Ethiopia Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Service (EPMES) Activity

Issuance Date: September 24, 2015
Deadline for Questions: October 07, 2015:
1600 Ethiopia time
Deadline for Proposal Submission: November 03, 2015:
1600 Ethiopia Time

Subject: Request for Proposal No. SOL-663-15-000016
Ethiopia Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Service (EPMES) Activity

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Ethiopia, is seeking proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing the services described in the attached solicitation. This is a full and open competition, under which any type of organization (large or small commercial [for profit] firms, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations) is eligible to compete. Faith-based and community organizations are also eligible for award. In support of the Agency's interest in expanding the number and sustainability of development partners, USAID encourages proposals from potential new partners.

This procurement is being conducted through full and open competition for which the procedures set forth in FAR Part 15 will apply. Contracts resulting from this RFP will be Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF).

USAID/Ethiopia, Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) invite interested and qualified organizations to submit proposals in accordance with the requirements of this RFP.

USAID anticipates an award of a 2 year base period and 3 one year option periods. The Government is not obligated to make an award as a result of issuance of this solicitation. Cost proposals will be evaluated and scored in conjunction with the technical proposal to determine award of contract. The total anticipated scale of the EPMES activity is estimated at $19 million for the base and option periods. The offerors are expected to provide their proposals including the option years. The Offeror's proposal will be evaluated including the option years. The purpose of providing an estimated cost range for the contract is to help offerors develop their proposals around the government estimate and does not mean that offerors should not attempt to provide the lowest possible cost commensurate with their technical approach. Cost will be evaluated as part of a best value determination for contract award, including cost effective approaches to achieving the results. Offerors must demonstrate that they believe the costs proposed are realistic and reasonable to attain the intended results.

The RFP addresses all of the specifics associated with this requirement. Offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation. Special attention should be paid to Section L Instructions to Offerors and Section M Evaluation Factors for the RFP.

USAID encourages the participation of small business concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in this activity as prime contractor, or as subcontractors.

The RFP and subsequent amendments thereto, can be downloaded from the Federal Business Opportunities ("FBO") web site at http://www.fedbizopps.gov. It is the responsibility of the recipient of this solicitation document to ensure that it has been received from the INTERNET in its entirety; USAID bears no responsibility for data errors from transmission or conversion processes.

If substantive questions are received which affect the response to the solicitation, or if changes are made to the closing date and time, as well as other aspects of the RFP, this solicitation will be amended. Any amendments to this solicitation will be issued and posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website (http://www.fedbizopps.gov). It is the Offeror's responsibility to check this site periodically for official updates and amendments to the solicitation.

An Interested Vendor List is not included in this solicitation. Offerors can register and use the Interested Vendor List (IVL) on the FedBizOpps page, so that firms can contact one another for consideration of teaming arrangements and/or small business subcontracting opportunities in response to this solicitation.

The details associated with the submission requirements are outlined under Section L of this solicitation. Late proposals will be handled in accordance with FAR 15.208.

Questions and Answers: The deadline for receiving questions is the date noted above. Questions may be
submitted to Mariamawit Girma at mgirma@usaid.gov as well as caddi@usaid.gov.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the proposal. Furthermore, the Government reserves the right to reject any and all offers, if such action is considered to be in the best interest of the Government.

We extend our best wishes to all for a successful competition, and certainly want to thank you for your interest in USAID/Ethiopia program activities.

Sincerely,

/ss/

James Gultry
Contracting Officer,
Office of Acquisition and Assistance
USAID, Ethiopia