Final_RFP_SERA.pdf

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

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER 674-11-23 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED Feb. 10, 2011

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. Sealed offers in original and ______Six _______ copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if hand carried, in the depository located in 4:00 p.m.(COB Pretoria)

(Hour) (Date) 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 I

B PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

C J

D PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E

F

G L

H M

K 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 ________ 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 (Must be fully completed by offeror)

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

N/A 1

X

See Attached Table of Contents

Martin Fischer +27-12-452-2171 mafischer@usaid.gov

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 1

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS 2

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT 15

PACKAGING AND MARKING 1

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 1

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 4

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 5

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 13

CONTRACT CLAUSES 12

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1

INSTR., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 18

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 6

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER 9

U.S. Agency for International Development/ Southern Africa Office of Acquisition and Assistance 100 Totius Street Pretoria, South Africa

U.S. Agency for International Development/ Southern Africa Office of Acquisition and Assistance 100 Totius Street Pretoria, South Africa

USAID/Southern Africa

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS ............................. B-1

B.1 PURPOSE ..................................................................................................... B-1

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE ...................................................................................... B-1

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT ......... B-1

B.4 CONTRACT LINE ITEM NUMBERS ....................................................... B-1

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS ...................................................................................... B-1

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE ........................................................................ B-2

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE .................................................................... B-2

SECTION C- STATEMENT OF WORK ................................................................... C-1

C.1 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................... C-1

C.2 BACKGROUND ...................................................................................... C-1

C.3 GENERAL PROGRAM PARAMETERS AND GUIDANCE .................... C-5

C.4 SERVICES AND TASKS REQUIRED ....................................................... C-7

C.5 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES: ......................................................... C-12

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING ....................................................... D-1

D.1 MARKING, AIDAR 752.7009 (JAN 1993) ................................................ D-1

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING ................................................................... D-1

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE .................................................. E-1

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE ........................................................................................................... E-1

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE ....................................................... E-1

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE ................................................. E-1

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE ........................................................................................................... F-1

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE ................................................................ F-1

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE ...................................................................... F-1

F.4 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION ............................................................... F-1

F.5 LEVEL OF EFFORT .................................................................................... F-1

F.6 KEY PERSONNEL ....................................................................................... F-2

F.7 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES ............................................................. F-2

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA ....................................... G-1

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

G.2 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE .................................... G-2

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE

(COTR) 2

G.4 PAYING OFFICE ........................................................................................ G-2

G.5 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA ..................................... G-3

G.6 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID ................ G-3

G.7 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

DOCUMENTS, AIDAR 752.7005 (JAN 2004) ..................................................... G-4

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS ...................................... H-1

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE .......................................................................................................... H-1

H.2 SOURCE, ORIGIN AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS, AIDAR

752.225-70 (FEB 1997) ......................................................................................... H-1

H.3 AIDAR 752.228-70 MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES

(JULY 2007) ........................................................................................................... H-2

H.4 SALARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR HG EMPLOYEES, AIDAR 752.231-71

(OCT 1998) ............................................................................................................ H-2

H.5 TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION, AIDAR 752.7002, PERSONNEL,

AIDAR 752.7027, AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND

NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, AIDAR 752.7032 ...................................... H-2

H.6 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JULY 2007) ........................ H-2

H.7 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING (FEB 2002)........ H-4

H.8 USAID DISABILITY POLICY – ACQUISITION (DEC 2004) ................. H-4

H.9 ADS 302.3.5.5 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (July 2007) ............. H-4

H.10 INSURANCE AND SERVICES .............................................................. H-5

H.11 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE .................................................. H-6

H.12 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN AND THE SF 294 – SUBCONTRACTING

REPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS AND SF 295 – SUMMARY

CONTRACTING REPORT.................................................................................... H-7

H.13 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL

CONFERENCES (JAN 2002) ................................................................................ H-7

H.14 COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 508 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT

OF 1973, AS AMENDED ...................................................................................... H-7

H.15 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT ........................................................... H-8

