Sources Sought - A&A Support Services

The U.S. Agency for International Development's Mission to Southern Africa (USAID/SA) is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of providing acquisition and assistance (A&A) support services. This request for information is issued solely for the purpose of conducting market research in accordance with FAR Part 10. This notice is not a solicitation or call for proposals. Any proposals submitted in response to this request will not be considered. USAID will not pay for information submitted nor will it reimburse costs incurred by individuals or entities that elect to respond to this request for information (RFI). All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the respondent's expense. USAID is in no way obligated to utilize submitted information or issue a solicitation as a result of this request. USAID is not obligated to procure any of the services described herein, nor should the release of this RFI be construed as such a commitment on the part of USAID. This notice seeks information regarding potential sources, both individuals and entities, available to provide acquisition and assistance support services to the USAID/SA Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance (ROAA) located in Pretoria, South Africa. The ROAA is responsible for providing acquisition and assistance support for USAID's programs in the Southern African region, and is currently staffed with 22 local and international personnel, including 8 U.S. direct hire Foreign Service Contracting Officers, 4 US/TCN personal services contractors, and 10 localy hired A&A professional and administrative staff. The portfolio of awards managed by ROAA includes USAID's development and humanitarian assistance programs in the countries of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland, as well as cross border regional programs. In addition, ROAA is also called upon periodically to provide A&A support to USAID's Missions in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. USAID's programs in the region cover the gamut of development sectors and include important Presidential and Agency Initiatives, such as the USAID Forward Local Solutions, President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the Young African Leader's Initiative, the Power Africa Initiative, and the Global Climate Change Initiative. ROAA's portfolio currently consistent of 129 acquisition and assistance awards with total estimated value of approximately USD $2 billion. USAID/SA ROAA is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of providing acquisition and assistance support services to support its operations during calendar year 2016. These A&A services could include remote, task-based support provided from another location or continuous on-site presence at USAID's office in Pretoria. A&A actions can range in complexity from fixed price, simplified acquisition orders to large, multi-year, multi-million dollar cost reimbursement procurements. Potential tasks could include: - preparation of pre-award planning documents - preparation of solicitations - receipt of proposals from offerors/applicants - providing instructions and oversight to a technical evaluation committee - review of technical evaluation report - cost and price analyses and cost realism analyses - preparation of competition range determinations - exchanges with offerors/applicants - day-to-day contact and grant administration - quality control reviews of complex pre-award documentation - other A&A related duties as assigned USAID is particularly interested in identifying potential sources with mid- or senior level qualifications in the field of U.S. Federal Government acquisition and assistance support. Ideally, potential sources would be highly knowledgeable in the award and management of both acquisition and assistance mechanisms, with more than 10 years of experience in soliciting, awarding and administering highly complex acquisition and assistance mechanisms in an overseas environment. Knowledge of USAID policies and procedures would be highly desirable. Proper knowledge of handling of procurement sensitive information and mitigating conflicts of interest would be essential, in addition to exceptional English language writing skills. Periods of service could range between a few weeks to up to 6 months or more. Individuals or entities capable of providing these types of services may e-mail information to: Camille Hasha, Contracting and Agreement Officer, at chasha@usaid.gov by 8:00 Pretoria local time on November 16, 2015. Responses to this notice must be received via email with "RFI for A&A services" in the subject line of the email message. Paper media or responses in any form other than email will not be considered. Submissions must be in English and must not exceed the equivalent of three (3) pages in Times New Roman 12 point font. Responses should include a point of contact, telephone number and e-mail address, and a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities will: describe the individual's or entity's capacity to perform the kinds of work described above; include a brief description of past clients (governmental, non-governmental) for which similar services were performed; and describe experience and qualifications of the individual or entity. All information provided shall become the property of USAID and will not be returned. Please be reminded that this notice does not obligate USAID to award a contract, or otherwise pay for the information provided in response to this request. USAID reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for its purposes. Respondents are advised that USAID is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. Any information submitted in response to this "sources sought" notice is voluntary. The issuance of this request shall not restrict the Government's ultimate acquisition approach, if any. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued.