Technical_Cost_QuestionsLeaD_IDIQ.pdf

DCHA Learning and Development IDIQ

SOL-OAA-16-000014

Amendment 4

April 13, 2016

Note: USAID answered the questions submitted to the best of our ability. A number of the questions were resubmitted and asked in various ways. The hope and intent was to respond to those types questions in a way to meet all the respondents questions.

Technical Questions LeaD IDIQ

1. Which contractor/s is currently supporting the training and development needs of the DCHA

Bureau? Are any of these contractors eligible to bid on this IDIQ? All questions should be specifically pertinent to this RFP.

2. How will DCHA ensure consistency in quality across the various LeaD contractors? Does the government intend to have more than one contractor conduct the same training or development activities? Under the IQC up to 3 awards are expected to be made by

USAID. The COR will be responsible for ensuring consistency across task orders.

3. LABOR: Section B.8, p.6-7, “(a) Central Management costs will be handled through the following method: CO selects either method (1) or method (2).”

It does not appear that a method for central management costs has been selected or indicated. Will the government confirm whether or not a key (full-time) technical manager/IDIQ manager is necessary or required to administer the basic IDIQ and if contractors will be authorized to bill USAID directly for management costs incurred?

The determination for which method utilized will be decided at the task order level.

This is why both options were presented in B.8, p.6-7.

4. LABOR CATEGORIES: Section B.8 (a), p. 8, the solicitation provides a list of labor categories/groupings.

Will the government confirm whether this list is meant to be illustrative or if contractors are required to provide ceiling daily rates (CDR) for these categories

ONLY? Labor categories are illustrative, contractors can propose categories and CDR as they see fit.

Furthermore, it appears that vendors are requested to provide CDRs for each position at the mid and senior level; however, the positions themselves are labeled as senior, mid, and sometimes junior. Because the level of each labor category is included in the

“title” is we correct to assume a mid and senior rate are not required? EG: Please confirm the government does not want a CDR-Mid and CDR-Senior for the Program

Development Specialist (Sr.). Labor categories are illustrative, contractors can propose categories and CDR as they see fit.

5. Labor Categories, Section B.8 (a), p. 8, Labor Category Grouping “Consultants” and p.9, Bullet at bottom of page “Subject matter experts will provide technical assistance as needed.”

Does the Government intend offerors to propose subject matter experts under the

Consultants labor category? Labor categories are illustrative, contractors can propose categories and CDR as they see fit.

6. BACKGROUND: Section C.2, p. 14, notes “From 2011 through 2015, close to 1300 DCHA staff completed training and learning listed below” and goes on to provide a table reflecting the training and development activities conducted during the past several years.

What existing training materials, curricula, systems, etc. will be transitioned/made available to the contractors who receive LeaD contract awards? Given the laps in task order the COR will share reports, guidance and prior course materials other than that the new contractor will need to rely on contractor expertise and experience to design and implement activities.

7. FAR 19.704 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN REQUIREMENTS: H.25, p. 64 notes that subcontracting plan must include separate percentage goals for using small businesses, etc.

Given the entire solicitation is a Total Small Business Set-Aside, is a subcontracting plan required? Because this RFP is a Total Small Business Set-Aside no subcontracting plan is required. However some identification of partners is required.

8. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, Section

L.8, p. 110, notes “the technical proposal must be submitted in three-ring binders…” and that

Dividers are not included in the page limitation. It also notes that “Small Disadvantaged

Business participation program targets information” is not included in the page limit.

Will the government confirm that proposals are to be submitted electronically only and that any references to hard copy production should be removed? Furthermore, will the government also confirm participation program targets are not required as the entire solicitation is a total small business set-aside? The entirety of the RFP and subsequent proposal submission will be handled electronically. No three-ring binders will be utilized.

9. In Section L.7 page 109, USAID stated that all questions to the solicitation be sent via email to girby@usaid.gov, USAID should clarify whether this is the same email for receiving proposals. George Serapis Irby at 202-567-5047 email: girby@usaid.gov. The attached email is the primary location for all submissions.

10. GENERAL INFORMATION, Section M.1, p. 118, notes, “USAID anticipates awarding approximately four (4) IDIQ contracts set-aside for small businesses…”

The solicitation references a plan for award of three (3) IDIQ contracts in both the cover letter and Section L.6. Will the government confirm whether the intention is to make three (3) or four (4) awards? Yes 3 awards will be made and task orders will be awarded from the 3 IQCs.

11. TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA, Section M.2, (d) Past Performance, p. 121, allocates 5 points each for “encountered problems” and “quality awards or certifications.”

In the event that Offerors have not encountered problems or received quality awards or certifications as part of their past performance references, it is not possible to receive these 10 points. Essentially, Offerors will be adversely critiqued for not having encountered problems. Will the government consider revising the points allocated for

Past Performance to allow offerors who have not encountered problems or received quality awards, but have exceptional past performance rankings, to receive the maximum points available? The government will not change point allocation, consideration will cover all listed “encountered problems, quality awards and/or certifications.

TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA, Section M.2, (e) Key Personnel, p. 121, states that applicants will be evaluated on Key Personnel being “available full-time” and that

“Together, the proposed Key Personnel provide the breadth and depth of technical expertise and management experience needed in this program”

As noted in Question 1, the solicitation is unclear whether a full-time IDIQ Manager is required. Furthermore, throughout the entire solicitation, the only key personnel position referenced is that of the IDIQ Manager. However, this evaluation criterion indicates a requirement for a Team of Key Personnel. Will the government clarify and revise the evaluation criteria accordingly? The reason for the key personnel notification is because those are the positions that USAID will have input on if the future contractor would like to change personnel.

12. Amendment 1 page 1 Technical Understanding states “The Offeror must formulate response to address task areas/activities highlighted in Section C that represents the work to be accomplished under individual task orders. Offerors bidding on this IDIQ, mailto:girby@usaid.gov must describe their thought process regarding each task area/activity Offerors’ must provide a concise summary of their understanding and knowledge of and general approach.” Amendment 1 page 2 states c) Technical understanding (only to include responses to the three sample tasks and not an overall approach for Task 1-4 of section.”

This seems contradictory; please clarify what is required to be addressed under the technical understanding. Please also clarify that the reference to the three sample tasks refers to:

1. Description of key areas and illustrative activities represent core activities and/or build on previous activities, including implementation gaps, issues and challenges experiences for adult learners in the USAID environment to be designed and delivered under each task;

2. Description of the technical approach including the methodology, strategy and principles used in accomplishing each activities under task areas;

3. Description of and the rationale for the short and long term personnel proposed for activities and or task areas;

Furthermore, the scope of work is of a very general nature without clearly quantified activities, locations or other metrics that would allow for the development of a work plan. Please provide clarification and definition of activities which should form the basis of the work plan requested or please consider removing this requirement until clear definition of deliverables can be provided at a task order level.

Refer to amendment 2 that was posted on 3/18/2016.

13. Section C Task 2 Page 21 “In addition, the contractor will provide at least two illustrative procedural overviews of OD interventions in at least two different areas (i.e., teambuilding, strategic planning, visioning exercises, organizational needs analysis, or programming consultation) sufficient detail is needed to demonstrate the ability to apply a general process for OD assistance to specific OD activities.

At least one of these illustrative procedural overviews should exemplify an OD intervention in a DCHA Bureau office and at least one should illustrate an OD intervention in a field office. The field office intervention should account for potentially significant cross-cultural dynamics.”

Section C Task 3 Page 23 “Provide at least one illustrative activity and training to be provided to support performance management or an example of a plan for streamlining an existing system. Past efforts have included providing training and development of

Annual Work Objectives and Individual Learning and Development Plans (ITLP) for various hiring mechanisms, assistance and training in mentoring and coaching, and supervisory skills training. The example should offer sufficient detail to demonstrate ability to apply a process for performance management specific activities.”

Please clarify if in addition to the overall technical approach to the 4 criteria listed under section L and M for the technical understanding of each task, the offeror is required to provide a specific approach to the above within the technical understanding section of task 2 and 3 or of the 4 criteria should be addressed specific to the requirement outlined above for task 2 and 3.

14. Section M.2 (b) page 118 states “Plan for rapid start-up of the program, including the first year plan of activities and timeline; and plans for rapid response to requests from

USAID/Washington and/or USAID Missions, including how the program will manage requests in multiple countries and regions of the world, and balance the competing demands from USAID/Washington and USAID Missions, including the reporting requirements. The merit of the management plan will also be reviewed to ensure cost-effectiveness and timely completion of planned activities.” Given that this is an IDIQ with unknown requirements at a task order level please advise how the rapid startup, first year plan and the cost effectiveness and timely completion of planned activities of unknown activities can be evaluated at this stage seeing that the scope of work is only illustrative and lacking specificity, Illustrative activities provided by USAID should be used to development start up management plan. The offeror is being evaluated on how they put together a start-up management plan. Management plans should include start up activities such as staffing, priority of actions, communication etc.

15. Please confirm that key personnel resume, reference and letter of commitment is to be included as an annex and does not count towards the page limit. Confirmed

16. This URL : http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/pdf/cib92_17.pdf provided for sample letter in Section L.9 page 133 is invalid.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/cib92_17.pdf

17. The URL http://www.usaid.gov/pubs/ads/300 in Section L.1 page 102 is invalid.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/300.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/cib92_17.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/300.pdf

18. L.8 (b) Content to technical proposal, Past Performance (a) (i), stated “the offeror/subcontractor shall complete Part 1 (Blocks 1 through 9) of the Contractor

Performance Report-Short Form for up to five contracts and/or subcontracts (See Attachment

J.4). The name, telephone number, and email address for all contacts are required.”

