05 - 95332423Q0035.pdf

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE 1 OF

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DATE

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9. ISSUED BY

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

CODE

15. DELIVER TO 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

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OFFEROR

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FACILITY

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TELEPHONE NO.

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN

OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK

BELOW IS CHECKED

RFQ IFB RFP

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

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DATED . YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

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COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

OFFER

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

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TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

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SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

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ECONOMICALLY

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8 (A)

NAICS:

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STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 3/2005) BACK

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ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

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41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

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41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

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42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

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32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

PARTIAL FINAL

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38. S/R ACCOUNT NO. 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER

36. PAYMENT

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

95332423Q0035

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Listing of Incorporated Purchase Requisitions Section B - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs Section C - Description/Specifications/Work Statement Section D - Packaging and Marking Section E - Inspection and Acceptance Terms Section F - Delivery or Performance Section G - Contract Administration Data Section H - Special Contract Requirements Section I - Contract Clauses Section J - List of Documents, Exhibits, and other Attachments Section K - Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors Section L - Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award

Listing of Incorporated Purchase Requisitions

Incorporated Purchase Requisition Numbers:

DCO-PR-23-0081

Section B - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

Item Number Base Item Number

Supplies/Services Quantity Unit

0001 Belize Technical Support Services 1 LT Contract Type:Time and Materials

Unit Price Other Direct Costs

Extended Price

Description:

BASE PERIOD

LABOR AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS

Purchase Requisitions DCO-PR-23-0081

IDC Type: Not Applicable

Supplies/Services Quantity Unit

1001 Belize Technical Support Services 1 LT Contract Type:Time and Materials

Unit Price Other Direct Costs

Extended Price

Description:

OPTION PERIOD ONE

LABOR AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS

Purchase Requisitions

Option: 1 Option Time Date: 7/1/24 Option Time Duration: 364 Option Time Units: Days

Supplies/Services Quantity Unit

2001 Belize Technical Support Services 1 LT

Contract Type:Time and Materials Unit Price

Other Direct Costs Extended Price

Description:

OPTION PERIOD TWO

LABOR AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS

Purchase Requisitions

Option: 2 Option Time Date: 7/1/25 Option Time Duration: 364

Supplies/Services Quantity Unit

3001 Belize Technical Support Services 1 LT Contract Type:Time and Materials

Unit Price Other Direct Costs

Extended Price

Description:

OPTION PERIOD THREE

LABOR AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS

Purchase Requisitions

Option: 3 Option Time Date: 7/1/26 Option Time Duration: 364

Supplies/Services Quantity Unit

4001 Belize Technical Support Services 1 LT Contract Type:Time and Materials

Unit Price Other Direct Costs

Extended Price

Description:

OPTION PERIOD FOUR

LABOR AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS

Purchase Requisitions

Option: 4 Option Time Date: 7/1/27

Option Time Duration: 365

Clauses incorporated by reference

None

Clauses incorporated by full text

Section B

B.1 PURPOSE & INTRODUCTION

MCC is seeking an integrated Contractor Team of Consultants/Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in Support of a Due diligence Services contract for energy project development and Compact implementation in Belize; and: technical assistance to Government of Belize for policy and institutional reform.

B.2 SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the tasks as defined in Section C of the Statement of Work.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting MCC's operations and as of this solicitation posting, the extent of the impacts are still evolving. Due to this uncertainty, various aspects of the requirement terms may change (e.g., period of performance). Should changes be necessary, the Government will determine whether they are material and whether to engage in communications. This may lead to revisions in certain terms of this requirement to ensure tasks can proceed safely.

Activities involving international and/or domestic travel may be delayed and/or modified. MCC will only approve the start of fieldwork under this requirement once the target country relaxes social distancing and removes travel-related restrictions.

When in-country work begins, the contractor will be expected to take precautions to protect their staff, enumerators, respondents, and other stakeholders from COVID-19 exposure. This can include using face masks, checking enumerator temperatures daily before going out in the field, and considering the possibility of phone interviews rather than in-person interviews. Should any delays be necessary due to COVID-19, the contractor shall inform MCC as soon as possible to discuss the best course of action.

Please refer to the following resources for up-to-date information regarding COVID-19:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

B.3 CONTRACT TYPE

MCC anticipates awarding a single Time & Materials Contract Type, with Contract Line Item Number(s) that have Firm Fixed Price (FFP) hourly labor rates and: Cost Reimbursable Other Direct Cost (ODCs).

B.4 DIRECT LABOR MIX & DIRECT LABOR COSTS

Tables one (1) through three (3) below are provided as the following attachment to the RFQ in Section J: J.1 "Request for Quote (RFQ) Price Template, Excel File".

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

Table 1. Direct Labor Mix quoted labor rates categories Base OY 1 OY 2 OY 3 OY 4

Project Manager/Sector Tech Specialist

Utility Financial and Restructuring Expert

Energy Efficiency and Distributed Generation Specialist

Power Sector Specialist

Administrative Assistant quoted labor hours

Level of effort Base OY 1 OY 2 OY 3 OY 4 TOTAL

TOTAL 2,407 3,209 3,209 2,407 2,407 13,639

quoted labor cost

*labor / CLIN 0001 1001 2001 3001 4001 TOTAL

TOTAL

Labor Categories and Labor Rates: Table 1 above depicts the Government's request for at least five (5) different labor categories over the life of the contract. The vendor will quote fully burdened labor rates inclusive of all direct and indirect cost loaders.

Labor Level of Effort (LOE) Hours: This is a technical assistance, Time and Materials requirement. The number of estimated labor hours are an illustration of the government's depiction of the requirement by contract year; The total # of hours specified for each year is fixed and shall remain unchanged by Quoters'; Quoters will choose how to allocate estimated labor LOE Hours, according to their own unique quoted technical methodology, approach and labor categories.

Labor / CLIN: This is where the Quoters' labor rates, multiplied by the quoter's labor hours, will yield the Quoter's fully burdened labor costs for each respective labor category.

Table 2. Other Direct Costs

ODC /

CLIN

0001 1001 2001 3001 4001 TOTAL

ODCs $57,718 $46,471 $45,353 $26,321 $25,368 $201,231

G&A; etc.

TOTAL $57,718 $46,471 $45,353 $26,321 $25,368 $201,231

ODCs are estimates only and will be on a cost reimbursable basis and definitized when requirement(s) are identified & defined. Indirect costs include but are not limited to: domestic and international airfare, domestic and international per diems, domestic travel, car rentals (drivers, gas, tolls), equipment rentals, sub-contractors, data collection, hotels, communications (internet, phone, etc.) ODCs are set & established as fixed by the Government for the purposes of soliciting and evaluating Quotes and thus: are to remain unchanged by Quoter(s). Quoter(s) are permitted to markup ODCs with General & administrative and or Material Handing cost loaders if applicable.

Table 3. Labor & ODCs

CLIN 0001 1001 2001 3001 4001 TOTAL

*labor totals

*ODC sub-total $57,718 $46,471 $45,353 $26,321 $25,368 $201,231

G&A; etc.

*ODC total $57,718 $46,471 $45,353 $26,321 $25,368 $201,231

*CLIN total costs

Table 3 above is a summary Table of Tables 1 and 2 above.

B.5 LIMITATION OF FUNDS - INCREMENTALLY FUNDED CONTRACTS

In accordance with clause 52.232-72 MCC 52.232-72 LIMITATION OF FUNDS - INCREMENTALLY FUNDED CONTRACTS (NOV 2006) MCC 52.232-72 Limitation of Funds - Incrementally Funded Contracts funds in the amount of $_________ have been allotted to this contract. It is contemplated that funds now obligated under this contract will cover the work to be performed until _________. The Contractor shall not perform work on the contract which exceeds the total amount actually allotted by the Government to the contract. The Government is not obligated to reimburse the Contractor for costs incurred in excess of the total amount allotted by the Government to this contract. The contractor assumes the risk for any increased costs beyond what the Government obligates.

Section C - Description/Specifications/Work Statement

None

Clauses incorporated by full text

Section C

Belize Technical Support Services

STATEMENT OF WORK

1 INTRODUCTION

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a United States (U.S.) Government Agency established under the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003. MCC works with developing countries and provides aid that reinforces sound political, economic, and social policies that promote poverty reduction through economic growth. The majority of countries eligible for MCC funding have requested assistance in addressing local infrastructure needs. As such, MCC requires technical advisory support for a range of consulting services in connection with the development, assessment, design, delivery, and operations of infrastructure projects in countries in the process of developing their Compacts. For more information on MCC, please visit www.mcc.gov

2 BACKGROUND

MCC selected Belize for a five-year government to government grant to fund a program aimed at reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth. Belize was selected because it offers MCC the opportunity to engage with a country that is committed to democratic governance, reducing the rising poverty rate, addressing the significant challenges to economic growth, and mitigating its vulnerability to external shocks.

The most recent analysis of the country's growth impediments completed by the MCC identified five development constraints:

access to finance, natural capital management, government regulation and tax policy, education, and electricity costs.

The Government of Belize (GOB) elected to focus on two of these constraints for further development and to potentially be addressed in the Compact; Education and Electricity:

• Education: Low quality of education has led to shortages of trained professionals

• Electricity: High cost of electricity drives up input costs for all industries

Education: The education constraint can be categorized as the following. Though completion rates in primary education are at or near 100%, the education system suffers low returns in primary education, low standardized test scores, and high repetition rates suggest low quality of primary education. Secondary education mirrors this low quality but is further exacerbated by high dropout rates; gross enrollment in 2020-2021 was 72.8%. Tertiary education has high returns but low participation due to high dropout from and low quality of secondary education. Consequently, poor quality of primary/secondary schooling is leading to a shortage of skilled workers

Electricity: The high cost of electricity acts as a constraint to the growth of businesses, especially businesses with high power reliance. Additionally, volatility of prices due to reliance on imports damages investor confidence on business reliability. During the constraint analysis, several local businesses, ministries, and professional associations were engaged and most of them cited that the cost of electricity was an impediment to business development in the country. According to a 2010 Enterprise Survey, 68.8% of Belize's large businesses cite high electricity costs as a major constraint on their business, indicating that larger and more energy-intensive firms would have greater difficulties in their business operations. As a result, these firms maintain similar levels of employment within their industries while maintaining lower production levels, lower profits, and limited reinvestment. Additionally, there is also evidence that higher costs of energy affect the profitability of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the productivity of farm enterprises http://www.mcc.gov

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has not signed contracts to significantly expand its cost-effective renewable energy portfolio even though the government's Sustainable Energy Roadmap 2021-2040 calls for investment in cost-competitive renewable energy. Consequently, residential and commercial rates per kilowatt hour (kWh) remain high in Central America, limiting users' disposable income and consumption. In vulnerable groups, this reduces their purchasing power, which prevents them from affording healthy foods, education, and healthcare.

2.1. Belize - Background

Belize is a small, open, and services-oriented economy complemented by agriculture, commercial fishing, and manufacturing industries. Within its services sector, international tourism is the cornerstone, accounting for a significant share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Belize's economy has experienced major shifts in productive sectors and employment patterns in recent decades. Data from the Statistical Institute of Belize show that the share of GDP from the service (tertiary) sector increased from 62% to 71% between 1997 and 2017, while the share from the primary and secondary sectors declined from 18% to 13% and 20% to 16% respectively. Likewise, during the same time period, the service sector's share of employees increased from 56% to 65% of the labor force, while the primary and secondary sector's share went from 28% to 18% and 16% to 17%, respectively.

Belize's economy is vulnerable to economic shocks stemming from climate change, natural disasters and adverse economic conditions affecting tourism markets like the U.S.. Other economic concerns include foreign reserve adequacy linked to an increasing dependence on imports and the government's long-term debt sustainability. In terms of the former, the economy engages in the exportation of raw primary products which are lower on the value chain and imports higher value-added goods for consumption. As for the latter, recent developments including the re-basing of GDP (2022) and restructuring of external debt have contributed to a considerable improvement in its debt-to-GDP ratio (debt ratio). However, given the frequency of global economic shocks, and the weather-related issues that Belize has faced, the economy has stagnated in terms of real GDP growth within the past two decades and most recently with the global pandemic reducing the country's income classification in 2020.

2.2. Power Sector Context

The electricity sector is currently overseen by the GOB, through the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics- Energy Unit (MPUELE). The Energy Unit's main functions include planning, promoting, and effectively managing the production, delivery, and use of energy through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and cleaner production interventions.

One of their main outputs is the National Energy Policy Framework, which effectively plans the course of the industry and its development based on projected demand, using renewable energy sources. The electricity sector is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The PUC evaluates the tariff proposal brought in by the distributor and determines final retail tariffs.

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) is the sole distributor of energy and is the owner of the transmission and distribution network. The delivery of electricity to the end-use customers is a monopoly franchise. The dispatch of generation is centrally controlled by BEL, with hydroelectric production optimized across wet-dry seasons, variable renewables (biomass from sugar mills) taken as produced, and all other sources to be dispatched in merit order. The GOB owns approximately two-thirds of BEL and a Canadian energy company, Fortis, owns the remaining one-third. Fortis also owns generation facilities in Belize that sell power to BEL, creating a potential conflict of interest.

Over a recent five year period, Mexican electricity imports have provided approximately forty to fifty percent of the country's electricity supply. Hydroelectric power has accounted for about thirty to forty percent. Biomass generation accounts for about ten to fifteen percent and fossil fuel resources account for about five to ten percent. In 2021, BEL registered a peak demand of 103 megawatts (MW), sourced 646 gigawatt hours (GWh) and sold 560.8 Gwh of electricity, earning $118 million in revenue from 107,292 accounts. BEL's average cost of power from 2017 to 2021 was 110 US$/MWh. The overall cost of electricity is high relative to Central American standards. A Root Cause Analysis found that a primary source of the high cost of electricity was the high price of wholesale power purchases.

The MPUELE has acknowledged that Belize can derive significant benefits from the development of renewable energy resources, the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation programs, and the commercialization of renewable energy technologies. MPUELE has articulated its strategic plan to enhance its planning for a Sustainable Energy Sector for Belize in the Belize National Sustainable Energy Strategy 2012 - 2033. Belize has several renewable energy sources that have and continue to be under various levels of evaluation and development including biomass resources, wind and photovoltaic (PV) resources, and waste to energy opportunities.

2.3. Compact Development and Implementation Phases

This contract is expected to span Compact development through the first years of Compact implementation. The Contractor will be required to support MCC in working with the GOB and other program stakeholders to conduct additional analysis necessary to understand challenges; develop recommendations to address these challenges; and develop resources and tools (e.g., work plans, terms of reference, budgets, etc.) necessary to operationalize the recommendations for implementation.

Table 1. Compact Lifecycle Activities.

Partner Country Activities MCC Activities

Preliminary Analysis and Problem Diagnosis

• Establishes Core Team responsible for developing the compact

• Conducts preliminary analyses o constraints to economic growth o social and gender inequality o investment opportunity assessment o natural capital and climate change

• Commences initial public consultations

• Expands compact development team

• Analyzes key root causes of binding constraints

• Defines, develops initial project ideas to address constraints

• Submits Concept Notes

• Assists with and provides feedback on preliminary analyses

• Provides guidance on public consultations and results-focused project design principles and tools

• Supports root cause analysis work

• Commences due diligence and sectoral assessments

• Reviews, approves Concept Notes for further development (summarized in an Opportunity Memo)

Project Development

Joint Tasks that input into a Joint Design Document

• Defines and scopes specific projects and activities

• Builds project logic for proposed Compact

• Identifies intended beneficiaries

• Consults stakeholders on project design

• Conducts feasibility, environmental, climate, resettlement, and other studies Often such technical studies are managed by MCC on behalf of the partner country. In this case, MCC would take the lead on preparing terms of reference, managing the procurement process, and managing the consultant. The country partner would participate in all document reviews, along with relevant stakeholders (e.g., the utility or relevant ministry).

• Measures expected economic impact

• Identifies risks and mitigation measures

• Begins establishing structures needed in implementation

• Approves Compact development funding for feasibility or other studies required to inform project development

• Conducts appraisal of projects/studies

• Provides investment recommendation to MCC senior management

• Once agreed, MCC notifies Congress of its intent to enter compact negotiations

Compact Negotiations and Signing

• Finalizes monitoring and evaluation framework

• Negotiates legal, financial, technical terms of program

• Creates dedicated unit for implementation

• Notifies Congress of intent to negotiate

• Defines budget and commits funding

• Obtains approval of MCC's Board

• Signs agreements

Pre-Entry Into Force (Detailed design and implementation preparation)

• Establishes the Millennium Challenge Account Accountable Entity

• Completes Implementing Entity agreements

• Completes annual budgets and implementation plans

• Procures and initiates/completes detailed design work, Terms of Reference/bidding documents for implementation, and work plans

• Pre-qualifies consultants and Contractors for early implementation procurements

• Assists with and provides feedback on the process

• Provides guidance on formation of accountable entity, staffing, budgets, and work plans

• Reviews, provides input to, and approves Terms of

Reference and bidding documents, environmental, social and resettlement studies, project designs and implementation plans

• Reviews progress towards the satisfaction of Compact conditions precedent.

Implementation and Construction Monitoring

• Procures and manages contracts for implementation contractors, project management and other support consultants, and supervisory engineers

• Coordinates and reports on all implementation efforts and risk management.

• Ensures appropriate communications and engagement of project implementing entities/partners and other stakeholders

• Ensures compliance with all Compact conditions and MCC standards and policies.

• Coordinates commissioning and acceptance of works/taking over in coordination with supervisory engineers and implementing entities

• With support from the supervisory engineers, manages contract retentions, claims, and defects periods defect liability periods (DLP), as well as orderly closeout of all environmental, resettlement, and social activities of the

Compact.

• Monitors all aspects of project implementation, from capacity building and technical assistance to construction, including the monitoring of schedules, cost/budget, quality control, risk management, scope control, and consultant and contractor performance assessment

• reviews efforts to clear rights of way and implement

RAPs prior to the start of construction, and compliance with MCC resettlement policy

• Monitors compliance with MCC environmental, social, health and safety standards (and IFC performance standards, as adopted by MCC)

• Participates in inspections and taking over of completed works

• Evaluates project results and sustainability

• Supports partner country counterparts in learning/implementing best practices in project management.

Compact Closeout

• Manages orderly Compact closeout according to MCC closure guidelines and the approved closure plan.

• Monitor Compact closeout, including any outstanding activity during works contract Defects Liability periods, and contract closeouts or assignment to partner country entities.

• Document Compact achievements and lessons learned.

3 OBJECTIVES

The Energy Practice Group at the MCC is issuing this contract for a Contractor to provide technical support during compact development and implementation in Belize, as needed for the definition and implementation of an energy project. The period of performance (option years) also extends beyond Compact signing into pre-implementation support (before the Compact enters into force) and Compact implementation.

4 SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor will be required to support MCC in working with the GOB and other program stakeholders to conduct additional analysis necessary to understand challenges; develop recommendations to address these challenges; and develop resources and tools (e.g., work plans, terms of reference, budgets, etc.) necessary to operationalize the recommendations for implementation. Some, but not necessarily all, aspects of the work described will be requested of the Contractor. The tasks to be implemented will be defined in Technical Directives drafted during the scope of the assignment. This work is expected to take part in two phases; a base year and option years.

Base Year

During the Base Year of performance MCC will require the Contractor to support Compact development by providing technical advice, opinions and recommendations on activities that will form part of the Compact. This will include meetings with MCC and the GOB to understand existing program concepts focused on addressing root causes to the power sector challenges. The Contractor should establish a clear baseline and understanding of relevant issues through review of existing documentation (laws, policies, technical studies, etc.) and consultations with relevant stakeholders. The Contractor will provide recommendations and guidance to MCC in support of preparation of the final Compact scope, budget, project management approach, and other required elements. The Contractor may also be called on to support MCC during negotiations with the GOB prior to Compact signing including providing recommendations on Conditions Precedent that may be necessary to support success of the Program. This work would be accomplished through a combination of desk work and travel to Belize.

Option Years

MCC may elect to exercise up to four (4) Option Years following the Base Year. During the Option Years of performance, MCC will require the Contractor to provide support in start-up and oversight of the Compact's power sector project. This would include tasks to support MCC in developing work plans and other project management documents; refining and updating terms of reference for consultants hired under the Compact; reviewing and analyzing deliverables and other project documents, analyzing project timelines and risks, assessing progress and making recommendations on project implementation. This work would be accomplished through a combination of desk work and travel to Belize.

4.1 Sector Situation and Program Concept Assessment

MCC has gathered significant data on the power sector in Belize including background documents, studies and information from interviews. The Contractor shall develop an understanding of the power sector context in Belize, including relevant policy, technical, financial, environmental and political factors. The Contractor will also review activities proposed for inclusion in the Compact to develop further understanding for the context and goals of this assignment. The Contractor may be required to undertake, update or analyze situation assessments and make recommendations on power sector activities which may include but are not limited to:

*Sector governance including policy, regulatory, environmental, legal and institutional assessment. Assessment of institutional capacity across government and utility companies

*New resource procurement practices including the full range of analyses; resource planning, bid structure and preparation, contract negotiation and project implementation

*Assessment of the current state of strategies and initiatives for the development of renewable energy resources and/or renewable energy off-sets

*Demand side analyses of energy efficiency technical and economic potential, plus implementation strategies

*Tariff analyses for cost of service, feed-in-tariffs, performance based ratemaking and social or lifeline tariffs

*Sector reform proposals to encourage transparent and competitive outcomes.

*An assessment of the climate resilience planning process which may include.

o climate vulnerability assessments to identify the risks to electric utility assets from the climate change o climate resilience plans to evaluate options to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance system resilience o assess the adequacy of the climate models utilized in future planning scenarios within a forward looking context.

4.2 Project Appraisal and Investment Recommendations

Following initial sector assessment and project reviews, the Contractor shall support MCC in conducting additional project appraisal and preparatory work. The goal of this set of activities is to support MCC in working with the GOB to move from project concepts to investment-ready projects, including detailed activity descriptions, work plans, budgets and initial drafts of terms of reference for Compact consultants. The work under this set of tasks will therefore include a combination of technical analysis, program and activity development, and implementation planning.

To address the causes of high wholesale electricity prices, proposed compact activities include programs to improve governance of the electricity sector and projects to add additional low cost resources. The contractor may be required to provide detailed assessment of the feasibility, practicality, environmental impacts and risks associated with all of these initiatives and propose alternatives where necessary. The proposed initiatives are described below.

Improving electricity sector governance to reduce noncompetitive outcomes.

This component aims to improve the institutional structure of the electricity sector and enhance the capability of MPUELE and the PUC to monitor energy sector operations, design and implement long-term expansion plans, and fulfill other legally proscribed roles to achieve more efficient generation and service in the long term. To achieve this, the following interventions are proposed:

• Provision of capacity-building and information technology systems to allow MPUELE to oversee Integrated Resource Planning activities and to ensure that resource acquisitions align with overall GoB policies. For example, this may include improving:

o load forecasting capabilities o integrated resource and resilience planning o risk analyses for new resource cost drivers o enforcement capacity to ensure alignment between GoB policies and new resource decisions

• Provision of capacity-building and information technology systems to support the PUC to improve:

o The efficiency and transparency of dispatch and other aspects of the system's administration;

o Market rules for the dispatch and acquisition of resources to ensure consistency with legislative requirements and overall GoB energy policy; and o Contracting and use of Cost-of-Service Analysis that informs tariff reviews.

Support the acquisition of new, low-cost supply and demand side resources.

A primary focus of this concept is to support GoB agencies in implementing their utility-scale renewable energy expansion plans in a way that is structured, aligns with the overall goals of the sector, and keeps new resource costs to a minimum. This concept includes several targeted actions:

• Contracting of transaction advisory services to aid the successful tendering and implementation of new IPPs;

• Provision of credit enhancements that reduce the cost of capital for IPPs;

• Facilitating utility-scale renewable energy development by funding feasibility studies and resource assessments for relevant renewable technologies;

• Technical assistance with developing and implementing a set of modernized codes, including a generation code, grid code, and consumer electric code to facilitate the integration of renewable energy;

• Provision of capacity building to efficiently manage a growing proportion of variable renewable energy while maintaining adequate grid flexibility and reliability; and

• Improvement of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, and related operational systems, to allow the utility to manage operational duties efficiently and economically.

Another avenue to displace the reliance on expensive existing generation is to support the GoB in facilitating distributed generation, primarily small-scale solar photovoltaic resources. This component will enable the GoB, businesses, and households to make investments in distributed generation, reduce the need for relatively expensive generation, and provide a secondary source of surplus power through the ability to sell excess generation into the grid.

Specific actions to facilitate distributed generation include:

• Provision of technical assistance in electricity tariff implementation to facilitate distributed generation;

• Credit facilitation targeting households and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the acquisition of distributed generation investments; and

• Lower import tariffs for distributed generation equipment.

An additional component to reduce reliance on existing expensive generation will be to support enhanced energy efficiency and energy conservation among end-users. The sustainable energy strategy includes a number of programs and activities to support the development of the country's energy resources and improve energy efficiency and conservation.

The Belize Development Finance Corporation (BDFC) recently concluded an energy efficiency market analysis and pilot program to develop Energy Service Companies that could provide comprehensive energy savings services to end-users.

Compact activities could build on the work with the BDFC to follow up on recommended actions, including:

• Assessing the viability and effectiveness of financial and market mechanisms to address market failures in the adoption of energy efficiency (EE) measures;

• Promoting EE practices, including EE education, technical standards and training, energy audits, rebates for EE lighting and appliances, and retrofitting public facilities;

• Reducing import duties on EE equipment; and

• Assessing the retail electricity tariff structure for barriers to EE implementation.

4.3 Compact Negotiation, Preparation and Management:

The Contractor may be requested to provide continuing support to MCC during Compact negotiations and preparation of implementation arrangements. This could include providing recommendations to MCC on Conditions Precedent (CPs) for entry into force of the Compact, responding to GOB proposals for changes to program scope, and other tasks required to ensure signature of the Compact agreement. The Contractor may be required to support MCC with tasks prior to entry into force of the Compact including:

• Recommendations on CPs that MCC may want to include in the Compact agreement requiring the GOB or other stakeholders to take critical actions prior to MCC funding being released. Assess progress or compliance with CPs to entry into force through review of documentation or evidence provided by the GOB;

• Inputs to the development of program management tools including recruitment plans and position descriptions, work plans, budgets, reporting templates, communication and coordination plans, etc.;

• Track events in Belize's power sector and prepare periodic updates on sector context including technical, financial or political developments that would impact on plans or assumptions in the Compact.