H.16 NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES AND INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES ............................................................................. H-8

H.17 LOGISTIC SUPPORT ................................................................................. H-8

H.18 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................ H-8

H.19 GRANTS UNDER USAID CONTRACTS ................................................. H-8

H.20 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ..................................................... H-9

H.21 AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JULY

1997) H-10

H.22 AIDAR 752.7013 CONTRACTOR-MISSION RELATIONSHIPS (OCT

1989) H-10

H. 23 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ......................................................... H-11

H. 24 HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE-12 (HSPD-12)

(SEPTEMBER 2006) ............................................................................................ H-12

H.25 INVESTMENT PROMOTION (ADS 225) ................................................. H-13

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES ........................................................................ I-1

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE ............................................................................................................ I-1

I.2 NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES RIGHTS CONCERNING PAYMENT

OF UNION DUES OR FEES, FAR 52.222-39 (DEC 2004) ................................... I-4

I.3 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) ..... I-6

I.4 52.243-7 NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES (APR 1984) .............................. I-6

I.5 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR

2000) I-8

I.6 52.203-13 CONTRACTOR CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND

CONDUCT (APR 2010) ........................................................................................... I-9

I.7 52.229-8 TAXES – FOREIGN COST-REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACT

(MAR 1990) ............................................................................................................ I-12

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS.... J-1

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS ................................................................. J-1

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS ......................................... K-1

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS ............................................................................... K-1

K.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE .......................................................................................................... K-1

K.2 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN

2011) ....................................................................................................................... K-1

K.3 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND

CERTIFICATION (OCT 2008) .............................................................................. K-5

K.4 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE--COST ACCOUNTING

PRACTICECHANGES (APR 2005) ...................................................................... K-7

K.5 INSURANCE - IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY ....................... K-7

K.6 COMPLIANCE WITH VETERANS EMPLOYMENT REPORTING

REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................. K-7

K.7 AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATORS ............................................................ K-8

K.8 SIGNATURE ............................................................................................ K-8

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS . 1

L.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED

BY REFERENCE .................................................................................................... L-1

L.2 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984) ............................................. L-1

L.3 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)........................................ L-1

L.4 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS ....................................... L-2

L.5 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS .................................................................. L-3

L.6 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL ..................................................................................... L-4

L.7 TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION (see Section M.3) .............................. L-5

L.8 MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING (See Section M.) ............................. L-6

L.9 CORPORATE CAPABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE (See Section M.5) . L-

L.10 CONTRACTOR PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (See Section M.6) L-9

L.11 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST

PROPOSAL ........................................................................................................... L-10

L. 12 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF BRANDING AND

MARKING PLANS: ............................................................................................ M-16

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD ..................................... M-1

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................. M-1

M.2 EVALUATION FACTORS ........................................................................... M-1

M.3 TECHNICAL IMPLENTATION (40 points) .............................................. M-2

M.4 MANAGEMENT & STAFFING FACTOR (40 points) ............................. M-2

M.5 CORPORATE CAPABLITIES AND EXPERIENCE FACTOR (10 Points) M-3

M.6 CONTRACTOR PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FACTOR ( 10

POINTS) ................................................................................................................ M-4

M.7 PRICE/COST EVALUATION.................................................................... M-5

M.8 DETERMINATION OF THE COMPETITIVE RANGE AND CONTRACT

AWARD ................................................................................................................ M-5

M.9 CONTRACTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS ................. M-6

ATTACHMENT 1 -- IDENTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL GEOGRAPHIC CODE

NUMBERS

ATTACHMENT 2 - SMALL BUSINESS, VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS,

HUBZONE SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS, SMALL DISADVANTAGED

BUSINESS, and WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

MODEL SUBCONTRACTING PLAN OUTLINE *

ATTACHMENT 3 - THE BRANDING STRATEGY

RFP NO.: 674-11-23

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PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide the services and deliverables as described in detail in Section C, Statement of Work, for the implementation of the Strategic Economic Research and Analysis (SERA) Program.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) term contract. For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor shall provide the Level of Effort as described in Section F.5.