Attachment J.4 is price evaluation matrix not past performance matrix. Please provide the

Contractor Performance Report-Short Form.https://www.usaidallnet.gov/partner-learning/3/data/downloads/ppr%20form%20template.pdf

19. Section M2.(e) Key Personnel page 121 states “The applicant will be evaluated on the following factors:

All proposed key personnel have letters of commitment in the proposal , are available full-time immediately upon award, have position descriptions that clearly illustrate and delineate their responsibilities, level of effort, and meet the requirements set forth under key personnel in the “Content of the Technical Application-Instructions.” Together, the proposed key personnel provide the breadth and depth of technical expertise and management experience needed in this program.

The staff and staffing pattern proposed for non-key positions demonstrate excellence in terms of key technical and organizational requirements and provide an appropriate mix of skills while avoiding excessive staff.”

Please confirm only the IDIQ Manager will be evaluated for this section and that no other non-key positions are being presented for evaluation at this stage as per section L. This section also appears to be evaluating similar aspects as section M2. (b) Management Plan page 119. Please clarify. While the IDIQ Manager position is at the IDIQ level, The

IDIQ awardee needs to demonstrate capacity to staff and provide support at the task order level. Key personnel and labor categories are illustrative.

20. Section L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL

PROPOSAL page 110 references the following attachments “Personnel summary matrix (per

Section L) on the expertise of staff, consultants, and other personnel specialists” and “Past performance matrix” both of which is not required per Section L, please confirm these are not required. A personnel summary matrix is not required per section L.

21. Section L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL

PROPOSAL page 110 states “Do not use a type smaller than 11 pitch.” Please confirm this should be font size not pitch. Yes, pitch is also referenced as Font.

22. What is the total size of the DCHA workforce?

https://www.usaidallnet.gov/partner-learning/3/data/downloads/ppr%20form%20template.pdf https://www.usaidallnet.gov/partner-learning/3/data/downloads/ppr%20form%20template.pdf

How many staff will be covered by the OD interventions and the Performance Management system support? Please provide a breakdown (number and GS-levels) of staff by category, i.e. Back Stop (BS)-76 Foreign Service Officers, Foreign Service Nationals, others? OD and performance support are demand driven not automatic and not a point to point ratio.

23. What, if any OD interventions currently underway, will likely continue into this new contract? What processes, if any, are in place to transition these interventions? OD support was provided under the previous task order that ended September 2015.

24. Page 16, Table 1: Training and Learning Activities considered Core: The Organizational

Development activity area lists several retreats and meetings as “core sample activities.”

Question: Do curricula exist for all existing sample core activities? No curriculum does not exist.

25. Page 16, Table 1: Training and Learning Activities considered Core: The Organizational

Development activity area lists several retreats and meetings as “core sample activities.”

Questions: As core, are these recurring retreats? Are the activities held at an off-site location?

Besides these “core sample activities, what other core activities are offered under

Organizational Development activity area? Retreats and meetings listed are the only OD activities carried out thus far and are typically held off-site.

26. Page 21, para 1, bullet 1: Incorporate a plan for follow up coaching into each OD curriculum update and design. Question: Is the follow up coaching envisaged as group or individual sessions? Thus far coaching has been provided on an individual level.

27. Page 21, para. 4: “At least one of these illustrative procedural overviews should exemplify an

OD intervention in a DCHA Bureau Office, and at least one should illustrate an OD intervention in a field office.” Question: For field office interventions, are these to be conducted at the individual field office level, or at the regional office level? OD request are based on need so it is hard to predict if a Mission (field office) or a regional mission will request OD assistance.

28. Page 22, bullet 2: “Create and update an annual calendar of core OD events scheduled over a

12-month period and update quarterly or more frequently as changes occur” Question: What is the expected frequency of each retreat or OD intervention in a 12-month period? OD request are based on need so it is hard to predict.

29. Page 22, para. 3: Field Based International OD Assistance: Question: Please provide a breakdown of the number and locations of field offices, missions and regional offices envisioned to receive OD Assistance. OD assistance as with all the activities described is based on demand and/or need. It is hard to predict which offices and/or missions will require assistance. A large portion of these activities will be based in DCHA.

30. For task 3, how many staff will be covered by the Performance Management System support initiative? This is a new activity that will be developed during implementation.

31. How many job classifications are represented and what are those classifications? No job classifications will be required since that is an internal function.

32. Page 22, Task 3, para 2.: “The contractor will describe assistance methods to ensure performance management systems are comprehensive, effective, and supportive of staff development, inclusive of different hiring mechanisms, and streamlined.” Questions: How many different performance systems exist now? How are these systems differentiated (e.g., by staff category, hiring mechanism?). Are these separate systems mandatory or can they be consolidated? Staffing systems are set support under task orders will not include changes to the performance system itself.

33. While there are repeated references to BS staff positions but no mention of Personal Services

Contractors. As several offices at DCHA are composed largely of PSCs, how do they factor into the scope? Support for will include all staffing mechanisms as needed.

34. As some of the DCHA offices have fulltime training staff as well as contractual arrangements with training providers, how would these factors into the DCHA LeaD scope? In the same fashion, what about the Federal Executive Institute's courses in Charlottesville? LeaD is separate from training sources noted. Review the list of illustrative activities from previous task order to gage LeaD scope.

