72011523R00002 Solicitation.pdf

Issuance Date: March 6, 2023 Questions Due Date/Time: March 20, 2023, 10 AM Almaty Time Closing Date/Time: April 14, 2023, 10AM Almaty Time

Subject: Request for Proposals (RFP) No.: 72011523R00002, Central Asia Mechanism for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking proposals to provide services on monitoring, evaluation and learning in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as described in the subject Request for Proposals (RFP). USAID anticipates issuing a single-award, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), seven-year contract with a maximum ceiling of $7,000,000.

In accordance with FAR Part 19.5, this acquisition is being set aside for small businesses only.

USAID anticipates that the maximum aggregate ordering limitation for a contract resulting from this RFP will be $7,000,000 over the period of performance.

Section L of the subject RFP sets forth all instructions for the preparation and submission of required proposal contents. Section M states the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated. Oral explanations or instructions given before award of the contract will not be binding.

This RFP in no way obligates USAID to award a contract nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. Award of a Contract under this RFP is subject to availability of funds and other internal USAID approvals.

This RFP can be viewed and downloaded from www.sam.gov. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Further, be aware that amendments to solicitations are occasionally issued and will be posted on the same website from which you downloaded the solicitation. USAID advises to regularly check the above website for amendments.

Sincerely, Joshua Schramm, Contracting Officer

72011523R00002

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

1 109

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)

Almaty local timeuntildepository located in Submissions must be submitted in separate electronic formats as specified in the subject RFP 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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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 BYCODE 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

03/06/2023 X

720115

USAID/Central Asia/Kazakhstan 41 Kazibek Bi St.

Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan

10:00 04/14/2023

See the subject solicitation.

for details please see the subject solicitation.

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PAGE(S)

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

Joshua Schramm, Contracting Officer

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97)

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

1-6 7-10

11-21 22-23 25-31 32-36 37-64

65-77

79-92

93-106

107-109

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _____0_________ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted

Solicitation No.: - 72011523R00002 USAID/Central Asia

USAID Central Asia Mechanism for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................ ……7

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

B.3 MINIMUM OBLIGATED AMOUNT

B.4 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

B.5 OBLIGATED AMOUNT/ESTIMATED COST

B.6 LABOR

B.7 INDIRECT COSTS

B.8 CEILING ON INDIRECT COST RATES

B.9 FIXED FEE CEILING (Cost-Plus- Fixed-Fee Task Orders Only)

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY, IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING 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 PERSONNEL

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

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

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.4 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.5 PAYING OFFICE

USAID Central Asia Mechanism for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

G.6 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

H.2 752.225-70 SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012)

H.3 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: PRECLUSION FROM FURNISHING

CERTAIN SERVICES AND RESTRICTION ON USE OF INFORMATION (SEPTEMBER 2018)38

H.4 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY (DECEMBER 2004)

H.5 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (DDL)

(OCT 2014)

H.6 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.7 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.8 LOGISTIC SUPPORT

H.9 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES OR PROPERTY

H.10 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL

CONFERENCES (JAN 2002)

H.11 PROHIBITION OF ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS

H.12 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.13 GENDER AND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT

H.14 TEAMS AND USAID SPONSORED J-1 VISAS

H.15 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM

H.16 CONFIDENTIALITY AND OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

H.17 INHERENTLY GOVERNMENTAL AND CLOSELY ASSOCIATED FUNCTIONS

H.18 ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY (APRIL 2018) ... 45

H.19 SOFTWARE LICENSE ADDENDUM (MAY 2016) (DEVIATION NO

M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-06c)

H.20 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY

(APRIL 2018) (DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-06c)

H.21 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL (APRIL 2018) (DEVIATION

NO. M-OAA-DEV-FAR-22-03c)

H.22 PRIVACY AND SECURITY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

INCIDENT REPORTING (APRIL 2018) (DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-

AIDAR-22-06c)(a)

H.23 SKILLS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PRIVACY AND

SECURITY STAFF (APRIL 2018) (DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-06c)

H.24 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

RESOURCES (APRIL 2018) (DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-

AIDAR-22-06c)

H.25 CLOUD COMPUTING (APRIL 2018) (DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-06c) . 58

H.26 ADS 547 MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE

H.27 ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (EIT) ACCESSIBILITY

STANDARDS COMPLIANCE

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.2 752.227-14 RIGHTS IN DATA—GENERAL (OCT 2007)

