PFM_II_IDIQ_Mod_01.pdf

June 16, 2017

Reference: SOL-OAA-17-000022, Public Financial Management II (PFM II) IDIQ Subject: Modification 01

Dear Interested Offerors:

The following Modification 01 to Solicitation Number SOL-OAA-17-000022 provides minor revisions to the Solicitation, Attachment J.1, and responses to questions received by the closing time for questions as set forth in the Solicitation. A revised copy of the Solicitation with Attachment J.1 (also revised) is attached to this Modification with all changes highlighted in yellow. No further questions shall be accepted or responded to unless the Contracting Officer determines that it is necessary.

Please note that the closing date has not been extended, and that Past Performance information must be submitted by July 3, 2017 at 12:00pm Washington, DC time. Failure to submit Past Performance Information by this time will result in the later technical proposal being deemed non-compliant and rejected.

Sincerely, /s/

Charles C. Jackson Agreement Officer

Modification 01

SOL-OAA-17-000022

PFM II IDIQ

A. Revisions to the Solicitation

1. Page 17, Section C.1. In the second paragraph, DELETE the sentence which reads:

“The Supporting Economic Policy (SEP) Project will complement these activities by providing a mechanism and tools that enhance the Agency’s capacity to assess what does and does not work, why, and the resulting impacts.”

2. Page 23, Section C.4.2. DELETE the bullet that begins “Grant and Loan Capitalization. . .”

3. Page 30, Section C.4.10. DELETE the sentence which begins “The proposed candidate shall also have previous project management. . . .” and “In addition, the proposed candidate shall have . . . .” and REPLACE with:

“The proposed candidate shall also have previous project management experience where s/he was a project manager and managed or recruited expert teams for a variety of task orders, projects, and programs. In addition, the proposed candidate shall have at least three years of experience working in a developing country.”

4. Page 120, Section L.4(a). Within the list of documents that do not count against the page limitation, DELETE the bullet point that begins “Past Performance matrix. . . .” and REPLACE with:

“Past performance documentation including: past performance report forms (Attachment J.3), references, past performance information using small business concerns, copies of quality awards or certifications, and other supporting documentation as appropriate.”

5. Page 123, L.4(b)(4)(d)(3)(B). DELETE this paragraph in its entirety and REPLACE with:

“(B) To supplement the narrative summary in (A), provide a list of the recent contracts within the last three (3) years for which you submitted subcontract reports to eSRS (FAR 52.219-9(d)(10)) and a copy of any similarly recent subcontracting reports if they were not submitted to eSRS.”

6. Page 127, Section L.5, Part 2. The final paragraph of this section which begins “IDIQ Program Manage Cost” is DELETED in its entirety and REPLACED with:

“IDIQ Program Manager Cost: The Contracting Officer has determined that a key (full-time) technical manager is not necessary or required to administer the basic IDIQ. Contractors will not be authorized to bill USAID directly for IDIQ management costs under this IDIQ or under task orders. Contractors must propose a centralized management structure that allows for recovery of IDIQ management costs as part of its indirect costs.”

7. Attachment J.1, Page 6, Section VI. Under Outcome-level indicators, DELETE the bullet points which read:

“Custom Indicator: MOF PFM training system modernized and improved” AND “Customer Indicator – Customs Directorate: Number of new users of the transparency portal both at the central and municipal levels contributed to by USG assistance”.

B. Questions and Answers

1. Question: Various expressions of interest for subcontracting and to be kept aware of future opportunities.

USAID Response: USAID does not arrange for subcontracting. We recommend that you coordinate with potential prime offerors or reach out to the eventual contractors to offer potential services.

Regarding being aware of future opportunities, USAID maintains a live “business forecast” document which indicates current and prospective opportunities. It may be located here:

https://www.usaid.gov/business-forecast.

2. Question: Section B.5.(d)- Would USAID please confirm that the Fixed Fee Applicable to Grants Under Contracts (GUCs) refers to the fee a Prime contractor may charge on a GUCs component of a contract, rather than the fee ceiling that individual grantees may receive under the GUCs component (if applicable)?

USAID Response: Yes, the fixed fee ceiling refers to the Prime contractors charge on the GUCs component.

3. Question: Regarding the language in Section B. 5 (d) Separate Fixed Fee Ceiling Applicable To Grants Under Contracts (GUCs), can USAID please clarify where in the Cost/Business Proposal the Offeror should include any information related to this particular item.

USAID Response: The Cost/Business Proposal shall explain the rationale for the proposed fee ceiling with support as necessary for Negotiator to determine the reasonableness of the fee. See also question #2.

4. Question: Section B.7.(a) instructs that “contractors will not be authorized to bill USAID directly for IDIQ management costs under this IDIQ or under task orders.” However, Section L.5 Part 2 indicates under the IDIQ Program Manager Cost section that “offerors…may charge percentage of the individual’s effort under task orders to the extent the functions are allocable to the particular task order… Offeror’s cost proposals must specify how project director costs will be charged.” Can USAID please clarify whether the IDIQ Manager’s costs can be billed directly to USAID?

USAID Response: The IDIQ manager’s costs shall not be directly billed the USAID as set forth in B.7(a). The Solicitation has been revised to reflect this.