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

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required for the base period hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is $___________. The fixed fee, if any, is $__________. The estimated cost plus fixed fee, if any, is $________________.

(b) 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.

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

B.4 CONTRACT LINE ITEM NUMBERS

For CLIN 0001, Management and Administration, as described in Section C.4(a) , the estimated cost for the performance of the work required, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is $_____________. The fixed fee, if any, is $_________. The estimated cost plus fixed fee, if any, is $_________________.

For CLIN 0002, Technical Services, as described in Section C.4(b), the estimated cost for the performance of the work required, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is $_____________. The fixed fee, if any, is $_________. The estimated cost plus fixed fee, if any, is $_________________.

These amounts may not be adjusted without a written modification signed by the Contracting Officer.

No amounts in excess of the amounts specified for each CLIN shall be billed against the Contract.

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

Pending the establishment of a 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:

B-2

Description* Period** Rate Base***

* Description or type of rate indicated as a percentage, e.g., G&A ** Period, e.g., CY 2009 *** Base, e.g., Direct Labor for Labor Overhead

B.6 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.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

Payment of fixed fee, subject to FAR 52.216-8, may be made upon receipt of a proper invoice.

Subject to FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, if applicable, payment of fixed fee shall be allocated based upon the proportion of the labor specified in F.5 for the applicable CLIN identified above in Section B.4. Normally, the contractor will be paid the proportion of the fee specified for the specific CLIN that corresponds to the proportion of labor delivered by the Contractor under that CLIN during the period covered by the invoice. In the event that the Contractor does not provide the total LOE stipulated in Section F.5, the total amount of fixed fee under the relevant CLIN will be reduced in similar proportion.

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SECTION C- STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this contract is to implement the Strategic Economic Research and Analysis (SERA) program. Implementation of the SERA Program through this contract has three objectives:

1. Working with public sector agencies, the private sector and civil society organizations to perform economic policy reform analyses that will improve the policy and regulatory environment. Poverty reduction and increased employment within a supportive macro-economic environment (emphasizing small business development, trade, investment and intellectual property rights, agriculture and land reform, and socio-economic impacts of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe and mainstreaming gender in the policy programs) are the ultimate objective. Reform of social safety net policies and programs are also a priority.

2. Working with Zimbabwean policy development institutions, and through employing both formal and informal training mechanisms, build Zimbabwean capacity for policy reform concerning selected priority issues relevant to improving the economic policy environment in Zimbabwe.

3. Working with the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), provide targeted support to the collection of data, production of statistics and their dissemination.

C.2 BACKGROUND

The following provides relevant background information regarding (a) the development challenge,

(b) the program rationale, (c) economic analysis and economic policy formation in Zimbabwe and (d) the development of the SERA program.

C.2.a Development Challenge

The major challenge for Zimbabwe is to generate increased broad-based, sustainable economic growth, employment, and improved equity for the nation’s citizens. An improved economic policy environment is critical to achieving these objectives and the economic empowerment of Zimbabwe’s population. Acceleration of the policy reforms is necessary to accelerate growth, reduce poverty and unemployment.

Within the current political environment, economic confidence is improving but remains very low.

Although the introduction of foreign currencies as legal tender within Zimbabwe has effectively halted hyper-inflation (inflation is projected at 4.8% in 2010), all savings denominated in Zimbabwean dollars became worthless by the end of 2008. Exports have declined to the lowest levels of the last twenty years and remittances from the Diaspora contributing significantly to the country’s foreign exchange requirements as well as supporting the livelihoods of many Zimbabweans.

Confidence in the economy had evaporated and the trust that is essential to investment remains to be rebuilt. However, with signs of economic recovery occurring in different areas of the economy, a window of opportunity exists to address impediments to increased growth. Future growth will

C-2 depend on a number of essential factors of which one of the most important is national economic policy.