I.3 52.229-8 TAXES - FOREIGN COST-REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS (MAR 1990)

I.4 52.244-2 SUBCONTRACTS ALT I. (JUNE 2007)

I.5 752.222-71 NONDISCRIMINATION (JUNE 2012)

I.6 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)

I.7 752.231-72 CONFERENCE PLANNING AND REQUIRED APPROVALS (AUGUST 2013) ... 73

I.8 752.7005 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

DOCUMENTS (SEP 2013)

I.9 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVALS AND NOTIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS (APR 2014)

I.10 752.7036 USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR

ACQUISITION (JULY 2014)

PART III – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF THE

OFFEROR

K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE

K.2 52.203-18 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE

CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS REPRESENTATION (JAN 2017) 79

K.3 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (DEC 2022)

K.4 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (AUG 2020)

K.5 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS OCT 2018)

K.6 52.209-11 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING

DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION

UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW (FEB 2016)

K.7 52.227-15 REPRESENTATION OF LIMITED RIGHTS DATA AND RESTRICTED

COMPUTER SOFTWARE (DEC 2007)

K.8 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION

(JUNE 2020)

K.9 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE--COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR

2005) …………………

K.10 INSURANCE - IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY

K.11 AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATORS

K.12 SIGNATURE

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

RESPONDENTS

L.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

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

L.7 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 COST/PRICE EVALUATION

M.4 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE

M.5 SOURCE SELECTION

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 USAID Central Asia Mechanism for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning activity.

USAID Task Order Contracting Officers (TOCOs) will request the work through the issuance of task orders during the ordering period.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is a single-award, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type Contract. The Government will issue task orders that are either Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) (term or completion), Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF) or Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF). The Contractor must perform the services set forth in task orders consistent with the terms specified in this contract and the task order.

B.3 MINIMUM OBLIGATED AMOUNT

The basic Contract includes an initial obligation of funds in the amount of $25,000 to cover the minimum order guarantee. USAID is required to order, and the Contractor is required to furnish the minimum order amount of services.

There is no guarantee on the number of task orders that the successful contractors will receive or the amount of money beyond the minimum order guarantee set forth in the contract. Following this initial obligation, 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 Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with an overall ceiling price of $7,000,000 for the USAID Central Asia Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning activity. The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders under the subject IDIQ must not exceed the contract ceiling. This ceiling is not being subdivided among the number of awards nor is it being multiplied by the number of awards.

B.5 OBLIGATED AMOUNT/ESTIMATED COST

The Firm-Fixed-Price for each Task Order will be negotiated based on the price to complete the work outlined in a Request for Task Order Proposal (RFTOP). After acceptance of a fixed price task order by the Contractor, the task order price will only be adjusted to reflect changes in scope or conditions governed by other clauses.

The total estimated Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) for each task order must be negotiated in accordance with the terms of the IDIQ contract. In no event may the indirect rates or fixed fee for a task order exceed the ceilings set forth in Section B of this contract. Cost must be limited to reasonable, allocable, and allowable costs determined in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment and FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee.

Fixed Fee Payment: For any Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) 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 the fixed fee that directly corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs being paid. Two exceptions to fixed fee payment may apply:

(i) If the TOCO determines that this method results in paying a disproportionately higher ratio of fixed fee than the percentage of work 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.

(ii) In accordance with "Allowable Cost and Payment" (FAR 52.216-7) and "Fixed Fee" (FAR 52.216-8) incorporated herein, 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

(Only applicable to CPFF completion type TOs)

IDIQ central management costs will be handled through the following method:

(a) The Contracting Officer has determined that a full-time key personnel position is not necessary or required to administer the IDIQ. Contractors will not be authorized to bill USAID directly for IDIQ management costs under this IDIQ or under task orders. Contractors must adopt 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 and acceptable accounting procedures, which should be compliant with the cost principles applicable to the Contractor and the terms of this contract.

(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 (AUG 2018)”, 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 for prime contractors and their major subcontractors:

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 FY 17 FY 18 FY19 FY 20 FY 21 (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-Price Task Orders, the overhead ceilings serve as a basis for negotiation only.

B.9 FIXED FEE CEILING (Cost-Plus- Fixed-Fee Task Orders Only)

NOTE: The ceiling on fixed fee does not apply to Fixed-Price 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 a 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 six percent (6%) 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 contract. The fixed fee ceiling applies to the prime contract and all cost reimbursement subcontracts. The Total Estimated Cost-Plus- Fixed-Fee for each Task Order must be negotiated in accordance with the terms of this contract.

