Q: P. 8, B.4.3.2 Travel: Please confirm that the term “travel” as used here is not limited to airfare, but includes items such as visas, DBA insurance, taxis and local transportation, medical shots, and other costs associated with an assignment that requires travel.

A: Yes, Travel is not limited to airfare. It includes visas, DBA insurance, taxis and local transportation, medical shots, and other costs associated with an assignment that requires travel.

12. Q: Pps. 36 and 62: Please describe how Section E.2.4.A and Section D relate. Do the three call-orders mentioned on p. 62 correspond to the Items A. 1, 2 and 3? Therefore, are offerors writing proposals for those three call orders in the Technical Approach?

A: Section E.2.4.A presents the Technical requirements for the Master BPA but Section D is the documents, exhibitions and attachments. Section D1 presents the requirement for the First Call. There are three components included in the first Call Order. There is only one Call Order RFQ included in this solicitation.

13. Q: Are offerors supposed to cost out these call orders separately? Please clarify what budgets USAID is expecting. For example, is the offeror to propose the rates structure based on the matrices on pps. 4-7, as well as a separate call-order budget for the SARSS call-order, the Knowledge Management call-order, and the On-Demand EEFS consulting services support call-order?

A: Only one cost proposal showing the cost for each component should be presented for this call. The offeror is required to propose ceiling daily rates for the labor categories included in the Master BPA as well as a price quote for the call order not exceeding the ceilings proposed at the Master BPA level. The offeror must use the pricing template included as Attachment D.1. There is only one call order in this Solicitation.

14. Q: How does USAID anticipate covering costs related to programmatic planning with BFS (meetings with USAID Washington, work planning activities, etc.) Is there any budget available for the offeror to cover these types of costs? If so, is this a budget that we should prepare and submit as a separate call-order budget, and referred to on p. 62, D.1.A.3 as “On-Demand EEFS Consulting Services”?

A: Costs for LOE associated with Key Personnel will be covered in a separate call. Costs beyond LOE should come from the Offerors’ overhead budget.

15. Q: P.16. Subject Matter Experts. Can offerors use the SME category for editors and formatters?

A: No, Editors and Formatters should fall under “Other Specialist” labor category.

Offerors may propose additional labor categories and rates as part of their proposal for the Master BPA.

16. Q: P.7. Indirect Rate Ceilings. The RFP notes that contractor should propose Indirect Rate Ceilings for Overhead and G&A. Should offerors also propose ceilings for other Indirect Rates, as appropriate to our Indirect Rate Structure?

A: Yes, Offerors should propose ceilings for other indirect rates as appropriate to their indirect rate Structure.

17. Q: Will USAID allow offerors to utilize Times Roman 9 point font for tables/figures?

A: No, Offerors should not utilize Times Roman 9 point font for tables/figures.

18. Q: P. 36. Price quote. Is the 10 page limit for the budget narrative for the prime only?

Can offerors include additional pages to cover subcontractor’s price narrative?

A: The Offeror must provide a total of 15 pages budget narrative (10 pages for the prime and 5 pages for the known Subcontractors). Please note that subcontracted services should fall within the labor category ceiling daily rates established at the Master BPA level. The solicitation will be amended to reflect the change.

19. Q: P. 38. Contractor Past Performance. The instructions indicate that up to 3 Past Performance References should be included. Can USAID clarify if three PPRs is the total for the prime and major subcontractor?

A: If the prime contractor intends to self-perform the work required in the initial call order, then a maximum of three Past Performance References are required. If the prime contractor intends to subcontract a portion of the work, then the offeror should include Three Past Performance References for each proposed subcontractor. The solicitation will be amended to reflect this additional requirement.

20. Q: P. 63 and 66. Southern Africa Seed Sector Assessment. Can USAID kindly clarify the period of performance as well as the estimated time in country? Page 63 mentions a 9 week assignment whereas page 66 mentions an 8 week assessment. Page 63 mentions 20 days in country while page 66 mentions 15. To ensure consistency across budgets, could USAID clarify which days are correct?

A: The Period of performance is 8 weeks which includes an estimated 115 LOE days split among international and local short-term consultants. A minimum of 10 working days is estimated for initial preparatory work, 65 working days in the field and a minimum of 15 working days to complete the final report. The solicitation will be amended to clarify these requirements.

21. Q: Tab 2 BPA Call Summary Budget (excel). USAID added figures next to travel, ODCs and other SME services. Only for ‘other SME services’ did the sheet indicate that this is a plug figure. Can offerors assume that all the figures in this tab are plug figures?

A: Yes, it is a plug figure and Offeror can assume that all the figures are plug figures. The Solicitation will be amended to indicate the plug figures. Plug figures have been updated, please see tab #2 of the price sheet.