The social impact of the economic disruption has been substantial. As inflation has escalated and the costs of doing business have increased, businesses have reduced in size so that formal employment has shrunk to less than 10% of the workforce. Within a ten-year period, a fully functional social welfare system, including health, education, police, and pension systems lost all financial support and for a period of time became completely non-functional as a result. Although the physical and institutional infrastructure of these systems is still in place, resuscitation is slow.

There has been mass migration to South Africa and Europe. From a population of 14 million, five million are estimated to have left the country, while of the remaining nine million, six million are now based in urban centers and only three million remain on the land. The remaining rural population has also been disrupted by the emigration of the male workforce so that 80% of rural households are now headed by women. The results of this migration have been two-fold. On the one hand, there has been considerable depletion of technical and professional skills, while on the other hand, there has been a substantial inflow of remittances, that has been important in sustaining livelihoods.

Government is re-establishing it sources of revenue, which registered US$1.793 billion by October 2010 and is projected to be $2.7 billion in 2011. Donor and international organizations provided US$360 million as of October 2010 through the Vote of Credit, which is budgeted at US$500 million in 2011. Given adequate financial resources, it appears that the professional capacity of the civil service would be adequate to meet the immediate needs of government, but skills would be sorely lacking if new programs or concepts were to be introduced as part of a development strategy.

C.2.b Program Rationale

Three aspects of government are particularly limited and require immediate support to promote development, namely:

1. Policy formulation capacity – higher levels of government are limited in their capacity to prepare development policies, either by virtue of their experience, lack of reliable data, or as a result of the considerable work-load which can be expected to be placed upon them once the reform process has begun.

2. Timeous availability of reliable data -- The Central Statistical Office, now officially renamed ZIMSTAT, whose mandate is to collect and disseminate useful data, lacks the human and financial capacity to undertake its function. Statistics necessary for making economic and development decisions and planning are not being produced timeously and the quality of the data is questionable, or in some cases lacking. There is a great need to capacitate ZIMSTAT, which drives the entire statistical system, to generate credible and reliable data upon which government and the private sector can make decisions.

3. Public/private interface – there is need to build consensus between government and the private sector (including business and the civil society) on key policy reforms that are necessary: to improve the business operating environment; reduce the cost of doing business;

reduce bureaucratic red tape and rent seeking behaviour which promote distortions and

C-3 corruption; and improve the delivery of services and infrastructure. These and other reforms are required if government is to provide efficient services to the public and support growth.

C.2.c Economic Analysis and Economic Policy Formulation

The lack of reliable data undermines analysis of the performance of the Zimbabwean economy. This provides challenges in monitoring key macroeconomic indicators that measure progress of the economy as well as the ability to produce effective economic development policies and programs.

For example indicators such as updating of national accounts statistics and other data series have fallen behind. Since 2006, it has been extremely difficult to obtain up to date estimates on the following variables: population, GDP, poverty levels, remittances, imports, exports, government expenditure, labour force and domestic production.

Despite the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), recent political developments have induced neither donor nor investor confidence. Government has made several positive attempts through the Short- to Medium Term Economic Recovery Programme (STERP) and the recently announced 2011 budget to address these challenges. However, a more concerted effort is required to support sustained evidence-based economic policy reforms.

Robust capacity building in economic policy analysis will support the formulation of economic policies that would be designed to:

Create an attractive investment environment that promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows and international lines of credit by:

o Developing a legal and regulatory environment that create trust in the country and enhance financial sector viability and stability o Development of a regulatory and licensing regime that lowers the cost of doing business and that allows businesses to operate in a corruption free environment.

Promote policies and programs that stimulate domestic production, increase exports and reduce import requirements.

Promote employment creation and absorb the increasing number of school leavers and the returning diaspora.

Reduce the transaction costs and other costs of doing business.

Enhance productivity through the recovery and redeployment of a skilled and healthy labor force.

Rejuvenate the utility infrastructure and other growth enhancing infrastructure to support business development and social development.