35. L.9 part 2 (b), 3) stated “The Offeror and each major subcontractor must include a complete copy of its most current NICRA or other documentation from its cognizant Government

Audit Agency.”

If the subcontractor cannot provide their NICRA due to confidentiality, can they provide this under sealed envelope/separate email to the CO? If this action is allowable, and the Prime

Offeror does not have access to the Subcontractor NICRA, please clarify on how this could change the approach for budget development.

If the subcontractor does not want to provide the NICRA due to confidentiality, it can be provided to the CO under sealed envelope.

36. On page 10, the table at the top of the page. Only 2 Levels are identified – SR. and Mid.

QUESTION: Please clarify if USAID will be including a third Level for Junior. There should be a junior level.

37. On page 9, the management information specialist position description reads the same for mid and junior level.

QUESTION: Please clarify the responsibilities and associated education requirements for these two different levels.

Level Academic

Degree*

Plus

Approximate

Years of

Relevant**

Work

Experience

Including

Years of

Experience in

Int'l

Development

Relevant

Regional

Experience

Relevant

Language

Fluency

Junior Ph.D.

JD/ABD

MS/MA/MB

BS/BA

Less than

Bachelor's

As specified in

Task Order

As specified in

Task Order

As specified in

Task Order

Mid Ph.D.

JD/ABD

MS/MA/MB

BS/BA

Less than

Bachelor's

As specified in

Task Order

As specified in

Task Order

As specified in

Task Order

Senior Ph.D.

JD/ABD

MS/MA/MB

BS/BA

Less than

Bachelor's

As specified in

Task Order

As specified in

Task Order

As specified in

Task Order

38. Page 26, D.4 Branding Strategy states:

o In accordance with ADS 320.3.2.2, offerors must prepare a Branding Implementation

Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP) to address the Branding Strategy described below.

This is to ensure that the successful offeror’s Branding Implementation Plan and

Marking Plan under this contract are in compliance with the USAID Graphics

Standard Manual”

QUESTION: Please clarify if the Offeror is required to submit a Branding

Implementation Plan and Marking Plan with this proposal or after award.

A branding and marking plan can be submitted by the future awardee.

39. Page 111 (i) states that the proposed IDIQ Manager “…must meet the minimum qualifications set forth in Section C. There are no minimum qualifications set forth in Section

C.

o QUESTION: Please clarify the minimum qualifications for the IDIQ Manager.

Qualifications are described there are no minimum qualifications identified for this position.

40. Page 114, 2) regarding Pursuant to FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting states:

o “…small business prime offerors are reminded that at least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel must be expended for employees of the small business prime offeror. As such, the Labor Distribution Chart must reflect that the small business prime offeror is performing at least 50% of the effort.”

QUESTION: Please confirm that the underlined phrases mean that a small business prime offeror must perform at least 50% of the labor costs, not the total contract value, and that hours are not counted as effort. The only factor that would be evaluated for

FAR 52.219-14 is labor costs. The FAR clause is clear and the intent is as well. The

Small Business should perform over 50% of the effort.

QUESTION: Will this clause change when the section 1651 of the National Defense

Authorization Act of 2013 updates this FAR clause? If yes, please confirm that the

50% SB labor costs minimum can be bid/attained through a combination of the small business prime and its small business subcontractor(s). USAID has not made that determination as of yet.

41. Page 115, (b) Part 2 - Proposed Costs/Prices, 4) (ii)

QUESTION: Given that DCAA has drastically slowed down its review of indirect rates, in lieu of a NICRA or the last two years of audited balance sheets, will USAID

LeaD accept an Offeror’s indirect cost rates that has been previously approved and paid by USAID on past and current contracts (thereby setting a precedence for the use of these indirect cost rates) until such time that DCAA or another USG agency, is able to review and approve them? No USAID will not accept indirect cost rates that have been previously approved. A new audit would be required or an approved

NICRA.

42. Page 118, Section M.2 (a) b): states:

“Plan for rapid start-up of the program, including the first year plan of activities and timeline; and plans for rapid response to requests from USAID/Washington and/or

USAID Missions, including how the program will manage requests in multiple countries and regions of the world, and balance the competing demands from

USAID/Washington and USAID Missions, including the reporting requirements.”

QUESTION: Does this relate only to the response to requests for task order proposals

(RFTOPs) or does it also speak to task order management (once the task order is awarded)? At this juncture it would apply to both the task order and management.

43. Page 119, Section M.2 (a) c): states:

o “…how the applicant will consult with the COR and program management team, host-country staff, contractors, and/or facilitators…,”

QUESTION: Please clarify which program management team is being referred to here

– USAID’s, the Offeror’s IDIQ management team, the Offeror’s task order implementation management team? Given the multiple layers of the IDIQ and task order a sense of offeror’s plan at both levels.

QUESTION: Please clarify what “host country staff” refers to – USAID’s, the

Offeror’s task order implementation counterparts? It references USAID field staff.

