R -- PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION SERVICES FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS

Notice Date

August 9, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Agency for International Development, M/OP/HRAM/AFP, Room 7.10-024, RRB, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523-7101

ZIP Code

20523-7101

Solicitation Number

M-OP-AFP-001

Response Due

August 24, 2001

Point of Contact

Jean Skordinski, Tel: 202-712-0913; Contracting Officer, Raquel Powell, Tel: 202-712-0778

E-Mail Address

http://www.usaid.gov (jskordinski@usaid.gov)

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 and FAR Part 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation M-OP-AFP-001 is issued as a Request for Quotation. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-27. Pursuant to FAR 13.003(b)(1), each acquisition of supplies or services that has an anticipated dollar value exceeding $2,500 and not exceeding $100,000 is reserved exclusively for small business concerns and shall be set aside. Under this procurement, the Government anticipates awarding purchase orders to individuals interested in performing the required short-term consulting services. The resulting purchase order will contain Line Item 001, Review and Evaluation of Grant Applications, and Line Item 002, Review and Evaluation of USAID Grant Application Process. Line Item 001 -- The contractor shall review and numerically score the applications received by USAID/BHR/ASHA for consideration of FY 2002 assistance, in accordance with existing criteria and factors used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of applicants/institutions and the merits of the grantee-proposed uses of USAID funds, if grant is awarded. Approximately, 50 applications are expected to be submitted for ASHA assistance. The examination will be made against ASHA program criteria as published in the Federal Register as well as additional factors such as need, impact potential, cost-efficiency and relevancy to the objectives of the program as prescribed by ASHA legislation (Section 214 of the FAA of 1961, as amended). The contractor shall participate in the review process of the applications and shall independently assess and score (in accordance with the BHR/ASHA established technical evaluation criteria) each submitted application. In the evaluation process of each application, the contractor shall: (1) prepare the rating (in accordance with the BHR/ASHA established technical evaluation criteria) of each application, (2) prepare appropriate and adequate narrative comments corresponding to/supporting the numerical scoring assigned by the contract for each evaluation criterion, (3) provide written comments on the quality of the applicant's proposed program that support numerical scoring, and (4) provide narrative comments on the applications recommended for acceptance for award potential for optimal/best use of USAID grant funds. Line Item 0002 -- In addition to the applications evaluation, rating and ranking (the main task), the contractor shall provide: (1) written suggestions on how to improve fairness and objectivity of the applications evaluation process, and (2) provide written comments on the revised grant application form, the guidelines and scoring methods and recommend refinement/changes to improve their clarity, proper/USAID intended interpretation by the applications, and the effectiveness of the evaluation process itself. Items (1) and (2), immediately above, prepared in a concise form: one (1) original plus two (2) copies, are due together with the contractor's final report. The contractor shall evaluate applications and prepare all required written documents using his/her own logistic support (e.g., office, computer to generate reports, etc.). The software packages that must be used to prepare rating sheets and narratives are EXCEL and WORD respectively. At the first meeting with BHR/ASHA scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. on October 1, 2001 (subject to confirmation by CTO identified in the purchase order) the contractor shall be given an initial set of applications to evaluate. The balance of applications shall be picked up by the contractor, requiring approximately 8 return trips to the BHR/ASHA office, as well as four (4) additional trips to participate in the mid-review briefing tentatively scheduled for October 30, 2001 and the final discussions tentatively scheduled for November 28, 29, and 30, 2001 (anticipated to last a total of three full days). Deliverables/required reports: The contractor shall submit: an initial rating report submitted prior to the 3-day debrief which is used as a starting point for discussions; a final rating report of the quantitative and qualitative assessment of FY 2002 ASHA applications in accordance with existing criteria, factors, and procedures using EXCEL and submitted on a 3 " diskette with three (3) hard copies; a report critiquing this evaluation which shall contain the comments for all FY 2002 applications; and the final report (includes narrative and scoring for each application) is to be prepared using WORD on a 3 " diskette which is to be submitted with three (3) hard copies of the report. The ratings contained in the final rating report shall not be altered in the final report which is submitted later. The score for all applications will be identical in both reports. It is imperative that the final score for each applicant match the narrative report for each application. If the score and the narrative do not agree with each other, the final report will be considered in non-compliance. Reviewers' recommendation whether or not to fund an application and recommendations should be consistent with the ratings and narratives. Reviewers will not make recommendations as to level of funding. Delivery dates: The contractor will submit to BHR/ASHA: a 3 " diskette and three (3) hard copies of the initial ratings no later than 9:00 a.m. November 26, 2001; a 3 " diskette and three (3) hard copies of the final ratings no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) December 7, 2001; an original plus three copies, and a 3 " diskette of the final report no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on December 17, 2001. Selection Criteria: Pursuant to FAR 52.212-2 and FAR 13.106-2, this selection will be conducted on a best value basis. The following selection criteria, in order of descending importance, shall be used to evaluate offers: Broad based experience related to hospitals and schools. For example, experience as hospital administrator, university president, health administration, financial management, etc. Experience evaluating or implementing grants. Knowledge of USAID activities is highly desirable but not required. Background showing international experience. Knowledge of Microsoft WORD and EXCEL. As technical differences among offerors become less significant, cost becomes more significant. FAR 52.212-1 hereby applies. Offerors are required to submit the certifications found at FAR 52.212-3. These certifications may be downloaded from www.arnet.gov. FAR 52.212-4 hereby applies. FAR 52.212-5 hereby applies as follows: checked FAR clauses: 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, 52.225-1, 52.225-13, 52.225-16, 52.232-34. Technical proposal: Offerors shall submit no more than five (5) pages describing prior experience relevant to the selection criteria under FAR 52.212-2. Additionally, offerors shall submit no fewer than three (3) and no more than five (5) past performance references (names and telephone numbers) of individuals who can both verify and discuss the offerors' prior relevant experience. Offerors shall also submit a resume of no more than five (5) pages. Cost proposal: Offerors shall submit a price for line item 0001 and a price for line item 0002. The Government anticipates awarding up to five (5) purchase orders as a result of this solicitation.Offers are due no later than 4:30 p.m. August 24, 2001 at the address listed above. The point of contact for this solicitation is Jean Skordinski, telephone (202) 712-0913, or e-mail jskordinski@usaid.gov.

Web Link

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/announce/cbd (http://www.usaid.gov)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010813/RSOL011.HTM (W-221 SN50U5G1)