RFP 525-P-10-005 CommunityYouthAtRisk.pdf

Programa Regional para Centroamérica y México (E-CAM) Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID) Embajada de los Estados Unidos de América www.usaid.gov/sv

December 15, 2009

Subject: Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 525-P-10-005 Program Name: Community Youth at Risk Program (CYAR) Questions due: January 4, 2010 Answers to questions: January 12, 2010 Proposals due date & time: January 28, 2010 3:00pm El Salvador local time

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) El Salvador/Regional Office of Acquisition & Assistance and in conjunction with USAID/Panama, intends to award a contract for the Community Youth at Risk program in Panama.

You are invited to submit a proposal in accordance with the requirements of the RFP. This procurement shall be conducted through full and open competition, under which any type of organization (large or small commercial [for profit] firms, educational institutions, non-profit organizations) is eligible to compete. The procedures set forth in FAR Part 15 shall apply. The Government anticipates an award of approximately $7.5-$9.9 million contract inclusive of a three year base period and two year option period; however, the Government is in no way obligated to make an award within the above range. Cost proposals shall be evaluated as a part of a Best Value determination for contract award.

In lieu of a pre-proposal conference, written questions and requests for clarifications may be submitted to cyar@usaid.gov no later than January 4, 2010.

Offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation, which includes the closing date and time, all pertinent contract requirements, and the conditions and instructions required for submitting a proposal.

Sincerely, David Brown Supervisory Regional Contracting Officer

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER RATING PAGE OF PAGES

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED 6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

9. E-mail offers for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at cyar@usaid.gov until 3:00pm (El Salvador local time) on January 28, 2010

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All Offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

A. NAME B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS) C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

AREA CODE NUMBER EXT.

(X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM I CONTRACT CLAUSES

B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

D PACKAGING AND MARKING PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA L INSTR., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

K

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within ___ 180 days_____ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT 10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 20 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) CALENDAR DAYS (%)

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8)

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated:

CODE FACILITY

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

(Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER 17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AREA CODE NUMBER EXT.

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS IS DIFFERENT FROM

ABOVE - ENTER SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: 23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN ITEM (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

10 U.S.C. 2304(a) ( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c) ( )

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BYCODE CODE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD DATE

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

(REV. 9-97)

10. FOR INFORMATION CALL:

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

STANDARD FORM 33

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

SOLICITATION

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

1 N/A 88

525-P-10-005 X

12/15/2009

USAID/EL SALVADOR

Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance (ROAA) 3450 San Salvador Place Washington, D.C. 20521-3450 cyar@usaid.gov

See Attached Table of Contents pages 1-3

X

X 4-7

X 8-25

X 26-27

X 28

X 29-34

X 35-38

X 39-46

X 47-57

X 58

X 59-64

X 65-81

X 82-88

RFP 525-P-10-005 SECTION A

Table of Contents Page

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

B.4 LINE ITEMS

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS (DEC 1997)

B.6 CEILING ON INDIRECT COST RATES (DEC 1997)

B.7 COST REIMBURSABLE

B.8 FIXED FEE

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 BRANDING POLICY & COMMUNICATION POLICY

D.2 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY FOR CYAR ACTIVITY

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.3 MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

F.4 REPORTS

F.5 MONITORING AND EVALUATION

F.6 PERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS

F.7 KEY PERSONNEL

F.8 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE DOCUMENTS 33

F.9 REPORT ON NON-EXPENDABLE PROPERTY

F.10 USAID PROPERTY IN THE CUSTODY OF CONTRACTORS

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998)

G.2 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

G.3 TECHNICAL DIRECTION

G.4 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.5 PAYING OFFICE

G.6 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

G.7 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

G.8 CONTRACTOR’S PAYMENT ADDRESS

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 AIDAR 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND NOTIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS

H.2 AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JUL 1997)

H.3 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES 39

H.4 AIDAR 752.7027 PERSONNEL (DEC 1990)

H.5 AIDAR 752.225-70 SOURCE, ORIGIN AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS (FEB

1997)

H.6 INSURANCE AND SERVICES

H.7 AIDAR 752.228-70 MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES, (JUL 2007).. 42

H.8 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.9 NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES AND INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

H.10 LOGISTIC SUPPORT

H.11 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.12 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN AND THE SF 294 – SUBCONTRACTING REPORT FOR

INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS AND SF 295 – SUMMARY CONTRACTING REPORT

H.13 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING

H.14 REPORTING ON TAXATION OF US FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