QUESTION: Please clarify what “facilitators” refers to – are these the Offeror’s staff, USAID’s staff, a third party’s staff? Facilitator's’ role should be included in the

Offeror’s staff.

44. Page 119, Section M.2(a) c) states:

o “…how the management is structured in a way that is mutually reinforcing, optimally efficient and effective in its use of technical and financial resources, and not duplicative.”

QUESTION: How is this evaluation criterion different than the Section M.2 (a) a) statement that says?

▪ “…and a realistic plan for monitoring the technical and financial activities and reporting on results.”

They are not mutually exclusive. The evaluation criterion is used only to critique the technical and financial activities presented by potentially offerors.

45. Page 119, Section M.2 (a) d) states:

o “The proposal demonstrates the Contractor’s institutional capability, organizational systems, and competence to creatively plan, implement, monitor, and report on the range of activities for both domestic and developing country contexts.”

QUESTION: Please clarify the reference to “organizational systems.” How is this evaluation criterion different than the Section M.2 (a) a) statement that says:

▪ “Management and administrative plan, structure, policies, and practices for overall implementation of the program including personnel, financial, and logistical support.”

They are not mutually exclusive. The evaluation criterion is used only to critique the technical and financial activities presented by potentially offerors.

46. Page 119, Section M.2 (a) d) states:

o “…to creatively plan, implement, monitor, and report on the range of activities for both domestic and developing country contexts.”

QUESTION: How is this evaluation criterion different than the Section M.2 a) statement that says?

▪ “…and a realistic plan for monitoring the technical and financial activities and reporting on results.”

They are not mutually exclusive. The evaluation criterion is used only to critique the technical and financial activities presented by potentially offerors.

47. Page 119, Section M.2 (b) a) states:

o “The offeror must provide a detailed management plan that will be followed during contract execution. The offeror's management plan must include:

● IDIQ Manager as the Primary Point of Contact. (10 points)”

QUESTION: Please clarify what USAID expects in response to “a)” above -- other than identifying who the IDIQ Manager will be?

Section M Evaluation Factors for award, M.2 Management Plan provides guidance on what is expected under a management plan.

48. AMENDMENT 2 STATES:

o USAID is not providing you with “sample task”, you are illustrating past sample task your organization has performed that highlight the following:

● Experience and capability to perform the services set forth in Section C.

● Capability in facilitating, supporting, designing and delivering learning and development activities as described under each task area in Washington D.C. area and at field missions in a timely manner and while providing the necessary administrative and logistical support. This ability should be evidenced by organizational systems, affiliations and commitment designed to utilize consortium members as appropriate as well as short term consultant reach and/or affiliation

● Capability to simultaneously manage multiple task orders or task orders with multiple partners involving collaborative efforts drawing upon the full range of available skills and experience available under contractual arrangements.

● Ability to build and maintain relationships with DCHA staff as well as BS-76 staff at missions. Also facilitate, coordinate and collaborate with other U.S. Government Agencies and other donors.

QUESTION: Please clarify. Subsections (i) – (iv) noted above are the Section L

Institutional Capability instructions found on pages 110-111 of the original RFP. Does

USAID intend to apply this same criteria to evaluate the three sample tasks?

The evaluation criteria will be utilized accordingly.

49. Is this requirement related in any way to AID-OAA-I-10-00002 delivered by MSI and CAMRIS? If so, please explain the relationship. All questions should be specifically pertinent to this RFP.

50. Page 15, Table 1 – Training and Learning Activities Considered core:

a. Will past courses listed in this table be reordered for delivery on the new

IDIQ? Yes there will be some course that will need to be revised and offered again.

If so, will the contractor receive access to existing materials upon award of a TO? Yes. Or will materials need to be recreated/redesigned/reconfigured entirely? To the extent possible existing materials will be revised and used.

b. Can you please indicate which of these core courses are delivered in person and which are online modules for distance learning. Reference list of activities from previous task order.

51. What is the brand of Learning Management System currently used by USAID? Is

USAID satisfied with this platform or is DCHA interested in changing or updating

It? The LMS is an Agency wide system no changes will be made to it by DCHA.

52. Are special software or clearances required to access and work on the LMS? If so, please describe/explain. Yes, clearance is required to access and work on LMS. The potential offeror will be provided this information.

53. Can you please provide DCHA’s definition of “blended learning?” This is a standard term that DCHA has adapted, reference current literature.

54. Can you please provide illustrative examples of successful “blended learning” techniques with which DCHA has been satisfied in the past? Reference list of illustrative activities provided in RFP.

55. Can you please provide DCHA’s definition of “experiential learning?” This is a standard term that DCHA has adapted from current literature.

56. Can you please provide illustrative examples of successful “experiential learning” techniques with which DCHA has been satisfied in the past? Reference list of illustrative activities provided in RFP.

57. Can you please provide DCHA’s definition of “continuous learning?” This is a standard term that DCHA has adapted from current literature.

58. Can you please provide illustrative examples of successful “continuous learning” techniques and methods with which DCHA has been satisfied in the past? Reference list of illustrative activities provided in RFP.

