72011519R00001.pdf

72011519R00001

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

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

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

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

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

SEALED BID (IFB)

5. DATE ISSUED

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED RATING PAGE OF PAGES

1 91

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)A. NAME

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

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.

(Date)(Hour) local timeuntildepository located in 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

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

I

J

K

L

M SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

PACKAGING AND MARKING

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSESPART I - THE SCHEDULE

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G

F

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D

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B

A

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

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

18. OFFER DATE17. SIGNATURE

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

(Type or print)AND

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY

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

DATEAMENDMENT NO.DATEAMENDMENT NO.

and related documents numbered and dated):

amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

CALENDAR DAYS (%)30 CALENDAR DAYS (%)20 CALENDAR DAYS (%)10 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232.8)

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

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

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

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

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

28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

CODE 24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

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

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION20. AMOUNT19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED

AWARD (To be completed by government)

CODE

REQ-176-19-00000102/22/2019

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720115

USAID/Central Asia 41 Kazibek Bi St.

Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan

1700 F 03/27/2019

Brian LeCuyer blecuyer@usaid.gov

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PAGE(S)

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _____180_________ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Central Asia Project Title: Enterprises, Employment, and Enabling Environments (E4) Solicitation #72011519R00001

Table of Contents

SECTION B

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

B.3 MINIMUM OBLIGATED AMOUNT

B.4 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

B.5 FIXED FEE CEILING (Cost-Plus- Fixed-Fee Task Orders Only)

B.6 LABOR

B.7 INDIRECT COSTS

B.8 CEILING ON INDIRECT COST RATES

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PURPOSE

C.2 SCOPE OF WORK

C3. SPECIFIC TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

C.4 CROSS-CUTTING CONSIDERATIONS

C.5 RESULTS

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (January 1993)

D.2 752.7034 ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND DISCLAIMER. (DEC 1991)

D.3 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING

D.4 BRANDING STRATEGY

D.5 APPROVAL OF BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE/RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

F.2 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

F.5 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

F.6 ORDERING PROCEDURES

F.7 TASK ORDER ADMINISTRATION

F.8 KEY PERSONNEL

F.9 IDIQ PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 ADMINSTARTIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.3 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

G.4 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT. (NOV 1998)

G.5 PAYING OFFICE

G.6 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

G.7 CONTRACTOR'S PAYMENT ADDRESS

G.8 TECHNICAL DIRECTION/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JULY 2007)

H.2 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.3 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.4 752.228-3 WORKER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEFENSE BASE ACT). (DEC 1991)

H.5 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES. (JUL 2007)

H.6 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING

H.7 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM

H.8 752.7019 PARTICIPANT TRAINING. (JAN 1999)

H.9 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (DDL) (OCTOBER

2014) H.10. USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR ACQUISITION (JULY 2014)

H.11 NONDISCRIMINATION (JUNE 2012)

H.13 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACTS (GUCS)

H.14 752.231-72 CONFERENCE PLANNING AND REQUIRED APPROVALS. (AUG 2013)

H.15 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION. (JUL 1997)

H.16 752.7010 CONVERSION OF U.S. DOLLARS TO LOCAL CURRENCY. (APR 1984)

H.17 752.7013 CONTRACTOR-MISSION RELATIONSHIPS (JUNE 2018)

H.18 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.19 GENDER CONSIDERATION

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.2 52.204-21 BASIC SAFEGUARDING OF COVERED CONTRACTOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS.

(JUN 2016)

I.3 52.216-18 ORDERING. (OCT 1995)

I.4 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS. (OCT 1995)

I.5 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY. (OCT 1995)

I.6 52.216-24 LIMITATION OF GOVERNMENT LIABILITY. (APR 1984)

I.7 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. (FEB 1998)

I.8 752.225-9 BUY AMERICAN ACT - TRADE AGREEMENTS ACT - BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

PROGRAM

I.9 752.225-70 SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS. (FEB 2012)

I.10 752.231-71 SALARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR HOST GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. (MAR 2015)

I.11 752.245-70 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY - USAID REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (JUL 1997)

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF THE OFFEROR

K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K2. 52.204-17 OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF OFFEROR. (JUL 2016)

K.3 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS. (OCT 2018)

K.4 52.204-20 PREDECESSOR OF OFFEROR. (JUL 2016)

