SWIFT 6 Pre-Solicitation_Specific_questions_for_industry.pdf

Specific Questions / Issues for Industry Comment SWIFT 6 Pre-Solicitation

USAID invites potential Offerors to submit comments/information regarding the specific questions and issues highlighted below:

1. The potential SWIFT 6 IDIQ will have a ten (10) year ordering period with an additional two (2)-year period of performance for ongoing Task Orders. Anticipating that during the ordering period, small business IDIQ holders may grow out of their small business status, or would no longer be able to certify their small business status due to mergers and acquisitions (see 13 CFR § 121.404), USAID is anticipating including provisions for “On-Ramping” and “Off-Ramping.” “On-Ramping” and “Off-Ramping” are techniques employed by other Federal agencies, such as the General Services Administration, to maintain a pool of qualified, competitive contractors throughout the IDIQ period of performance. USAID welcomes comments from potential Offerors regarding any prior experience with, or factors to consider for, “On-Ramping” and “Off-Ramping.”

2. In SWIFT 5, labor categories and ceiling daily rates (CDRs) were included for specific field-based LTTA positions that historically on OTI programs were likely to be encumbered by non-host country national candidates.

a. For SWIFT 6, if USAID were to require a labor category(ies) and CDRs for STTA (junior/mid/senior level), please provide us with input regarding any potential implications or impacts to consider. When providing your response, please consider STTA working abroad as well as Home Office STTA.

b. USAID intends to include in the SWIFT 6 solicitation that CDRs are required for consultants. Per AIDAR 752.202-1(e), a consultant is not an employee.

Therefore, CDRs for a consultant may exceed the Contractor Salary Threshold, with approval from the Contracting Officer. Please provide any comments/questions with regard to CDRs for consultants.

c. Please provide any comments/questions with regard to the anticipated ten

(10) year ordering period for SWIFT 6 and the impact on establishing CDRs.

3. The programming implemented through the SWIFT IDIQ has historically carried elevated risks for contractors, not associated with other types of federal contracts. These risks include operating in volatile and insecure environments, working with nascent organizations not accustomed to USG regulations and requirements, responding to changing foreign policy priorities, and a high risk of programmatic failure. Are there specific contractual measures that USAID should consider to mitigate risks that its contractors may take on through the SWIFT 6 IDIQ?

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4. Underserved and marginalized communities1 are vital stakeholders in all foreign assistance efforts, but their inclusion in transition programming is often particularly essential to supporting enduring peace and democratic gains. Further, USAID has prioritized localization in all foreign assistance programming with a goal of putting more local actors in the lead to identify priorities, design and implement programs, and measure results. USAID welcomes comments or feedback on how to increase inclusion of underserved and marginalized communities and local ownership of programming in transition environments.

5. Pre-solicitation conference attendance – please comment on your preference as to whether the pre-solicitation conference is held in-person, virtual, or hybrid (if possible). However, please note, USAID reserves the right to determine the format of the pre-solicitation conference.

1Including Indigenous peoples; women and girls; historically marginalized racial and ethnic populations;

religious minority populations; LGBTQI+ persons; persons with disabilities; low-wage and informal sector workers; migrants, refugees, and internally displaced peoples.

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