Attract donor and multilateral finance that would stimulate both demand and subsequently production and employment, contributing further to the stimulation and recovery of the economy.

C.2.d Strategic Economic Research and Analysis (SERA) Program

USAID/Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, will initiate the SERA Program.

This new program has four specific results it seeks to achieve to guide its efforts to improve economic policy:

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1. Strengthened skills and the knowledge base of contemporary economic policy issues of staff, management, and senior officials in government departments responsible for economic policy management. (Human Capacity)

2. Strengthened Government Departments’ capacity to analyze, adapt and implement evidence-based economic policy options. (Institutional Capacity)

3. Strengthened think tanks, research institutions, and civil society organizations that provide research support and inputs in the policy making process and improve their responsiveness to the demands of policy makers.

4. Improved quality and availability of data and statistics.

One of the fundamental challenges facing the economy which undermines government efforts to achieve economic stability and sustained growth is trust – in government, financial institutions, courts, regulatory bodies, and in the rule of law. This requires building confidence and removing uncertainty and ambiguity in policy to achieve policy credibility. This will require both political and financial resolution over time. The proposed assistance seeks to facilitate the development of trust and policy credibility by addressing the following issues:

A. The development of an effective dialogue between civil society, the private sector and government that will allow non-governmental actors to express and lobby for their views and priorities on all issues relating to growth and development.

B. The removal of macroeconomic and fiscal uncertainty through the development of a stable macroeconomic and fiscal environment supported by sound policies based upon accurate information, best practices, and public debate. Sound macroeconomic policy is the lynchpin upon which the success of a broader economic growth program is dependent. Without sound fiscal and monetary policies, other aspects of this economic growth strategy will fail. Investor confidence will not be restored, and, as a result, productivity will not increase. Policy consistency is also critical as it enhances the reputation of the policy makers and the planning horizons of the private sector.

Policy reversals in the past led to private sector adopting short-term planning horizons which in some cases resulted in costly delays to undertake long-term investments.

C. The Government of National Unity is lacking the necessary experience and technical expertise to design and implement the array of fiscal and monetary policy corrections that are required to bring about market driven growth and to generate sufficient revenue to fund government programs through the budget. These measures are critical first steps that must be achieved to build not only private sector confidence but also donor confidence to reengage on a developmental level.

The Macroeconomic Policy Program Area is designed to achieve a single intermediate result IR 3.1:

Macroeconomic Foundation for Economic Growth Created. The program area will provide technical assistance to the Zimbabwe Economic Policy and Analysis Unit (ZEPARU) in support of the development of policy analysis and research capacity to provide assistance to the economic ministries in fiscal and budgetary policy, and the development of effective revenue collection systems. Technical assistance may also be strategically targeted to build the capacity of the government to improve monetary policy. To achievement the intermediate result, USAID will also provide support to government to collect and analyze economic data. Such data is essential to the development of policy, but is currently not available. A core activity within this program area would

C-5 use technical assistance and other supports to develop the capacity of the ZIMSTATS to collect, analyze, and publish data and results which would inform both public debate and economic policy.

This program is fundamental to the achievement of a sound macroeconomic foundation. Without accurate data and sound economic policy analysis and research capacity, it will remain impossible to determine appropriate fiscal policy positions, effective tax systems and responsive macroeconomic policy that address contemporary challenges facing the economy and society.

C.3 GENERAL PROGRAM PARAMETERS AND GUIDANCE

The following general guidance is provided with respect to issues such as coordination with other USAID programs, poverty, gender and staffing. These parameters and guidance apply to the overall performance of the Contract.

C.3.a Coordination with other USAID Programs

This activity must complement the work of other Strategic Objectives (SOs) within USAID. Thus economic policy work will assist the Health SO in analyzing the impact of HIV/AIDS and other health concerns on economic growth; work on Agriculture complements and supports other components of the Economic Growth SO; national government and local authority public financial management assists the Democracy and Governance SO; and the work on strengthening education institutions and structures supports the Health and Education SO.

