Executed_Amendment_3.pdf

Strengthening Tenure & Resource Rights (STARR) II Solicitation #SOL-OAA-17-000012

Amendment No. 3

CONTINUATION PAGE

AMENDMENTS

IDIQ

1. COVER PAGE, Closing Date and Time for Receipt of Proposals: DELETE “October 2, 2017” and

INSERT “October 6, 2017.”

2. SECTION B.6, CONTRACT LINE ITEM (CLIN), Page 7: DELETE “TBD” and INSERT “$25,000.”

3. SECTION B.7.1, Table 1. Labor Categories (Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates): DELETE “Land

Lawyer” and INSERT “Land and Resource Lawyer.”

4. SECTION B.7.1, Table 2. Definition of Labor Categories, Page 12: DELETE Support Specialist section in its entirety and INSERT “Support Specialist – The individual is responsible for providing services in one or more of the following: secretarial, driver, receptionist, security, cleaner, etc.

NOTE: Only the secretarial or administrative support positions must adhere to the Education and Experience Requirements. Non-professional positions, e.g., driver, cleaner, etc., have no minimum requirements.”

5. SECTION B.7.2, MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, Page 12: DELETE existing Education + Experience Requirements and Qualification Substitution tables and INSERT the following:

Level Academic Degree AND Years of Relevant

Work Experience

Ph.D. 6

JD/ABD 9

MS/MA/MBA 10

BS/BA 12

Less than BS/BA 16 Ph.D. 1

JD/ABD 4

MS/MA/MBA 5

BS/BA 7

Less than BS/BA 11

Ph.D. 0

JD/ABD 0

MS/MA/ MBA 1

BS/BA 3

Less than BS/BA 5

Junior

Mid

Senior

Education + Experience Requirements

Doctorate's Degree 20 years relevant work experience may be substituted for a doctorate's degree

Bachelor's degree plus 16 years relevant work experience or a master's degree plus 14 years relevant work experience may be substituted for a doctorate's degree

Master's Degree 12 years relevant work experience may be substituted for a master's degree

Bachelor's degree plus 8 years relevant work experience may be substituted for a master's degree

Bachelor’s Degree 5 years relevant work experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree

Associate's degree plus 3 years relevant work experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree

Qualification Substitution

6. SECTION C.5, MANAGEMENT OF GRANTS UNDER CONTRACTS (GUCs), Page 37, In the 2nd paragraph: DELETE “for working with local organizations”.

7. SECTION D.3, BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, Page 39: In the title, DELETE: “[To be completed by Offeror].”

8. SECTION D.4, MARKING PLAN, Page 41: In the tittle, DELETE “[To be completed by Offeror].”

9. SECTION F.5.1(h), Contract Financial Report, Page 49: for the due date, DELETE “Within 30 calendar days of the three-month periods ending on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31” and INSERT “October 31 each year.”

10. SECTION F.5.1(h) - Contract Financial Report, Page 54: DELETE 1st paragraph “The contractor must provide to the IDIQ COR a concise quarterly report by the due date specified in the above table” and INSERT “The contractor must provide to the IDIQ COR a concise quarterly report by the due date specified in the above table.”

11. SECTION H.29, ADS 302.3.4.13 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACTS (GUCs), Page 111: Paragraph 4, second sentence, DELETE “60 days” and INSERT “90 days”.

12. SECTION J, LIST OF ATTACHMEMTS, Page 139: At the end, INSERT “J.5 Prime and Major Subcontractor Percentage of Labor Overview Chart.”

13. SECTION L.7, INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSALS,

Page 160: Volume I – Technical Proposal –

INSERT after Volume I – Technical Proposal – “Page limit: 27 pages” Sections A (Corporate/Institutional Capability – IDIQ) and B (Management – IDIQ) – DELETE

“5 page limit” and INSERT “Section A and B have a combined page limit of 12 pages.”

14. SECTION L.7, INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSALS,

Page 160: DELETE the third sentence “Major subcontractors are those whose proposed cost exceeds 20 percent of the offeror’s total proposed cost.” and INSERT “Major subcontractors are those expected to perform at least 20 percent or a prominent part, of the technical effort.”

15. SECTION L.7, INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSALS,

Page 162 CONTENT OF TECHNICAL VOLUME,A. Corporate/Institutional Capability, A.1 – Technical Expertise, first sentence DELETE “major subcontractors” and insert “all subcontractors.”

16. SECTION L.8(A), INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS

PROPOSAL, Part 2, Pages 166-167, Paragraph a, last sentence is amended to read as follows: “Major subcontractor ceiling indirect rates will be reviewed, but not factored in the Cost/price Evaluation.”

17. SECTION L.8, INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS

PROPOSAL, Part 3, Page 169: 1st paragraph, DELETE “and proposed subcontractors.”

18. SECTION L.8(A), INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS

PROPOSAL, Part 12, Page 171: DELETE “H.23” and insert “H.22.”

