MODIFICATION
B -- Cote D'Ivoire - Smart Grid Study To Improve The Ivoirian Grid "Technical"
- Notice Date
- 10/19/2018
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- United States Trade and Development Agency, USTDA, USTDA, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, 1101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1100, PO Box 12268, Arlington, Virginia, 22209-3901, United States
- ZIP Code
- 22209-3901
- Solicitation Number
- 2018-11024A
- Archive Date
- 11/30/2018
- Point of Contact
- Anna Amaya, Phone: 703-875-4357
- E-Mail Address
-
RFPQuestions@ustda.gov
(RFPQuestions@ustda.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Modification #1 : 1. The qualifications for the Electrical Engineer/ Power Systems Analysis Expert require the following: "The proposed Expert must be an Electrical Engineer, with a Master in Electrical Engineering or equivalent..." Question: Most electrical engineers in consulting and utilities in the United States typically start their careers after a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and advance through their career by getting additional training and certifications. Typically, having an M.S. in Electrical Engineering is not very common (and fairly rare). Would you consider changing the academic requirements for this position to a B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering? Answer: Yes - Bachelor's degrees are accepted in place of the Masters. 2. In the description of the qualifications requirement for the Project Leader/Manager there is no specific requirements for a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering as is the case with the qualifications requirements for Electrical Engineer/Power Systems Analyst. Question: For the same reason as mentioned in the question above, would you confirm that a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and 10 year experience would be acceptable as the required background and experience for this position? Answer: Yes - Bachelor's degrees are accepted in place of the Masters. 3. The RFP states as follows in Section 4 at the end of the description of personnel qualifications requirements: "The Contractor shall attach to its offer the signed CVs and certified copies of diplomas less than six (6) months old, for key personnel." Question: Would you advise if copies of all degrees and diplomas (For all levels, assuming an expert has an B. S., M.S. etc.), for each proposed expert are to be submitted with the proposal or just for those individuals who have obtained their degree status within the past six months? Answer: Each key personnel will be required to provide a signed CV and provide proof of graduation required for the function by providing a copy of their diploma. This diploma will have to be authenticated by a certification dated less than six (6) months before the proposal submission date. The duration of 6 months does not concern the period of graduation. 4. The Evaluation Criteria in the RFP include the following: "4. Skills/Other Qualifications (20 points)" Question: This award criterion is vague. In order to ensure that all proposals are evaluated on the same basis of requirements, would you kindly clarify what is required of the bidders under the criterion "Skills/Other Qualifications"? Answer: Skills/Other Qualifications is vague. However, this criterion was used to judge aspects related to the contractor' firm and not related to the experience of key personnel. To be more specific, Criterion 4: Skills/Other qualifications should read: 4. Skills / Other Qualification (20 points) •The contractor' firm must justify having carried out at least one project in africa or in a developing country (10 points) •The contractor' firm must have a duration of existence of : obetween 1 and 5 years (5 points) ogreater than 5 years (10 points) 5. Section 2.11 of the RFP states:"All proposal documents shall be prepared and submitted in English and in French." Furthermore, the TOR states as follows: "All deliverables shall be delivered in both English and French. All workshops and meetings indicated in the TOR shall be arranged with the approval of the Grantee. The Grantee shall provide space for all meetings and workshops. Meetings and workshops shall be conducted in French unless otherwise requested by the Grantee." In addition, in accordance with the Nationality Requirements, nationals of only the U.S. and Cote D'Ivoire may be used with the further restriction that only 20% of the budget may be used for Ivorian nationals. In view the above requirements and the fact that most U.S. companies (except for a few rather large businesses) with the expertise required to complete the TA generally do not have native French speakers, USTDA, the Grantee may not get sufficient number of proposals and that the competition will be extremely limited to a few companies. Question 5.1: Would USTDA consider allowing U.S. firms to engage the services of consultants and firms from other countries, e.g., France, Belgium, and Canada for an addition 20-30% of the budget? Answer 5.1: No, we cannot consider third country nationals. Question 5.2: Alternatively, would USTDA consider increasing the 20% limit for Ivorian nationals to 50% for nationals of Cote D'Ivoire and other West African countries? Answer 5.2: USTDA can consider increasing the percentage of the budget used for Ivoirian national if a compelling case is made. Please note that it is unlikely USTDA would raise it much above 30-35 percent. 6. Section 3.5: Experience and Qualifications states as follows: "The Offeror shall provide information with respect to relevant experience and qualifications of key staff proposed. The Offeror shall include letters of commitment from the individuals proposed confirming their availability for contract performance." Question 6.1: The first part of this statement requires the Offeror to provide information about key staff. The RFP does not define "key staff". Can the offeror determine who they believe are key staff? Answer 6.1: The key staff are the required positions that are listed (e.g. Project Leader, Electrical Engineer/ Power Systems Analysis Expert). Question 6.2: The second part of above statement requires letters of commitment from the individuals proposed. Are letters of commitment required only from the key staff or all staff proposed? Answer 6.2: Letters of commitment are only necessary for key staff (i.e. the listed positions). 7. With respect to the schedule for the TA, the RFP states as follows: "The maximum duration of implementation for the TA is expected to be twelve (12) months." Question : In Section 4: Award Criteria, the second criterion Project Approach is allocated 30 points of the total 100 points. Of this, 10 points are allocated to "Schedule". Would you clarify exactly what the RFP is looking for from prospective bidders in the area of "schedule" which has one-third of the total 30 points allocated to "Project Approach"? Answer: The Grantee would like to see a proposed schedule for delivering the TOR, including proposed dates for completion for each deliverable, the timing of the workshops etc. For example, a Gantt chart and accompanied description of the timeline/schedule would be appropriate.
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