R -- USAID/India & Sri Lanka Request for Quotations for CPA Services via RFQ No. 386-05-023

ALL OFFERORS ARE ADVISED TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE AMENDMENT # 2 OF THE RFQ 386-05-023 FROM THE USAID/INDIA WEB PAGE LINKhttp://www.usaid.gov/in/working_with_us/grant_opportunity.htm THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF QUOTES/OFFERS IS NOT EXTENDED. RFQ 386-05-023 Amendment # 2 Q.1) What is the size(s) of the grant(s) we would be auditing India - annual size of grants up for review Sri Lanka - annual size of grants up for review. RESPONSE: Any Value is possible. 2) How many grants are involved? Are they all funded by USAID? Are there any other agencies involved? RESPONSE: This Solicitation may result in more than one BPA, e.g. multiple firms hired to conduct financial review. During the course of a year USAID expects to require approximately 4 to 6 financial reviews. However the true number of contracts or grants for review will vary. Secondly, yes they are all funded by USAID organization and firms. Thirdly, no other US or non-US Agencies are involved. 3) As far as reviewing the system for internal controls are we considering OMB Circular A-123 RESPONSE: Yes, the assessment will cover USAID/India's system for internal control as per OMB Circular-123. 4) Are we to use U.S. based accounting principals or International based accounting principals? RESPONSE: Both. 5) What is the period of time under review? Current or previous Fiscal year RESPONSE: Period under review will generally be the most recent fiscal or prior year of the contractor (firm) or recipient (NGO). In some instances, for the purposes of limited financial reviews the current fiscal year may be evaluated. 6) How many finance/recipients in India / Sri Lanka are there and are each to be reviewed separately? RESPONSE: USAID maintains a total portfolio currently valued at more than US$200 million. Most of that is subject to US-based auditing. However a minority portion is with non-US firms and NGOs. Those organizations are the primary, though not exclusive focus of this Solicitation. As stated in response the question number two USAID has a limited (specific) view of the expected scale of the workload. 7) How many locations of USAID in India are to be reviewed? RESPONSE: Generally in New Delhi and possibily scattered all over India and Sri Lanka will need to be visited for a financial review. RFQ 386-05-023 Amendment # 2 8) Would there be any consideration of going [U.S.-based] 8a on this RFP? RESPONSE: No special consideration will be given. Given the unique specifics of this requirement non-US firms are eligible to propose. 9) Has this work been done before and is there an actual report available for review? RESPONSE: Yes see link http://wwww.usaid.gov/in/working_withus/grant_opportunity.htm Annexure 4 - reference sample document of past report. 10) Do travel expenses need to be estimated in the proposal. RESPONSE: Please Refer to A.6 TRAVEL on page 10 of the BPA RFQ. Government will reimburse Travel expenses at actuals subject to maximum USAID Per Diem rate as applicabe for travel in foreign areas[ refer US Department of State link http://www.state.gov/m/a/als/prdm/] All other direct costs and indirect cost rates stand separately. 11) Place of performance - Is it going to be in India and or Sri Lanka. RESPONSE: Generally speaking mostly in India, some in Sri Lanka and on very rare occasions in the Maldives or other South Asia locations. 12) The grant amount to be audited and the audit/grant period. RESPONSE: This is not for Audit (as per A-133). This is primarily for limited financial reviews of grants amounting to $300,000 or below in a fiscal year. 13) Have there being any pre-award audits or interim audits done RESPONSE: No, this is not an applicable question per se in the view of USAID. 14) The number of sub grantees to be reviewed. RESPONSE: This will vary with each prime grantee or contractor and cannot be ascertained at this time. 15) Will travel cost from the US to the audit site be reimbursed? RESPONSE: Yes, if applicable. - NO MORE QUESTIONS WILL BE ENTERTAINED PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE/TIME.