19. SECTION L.8(B), INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS

PROPOSAL - INTEGRATED LAND AND RESOURCE GOVERNANCE (ILRG) TASK ORDER,

COST-PLUS-FIXED-FEE COMPLETION TYPE, Page 172: DELETE existing table and insert the following:

20. SECTION L.8(B), INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS

COST-PLUS-FIXED-FEE TERM TYPE, Page 172: DELETE existing table and insert the following:

21. SECTION L.8(B), INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS

page 173-174 Proposed Labor Costs. HQ Technical Staff Table, delete existing and inset the following:

ATTACHMENT J.1 – ILRG RFTOP

22. SECTION B.4, BUDGET page 4, DELETE existing tables in B.4.1 and B.4.2 and INSERT the following in lieu thereof:

B.4.1 Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Term Budget

FIELD SUPPORT Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Option Year 1 Option Year 2

Total Estimated Costs 1,700,000.00$ 3,600,000.00$ 3,600,000.00$ 8,900,000.00$ 3,700,000.00$ 2,400,000.00$ 15,000,000.00$ Fixed-Fee -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Total Estimated Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$

Base Period Option Periods Total - Base Period & Option

Years

3-Year Base Period

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Option Year 1 Option Year 2

Cost Category -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Salaries And Wages -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Fringe Benefits -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Travel, Transportation & Per Diem -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Equipment And Supplies -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Communications -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Subcontracts/Consultants -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Allowances -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Other Direct Costs -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Total Estimated Direct Cost -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Indirect Costs -$ Fixed-Fee -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Total Estimated Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Grants Under Contract 500,000.00$ 500,000.00$ 1,000,000.00$ 2,000,000.00$ 400,000.00$ 100,000.00$ 2,500,000.00$ Total CPFF + GUCS -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$

Base Period Base Period

Option Periods Total - Base Period & Option

Years

HQ Technical Staff Chief of Party -$ 100 -$ 70 -$ 70 -$ 70 -$ 50 -$ Land tenure Specialist -$ 40 -$ 50 -$ 50 -$ 50 -$ 30 -$ GIS Specialist -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ Natural Resource Tenure Specialist -$ 30 -$ 35 -$ 35 -$ 35 -$ 35 -$ Agricultural Economist -$ 30 -$ 30 -$ 30 -$ 30 -$ 30 -$ Gender Specialist -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ Capacity Building Specialist -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 20 -$ Knowledge Management Specialist -$ 20 -$ 20 -$ 20 -$ 20 -$ 20 -$ M&E Specialist -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ Land Lawyer -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 25 -$ 20 -$ Administrative Support Specialist -$ 40 -$ 30 -$ 30 -$ 30 -$ 30 -$ TOTAL HQ Technical Staff 385 0 360 0 360 0 360 0 310 0$ $ $ $ $ $ Total Labor Cost -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$

B.4.2 Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Completion Budget

23. SECTION C.9, GRANTS MANAGEMENT, Page 29: DELETE first paragraph “Under this Task Order, grants management tasks may include contractor(s) participation in or responsibility for the drafting and publication of Requests for Applications (RFAs). However, the program direction, focus, type of grantees and final grant approval will remain with the USAID/E3/Land and Urban Office. The Contractor will be responsible for working with local groups to develop grant proposals, evaluation of proposals, establishment of grant agreements, delivery of financial and in-kind assistance, monitoring implementation and grant close-out. The Contractor(s)’s responsibilities may also include: screening of potential grantee partners, design of the grant, database entry, and/or monitoring and evaluating the grantee deliverables. The Contractor(s) must review all grant proposals before final approval to assure they are consistent with USAID policies and procedures, grant format and disposition of property.”

24. SECTION F.4, REPORTING AND DELIVERABLES, Page 33: At the end of the table, INSERT:

Report Due Date Format

(8) Draft Gender Strategy 90 days after award date Electronic

25. SECTION F.4.1, PLANS AND REPORTS, Page 39: Add the following at the end of this section:

8. Gender Strategy

The Gender Strategy will consider the issues raised in order to develop a meaningful approach to address identified gender issues and promote the inclusion of women and women’s empowerment throughout the project. In ILRG's Gender Strategy, emphasis will be on increasing security of women's land tenure and women's participation in land and resource governance. In addition, all monitoring and evaluation activities will include sex disaggregated indicators to measure project results for women and men. The Gender Strategy will be due within 90 days of project award.

Option Year 1 Option Year 2

Cost Category -$ -$ -$ -$ Salaries And Wages -$ -$ -$ -$ Fringe Benefits -$ -$ -$ -$ Travel, Transportation & Per Diem -$ -$ -$ -$ Equipment And Supplies -$ -$ -$ -$ Communications -$ -$ -$ -$ Subcontracts/Consultants -$ -$ -$ -$ Allowances -$ -$ -$ -$ Other Direct Costs -$ -$ -$ -$ Total Estimated Direct Cost -$ -$ -$ -$ Indirect Costs -$ Fixed-Fee -$ -$ -$ -$ Total Estimated Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee -$ -$ -$ -$ Grants Under Contract 2,000,000.00$ 400,000.00$ 100,000.00$ 2,500,000.00$ Total CPFF + GUCS -$ -$ -$ -$

3-Year Base Period

Option Periods Total - Base Period & Option

Years

FIELD SUPPORT Option Year 1 Option Year 2

Total Estimated Costs 8,900,000.00$ 3,700,000.00$ 2,400,000.00$ 15,000,000.00$ Fixed-Fee -$ -$ -$ -$ Total Estimated Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee -$ -$ -$ -$

Option Periods Total - Base Period & Option

Years

3-Year Base Period

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. On page 6, Section B.3 and in alignment with F.6.2 (page 61) and I.4 (page 120), the proposal states that “the basic IDIQ contract includes an initial obligation of funds in the amount of $25,000 per IDIQ prime contractor to cover the minimum order guarantee USAID is required to order and the minimum order amount of services the Contractor is required to furnish.” However, B.6 (pg. 7) states that the IDIQ minimum order guarantee is “$TBD.” Can USAID please clarify the minimum order amount?