H.15 PROHIBITION AND ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKING

H.16 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACTS

H.17 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JULY 2007)

H.18 CONFIDENTIALITY AND OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERT

H.19 USAID DISABILITY POLICY ACQUISITION (DECEMBER 2004)……………

H.20 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION…………

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.2 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

I.3 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

I.4 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

I.5 52.227-23 RIGHTS TO PROPOSAL DATA(TECHNICAL) (JUN 1987)

I.6 52.245-70 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY-USAID REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

I.7 AIDAR 752.225-71 LOCAL PROCUREMENT (FEB 1997)

I.8 52.203-8 CANCELLATION, RESCISSION, AND RECOVERY OF FUNDS FOR

ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER ACTIVITY (JAN 1997)

I.9 NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES (APR 1984)

I.10 52.229-8 TAXES – FOREIGN COST-REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS (MAR 1990) 54

I.11 52.228-3WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEFENSE BASE ACT) (APR

1984)

I.12 AIDAR 752.228-3 WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEFENSE BASE ACT) 55

I.13 AIDAR 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND NOTIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS

I.14 USAID MENTOR-PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM (JULY 2007)

I.15 MENTOR REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION (JULY 2007)

I.16 AIDAR 752.7019 PARTICIPANT TRAINING (JAN 1999)

I.17 VOLUNTARY POPULATION PLANNING ACTIVITIES (JUNE 2008)

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS

OF OFFERORS

K.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (FEB 2009)

K.3 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION

(JUN 2008)

K.4 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE—COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES

(APR 2005)

K.5 INSURANCE - IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY

K.6 SIGNATURE

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 65

L.2 52.215-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION (JAN 2004)65

L.3 TYPE OF CONTRACT(APR 1984)

L.4 SERVICE OF PROTEST (AUG 1996)

L.5 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.6 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL.. 76

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.2 EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.3 EVALUATION SYSTEM

M.4 COST PROPOSAL EVALUATION

M.5 DETERMINATION OF THE COMPETITIVE RANGE AND CONTRACT AWARD

M.6 CONTRACTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND DISADVANTAGED

ENTERPRISES

ANNEX 1 – BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

ANNEX 2 – RESULT 4: WEB-BASED KNOWLEDGE PLATFORM IS OPERATIONAL

FACILITATING WIDE INFORMATION SHARING AND STRENGTHENED MULTI-

SECTORAL COORDINATION

ANNEX 3 – REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

ATTACHMENT 4 – IDENTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL GEOGRAPHIC CODE NUMBERS

ATTACHMENT 5 – USAID FORM 1420-17 - CONTRACTOR BIOGRAPHICAL DATA SHEET

ATTACHMENT 6 – SF LLL - DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

ATTACHMENT 7 – CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT (Short Form)

ATTACHMENT 8 – CERTIFICATE OF CURRENT COST OR PRICING DATA

RFP 525-P-10-005 SECTION B

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of the Community Youth at Risk Program (CYAR) is to strengthen the capacity of at-risk-youth communities to effectively respond to and mitigate youth involvement in crime, violence and gangs.

To strengthen communities, activities will be co-created by the youth, community leaders (actual and perceived), non-governmental actors, public servants and the private sector to promote positive youth development and practical alternatives to violence and crime, thereby contributing to improved citizen security and community safety.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

The Government contemplates award of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) completion contract resulting from this solicitation.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

(a) Base Period of Performance

(1) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is __________. The fixed fee, if any, is ________. The estimated cost plus fixed fee, if any, is

(2) Within the estimated cost plus fixed fee (if any) specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is __________. The Contractor shall not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount.

(b) Option Period of Performance

(1) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fee(s), if any, for the option period is __________. The base fee, if any, is ________ and the possible award fee, if any, is _________. The estimated cost plus all possible fees, if any, is __________.

(2) Within the estimated cost plus all possible fees (if any) specified in paragraph (b)(1) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is $0. The Contractor shall not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount.

(c) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through ____________.

B.4 LINE ITEMS

The Total Estimated Cost of this contract is $xxxx (inclusive of base and option period.) The estimated costs for the base period is $xxxxx. The estimated costs for the option periods is $xxx.