K.5 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS. (OCT 2015)

K.6 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS. (OCT 2018)

K.7 52.209-11 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING DELINQUENT TAX

LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW. (FEB 2016)

K.8 52.222-22 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS. (FEB 1999)

K.9 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE. (APR 1984)

K.10 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION. (OCT 2015)

K.11 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE--COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES. (APR 2005).70

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

L.1 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. (FEB 1998)

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

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

L.4 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

L.5 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.2 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.3 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE

M.4 COST PROPOSAL EVALUATION

M.5 SOURCE SELECTION

M.6 CONTRACTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS

SECTION B

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide services that fall within the Scope of Work (SOW) specified in Section C for the Enterprises, Employment, and Enabling Environments (E4) IDIQ.

USAID Task Order Contracting Officers (TOCOs) will request the work through the issuance of task orders during the ordering period as specified in Section F of the contract.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract. The Government will issue task orders that are either Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) (term or completion), Cost-Plus- Award-Fee (CPAF), Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF) or any Fixed-Priced type. The Contractor must perform the services set forth in task orders at prices consistent with Section B of this contract.

B.3 MINIMUM OBLIGATED AMOUNT

This basic IDIQ contract will be awarded simultaneously with the first task order which will contain the minimum obligated amount for this IDIQ. As such, the IDIQ contract includes no initial obligation of funds.

All individual task orders will obligate funds to cover the work required under that task order.

B.4 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

This is a single-award Indefinite Quantity Contract (IDIQ) with an overall ceiling price of $38 million for Enterprises, Employment, and Enabling Environments in the Central Asia Region.

The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded to all contractors must not exceed the contract ceiling. This ceiling is not being subdivided among the number of awardees nor is it being multiplied by the number of awardees.

B.5 FIXED FEE CEILING (Cost-Plus- Fixed-Fee Task Orders Only)

NOTE: The ceiling on fixed fee does not apply to Fixed-Priced Task Orders.

(a) For each cost-reimbursement task order issued under this IDIQ, the TOCO and Contractor agree to negotiate a set dollar amount for fixed fee. In negotiating the fixed dollar amount for fee, the TOCO must consider the policies and factors for establishing fee in FAR 15.404-4 as well as any applicable USAID policy on establishing a fixed fee amount. In no event, however, may the amount of fixed fee in any individual task order exceed (TBD) of the task order’s estimated cost, excluding fee.

This fee ceiling is not applicable to Grants under Contracts (GUCs), if any, or other costs that have a separate fee ceiling established in the task order. The fixed fee ceiling applies to the prime contract and all cost reimbursement subcontracts. GUCs have not been approved at the IDIQ level.

Fees for CPIF or CPAF task order types will be negotiated by the TOCO at the time of task order award.

(b) The Total Estimated Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee for each Task Order must be negotiated in accordance with the terms of this contract.

(c) Fixed Fee Payment. For any Task Order issued under this Contract, at the time of each payment of allowable costs to the contractor, the USAID paying office ordinarily pays the contractor a percentage of fixed fees that directly corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs being paid. Two exceptions to paying fixed fee in this manner apply:

(1) If the TOCO determines that this method results in paying a disproportionately higher ratio of fixed fee than the percentage of work that the contractor has completed, then the TOCO may suspend further payment of any fixed fee until the contractor has made sufficient progress to justify further payment, up to the agreed percentage.

(2) Because the clauses entitled "Allowable Cost and Payment" (FAR 52.216-7) and "Fixed Fee" (FAR 52.216-8) are incorporated into this Contract, the terms and conditions of these clauses apply after total payments of fixed fee reach eighty-five percent (85%) of the total fixed fee.

B.6 LABOR

(a) The Contracting Officer has determined that a key (full-time) technical manager is not necessary or required to administer the basic IDIQ. Contractors will not be authorized to bill USAID directly for IDIQ management costs under this IDIQ or under task orders. Contractors must propose a centralized management structure that allows for recovery of IDIQ management costs as part of its indirect costs.

(b) The workday and workweek policies and method of accounting for paid absences including holidays for the contractor and major subcontractors must be in accordance with the Contractor’s organizational policies set forth in Attachment J.6 and acceptable accounting procedures which should be compliant with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cost principles and the terms of this contract.

Compensation of personnel under this contract or any resulting subcontract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation (July 2007) (See Section H.).