4.4 Other Duties

Financial and Economic Assessments

The Contractor may be asked to support to the MCC's economic and financial analyses. Tasks may include evaluation for the following:

o electricity energy and peak demand projections o new resource acquisition plans, associated risks and policy implications o the numbers of households and individuals likely to benefit by proposed interventions o climate mitigation and resilience measures o cost of service and retail tariff analyses o impact of policy reforms on demand, supply, prices and consumption behavior

Gender and Social Inclusion

The contractor will be asked to integrate Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) considerations into lines-of-inquiry, whenever feasible, as mandated by MCC's Gender Policy and Gender and Social Inclusion Operational Milestones. For example, in support of monitoring and evaluation, whenever the contractor collects data from individuals, the contractor may be requested to collect additional data relevant to MCC's social inclusion efforts (sex, ethnicity, first language, etc.) and provide analysis on differential impacts on specific subgroups. Likewise, the contractor may be requested to collect such data and/or provide related analyses through the addition of GSI-specific questions to any surveys or questionnaires undertaken. The contractor will be supported in these efforts by—and is encouraged to work closely with—GSI points-of-contact in the BCDT and the MCC. Additional tasks may be added as modules to existing workstreams where feasible, or as stand-alone tasks, including but not limited to assessments of:

• employers in the Belizean energy sector as inclusive and equitable workplaces;

• the policy landscape that dictates how the energy industry should function to leverage GSI-specific challenges that inhibits socially excluded groups contributions to sustained economic growth;

• existing pro-poor/price reduction mechanisms (i.e. lifeline tariffs, social tariffs, shared metering, golden citizen award, financing, etc.) for effectiveness, efficacy and efficiency in terms of: (i) reaching target populations, and (ii) providing significant/meaningful reductions to domestic/household income expenditures on electricity by those populations; and

• inclusion incentivizing mechanisms in the energy sector, in terms of providing opportunities for women-owned and/or excluded groups to participate as entrepreneurs in the energy sector.

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

In coordination with the MCC M&E Specialist, the Contractor may be tasked to help identify the optimal indicators to use for project monitoring and evaluation and assist in establishing corresponding baseline performance metrics and annual/end of compact/post-compact targets.

The Contractor may support MCC to:

• Identify indicators to reliably track/measure progress toward or achievement of the results that the projects are designed to achieve

• Produce targets for key results indicators, as part of project design, or verify the appropriateness of targets set through other technical due diligence;

• Suggest appropriate method and costs of data collection and sources of the data; and

• In the context of due diligence work, identify capacity needs for data collection, quality, and management within the relevant implementing entities and make recommendations for possible improvements.

• Support MCC and the GoB to develop a project logic diagram that links the proposed activities to the project objective. The M&E indicators will then measure the results in the project logic.

Other Tasks

In addition to the support for overseeing and monitoring work on Compact activities described above, the Contractor may be called on to provide technical inputs on specific issues, documents, deliverables or other program activities, including the following items:

• Review and provide comments of technical studies including, but not limited to the National Energy Framework, the Least Cost Plan, a Cost of Service Analysis, Market Rules and Grid Codes;

• Provide recommendations to MCC on structuring sector oversight and coordination mechanisms to improve outcomes in priority reform areas, including but not limited to institutional structures and tools or processes;

• Assess existing challenges with power sector oversight and coordination to understand current practices, gaps and shortcomings, and options to strengthen these functions;

• Develop recommendations on requirements and processes for new supply options, including financing options, timelines, and activities required to support the GOB in adding these new sources of supply; and

• Conduct any additional analysis of requirements to implement activities in identified priority areas, including institutional arrangements, financial resources, technical inputs, enabling policy or legislative framework, and human resource requirements;

• Track relevant developments in Belize's power sector to assess potential impacts or contributions to the Compact objectives

• Provide general technical and/or contractual advice and assistance to MCC related to the activities

• Verify, review, and assess the adequacy of all reports that are provided by the Compact consultants, implementing entities and GOB,

• Make presentations on implementation progress and performance to MCC annually (in Washington, DC) and provide an annual Implementation Review and Performance written report.

4.5 Administrative, Technical and Local Support

The Contractor shall provide sufficient administrative and technical support throughout the term of the activity at rates approved by MCC.

5. Conflict of Interest Notice:

The Contractor and its subcontractor(s) would be precluded from quoting on work and services to be procured by the local MCA accountable entity or using funds advanced under a Compact in the relevant country, unless the Contractor(s) submits a mitigation plan sufficient to ameliorate any conflict of interest pursuant to the rules applicable to the procurement process.

Section D - Packaging and Marking

Clauses incorporated by reference

None

Clauses incorporated by full text

Section D

D.1 PACKAGING & MARKING

The contractor shall ensure the contractor name and contract number are clearly visible on all information submitted to the Contracting Officer Representative, Project Monitor and/or Contracting Officer.