22. Q: Tab 3 BPA Call Detailed Budget (excel). Can offerors assume that the 36,600 figure is a plug figure for all travel expenses?

A: Yes, $36,600 is a plug figure for all travel expenses. ODCs will be added on tab 3.

The Solicitation will be amended to update the requirements. Plug figures have been updated, please see tab #2 of the price sheet.

23. Q: The AGRI, SeedCLIR and other tools were pilots, newly introduced (p11) and built on the CLIR methodology. Does USAID have a mid-term project or any evaluation on the use and potential for these tools?

A: Yes. The tools can be found using this link: http://eatproject.org/#portfolio. A second AGRI report is added as attachment to the amended solicitation.

24. Q: Reference: SOL Section B.4.1, p. 4 It appears that the three key personnel positions are expected to be devoted full-time to EEFS. Is this the case? Will USAID/Washington be issuing an immediate call order to retain their services? Will the call order allow for budgeting of typical ODCs for full-time staff that are not listed out in Sections B.4.3.1 and B.4.3.2 (e.g. equipment and software costs, office supplies, rent and utilities expense, etc.)? Will the call order require any full-time program administration or other support staff assistance?

A: USAID/Washington will be issuing an immediate call order to cover Key Personnel LOE as their services will be required through the life of the BPA. USAID anticipates issuing overlapping and back to back call orders. ODCs can be adjusted by call order as necessary. Each call will have its own Program administration team.

Also see Government response to Question # 14.

25. Q: Reference: SOL Section B.4.1, p. 4-7 Can USAID provide guidance to offerors on the minimum and maximum number of subject matter experts it wants submitted with the proposal for each non-key labor category and level?

A: The minimum and maximum will depend on the call order. However the offeror should determine the need for and propose additional labor categories and rates based upon their evaluation of the technical elements of the solicitation for the initial call order.

26. Q: Reference: SOL Section B.4.1, p. 4-7, and B.9.2, p. 15-16 The price schedule tables in Section B.4 and education/experience requirements table in section B.9 provide two levels for all SMEs excluding non-key personnel and the program assistant (with the exception of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Systems Specialist, which has three levels in the base year and two levels in all other years), while the Excel budget template provided by USAID lists three levels for these categories. Can USAID clarify the number of levels requested for each of these categories?

A: Two levels are required for these positions. The third level for the Phytosanitary Systems should be deleted from the table. The solicitation will be amended to reflect this change.

http://eatproject.org/%23portfolio

27. Q: Reference: SOL Section B.4.2, p. 7 Should the offeror provide separate NICRA and ceiling rates for proposed subcontractors considering the likelihood that companies have different types of rates and bases for application? Similarly, should the offeror also provide NICRA documentation for all of its named subcontractors as part of required Annex B listed on page 39?

A: Yes, the Offeror must provide the NICRA and Ceiling rates for first tier subcontractors. The solicitation will be amended to reflect this change.

28. Q: Reference: SOL Section B.8.3, p. 12

Under Component 4 of the Statement of Work, mention is made that full-time STTA may be on-site at USAID missions for up to a period of 12 months. For expatriates this may result in payments for allowances that are not listed out in Sections B.4.3.1 and B.4.3.2 (e.g. post differential, danger pay, COLA, TQSA, housing, etc.). How would the contactor recover these costs if they are not allowable to be charged directly as an ODC?

A: The ODCs mentioned are not the full list. Each call will provide and define its own ODCs which will cover for other charges as appropriate. In the case of the first call, USAID has provided a plug figure for ODC’s.

29. Q: Reference: SOL Section B.9.1-2, p. 14-17 See Q# 6

Sections B.9.1-2 lay out education and experience requirements for key and non-key personnel, but the requirements listed for key personnel in B.9.1 are not consistent with those listed in the table in B.9.2. Is B.9.1 considered the official list of requirements for key personnel?

A: See Government response to question #6.

30. Q: Reference: SOL Section B.9.2, p. 16-17

On page 16, the table states that the “Program Assistant” shall have a BS/BA or higher AND 1-5 years relevant work experience (“intern, entry level”). Can USAID please clarify the apparent contradiction between “intern, entry level” and the 1-5 years of relevant work experience? Can USAID also clarify the contradictory language on page 17 where it states that this position requires “some college or 1-5 years of experience” (emphasis added)?

A: Internship is for entry level with some college or graduated and has no experience.

The Solicitation will be amended to clarify the contradiction.

31. Q: Reference: SOL Section C.5, p. 25

The Annual Representations and Certifications list the small business size standard as $6.5 million, but www.sba.gov lists the size standard for NAICS code 541690 as $15 million. Can USAID please clarify?

