TRN-19-031-OFR-RFA Amendment 01.pdf

Amendment Issuance Date: July 25, 2019

Closing Date and Time: August 19, 2019, 10:00 am Eastern Daylight Time

Subject: Request for Applications (RFA) Number TRN-19-031-OFR-RFA, Amendment No. 01

Program Title: Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program FY2020 and FY2021

Ladies/Gentlemen:

The purpose of Amendment No. 01 is to:

(1) provide answers to the questions received in regards to the RFA No. TRN-19-031-OFR-

RFA,

(2) revise the RFA to reflect answers to the received questions, and

(3) add Annex C - OFR Program: PVO Self Certification Form.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, /s/

Prince Boateng Contracting Officer/Agreement Officer Transportation Division Office of Acquisition and Assistance

TRN-19-031-OFR-RFA, Amendment No. 01 Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program FY2020 and FY2021

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

(Q&A)

Question 1: In the RFA on Page 11, Section 2. Program Requirements, the guidelines state applicants must provide a letter from each destination country government stating that their OFR-supported shipments will be received duty-free, OR - if a letter cannot be secured from the country government - the PVO may submit a letter stating that its organization will take full responsibility for all duties, taxes, tolls, etc. incurred on each shipment. […] In addition to the organizational letter, are there other alternative types of documentation of duty-free status USAID will accept from PVOs/applicants?

Answer: With regards to the question above, USAID expects to receive documentation as reflected in Section III.1 of the RFA.

Question 2: Section III (Eligibility Information) of Request for Applications (RFA) Number TRN-19-031-OFR-RFA reads as follows: “This competition is open to U.S. PVOs.”

USAID’s PVO’s webpage indicates that “Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) no longer need to register with USAID before participating in most programs.” But that it is still a requirement for the following two programs:

• The Limited Excess Property Program

• The Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program

Specifically, the page indicates that “For these two programs USAID will use a simplified self-certification form as part of the registration process.”

Could you please clarify where to find the self-certification form, or whether it will be distributed as part of this procurement process? Could you also please clarify if there are any specific requirements pertaining to this form?

Answer: The PVO Self Certification Form has been attached as Annex C to the RFA.

The requirements are provided in the form. The RFA has been amended to reflect this change.

Question 3: On page 19 of the RFA the instructions state: "The purpose of the tables on the next page is to assess whether or not the applicant has experience shipping the proposed commodities to the proposed programs and countries. Based on your experience over the past two years provide at least 3-5 examples each fiscal year of the types of shipments for which you are currently applying for funding."

https://www.usaid.gov/pvo

TRN-19-031-OFR-RFA, Amendment No. 01 Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program FY2020 and FY2021

This seems to be requesting historical data, however the preceding tables have future dates.

"Funding FY 2020 (Program October 2019- September 2020)" and "Funding FY 2021 (Program October 2020 - September 2021)"

Should the tables have a heading that indicates the actual fiscal year date of the examples cited?

Answer: The RFA has been updated to reflect the appropriate fiscal years.

Question 4: Are there any relevant modifications since the last published RFA opportunity?

Answer: No relevant modifications were made. The RFA was restructured and regulations updated.

Question 5: Can you confirm if Uganda and eSwatini (Swaziland) are not on the Eligible Country List FY2020/FY2021?

Answer: Uganda and Swaziland are on the Eligible Country List for FY2020/FY2021.

Please refer to Annex A to the RFA.

Question 6: When will USAID notify applicants of an award decision?

Answer: Applicants will be informed after the review of applications has concluded.

USAID has no further details to provide at this time.

[End of Amendment No. 01]