The summary budget for the base period is as follows:

Direct Labor $__________ Other Direct Costs* $__________ Indirect Costs $__________ Fixed Fee $__________ Total Estimated Cost plus Fixed Fee $__________

* Other Direct Costs include: xxxx

NOTE: The Contractor will not be paid any sum in excess of the ceiling price. The only person authorized to commit or obligate additional funds is the Contracting Officer. Incurrence of costs in excess of the total amount obligated based on directions received from any individual other than the Contracting Officer and without prior Contracting Officer’s approval, shall not be reimbursed to the Contractor.

The summary budget for the option period is as follows:

Direct Labor $__________ Other Direct Costs* $__________ Indirect Costs $__________ Grants Fund $ 350,000__ Fixed Fee $__________ Total Estimated Cost plus Fixed Fee $__________

The total estimated costs inclusive of Based and Option Period, if exercised, is as follows:

Direct Labor $__________ Other Direct Costs* $__________ Indirect Costs $__________ Grants Fund $__________ Fixed Fee $__________ Total Estimated Cost plus Fixed Fee $__________

LIMITATION OF FUNDS

The ceiling price of this contract is $xxxx. In accordance with FAR clause 52.232-22, funds currently obligated under this contract are limited to $xxxxx. The contractor is not authorized to incur expenses in excess of $xxxx and shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing whenever it has reason to believe that the costs it expects to incur under this contract in the next 60 days, or when added to all costs previously incurred will exceed 75% of the total obligated amount.

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS (DEC 1997)

For the Prime Contractor:

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs shall be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD 1/ 1/ 1/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Predetermined Period:

For Major Subcontractor(s):

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs shall be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD 1/ 1/ 1/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Predetermined Period:

“Major Subcontractors” are those subcontractors whose proposed cost exceeds $1,000,000. .

B.6 CEILING ON INDIRECT COSTS

For the Prime Contractor:

(1) Reimbursement for indirect costs shall be at the lower of the negotiated final rates or the following ceiling rates:

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD 1/ 1/ 1/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Predetermined Period:

(2) The Government will not be obligated to pay any additional amount should the final indirect cost rates exceed the negotiated ceiling rates. If the final indirect cost rates are less than the negotiated ceiling rates, the negotiated rates will be reduced to conform with the lower rates.

(3) This understanding shall not change any monetary ceiling, obligation, or specific cost allowance or disallowance. Any changes in classifying or allocating indirect costs requires the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

For the Major Subcontractor(s):

(4) Reimbursement for indirect costs shall be at the lower of the negotiated final rates or the following ceiling rates:

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD 1/ 1/ 1/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Predetermined Period:

(5) The Government will not be obligated to pay any additional amount should the final indirect cost rates exceed the negotiated ceiling rates. If the final indirect cost rates are less than the negotiated ceiling rates, the negotiated rates will be reduced to conform with the lower rates.

(6) This understanding shall not change any monetary ceiling, obligation, or specific cost allowance or disallowance. Any changes in classifying or allocating indirect costs requires the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

B.7 COST REIMBURSABLE

The U.S. dollar costs allowable shall be limited to reasonable, allocable and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment, FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003, Documentation for Payment.

B.8 FIXED FEE

Payment of fee shall be made in proportion to the LOE delivered. In the event the Contractor has not expended the total level of effort at the expiration of the contract period, the amount of fee owed to the Contractor will correspond to the percentage of total level of effort expended during the contract period of performance. For example, if the Contractor has expended 85% of the total level of effort, then the Contractor is entitled to 85% of the fixed fee amount, provided that the performance has been satisfactory.

[END OF SECTION B]

RFP 525-P-10-005 SECTION C

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 BACKGROUND

a. Introduction Citizen security and stability in Panama is a critical concern for the hemisphere, particularly given Panama’s unique positioning. Panama is the region’s key transit hub linking South and Central America by land, and joining the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans by the Panama Canal. Enabling the efficient flow of goods and services, while simultaneously reducing illegitimate trafficking, is critical to the security of the United States and the hemisphere.

In recent years, Panama has experienced an unprecedented period of economic prosperity and is poised for continued, albeit more moderated, growth. Paradoxically, the rise in per capita income has been accompanied by marked increases in crime and violence, particularly in the highly populated urban areas.

There is widespread agreement that the increased crime rates are fueled in part by an escalation of the drug trade between Colombia, the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, because an overwhelming majority of crime victims and perpetrators are under the age of 25, young people and gangs are also contributing significantly to increased crime rates.

b. Defining the Problem Crime and violence are on the rise in Panama, particularly in urban areas like Panama City and Colon, which recently recorded homicide rates of 33 and 27 per 100,000 residents, respectively. Panamanians are increasingly preoccupied with citizen security and recently identified crime as the top concern in the country (America’s Barometer, 2008). Fearful of the influence of the Mexican drug cartels and Central American transnational gangs to the north and the Colombian drug cartels and de-mobilizing guerillas to the south, Panamanians are acutely aware of their susceptibility to criminal elements. They perceive themselves as being “squeezed” between Mexico and Colombia.