(c) All locally hired national personnel and other non-U.S. expatriates must be paid in accordance with USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) 722.170. Salaries for individual locally-hired personnel and other non-U.S. expatriates under this Contract and any resulting subcontract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007, Personnel Compensation (July 2007), and should be based upon a combination of factors including the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country as determined by USAID and consideration of the individual’s education, work experience and recent relevant salary history.

B.7 INDIRECT COSTS

The Contract clause entitled “Allowable Cost and Payment (JUN 2013)”, FAR Subpart 52.216-7, specifies that the indirect cost rates must be established for each of the Contractor’s accounting periods which apply to this contract. Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs will be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Description Rate Base Type Period

[TBD] [TBD] 1/ 1/ 1/

[TBD] [TBD] 2/ 2/ 2/

[TBD] [TBD] 3/ 3/ 3/

1/ Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

2/ Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

3/ Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

NOTE: Contractors are allowed to recoup indirect costs (Overhead, G&A, etc.) as other direct costs if it is part of the contractor’s usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31 and the contractor’s Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

B.8 CEILING ON INDIRECT COST RATES

(a) For each of the Contractor’s accounting periods during the term of this contract, the parties agree as follows:

(1) The distribution base for establishment of final overhead rates is __________________.

(2) The distribution base for establishment of final G&A rates is _____________________.

(b) The Contractor will make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect costs without the prior written approval of the contracting officer.

(c) Reimbursement for indirect costs will be at final negotiated rates, but not in excess of the following ceiling rates for each fiscal year:

Indirect Cost Type FY19 FY 20 FY 21 FY 22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 (contractor’s FY)

1. [TBD]________ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

2. [TBD]________ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

3. [TBD]________ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

(d) The government will not be obligated to pay any additional amount on account of indirect costs above the ceiling rates established in the contract. This advance understanding will not change any monetary ceiling, cost limitation, or obligation established in the contract.

NOTE: For Fixed-priced Task Orders, the overhead ceilings serve as a basis for negotiation only.

[END SECTION B]

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PURPOSE

USAID seeks to obtain services specified here in Section C for USAID/Central Asia’s Enterprises, Employment, and Enabling Environments (E4) mechanism. E4 will directly support the Mission’s RDCS Development Objective (DO) 1: Expanded, diverse and competitive trade and markets. The Contractor will provide activities that support specific work, as needed, under Task Orders across the five countries of Central Asia. USAID Contracting Officers will request the work through the issuance of Task Orders during the ordering period as specified in Section F of the Contract.

The goal of E4 is to increase employment and jobs through increased private productivity and competitiveness. The theory of change is as follows: “For the number of jobs to increase, businesses must grow; and for businesses to grow, constraints preventing growth must be removed.” Following this logic, The Contractor will focus on removing obstacles to growth at the firm level. The Contractor will work to develop skills identified by employers or develop entrepreneurial expertise. When appropriate, The Contractor will work to address legal and regulatory constraints, if they are determined to be significant inhibitors of firm growth. These efforts will result in creation of new firms, the growth of existing firms, and new job creation.

These results are firmly in the interest of the United States, as they will contribute to a more stable and prosperous Central Asia that offers new opportunities for American firms.

The Contractor will seek to address country-specific barriers to firm growth and job creation by taking a bottom-up approach to development. The bottom-up approach will begin by addressing the needs of small, medium, and large enterprises and the unique challenges of male and female entrepreneurs in their specific local context of the country where the work will be performed. By first identifying barriers to business growth, which vary by firm, sector, and country, The Contractor will be better able to inform and contribute to its own efforts at the national and regional levels. USAID/Central Asia’s Country Offices will play a key role in E4, working alongside the Mission’s Economic Development Office (EDO) to develop tailored approaches and identify country-specific opportunities for engagement that will coalesce with the broader regional objectives for E4 and for the Mission more broadly.

E4 will be developed around the central theme of fostering employment and incomes in Central Asia. These efforts will seek to impact broad swathes of the target population in each country.

Specific needs as well as the opportunities for engagement will vary by country, depending upon the intricacies of each situation. Tailored approaches will be required since a one-size fits all approach will be difficult to apply in a region as vast and varied as Central Asia. However, the Contractor will seek to leverage resources (technical and funding) across countries by focusing on three key components of enterprises, employment, and enabling environments, each intended to further support job creation. E4 will advance U.S. foreign policy by fostering global opportunities and new markets for U.S. firms, harnessing the power of the private sector, and supporting broad-based growth that supports stability in the region.