59. 13.Page 22, Task 3:

a. Can you please share details of the needs assessment recently conducted?

for managing staff performance? All needs assessments; surveys etc. are in the public domain.

b. Can you please share a copy or overview of USAID’s “corporate learning strategy.” Document such as this are in the public domain.

60. Page 24, Knowledge Management: Can you please describe existing knowledge management policies and mechanisms and provide an overview of any major/known deficiencies or challenges to current policy/mechanisms? Reference list of illustrative activities provided in RFP.

61. Page 58, H.9 Defense Base Act Insurance: Can you please clarify whether or not

DBA Insurance is a requirement for this contract? DBA Insurance is USAID’s

Worker’s compensation Insurance.

62. Page 105, L.2(3)(d): Is there a requirement for offer validity? None is stated on the solicitation cover sheet – if there is a requirement, what is the number of days offers must remain valid? Prior to award a background check will be done on the offerors validity.

63. Page 117, L.9 (i)(1)(ii): Please provide the FAR or USAID regulation number associated with this cost proposal requirement. There is no FAR Clause or USAID regulation number; this is the standard workday/week breakdown that is utilized.

64. Page 119: M.2(b): Is the IDIQ Manager required to have previous experience in managing USAID IDIQ vehicles? Will an IDIQ Manager proposed without direct

USAID experience be deducted points in evaluation? The IDIQ Manager should have some knowledge of USAID IDIQ vehicles.

65. If USAID expects the contactor to manage the IDIQ contract as part of its indirect costs how come the IDIQ manager position is listed as among the key personnel positions, and is to be responsible under a T.O. to monitor LOE ceilings across T.O.s? Refer to question 11.

66. Is there an existing Knowledge Management (KM) system in place such as a KM portal, Knowledge Sharing Network (KSN) and/or SharePoint platform? Yes, the Agency provides.

67. Can the offeror bid on any number of the four major tasks in the RFP, or do you require offerors to bid on all four major tasks? No it is all or nothing.

68. Have prior contractors that provided Organizational Development (O.D.) support for evaluation been able to measure all four levels of evaluation reaction, learning, results and impact and Return on Investment (ROI)? To a certain degree.

69. What are the point allocations for the evaluation criteria (the percentages on page 121 add up to 105%)? Past Performance should be 20 points which will make 100%

70. Are the training materials developed by the contractor under this contract in the public domain or can they be copyrighted by the contractor? Document such as this are in the public domain. Also activities and materials funded under any USAID task order is the property of USAID.

71. When will the current contract expire and when do you expect to make a notice of multi-award to small businesses? Task order expired September 2015.

72. In February, 2016 USAID issue USAIDSOL-OAA-15-000123 which primarily addressed

“platform” or Learning Management System (LMS) enterprise-wide for USAID. Is it safe to assume that DCHA will not need nor duplicate the award for an LMS, but will utilize the same USAID enterprise-wide LMS based on USAIDSOL-OAA-15-000123 award? DCHA will continue to use LMS supported by Agency.

73. Does DCHA plan to consolidate all learning-training-performance management-KM systems to a single platform or will DCHA plan to keep them separate, and require integration?

DCHA will continue to use systems independently as prescribed by the Agency, staffing mechanism etc.

74. What ATS (Automated Tracking System for Recruiting) is to be integrated in the learning

Management system? If none, can the vendor recommend a centralized, single ATS?

Recruitment will not be done under this activity.

75. Is the DCHA planning to retain various Performance Management related systems or integrate them into a one place for all management departments including HR and Accounts for a single source/view of truth? Integrating Performance Management systems is not part of the scope.

76. Is the DCHA planning to utilize multiple recruitment processes/systems, or integrate them into one system? All questions should be specifically pertinent to this RFP.

77. How many cross sectoral program is the DCHA planning to integrate? All questions should be specifically pertinent to this RFP.

78. Can the mentoring be defined further with regards to the in country, host country and partner sector professionals? Mentoring will be primarily supported in DCHA Washington DC.

79. Is the mobile technology (tablets & smartphones) used in any engagements or processes? Is the DCHA planning to use mobile technology for future interventions? USAID has firewalls and security preventions that preclude use of tablets and smartphones.

80. Is the region specific trainings held in host countries or all are based out of US? Trainings will primarily be held in Washington, DC.

81. Would USAID be able to provide representative samples of existing training materials outlined in Table 1 on Pages 15-17? After IDIQ award materials will be shared.

82. Please provide an estimated breakdown of the services requested – i.e., what is the percentage breakdown across the following categories: training content development

(including redesign), instructor led training delivery, organizational development, performance management support, and knowledge management, communication, and evaluation. Training development and delivery represents majority of the activities.

83. Is it USAID’s intention to provide all content and subject matter expertise or will the vendor be responsible for supplying subject matter experts. It will be a combination of the two, it is expected that the contractor have SMEs.

84. Please provide any further description / expectations for the “Consultants” Labor Category identified on Page 8. Contractor consultants are expected to bridge technical gaps when

USAID SMEs are not available.