While Panama is considered a mid-high income country, extreme inequality exists in both urban and rural areas which mark a stark contrast to the economic prosperity seen in commercial zones in the country.

Income inequality is coupled with social exclusion and educational and employment opportunities are extremely limited in marginalized urban areas and indigenous regions.

Like many of its Central American neighbors, Panama has a large youth cohort with nearly one quarter of the population between the ages of 15 and 29. Some 15.4% of youth neither work nor attend school, making them particularly vulnerable to involvement in gangs, international narcotics trafficking and organized crime. Young people play an essential role in Panama’s development, but a subset of the country’s youth face individual, family and social conditions that hinder their positive development and transition to adulthood. These youth are offered fewer opportunities to successfully integrate into society as productive citizens, further exacerbating inequality, poverty, and much of the crime and violence that plagues many communities in Panama. They have a greater propensity to engage in school absenteeism, unhealthy sexuality, substance abuse, delinquency, gang and organized crime activity, violence, and disproportionately experience chronic employment, victimization, incarceration, and social exclusion.

Youth are also overwhelming the victims of crime—54% of the all homicide victims are between 15 and 29 years of age, with youth ages 18-19 years representing an alarming 24%.

Options for youth-at-risk are inadequate. At a community level the limited access to quality education, a dearth of recreational and employment opportunities, negative peer and adult relationships and disorganized, crime-affected neighborhoods increase youths’ risk of negative social outcomes. The country has a well established array of governmental and non-governmental actors, including a strong private sector, which could contribute to improved outcomes for youth. However, a number of factors limit the capacity to effectively address risk factors affecting youth. Existing networks are ill-equipped to promote the development of articulated “wrap-around” services, mitigate the effects of social policies that maintain socioeconomic inequalities, advocate effectively for reforms in the judicial and social service systems, and engage in quality community policing efforts.

Urban Centers: An area of rising concern in Panama is youth gang activity. According to a recent survey undertaken by the Ministry of Social Development (MIDES), there are roughly 108 gangs in Panama with an estimated 2,000 members that operate in and around the major urban centers of Colon, Panama City, San Miguelito, and David. Panamanian youth gangs are involved in street level drug dealing, assaults, robberies, and homicides, but at this point their actual impact on national rates for crime and violence is pure speculation. In contrast to Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to the north, the majority of youth gangs in Panama are in relatively early stages of development, are largely a neighborhood-oriented phenomenon with limited adult involvement, and lack criminal sophistication or linkages to organized crime and/or corrupt public officials.

Darien Region: The Darien is a vast area bordering Colombia characterized by small and geographically dispersed indigenous and Afro-Panamanian communities, the majority of which are accessible only by boat on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts and by canoe in the interior. The region is socially and politically isolated and economically marginalized. These factors contribute to high levels of community and intra-familial violence; increasing youth involvement in substance abuse, drug related criminal activities, and gangs; and cultural destabilization due to increased migration of young people to urban areas. Additionally, violent conflict between Colombian and Mexican cartels for control over narcotics trafficking routes and the presence of demobilizing guerillas and displaced persons from Colombia further exacerbate this situation. Taken together, these variables create a volatile situation that requires integrated, comprehensive responses from the development and law enforcement sectors. However, development efforts in the region are relatively nascent, and law enforcement efforts are militaristic and focused on narcotics trafficking and Columbian guerillas with virtually no involvement with other sectors or emphasis on community or youth-oriented policing.

c. Overall Program Vision and Priorities USAID/Panama seeks to prevent youth from becoming involved in gangs or other serious criminal activities while supporting greater coordination between the government, civil society, and private sector entities to promote alternatives for youth. The end result will be greater citizen security and community safety. The Community Youth-at-Risk (CYAR) program will take advantage of the significant resources in Panama in order to prevent further deterioration of the security situation. It builds upon the work of key government counterparts, notably MIDES and the Panamanian National Police (PNP), in order to provide improved and coordinated multi-sectoral responses, while engaging a network of leading private sector entities and community groups to take a proactive role in providing expanded alternatives for young people. Simultaneously, the CYAR program will foster community demand for improved services from government entities. The program envisions the empowerment of the community as initiator, key coordinator and stimulator that will address and guide the activities from a community-based perspective.

