72011220RFI00001-MEL-FBO_posting.pdf

Subject: Request for Information: For USAID/Azerbaijan Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Mechanism

Issuance Date: November 6, 2019

Closing Date: December 6, 2019

Closing Time: 5pm in Baku

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to conduct market research and determine the interest of capable organizations to provide USAID/Azerbaijan with technical and advisory services for monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL). The Mission also seeks feedback on its MEL approach to better shape the scope of the activity for a potential future solicitation, and estimates for what the requirements might cost.

This is a RFI, not a solicitation or Request for Proposals. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government to issue any solicitation or ultimately award an agreement on the basis of this RFI, nor to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request, nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of any comments.

Any funding proposals submitted in response to this request will not be considered. Responses to this notice must be received no later than the due date and time stated above in this notice. All materials submitted will become the property of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and will not be returned. USAID reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for USAID’s own purposes. While it is not the intention of USAID to make public any responses to this RFI, proprietary and sensitive information must not be sent.

2. Background

At the crossroads of the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe, Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains. Azerbaijan is surrounded by regional powers that have long sought to increase their influence in the region and is the only country in the world that shares borders with both Russia and Iran. Azerbaijan is a secular, Western-oriented state with a Shi’a

Muslim-majority population. Substantial energy resources drove rapid growth during the early 2000s, until a decline in global oil prices in mid-2014 spawned an economic downturn. In 2016, the country experienced its first recession in 20 years due to low global energy prices and the impact from an economic crisis in neighboring Russia. By December 2015, citizens felt the effects of currency devaluations coupled with high inflation rates.

In light of this, the government has announced a series of economic reforms to develop the non-oil sector with a particular focus on small and medium-sized businesses. Similarly, individuals are seeking increased income security, entrepreneurship opportunities, and engagement with the government on economic and social issues while private sector firms are likewise exploring ways to support Azerbaijan’s social and economic development and independence.

USAID/Azerbaijan aims at developing partnership with Azerbaijan to promote good governance and economic growth. USAID assistance programs will diversify the non-oil economy and build resilient communities.

3. The Concept

The concept of the USAID/Azerbaijan Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Mechanism is to create rigorous monitoring, evaluation and learning system to strengthen USAID/Azerbaijan’s evidence-based decision making that would enhance USAID’s development objectives in Azerbaijan. In addition, the Mission is interested in developing a system to better understand the impact of Kremlin malign influence in Azerbaijan. USAID seeks to identify organizations capable of implementing activities to support this concept and achieve results with limited resources.

The Mission intends to develop a scope that would support a flexible and low-cost approach that could be scaled if additional funding is received. The contract would have a set of minimum requirements that would be completed over the course of a five-year award. The total estimated budget will be between $2-2.5 million. The Mission anticipates conducting at least one evaluation, and one community perception survey (n=3000) per year. Additionally, the contract would contain components that could be implemented based on demand, or if the Mission receives additional funding (scaleable up to a ceiling of $5 million). These additional components would be considered expanded requirements.

Potential areas under the minimum requirements:

● Assistance developing a system to measure malign Kremlin influence and ongoing monitoring of those influences. See the following link for more information.

(https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1863/CMKI_Development_Framework _.pdf)

● Annual Data collection through perception surveys, key informant interviews, focus groups, and observable indicators (including data visualization)

● Creating a feedback loop for MEL Activity Action Plans, Project MEL Plan, and PMP to reinforce the Mission’s overall performance management system

● Identify, Collect, and Analyze Project and Strategy level data (context and/or performance) that could potentially contribute to the project/activity evaluation and adaptive management

● Support the Mission in the data collection for baselines, performance monitoring, Project MEL Plan, and PMP

● Recommendations on best ways to integrate findings of data to improve existing activities or to help the design of future activities

● Facilitation of Mission Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) processes, including regular partner meetings, sharing data findings and best practices, recommendations for integration of CLA into project and strategy implementation, and support to conduct a Strategy mid-course stock-taking

● Implementing partners MEL capacity building (MEL Training, support collection of baseline data and monitoring, DQAs, etc.)