Answer: The Initial obligation of funds is $25,000 per IDIQ prime contractor. See amendment above.

2. We request that USAID remove section B.5.e, which states that “Fees must not be applied to Grants

Under Contracts.” This appears inconsistent with FAR 15.404-4 and ADS 302.3.6.9, which state that pre-negotiation fee objectives must be determined according to a structured approach that includes contractor effort, risk, and other special factors. Grants require significant effort to administer and carry risks for the contractor. Based on this and to be consistent with the FAR and ADS, can USAID please remove this section?

Answer: Section B.5.e will not be removed.

3. Section B.5(e) on page 7 indicates that fee must not be applied to grants under contract (GUCs).

Could USAID please clarify the following:

To minimize the cost of money to offerors, will Missions be required to utilize a letter of credit for all GUCs?

To minimize other grant management expenses that offerors typically cover with fee, will

USAID include a Limitation of Contractor Liability clause in the IDIQ?

If the risk mitigation measures in a and b may not be considered, would USAID please allow offerors to propose a separate ceiling for the grants fee and apply this fee to GUCs in the task order budget?

Answer:

(a) Prime contractors may apply for a Letter of Credit (LOC). Once the LOC is set up, it can be used with all task orders requiring GUCs.

(b) FAR Clause 52.246-25, Limitation of Liability - Services, is incorporated by reference in

Section I.1 of the solicitation – see page 117 of the RFP.

(c) Fees will not be applied to GUCs.

4. Under Section B.7 Labor (p. 7), if a contractor’s work week policy includes 6-day workweeks while traveling internationally, as required, will this exempt the contractor from also obtaining USAID approval on a case-by-case basis?

Answer: Contractors must obtain prior USAID approval for 6-day workweeks on a task order basis.

5. Section B.7.1(f) on page 8 notes that both the Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates and local compensation plan limitations apply to CCN and TCN labor. Could USAID please confirm that offerors may use the minimum qualifications that correspond with the prevailing rate limitation? For instance, if the local compensation plan has lower rates for support specialist positions, may offerors use the minimum qualifications within the local compensation plan rather than the IDIQ to determine whether a CCN candidate meets the requirements?

Answer: Any deviations from minimum qualifications must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Task Order CO. Note: The minimum requirements for Support Specialist have been revised. See amendment above.

6. On page 9, Table 1. Labor Categories (Unburdened Rates) lists a land lawyer under the labor categories. On page 11 under Table 2. Definition of Labor Categories, the position is listed as land and resource Lawyer. Could USAID please clarify which labor category name should be used in the proposal?

Answer: The labor category in Table 1 has been amended to reflect “Land and Resource Lawyer”. See amendment above.

7. Under Section B.7.2 Minimum Qualifications (p. 12) - Can USAID please clarify the difference between the Education + Experience Requirements table on p. 12 and the Qualification Substitution table on p. 13? For example, for the Senior category - the table on p. 12 implies the level of education difference between a BS/BA degree in terms of years of experience is PhD - 6 years (6 PhD vs. 12 for BS/BA), JD - 4 years, MS/MA - 2 years, yet the qualification substitution on p. 13 is calculated differently. For a PhD, it is BS plus 16 years of experience; MS is BS plus 8 years of experience. The qualification substitutions seem to be much higher than the minimum qualifications would suggest are required. Can that please be clarified?

Answer: The Education + Experience Requirement and Qualification Substitution tables have been revised. See amendment above.

8. On pages 12 and 13, in Section B.7.2, the Education + Experience Requirements table requires the junior level to have three and five years of experience for personnel with a bachelor’s degree or less than a bachelor’s degree, respectively. Given that the support specialist labor category — which includes drivers, receptionists, and cleaners, among other support staff — will primarily be staffed with personnel at the junior level with less than or equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, would USAID please consider decreasing the additional years of work experience to allow for a larger qualified applicant pool to facilitate more competitive recruitment and thus a better value for the government?

Answer: See response to question #7 above.

9. Question: Per Section B.7.2 (page 13), could USAID kindly provide clarification on the table of

Qualification Substitutions? How must the qualification substitutions be integrated with the Education + Experience Requirements outlined in the table above? For example, if an individual has no degree but 20 years of work experience, and will use this experience to substitute for a doctorate’s degree, will this individual need a cumulative 26 years of relevant work experience to be considered senior-level?

Answer: See response to question #7 above.

10. RFP Reference: “In the instance...and when subcontractor proposes rates that are “above” the prime IDIQ rates, the Prime may then include in its TO proposal, (i) the fully burdened rates proposed to the Prime by the Subcontractor…” “The CDRs of the Subcontractor must not exceed the prime’s CDRs in the IDIQ contract” (p. 13, B.7.3 (c)). Question: Can USAID clarify whether a Prime may include burdened CDRs for a subcontractor that are higher than the Prime’s IDIQ rates?

Answer: The burdened CDRs of the subcontractor must not exceed the prime’s CDRs in the IDIQ contract.

11. RFP Reference: B.9, Page 14 provides a table to be filled out with indirect rates and ceiling indirect rates for the prime and major subcontractors. Question: Major subcontractors frequently are unwilling to share indirect cost rates directly with prime contractors, preferring to send sealed envelopes with their NICRA directly to the Contracting Officer. Please provide instructions on how to proceed in the event the major subcontractor declines to provide indirect rates to the prime contractor.

Answer: Subcontractors may send their indirect cost rates/NICRA directly to USAID via email to beellis@usaid.gov and shbaker@usaid.gov. Subject of Email must be as follows:

RFP#SOL-OAA-17-000012 Subcontractor Indirect Rates – Prime: [Company Name];

Subcontractor: [Company Name].