A: The NAICS code for the “Title Feed the Future Enabling Environment for Food Security (Agricultural project)” falls under 541690. Yes it is correct that the new small http://www.sba.gov/ business standard is $15 million. The solicitation will be amended to reflect the current size standard for this NAICS code.

32. Q: Reference: SOL Section C.12, p. 32

Section C.12 lists the authorized geographic code for the BPA and all call orders as 937.

This would exclude leading experts in these labor categories from Canada, the UK, and South Africa, among other countries. In order to allow offerors to identify the best qualified people for USAID assignments, particularly in less well-populated fields of expertise, would USAID consider changing the geographic code to 935 instead? If not, will TCN waivers be available for individual subject matter experts proposed?

A: The geographic code will be kept as 937. TCN waivers may be available for individual subject matter experts proposed.

33. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.1 and E.2.4, p. 35

The RFQ’s delivery instructions indicate that “the SF-1449 shall accompany the Cost Quote,” but Section E.2.4 lists the SF-1449 as being included in the technical proposal.

The SF-1449 is not mentioned in the list of items to be included in the price quote in section E.2.5. Can USAID please clarify?

A: The SF 1449 should be included in the Cost Quote. The Solicitation will be amended to Correct section E.2.4).

34. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.4, p. 35-36

Section E.2.4 includes a list of acceptable pieces of the technical proposal. Can USAID please confirm that a cover letter and executive summary are also acceptable? In addition, is the executive summary included in the 15 pages of the technical approach?

A: Yes, cover letter and executive summary are also acceptable and will not count toward the 15 page limit.

35. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.4, p. 36

Annex B is listed as a Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and the template provided includes several pieces of price data. Since Section E.2.4 (A) says “no price information is to be included in the Offeror’s technical proposal,” should the Small Business Subcontracting Plan be included with the price quote instead?

A: No, the Small Business plan narrative with percentages should be presented in the Technical proposal (with no cost information) and in the Cost proposal with all the cost figures (with cost Information).

36. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.4, p. 36

The Small Business Subcontracting Plan template requires the offeror to anticipate subcontract amounts for each year both in terms of dollar value and percentage of total subcontracting. Given that the structure of the BPA does not allow us to plan in advance for subcontracting opportunities such as travel costs and ODCs, and that use of specialists will depend on the call orders released later by USAID, would USAID consider reducing the level of specificity in these goals?

A: No, The goals are Agency wide minimums per socio-economic category and cannot be reduced.

37. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.4, p. 37

In the instructions for the technical proposal, sections A and B list a PMP and skills matrix as among the required pieces of the narrative. In order to provide a full overview of the indicators and SME areas of expertise is it acceptable to include these as annexes instead?

A: Yes it is acceptable to include them as annexes. See Government response to Questions # 8 for more information.

38. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.4, p. 38

Section E.2.4 (D) describes several pieces included in Contractor Past Performance Information. Can USAID please confirm that sections (a) through (d) should all be included in Annex A rather than in the Corporate Capability section of the technical narrative?

A: The narrative should be included in both annex A and the corporate capability section of the solicitation.

39. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.5, p. 39

Section E.2.4 includes a list of acceptable pieces of the price quote. Can USAID confirm that a cover page and cover letter are also acceptable?

A: Yes they are acceptable, See Government response to Question # 34.

40. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.5, p. 39

Are Employee Biodata Sheets required only for key personnel or also for non-key personnel? Does this include the illustrative STTAs whose CVs are included in the technical proposal? If so, given the illustrative nature of the EBDs, is it acceptable to mark Box 6: Proposed Salary as TBD?

A: Biodata sheets are required for proposed Key personnel. The COR will review and concur with the technical qualification of the proposed candidates and the CO will review the Biodata sheets and issue approval letter).

41. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.5, p. 39

The list of required documents for the price quote include letters of commitment for subcontractors and information to support consent to subcontract, both at the call order level. Is either of these items also required to support teaming arrangements at the Master BPA level?

A: Yes Teaming Arrangements are allowable at the Master BPA and call levels, and the same information is required to support them. All teaming will be proposed and consented to for each individual Call Order.

42. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.5, p. 40

Subsection B: Price Worksheet refers to Tab 1 of the Excel file (Attachment D.1) – “the total Level of Effort must not be revised.” No total LOE is shown in Tab 1.

A: Typo, the total LOE should be shown in Tab 1. The solicitation will be amended to correct the worksheet.

43. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.2.5, p. 40

Subsection D: BPA Call Price Worksheet refers to Tabs 2, 3 and 4 in the Excel file (Attachment D.1). There is no Tab 4 in the Excel file provided.

A: No tab 4 on the excel spreadsheet. The solicitation will be amended to delete references to Tab 4 in the worksheet and Correct section E.2.5 on P.40.