Ultimately, this program will be by the community, for the community, and in the community, thereby promoting sustainability of the overall goal of the program.

The priority target group for the program will be youth-at-risk in selected municipalities, localized areas (corregimientos) and neighborhoods in and around Panama Metro, Panama Oeste, San Miguelito, Colon City and David with limited initial activities in the Darien region in a staged implementation plan.

Participation of local organizations is a high priority, which is expected to minimize administrative support costs for managing the program in order to maximize the funds available for program activities while increasing local capacity. Public-private partnerships and alliances to leverage private sector resources to expand implementation and increase the sustainability of the activities will also be a main concern of the CYAR program.

d. Linkages to USAID and USG Strategic Goals in Panama Framed by the USAID Regional Strategy for Central America and Mexico (CAM) 2003 – 2008, the USAID/Panama Country Plan seeks to achieve results in strengthening the rule of law and promoting greater transparency and accountability with activities explicitly emphasizing the role of civil society organizations. The CAM Regional Strategy has been extended until a new Country Assistance Strategy is developed for all U.S. Government (USG) foreign assistance provided to Panama.

USAID has a lead role in supporting the goals of the Merida Initiative which was launched in 2007. The purpose of the Merida Initiative is to provide assistance to the governments of Mexico and Central America to improve citizen security and to break the power and impunity of criminal organizations, enhance the capacity of justice institutions and law enforcement forces, reduce the demand for drugs, and prevent the spread of youth gangs. USAID/Panama’s Community Youth at Risk (CYAR) program is specifically designed as a part of Merida implementation in Central America, which comprises a community action fund, community crime and gang prevention programs, and community-policing activities. The CYAR program contains two components: first, the Activity Description as described below, and second, activities directly implemented or coordinated by USAID/Panama. The Offeror will be expected to closely coordinate their Activities with USAID/Panama to ensure appropriate integration and synchronicity.

e. Other USG Programs, Donors, and Counterparts USAID/Panama will give close oversight to CYAR implementers to ensure the activities are consistent with the broader U.S. Government foreign assistance goals and specifically the objectives of the Merida Initiative. Through the USAID mission, the Contractor will coordinate its work with community policing activities implemented by Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), education activities implemented by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) providing scholarships and grants to disadvantaged youth, and the activities in Darien funded under Section 1207 of the National Defense Authorization Act. Through contacts with USAID youth-at-risk programs in CAM and other regions, CYAR partners will share information and best practices.

To avoid potential overlap or duplication of efforts, the Contractor will coordinate planning and activities with key government counterparts as well as NGO’s and private sector. Other donors supporting related activities include the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the International Red Cross.

The primary national government counterparts are the Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) and the Ministry of Government and Justice (MOGJ), more specifically the Panamanian National Police (PNP).

In addition, there are a variety of other government counterparts that will be engaged in certain aspects of the CYAR program including the Social Cabinet (Ministries of Health and Education), the National Institute of Professional Training (INADEH), the National Tourism Bureau (APT) and other local government authorities.

In addition to government counterparts, the program will work closely with community service organizations and non-governmental organizations that engage both in service provision for youth-at-risk but also broader networking and advocacy objectives. Finally, the CYAR program will proactively involve the private sector, including domestic and international companies, the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce, all of which are keen to engage on youth at risk issues. The private sector is instrumental in building broader support (particularly through improved media coverage) and expanded opportunities for youth-at-risk.

As mentioned above, the Offeror and USAID/Panama will coordinate efforts to achieve the CYAR program objectives with all stakeholders and partners.

f. Geographic Focus and Selection of Communities CYAR program activities will focus on priority urban areas with high crime and violence and significant numbers of youth-at-risk. In addition, the CYAR will initiate limited activities in the rural Darien region as part of a staged approach for future work in the region. Within target geographic areas, the program will include a strategic mix of actions at all levels ranging from the local (municipality/corregimiento/neighborhood) to the sectoral level (civil society, including the private sector), and including national level interventions, as appropriate. Annex 1 provides further details on the geographic intervention areas.

USAID/Panama has tentatively identified target geographic areas for planning and budgeting purposes.

The Contractor will be expected to propose specific communities as part of its analysis and technical offer. The definition of “communities” will include municipalities, “corregimientos” or neighborhoods.

