USAID “Support for Trade, Recovery Opportunities, and National Growth in Ukraine (STRONG UA) Activity”
ID: SOL-72012124R00020Type: Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTUSAID/UKRAINEKYIV, UKR

NAICS

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (541611)

PSC

SUPPORT- PROFESSIONAL: OTHER (R499)
Timeline
    Description

    The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is soliciting proposals for the "Support for Trade, Recovery Opportunities, and National Growth in Ukraine (STRONG UA) Activity," aimed at bolstering the recovery and growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine. The initiative seeks to enhance access to finance, develop new market linkages, and improve innovation and competitiveness among SMEs, with a projected contract value of up to $80 million over a five-year period, including a two-year base period and three optional one-year extensions. This opportunity is critical for fostering sustainable economic growth in Ukraine amidst ongoing challenges, and interested parties are encouraged to submit their proposals by January 6, 2025, with further inquiries directed to primary contact Maria Rosario Arenas at marenas@usaid.gov or secondary contact Brian R. Ellis at bellis@usaid.gov.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Maria Rosario Arenas
    marenas@usaid.gov
    Brian R. Ellis
    bellis@usaid.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The document outlines a mandatory budget format for federal government proposals, specifically for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and grants at both federal and state/local levels. It is designed to ensure that budget submissions include comprehensive financial breakdowns across multiple fiscal years. The format requires detailed line items, including labor/salaries, fringe benefits, allowances, travel, equipment, supplies, subcontracts, and other direct costs. The structure emphasizes clarity in presenting estimated costs, fixed fees, and total expenditures across base and option years, with specific instructions for reporting by unit and rate. Additionally, it mandates annual totals and grand totals for easy evaluation. The document also accommodates additional worksheets for submissions involving multiple subcontractors. Overall, it serves as a standardized template for budget reporting in government-funded projects, facilitating transparency and accountability in public spending.
    The document outlines the Mandatory Budget Format for government proposals, emphasizing the structured presentation of funding requests in relation to federal grants, RFPs, and contracts spanning multiple years. It specifies the need for a detailed budget summary spreadsheet that breaks down costs by line item for various periods, including base and option years. Key budget components include labor/salaries, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, subcontracts, and indirect costs, each requiring specific total calculations. The format is designed for clarity in reporting estimated costs and fixed fees, ensuring transparency and consistency in proposals submitted for government funding. By providing comprehensive breakdowns and requiring explanations, the document intends to standardize submissions and facilitate evaluation for potential recipients.
    This Request for Proposals (RFP) No. SOL-72012124R00020, issued by USAID on October 31, 2024, seeks proposals for the STRONG-UA activity, aimed at supporting the recovery and growth of Ukrainian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) amidst ongoing conflict. Key objectives include enhancing access to finance, developing market linkages, and boosting innovation among SMEs. The project is expected to span five years, composed of a two-year base period and three one-year optional extensions, with a projected cost of up to $80 million. Proposals will be evaluated on technical merit and cost, utilizing a Highest Technical Rated with Fair and Reasonable Price method. Offerors must ensure adherence to USAID guidelines and demonstrate a collaborative, adaptable approach to meet shifting market demands amid uncertainties. The project emphasizes additionality, ensuring outcomes that would not have occurred without USAID's involvement. Grant management, gender mainstreaming, and strong adherence to local regulations are critical components. With a focus on developing a resilient economy, the STRONG-UA activity is aligned with USAID's broader strategic objectives for Ukraine, aiming to facilitate sustainable economic growth and increased employment through innovative support structures and investment mobilization.
    The document outlines an amendment to the solicitation related to the STRONG UA project, issued by USAID/Ukraine, with a focus on enhancing the economic growth of SMEs in Ukraine. It details the responses to various questions posed by potential contractors regarding the solicitation. Key aspects include the clarification of payment structures, proposal validity periods, and the allocation of an $80 million ceiling for grants and subcontracts. The amendment provides guidance on the expected level of effort (LOE) distribution, the targeted number of grants, leverage ratios, and geographic scope, emphasizing that activities should align with sustainable development goals. The solicitation seeks to mobilize financing through flexible and innovative approaches without prioritizing specific industries. It reiterates that the contractor should engage underserved businesses effectively while considering co-investment strategies. It confirms the flexibility for contractor-proposed priorities and emphasizes collaboration with local stakeholders for regulatory reforms. Additionally, detailed instructions on proposal preparation, including sections required to demonstrate institutional experience, past performance, and organizational structure, are outlined, facilitating a clear pathway for compliant bid submissions. The document ultimately aims to ensure a comprehensive understanding of project requirements while fostering a competitive procurement process.
    This document serves as an amendment to the solicitation SOL-72012124R00020 issued by USAID/Ukraine Regional Contracts Office. The primary purpose of this amendment is to extend the closing date for proposal submissions, changing it from December 3, 2024, at 4:00 PM Kyiv local time to January 6, 2025, at the same time. Additionally, the email address for communication is revised from "kyivrcoeg@usaid.gov" to "kyivoaaeg@usaid.gov." All other terms and conditions of the initial solicitation remain unchanged and in effect. The amendment emphasizes the importance of acknowledging receipt of this change by potential contractors to avoid proposal rejection. This modification underscores the government's efforts to manage proposals and communication effectively within the context of federal requests for proposals (RFPs) and grants, ensuring transparency and clarity for all involved parties.
    This document is an amendment to the Request for Proposals (RFP) No. SOL-72012124R00020 issued by the USAID/Ukraine Regional Contracts Office, specifically concerning the STRONG-UA Activity. The amendment modifies Section L.7 regarding the preparation of technical proposals, clarifying the structure, content, and page limits of submissions. The technical proposal must adhere to a maximum of 30 pages, with specific components such as the cover page, executive summary, and attachments not counted within this limit. Additional provisions detail the necessary format and information for each section, including a summary table of professional technical efforts and resumes for key personnel. This modification reinforces guidelines for proper proposal submissions, aiming to streamline evaluation processes while ensuring compliance with established requirements. All previous terms and conditions remain unchanged except for the outlined amendments. These updates reflect standard practices in government RFPs, emphasizing organization and clarity in proposal development to facilitate effective assessment by the issuing agency.
    The document is an amendment to the solicitation for the USAID/Ukraine STRONG-UA Activity, identified as RFP No. SOL-72012124R00020, specifically Amendment No. 4. It updates the procedures related to the award process, particularly in Section M.2, sub-paragraph 4. The amendment outlines how the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) will conduct a price analysis to determine the fairness and reasonableness of proposed prices, focusing primarily on the highest-rated offeror. The analysis will use a standard deviation methodology to assess the mean of all proposed prices and will consider direct labor costs as the main pricing factor. If significant adjustments are warranted, the analysis may proceed to the next highest-rated offeror if the leading contender’s price is deemed unrealistic. The amendment emphasizes the importance of a clear and structured award process, ensuring that price evaluations align with established federal guidelines while maintaining competitive integrity. It reinforces the notion that all terms in previous documents remain effective unless explicitly amended, underlining procedural rigor and compliance with federal contracting standards.
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