5. Question: Section B.7(b): Section references “major subcontractors” in the following way: “The work day and work week policies and method of accounting for paid absences including holidays for the contractor and major subcontractors is set forth in Attachment J.” Further, Section B.9 (Indirect Costs and Advanced Understanding on Ceilings) asks for indirect rates and ceiling overhead rates for offeror and major subcontractors. Could USAID clarify the rationale and intention in establishing the approval process for “major” subcontractors at the IDIQ level, rather than at the TO level?

USAID Response: In order to reduce administrative burden in issuing Task Orders, USAID is providing prime Offerors with the opportunity to have major subcontractors approved in the IDIQ itself. That way, a re-approval and re-review of certain items of cost will not be necessary at the Task Order level if Prime is capable of identifying and proposing major subcontractors presently.

Subcontractors not included in the Prime Offer may still be proposed for Task Orders pursuant to the guidance set forth in the respective Request for Task Order Proposal. Additionally, later identified subcontractors who meet the definition of a major subcontractor may be submitted, approved, and the prime IDIQ Contract modified to add a named major subcontractor. See also question #31 and #174.

6. Question: On Page 50, USAID identifies the “IDIQ Manager” as Key Personnel. However, on Page 8, USAID states that a “key (full-time) technical manager is not necessary or required to administer the basic IDIQ.” These statements seem contradictory. Please clarify whether USAID is seeking each contractor to propose an IDIQ Manager as Key Personnel and whether this person must be a full-time staff member of the Prime Contractor.

USAID Response: An IDIQ Manager is required as Key Personnel. This position is not required to be a full-time technical manager.

7. Question: Page 50, Clause F.8(a), Key Personnel, identifies the IDIQ Manager as Key. Page 8, Clause B.7(a), Labor, states that a “key (full-time) technical manager is not necessary or required….” These statements seem to conflict with each other and suggest that the IDIQ Manager, which is not required and may not be billed to the IDIQ, should not be a Key Personnel. Please remove the IDIQ Manager from the Key Personnel clause.

USAID Response: No. See also question #6.

8. Question: Section B.7(c)(2) Note 1 under the table states “The above rates indicate the ceiling for labor in year one of the ordering period. The rates shall increase in each subsequent year by applying an inflation rate of X% (to be determined at the time of award).” Section B.8 states that the “labor rates are fixed for all contract years”, which seems to contradict the escalation. Could USAID please clarify whether the labor rates are the same for all years of the IDIQ, or whether offerors can expect a fixed yearly escalation?

USAID Response: The table only includes space for year one rates. Applying the escalation rate (as proposed and negotiated) to future years will set the fixed rate for years two through five. As such, year two rates are fixed by applying the fixed escalation rate to year one rates. Year three will be the year two rate multiplied by the escalation factor, etc.

9. Question: Section B.7 (c)(1) page 9 states that “The task order rates must not exceed the ceiling daily rates set forth in the table below” and goes on to note that “The CDRs set forth below are fixed for the contract period.” Yet, Section B.7 (c)(2) Note 1 on page 10 states the rates in the table “indicate the ceiling for labor in year one of the ordering period.” Please confirm the rates in the table should be for year 1 and that rates for subsequent years may exceed the rates in the table.

USAID Response: See question #8.

10. Question: Section B.7 (c)(2) Note 1 (page 10) states that the CDRs “shall increase in each subsequent year by applying an inflation rate of X%.” Should offerors propose a percentage increase of the CDRs for each subsequent year?

USAID Response: See question #8.

11. Question: Ceiling Daily Rate Increases: In Part B7 of the RFP, under the Labor Category Table, Note 1 states: "the above rates indicate the ceiling for labor in year one of the ordering period. The rates shall increase in each subsequent year by applying an inflation rate of x% (to be determined at the time of award)”. However, section B.8 states that “The labor rates are fixed for all contract years; however, Contractor may submit a proposal reducing the labor rates and/or indirect rates at any time during the life of this contract. The Government will review these proposals and determine if the revised rates are realistic and in the best interest of the Government.” Can Offerors propose an annual escalation rate on CDRs, or will any CDRs be fixed for the life of any resulting contract?

USAID Response: See question #8.

12. Question: Page 9, middle of the page states: “The CDRs set forth below are fixed for the contract period ….” However, Note 1 under the Labor Category table (top of page 10) indicate that the ceiling rates included in the table are the ceiling for labor in year one of the ordering year and that the rates shall increase in each subsequent year. Can USAID please clarify that the note under the table supersedes the language in the previous paragraph of the RFP language.

USAID Response: See question #8.

13. Question: On page 10, Note 1 states: “The above rates indicate the ceiling for labor in year one of the ordering period. The rates shall increase in each subsequent year by applying an inflation rate of X% (to be determined at the time of award).” Will USAID allow different annual escalation rates for categories and levels, rather than one uniform rate for all categories?

USAID Response: See question #8.