Illustrative communities include those in Panama Metro (El Chorrillo, Curundu, Santa Ana), San Miguelito (Belisario Frias, Amelia Denis de Icaza, Omar Torrijos), Panama Oeste (Chorrera, Arraijan), Colon City (Barrio Norte, Barrio Sur), the provinces of Chiriqui (David) and Darien (Meteti, Garachine, La Palma, Jaque, Santa Fe and Yaviza). The final selection of target communities will be approved by USAID/Panama.

C.2 OBJECTIVE

The objective is to strengthen the capacity of at-risk-youth communities to effectively respond to and mitigate youth involvement in crime, violence and gangs.

To strengthen communities, activities will be co-created by the youth, community leaders (actual and perceived), non-governmental actors, public servants and the private sector to promote positive youth development and practical alternatives to violence and crime, thereby contributing to improved citizen security and community safety.

C.3 STATEMENT OF WORK

Results, Performance Requirements, and Standards

This section sets out the program goal and expected results under the contract. For each result below the goal level, performance requirements (expected outcomes and required results of the Contractor’s performance) and minimum performance standards that the Contractor must meet, are stated. As part of its technical proposal, the Offeror shall propose a full set of quantifiable indicators for each result including baselines, provisional targets, and data sources. Mandatory minimum indicators are also listed for each result. USAID/Panama has defined the indicators at the Program Goal level.

The Contractor will propose specific technical approaches and illustrative activities to achieve the expected results. USAID/Panama is looking for the most cost effective, innovative and sustainable approaches, and activities that can easily be replicated in additional communities.

Program Goal: Citizen security and community safety is improved through USG-assisted youth-at-risk development and gang prevention activities in target municipalities, corregimientos, and neighborhoods.

Program Goal Summary: Studies show that law enforcement solutions alone cannot resolve the gang problem. USAID/Panama will employ a two-prong approach to achieving the program goal. First, the CYAR program will focus on youth development and prevention activities that address the root causes of youth involvement in crime and gangs. The program will address the needs of youth across the range from young people who face risk factors in their lives but who have not yet engaged in risky behavior (Type I), young people who engage in risky behavior but have not yet suffered negative consequences (Type II), and to young people who are experiencing severe negative consequences as a result of risky behavior (Type III). In some cases, youth in the Type III group may be better served by rehabilitation programs rather than the prevention and development activities envisioned under the CYAR program.

Second, the CYAR program will improve sectoral capacity to provide coordinated and comprehensive responses for youth-at-risk. By creating partnerships with key counterparts in the Government of Panama, local government entities, NGO’s, private sector actors and international cooperation organizations. This assistance will help to deter youths from joining gangs and committing crimes, thus reducing the incidence of crime and increasing citizen security in targeted urban and rural areas.

Program Goal Indicator 1: Percentage of residents in target municipalities, corregimientos, or neighborhoods who report that they feel “very safe” or “somewhat safe” in their community

The AmericasBarometer, a survey of democratic public opinion and behavior that includes Panama, will be one of the tools used to measure achievement of the program goal. The AmericasBarometer core survey includes a number of crime and security-related questions relevant to the objectives of the Merida Initiative. National-level data available since 2004 will be analyzed to establish community baseline values. The CYAR program does not presume to impact national-level data, thus annual targets will be set and results measured at the community level by special municipal sampling under the AmericasBarometer and possibly through case studies.

Since other USAID and USG programs may be operating in the target communities, the Program Goal statement encompasses the impact of all USG assistance. The Contractor will not be required to track this specific indicator; however, on an annual USG fiscal year basis the Contractor must estimate how by meeting the performance standards and achieving lower level results, it has contributed to the Program Goal impact.

Program Goal Indicator 2: Number of communities assisted in crime prevention with USG support

Program Goal Indicator 3: Number of communities with joint police-citizen groups actively operating to reduce crime activity

These are standard indicators related to the USG Foreign Assistance Framework and are recommended common indicators for the Merida Initiative. Crime prevention programs may include community-policing, educational activities on the dangers of gangs, engaging youth and vulnerable populations to reduce their risk of victimization or involvement in criminal activities, and improving services in marginalized areas. For both indicators, the Contractor will be required to track the number of communities in which CYAR program activities are being implemented. The definition of “communities” includes municipalities, corregimientos or neighborhoods. While USAID/Panama has defined the general geographic areas, the Contractor shall propose a recommended set of communities to target based on its analysis of the level of risk at youth in those communities, the gap in services provided, and the estimated potential impact of USAID-supported prevention activities on improving citizen security. The Contractor’s projected annual fiscal year targets for number of communities assisted in crime prevention, and number of communities with joint police-citizen groups, must be both ambitious and reasonable given the scope of the CYAR program.

