Request for Proposals

RFP Number: 006

Executive Summary

USAID Kosovo Compete Activity (hereinafter referred to as “USAID Compete”, “Compete” “Activity” or “Project”) is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is implemented by DT Global as prime contractor, in consortia with Kosovo-based Recura Financials and US-based Canopy Lab, as subcontractors. USAID Compete is designed to facilitate sector-wide improvement in private sector export competitiveness in its key focus sectors of wood processing, food processing, and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors.

DT Global hereby requests proposals from qualified entities for “Provision of Public Relations and External Communication Services for Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund’s Export Window,” as detailed below.

Pre-submission Questions:

Questions relating to this Request for Proposals (RFP) should be sent in writing by email only to USAID Compete at [email protected] no later than Friday, October 14, 2022 at 17:00 CET with the following subject line: “Questions – RFP 006 – Provision of Public Relations and External Communication Services for Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund’s Export Window”. Questions and requests for clarification and the responses thereto that USAID Compete believes may be of interest to other offerors may be circulated to all RFP recipients. DT Global will respond to any questions it receives by the noted deadline above.

Due Date and Time for Submission of Quotes:

Applicants should submit applications through email at [email protected] by Friday, October 28, 2022, at 17:00hrs local time (CET).

Any submission received by USAID Kosovo Compete Activity after the due date and time for submission will be rejected.

This RFP consists of the following sections:

Section 1 – Background

Section 2 – Information for Bidders

Section 3 – Clauses Incorporated by Reference

Section 4 – Annexes

Section 1 - Background

Project background

USAID Compete is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by DT Global as prime contractor, in consortia with Kosovo-based Recura Financials and US-based Canopy Lab, as subcontractors.

Compete is a five-year USAID activity (August 2020 – August 2025) whose main objective is to facilitate the private sector’s improved competitiveness in local, regional, and international markets. USAID Compete’s implementation approach is based on “market systems development (MSD).” This approach is part of an evolved thinking within USAID to support private sector development through addressing systemic constraints that prevent market systems in respective sectors from being self-sustaining.

Based on the aforementioned approach, USAID Compete Activity seeks to empower and partner with companies, organizations, and relevant institutions through a facilitative approach that addresses systemic constraints. In a departure from direct firm interventions, the MSD approach seeks to support Kosovo to move toward self-sustaining private sector development by promoting resilient market systems.

USAID Compete Activity focuses on the following export-oriented sectors:

• Wood Processing, including the subsector of modular homes/prefabricated building producers.
• Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).
• Food Processing.

USAID Compete Activity’s work in all of its focus sectors is organized along five functional areas:

Assignment background

The domestic financial sector currently has limited options for manufacturers and exporters to access lending against existing and future contracts with clients. This is typically known as “contract-based financing.” Put simply, such products would allow prospective businesses to obtain loans from the financial sector with eased or limited, or in a best-case scenario with no collateral requirements, aided by, and in part based on, specific contracts between a company and its clients or customers.

The USAID Compete Market Systems and Constraint Analysis (MSCA)[1], a comprehensive assessment of the main sector constraints, identifies that one of the main constraints facing Kosovo firms in its focus sectors is the absence of such funding options for local export-oriented producers and processors, adversely affecting their growth and competitiveness potential. This is mainly because, in the absence of such lending options, Kosovo companies face difficulties meeting Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) and Working Capital (WC) needs in order to respond to market demand. Therefore, USAID Compete is partnering with leading industry associations from the manufacturing and banking sectors to support efforts that seek to diversify the availability of financial products. Based on USAID Compete and other analyses, it has emerged that private sector companies have significant demand for more responsive financial products, tailored to their needs.

USAID Compete is partnering with the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund (KCGF) to provide tailored funding solutions to export-oriented companies. The KCGF has recently approved the establishment of an Export Window which is known as the Export Financing Facility (EFF). USAID Compete is supporting KCGF to operationalize the EFF. This particular assignment is an effort to support KCGF with promoting the Export Window/EFF.

Section 2: Information for Bidders

2.1 Number of Proposals per Bidder:

Only one proposal per bidder will be accepted. Consortia applications are allowed.

2.2 Technical Specifications:

Services offered must comply with the technical specifications provided in the Scope of Work contained in Annex A, as well as Application Form for Technical Proposal in Annex B, of this RFP.

2.3 Cost:

The subcontract type for this procurement will be a Firm Fixed-Priced Purchase Order.

The cost offer must include a detailed description and unit cost breakdown by labor type, materials, services, overhead, and fees, as per the Budget Form in Annex C, of this RFP. The total Firm Fixed Price must be quoted on a lumpsum, all‐inclusive basis. Nevertheless, the Total Firm Fixed Price shall be quoted net of any government duties or taxes.