44. Q: Reference: SOL Section E.3.1, p. 41

Under Section E.3.1(a)(v)(b) regarding price evaluation, the RFQ states that “the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement.” How will USAID determine the total price for the BPA? Will it add the proposed ceiling rates for each labor category and level, or will it apply specific LOE to each category/level before adding up to obtain a total? If the latter, can USAID provide the expected LOE for each labor category and level that will be used to determine the total price?

A: The LOE will depend on the call-order; each call order will be priced based on the LOE for each level. The evaluation of the first call order proposal will help determine best value to the government.

45. Q: Reference: SOL Attachment D.1 – Price Worksheet

In the Excel budget spreadsheet “Call Order Detail Budget” (Tab 3) plug figures for travel are given as $36,600 (for the SARSS) and $0 (for the KM assessment), yet the travel item in the Call Order Summary Budget spreadsheet (Tab 2) shows a plug figure of $60,000. Can USAID confirm which plug figure should be used?

A: $36,600 is for travel. The solicitation will be amended to reflect the correct plug number for travel. Plug figures have been updated, please see tab #2 of the price sheet.

46. Q: Reference: SOL Attachment D.1 – Price Worksheet

In the Excel budget spreadsheet “Call Order Detail Budget” (Tab 3) plug figures are not shown for ODCs for either the SARSS or KM tasks, yet the ODC item in the Call Order Summary Budget spreadsheet (Tab 2) gives a plug figure of $205,000. Can USAID clarify if there is a plug figure for ODCs? If there is a plug figure, can USAID confirm:

(a) the amount and how it should be allocated between the SARSS and KM tasks within the detailed budget?; (b) whether offerors should disregard the three ODC sub-line items (A, B, C) in the detailed budget spreadsheet?

A: Plug figures have been updated, please see tab #2. See Government response to question # 44 for pricing guideline. The LOE for the first call is detailed in question # 20.

47. Q: Reference: SOL Attachment D.1 – Price Worksheet

In the Excel budget spreadsheets “Call Order Detail Budget” (Tab 3) and “Call Order Summary Budget” (Tab 2), USAID has provided a line for “Profit/Fee” in the budget tables. Given that the RFQ states that fee may not be charged on materials (“payment of fee on materials, which includes subcontracts for supplies and incidental services for which there is not a labor category specified in the contract is prohibited” on page 7) and fee is already included in the burdened labor rates, can USAID clarify on which direct costs fee may be charged?

A: Fee will be used as applicable. The Solicitation is amended to delete the fee line in the budget table.

48. Q: Reference: SOL Section D.5, p. 63 and 66 In the Call Order, page 63 refers to the SARSS being completed in 9 weeks in the Spring of 2015 with 20 days required for field work and consultations within South Africa. On page 66, the call order states that the completion period will be 8 weeks with 15 days of field work. Please clarify.

A: See Government response to Question# 20.

49. Q: Reference: SOL Section D.5, p. 64-65

For each deliverable in the initial call order, Section D requests that “at minimum this assignment will be completed by one candidate who must possess the following minimum qualifications.” Can USAID confirm that offerors can propose additional personnel needed to complete/support the activities (e.g. local expertise within the Southern African region, project administration, any required translation, etc.)? If more than one candidate is proposed for an assignment, must each candidate possess at least the minimum qualifications or is it acceptable to pair a senior expert with a more junior-level candidate?

A: Yes, Offeror may propose other/additional labor categories, in addition to the one Knowledge Management Expert, to the extent required to successfully complete this effort. If more than one candidate is proposed for an assignment, each candidate must possess at least the minimum qualification that level proposed.

50. Q: Reference: SOL Section D.5, p. 65 and 67

Can USAID please confirm that the Knowledge Management Needs Assessment in the initial Call Order is due within 30 calendar days of award, not 30 working days?

A: It is within 30 calendar days of award. The Solicitation will be amended to make it clear.

51. Q: In RFQ section B.4.1., USAID requires three different levels for the Sanitary and

Phyto-sanitary Systems Specialist, however, the table in section B.9.2 does not provide the required education and years of experience. Could USAID Please provide the required education and years of experience for Level 3 Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Systems Specialist?

A: There is no level 3. Only two levels are required. The solicitation will be amended to incorporate the correct levels required.

52. Q: On RFQ page 63, USAID references the FTF “aligned” country Zimbabwe. Could USAID please provide offerors with a full listing of all FTF aligned countries?

A: FtF aligned countries include: Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burma, Georgia, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Kyrgyz Republic, and Nigeria.

53. Q: In RFQ section C.3.10, USAID states that locally hired and non U.S. personnel should be subject to AIDAR 722.170(a), which requires that TCNs and CCNs who are hired abroad for work in a cooperating country under USAID-direct contracts generally be extended the same benefits and be subject to the same restrictions as TCNs and CCNs employed as direct hires by the USAID Mission. Additionally, C.3.10 states the U.S.

ceiling daily rate will be applied to TCNs and CCNs conforming to this regulatory provision and that salaries must not exceed the rates specified in Section B.4. Could USAID please clarify why personnel should be subject to these limitations if this BPA calls for fully loaded rates assigned to different labor categories (and corresponding experience and education)?

A: The personnel are subject to these limitations because of the differences in salary ceiling requirements between TCNs and CCNs in each Mission. The main purpose of this language in the solicitation is so that TCNs and CCNs are paid fairly within each country, with the understanding that no TCN’s or CCN’s salary will ever exceed the ceiling daily rate established by the BPA. USAID would expect discounts to Master BPA CDR’s in countries where the TCN and CCN salary is considered low compared to other countries.

54. Q: We notice a small discrepancy in plug figures provided in the solicitation price worksheet template for Call Order One. Could USAID please confirm that the following are the plug figures for the first call order:

a. Travel: $60,000 over the period of performance for this order

b. Other Direct Costs: $205,000

c. Other SME Services Plug Figure: $106,850

A: Plug figures have been updated, please see tab #2 of the price sheet.

55. Q: Tab 1 of the attached Price Worksheet calls for entry of “Base Year Daily Salary Rate” and requires offerors to build up a loaded rate using a base rate and applying different indirect rates (Fringe, Overhead and G&A). Given that this BPA falls under FAR Part 13.303 – Blanket Purchase Agreements and will be limited to fully loaded rates as described in Section B.4.5 Pricing and Section B.5 Billing, we respectfully request that USAID revise Tab 1 of the Budget Worksheet to remove the requirement for detailing the base rate and different indirect rates. It is our understanding that the final proposed loaded rate should be inclusive of what is cited under section B.5 of the RFQ and these final loaded rates are developed based on a blend of different staff salaries (including consultant rates and partners’ rates) plus applicable indirect rates and profit (if any). Per FAR 15.403, it is our understanding that additional pricing data is not required when adequate competition exists to determine reasonableness of price.

A: This is required to help the Government understand how the offreror priced each labor category. That will help determine the fair and reasonableness of the proposed quotes.

56. Q: Similarly, RFQ Section E.2.5 instructs offerors to include employee biodata sheets as an annex to the price quote. As USAID is requesting offerors to provide fully loaded rates, please confirm that biodata sheets are not required as part of offerors’ submissions.

A: Biodata is required as part of the offeror’s submissions documents for the Master BPA and the first call key personnel. USAID should know the qualifications and experience of the proposed employee. See Government response to question # 40.

57. Q: Could USAID please confirm that discounted rates will only be requested on a call order basis, allowing offerors to scale down prices based on specific order and SOW requirements, such as location of call order performance?

A: Yes, discounts are expected for call orders. Each call order may have different discounts based upon the particular requirements of the call order.

58. Q: On RFQ page 37, Section E.2.4.B, offerors are instructed to submit "an overall staffing plan for the life of the Master BPA to include the Key Personnel described in Section B.9.1 and all required labor categories described in Section B.9.2" and a "distinct and separate plan for staffing the BPA Call… [including] a detailed description of roles, responsibilities, and qualifications of the proposed staff." In order to be fully responsive to USAID’s instruction, we ask that USAID allow offerors to provide summary information in the body of the technical proposal with more detailed staffing plans in a non-page counting annex.

A: A summary staffing plan should be included in the technical proposal and a maximum of 10 pages detailed staffing plan can be submitted as annex.

59. Q: RFQ Section E.2.1/DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS/d. states that “The SF-1449 shall accompany the Cost Quote.” Section E.2.4 then lists the SF-1449 as number 2 in the composition of the technical proposal. Could USAID please confirm that the SF-1449 should accompany only the cost quote?

A: Yes, the SF-1449 should accompany only the cost quote. See Government response to question #33.

60. Q: RFQ Section E.2.4 lists Representations and Certifications as number 12 (Annex E) in the composition of the technical proposal. Could USAID please confirm that the Representations and Certifications should accompany only the cost quote?

A: No, the certifications should be included in the cost proposal.

61. Q: Could USAID please confirm that a short transmittal letter may be included with the technical proposal and will not count toward the page limit?

A: A short transmittal letter may be included and will not be included in the page count.

62. Q: In RFQ Section B.8.1, p. 10, USAID states that the Enabling Agricultural Trade (EAT) project “…developed an analytical method designed to diagnose constraints to developing an enabling environment for seed, called “SeedCLIR.” Would USAID please make this document available to offerors or via DEC.gov?

A: Use the following link to access the Tanzania SeedCLIR report:

http://eatproject.org/#portfolio coupled with the second report provided as attachment to the amended solicitation.

63. Q: Throughout the RFQ, USAID refers to the “team” that will carry out the Southern Africa Regional Seed Sector Assessment. However, the level of effort provided on page 63 (45 days total) seems to indicate that USAID only envisions one consultant completing the assessment. In our experience, to complete such a complex, multi-country http://eatproject.org/%23portfolio

(a minimum of four countries) assessment the successful offeror will need to field multiple consultants to complete the assignment. Could USAID please provide additional detail on the number of desired consultants required to complete the Southern Africa Regional Seed Sector Assessment and the total LOE desired for the entire team?

A: The total estimated LOE over an 8 week period is 115 working days (See Government response to question # 20). The Offeror can propose the size and makeup of the team that they believe is best suited to complete the assignment, including local consultants.

64. Q: In the Scope of Work for the Initial Call Order, level of effort is provided for the completion of the Southern Africa Regional Seed Assessment and for the On-Demand Consulting Services portion of the order; however, no desired level of effort is provided for the Knowledge Management Needs Assessment and Knowledge Management Implementation Plan. For fairness of evaluation, could USAID please provide desired LOE for each of these tasks?

A: The solicitation will be amended to include estimated level of effort Knowledge Management components of the Call Order.

65. Q: In the Scope of Work for the Initial Call Order, Section B.9, USAID instructs offerors to provide a Team Leader as Key Personnel, but does not provide any associated requirements. Further, no level of effort is provided in the Scope of Work for the Team Leader. Could USAID please provide personnel requirements for the Initial Call Order Team Leader and their anticipated level of effort?

A: The Program Manager is the team leader; the offeror should propose LOE based on their assessment of the requirements. The solicitation will be amended to change “Team Leader” to Program Manager to comply with the Key Personnel requirements within the BPA. It is anticipated that the program Manager will be full time.

66. Q: In RFQ Section B.9.2, Short-Term Technical Assistance (STTA), USAID lists the Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager, and Knowledge Management Officer as Level 1 staff with degree and year of experience requirements that are not aligned with the requirements listed for these positions in Section B.9.1, Key Personnel. For example, in Section B.9.1 the Project Manager needs to have a minimum of 10 years of total work experience and a graduate degree, whereas the table in Section B.9.2. Lists the requirement of a MS/MA/MBA plus 12 years of work experience as the minimum. Could USAID please confirm that offerors are to propose Key Personnel consistent with the requirements in Section B.9.1?

A: See Government response to Question #6.

67. Q: In RFQ Section E.2.4.A.4, USAID instructs offerors to include a life of project PMP.

In order to respond fully to this instruction, would USAID permit offerors to include the full PMP in an non-page counting annex with a summary provided in the body of the technical proposal?

A: See Government answer to Qestion#8.

68. Q: Could USAID please provide additional detail on the geographic scope required of the Southern Africa Regional Seed Sector Assessment? The geographic scope varies across a wide spectrum between a small number of countries (i.e., Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa) to those countries plus their trading partners (perhaps a dozen) but findings might apply to other seed systems beyond SADC (15 countries) to the East African Community (EAC) and COMESA (20 countries from Libya and Egypt to Seychelles and Swaziland). Further, the RFQ mentions “other relevant regional strategic plans, including the FTF Multi-Year Strategy, compacts, and investment plans related to seeds” and CAADP.

A: The key countries to be included in the assessment are

• South Africa

• Zambia

• Zimbabwe

• Mozambique

• Malawi.

Key trading partners include

• Tanzania

• Democratic Republic of Congo.

69. Q: Please confirm that all material required by D. Contractor Past Performance Information in Section E.2.4 (including information on quality awards and small business utilization) should be presented in Annex A.

A: Yes, everything should be presented in annex A.

70. Q: To facilitate consistent evaluation of proposals, would USAID be willing to limit the number of illustrative short-term technical assistance (STTA) CVs to a maximum of three per proposed labor category?

A: The government will not limit the number of illustrative CVs, however, each CV must not exceed 2 pages in length. The solicitation will be amended to include this requirement.

71. Q: Could USAID please provide instruction on which column in the Small Business Goals table on RFQ page 38 that offerors should use for guidance when developing our small business subcontracting targets?

A: The Sub Column reflects the current Agency goals for FY 2015 and applies to the prime. The solicitation will be amended to clarify the required minimum goals.

72. Q: The qualifications required and preferred for the Key Personnel in Section B.9.1 (P.

13-14) do not align with the education and experience requirements included in the labor categories table on page 15 in Section B.9.2. Please confirm that Offeror’s personnel should fill the qualifications in the text in Section B.9.1.

A: See Government response to Question #6.