14. Question: Section B.7(c) – On Page 10 of the RFP, “Note 1” indicates that the ceilings for labor rates are for year one of the ordering period and that rates shall increase in each subsequent year by applying an inflation rate that is to be determined at the time of the award. However, section B.8 – Labor (Unburdened CDR) Rate Changes on page 14 of the RFP states that the rates are fixed for all years. Please clarify whether the rates are fixed or if the to be determined inflation rate may be applied after year 1 of the contract.

USAID Response: See question #8.

15. Question: On Page 9, USAID requests the “Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates (CDR)” for all labor categories and levels. If understood correctly, CDR is only the base rate paid for services with nothing else included. If so, why has USAID requested a CDR for certain senior level labor categories who would qualify for the current USAID maximum daily rate (e.g., economists, attorneys, etc.). Certain cells in the labor category chart should be filled-in by USAID to avoid unrealistic price proposals for senior-level talent (quality personnel) who are at the USAID maximum.

USAID Response: USAID is providing Offerors with the opportunity to provide competitive rates for all labor categories. USAID will not fill in the labor chart for an Offeror based on the assumption that they will be proposed at the USAID maximum.

16. Question: Page 10, Clause B.7, Labor, note 3, states that CCN and TCN labor are also governed by the local compensation plan limitations. International experience is held by most TCNs for whom waivers to be treated as an Expatriate are almost always granted. The contractor requests that a waiver be incorporated in the solicitation to allow TCNs hired internationally to be treated as US citizens, thus reducing the burden of approval actions both for USAID and for the contractor?

USAID Response: No, Requests of this type must be done at the Task Order level.

17. Question: Page 8, B.7 (a) states that IDIQ management costs should be recovered through indirect costs. Could USAID clarify if this is limited to general oversight functions – liaising with USAID, financial management, compliance? At the task order level, will there be scope to build in limited LOE for technical oversight?

USAID Response: LOE for the Task Order shall be proposed based on staff performing work specific to the Task Order. Direct costs for management of the IDIQ itself should not be billed directly to USAID.

18. Question: Page 9, Clause B.7(b), Labor, states that the work week policy and policy for paid absences will be incorporated in the award for a contractor and major subcontracts. Such information is proprietary business data and generally not shared with a prime contractor which may also be a competitor in a different opportunity. The bidder requests that USAID remove this clause or address how the Contracting Officer will maintain the proprietary nature of that data without disclosing it to the Prime?

USAID Response: See question #174.

19. Question: Page 9, Section B7, Labor. Would USAID please confirm that the proposed seven labor categories listed in the RFP are not fixed for the term of the IDIQ, and that other labor categories may be added for a specific RFTOP, depending upon the requirements of the RFTOP scope of work?

USAID Response: No. The seven labor categories are fixed for the term of the IDIQ. Please see Section C.4.4 regarding overall qualifications to be mapped back to these labor categories.

20. Question: Page 9, B.7 (b) mentions an Attachment J that includes work day and work week policies.

We couldn’t find this in the included Attachments. Could USAID clarify where this can be found?

USAID Response: This information must be submitted or explained in the Cost Narrative to substantiate proposed labor rates and recovery of fringe costs, etc. in accordance with Section L.5 (specifically Part 5). The policies will then be incorporated into Section J of the Contract itself when award is made as explained in the parenthetical in Section B.7(b) which indicates “[Contractor’s information will be included by Contracting Officer at the time of award.]”.

21. Question: Section B.7(c)(2): Note 4 states that “salaries for individual locally-hired personnel and other non-US expatriates under this contract and any resulting subcontract…and shall be based upon a combination of factors including the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country as determined by USAID and consideration of the individual’s education, work experience and recent relevant salary history.” Since CCN/TCN personnel will be approved based on comparable work and experience in their countries, will USAID clarify if the CCN/TCN personnel hired under this contract and any resulting task orders are also subject to the labor category benchmarks education and qualification requirement?

In addition, could USAID please confirm that TCN experts who meet the qualifications for specific labor categories can be billed to USAID according to the rates negotiated with USAID for that labor category, and not restricted to local compensation plans?

USAID Response: This Note addresses compensation of non-US staff – not work and experience requirements. Labor category benchmarks are applicable for all staff hired under the contract. All proposed staff rates must be compliant with AIDAR 722.170 and AIDAR 752.7007. Actual salaries are negotiated at the Task Order level for identified staff. As the Solicitation indicates in Note 4 “unless otherwise authorized by USAID, the compensation . . . must not exceed the prevailing compensation paid . . . in the cooperating country. . . .” As such, non-US experts must be paid in accordance with these provisions and in accordance with local compensation plans unless negotiated and approved by Task Order Contracting Officers.

22. Question: Section B.7(c (2): Note 4 states that “the compensation for CCN and TCN labor must not exceed the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country as determined by USAID and must be paid in the currency of the cooperating country.” Can USAID confirm this only applies to CCN and TCN long-term labor?

USAID Response: This provision applies to all CCN and TCN labor. There is no indication that it applies only to long-term labor.

23. Question: Section B.7(c)(2)- Would USAID please confirm that the annual escalation rate on CDRs will not apply as a ceiling for escalation on actual rates at the task order level? For example, if an offeror were to propose a 5% annual escalation rate for CDRs but is asked to propose work under a task order for a country with much higher annual inflation rates, could they propose a higher escalation rate for individual staff salaries as long as the rates still fall below the CDRs?