In 2015, the U.S. joined the five countries of Central Asia in creating the C5+1 diplomatic platform. This platform is intended to increase dialogue and cooperation among the partner countries in areas of mutual importance. In support of C5+1, USAID received funding to implement four projects, two of which are relevant to E4: Central Asia Business Competitiveness (horticulture), and Transport Corridor Development. These projects are currently implemented through USAID’s Competitiveness, Trade and Jobs activity. However, depending upon the progress of C5+1, and the availability of future funding, E4 may eventually serve as a mechanism for carrying out these or other related efforts under the C5+1 platform.

C.2 SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor will carry out work in task orders consistent with the goals and objectives in section C.4a and the program components described in section C5.

C.2a GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The E4 IDIQ has the Program Goal of increasing employment and incomes through improved private sector competitiveness. Activities performed under this IDIQ will contribute to the Regional Development Cooperative Strategy’s (RDCS) Development Objective (DO) 1:

Expanded, diverse and competitive trade and markets. E4 will emphasize IR 1.1: a more diverse and competitive private sector.

C.2b PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Work performed under the E4 IDIQ is divided into three components:

Component 1: Enterprises – Fostering Competitive Industries Component 2: Employment – Developing a Capable Workforce and Entrepreneurship Component 3: Enabling Environments – Creating Conditions for Jobs and Investment

C.2c GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

Activities performed under this IDIQ will cover the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. Task Orders will specify the specific geographic coverage of activities, which may be bilateral or regional in nature, covering one or more of the countries listed above. Task Orders may support connectivity with nearby countries of South Asia, including Afghanistan.

C3. SPECIFIC TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The components outlined below are used for demonstrating the breadth of possible activities under E4. Each Task Order will use its own combination of these components, depending on the regional or country context and the specific issues that are being addressed.

COMPONENT 1 – ENTERPRISES – Fostering Competitive Industries The Contractor must work to strengthen the firm-level competitiveness of target industries by taking a sector and/or economic corridor approach in the region. These sectors will include those with the potential for achieving the greatest impact. Feeding into work being done by other donors, particularly under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) initiative, the Contractor will maintain a flexible, demand-driven approach to focus on geographic areas that have both the desired population targets and the greatest economic potential.

The Contractor must understand the demands of both domestic and international buyers, while assisting targeted firms in meeting these requirements including international quantity, quality, safety, and employment standards. The Contractor will support firms at various stages of development. Efforts will also seek to assist firms in meeting their workforce development needs, so that they are directly developing the skills of their employees and addressing barriers to growing their workforce. The Contractor will work to increase access to finance for firms of any size that are looking to expand into new markets, invest in new technologies, and hire more workers. This assistance will seek to match businesses with lending institutions, provide training to increase financial literacy, as well as other activities that reduce the risk and transaction cost to lending institutions.

E4 is agnostic to firm size, and the most appropriate firms to engage may vary significantly by country. Work performed by the Contractor under E4 will engage small, medium, or large firms depending on their job creation potential. The Contractor must work with firms that would like to expand but are unable to for reasons including, but not limited to, regulatory policy, tax policy, market linkages, technical knowledge, workforce recruitment, and access to finance. The Contractor must consider gender-based constraints to the engagement of women in targeted sectors, seeking to address those constraints where appropriate. Consideration should also be given toward engaging in women dominated sectors to strengthen their capacity and relevance to the overall economy. The key determinant for firm selection is interest in and potential for firm expansion.

Illustrative Activities Illustrative activities may include assisting firms with product development and design, processing and production, marketing, access to finance, accounting, and navigating legal and regulatory barriers.

COMPONENT 2 – EMPLOYMENT – Developing a Capable Workforce and Entrepreneurship

The Contractor will begin by working at the firm level (Component 1) to understand constraints to growth and job creation. A lack of a skilled workforce may be one of the current constraints or a future one as businesses expand. With this is mind, Component 2 will support economic opportunity for individuals to tap into and contribute to growing markets. The Contractor will help individuals to develop skills that are in demand by the private sector, helping them to find employment or create new firms in promising sectors.