73. Q: Please confirm that for the purposes of the BPA Initial Call Order, the Team Leader should be treated as Key Personnel and consequently that the Offeror should present a letter of commitment, CV, three references, and a biographical data sheet for this position.

A: The solicitation will be amended to change “Team Leader” to Program Manager to comply with the Key Personnel requirements within the BPA

74. Q: Please clarify the qualifications for the Team Leader of the BPA Initial Call Order.

Are these the same as listed on pages 64 – 65 in Section D?

A: See Government answer to Question #73. The qualifications are the same as described on pages 64-65.

75. Q: Please clarify – is the “expert consultant” described on pg. 63 the same as the BPA Initial Call Order Team Leader?

A: No, the “Expert Consultant” is not the same as the BPA initial Call order team leader.

76. Q: Section E.2.4 (P. 36) states that “no price information is to be included in the

Offeror’s technical proposal.” However, the Small Business Subcontracting Plan is included in the list of technical annexes as Annex B. Given that the Small Business Subcontracting Plan includes price information, please confirm that it should be submitted as an annex to the Cost Proposal.

A: See Government response to Question#35

77. Q: Please confirm that the Offeror’s Representations and Certifications should be submitted as an annex to the Cost Proposal and not as an annex to the Technical Proposal.

A: It should be presented as an annex to the cost proposal.

78. Q: Section E.3.3 (P. 43 – 44) includes the Small Business Subcontracting Plan in Sub-factor 5 under Technical Evaluation Factor 2. Given that the Small Business Subcontracting Plan contains cost information and therefore should be included with the Cost Proposal, please confirm that Sub-Factor 5 under Technical Evaluation Factor 2 will not evaluate the Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

A: Please see Government response to Question#35

79. Q: Does USAID envision Call Orders being structured around specific requests from Missions, or will there be a Call Order issued on an annual basis that would encompass an overall annual work plan?

A: Yes. Call orders may be issued by both foreign Missions and Washington bureaus. See Government answer to Question #24.

80. Q: What are the Feed the Future aligned countries?

A: FtF aligned countries include:

• Timor-Leste

• Democratic Republic of Congo

• South Sudan

• Zimbabwe

• Burma

• Georgia

• Egypt

• Lebanon

• Yemen

• Kyrgyz Republic

• Nigeria.

81. Q: Can the Call Order Team Leader position substitute years of experience in lieu of a

Master’s Degree?

A: See Government answer to Question #9.

82. Q: Section D.1: Please correct the discrepancy between the Southern Africa Regional Seed Sector Assessment timeline on page 63 and the timeline given on page 66. Will the SARSS be completed across 8 weeks or 9 weeks?

A: See Government answer to Question #20.

83. Q: Can Offerors include letters of commitment from resource groups as an annex to the technical proposal that will not count against the page limit?

A: If the offeror intends to propose as a consortium or if the offeror proposes subcontractors at the BPA level, then the offeror should provide information required under FAR 44.202-2 in order to obtain contracting officer’s consent.

84. Q: Can Offerors submit the Performance Monitoring Plan as an annex to the technical proposal that will not count against the page limit?

A: See Government answer to Question #8.

85. Q: Please confirm whether the Initial Call Order will include the 8 or 9 week Southern Africa Regional Seed Sector Assessment, the Knowledge Management Needs Assessment, the Knowledge Management Implementation Plan, and the 60 days of On- Demand Consulting Services.

A: See Government answer to Question #20.

86. Q: Who are the stakeholders with whom USAID envisions the Contractor working under each component? How will Missions use this mechanism at the local level?

A: USAID envisions engaging a broad set of stakeholders from both public and private sectors during assignments that deliver technical analysis and targeted technical assistance and implementation support. Missions will determine how they will use this mechanism at the local level.

87. Q: Section E.3.3 B-1 (P. 43) Please confirm that “Section x.x” refers to Section E.2.4 B.

A: Yes, Section X.X refers to Section E.2.4.B. The solicitation will be amended to reflect the correct section.

88. Q: Per point D under the General Delivery Instructions (P. 35) offerors are to submit a signed SF-1449 as part of the cost proposal. However, further down on the same page under E.2.4, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, point 2 lists SF- 1449 as required in the technical proposal. Please clarify where the SF-1449 is to be included.

A: See Government answer to Question #33

89. Q: Can USAID confirm that all subject matter experts proposed should sign a letter of interest only? Can USAID further clarify that the only staff to sign letters of commitment to include their availability for the initial Call Order should be the Team Leader and those candidates proposed to fulfill the Regional Seed Sector Assessment and the Knowledge Management Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan described on pages 62-65?

A: Letters of commitment are only required for proposed key personnel.

