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USAID/Bangladesh FSTIP NOFO Number: 72038821RFA00003 Questions and Answers Question #1: Page 7, paragraph 3 notes, “The FS/TIP activity will need to design and implement prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships activities that … are responsive to addressing the specific impacts of COVID-19 on human trafficking and child marriage.” However, the Prosecution Intermediate Result on pages 18-19, does not reference child marriage. Does USAID intend to only address child marriage through prevention, protection, and partnership activities? USAID Response: USAID intends to address child marriage through prosecution too. Question #2: Page 8, paragraph 1 states “USAID/Bangladesh is in the process of developing its new Country Development and Coordination Strategy (CDCS) 2020-2025, which is anticipated to be approved later this year.” Currently, the only version available on https://www.usaid.gov/results-and-data/planning/country-strategies-cdcs is for FY2011-19. Could USAID please make the 2020-2025 CDCS available to applicants or provide a status update? USAID Response: The CDCS 2020-2025 has been finalized and but not yet ready to be released in public. USAID will make it available as soon as it is ready. Question #3: Page 13 notes “The district selection should take into consideration the Novametrics analysis, and, where possible, select Novametrics identified trafficking-prone districts”. Could USAID please make the Novametrics analysis publicly available? USAID Response: Novametrics analysis is not yet available. USAID will share in public as soon as it is available. The district selection can be revised/updated later, based on the Novametricts analysis. Question #4: Page 13, a. Geographic Selection states “The recipient will select 20-25 trafficking-prone districts to implement the USAID’s FS/TIP activity [Note: selection of districts must be in consultation with the Ministries of Home, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Women and Children Affairs]”. Can USAID confirm that the consultations will take place post-award? USAID Response: Both the consultations and selection of the geo-locations need to be done pre-award. However, the selected locations can be revised/updated based on further guidance/recommendation from the Government of Bangladesh. Question #5: Page 14-15, g. Utilizing Geographic Information Systems states that “The applicant must apply geospatial methods using GIS and relevant technology to support USAID’s effort to incorporate geographic data and analysis into the Agency’s overall development planning, design, and monitoring & evaluation. Geographic data collection, analysis, and submission methods should be included in the section on Monitoring and Evaluation and in the work plan as a separate section.” However, USAID does not call for a section on monitoring and evaluation in its instructions to offerors in Section 5. Can USAID kindly confirm that the section on Monitoring and Evaluation refers to the AMELP annex? USAID Response: Yes, USAID confirms it. Question #6: Page 25 notes “The recipient should consult the recently conducted DRG Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis report (attached).” However, the DRG Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis report was not attached to the NOFO. Could USAID kindly make the report available? USAID Response: USAID is withdrawing the requirement to consult the DRG Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis report. The report is not sharable; this is for internal use only. Question # 7: Page 41, fourth bullet from bottom states “No less than 12-point, Times New Roman font for all narratives.” However, page 43, paragraph 4 states “Page limitations include the following requirements: single-spaced text printed on one side of the page only, one-inch (1”) margins, 11-point (minimum) Arial font.” Can USAID confirm 11-pt arial is considered equivalent to 12-point Times New Roman font and therefore acceptable for all proposal narratives? USAID Response: Page 43 paragraph 4 is corrected to reflect 12 point, Times New Roman font. Question #8: Page 43, paragraph 4: Is there a MB limit for email submissions? USAID Response: It is the page limitations specified in paraph 4 that will count not the MB limit. Question #9: Page 44, bullets 4 and 5: Can USAID kindly clarify that the plan for effective rapid launch of activities and the timeline for implementation should be included as part of the Mobilization Plan annex? USAID Response: Yes, the plan for effective rapid launch of activities and the timeline for their implementation can be included as part of the Mobilization Plan, as annex. The Mobilization Plan needs to be as practical as possible. The awardee will be held accountable for not meeting the timeline of the Plan. Question #10: Page 44, bullet 3: USAID calls for applicants to include “criteria for selecting outlets to be assisted…”. Can USAID please define “outlets” in this context? USAID Response: Outlets refer to geographic locations. Question #11: Page 45, iii. Institutional Capacity states: “Applicants are advised to articulate their capacity to engage in the following programming areas: natural resource management and policy, capacity building of environmental stakeholders, incorporation of climate change adaptation and natural resource management in long-term planning, and promotion and adoption of sustainable climate-resilient livelihoods.” Can USAID kindly clarify the programming areas that FS/TIP applicants should cover in the Institutional Capacity section? USAID Response: Page 45, iii is deleted and replaced with the following: “Sustainable capacity building of CTIP stakeholders including law enforcements and local government bodies, effective communication strategy, prevention strategy to reduce the trafficking incidents, effective partnership with private sector and the host government, development of counter trafficking and safe migration policy and strategy in coordination with the host government and an effective case management system for sustainable integration of survivors.” Question #12: Pg. 45-46; section iv. Past Performance and v. Suggested Outline: Can USAID please clarify the difference between the Past Performance information to be included within the 30-page technical narrative, and the past performance to be included as an annex? USAID Response: Follow pg. 45; section iv for past performance to be included within the 30-page technical narrative. In the annex which does not count towards the page limit, you can expand or include more detailed information in past performance. Question #13: Page 46, section v. provides a list of annexes in the suggested outline for the technical application. May recipients submit additional annexes: e.g. organizational chart in support of the management plan, STTA tables, and maps etc. along with those listed in section VII? USAID Response: Yes Question #14: Page 57: USAID says that “…a well described plan for conducting and utilizing the gender assessment should be explicitly stated where possible.” Can USAID kindly clarify that applicants may include this information in the illustrative Activity MEL Plan annex? USAID Response: The plan for conducting and utilizing the findings of the gender assessment needs to be a separate one, as annex. Once the assessment is done, the Work Plan and the MEL Plan can be updated by incorporating the findings of the assessment. Question #15: Section 6. Cost Application Questions: Can USAID kindly provide the local compensation plan for Bangladesh? USAID Response: We do not share the local compensation plan. You are responsible for knowing the market rates as part of your own research. Can USAID please confirm if there will be any nonexpendable equipment from the current project(s) in country that can be transferred to FSTIP program activity? USAID Response: If there will be any transferable nonexpendable equipment from the current projects in country, it will be determined at that time. Can USAID please confirm if the prime contractor must submit a budget for all subcontractors/subrecipients (major or not) as well as other cost (business) proposal items such as NICRA, evidence of responsibility, certificate of compliance, etc. for each subrecipient? USAID Response: The prime contractor must submit a budget for all known subcontractors/recipients at the time of application. Applicants who intend to utilize sub-contractors or sub recipients should indicate the extent intended and a complete cost breakdown. Sub-contract/agreement cost applications should follow the same cost format as submitted by the prime applicant. Will USAID allow direct submissions (sealed envelope principle) from subcontractors who do not wish to disclose (to the prime offeror) their proprietary information, e.g. NICRA, personnel compensation levels? If so, what are the instructions for the sealed envelope submission? USAID Response: Applications must be submitted electronically