85. Do any/all personnel referenced in this request currently have access to online learning resources contained on the USAID Cornerstone Learning Management System? USAID has security protocols which require a security clearance.

86. Is there a requirement for delivering training or materials in languages other than English – if so, which? No English is the predominant language.

87. Are targeted audiences referenced in these request Federal employees, bound by Federal training requirements – ex OPM Supervisory Framework, OPM Executive Core

Qualifications (ECQ) model, etc.)? DCHA has a number of staffing mechanisms.

88. On page 20, bullet point describing “Cutting Edge” technical skills. Please define

“technical”. Is this referring to Information Technology, end user desktop computing skills, other? Technical skills are referring to the backstop (BS) 76 competency areas such as

DRG, conflict, humanitarian assistance etc.

89. Is USAID looking for vendors to provide IT training content for common IT concepts? And if so, is it possible to provide a listing of all required technologies? No

1. What are the expectations for staffing this need below?

● Additionally, mentoring and coaching for performance, improving productivity, expanding technical expertise, and improving familiarity with USAID are essential for improving performance may also be required

90. Is there an alignment to industry standard IT concepts that align to technical Certification that fits into this need (with regards to above questions)

No, there is not an alignment to industry standard IT concepts.

91. What platforms/systems are in place, if any, (Page 23 of the RFP) to which this program will leverage for implementation? The Agency LMS will be used for registration purposes.

● Learning platform (LMS)

● Talent Management Platform

● Any Other

92. RFP Sections B.5 (a), H.26, and F.5.II Annual Reports reference Grants Under Contract

(GUCs). Does USAID anticipate using grants under contracts (GUCs) to NGOs or partner government entities for the USAID staff capacity building services under this IDIQ?

After further evaluation USAID does not anticipate using grants under contracts

(GUCs) to NGOs.

93. In Section C.2 on Page 17, the RFP cites sections of the ADS and USAID’s evaluation policy that pertain to gender integration and sex-disaggregation. Can USAID please expand upon its reasoning for referencing these policy directives in the context of the LeaD RFP? Its

USAID policy to have this information provided as applicable.

94. Under section F.2 on Page 29, the RFP states that the period of performance for this contract is five (5) years from the date of award. The next sentence then states that “Although task orders may be issued at any time during this ordering period…”.? Would USAID please clarify whether it is the period of performance or the ordering period that is five years? The

IDIQ period of performance is 5 years.

95. Under Section F.5 (2) on Page 30, the RFP reads that “The contractor shall submit concise quarterly performance reports, within 30 calendar days of the six-month periods (semiannual) ending on March 31 and September 30.” Can USAID please clarify whether the contractor shall submit quarterly or semiannual performance reports? Clarification will be provided for each individual task order to be awarded. The Task Order COR will make that future determination.

96. Section F.6(c) of the RFP refers to classified task orders. Does USAID expect to issue classified task orders under the LeaD IDIQ? If not, would USAID consider removing the reference to classified task orders? USAID at this time doesn’t not anticipate handling classified materials, however there may be security requirements after consulting with

Security Office.

97. Under Section L.7(b) on Page 110, the RFP states that “All proposals in response to this RFP shall be due at the below address…” There is no address listed in the RFP. Can USAID please clarify how and where offerors shall submit proposals? Please disregard, all communication will be electronic. No hard copy delivery is required.

98. In Section L.8 on Page 110, the RFP notes that “Past performance matrix… Past

Performance information in using small business concerns (per Section L)” and “Small

Disadvantaged Business participation program targets information (per Section L)” are not subject to the page limitation. Neither a past performance matrix nor past performance information in using small business concerns are requested in Section L. Will USAID consider removing the reference to these inputs? No, USAID will not remove. The matrix was simply a way of presenting the Past performance information for ease of research.

USAID will contact the references provided for past performance background.

99. The RFP instructions for the content of the Institutional Capability section of the technical proposal on pages 110 and 111 do not appear to align with the corresponding evaluation criteria on pages 118 and 119. Can USAID please clarify how the Institutional Capability content requested in Section L will be evaluated? A subsequent amendment will be posted that will address this issue.

100. The RFP instructions for the content of the Technical Understanding section of the technical proposal on Page 112 of the RFP and Page 2 of Amendment 1 are not clear, because the ‘sample tasks’ referenced in the RFP and in Amendment 1 are not well defined. Amendment 2 references the instructions of the Institutional Capability section on pages 110 and 111 of the RFP, but does not provide complete guidance for the

Technical Understanding section of the technical proposal. Can USAID please revise the instructions to offerors for the Technical Understanding section of the technical proposal to ensure clear definitions and clear guidance? Information contained in amendment 2 is applicable to the Technical Understanding section.

101. Under Section L.9(a), the RFP reads that “The Offeror must submit the cover page

(Section A) of this Solicitation…with blocks 12 through 18 completed”. Section A appears to be absent from the RFP. Can USAID provide Section A, including the proper template for SF

33 that Offerors should include with the LeaD price/business proposal? Section A is the SF

33 form which you the offeror will fill out the sections 12 through 18. The document is part of the public domain and you can download at will. It is not absent from the RFP.