Section E - Inspection and Acceptance Terms

None

Clauses incorporated by reference

None

Clauses incorporated by full text

Incorporated by Reference:

FAR 52.212-4 (a) Inspection/Acceptance

Section F - Delivery or Performance

Line Item: 0001 Period Of Performance Start Date Period Of Performance End Date Period Of Performance Address

7/1/23 6/30/24 MCC Headquarters Millennium Challenge Corporation 1099 Fourteenth Street NW, Suite 700

WASHINGTON DC

US 20005

Line Item: 1001 Period Of Performance Start Date Period Of Performance End Date Period Of Performance Address

7/1/24 6/30/25 MCC Headquarters Millennium Challenge Corporation 1099 Fourteenth Street NW, Suite 700

WASHINGTON DC

US 20005

Line Item: 2001 Period Of Performance Start Date Period Of Performance End Date Period Of Performance Address

7/1/25 6/30/26 MCC Headquarters Millennium Challenge Corporation 1099 Fourteenth Street NW, Suite 700

WASHINGTON DC

US 20005

Line Item: 3001 Period Of Performance Start Date Period Of Performance End Date Period Of Performance Address

7/1/26 6/30/27 MCC Headquarters Millennium Challenge Corporation 1099 Fourteenth Street NW, Suite 700

WASHINGTON DC

US 20005

Line Item: 4001 Period Of Performance Start Date Period Of Performance End Date Period Of Performance Address

7/1/27 6/30/28 MCC Headquarters Millennium Challenge Corporation 1099 Fourteenth Street NW, Suite 700

WASHINGTON DC

US 20005

Clauses incorporated by reference

None

Clauses incorporated by full text

Section F

F.1 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The principal place of performance for this contract will be Washington DC.

Insert Awardee's Physical Location Address Here.

The Contractor may be authorized to work in MCC countries. While performing services in country, the Contractor shall be responsible for arranging temporary office.

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (PoP)

The actual PoP will begin on the date of contract award. The contract will contain one (1) base year period of twelve (12) months; and: four (4) one (1) year option periods of twelve (12) months each, for a total maximum contract PoP of: five (5) years or sixty (60) months.

F3. TECHNICAL DIRECTION

Performance of the work under this commercial services contract, shall be subject to the technical direction of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) / Project Manager (PM). The term "technical direction" is defined to include, without limitation, the following:

(1). Directions to the Contractor, which redirect the contract effort, shift work emphasis between work areas, require the pursuit of certain lines of inquiry, fill in details or otherwise serve to accomplish contractual requirements;

(2). Provision of information to the Contractor, which assists in the interpretation of renderings, specifications or technical portions of the work description; and

(3). Review and, where required by the contract, approval of reports, creative renderings, specifications, materials or technical information to be delivered by the Contractor to MCC under this contract.

Technical direction must be within the general scope of work stated in the contract. The COR/PM does not have the authority to, and may not, issue any technical direction which:

(1). Constitutes the assignment of any additional work outside the general scope of the Task Order;

(2). Constitutes a change as defined in the contract clause entitled, "Changes";

(3). In any manner causes an increase or decrease in the total estimated Purchase Order costs, fixed fee, or time required for the Purchase Order performance; or

(4). Changes any of the express terms, conditions or specifications of the contract.

All technical direction shall be issued in writing by the COR/PM; verbal direction, if necessary, shall be confirmed by the COR/PM in writing within five (5) working days after their issuance, with a copy to the Contracting Officer (CO). The Contractor shall acknowledge acceptance of the technical direction by submitting a letter of acceptance, via email or Fax, to the COR/PM and Contracting Officer.

The technical direction will provide clear and concise instructions on tasks and deliverables requested of the Contractor's team, and designate the MCC technical contact with whom the Contractor should coordinate. The Contractor shall proceed promptly with the performance of technical directions duly issued by the COR/PM in the manner prescribed by this article and within his/her authority under the provisions of this article.

If, in the opinion of the Contractor, any instruction or direction issued by the COR/PM is not within one of the tasks defined above, the Contractor shall not proceed, but shall notify the CO, in writing, within five (5) working days after receipt of any such instruction or direction and shall request the CO to modify the contract accordingly. Upon receiving such notification from the Contractor, the CO shall issue an appropriate Purchase Order modification or advise the Contractor, in writing, that in his/her opinion, the technical direction is within the scope of this article and does not constitute a change under the "Changes" clause of the Purchase Order. The Contractor shall thereupon proceed immediately with the direction given.

F.4 DELIVERABLES

At a minimum, the following deliverables will be required:

(1). Technical advisory support for a range of consulting services in connection with the development, assessment, design, delivery, and operations of infrastructure projects in countries in the process of developing their Compacts.

(2). Analysis of two (2) compact development constraints: Education: Low quality of education has led to shortages of trained professionals; and: Electricity: High cost of electricity drives up input costs for all industries.

(3). Support MCC in working with the GOB and other program stakeholders to conduct additional analysis necessary to understand challenges; develop recommendations to address these challenges; and develop resources and tools (e.g., work plans, terms of reference, budgets, etc.) necessary to operationalize the recommendations for implementation.

(4). Provide technical support during compact development…