It is anticipated that DT Global will subcontract for the full quantities of services described in this RFP. However, DT Global reserves the right to subcontract for less or more quantities and/or services at its discretion.

2.4 Currencies:

Prices shall be stated in EURO.

2.5 VAT:

USAID Compete is exempt from cooperating country taxes, duties, and VAT. Any award issued by DT Global on behalf of USAID Compete, an official program of the Government of the United States in Kosovo, is free and exempt from any taxes, tariffs, duties, or other levies imposed by the laws in effect in Kosovo.

An official letter that confirms this tax-exempt status will be provided to the winning bidder.

2.6 Language:

The proposal/quote, as well as all correspondence and documents relating to the offer, shall be in English.

2.7 Validity:

Proposals/quotes shall remain valid for 60 calendar days from the due date for receipt of proposals. In exceptional circumstances, prior to expiry of the original offer validity period, DT Global may request that the Bidder extend the period of validity for a specified additional period. A Bidder agreeing to the request will not be required to modify their proposal.

2.8 Preparation and Submission of Proposal:

Applicants should submit applications in writing to the Operations and Finance Director, via email, at [email protected], by clearly marking RFP006 in the email subject. No hard copy submission is required.

2.9 Due Date and Time for Submission of Proposals:

Proposals must be received by DT Global no later than the due date and time as shown above. DT Global may, at its discretion, extend the due date and time for the submission of proposal by amending this RFP. Any proposal received by DT Global after the due date and time for submission of proposal will be rejected.

2.10 Eligibility of Offerors:

By submitting an offer in response to this RFP, the offeror certifies that it and its principal officers are not debarred, suspended, or otherwise considered ineligible for an award by the U.S. Government. DT Global will not award a contract to any firm that is debarred, suspended, or considered to be ineligible by the U.S. Government.

Eligible organizations include legally registered for-profit, non-for-profit and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), registered in Kosovo. Consortia-based applications are allowed.

Ineligible organizations include:

• Public international organizations.
• Entities that have misused USAID funds in the past, organizations that advocate, promote or espouse anti-democratic policies or illegal activities.
• Political parties or institutions.
• Organizations that are on the list of parties excluded from federal procurement and non-procurement programs or the United Nations Security Sanctions Committee.

2.11 Submission Requirements:

To determine the capability and experience of bidders seeking to be selected for this assignment, the information submitted must include the following minimum requirements:

2.12 Delivery Requirements:

As part of its response to this RFP, each offeror is expected to provide an estimate (in calendar days) of the delivery timeframe (after receipt of order). The delivery estimate presented in an offer in response to this RFP must be upheld in the performance of any resulting contract.

Implementation is anticipated to begin in November 2022 and is expected to last until November 2023 from the date of commencement. Subject to the needs of the project and performance of the bidder, DT Global reserves the right to adjust and/or extend the duration for an additional period. The delivery estimate presented in any offers in response to this RFP must be realistic, accurate, and upheld in the performance of any resulting subcontract or order.

2.13 Negotiations:

Best and final price quotations are requested from all offerors. It is anticipated that awards will be made solely on the basis of these original quotations. However, DT Global reserves the right to conduct negotiations and/or request clarifications prior to awarding a subcontract.

2.14 Best Value

DT Global will issue awards using a best value analysis. Best value is the expected outcome of an acquisition that provides the greatest overall benefit to DT Global in response to the requirement.

2.15 Evaluation of Proposal:

Proposal will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• 40%: Past performance and experience of the company in delivering similar projects, preferably in Kosovo, including relevant staff bios to be fully engaged in contract implementation.
• 40%: Technical Proposal ‐ Responsiveness to the SOW contained in Annex A of this RFP, including the deliverables and deliverables schedule.
• 20%: Total Fixed Price.

2.16 Clarification of Proposal:

During evaluation of the proposals, DT Global may, at its discretion, ask the bidder for a clarification of their proposals. Clarifications are limited exchanges with a bidder to resolve minor or clerical errors; they do not offer an opportunity for a bidder to modify or change an offer.

2.17 Award Criteria:

DT Global is not obligated to make an award by virtue of having issued this solicitation. Any award is predicated on DT Global receiving funding for this express purpose from USAID. DT Global can only make an award if the product fully complies with the technical specifications mentioned in the contract terms. Any award(s) will be made to the responsible bidder whose offer(s) has/have been determined to be most advantageous to DT Global.

DT Global has the right to withdraw or change this RFP at any time. Bidders’ proposals are done so at the sole cost and expense of the bidder with no obligation on the part of DT Global.

2.18 Confidentiality:

Information submitted in response to this RFP will be held confidentially.