Besides the measurement tools mentioned, the achievement of all USAID Merida Initiative Programs in Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama will be measured with an Impact Evaluation Methodology designed by Vanderbilt University.

The selection of the municipalities and communities to be financed under the Merida Initiative will have to meet specific selection criteria. There will be target or treatment communities (specific communities where the Merida Initiative components will be implemented) and the comparison or control communities (communities that satisfy the selection criteria, but where no components of the Merida Initiative will be executed). Two of the main already identified criteria to be used in the selection of the potential treatment communities will be of high poverty and at risk communities. In lieu of the necessary and appropriate poverty and crime data at the sub-municipal level, special efforts will be made to identify the “at risk communities,” or Zonas Rojas, in the targeted municipalities. Consideration should also be made for USG and GOP (Government of Panama) priorities. Within the areas that satisfy the selection criteria and that are priority areas, a number of communities will be randomly selected as the treatment communities, and a number of control communities will be identified for purpose of the impact evaluation. Random selection of both the treatment and control communities is important because it will allow USAID to scientifically measure the impact of the Merida Initiative by comparing treatment sites to non-treated communities, and make conclusions about the impact of USAID interventions. Vanderbilt University will be the independent sub-contractor to implement the scientifically-based impact evaluation of the Merida Initiative.

The Contractor, in close consultation with USAID and with the Vanderbilt University Evaluation team, will develop specific and objective performance and outcome measures that meet USAID/Panama assistance objectives and Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). The Vanderbilt Team will collect outcome indicators, but the Contractor is responsible to collect the necessary input and output data required for monitoring progress and reporting in operational plan. The Vanderbilt Team will carry out a baseline survey and will share the results with the Contractor which may help shape the Monitoring and Evaluating plan and the project design. There will be a mid-term review of the Merida Initiative by the Vanderbilt team and a final data collection and impact evaluation post implementation. Please note, that the impact evaluation being conducted by Vanderbilt University is in addition to the Contractor’s M/E plan, and that appropriate communication is expected between the Contractor and the Vanderbilt University Evaluation team.

Under the two main objectives of this Community Youth at Risk Program, the Contractor will directly implement the following three (3) Results working in close coordination with USAID/Panama.

Result 1: Opportunities for youth at risk in target geographic areas expanded.

Summary of Result 1: While the Panamanian government is relatively well positioned to address the needs of its large youth population, efforts have been hampered by various limitations, such as lack of secondary and technical education prospects, scarce recreation and after-school facilities, high levels of unemployment and underemployment, insufficiently developed child, youth and family health and social welfare institutions, and high levels of social exclusion. In the most vulnerable target geographic areas, service provision is particularly sparse as it is difficult to attract and maintain professional providers (i.e.

teachers and health care workers) and mobility within the communities is often limited by turf battles.

Youth-at-risk must have access to increased opportunities within their neighborhoods, which engage them in positive and productive behavior and offer an alternative to criminal activity. This aspect of the program will require significant local expertise, established linkages with multiple stakeholders, and a rapid start-up period.

The Contractor, closely coordinating with USAID/Panama’s CYAR Program under direct implementation, will engage with five key sectors: (1) Government entities; (2) NGO’s of all types, especially civil society and faith based organizations; (3) International cooperation organizations; (4) Private sector, including media; and (5) Community and youth-oriented policing initiatives.

Result 1 Mandatory Indicators:

Number of youth-at-risk participating in positive youth development programs supported by the CYAR program in target commmunities – disaggregated by gender, urban/rural, and program type

Number of youth peer leaders trained under the CYAR program supporting and multiplying positive youth and community development activities in the target communities – disaggregated by gender and urban/rural

Number of new, local youth crime and gang prevention strategies, programs and activities developed and implemented with involvement of organizations from one or more of the five key sectors, with CYAR assistance.

Performance Requirement 1.1: Enhanced community and organizational capacity to increase opportunities for vulnerable youth in target communities.

Performance Standards, at a minimum:

1.1.1 Local assessments completed to improve community youth-at-risk planning and activities in target communities, including a community demographic, a risk profile of children and youth in each of the target communities (with MIDES collaboration); and an inventory of existing youth development opportunities including gaps in existing services completed;

1.1.2 Individual community outreach strategies with wide participation and youth leadership designed and implemented;

1.1.3 Community members identified, trained and organized on the use of accepted best practices in youth development planning and comprehensive crime and gang prevention activities; and

1.1.4 Youth development plans and prevention activities promoted to potential partners and funding sources.

Performance Requirement 1.2: Expanded role of education sector in crime/violence prevention, with a focus on schools in target geographic areas.