Sectors or economic corridors will depend upon country-specific opportunities. USAID has a history of supporting the horticulture sector in Central Asia, and a confluence of factors have supported USAID’s interest in the sector, including: a long history of horticultural production in the region, existing capacities and market linkages (not starting from scratch), and the fact that horticulture is primarily private-sector led with minimal government involvement. USAID has also had more limited involvement in other sectors including livestock, transport and logistics, and tourism. All of these sectors offer additional potential for creating meaningful jobs in Central

Asia, which will reduce the need for migration abroad. Additional sectors such as textiles, manufacturing, and information technology also provide interesting opportunities for exploration. The above-mentioned sectors are notional, as new activities will not be prescriptive from the outset. Specific interventions will vary by country, but all interventions will be targeted at directly or indirectly influencing livelihoods for large segments of the population.

The Contractor will support educational institutions including technical/vocational colleges and/or universities to improve education that will be connected with real-world employment opportunities. Likewise, The Contractor will engage with firms (Component 1) to ensure the region’s developing workforce can meet their needs. The Contractor will work with small enterprises to develop their skills and build collaborative groups or associations that can achieve economies of scale for dealing with larger buyers and input suppliers. Interventions will specifically target assistance toward youth, or other groups seen as being susceptible to recruitment for violent extremism. Returning migrants, particularly those “blacklisted” from destination countries, will also be appropriate targets for programming. Women, minority groups, and other disadvantaged populations will also be targeted for assistance under E4.

Illustrative Activities Illustrative activities may include workforce skills development to meet industry needs, internships and other on-the-job learning, small-producer association development, building connections to financial services, and entrepreneurship training.

COMPONENT 3 – ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS – Creating Conditions for Jobs and Investment

Utilizing information gathered from work under Components 1 and 2, existing evidence from growth diagnostics, USAID’s current research efforts under the Competitiveness, Trade, and Jobs (CTJ) activity, as well as other analytical assessments, the Contractor must seek to address constraints to broad-based growth that are most impacting business growth and job creation, are politically feasible, and in line with the priorities of partner governments. Support must seek to strengthen the ability of governments to effectively implement policy, focusing primarily on implementation/enforcement of existing laws and regulations rather than drafting new ones.

Activities will include legislative support on issues such as accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and post-accession implementation, negotiation and implementation of Trade Facilitation Agreements (TFAs), or participation in other international agreements when determined to have a positive impact on job growth.

The Contractor will seek to address partner-government priorities in key areas that are expected to support job creation, such as establishing special economic zones, currency liberalization, opening new trade routes, strengthening property rights, addressing restrictions to female employment in certain sectors, and other job creating reforms. Support will also address significant labor-related issues such as changes to taxation policies, social fund contributions, or other issues that inhibit business growth. Support will also address constraints to domestic and foreign investment at a policy level. Much of this policy-level assistance will need to be country-specific given the needs and areas of opportunity in each country. Regional-level efforts will seek to ensure that countries in Central Asia are cooperating on issues of mutual concern that affect job creation and private sector growth. Regional efforts will help to ensure a cohesive approach among USAID’s programs in different countries, will support region-wide solutions to supporting investment and job creation, and will leverage resources and technical expertise where appropriate.

Illustrative Activities Illustrative activities may include Macroeconomic policy support including financial sector reform, tax reform, and reducing regulations. Other efforts may include WTO and post-WTO accession assistance as well as developing national investment promotion strategies.

IMPLEMENTATION

USAID will take a bottom-up approach in the way that it develops interventions under this IDIQ.

Specifically, USAID Country Offices will determine the specific opportunities and needs on the ground where a potential intervention may be viable, and then develop their country-specific interventions. In addition, the Economic Development Office (EDO) of USAID/Central Asia, based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, will ensure that interventions (both planned and throughout implementation) remain in-line with regional objectives and complement existing efforts without duplication. While an initial intervention has been developed at the regional level in conjunction with this SOW, future activities may be developed at a later date. Planned and Illustrative activities include:

Future Growth Initiative (Planned) An initial Task order, the Future Growth Initiative (FGI) will support high-growth industries that can provide jobs and incomes for Central Asia’s growing workforce. FGI will serve as the base activity under E4, enabling a jumping off point for future Task Orders under E4 so that they can quickly begin operations as needed.

Uzbekistan (Illustrative) Macroeconomic policy support: Macroeconomic policy support, particularly on currency convertibility and financial sector reform to encourage investment critical for job creation.