12. RFP Reference: B.9, Page 14 provides a table with space for indirect rates for the prime and major subcontractors. Question: There are columns for ceiling overhead and G&A rates but none for fringe. Is this intentional?

Answer: Yes.

13. Page 14, Section B.9 INDIRECT COSTS AND ADVANCED UNDERSTANDING ON

CEILINGS, states that “(a) Ceilings are not applicable to Small Business Offerors or local organizations serving as the prime or a subcontractor”. However, Page 166, Section L.8 of the RFP states “The prime Offeror and each major subcontractor must propose ceiling indirect cost rates” and further down under Exemptions for Small Business Offerors Only, “All of the above instructions apply to Small Business Offerors.” Would USAID please confirm that Small Business Offerors are not required to propose ceilings on their indirect costs?

Answer: Per Section B.9(a), ceilings are not applicable to Small Business Offerors or local organizations serving as the prime or a subcontractor.

14. Under Section B.9(a) (p. 14) - Please confirm that Indirect Cost Rating ceilings are not applicable to Small Business Offerors and will not be included in a contract award.

Answer: See response to question #13.

15. RFP Reference: “Ceilings are not applicable to Small Business Offerors.” (p. 14, B.9(a)); “All of the above instructions apply to small business offerors.” (p 168, L.8 (A, Part 2, Exceptions for Small Business Offerors Only). Question: Section B states that Ceilings are not applicable to small business offerors; Section L Exceptions for Small Business Offerors states that all previous Cost instruction sections apply, which include ceilings on Indirect and Fee. Can USAID clarify whether Ceilings are applicable for Small Business Offerors?

Answer: See response to question #13.

16. RFP Reference: “Indirect rates are only applicable to Cost-Reimbursement Task Orders.” Part 2, Exceptions for Small Business Offerors Only). Question: Can USAID clarify if this means that Offerors cannot charge indirect rates on Fixed Price Task Orders?

Answer: Fixed price contract provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustments.

17. The labor category definition for the M&E Specialist includes a multitude of skillsets as well as

M&E related tasks. Would USAID please consider expanding the M&E Specialist category or allowing sub-categories for offerors to provide specialists with particular skillsets, including for impact evaluation, data collection, research, etc.?

Answer: The M&E Specialist category will not change.

18. P.32 of the RFP says that M&E will be integrated into the design of each task order. Does USAID envision awarding evaluations separately from implementation contracts or within the same mechanism?

Answer: Evaluations of task orders under STARR II will most likely be awarded under another mechanism(s).

19. P. 33 of the RFP refers to ‘impact evaluations of past projects.’ As impact evaluations are typically conducted parallel to implementation, would USAID specify whether this refers to ex-post evaluations of higher-level results or post-project attempts at creating a counterfactual?

Answer: Impact evaluations of past projects will most likely consist of endline data collection and/or data collection one or more years after projects end and which, together with baseline and/or midline data previously collected, will help determine whether projects’ higher-order objectives have been achieved.

20. On page 37, Section C.5, notes that “The contractor must coordinate with the TOCOR with the grants management tasks that include the following for working with local organizations throughout each phase of the award process … ” Can USAID confirm that grants may be issued to nonlocal organizations in addition to local organizations at the task order level?

Answer: USAID confirms that grants may be issued to local and non-local organizations. See

21. Section F.5.1 – requires a grants management plan. Would USAID confirm that Grant Management

Plans or Grant Manuals will be required at the task order level, and not at the IDIQ level?

Answer: The Grants Manual will be required at the task order level.

22. Section F.5.1 – Would USAID kindly consider combining Quarterly Accruals Reports with

Contract Financial Reports (which are also required quarterly) to reduce the administrative burden of IDIQ management?

Answer: Contract Financial Reports are separate from Quarterly Accruals Reports.

Contract Financial Reports will be required annually and included in the Annual Performance Report. See amendment above.

23. RFP Reference: “IDIQ Reports - annual performance reports, says that the Contractor must notify the COR if the quotient of work provided by its employees falls below 50%.” (p.50, F.5.1(a)) Question: Does USAID intend to measure this contribution from small prime employees cumulatively for the life of the IDIQ contract, at the Task Order level on an annual basis, over the life of the Task Order, or some other basis? Secondly, please advise to what does the 50% refer. Is it 50% of total project costs or 50% of total labor expense?

Answer: This report is in accordance with FAR 52.219-14(c)(1).

24. RFP Reference: “IDIQ Reports - annual performance reports, says that the Contractor must notify the COR if the quotient of work provided by its employees falls below 50%.” (p.50, F.5.1(a)).

Question: The August 24, 2017 issue of the Federal Register (page 40377) announced rulemaking intended to modify the current method of calculating small business limits to subcontracting. This rule, specifically the portion that allows small business prime contractors to count the contributions of like-situated small businesses, is likely to take effect before STARR II is awarded. Will the contracts of small business awardees be modified to include these changes?

Answer: FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, paragraph (c)(1) is in effect until the FAR is amended.

25. On pages 51 and 52, Section F.5.1(e) lists the requirements for the quarterly accruals report. Can

USAID clarify whether the accruals reporting is cumulative, disaggregated for the task orders, or completed at the IDIQ level?

Answer: The Contractor will report task order accruals to each Task Order COR.