USAID Response: No. The CDRs as affected by escalation may not be exceeded at the Task Order level. The purpose of the IDIQ is to negotiate an appropriate ceiling with Task Orders being negotiated at or below this level as appropriate. However, actual salaries will be negotiated at the Task Order Contracting Officer level.

24. Question: Section B.7(d): Could USAID revisit the years of relevant work experience required by educational degree for each labor category, and provide greater flexibility in the trade-off between years of experience and education level? We point out that a candidate with a Ph.D. and either 0 or 4 years of experience would be considered junior level. Would USAID consider adding an approval process by the Task Order COR for any deviations on a case-by-case basis?

USAID Response: No.

25. Question: As it relates to the minimum qualifications table on page 13 (Section B.7 (d)), would USAID consider reducing the number of years of experience required for the junior level?

USAID Response: No.

26. Question: Section B.7(e )(3) – In this section USAID indicates the process for adding a new subcontractor at the task order level with a cost accounting system that only processes fully burdened rates. Would USAID please clarify the process for including subcontractors in the original proposal who have a cost accounting system that only processes fully burdened rates?

USAID Response: The paragraph which follows B.7(e)(iii) describes the process. It is replicated here:

“The Prime may then include in its TO proposal, (i) the fully burdened rate proposed to the Prime by the Subcontractor,(ii) allocation of the Prime’s indirect costs in accordance with established accounting practices, and (iii) a reasonable profit. If the rates proposed to USAID, inclusive of the Prime’s allocable indirect costs and a reasonable profit are above the Prime’s unburdened CDRs, the Prime must disclose the amount of the indirect costs, and the amount of the proposed profit that were added to the Subcontractor’s proposed rates. A reasonable profit will be negotiated by the TOCO for the specific TO.

The CDRs of the subcontractor must not exceed the prime’s CDRs in the IDIQ contract.”

27. Question: Does USAID have a preferred format for submission of indirect ceiling rates for major subcontractors (to a small business prime Offeror) or should we simply make our own table?

USAID Response: See Section B.9, question #169 and Section L.5, Part 2 specifically indirect costs.

28. Question: Section B.9- Would USAID please confirm that subcontractors without a NICRA agreement (who are not small businesses or local organizations) are not required to submit ceiling indirect rates?

USAID Response: No. Indirect Cost rate information must be submitted in accordance with Section L.5 Part 2, specifically the section that reads indirect costs. See also question #175.

29. Question: On Page 14, USAID states that ceilings on indirect rates do not apply to Small Business Offerors. Does this also apply to Small Business Offerors’ Major Subcontractors that are non-Small Businesses?

USAID Response: Yes. See also question #169.

30. Question: Ceiling Indirect Rates: Small Businesses: Section B.9, “Indirect Costs and Advanced

Understanding on Ceilings” states that “Ceilings are not applicable to Small Business Offerors”.

Section L.5. Part 2 (a)(1) 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 Matrix.” Could USAID please confirm if Ceiling Indirect Rates are applicable to Small Business Offerors?

USAID Response: See question #169.

31. Question: Page 14, Section B.9 Indirect Costs and Advanced Understanding on Ceilings. The RFP states “indirect costs must be reimbursed based on the negotiated provisional rate or predetermined rates and appropriate bases for prime contractors and their major sub-contractors (major subcontractors are subcontractors expected to perform at least 20% or a prominent part of the technical effort.” Can USAID please clarify the process for reimbursing a subcontractor with a NICRA who does not perform 20% or a prominent part of the technical effort?

USAID Response: Subcontractors who do not perform 20% of the work are not identified at the IDIQ level. Their costs will be proposed and then negotiated by Task Order Contracting Officers consistent with the Request for Task Order Proposals and reimbursed consistent with the terms of the Task Order.

32. Question: Page 14, Clause B.9, Indirect Costs and Advanced Understanding on Ceilings, identifies a major subcontractor as “those subcontractors expected to perform at least 20% or a prominent part of the technical effort.” Should the bidder identify which subcontractors it has determined are “major” in relation to the entire contract effort?

USAID Response: Yes. Any other subcontractor’s costs should not be submitted at the IDIQ level.

33. Question: Page 14, Clause B.9, Indirect Costs and Advanced Understanding on Ceilings, requires that the indirect rates/ceilings for major subcontractors be incorporated in the Prime Contract. Such information is proprietary business data and generally not shared with a prime contractor which may also be a competitor in a different opportunity. The bidder requests that USAID remove this clause or address how the Contracting Officer will maintain the proprietary nature of that data without disclosing it to the Prime?

USAID Response: See question #174.

34. Question: In support of demonstrating Corporate Capability and Experience to perform the IDIQ technical areas set forth in Section C, would USAID allow Offerors to include as an Annex to the technical proposal a table presenting an illustrative roster of resources available to perform services under the IDIQ?

USAID Response: No. However, see question #111.

35. Question: Section C.1: There is a reference in the second paragraph of this section to the “Supporting Economic Policy (SEP)” Project. Is this an active or expected project? If it is active, who is the implementer?