(b) 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 percentage of fixed fee that corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs approved by the TOCO.

(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.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this seven-years Contract is to provide the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Central Asia regional and bilateral Missions with expert services to conduct independent evaluations, ad hoc assessments and analysis during program development and implementation, and support local capacity building and learning in the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) space. It is anticipated that this Contract will assist the Central Asia regional and bilateral Missions assess and develop programs, as well as foster learning and knowledge management in order to support stronger results and improve evidence-based programming. This, in turn, will promote more effective use of the Agency’s development assistance resources and provide greater transparency.

C.2 BACKGROUND

The USAID/Central Asia Regional Mission with offices located in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan implements activities across the five countries of Central Asia. Separate bilateral Missions also operate in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Regional Mission implements economic development (trade, energy, water and environment), democracy and governance, and health programming throughout the five Central Asian countries. Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan bilateral Missions implement bilateral health, education, democracy and governance, and economic growth programs.

USAID is committed to key principles and practices that foster a results-oriented culture. All programs are designed and implemented by ensuring inclusiveness, environmental sustainability, appropriate use of available science and technologies, meaningful partnerships with public and private sectors --especially local stakeholders, and strategic adaptive management. To continue to enhance performance management, it is critical for the Missions to continue to strive for accountability and learning from strategic, evidence-based information/knowledge; in line with the Agency’s Automated Directive System (ADS) for Program Cycle Operational Policy (ADS 201). In doing so, the Missions intend to establish a platform that can provide high quality and timely support/services in responding to the learning needs as well as in complying with the ADS 201, especially those related to strategy/activity design, evaluation, and collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) to service all USAID Missions in the Central Asia region.

C.3 OBJECTIVE

As requested via Task Orders (TOs), the Contractor will provide high quality technical and management expertise to support USAID Missions in the Central Asia region in following three areas:

1. Conduct independent evaluations of USAID activities/projects/programs as required throughout the program cycle to document results and lessons learned;

2. Carry out ad hoc assessments and analysis throughout the program cycle to inform program design and/or implementation;

3. Monitoring and learning support during program implementation.

As requested and where possible, for each objective, the Contractor will engage local experts and build local research and evaluation capacities as well as support on knowledge management and learning. If requested by the missions, international experts will be retained.

C.4 STATEMENT OF WORK

The Contractor is expected to provide services under each of the objectives outlined in C.3, covering various technical/program areas stated in the TOs. Given the varying needs during the program cycle, TOs may require one or more of the below tasks. USAID reserves the right to order other tasks/services related to the Contract objectives that are not explicitly stated below.

Objective 1: Conduct independent evaluations of USAID programs/projects/activities

USAID conducts both performance and impact evaluations. Performance evaluations encompass a broad range of evaluation methods. They often incorporate before-and-after comparisons but generally lack a rigorously defined counterfactual. Since performance evaluations do not contain a rigorously defined counterfactual, they should not answer questions about the amount of change attributable to an intervention, where other factors are likely to have influenced the variable in question. Impact evaluations measure changes that are attributable to a defined intervention, program, policy, or organization. Impact evaluations use models of cause and effect and require a credible and rigorously defined counterfactual to control for factors other than the intervention that might account for the observed change. When USAID needs information on whether an intervention is achieving a specific outcome, USAID prefers impact evaluations over performance evaluations.

In conducting impact and/or performance evaluations, the Contractor will be expected to implement different program evaluation methods such as experimental design, quasi-experimental design, and/or mixed method research to carry out a process evaluation or ex-post evaluation. Depending on the method, evaluations may involve cross-sectional and/or longitudinal analysis (i.e., baseline, mid-term and/or endline studies). In partnership with USAID and the Implementing Partner (IP) and depending on the stage of the strategy/activity, the Contractor may be asked to recommend and/or carry out one of the following designs (not fully inclusive):

● Experimental method, such as a randomized evaluation

● Quasi-experimental method, such as pre-post, simple difference, differences-in-differences, multivariate regression, statistical matching, regression discontinuity design, instrumental variables, or synthetic controls

● Non-experimental method, such as ex-post or case study

● Other types of methods such as process evaluation, cost-benefit evaluation

Objective 2: Carry out ad hoc assessments throughout the program cycle to inform design and/or implementation

To shape the strategic direction for future USAID programming in the Central Asia region, improve our strategy/program/project/activity designs, and conduct ad hoc analysis during program implementation, the Contractor may be required to conduct different types of assessments throughout the program cycle that cut across different sectors and topics.

Types of assessments/analysis that may be requested via a TO (not exhaustive):

● Political Economy Analysis (at the country, sector, or problem-level)

● Gender & Social Inclusion Analysis

● Tropical Forest & Biodiversity Analysis

● Climate Risk Analysis

● Beneficiary Analysis

● Cost-Benefit Analysis or Cost Analysis

● Environmental Assessment

● Growth Diagnostic

● Constraints Analysis

● Landscape Analysis

● Sustainability Analysis

● Risk Assessment

● Private Sector Assessment

● Youth Assessment

● Digital Landscape Analysis

● Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA)

For all studies, the Contractor shall assemble qualified teams and use methods that meet USAID’s Evaluation Policy in developing and conducting research to generate the highest quality and most credible evidence that corresponds to the questions being asked; taking into consideration time, budget, and other practical considerations.

The Contractor must conduct research and evaluations according to the highest ethical standards to protect the public and maintain public trust in the U.S. Government’s efforts. In particular, the Contractor must plan and implement evaluations to safeguard the dignity, rights, safety, and privacy of participants and other stakeholders and affected entities. The Contractor should abide by current professional standards and legal requirements that pertain to the treatment of participants. Evaluations should be equitable, fair, and just, and should consider cultural and contextual factors that could influence the findings or their use.

Collecting data responsibly includes protecting participants and human subjects from harm, obtaining informed consent to collect and use data, safeguarding individual privacy and security, protecting the sensitive information of vulnerable and marginalized populations, and applying high ethical standards to decide what information to collect and how to use it. In addition, all covered research must follow the requirements of informed consent per the Common Rule. Beyond covered research, USAID recognizes the importance of protecting the safety, confidentiality and well-being of all participants in all research studies and related activities that USAID supports or conducts, including those that participate in research that is determined to be ‘exempt’ per the Common Rule. ‘Related activities’ may include data collection through surveys, assessments, and interviews as stand-alone or as part of larger efforts.

In addition, the Contractor must follow ADS 579 guidelines on development data. USAID recognizes the importance of data management planning to ensure that data is managed well across a full data lifecycle, including collection, analysis, repository submission, and publication and re-use. Depending on the terms in the TO, the Contractor must follow data management best practices to produce high-quality, usable data assets and if required, submit these assets to USAID as deliverables.

Objective 3: Monitoring and learning support during program implementation

Monitoring plays a critical role throughout the Program Cycle and is used to determine whether USAID is accomplishing what it sets out to achieve, what effects programming is having in a region, and how to adapt to changing environments.

Performance monitoring and context monitoring occur throughout the Program Cycle, at the Country or Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS/RDCS) level down to activities. Data from monitoring are used to: assess whether programming is achieving expected results; adapt existing activities, projects, and strategies as necessary; and, apply Agency learning to the designs of future strategies and programming.

USAID uses existing monitoring information to inform CDCS/RDCS. Following approval of a CDCS, a Performance Management Plan (PMP) is written to accompany the strategy and includes information about what will be monitored. Project teams develop Project Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plans and CORs/AORs in collaboration with implementing partners develop Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plans (AMELPs).

In partnership with USAID, the Contractor may be asked to carry out one of the following designs (not fully inclusive):

● Provide support to USAID teams on Data Quality Assessments, such as capacity building assistance, reviewing data, and tool development

● Review and recommend refinements of Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS)

● Develop and refine theory of change and program logic

● Visualize indicator data

● Analyze data for baselines and facilitate discussions toward setting appropriate activity targets

● Indicator stock taking, particularly before portfolio reviews

● Third-party monitoring support

● Review and refine PMPs following portfolio reviews

● Provide facilitation and capacity-building assistance

● Develop tools for Mission staff reviews of Activity MEL Plans

In line with ADS 201.3.1.2.C Program Cycle Principle on “Promote Sustainability through Local Implementation and Financing” and ADS 201.3.6.2 that evaluations must be oriented toward reinforcing local ownership, where possible, the Contractor must engage local experts and build local research and evaluation capacities. As part of the effort, the Contractor should form partnerships with Central Asian organizations and experts and shall maximize their engagement to accomplish the services tasked under this Contract. To be considered a “local/regional” organization, an entity must:

a) be organized under the laws of a country in the region served by this Contract;

b) have its principal place of business in the region;

c) be majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the region; and

d) be managed by a governing body, the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the region.