26. On page 65, in Section F.7 (c), the RFP states, “If both the Government and the Contractor agree, a

Task Order can be converted from a term contract to a fixed-price completion performance based service contract after the initial period of performance.” Could USAID please provide an example of what circumstances would warrant this change in contracting mechanism?

Answer: Changing circumstances may make a different contract type appropriate in later periods than that used at the outset.

27. It is not clear from pages 65-66 whether the IDIQ Manager (as opposed to ILRG Task Order

Managers) is required as key personnel. Is the IDIQ Manager required as key personnel?

Answer: The IDIQ does not have any key personnel.

28. No CV is required for the IDIQ Manager in the list of allowable Annexes. (only CVs for proposed

ILRG key personnel are mentioned). Does USAID require a CV for the IDIQ Manager?

Answer: The IDIQ Manager is not Key Personnel, thus no CV is required.

29. Page 66, Section F.8 (c), IDIQ Central Management, please clarify if Offerors are required to include a resume/CV for the proposed IDIQ Manager in an appendix, to be limited to a maximum of two (2) pages, and excluded from the Technical Proposal’s page limit.

Answer: See answer to Question #28.

30. In RFP Section F.8, Key Personnel (page 67), the solicitation describes the required functions of the

IDIQ Manager. Can USAID please confirm that the IDIQ Manager is a Key Personnel position for the IDIQ, and advise offerors regarding how to present the qualifications of their IDIQ Manager candidates? Should their CVs be provided as part of Appendix 2, IDIQ Management Structure Organizational Chart(s)?

Answer: There are no key personnel positions for the IDIQ, thus the IDIQ manager does not need to be approved nor are they required to provide a CV for this position. The position should be reflected on the IDIQ Management Structure Organizational Chart.

31. Section H.2. (p. 74) incorporates AIDAR 752.7007, which states “Direct compensation of the

Contractor’s personnel will be in accordance with the Contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices, and the cost principles applicable to this Contract.” Please advise on how a contractor is to comply with this regulation while also complying with Section H.2.1 “Additional Requirements for Personnel Compensation” (p. 74). For example, if an offeror’s established policies allow for promotions and rate increases in excess of 3%, will the CO provide approval for this increase? Also, if an offeror’s established rate structure allows for a new employee to start with a salary that is more than 5% higher than their current salary or the highest rate of annual salary or wage received during any full year of the immediately preceding three (3) years, will the CO provide approval for this increase? In the event the CO does not provide approval, how is the Contractor to stay in compliance with 752.7007?

Answer: The contractor should not bill USAID for the difference if the rate is not approved by the CO.

32. Section H 2.1(d) – we request that USAID considers a 5 percent annual increase ceiling of the labor pool as opposed to the specified 3%. At the task order level, it is probable that successful offerors will work in countries with volatile exchange rates and/or rapidly escalating costs of living in capital cities, making the potential for a 5% annual increase a more reasonable, fair and customary pool for salary increases reflective of country circumstances.

Answer: The three percent ceiling for annual salary increases will remain. Exceptions will be made by USAID on a case-by-case basis.

33. Page 75 (RFP), H.2.1 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION,

(d) Annual Salary Increases: “Annual salary increases (e.g., cost of living and merit increases and other) of three (3) percent ceiling of the current labor pool may be granted once a year… Annual salary increases of any kind exceeding these limitations… may be granted only with the advance written approval of the Contracting Officer.”

(a) Please clarify what “current labor pool” refers to (e.g., not exceeding an average of 3% in overall increases to the total direct labor costs for all TO staff)?

Answer: The current labor pool refers to a company’s staff.

(b) Please confirm that “once a year” refers to 12 consecutive months, as it does in paragraph (a)(1) above it, as opposed to the project year, and that Contracting Officer approval will not be unreasonably withheld if the salary increase is in compliance with established employee policies of the offeror –e.g., all senior staff get their raise on the first day of the calendar year.

The alternative meaning is project year, which in our experience creates pay disparities among employees/consultants who start at different times. A Task order year will unlikely align with employment/salary/rate years, at least in the initial years.

Answer: Once a year refers to a 12-month consecutive period. All salary increase requests above stated contract terms and conditions will be reviewed equitably by the Contracting Officer.

(c) Kindly also consider revising this limitation to a maximum of 5% per staff member, to avoid approval requests that would place a burden on USAID and contractors, while providing more room for contractors to implement their established policies and procedures with respect to personnel performance evaluations, promotions, and increases for merit/inflation.

Answer: See Response to Question #32.

34. RFP Reference: “Annual salary increases (e.g., cost of living and merit increases and other) of three (3) percent ceiling of the current labor pool may be granted once a year.” (p.75, H.2(d)) Question: USAID has historically approved an annual 5% incentive increase for full-time project staff. Would USAID consider adjusting the annual salary increase to 5%?

Answer: See answer to Question#32.

35. Section H.2.1(d) on page 75 sets a three percent ceiling for annual salary increases without advance written approval of the Contracting Officer. Considering the varied market conditions in host countries, would USAID please consider removing this ceiling so that each mission may determine the appropriate ceiling rate for its respective country?

Answer: See answer to Question#32.

36. Per Section L.5 (page 158), would USAID please provide Offerors with the Standard Form (SF)

33?

Answer: Standard Form (SF) 33 is included with this Amendment No. 3.

37. On page 166, Section L.8.(A), Part 1 states, “The Offeror must submit the cover page (Section A) of this request for cost proposal [Standard Form (SF) 33, “Solicitation, Offer, and Award”] …” Could USAID please provide this form?

Answer: See answer to question #36

38. Page 160, Section L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL

PROPOSALS, defines major subcontractors as “those whose proposed cost exceeds 20 percent of the offeror’s total proposed cost”. The same section of STARR II IDIQ pre-solicitation defined major subcontractors as “Major subcontractors are those expected to perform at least 20 percent or a prominent part of the technical effort”. Considering that offerors are not required to propose costs at the IDIQ level as part of their proposal, kindly consider adding “or a prominent part of the technical effort” to the definition of major subcontractors.

Answer: The RFP is amended as follows, “Major subcontractors are those expected to perform at least 20% or a prominent part, of the technical effort.” See amendment above.

39. Section L.7 (p.160) mandates a 15 page limit for the IDIQ technical proposal with a maximum of five pages allocated to each of the three sections: corporate/institutional capability, management, and past performance. Would USAID permit bidders to allocate the 10 pages for Corporate/Institutional Capacity (Volume 1. A) and Management (Volume 1. B) in accordance with their individual proposal strategy (in other words, eliminate the requirement for a maximum of 5 pages for each section while staying within 10 pages total for the two sections)?

Answer: Volume I – Technical Proposal – Sections A (Corporate/Institutional Capability – IDIQ) and B (Management – IDIQ) have a combined page limit of 12 pages. The Past Performance and ILRG task order remain unchanged. Total Page Limit is as follows:

Sections A+B=12 pages; Section C=5 pages; Section D=10 pages. See amendment above.

40. Page 161, Section L.7, lists the “ILRG TO Offeror’s Draft Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and

Marking Plan (MP)” as Appendix 11. Please clarify if a draft BIP and a draft MP are also required for the IDIQ, to be included as an Appendix and excluded from the Technical Proposal’s page limit.

Answer: USAID confirms that a BIP and MP are not required for the IDIQ. See amendment above. Appendixes are not included in the page limitation. See page 161, Organization of Technical Volume, 2nd paragraph.

41. In RFP Section L.7, Draft Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marketing Plan (MP), are the requested BIP and MP to be written for IDIQ and the ILRG Task Order?

Answer: Offerors must provide a draft Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marketing Plan (MP) for the ILRG Task Order.

42. Page 161, Section L.7, lists an “ILRG TO Personnel summary matrix (per Section L) on the expertise of staff, consultants, and other personnel specialists” as Appendix 8. Please confirm that offerors need not provide a separate illustrative staffing matrix for the IDIQ as part of the Technical Proposal.

Answer: USAID confirms that it is not necessary to include a separate staffing matrix for the IDIQ. This information may be contained in Appendix 2 – IDIQ Management Structure Organizational Chart(s).

43. On p. 161, does USAID want to require information on the prime business size standard as required information on the cover (ie. Large or category of small business)?

Answer: Offerors are not required to provide the prime business size standard. USAID will verify the small business size via the Reps & Certs on WWW.SAM.GOV.

44. In Section L.7. there are not instructions on where to include the offeror’s business size. Should this be included in the cover letter?

Answer: See answer to Question #43.

45. Section L.7.A.1 (p.162) states that “offerors may present expertise and capabilities of all subcontractors” in presenting their technical capability. However, Section M.2.A (p. 177) states that “USAID will evaluate the relevancy, breadth and depth of the offerors and any major subcontractors technical expertise and capabilities.” We assume that the mention of major subcontractors is an error and that USAID will evaluate technical expertise of all subcontractors.

Please confirm.

Answer: Offerors may present the current technical expertise of all subcontractors. See

46. On page 162, Content of Technical Volume A.2 Management Capability. May the offeror present management capabilities of all subcontractors?

Answer: No. See instructions as provided on page 162, Content of Technical Volume A.2 Management Capability.

47. Will USAID allow and consider additional appendices included in the RFP/RFTOP proposals other than those prescribed in the RFP, such as charts and tables supporting the technical approach?

Answer: No other appendices are allowed. Any and all charts and tables supporting the technical approach must be included in the body of the proposal and count against the page limit.

48. Please confirm that the following three parts are separate and that the first part only (1. Grants

Under Contract Management) is required to be provided as part of the Proposal:

Grants Under Contract Management – Technical proposal, page 162, Article A.3, under

Content of Technical Volume, “The Offeror must provide information that demonstrates the Offeror’s and any major subcontractors’ ability to manage Grants Under Contracts in an international development context.”

Grants Management Plan – IDIQ Level. Page 55, Article F.5.1, “The Contractor must submit a grants management plan to the IDIQ CO and COR that outlines planned procedures for awarding grants in full compliance with USAID policies and procedures and the IDIQ and Task Order requirements,” due 90 days after award of IDIQ (table on page 49).

Field Grants Guide – Task Order Level, page 111, Article H.29, Grants Under Contract, due 60 days after award of ILRG Task Order.

Answer: USAID confirms that offerors must provide information requested in Section L as part of the proposal.

49. RFP Reference: “USAID confirms that all Past Performance Information is due August 31st.”

(Amendment 000001, Question 1, Answer to Question 1). Question: USAID has requested that Offerors submit all Past Performance by the August 31st deadline. This includes the 5-page Past Performance narrative, Contractor Performance Report - Short Form”, and Use of Small Business Concerns. As teaming arrangements are being finalized and past performance inputs from partners continue to be queried in the development of the Technical Proposal, would USAID permit Offerors to submit revised and/or include supplemental information in the Past Performance sections that are included in the final submitted Technical Proposal?

Answer: No.

50. Would USAID confirm that full page charts and graphics do not count against the page limit?

Answer: Please see Amendment 2 –Specifically, L.6 Delivery Instructions: “… A page in the Technical Proposal that contains a table, chart, graph, etc., not otherwise excluded below, is subject to the page limitation."

51. On p. 163 C Past Performance - Can USAID please clarify the distinction between what data are to be included in Volume 1 Technical Proposal vs. the attachments (Appendix 3 Past Performance information and Appendix 4 Contractor Performance Reports) provided under a separate requirement due 8/31?

Answer: See cover letter first page, last paragraph: Important Note: In accordance with paragraph L.6 – Delivery Instructions (see page 161), prospective offerors must submit Past

Performance Information by the date noted above. Offerors whose Past Performance information is not received by the date/time above will be considered non-compliant and will be eliminated from further consideration.

This note was reinforced in Amendment 01 – All past performance information was due August 31. There is no need to resubmit Appendix 3.

52. If Appendix 3 is to be submitted by the 31st of August, do we submit the same Appendix 3 with our bid on the 2nd of October?

Answer: See answer to Question #51.

53. Page 161 states that Past Performance Information should be included as Appendix 3. Page 163 seems to list it as part of the main proposal. Please confirm where this information should go.

54. RFP Reference: “Past Performance – 5 page limit” (p.160, L.6) “Organization of Technical

Volume… Appendices for Volume I...3. Past performance information (per Section L) 4.

Contractor Performance Report - Short-Form (see Attachment in Section J.2)” (p.161, L.7) “Paragraph C(i)(1), delete Appendix 4” and insert “Appendix 3” in lieu thereof.” (Amendment 000001, Modifications,2). Question: Following the modifications in Amendment 000001, can USAID confirm that the only past performance information to be included in the Appendices is the Contractor Performance Report - Short Forms?

55. On page 163 Past Performance, can USAID please clarify how to address the comprehensive capabilities of the team in addition to the Prime/CTA/major subcontractor?

56. Can USAID please clarify that revisions can be made to the 5 page technical narrative included in

Volume 1 different from data provided on 8/31 that meet the requirements of Appendix 3 and 4?

57. In RFP Section L.7, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposals, the solicitation mentions a detailed management plan as one of the allowed appendixes. Can USAID please clarify how the detailed management plan will differ from the IDIQ Management Plan and the IDIQ Management Structure described in B.1 and B.2 on page 163 of the RFP? What additional information is required in the appendix?

Answer: See Content Of Technical Volume, B. Management of IDIQ.

58. Section L.7(D.1) – Would USAID confirm that the results framework should be included in the draft MEL Plan annex (Appendix 10)?

Answer: As a key component of assessing the Offeror’s approach, the results framework should be introduced in the proposal. The draft MEL Plan in the appendix must include further detail on the indicators, targets, and methodologies that will be used to monitor progress toward achieving the results framework.

59. Under Section L.7.D.1 (p. 165) - Can the Results Framework required in the ILRG proposal be included as an annex? Or will this count against the 10 page limit?

Answer: The results framework is included in the ILRG proposal and counts against the page limit. The draft MEL Plan in the appendix must include further detail on the indicators, targets, and methodologies that will be used to monitor progress toward achieving the results framework.

60. On page 165, the RFP indicates that offerors must propose a draft Monitoring, Evaluation, and

Learning (MEL) Plan in Appendix 10, and that the draft MEL Plan must specify indicators, targets, and methodologies that will be used to monitor progress of the task order toward achieving key results delineated in the results framework. The RFP further indicates that it is not necessary for offerors to include Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) in this draft MEL Plan, but that they will be included in the final MEL Plan, but does not provide guidance on Performance Reference Indicator Sheets (PIRS). Can USAID confirm that it is also not necessary to include PIRS in the draft MEL plan?

Answer: The Offeror does not need to include PIRS in the draft MEL Plan that is submitted with the proposal. PIRS must be included with the approved final MEL Plan. Further information on PIRS can be found in the ADS 201 Mandatory Reference “Performance Indicator Reference Sheet (PIRS) Guidance and Template”:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/201maf.pdf.

61. Page 165, Section L.7, D.2 (b) states “Illustrative Key Personnel labor categories for the ILRG Task

Order are the Chief of Party and Land Tenure Specialist.” Please clarify if Offerors are free to designate alternative Key Personnel positions for the ILRG TO, in line with their proposed Technical Approach for the TO.

Answer: Offerors are encouraged to propose their own labor mix to fit their technical approach – thus, offerors are encouraged to propose their own Key Personnel positions.

62. Page 165, Section L.7, D.2 (b), please confirm that Letters of Commitment (LOCs) are not required for non-Key Personnel.

Answer: Letters of Commitment are not required for non-Key Personnel.

63. On page 166, Section L.8(A), Part 2(a) states, “The prime Offeror and each major subcontractor must propose ceiling indirect cost rates. Only the prime Offeror's applicable ceiling indirect costs will be utilized for evaluation purposes in the Cost/price Evaluation. Major subcontractor indirect rates will be reviewed, but not factored in the Cost/price Evaluation.” Would USAID please change “Major subcontractor indirect rates will be reviewed” to “Major subcontractor indirect rate ceilings will be reviewed” to clarify that this language is only applicable to rate ceilings and not the rates themselves?

Answer: The language has been changed. See amendment above.

64. Page 167 requests offerors to establish a fee ceiling and this will be applied to all cost reimbursable task orders. Page 6 mentions that Cost-Plus Award Fee type contracts may also be awarded. Given that Award Fee and Fixed Fee are different performance incentive structures demanding different rates, we ask USAID to confirm that the fixed fee ceiling set for CPFF contracts will not be a ceiling on award fee.