The primary partners under this activity are ZEPARU, the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ministry of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, ZIMSTATS, and the remainder of the Macroeconomic Growth Cluster within the Government of Zimbabwe. This activity is modeled after a very successful USAID project conducted in South Africa, called the SEGA/MESP activity. Over the life of SEGA II, the project implemented 72 activities, engaged more than 250 experts, and provided training technical assistance and policy analysis to dozens of South African ministries, departments and agencies.

C.3.b Poverty

This activity gives priority to the development of pro-poor policies, and as such special consideration must be given to data collection, analysis and research which quantify and qualify poverty in Zimbabwe, provide the basis for pro-poor or inclusive growth strategies and specific programs that address and result in poverty reduction and improvement of social services and assistance programs.

C.3.c Gender

Women and men are differentially affected by poverty and have different opportunities and constraints to achieving improved standards of living. Men and women also access government services differently. Given this, effective economic policy must take these differences into consideration. Therefore, all activities undertaken will use a gender lens—when supporting the establishment of the research agenda and development of terms of reference; when providing training on economic policy, strategy, legislation and regulatory development; and specifically when supporting regulatory and strategic impact assessments.

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C.3.d Staffing and Program Management

While offerors should develop a detailed management planned based on the technical approach to this activity, USAID/Zimbabwe anticipates that in addition to three professional staff, substantive alliances and partnerships will be required to successfully perform this work. The three recommended technical staff includes a Chief of Party, a Resident Advisor, and a Contract/Office Management Specialist.

USAID recommends the addition of a Contract/Office Management Specialist to provide contracting support and general office management services to ensure the efficient programmatic and logistical operations of the office. It is expected that the Chief of Party and Resident Advisor will have the qualifications specified below.

Chief of Party – Professional Training Expert in Economist and Macroeconomic Policy Specialist

A Master’s degree or its equivalent (including an equivalent degree in a foreign education system) in macroeconomics, economic policy and/or applied economics, and professional economic training or in a closely related field;

ten years of relevant development experience in areas such but not limited to macroeconomic policy development and reform, and professional training eight of which should be in a developing country and three years in Africa is preferred;

eight years of relevant experience in managing and coordinating complex development programs (experience managing macroeconomic policy reform and professional training programs is strongly preferred) of which three years in Africa is preferred;

experience as Chief of Party of an international development program of equivalent size and scope, of which experience in Africa is preferred;

Resident Advisor – Economist and Macroeconomic Policy Specialist

Master’s degree or its equivalent (including an equivalent degree in a foreign education system) in macroeconomics, economic policy and/or applied economics, or in a closely related field;

ten years of relevant development experience in areas such but not limited to macroeconomic policy development and reform, eight of which should be in a developing country and three years in Africa is preferred;

experience and demonstrated expertise as a macroeconomic policy advisor to a host country government is preferred.

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C.4 SERVICES AND TASKS REQUIRED

The contractor will be responsible for managing assistance to a range of Government of Zimbabwe ministries, agencies and civil society organizations, including, among other activities, provision of short- and long-term technical advisers, research and training. The contractor is also responsible for the provision of technical assistance (as requested), contracting and oversight of a number of outsourced research projects over the course of this activity. In addition, assistance should be provided to ZEPARU as the institution conducts in-house research and analysis, and disseminates this work.

The Contractor will provide the services and deliverables specified below. With respect to the two Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) identified in Section B.4 and Section F.5 of the Contract, the correspondence between the CLINs and the Statement of Work is as follows:

CLIN Title SOW Section CLIN 0001 Management and Administrative Section C.4(a) CLIN 0002 Technical Services Section C.4(b)

In general, services and deliverables will be provided to achieve the objectives identified above and by performing illustrative activities specified in Section C.4.b below and elsewhere in the Contract, subject to the guidance and limitations specified in Section C. Specific services, activities and deliverables required will be established in the annual work plans approved by the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative and, when necessary, through modifications to work plans approved in writing by the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative. Such technical direction must be consistent with all of the terms and conditions of the Contract and the determinations of the Contracting Officer.