It is envisioned that the engagement of local/regional firms/personnel will help strengthen local/regional capacity on evaluation and research. To the extent possible and practical, all teams deployed for any TOs under this Contract must include local/regional firms/specialists with appropriate expertise in order to benefit from: 1) better access to local communities in the region; 2) improved validity and reliability of relevant studies as international experts may lack the knowledge on local/regional contexts; 3) local language skills; and 4) culturally appropriate approaches in implementing tasks assigned under the Contract. However, deployed personnel must have not been directly involved in the implementation of projects/activities being studied and/or evaluated that could lead to bias. The roles of local/regional firms/specialists shall not be limited to data collection, but also in the design, planning, analysis, and administration of the study. It is preferable that local experts serve as the team lead. The Contractor shall be responsible for orienting and mentoring local/regional organizations/personnel to ensure that they apply consistent and appropriate methodologies and approaches when providing services. The Contractor will also update local/regional partners on the latest USAID policies, regulations, guidance and practices related to evaluation and CLA as well as on international standards and codes of conduct for research ethics. The Contractor shall, over time, partner more frequently with key selected local/regional organizations that demonstrate potential to implement and sustain the support/services at a national and/or regional level over the long term.

As part of the Agency’s strategy to strengthen staff capacity, USAID encourages participation of USAID staff on the evaluation/research team when his/her participation is considered beneficial for skill development and/or for ensuring the use of the study results, and does not present a conflict of interest or a threat to validity of the study. USAID staff may participate, in full or in part, to any type of services delivered under this Contract, as deemed appropriate. Level of involvement from USAID staff to the team may range from a short field visit to learn and/or monitor the field study, to engagement in the entire process from the design, data collection/analysis/interpretation to report writing and presentation of the study results. The Contractor shall follow the requirements for an “external” evaluation as specified in the USAID’s Evaluation Policy. USAID staff participating in evaluations must not have been involved in the management of the project/activity under evaluation.

In compliance with best practices on participatory evaluation/research, the Contractor should ensure participation by national/regional counterparts and other stakeholders – both people and institutions and also include beneficiaries – during each assignment where applicable and appropriate under guidance of relevant TOs’ CORs/ COs. In such cases, the same principles for involvement of USAID staff shall be applied.

The individual TO’s may require the Contractor to conduct capacity building events with engaged USAID staff and local stakeholders in conjunction with the conducted evaluation/research.

Co-creation of the evaluations and assessments, if requested in individual TOs, can be used as another approach for capacity building of participating USAID staff.

In any case, participation of individuals other than those deployed by the Contractor shall be concurred by the TO’s COR to clarify and ensure their level of commitment to the activity, avoid conflict of interest, and/or reduce the management burden to the Contractor’s teams. All members of the evaluation team will work under the leadership of the external Team Lead assigned by the Contractor.

NOTE:

a. English will be an official language for correspondence between the Contractor, USAID, and most relevant partners/stakeholders. All written products delivered under this Contract must be in standard English. However, it is anticipated that Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Russian, Tajik, Turkmen and Uzbek languages will also be used extensively, particularly during field data collection and communications with key informants. The Contractor will ensure that the team member(s) deployed have the required language proficiency to effectively implement the assigned tasks.

b. It is the Contractor’s responsibility for obtaining visas for conducting activities, which may have long lead times and visa approvals are outside of the Contractor’s control. The Contractor shall consider alternative and/or innovative approaches for working in restrictive environments when planning/implementing activities in Central Asia.

C.5 MANAGEMENT MODALITY

The Contractor shall adhere to the following guiding principles during the Contract implementation.

C.5.1 Coordination

USAID’s work regularly involves coordination with and between the Regional, Bilateral and Country Offices, IPs and other stakeholders. In addition, the Missions maintain regular coordination with the U.S.

Embassies and Consulates in the region to avoid duplication, identify opportunities to add value, and ensure smooth relations and communications with the host country governments and other stakeholders in the region.