90. Q: Section B.4.3 (P. 7-8) Are offerors limited to proposing ODCs and travel costs as outlined on p.8?

A: No, the government has included a plug number both for travel and ODCs. The offeror should propose and price a detailed list of expected ODCs based upon the requirements of the Call Order. Please note that the solicitation will be amended to correct a discrepancy between the plug numbers included in Tabs 2 and 3.

91. Q: Section B.4.3 (P. 8) the RFP states that “The Government will not pay travel charges for travel to and from the BPA holder employer’s home office location…” Would USAID consider authorizing BPA travel on an as-needed basis to the BPA holder’s home office location depending on the nature of a Call Order and possible travel requirements?

A: The government will not reimburse local travel to/from Offeror’s home office and the Government’s offices in Washington DC area. All other travel will be approved in advance on an as-needed basis.

92. Q: Section B.5 (P. 8) states that “Fee on fee is not authorized” and Tabs 2 and 3 of the

Pricing Worksheet Template provide separate line items for fee/profit. Please confirm that the fee/profit line item is not applicable as call orders will be only T&M, Fixed Price or Labor Hour.

A: Correct, the solicitation will be amended to include a revised pricing template. Please note that the offeror should include their proposed fee within the fully loaded labor rates included in Tab 1 to assist the Government in making a determination that the proposed rates are fair and reasonable.

93. Q: Section B.6 (P. 8) Please specify whether invoicing under a FFP call order will be conducted on a deliverable based schedule or as a straight line percentage of total costs.

A: Invoicing requirements will be determined on a call order basis.

94. Q: Section E.2.5 (p. 39) Please verify that offerors may submit annexes to the pricing narratives in order to provide documentation not already accounted for in the provided list. For example, the price quote format outlined on p. 39 does not provide for offerors to submit PDF versions of our budgets for review.

A: No additional annexes will be considered. Price narratives should be in accordance with the instructions included in E.2.5 of the solicitation.

95. Q: Section E.2.5 (5) (p.39) Do contractors need to provide biodatas for salaries referenced in the development of our burdened CDRs?

A: Please see government response to Question #56.

96. Q: Section E.2.5 (5) (p.39) Do Offerors need to provide biodatas for Illustrative STTA or only for Key Personnel and SMEs proposed on the Initial Call?

A: Please see government response to Question #56.

97. Q: Section B.3 and Section B.10 (p.58) The application of the 937 geographic code for the call order is unclear as the “US and Worldwide” place of performance definition is not specific. As an advanced developed country, if South Africa is not specifically named as the cooperating/recipient country for the call order, contractors will be precluded from hiring a CCN to undertake the South African Regional Seed Sector Assessment. Would USAID consider altering the geographic code to 935 to allow contractors to appropriately respond to call orders with a wide geographic focus and a place of performance defined as the US and Worldwide?

A: Please see Government response to Question #32.

98. Q: Attachment D.1 Pricing Worksheet Template provides space for 3 levels per labor category while the RFP (Section B.9.2 on p. 15 – 16) provides education and experience requirements for levels 1 and 2 only. Please confirm that the labor category levels and definitions as provided in Section B.9.2 should be followed.

A: Please see government response to Question #26.

99. Q: Attached D.1 Pricing Worksheet Template: Should offerors assume that all numbers hardcoded in Attachment D.1 Pricing Worksheet Template are plug figures? For Example, Tab 2 Call Order Summary Budget lists ODCs at $205,000 but no plug figures per cost category are provided in Tab 3 Call Order Detailed Budget.

A: Yes, they are plug figures. Plug figures have been updated, please see tab #2 of the price sheet. The government will issue an amendment to the solicitation to include a revised pricing template.

100. Q: Attachment D.1 Pricing Worksheet Template: the travel plug figure provided in Tab 2 Call Order Summary Budget is $60,000 while Tab 3 Call Order Detail Budget lists travel at $36,600 for the South Africa Regional Seed Sector Assessment cost category, provides no plug for the Knowledge Management cost category, and travel is already included in the “Other SME Services” cost category plug figure. Please clarify what travel plug should be used per cost category in Tab 3 of the Pricing Worksheet Template. Please also provide guidance as to what costs are included within the travel plug figure (i.e. per Diem, visa costs, etc.). If not provided by a plug figure, please specify the anticipated destination of the two international trips under cost category 3 - On Demand Consulting Services to ensure parity amongst bidders.

A: The $36,600 plug number should be used for travel. Destinations are in the Southern Africa region. Plug figures have been updated, please see tab #2 of the price sheet. The government will issue an amendment to the solicitation to include a revised pricing template.

101. Q: Attachment D.1 Pricing Worksheet Template: Tabs 2 and 3 of the Pricing Worksheet Template reference a plug figure of $106,850 for “other SME services” cost category.