R -- Economic Policy Reform and Competitiveness Project

MODIFICATION NO. 3 Dear Potential Offerors: The purpose of this amendment is to disseminate the answers to questions raised by a potential offeror. 1. Question (Q):To whom should our electronic submission be sent, and should the cost and technical proposal be sent to the same email address? Answer (A): The addressee for the electronic submission (technical and cost proposals) is: epura@usaid.gov and cc: wireynolds@usaid.gov 2. Q: Can we submit signed documents in PDF format rather than via fax? A: Yes. 3. Q: We note that the RFP provides position descriptions for all proposed long-term personnel except the Policy Advisor. Can you provide the position description for the Policy Advisor as well? A: Policy Advisor: It is recommended that the candidate possess a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in managing and implementing policy related programs involving counterparts in transitional or developming economies. Previous experience should demonstrate the ability to (a) provide hands-on, practical advice in not only formulating but also implementing policy; (b) develop effective partnerships involving both the public and private sector aimed at achieving consensus and support for key policy initiatives; and (c) undertake advocacy programs aimed at overcoming obstacles, reaching consensus and ensuring citizen partnership in the policy making process. The candidate should possess the professional, interpersonal and communication skills needed to be effective in a Mongolian working environment. Ideally, the candidate would also have direct private sector experience in ways that strengthen understanding of commercial environments and enhance credibility within the Mongolian private as well as public sector. Experience and technical skills in a policy area directly relevant to this RFP (such as the financial sector) would also be very useful. By way of this amplification, USAID/Mongolia would like to emphasize that taken together, the long-term technical assistance team should represent MORE than the sum of its parts. A shared vision and a complementary set of skills and experiences is highly desirable. Ideally, the team will reflect an impressive mix of both public and private sector experience; a background in not only formulating but also implementing policy; an ability to work well with counterparts in strengthening the capacity of local institutions; and real-life (rather than theoretical) experience in running a business and working effectively within a market economy. Again, the key points here are vision, complementarity, interpersonal skills and a team approach, one that draws on the strengths of each member of the management team and becomes catalytic in pursuing and achieving a common set of goals as well as vision for Mongolia. The ability of each team member to work well together and complement each other is essential. 4. Q: Would you like us to include option years in our budget? A: No. 5. Q: Can you give an idea of the contract effective date and report-to-post date? A: The estimated contract start date is September 15, 2003 and the estimated completion date is September 14, 2008. 6. Q: Does the Mission prefer that contractors lease or purchase vehicles? Answer: The Mission typically prefers contractors to lease rather than purchase vehicles, though offerors are welcome to propose alternative solutions. Pursuant to FAR 52.215-1, Instruction to Offerors - Competitive Acquisition, offerors shall acknowledge receipt of this amendment to this solicitation by sending an e-mail to Ester Pura. Her e-mail address is epura@usaid.gov. Sincerely, William E. Reynolds Contracting Officer