Investment climate reform: A focus on the investment climate will facilitate private investment, both domestic and foreign. USAID may also explore the Government of Uzbekistan’s willingness to engage at the sub-national level given its emphasis on ensuring competitiveness and job creation in the regions.

Small business development in targeted sectors: Small business development in emerging sectors (e.g. tourism, technology, etc.) could be an opportunity to facilitate growth and technology transfer. In the later years, horticulture sector assistance, currently carried out by existing activities could be incorporated into E4.

Targeted Interventions (Illustrative) Assessments: The Contractor may periodically be used to conduct technical assessments related to E4’s goals on an as needed basis. These assessments may include activities such as sectoral assessments, studies related to incomes and job creation, and other related needs.

Technical Support: As needed, The Contractor may be requested to provide technical support such as advising at the firm-level, assisting partner governments with reform initiatives, and other efforts as needed.

The E4 mechanism will accommodate Task Orders that use Central Asia regional funding, funding from any of the five Central Asian Republics, or a combination of any of these funding streams. The estimated distribution of activities under E4 is as follows:

Regional Funding: 60% Country Office Funding: 30% Targeted Interventions (Regional or Country-Level): 10%

Targeted interventions include focused activities such as assessments or short to medium-term technical assistance for discrete activities not covered elsewhere. The abovementioned figures are merely illustrative estimates, and the actual funding of E4 could vary significantly.

C.4 CROSS-CUTTING CONSIDERATIONS

All task orders under this IDIQ must incorporate the following cross-cutting themes to the extent practicable in E4 interventions:

Fostering global opportunities and new markets for U.S. economic interests: Economic growth is not a zero-sum game. The increased prosperity and wealth resulting from E4 activities will benefit the U.S. economy as well as the economies of the direct beneficiary countries.

Private sector growth in the region will provide new customers, business partnerships, and export opportunities for American businesses looking to expand into markets in developing middle-income economies like those in Central Asia.

Harnessing the power of the private sector: Long-term, sustainable economic growth is best facilitated through the establishment of a competitive, market-driven economy with a fair and transparent business environment protected by effective governing institutions. Donors and governments should work to foster an enabling environment that provides the space for private sector firms and entrepreneurs to make rational, market-based business decisions that account for each firm’s desired expected return and tolerance for risk.

Maximizing the impact of every dollar: It is critical for publicly-funded donor activities to achieve the highest possible return and create the most impact for every dollar invested in the development of our partner countries. The Contractor must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles of cost-benefit analysis and be prepared to provide rigorous, quantitative, and peer-reviewable evidence of program effectiveness. The Contractor will make use of data-driven approaches such as cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis, where appropriate, to make the most informed and impactful programming decisions.

Partnerships: E4 task orders will seek opportunities to leverage the resources of other partners to maximize development impact. Partner organizations may include other USAID programs, bilateral and multilateral donors, other USG agencies, private sector companies, universities, and bank and non-bank financial institutions, among others. On an ongoing basis, the Contractor must identify opportunities and promote leveraging of resources from other organizations in order to further the impact of near- and long-term interventions, and identify opportunities for coordination or co-funding.

Program Coordination: The Contractor will need to closely coordinate its efforts, not only with other USAID programs, but also with other international organizations working in Central Asia in order to avoid duplication and maximize development impact. The Contractor must partner with other programs whenever feasible and should build upon the gains of previous development efforts.

Inclusive Growth: Program success is not determined solely by improvement in aggregate outputs and outcomes. Rather, economic gains must be inclusive of broad populations of society and not biased against any gender, geographic region, or socio-economic group. Preference will be given toward activities that demonstrate the ability to benefit many segments of society and in particular those segments currently disadvantaged or otherwise excluded from the opportunities presented by private sector economic growth, job creation, and entrepreneurship.

Gender Equality and Female Empowerment: The Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (RDCS) for USAID/Central Asia identifies gender integration as a priority rooted in the evidence that women’s increasing participation in the economy will boost economic growth.

Interventions implemented by the Contractor must be responsive to gender considerations, and seek to ensure that the assistance provided and the results achieved are beneficial to both genders. Gender monitoring and reporting requirements will be included in Task Orders.