C.4(a) Management and Administrative Services

The Contractor will provide all general management and administrative support necessary to perform the Contract. The services authorized by this section include, but are not limited to:

1. Overall management and administration of the Contract, including both expatriate and home office support and administrative services. The Contractor will provide both the key personnel specified in the Contract and additional personnel, both long-term and short-term, necessary to meet recurring general management and administrative support needs under the Contract.

2. The Contractor shall procure or lease necessary facilities, supplies and services as necessary to perform the Contract. The Contractor shall be based in Harare, Zimbabwe when performing services under the Contract.

3. General advice regarding planning for the contract. As discussed in more detail elsewhere, work plans are required.

4. Oversight, quality control and general technical support of all services and deliverables provided pursuant to the Contract.

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5. Provide and assure the proper, efficient and uniform use of modern management and administration, accounting practices, information technology (IT), communications, reporting, human resource management, property control, security, records and other administrative processes and systems required under the Contract.

6. Manage the overall database and reporting needs of the program as specified in the Contract and developed in work plans in conjunction with the COTR.

7. Manage and administer a small grants program pursuant to Section H.19 and as developed in the work plans required in C.5(b) below. The Contractor shall identify and review viable program proposals, develop a process for evaluating proposals and prepare them for review by USAID and other participants in the evaluation process. The Contractor shall monitor performance under the grants and ensure that these grants comply with all USAID grant requirements such as progress reports, audits, evaluations and completion of disbursement vouchers.

C.4(b) Technical Services

Below are illustrative examples of the technical areas and activities in which the contractor will provide technical inputs and support training. USAID/Zimbabwe recognizes, however, that changing requirements may make it necessary to modify the areas and activities cited below, eliminating some areas and adding others. There are twin foci of USAID’s work: economic policy reform and capacity development. In both cases, the emphasis is on improving Zimbabwe's analytical capacity to improve economic policy. In addition to seminars offered by African institutions or developed under this activity, the use of USG agencies and Department training programs should be considered, as appropriate. For example, the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Justice and Department of Commerce all have overseas training and technical assistance divisions which offer and will customize training to meet country-specific needs.

The Minister of Finance has highlighted several initial areas in which outreach, research and analysis is needed either to inform government policy or to undertake legislative or regulatory reform. Each of these illustrative areas has macroeconomic underpinnings which require broader monetary and fiscal policy decision making to take place. These initial areas include:

Pro-poor or inclusive growth policies Public finance Financial sector regulation Labor market economics Private sector competitiveness and governance Regional trade and integration Sector-specific policy: extractive industries, agricultural, energy

A priority of this activity will be support for the development of inclusive growth policies, including the development or reform of social safety net strategies, policies and programs. This activity will support implementation of a demand-driven research agenda, resulting in new

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C.4(b)(1) Assistance to ZEPARU

This program component involves research and analysis and various types of training.

C.4(b)(1)(A) Research and Analysis

As the primary institution to undertake economic policy and research, ZEPARU has the mandate to support government and civil society in the development of economic policy. The institution supports policy decision-makers and implementation across government, looking at macroeconomic policy issues and constraints; variables of fiscal and monetary policy and outcomes, including public finance; drivers of economic growth; and regional trade and integration, among other areas.

Loss of human capital and access to financial capital within ZEPARU, even since its inception in 2004, has meant the institution no longer has the capacity to respond in a timely fashion to all requests for support for policy analysis and training. In light of this, the MOF and USAID’s joint objectives for economic policy reform within Zimbabwe and the focus of this program will be to develop and deepen ZEPARU’s capacity to fulfill its mandate. Short-term and long-term technical assistance will be provided to ZEPARU, on a demand basis and the contractor will be responsive to the needs of ZEPARU and support the institution to fulfill its mandate. The contractor shall not undertake direct policy analysis or research, shall not be involved in the management of the Unit and shall not directly be involved in the determination of the research agenda. The contractor will provide support and technical assistance to ZEPARU as it outsources certain short and long-term research projects to local, regional or international consultants, think tanks or other organizations. As required by ZEPARU, the contractor may assist ZEPARU in the development of the terms of reference for such research activities, will fund the contract of the outsourced research organization, may support ZEPARU in the management of that contract, as requested by ZEPARU, and once final products are accepted/approved by ZEPARU, will make payment directly to the research organization (act as paying agent for USAID-funded activities).