USAID Response: This is not an active project. The Solicitation has been revised to remove this reference.

36. Question: The RFP says (p. 23) that “USAID may obligate funds to the Contract to serve to capitalize USAID loan and grant programs.” Would USAID please provide more information on how this might work and what the responsibilities of the PFM II IDIQ implementing partner might be under these circumstances? Would these uses come in the context of an existing RFTOP award or through another mechanism? If other, would they be competed?

USAID Response: This section has been revised to remove this bullet point.

37. Question: On page 27 under section C.4.4 the pre-solicitation states “Contractors shall have qualifications in the following professional areas” which include areas not included in the labor categories, is it assumed that any technical experts covering these areas would be aligned with the labor categories at the contractor’s discretion?

USAID Response: Yes.

38. Question: With reference to Section C.4.4, page 27, paragraph 2, will USAID permit information regarding offerors’ qualifications in the listed professional areas to be presented as an annex?

USAID Response: No.

39. Question: The specifications for the IDIQ Manager’s experience and qualification requirements in Section C.4.10 are defined in such a way that they may preclude candidates with the requisite experience and expertise to effectively fulfill the IDIQ Manager role. Would USAID consider re-wording the qualifications as follows to allow for a broader range of experience?

a. In section C.4.10, it is stated that “[t]he proposed candidate shall also have previous project management experience where s/he was a project manager and recruited expert teams for a variety of task orders.” Would USAID revise the language to specify a broader range of experience, e.g. that [t]he proposed candidate shall also have previous project management experience where s/he was a project manager and managed or recruited expert teams for a variety of task orders, projects and programs”?

USAID Response: Yes. This section has been revised to incorporate the proposed language.

b. In section C.4.10, it is stated that “the proposed candidate shall have at least five years of experience working in a developing country.” Would USAID revise the language to specify a broader range of experience, e.g. that “the proposed candidate shall have at least five years of experience working in the context of developing countries and/or on development issues relevant to the scope of the IDIQ”?

USAID Response: No. However, the USAID will reduce the requirement from five years to three years. The Solicitation has been revised to incorporate this change.

40. Question: Page 117, Section J, Attachment 1, Illustrative Task Order Statement of Work and Section L.4, Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal, identifies that “The IDIQ Manager shall have at least a Master’s degree and at least ten (10) years of experience working on, or managing, development programs and projects, in the area of economic growth and finance.” The bidder requests that the definition of the senior level provided in the RFP in Clause B.7, Labor, apply to the IDIQ Manager, rather than limiting the education and experience to one combination.

USAID Response: No, the requirements remain the same except as otherwise changed in Modification 01 and set forth in Section A above. Additionally, the references cited in this question do not align with the Solicitation as posted. Section F.8 and C.4.10 set forth requirements for the IDIQ Manager which are not the same as quoted here.

41. Question: With reference to Section C.4.10, pages 30 – 31, will USAID please clarify whether the IDIQ Manager is required to have five years of cumulative or consecutive experience working in developing countries? Is the professional experience required to be in international public financial management or, alternatively, can other experience living in a developing country suffice?

USAID Response: See question #39. The experience may be one of working on a USAID-funding activity, other donor-funded activity, or working for an international voluntary or multilateral organization, foreign government, or a foreign private entity. Three years (as revised per question 39) would be cumulative, and the experience may be in other areas relevant to the scope of the IDIQ without specifying public financial management.

42. Question: Section C.4.12: This section says “Measurable performance standards will be established in individual task orders for each of the major activities. These performance standards will be consistent with the performance standards set forth below and with the following general performance standards:” There is only one set of performance standards listed. Is “the performance standards set forth below and with the following general performance standards” referring to the same standards or is a set of standards missing from the solicitation?

USAID Response: This provision is referencing the standards set forth below but also indicating that other performance standards may be established and included in subsequent Task Orders specific to that work. However, at present, there is only one set of performance standards identified and listed.

43. Question: Section F.2(a): Section sets the period of performance including all Task Orders is seven years from the effective date of the IDIQ contract. However, per ADS 302 guidelines, no task orders can exceed the five (5 years), including modifications. Given the ADS guidance, could USAID clarify if the task orders under this IDIQ will certainly be issued for seven years?

USAID Response: This relates to the total performance period of the Contract, not the life of a single Task Order issued. Task Orders may only be issued during the Ordering Period of five years.

However, Performance may occur for up to two years after the end of the Ordering Period. For example, if the Ordering Period is October 2017 – October 2022, and a Task Order is issued October 2022, then performance may only last through October 2024. This does not mean that a Task Order issued October 2017 may be performed through October 2024.

44. Question: Section F.5: The first paragraph states that “in addition to the requirements set forth for submission of reports in Section C, I and J and in the AIDAR clause 752.242-70, Periodic Progress Reports, the Contractor must submit required deliverables or outputs as specified in individual task orders to the COR specified in Section G with a copy to the Contracting Officer.” Is it USAID’s intention to also receive all Task Order reports at the IDIQ level? It will be administratively burdensome to submit all reports related to the individual task orders to IDIQ COR and the IDIQ CO in addition to TOCOR and TOCO. Please note that the relevant reports from each TO will be uploaded to DEC.