Section 3 - Clauses incorporated by Reference

3.1 General Terms and Conditions

This Purchase Order will be issued under a U.S. Government Prime Contract to DT Global. Applicable clauses set forth below will be incorporated by reference into this Purchase Order with the same force and effect as if they were set forth in full. A full copy of each clause may be obtained from the DT Global. The term "FAR" means Federal Acquisition Regulation as revised on the date of this Purchase Order. In no event shall any provision of this Purchase Order be construed as allowing the Subcontractor to appeal directly to or otherwise communicate directly with the Government of US without written consent of DT Global’s Contract Administrator.

3.2 Technical proposal

The technical proposal must be no longer than 10 pages in length. Proposals submitted in excess of 10 pages will not be reviewed. Supporting documents and CVs of the proposed key staff members, which the bidders are required to submit will not be counted toward the 10-page limit. The technical proposal should be submitted using Annex B – Application Form – Technical Proposal.

3.3 Cost proposal

The cost proposal shall be submitted as a separate file from the technical proposal. Applicants are advised to fill in the budget form as detailed as possible. Lump sums will not be accepted. Applicants are allowed (and encouraged) to add new lines and modify the budget lines (not Budget Headings) according to the needs of the proposal’s activities. Applicants should also provide a detailed budget description. The required format for the budget is included as Annex C - Budget Form.

According to the Mandatory Standard Provisions for Non-U.S., Nongovernmental Recipients, uniform administrative requirements on cost principles for federal awards 2 CFR 200, Subpart E, Cost Principles, and Cost Principles for Commercial/For-Profit Organizations (48 CFR 31.2 Federal Acquisition Regulations), taxes, including value added taxes, are not allowable costs where an exemption or refund of such taxes mechanism exists. Please do not budget VAT cost in the project budget breakdown.

Section 4 - Annexes

Annex A: Scope of Work

Annex B: Application Form – Technical Proposal

Annex C: Budget Form

SECTION I ‐ FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) CLAUSES

52.202‐1 DEFINITIONS JUL 2004

52.203‐3 GRATUITIES APR 1984

52.203‐5 COVENANT AGAINST CONTINGENT FEES APR 1984

52.203‐6 RESTRICTIONS ON SUBCONTRACTOR SALES TO THE GOVERNMENT SEP 2006

52.203‐7 ANTI‐KICKBACK PROCEDURES OCT 2010

52.203‐8 CANCELLATION, RESCISSION, AND RECOVERY OF FUNDS FOR ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER ACTIVITY JAN 1997

52.203‐10 PRICE OR FEE ADJUSTMENT FOR ILLEGAL OR JAN 1997IMPROPER ACTIVITY

52.203‐12 LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS TO INFLUENCE CERTAIN FEDERAL TRANSACTIONS OCT 2010

52.204‐1 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT DEC 1989

52.204‐3 TAX PAYER IDENTIFICATION OCT 1998

52.204‐4 PRINTED OR COPIED DOUBLE‐SIDED ON RECYCLED PAPER AUG 2000

52.204‐7 CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION APR 2008

52.204‐8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS SEP 2010

52.204‐9 PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL SEP 2007

52.204‐10 REPORTING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND FIRST‐TIER SUBCONTRACT AWARDS JUL 2010

52.209‐6 PROTECTING THE GOVERNMENT'S INTEREST WHEN SUBCONTRACTING WITH CONTRACTORS DEBARRED, SUSPENDED, OR PROPOSED FOR DEBARMENT SEP 2006

52.215‐2 AUDIT AND RECORDS—NEGOTIATION, OCT 2010 ALTERNATE II APR 1998

52.215‐8 ORDER OF PRECEDENCE‐‐UNIFORM CONTRACT FORMAT OCT 1997

52.215‐10 PRICE REDUCTION FOR DEFECTIVE COST OR PRICING DATA OCT 2010

52.215‐11 PRICE REDUCTION FOR DEFECTIVE COST OR PRICING DATAMODIFICATIONS OCT 2010

52.215‐12 SUBCONTRACTOR COST OR PRICING DATA OCT 2010

52.215‐13 SUBCONTRACTOR COST OR PRICING DATA – MODIFICATIONS OCT 2010

52.215‐14 INTEGRITY OF UNIT PRICES OCT 2010

52.215‐15 PENSION ADJUSTMENTS AND ASSET REVERSIONS OCT 2004

52.215‐18 REVERSION OR ADJUSTMENT OF PLANS FOR POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS (PRB) JUL 2005

52.215‐19 NOTIFICATION OF OWNERSHIP CHANGES OCT 1997

52.215‐23 LIMITATIONS ON PASS‐THROUGH CHARGES, ALTERNATE I OCT 2009

52.216‐7 ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT DEC 2002

52.216‐8 FIXED‐FEE MAR 1997

52.217‐2 CANCELLATION UNDER MULTIYEAR CONTRACTS OCT 1997

52.217‐8 OPTIONS TO EXTEND SERVICES NOV 1999

52.219‐4 NOTICE OF PRICE EVALUATION PREFERENCE FOR HUBZone SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS JUL 2005