The ability to engage across all technical, support and country offices, including IPs and other stakeholders, is critical for the success of this Contract. This engagement will provide an opportunity for the Contractor to develop a comprehensive understanding of challenges and opportunities across the entire portfolio, and foster a more collaborative working relationship with both USAID and external staff.

When implementing research activities, at a minimum, the Contractor shall follow the Missions’ protocol/procedure for coordination and communication with country offices and other counterparts in the region, engage them in all activities from the inception stage to ensure their inputs in the design, provide advance notice about upcoming activities in any country, and conduct briefings with staff of USAID, U.S. Embassy and/or other partners/stakeholders during each assignment in the relevant countries, as required.

Specific coordinating activities, in addition to the above, shall be identified in individual TOs.

C.5.2 IDIQ Management

Upon the successful award, the IDIQ’s COR will organize an orientation to the Mission’s organizational structure, management and coordination protocol/procedure, and M&E systems and processes. The orientation will also involve individual meetings with relevant staff, e.g., Gender Advisor, Technical Officers, and Environmental Compliance Officer. The primary objective of the orientation is to help the Contractor gain a better understanding of the Mission’s portfolio, requirements, and culture and work environment.

The Contractor shall regularly consult with the IDIQ’s COR to report progress and results of services under this Contract as well as to share challenges faced and ways to mitigate them. The frequency of communication with the IDIQ COR will be determined by the COR after the Contract is signed.

C.5.3 Task Order Management

For all TOs, the Contractor shall recruit and deploy specialized technical and/or support staff, as outlined in individual TOs. The Contractor must provide direct services and operational oversight to fulfill all requirements of all TOs while ensuring the quality and timeliness of the services delivered. The Contractor shall be responsible for all administrative support and furnishing all logistic support required to fulfill the requirements of all TOs under this Contract (e.g., international/regional/domestic travel and visa arrangements).

Upon the successful award, the TO’s COR may organize a post-award briefing to help the Contractor to gain a better understanding of the TO’s goal and objective(s) and the Mission’s expectation on the TO results, as well as to provide an opportunity for the Contractor to clarify their understanding on the TO requirements.

The Contractor shall be expected to meet with the TO’s COR or his/her designee to review the status of the services on a regular basis, as agreed with the COR (via conference call or in person). Other relevant individuals from the Mission, IPs and/or key stakeholders may also be invited to the meeting as deemed appropriate.

To ensure objectivity and independence, especially for evaluations, the Contractor must not directly correspond or communicate with USAID staff and/or those of the IPs or other stakeholders other than those concurred by the IDIQ’s/TO’s COR/CO. When communication with those who do not have direct roles on the evaluation is required, the Contractor shall keep the TO’s COR in the communication loop.

If approached by individuals who do not have direct roles in implementing the evaluation, the Contractor shall direct the individuals to and immediately inform the TO’s COR/CO.

Specific requirements other than specified above shall be identified in individual TOs.

C.6 PERSONNEL

The services under this IDIQ require the personnel specified below. If the required expertise for individual TOs has not been captured in the relevant labor categories, USAID reserves the right to add new labor categories at a later date.

All personnel are required to keep abreast of USAID’s policies and guidance (i.e. USAID Automated Directives System (ADS) Chapters 200 and 300) including but not limited to:

i. Program Cycle Guidance,

ii. Project Design Guidance,

iii. Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy, and

All short-/long-term personnel deployed under TOs are expected to be familiar with Country/Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (C/RDCS), as well as their areas of expertise in the Central Asian contexts. Depending on TO requirements, they must have appropriate and up-to-date technical knowledge and expertise related to their technical areas.

Below are specific labor/personnel categories to be on call, if needed:

1. Evaluation Team Lead, Principal Investigator, Research Team Lead

Depending on TO requirements, these personnel must have appropriate technical knowledge and expertise related to their technical areas and have extensive experience in mixed method research. This will range from design, planning, implementation, and management of various evaluation and/or assessment methodologies. S/he shall be familiar with global and regional development contexts and indicators/indexes. Personnel may also be required to advise/mentor other team members on these subjects.

2. Statistician, Econometrician, or Data Analyst

The Specialist shall be able to clean, manage and analyze data, which includes the ability to use advanced statistical and econometric tools and methodologies, particularly in the case of an evaluation.

S/he must have advanced skills in using quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis software such as Stata, SPSS, ATLAS-ti, and/or NVivo. S/he may also be requested to provide customized training and/or technical assistance to other team members.