USAID Response: No. Task Order reports will be delivered to the COR of the Task Order and the CO of the Task Order. They do not also need to be submitted to the IDIQ COR and CO.

45. Question: Section H.3: The second paragraph states that “Task orders without the same funding source as the basic IDIQ must obtain a separate waiver to the extent a waiver is required.” Could USAID clarify the purpose of the waiver for authorized geographic code and the circumstances under which this waiver will be required under the task orders?

USAID Response: Due to USAID’s international work, there are often requirements for waivers due to restrictions on source and nationality of goods and services. The geographical code for this award is 937 which is the United States, recipient country, and developing countries. Should a Contractor issue a procurement of any kind (i.e. a subcontract for services, goods, or motor vehicle purchase), a waiver may be implicated and required.

46. Question: Section H.3 (page 58) indicates that the authorized geographic code for PFM II is 937.

Would USAID please consider changing the geographic code to 935 to enable offerors to use subcontractors from Europe?

USAID Response: No.

47. Question: Page 58, Clause H.3, Authorized Geographic Code, incorporates Geo Code 937 for the prime contract and its subcontractors. In many of the technical sectors, a local partner organization (in Eastern and Western Africa, and Asia, in particular) may have a parent organization that is based in the European Union or other advanced developed countries. Application of Geo Code 937 could limit approval of subcontracts with a significant number of actors in the financial sector. The bidder respectfully requests USAID consider broadening the Geo Code to 935?

USAID Response: See question #46.

48. Question: Attachment J.1 (Scope of Work for Illustrative Public Finance Task Order): Can USAID clarify whether the SOW requires implementation of an e-procurement system in only the Ministry of Finance and its units, or if it requires that the e-procurement system be implemented across all of Government of Country A (i.e. MoF and line ministries)?

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1876/310.pdf

USAID Response: Ministry of Finance and line ministries.

49. Question: Attachment J.1. Illustrative Task Order (page 2) indicates the MOF’s four priority objectives are the following: “1 Promote fiscal sustainability and sound debt management; 2.

Improve resource allocation, quality, and efficiency; 3. Achieve efficient, sustainable, and equitable increases in revenues; 4 Modernize MOF processes, facilities, and services.” Please clarify if the intent was only to illustrate the MOF’s priorities on page 2, or if offerors are able to address additional issues as part of their response to the task order.

USAID Response: The Offeror should address the issues that the Offeror deems most responsive to the needs detailed in the scope of work.

50. Question: The second bullet in attachment J.1 Illustrative Task Order, Section A (page 4) states that offerors are meant to: “Support the establishment of an integrated MOF training system including an automated training records and control system.” However, on page 6 under Outcome-level indicators, notes: “Custom Indicator: MOF PFM training system modernized and improved.” Please clarify whether a system needs to be created or one currently exists and needs to be modernized.

USAID Response: The system should be established. The conflicting indicator has been deleted, and Attachment J.1 revised.

51. Question: Page 6 of the illustrative task order notes that one of the custom indicators is “Number of new users of the transparency portal both at the central and municipal levels contributed to by USG assistance.” This is the only reference to a transparency portal. Is this the e-procurement system? If not, please clarify.

USAID Response: This indicator has been removed, and Attachment J.1 revised.

52. Question: Attachment J.1. USAID has instructed offerors to provide a draft MEL plan for the sample task order. A full draft MEL plan will encompass many pages and may add to the evaluation burden for USAID. Would USAID consider a 3 page limit for this section instructing offerors to focus on a high level discussion of MEL approach and contents of an MEL plan?

USAID Response: No.

53. Question: Attachment J.1 Illustrative Task Order Statement of Work indicates that “offerors must assemble a team with the required knowledge and experience in the program components.” Can USAID please clarify whether the staffing plan for the Illustrative Task Order should propose specific people for positions, or just the positions with descriptions of required qualifications?

USAID Response: The staffing plan shall describe positions with descriptions of required qualifications and not specific people.

54. Question: Regarding Attachment J.1 Scope of Work for Illustrative Public Finance Task Order, must the Offeror propose individual experts for the Staffing Plan according to the position classifications provided in the Labor Categories or can the Offeror create other position titles?

USAID Response: No, specific individuals should be proposed in the illustrative staffing plan. The labor mix and descriptions proposed should refer to the labor categories identified in the Solicitation.

See also question # 53.

55. Question: Attachment J-2 (Proposal Preparation Checklist):

a. Please confirm whether contractors are limited to the page limitations listed for each section of the proposal in accordance with the breakdowns of page limits listed under “Volume I – Technical/Management Proposal”, or whether these are illustrative breakdowns with the ceiling of 25 pages being the ultimate binding constraint. If the page limits for the sub-sections apply, please note that the breakdown does not include the work plan for the illustrative Task Order that is required to be submitted. Also, note that the sum of the page limits from TAB-C (L.10.1) through TAB-F (L.10.1) exceeds the 25-page limitation.

b. The third row under “Volume I – Technical/Management Proposal”—TAB – A (L.10.1) lists “Proposal Preparation Checklist (Attachment L-4)”. Is this referring to Attachment J-2 (Proposal Preparation Checklist) instead? Is the checklist required as part of the proposal submission? If yes, is it excluded from the proposal page limitation?

c. The second row under “Volume I – Technical/Management Proposal”—TAB – D (L.10.1) lists “Past Performance Questionnaire(s) (Attachment L-2).” Is this referring to Attachment J- 3 (Past Performance Report Form)?

d. The second row under “Volume I – Technical/Management Proposal”—TAB – E (L.10.1) lists “Certification of EVMS Standards (Attachment H-2).” However, there is no such attachment in the solicitation. Please clarify.

e. The second row under “Volume I – Technical/Management Proposal”—TAB – F (L.10.1) under “Staffing” says “(Limit – 6 pages) Include resumes, 2-pages each, for proposed Program Manager and Teaming Coordinator.”

i. We assume the Program Manager is referring to the IDIQ Manager. Section L.4.(b).(2).(a) states that “The resume (not to exceed 5 pages) and acknowledgement letter do not count against the overall page limitation.” Please confirm whether the IDIQ Manager CV is not to exceed 2 pages or 5 pages. Also, please clarify whether the “staffing” section’s limitation to 6 pages (per Attachment J.2) is binding.

ii. The “teaming Coordinator” position does not appear elsewhere in the RFP.

Please clarify what this position is and whether a resume is required for such a position.

USAID Response: Attachment J.2 is for purely administrative assistance for Offerors and must not be submitted with the Offer. USAID will not review this document, and as such will not answer any questions associated with it as it is a merely illustrative tool for Offerors should they wish to organize their Offer. None of the references in this attachment are specific to this procurement.

56. Question: It is not clear what offerors are supposed to do with Attachment J.2, the proposal preparation checklist. We recommend it be removed from the bidding packet.

USAID Response: See question #55.

57. Question: Attachment J.2, Proposal Preparation Checklist – The checklist provided includes page limitations which are not described in the RFP. Please confirm offerors are not bound to the page limitations included in the Proposal Preparation Checklist. Additionally, Cell A98 of the Proposal Preparation Checklist includes reference to a Program Manager and a Teaming Coordinator. Please confirm offerors are not required to present staff for these positions.

USAID Response: See question #55.

58. Question: The provided Attachment J.2 “Proposal Preparation Checklist” under Staffing states that there is a “(Limit - 6 pages) Include resumes, 2-pages each, for proposed Program Manager and Teaming Coordinator)” but the RFP only mentions the IDIQ Manager as Key Personnel on page 50 under section F.8 Key Personnel. Should the offeror interpret this as a 6-page limit for the CV of the Key Personnel IDIQ Manager?

USAID Response: See question #55. Limitations on the Key Personnel IDIQ are set forth in Section L.4(b)(2)(a).

59. Question: Attachment J.2 Proposal Preparation Checklist lists “Past Performance Statements” and “Past Performance Questionnaire(s).” Can USAID please clarify whether these are two different forms or both are referring to Attachment J.3?

USAID Response: See question #55.

60. Question: Attachment J.2 Proposal Preparation Checklist lists technical proposal requirements.

However, the requirements listed do not match with the content of the technical proposal listed in Section L.4(b) of the RFP. Can USAID please confirm if the technical proposal requirements are accurately listed in Attachment J.2? Attachment J.2 Proposal Preparation Checklist indicates page limits for some technical proposal requirements. Can USAID please confirm that the page limits are accurate? Attachment J.2 Proposal Preparation Checklist refers to Attachment L-2, L-4, and H-2.

Can USAID please clarify which attachments these are referring to? Attachment J.2 Proposal Preparation Checklist indicates that Staffing should include 2-page resumes for a Program Manager and a Teaming Coordinator. Section L.4(b)(2) indicates the resume should not exceed 5 pages for the IDIQ Manager. Is the “Program Manager” position the same as the IDIQ Manager? If so, is the page limit for the IDIQ Manager’s resume two or five pages? The RFP does not mention the Teaming Coordinator position. Can USAID please clarify if this position is required?

USAID Response: See question #55.

61. Question: Attachment J.3 Past Performance Report- Short-form has two parts. Can USAID please confirm that offerors are not to complete Part II?

USAID Response: Yes. Part II is to be completed by the Agency.

62. Question: Please confirm that Part II of the PPR Template (J.3) should not be filled out by the Contractor if that information can be found in CPARS. Also, please clarify what “AED Contact” means? And, whether the bottom portion of J.3 should be filled-out by the Contractor and signed by the Contractor.

USAID Response: AED Contact is a point of contact, specified by name and contact information that the agency should reach out to in order to follow-up with relevant questions. The bottom portion is filled out by the Agency and not the contractor. See also question #61.

63. Question: Attachment J.3 Past Performance Report Form Template. Section 7 of this form mentions “AED Contact.” Would USAID clarify what is meant by AED?

USAID Response: See question #62.

64. Question: Could USAID please clarify if Attachment J.4 - DD Form 254 must be submitted by small business prime Offerors? And subcontractors? It is not referenced in Section L Cost Instructions.

USAID Response: See question #183. DD Form 254 will be required at the Task Order level as necessary. It is not to be submitted with the IDIQ proposal.