52.219‐8 UTILIZATION OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS MAY 2004

52.219‐9 SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN OCT 2010 ALTERNATE II OCT 2001

52.219‐16 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES‐SMALL BUSINESS JAN 1999 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

52.222‐1 NOTICE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF LABOR DISPUTES FEB 1997

52.222‐26 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MAR 2007

52.222‐35 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR VETERANS SEP 2010

52.222‐38 COMPLIANCE WITH VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SEP 2010

52.222‐50 COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS FEB 2009

52.225‐1 BUY AMERICAN ACT‐‐SUPPLIES FEB 2009

52.227‐2 NOTICE AND ASSISTANCE REGARDING PATENT DEC 2007 AND COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

52.227‐14 RIGHTS IN DATA‐‐GENERAL DEC 2007

52.228‐3 WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE APR 1984

52.228‐7 INSURANCE‐‐LIABILITY TO THIRD PERSONS MAR 1996

52.229‐8 TAXES‐FOREIGN COST‐REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS MAR 1990

52.230‐2 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS OCT 2008

52.230‐6 ADMINISTRATION OF COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS MAR 2008

52.232‐9 LIMITATION ON WITHHOLDING OF PAYMENTS APL 1984

52.232‐17 INTEREST OCT 2010

52.232‐20 LIMITATION OF COSTS APR 1984

52.232‐22 LIMITATION OF FUNDS APR 1984

52.232‐23 ASSIGNMENT OF CLAIMS JAN 1986

52.232‐25 PROMPT PAYMENT OCT 2008 ALTERNATE I FEB 2003

52.233‐1 DISPUTES OCT 2003

52.233‐3 PROTEST AFTER AWARD, AUG 1996 ALTERNATE1 JUN 1985

52.233‐4 APPLICABLE LAW FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT CLAIM OCT 2004

52.233‐6 DRUG‐FREE WORKPLACE MAY 2001

52.237‐3 CONTINUITY OF SERVICES JAN 1991

52.242‐1 NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISALLOW COSTS APR 1984

52.242‐3 PENALTIES FOR UNALLOWABLE COSTS MAY 2001

52.242‐13 BANKRUPTCY JUL 1995

52.243‐2 CHANGES‐‐COST REIMBURSEMENT AUG 1987 ALTERNATE II APR 1984

52.243‐7 NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES APR 1984

52.244‐2 SUBCONTRACTS ALTERNATE I (JUN 2007) OCT 2010

52.244‐5 COMPETITION IN SUBCONTRACTING DEC 1996

52.244‐6 SUBCONTRACTS FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS OCT 2010

52.245‐1 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY JUN 2007

52.245‐9 USE AND CHARGES JUN 2007

52.246‐25 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY‐‐SERVICES FEB 1997

52.247‐63 PREFERENCE FOR U.S.‐FLAG AIR CARRIERS JUNE 2003

52.247‐64 PREFERENCE FOR PRIVATELY OWNED U.S.‐FLAG COMMERCIAL VESSELS FEB 2006

52.249‐6 TERMINATION (COST‐REIMBURSEMENT) MAY 2004

52.249‐14 EXCUSABLE DELAYS APR 1984

52.253‐1 COMPUTER GENERATED FORMS JAN 1991

AIDAR 48 CFR Chapter 7

752.202‐1 DEFINITIONS JAN 1990

752.209‐71 ORGANIZATION CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DISCOVERED AFTER AWARD JUN 1993

752.211‐70 LANGUAGE AND MEASUREMENT JUN 1992

752.219‐8 UTILIZATION OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND SMALL DISADVANTAGED

BUSINESS CONCERNS

752.225‐70 SOURCE, ORIGION AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS FEB 1997

752.225‐71 LOCAL PROCUREMENT FEB 1997

752.228‐3 WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE

752.228‐70 MEDICAL EVALUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES JUL 2007

752.227‐14 RIGHTS IN DATA – GENERAL OCT 2007

752.228‐7 INSURANCE‐LIABILITY TO THIRD PERSONS

752.232‐70 LETTER OF CREDIT ADVANCE PAYMENT OCT 1989

752.242‐70 PERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS OCT 2007

752.245‐70 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY‐USAID REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

752.245‐71 TITLE TO AND CARE OF PROPERTY APR 1984

752.7001 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA JUL 1997

752.7002 TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION JAN 1990

752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT NOV 1998

752.7006 NOTICES APR 1984

752.7008 USE OF GOVERNMENT FACILITIES OR PERSONNEL APR 1984_123

[1] Conducted in October 2020.