● Third-party activity monitoring and indicator Data Quality Assessments of existing Mission activities

● Developing Mission Success Stories for outcome level results

Potential areas under the expanded requirements:

● MEL support to local partners (may be up to five partners with need for MEL capacity building support)

● Private Sector Engagement analyses

● Ex-post monitoring - post activity monitoring to identify the quality and benefits of the provided support (training/construction/equipment/best practices)

● Planned and unplanned Evaluations/Assessments (estimate 1-2 per year)

● Project level performance evaluation

● Specific Technical/Thematic Studies/Analyses

● Data collection for cross cutting issues (e.g. gender, youth)

● Consultations/capacity building for the Government of Azerbaijan (at local and national) on data collection, using data for decision making, and/or MEL

● GIS mapping and analysis

● Technical support on internal evaluations/assessments https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1863/CMKI_Development_Framework_.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1863/CMKI_Development_Framework_.pdf

Through the RFI, USAID seeks to identify organizations who would suggest an innovative way of supporting USAID/Azerbaijan data collection with a limited budget to bolster USAID/Azerbaijan’s evidence-based decision-making process. The Mission is looking to define realistic parameters for its limited budget and is seeking honest feedback on what will and will not work. The feedback will then be used to design a scope or statement of objectives for a notice of funding opportunity. Preferably, the Mission would look to embark on some co-creation/co-design process prior to the award and/or implementation of the activity.

Attachment: Response Requirements

Responses should include the following:

1. Cover page not to exceed one (1) page including:

a. Organization name and address

b. Point of contact name, telephone number and email address

c. A brief statement of interest that indicates the role the organization envisions playing in a potential USAID award to support USAID/Azerbaijan’s MEL system. If a team, coalition, or consortium is envisioned, please provide the names and contact information of the potential partner organization(s) as well.

d. Small Business Status

2. Comments and questions on the concept to create rigorous monitoring, evaluation and learning system to strengthen USAID/Azerbaijan evidence-based decision making. Not to exceed one (1) page. USAID/Azerbaijan welcomes general comments on the above concept and its feasibility. Other questions and comments are also welcome. This is not a formal question period; therefore, USAID will not be providing responses. The USAID design team will review all comments and questions and use them to inform the development of the concept.

No other documents or information are requested at this time. USAID asks respondents to not send any additional information other than what is requested above and to adhere to the page limits mentioned.

USAID also welcomes recommendations regarding the best mode of implementation to maximize impact. This is not a Request for Applications. Please do not submit proposals or statements of qualifications in response to this request.

3. Detailed feedback on the MEL concept. USAID would be grateful for feedback on the MEL concept on any or all of the below questions:

a. Is the scope of the MEL concept for minimum requirements feasible? Why or why not?

b. Is the scope of the MEL concept for expanded requirements feasible? Why or why not?

c. Do you consider setting up an in-country office? Is there sufficient local capacity to open an in-country office? What would the minimum spend rate per year be? (if this is a feasibility)

d. What would you estimate for the total cost of the specified minimum requirements? If possible, also make a cost estimate for each individual stated requirement.

e. What would you estimate for the total cost of the specified expanded requirements? If possible, also make a cost estimate for each individual stated requirement.

f. Based on your previous MEL experience, are there any additional requirements that you would recommend under the minimum requirements and/or expanded requirements section?

Requirements that you would recommend deleting?

g. Would you be interested in participating in a co-creation workshop/conference if held in Washington D.C.?

4. Additional Notes/Instructions

Submit responses to this RFI to:

RFI_USAIDAzerbaijan@usaid.gov , no later than December 6, 2019 at 5pm in Baku.

It should be noted that responding to this RFI will not give any advantage to any organization in any subsequent procurement. Only responses in English will be accepted.

Best Regards, //s//

Robert Claussen

Agreement Officer, USAID/Caucasus