The contractor will provide a long-term resident advisor to ZEPARU, for a period of two years.

The Resident Advisor will provide technical assistance to the Unit, as requested, in support of the institution’s development and implementation of the research agenda (to be conducted both in-house and outsourced), and development and completion of short and long-term training programs.

ZEPARU and the contractor may find it necessary to have short term advisors (up to 3 months) within ZEPARU, when longer term research activities require greater support. The need for such short-term advisors may become essential in Years 3 and 4 of this activity.

C.4(b)(1)(B) Parliamentarian Training

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Parliamentarian training on economic policy issues and improving their economic literacy is essential to enable and empower parliamentarians to make informed decisions especially when they debate the budget and other economic policy and legislative issues affecting economic planning. ZEPARU will craft a training program designed to build capacity of parliamentarians on economics in general and economic policy issues in particular. This program will be designed in consultation with the Clerk of Parliament and the Portfolio committee chairpersons especially the Finance and Budget Committee. ZEPARU will coordinate with other interested donors and non-government organizations that are running capacity building programs for parliament to avoid duplication and thus provide appropriate training. USAID estimates approximately 6 Parliamentary seminars a year will be required.

C.4(b)(1)(C) Short and Long-term Training of Economists

The provision of various short term and long-term training is required under this contract. As a result of the country's economic decline, skilled individuals, specifically those qualified to undertake high-quality economic research and analysis, have emigrated to South Africa, the U.K., or elsewhere to seek better wages and living conditions as they wait out the political uncertainty in Zimbabwe. ZEPARU will initiate and the contractor will support a training program with the objective of developing a greater depth of skills and knowledge within government research and analysis units in each of the prime partners, and when deemed appropriate, within other government entities and line ministries.

Long-term Training: Up to 10 individuals will be provided graduate bursaries each year for the first two years of this program. These individuals will undertake part-time Master's degree programs in the Economics Department of the University of Zimbabwe. The Master’s Degree Program is a three year program. Selection of individuals will be based upon recommendations made by program stakeholders and nominations made by ZEPARU. The participants under this program are required to work for the Zimbabwean Government or their agencies for a period not less than the duration of their training. Thirty bursaries are planned over the first two years of this activity and bursaries not awarded in any given year may be awarded in a subsequent year.

Up to five (5) individuals will be provided graduate bursaries to study full-time at the University of Cape Town in a Ph.D. economics program, or a relevant degree program at another academic institution. This is a four year program and therefore USAID anticipates that intake of students will only take place in year one. Another option however is to undertake this degree on a part time basis. Selection of individuals will be completed based upon recommendations made by program stakeholders and nominations made by ZEPARU. The participants under this program are required to work for the Zimbabwean Government for a period not less than the duration of their training. Support for graduate degrees is limited to government employees.

Short-term training: A series of short-courses will be provided to selected individuals, to be designed and held within Zimbabwe, as well as the provision of bursaries and travel/per diem for selected individuals to travel to regional short courses.

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Up to five (5) short courses of up to ten (10) days each will be conducted in Zimbabwe each year, each with up to 20 participants. Course topics will be demand-driven and be responsive to the needs of the annual research agenda of the MOF, MOEP and ZEPARU. The contractor will be responsible for provision of technical assistance to ZEPARU in either designing and conducting the short-courses, or hiring a training institution which may have existing relevant short courses, to conduct the training. The contractor will be responsible for all costs associated with these courses: design, materials development and printing, venue, facilitators and instructors, etc.

In addition, up to 25 individuals will be sponsored to attend relevant economics short courses regionally. These are established courses offered by African institutions throughout sub-Saharan Africa.