Legal Parameters: Interventions proposed by the contractor must be carried out within the legal parameters that are applicable to USAID and its implementing organizations. These parameters include statutory restrictions pertaining to adverse economic impact upon the United States such as providing incentives to U.S. business located in the U.S. to relocate causing impact on U.S. jobs, production of surplus commodities causing substantial injury to U.S.

producers and growth and production of agricultural commodities for export which would compete with a similar commodity grown or produced in the U.S.

C.5 RESULTS

The results of E4 implementation will be measured according to the specific guidance provided in each individual task order.

[END SECTION C]

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (January 1993)

(a) It is USAID policy that USAID-financed commodities and shipping containers, and project construction sites and other project locations be suitably marked with the USAID emblem.

Shipping containers are also to be marked with the last five digits of the USAID financing document number. As a general rule, marking is not required for raw materials shipped in bulk (such as coal, grain, etc.), or for semi-finished products which are not packaged.

(b) Specific guidance on marking requirements should be obtained prior to procurement of commodities to be shipped, and as early as possible for project construction sites and other project locations. This guidance will be provided through the cognizant technical office indicated on the cover page of this contract, or by the Mission Director in the Cooperating Country to which commodities are being shipped, or in which the project site is located.

(c) Authority to waive marking requirements is vested with the Regional Assistant Administrators, and with Mission Directors.

(d) A copy of any specific marking instructions or waivers from marking requirements is to be sent to the Contracting Officer; the original should be retained by the Contractor.

D.2 752.7034 ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND DISCLAIMER. (DEC 1991)

(a) USAID shall be prominently acknowledged in all publications, videos or other information/media products funded or partially funded through this contract, and the product shall state that the views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of USAID.

Acknowledgments should identify the sponsoring USAID Office and Bureau or Mission as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development substantially as follows: "This [publication, video or other information/media product (specify)] was made possible through support provided by the Office of [ ], Bureau for [ ], U.S. Agency for International Development, under the terms of Contract No. [ ]. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International Development."

(b) Unless the contractor is instructed otherwise by the cognizant technical office publications, videos or other information/media products funded under this contract and intended for general readership or other general use will be marked with the USAID logo and/or U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT appearing either at the top or at the bottom of the front cover or, if more suitable, on the first inside title page for printed products, and in equivalent/appropriate location in videos or other information/media products. Logos and markings of co-sponsors or authorizing institutions should be similarly located and of similar size and appearance.

D.3 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING

All USAID-funded foreign assistance (including programs, projects, activities, public communications, or commodities) must be communicated, promoted, and marked as coming from the American People through USAID. Specific communications and promotion measures must be described in “Branding Implementation Plan,” and specific marking will be described in the “Marking Plan” for the contract. Branding and marking under this contract must comply with the USAID Automated Directive System Chapter 320 Branding and Marking (ADS 320) at http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/320.pdf.

The cover page of all report deliverables required in Section F must include the USAID Identity (or the name of the Agency written out) prominently displayed, the Contract number (see the cover page of this Contract), contractor name, name of the USAID project office, the publication or issuance date of the document, document title, author name(s), project number, and project title. Descriptive information is required whether contractor-furnished products are submitted in paper or electronic form. All materials must include the name, organization, address, and telephone/fax/internet number of the person submitting the materials.

D.4 BRANDING STRATEGY

The project name is the USAID Enterprises, Employment, and Enabling Environments (E4) Activity.

Translations to other applicable languages must be proposed by the contractor and approved by USAID as part of the Branding Implementation Plan.

How the materials and communications will be positioned:

In all project communications and materials the project will be referred to as USAID’s. In all public events and public communications the project must also acknowledge and make it visible and understandable that the project, all its activities and/or materials/deliverables are made possible by the American People. Any materials and communications produced by any sub-contractor must follow USAID branding requirements.

The desired level of visibility:

The contractor must ensure that the project (as well as the fact that it is made possible by the American people through USAID) receives broad visibility not only among its beneficiaries and counterparts, but also among the general public in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. USAID’s experience in Central Asia demonstrates critical importance and multiple opportunities for public outreach through information dissemination.

In the case of events, trainings or conferences related to market based solutions that are put on by private sector lead firms and not directly by the implementer or its sub-contractors, a reduced branding and marking approach may be applied. This is to promote more visibility for the role of the private sector and private sector actors in leading these events. However, this does not apply when an event, training or conference is being directly sponsored by the Contractor and/or its sub-contractors.