It will subsequently be in the Award document.

102. Page 8, Section B.8 (a) Labor Categories, provides 9 categories/groupings starting with

IDIQ Manager and ending with Consultants. May the Offeror's proposed labor categories in addition to these 9? Additionally, may the Offeror propose a senior level for the

Management Info/Technology Specialist category? No, please adhere to the Labor

Categories provided.

103. Page 8, Section B.8 (a) Labor Categories, provides 9 categories/groupings starting with

IDIQ Manager and ending with Consultants. However, in B.8 (a) “Definition of labor categories,” the category of consultant is not defined. Are we to assume that all consultants should be included in the “consultant” category? And therefore, only staff of the prime and subcontractors should be included across the other 8 categories/groupings provided? Yes that is the correct interpretation.

104. Page 40, section F.6 (d) Request for Task Order Proposal (RFTOP), paragraph (p) states

“For small business set-asides only, the small business prime must report the percentage of work being provided by its employees. The TOCOR must inform the TOCO if the percentage of work being conducted by the small business falls below the 50% requirement in FAR part 52.219-14, Limitations in Subcontracting.” Is this percentage per task order or total across all task orders? Per task order.

105. Page 110, section L.8 Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, lists a

“past performance matrix” as a section that is not included in the 40 pages limit of the technical proposal.

a. Given the past performance matrix and the past performance report forms seem to request similar information, would USAID allow offerors to provide past performance report forms instead of including both a matrix and the forms? Yes, USAID gives you the discretion to provide either the performance matrix or the report forms. Again the information will be utilized to check past performance.

106. Section L asks for work plans – including one for the first year, as well as work plans under each task area. Please confirm that we are able to provide such work plans/timelines in the Annexes? Yes, work plans/timelines can be provided in the annex.

107. Page 21 asks for “the Offeror to provide at least two illustrative procedural overviews..”

Will these samples count toward the 40-page limit of the proposal or may they be placed in an annex? Can USAID provide more detail on what they would like to see in these overviews

– are these agendas, macro designs, etc.? Can these be from activities already designed and delivered? No samples will not count toward the 40 pages. Yes, information provided can be from previous designed and delivered activities. Illustrative overviews can range from agendas to macro level designs.

108. In the RFP, section C.4 Statement of Work, page 17, it reads: “USAID will define its needs in each task order, which will be managed by designated Contacting Officer

Representatives (CORs) from the tasking Bureau or field Missions.” Could USAID indicate what the split between central Bureaus and field Missions for the Task Orders would be and if possible where those Missions would be located? It is envisioned that most task orders will be generated from the Bureau or other operating units in Washington, DC. Very few task orders will be generated from field Missions

109. Pages 22-23, Section C.4 Statement of Work, Task 4 – KM, communication and evaluation. We have the following questions related to Task 4 - Evaluation:

i. Please confirm that USAID wishes the offeror to address and provide services to conduct evaluations of learning activities including initial, mid-term and final evaluations. Please clarify if these evaluations are addressing the trainings, performance management, and OD activities the team is providing via the other Tasks? Yes primarily evaluations refer to the learning/training activities.

ii. Or does this type of evaluation refer to program / performance evaluations of programs DCHA is implementing? If the latter, please provide a target of how many evaluations would be requested each year? It is anticipated that there will be 2 or 3 program evaluations after the initial year.

iii. Please confirm that USAID wishes the offeror to address and provide services to design and conduct impact evaluations and activities in a given country or sub-region? If so, please provide a target of how many impact evaluations would be requested each year? Impact evaluations are not anticipated at this time.

iv. Please provide more information on the volume of support requested by the following activity: “Analyze data from cross-sector initiatives to draw conclusions or identify best practices.” What types of deliverables does

USAID envision from this activity? In the context of evaluation cross-sector analysis will involve minimum effort.

110. Pages 22-23, Section C.4 Statement of Work, Task 4 – KM, communication and evaluation. We have the following questions related to Task 4 – Knowledge Management

● What specific types of eLearning would you be looking for? E.g. eLearning for toolkits (train the trainer) or other audiences? E-learning modules will be used for technical training purposes.

● Please clarify if there are any existing systems we should integrate integrate with, e.g. for downloading datasets (for evaluation, etc.)? No there are no existing systems at this time.

111. In Attachment J.4 – Price Evaluation Matrix, Section A. Labor of the Sample Budget lists

7 labor categories. However, in the Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates table in the same

Attachment 10 different Labor Categories are listed. Further, in section B.8 (a) Labor

Categories – Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates, the RFP lists a 9 Labor Categories and section

B.8 (c) provides definitions for 8 Labor Categories.

Could USAID please clarify what Labor Categories will be used in the Sample

Budget of the Price Evaluation matrix, and for the Unburdened Ceiling rate table?

That is totally at the discretion of the offeror.

112. Should illustrative…