Performance Standards, at a minimum:

1.2.1 Education sector leaders are identified and trained to develop effective crime/violence prevention strategies;

1.2.2 School youth violence prevention plans are designed and effectively implemented;

1.2.3 An exchange program with successful regional models on addressing violence prevention in schools is established for key education and youth leaders.

Performance Requirement 1.3: Enriched out of school time (OST) youth development activities developed to foster participation among youth at risk in target communities.

Performance Standards, at a minimum

1.3.1 OST youth development and recreation activities established or expanded in target communities, with support from public-private alliances or the private sector, and with service referral linkages between schools and/or other community OST programs;

1.3.2 School and community providers, parents and community volunteers trained in best practices in OST youth programming;

1.3.3 Best practices in incentive programming introduced to motivate youth participants; private sector resources to support pilot incentive programs obtained; and best practices disseminated among partner organizations.

Performance Requirement 1.4: Youth engagement in community service and leadership activities is increased in target communities.

1.4.1 Youth leadership training and civic participation training provided to increase youth involvement and commitment to community service; youth leadership/promoter certification process established;

1.4.2 Youth participation mechanisms developed to increase community service in target communities and outreach into other high-risk areas; provide seed funding for select youth-led community service activities (possibly through micro-grants).

Performance Requirement 1.5: Job Skill Training, linkages and employment for youth are increased in target communities.

Performance Standards, at a minimum

1.5.1 Sustainable, demand-driven job skills training for youth ages 15-24 years established or expanded in target areas; linkages between job skills training services (such as INADEH) and organizations serving youth at risk in target communities established; life skills and employment training implemented taking into account gender differences and level of risk for youth;

1.5.2 Market-driven job generation for youth-at-risk in target communities increased through the design and implementation of innovative partnerships with the private sector; human resource and youth support service personnel trained on ways to increase youth employment retention, taking into account gender differences.

Result 2: Expanded opportunities for vulnerable youth in Darien region.

Summary of Result 2: A number of interrelated factors contribute to increased risk to youth in the Darien region. The vast majority of children and adolescents do not attend or complete school, there is a dearth of locally-based economic opportunities, levels of domestic violence and child abuse are high, and over the past five years youth have become increasingly involved in substance abuse, delinquency, gangs and violence. Young people are migrating to cities in growing numbers to pursue economic opportunities and a more cosmopolitan lifestyle, which results in a disconnection from traditional culture and exposure to urban risk factors (i.e., drugs, delinquency, and gangs), the effects of which they bring back with them when they return to their traditional communities. The traditional family structure and lifestyle remain largely intact but parents and community leaders lack the capacity to respond effectively to these variables.

The unique cultural-geographical context (i.e., largely indigenous populations living in remote, widely dispersed communities, the majority of which are accessible only by boat and canoe), particular external variables affecting the region (i.e., transnational narcotics trafficking and its associated violence, the presence of demobilizing guerillas and other displaced persons from Colombia), and relative lack of institutional presence and normalized (i.e., non-militarized) policing within the region make it necessary to develop and implement strategies and approaches that differ significantly from those employed within targeted urban communities. Radio programming has been identified as one approach to achieving the result.

Result 2 Mandatory Indicators:

Number of Darien youth at risk participating in new positive youth development radio programming supported by the CYAR program

Number of Darien youth reached with positive youth development radio programming

Performance Requirement 2.1: Youth engagement in community media and leadership activities increased in the Darien region:

2.1.1 Rapid assessment of entertainment and educational radio programming completed to support improved community youth-at-risk activities and new radio programming in target Darien communities;

2.1.2 Youth leadership and civic preparation training programs, tools, and mechanisms implemented to increase youth media engagement and community service in target rural areas;

2.1.3 Seed funding (possibly through micro-grants) provided for select community radio education activities;

2.1.4 New radio programming geared toward youth at risk designed and delivered in conjunction with youth leaders.

Result 3: Improved sectoral capacity for coordinated and comprehensive responses to the needs of youth at risk.

Summary of Result 3: The programmatic focus of this result will be to mitigate individual and environmental risk factors most strongly associated with youth involvement in criminality and gangs by promoting effective and coordinated action by governmental and non-governmental actions.

Comprehensive and coordinated initiatives targeting youth at risk will necessarily involve a multitude of actors and institutions --both national and local government…