65. Question: It is not clear what offerors are supposed to do with Attachment J.4, DoD Contract Security Classification Specification Form DD 254. We recommend it be removed from the bidding packet.

USAID Response: See question #183 and #64.

66. Question: Attachment J.6: Labor Distribution Cost: This attachment seems to call for Offerors to identify services and/or products and then to allocate budget for these across the various members of its team. It is not clear how these service and/or products can be identified in advance of the SOWs of task orders that will dictate this. Could USAID clarify how Offerors are to complete this without knowledge of the SOWs of future TOs?

USAID Response: See question #161 and #170.

67. Question: Attachment J.6 Labor Distribution Chart” appears to be a way for offerors to forecast how much work will be subcontracted to various categories of small businesses. Since Small Business prime offerors are not subject to small business subcontracting goals/targets, and are not required to submit a small business subcontracting plan (Attachment J.5), please confirm that this Labor Distribution Chart does not apply to small business prime offerors and need not be submitted with their technical proposals.

USAID Response: No. Attachment J.6 should still be submitted to express the distribution of labor between the prime and major subcontractors. Also, should a small business prime choose to work with a small business major-subcontractor, it may be expressed utilizing this chart. See also question #161.

68. Question: Attachment J.6. Would USAID please provide more guidance on the method of distribution of labor across Offeror’s consortiums? Specifically:

a. How should Offerors present the distribution of labor without knowing the specific work that will come out under the task orders?

USAID Response: It is an estimate. See also question #161 and #170.

b. Should Offerors fill in attachment J.6 for the scope of work in the illustrative task order?

USAID Response: No. Attachment J.6 is estimated distribution of labor over the life of the IDIQ.

69. Question: Attachment J.7, Cost/Price Evaluation Matrix – May offerors modify the indirect cost line items included in the Cost Price Matrix to adequately reflect their own cost structure?

USAID Response: Yes. If the template does not capture all indirects as recovered according to your cost structure, please insert line items to fully capture the estimated cost. However, any revisions made to the template must be explained in sufficient detail in the Cost Narrative for the Negotiator to review and analyze the Offeror’s overall proposed cost.

70. Question: Attachment J.7- Would USAID please confirm that for any positions with 260 days LOE, offerors may adjust the LOE to reflect the full-time equivalent for individual labor categories, based on their own policies for recovery of leave days in established fringe benefit rates?

USAID Response: Yes. However, any changes to Attachment J.7 must be explained in the accompanying cost narrative to ensure Negotiator is able to understand the revision in order to adequately evaluate the cost of labor. See also question #69.

71. Question: USAID has asked bidders to provide labor costs for personnel up to 260 person-days of effort. Would USAID please clarify if bidders should use full-time equivalents based on their respective work-day, work-week, work-year policies in instances in which “260 person-days of effort” are enumerated assuming paid absences through the 260 day working year are recovered through an indirect rate?

USAID Response: See question #70.

72. Question: Would a submission of the Cost/Price Matrix in MS Excel be acceptable?

USAID Response: Offeror may submit an MS Excel spreadsheet, but this must be submitted in addition to the summary Cost/Price Matrix included as Attachment J.7. An Excel version may be submitted for illustrative purposes particularly if Offeror’s indirect costing structure requires application against a variety of bases.

73. Question: Attachment J.7. It is assumed that item C titled “Other Direct Costs” includes various non-labor expenses such as travel costs and materials purchases. Some bidders may apply varying indirect burdens depending on the type of cost. Could USAID breakout these costs further (e.g. travel, other direct costs, and materials) which would allow bidders to more accurately apply their indirect burdens with respect to their distinctive indirect cost structures?

USAID Response: No, USAID will not breakout these costs as USAID cannot know to what extent each Offeror’s indirect costing structure may differ. If Offeror’s indirect costing structure applies different rates to different types of Other Direct Costs, please make an assumption about how the costs are broken out (i.e. $50,000 is in materials so that Offeror can apply a material overhead percentage). However, any assumptions made must be explained clearly in the cost narrative so that Negotiator may take this variable into account in evaluating the overall estimated cost/price of the proposal.

74. Question: Attachment J.7. Should Offerors provide separate CDRs for consultants and full-time employees in two separate tables reflecting the same seven labor categories?

USAID Response: No. One CDR shall be used for work performed under each labor category.

75. Question: Attachment J.7. Can the offeror modify the Cost/Price Matrix so it can be formatted in such a manner that better allows the evaluator to see how indirect costs are being applied?

USAID Response: Yes, but see question #69 and #70.

76. Question: It appears that Section K is missing a signature on page 115 of the RFP. Could USAID please provide a complete version?

USAID Response: Offerors shall sign the SF-33 to certify the Offer. However, Offerors may add a signature block for Section K.

77. Question: Section K, page 115. Should the offerors add signature lines to Section K or will USAID provide an updated version of Section K that includes signature lines?

USAID Response: See question # 76.

78. Question: Page 115, Section K. The Section K in the RFP does not include a section for signatures.

Would USAID please confirm that Offerors and their subcontractors do not need to provide signatures on Section K, or alternatively that…