Any other organizations to be acknowledged:

Co-branding and co-marking of public communications with local partners, in particular national governments and partners in public-private partnerships, is allowable and encouraged in order to promote local ownership of the initiatives supported by USAID. Co-branding and co-marking is to be specified in the branding implementation plan and will require approval by USAID.

D.5 APPROVAL OF BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

The contractor Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan will be finalized using the template provided in Section J and submitted for Contracting Officer approval. The contractor will follow the approved plan during implementation of this contract unless a waiver is requested and approved. Guidance applying for waivers can be found at USAID Automated Directive Supplement Chapter 320, Branding and Marking.

[END OF SECTION D]

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR “52.252.-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE” in Section I of this contract. See http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html for electronic access to the full text of a FAR clause.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1) Clause Number Clause Title

52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed Price (AUG 1996) 52.246-5 Inspection of Services – Cost Reimbursement (APR 1984)

E.2. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE/RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports and other required deliverables or outputs must take place at USAID/Central Asia or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and deliverables or outputs are produced or submitted. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) identified in Section G has been delegated authority to inspect and accept all services, reports, and deliverables required by the basic IDIQ.

TOCORs may be designated for a specific task order. In accordance with the clauses of this contract entitled ―Inspection of Services – Cost Reimbursement, (FAR 52.246-5) and ―Inspection of Services – Fixed-price, (FAR 52.246-4), inspection of results or other deliverables required by each Task Order issued hereunder must be made by the cognizant TOCOR for that Task Order. Acceptance of goods/services and reports or other deliverables by the cognizant TOCOR for that Task Order must form the basis for payments to the contractor, and will form the basis of the contractor‘s permanent performance record with regard to this contract.

[END OF SECTION E]

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SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR “52.252.-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE” in Section I of this contract. See http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html for electronic access to the full text of a FAR clause.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1) Clause Number Clause Title

52.242-15 Stop Work Order Alternate I (Apr1984)

F.2 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

a. The period of performance for the contract, including all Task Orders, is from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2026.

b. The ordering period is from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2024.

c. Task order performance may continue up to 2 years after the ordering period of September 30, 2024 but must be completed by September 30, 2026, which is the end of the period of performance.

The ordering period of the award is limited to four years. Task orders may be issued during the ordering period specified in paragraph b with a maximum period of performance of no more than 5 years not to exceed the contract end date set forth in paragraph a. above.

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Performance of this contract and task orders issued hereunder must be in the Central Asia region, specifically the countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. As the purpose of this IDIQ is to enhance regional enterprises, it is also possible ancillary work may take place in the countries that do business with the Central Asia Region.

F.4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Evaluation of the contractor's performance must be conducted for each task order in accordance with the performance standards set forth in the Task Order, if any, the Contractor's overall performance toward achievement of the objectives in Section C and provision of deliverables in Section F of the task order, and the Contractor's compliance with all other terms and conditions of the IDIQ and task order. Each evaluation will be conducted jointly by the TOCOR and the TOCO, and must form the basis of the contractor's permanent performance record with regard to this Contract and task orders as required in FAR Part 42.15 and AIDAR 742.15.

The Contractor’s performance under TOs will be evaluated annually and at Contract completion, in accordance with the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), utilizing at minimum, the following factors:

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(i) Quality;

(ii) Schedule;

(iii) Cost control;

(iv) Management;

(v) Utilization of Small Business (as applicable);

(vi) Regulatory Compliance;

(vii) Other Areas (as applicable) (e.g., late or nonpayment to subcontractors, trafficking violations, tax delinquency, failure to report in accordance with Contract terms and conditions, defective cost or pricing data, terminations, suspension and debarments).

F.5 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

(a) In addition to the requirements set forth for submission of reports in Sections C, I and J, and in the AIDAR clause 752.242-70, Periodic Progress Reports, the Contractor must submit required deliverables or outputs as specified in individual task orders to the COR specified in Section G with a copy to the Contracting Officer.

(b) A final report for the IDIQ is required as follows:

The Contractor will provide USAID a concise, final report within 30 calendar days prior to completion of this IDIQ. This report will summarize the regional situation; program highlights, achievements, and major activities; funds obligated and disbursed; summary of grant implementation and appraisal; problems encountered and how they were rectified.

(c) Language of Reports and Other Deliverables

All reports and…