RFI Learn Together-Final.docx

USAID/Central Asia

RFI NO. 72011520RFI00001

USAID/Learn Together Program

Request for Information (RFI)

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)/Central Asia, is seeking input from interested organizations, individuals and potential offerors who may provide comments, input, opinions and recommendations in response to the proposed questions outlined in this Request for Information (RFI).

Responses to this notice are not considered a proposal or application and will not be accepted or evaluated by the Government as a result of this RFI. Only responses with the information requested in this RFI will be reviewed. Responses received may be used for planning and design purposes.

Release of this RFI in no way obligates the United States Government or USAID to release a funding opportunity or solicitation for this proposed activity, nor are either responsible for any costs incurred in preparing responses to this RFI.

Responses must be submitted electronically to AlmatyAASolicitations@usaid.gov with a copy to Liam Garvey, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at lgarvey@usaid.gov and Joshua Schramm, Contracting/Agreement Officer at jschramm@usaid.gov under the title: RFI No 72011520RFI00001 for USAID/Tajikistan Learn Together Activity. The submitted information must not exceed 2 pages, including annexes/attachments. Submissions will receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt. USAID will not provide feedback or responses to questions submitted in response to this RFI and no applications or resumes will be accepted or considered. Your responses will not be made public. Thank you for your interest in this Request for Information.

Sincerely, /s/

Joshua Schramm Contracting/Agreement Officer

Request for Information

I. PURPOSE

The United States Agency for International Development Learn Together Program in Tajikistan aims to improve the primary students' learning skills (Grades 1-4), with a particular focus on improving reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, and mathematics. Through this program, USAID intends to support the Tajikistan Ministry of Education and Science’s (MOES) capacity to take on greater responsibility for improving literacy and numeracy skills to impact the overall primary students learning outcomes. Intended coverage is nationwide (at least 80 percent of primary schools) with attention to focus on regions with historically lower learning outcomes.

The Activity purpose will be achieved through the following components:

1. Improved instruction and availability of supplemental reading materials

2. Improved instruction and availability of supplementary math materials

3. Increased government capacity to develop and implement cohesive primary education policies and programs

Please see attached Draft Scope of Work for a more detailed description.

II Questions USAID will continue to improve primary education in Tajikistan and would like to gather information on the following questions. The submitted information must not exceed 2 pages, including annexes/attachments. The submitted response should include the following information:

· The questions or specific areas requiring clarity in the SOW; and

· Recommendations for considerations/improvements, referencing a place/section in the SOW.

Specifically, please consider the following questions in your response:

· What contextual circumstances in the education sector in Tajikistan create the greatest challenges in achieving the goal of improved primary education learning outcomes in Tajikistan?

· What are the greatest challenges within the primary public schools in Tajikistan to achieve improved teaching instruction?

· What public/private partnership opportunities exist in Tajikistan related to primary education reform?

· How can USAID better engage local partners in the solicitation and implementation of this activity?

· What barriers exist to the use of information technology solutions in improving learning outcomes in primary schools?

· After review of the SOW, do you believe that the approach outlined by USAID will achieve the necessary results. If not, what is missing or should be modified in the SOW to achieve those results?

Please do not copy information from publicly available reports but you are free to include citations or references.

III How to submit a response All comments must be submitted electronically to AlmatyAASolicitations@usaid.gov under the title: RFI 72011520RFI00001, USAID/Tajikistan Learn Together Program. Responses to this RFI will be accepted through January 31, 2020, 9:00 am (Almaty Time). You will receive only an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response but will not receive individualized feedback or suggestions. No basis for claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this request for information or from the U.S. Government’s use of such information. Specific questions about this RFI should be directed only to the email addresses identified above. This office will not respond to any telephone or other inquiries regarding this notice.

The submitted response must not exceed 3 pages, including annexes/attachments, if needed and should include the following information:

Reference Number: USAID/Central Asia Learn Together Program Date:

Affiliation/ Organization:

Business Address:

Representative Name / Email:

A short technical narrative that includes responses to the Questions in the RFI

Please note that USAID is not seeking technical or cost applications at this time. Do not submit any application in response to this RFI. Issuance of this notice does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of comments.

KAZAKHSTAN TAJIKISTAN TURKMENISTAN UZBEKISTAN

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