Answer: Please refer to page 6, B.5, last sentence “Fees for CPIF or CPAF Task Orders will be negotiated by the TOCO at the time of task order award.”

65. On page 167, Section L.8(A), Part 2(c), states, “The Offeror must also provide a Prime and Major

Subcontractor Percentage of Labor Overview Chart (See Section J) as an appendix … ” There does not appear to be a template or example of an overview chart provided as an attachment. Would USAID please consider providing a template to ensure consistency in presentation among offerors?

Answer: The Major Subcontractor Percentage of Labor Overview Chart template is attached to this amendment.

66. One item in the list of acceptable supporting information for labor rates provided in Section L.8.A, Part 2.b on page 167 is “historical biodata forms used (within the past five years).” Would USAID also please consider accepting current biodata forms as supporting information for labor rates? This is particularly relevant for consultants who have worked with other contractors and might not have access to their historical forms or those who have not completed a biodata form in the past five years.

Answer: Biodata forms must provide current and historical information.

67. Regarding Section L.8.A, Part 2.c on page 167:

Section J is referenced for the Prime and Major Subcontractor Percentage of Labor Overview

Chart but there is no template listed there. Could USAID please clarify whether it would like offerors to use a specific template for this chart?

Answer: The Major Subcontractor Percentage of Labor Overview Chart template is attached. See amendment above.

Could USAID please clarify which subcontractors should be included in this chart—major subcontractors per the chart title or all subcontractors per the body text?

Answer: Offerors should include letters of commitment for each major subcontractor.

68. Section L.8, A Part 3 - Representation, Certifications and Other Statement of Offerors (page 169) states “Offerors and proposed subcontractors must ensure they are registered with the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) per FAR Part 4.” We note that FAR part 4, FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management, and FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance, do not extend registration requirements to subcontractors. We expect an extensive list of international subcontractors/partners and registration in SAM presents significant challenges including obtaining and validating the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). As such, we request that USAID removes the requirement for subcontractor SAM registration from this RFP.

Answer: “and proposed subcontractors” has been removed. See amendment above.

69. Section L .8 (B) Pg. 173 – Can USAID please specify a labor category or categories for the budget line item for Expatriate Consultants?

Answer: The LOE provided for Expatriate Consultants is illustrative only – all examples were extracted directly from B.7.1 Tables 1 and 2. Offerors are encouraged to propose their own labor mix to fit their technical approach.

70. Section L.8(c) – Prime and Major Subcontractor Percentage of Labor Overview Chart. The numbers used in this budget will be highly indicative, considering that: 1) no single Offeror knows how much of the STARR II IDIQ total ceiling they will be awarded; 2) the number, scope and size of STARR II task orders is at this point unknown to all parties; and 3) such targets can create perverse incentives in relationships between Prime and Sub that focus more on a percentage of total budgets rather than being fully responsive to individual RFTOPs, their requirements, and the variability of Prime and Sub capabilities in particular countries and in particular technical areas. We ask USAID to consider eliminating this as a requirement.

Answer: USAID will not eliminate this requirement.

71. Page 171, Part 12 instructs Offerors to complete Section H.23, Security Clearance. Please confirm that this was intended to refer to Section H.22, Security Clearance, and not Section H.23, Special Contract Requirements for Information Technology.

Answer: The Security Clearance information is found in Section H.22. See amendment above.

72. In Section L.8 of the RFP, the Offeror is instructed to fill out the Section H.23 Security Clearance provision. However, it appears that the Security Clearance provision can be found in Section H.22.

Can USAID kindly confirm that the Offeror should use Section H.22 instead of H.23?

Answer: See response to question#71.

73. On page 171, Section L.8(A), Part 12 refers to H. 23 Security Clearance, but that section is H. 22.

Can USAID please clarify?

Answer: See response to question#71.

74. Regarding Section L.8.A, Part 10 on page 171, could USAID please clarify for which subcontractors offerors should include a letter of commitment—major subcontractors per the Part 10 title or all subcontractors per the body text?

Answer: Offerors should submit letters of commitment for each major subcontractor.

75. The cover letter of the IDIQ RFP provides an estimated cost of $22,000,000 - $26,000,000 for the task order. Can USAID please confirm that this estimated cost applies only to the CPFF term type task order budget detailed in L.8.B (pg.172) of the RFP, and that the $17,500,000 plug figure for field support and grants under the CPFF completion type task order is in addition to the total estimated cost?

Answer: The estimated cost for the task order is between $22,000,000 - $26,000,000, for both term and completion. The $15,000,000 is all-inclusive of direct and indirect costs, but exclusive of fixed fee. See amendments above.

76. The total estimated cost for the ILRG task order is between $22- $26 million (per RFP cover page), while the plug figures for Field Support and GUCs total $17.5 million, exclusive of indirect costs and fixed fee on them (Page 172 and Attachment J-1, page 4). This leaves a maximum of $8.5 million over five years to cover (1) indirect costs and fixed fee under the completion-type budget and (2) all other costs and fixed fee under the term-type budget. Please consider reducing the plug figures, in particular GUCs, in order to provide more flexibility for offerors to propose individual labor mixes for the term-type component.

Answer: See response to question #75.

77. For the ILRG TO proposal budget, should Offerors use actual rates of personnel proposed, or the

CDRs presented in the IDIQ?

Answer: CDRs are ceilings – rates should not exceed the CDRs.

78. Page 172, Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Term Type, provides a detailed breakdown of the total budget that lumps together subcontractors with consultants.