3. Economic & Trade, Private Sector, Public Finance Specialist/Analyst:

The Specialist/Analyst must have demonstrated knowledge and experience with development indicators/indexes relevant to their areas of expertise. S/he must be familiar with the USAID Policy, especially on effective partnerships. In addition to trade facilitation for improved connectivity and competitiveness, s/he may be required to conduct various types of cost-related analyses for any technical sectors.

4. Regional Energy Markets Specialist/Analyst

The Specialist/Analyst must have demonstrated knowledge and experience with regional energy markets and preferably be familiar with U.S. Government’s initiatives/guidance/strategies related to Central and South Asia energy connectivity, such as C5+1 and the New Silk Road.

5. Agriculture, Food Security Specialist/Analyst

The Specialist/Analyst must be familiar with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidance as well as the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future and Food for Peace Initiatives.

6. Environmental Specialist/Analyst

The Specialist/Analyst must have knowledge and experience in environmental programming, including resource management and environmental assessment, monitoring and mitigation, and be familiar with relevant global and USAID’s policies/guidance on environmental compliance.

7. Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Specialist/Analyst

The Specialist/Analyst must have demonstrated knowledge and experience in democracy, media, civil society, rule of law, free and fair elections, human rights, and governance programs, knowledge of the U.S. Government’s policies/guidance/strategies in these areas, and preferably an understanding of the policies and laws of Central Asian countries.

8. Health, Population, Nutrition Specialist

The Specialist must have demonstrated understanding of the global, Central Asia regional, World Health Organization’s and U.S. Government’s initiatives/guidance on his/her relevant subject of expertise such as President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the USG’s Global Tuberculosis Strategy, Maternal Child Health, Nutrition, and Health System Strengthening.

9. Education Specialist

The Specialist/Analyst must demonstrate experience in educational leadership and service delivery particularly through previous engagement in developing and/or evaluating school curricula, in-service/pre-service course delivery, summative and formative assessments, core and supplementary instructional materials, and/or instructional innovations in the fields of basic education, vocational education, tertiary education, and higher education, preferably within the Central Asian context as related and appropriate to the specific TO. The Specialist may also be requested to provide technical assistance on the design, implementation, and M&E of education programs and/or integrated youth programming.

10. Gender Specialist

The Specialist may be asked to; a) design strategies, projects and activities that address gender equality gaps and improve development outcomes, and b) incorporate appropriate gender-sensitive indicators/questions to evaluate the effect of development assistance and/or to identify gaps. S/he may also be requested to provide customized technical assistance on gender analyses on specific sectors and/or country.

11. Organizational Capacity Development Specialist

The Specialist must be familiar with the USAID, especially that of local systems solutions and other internationally practiced strategies, approaches, tools, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of local capacity.

12. Social & Behavior Change Communication Specialist

The Specialist must be familiar with various SBCC theories and their applications in various types of beneficiaries and technical/programmatic areas as listed in the labor categories above. S/he must also be familiar with and able to appropriately apply the SBCC theories/approaches to the diverse and unique Central Asian context.

13. Disability, Vulnerable Populations, Other Cross-cutting Technical Specialist

The Specialist on cross-cutting issues such as disability and vulnerable populations may be asked to provide their expertise if the project/program to be designed/assessed/evaluated directly addresses these issues and/or if USAID would like to examine these issues in specific sectors such as health, economic development, governance, education, and so on. They must be familiar with USAID’s Disability Policy, Policy and Program Guidance on Building Resilience to Recurrent Crisis that addresses vulnerable populations, and other relevant policies and guidance.

14. Digital Ecosystem Specialist

The Specialist must have expertise on topics such as connectivity, digital divides, internet freedom, digital finance, e-commerce, and cybersecurity, and be able to apply USAID’s Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA) toolkit. S/he should have strong knowledge of digital development technical areas, expertise in conducting qualitative research and analysis, experience overseeing cross-sectoral research.

C.7 RESULTS

Overall, the ultimate expected results of this Contract are to obtain quality and timely results and recommendations from evaluations and assessments and to enhance evaluation/research capacity of USAID staff and local entities in order to improve accountability and the use of data for programming, learning and adapting. Specifically, it is anticipated that the IDIQ Contract will achieve the overall results as listed below:

1. All TO services successfully supplied in a technically sound and timely manner;

2. USAID Central Asia Missions receive satisfactory services according to their needs;

3. USAID staff, IPs and stakeholder organizations are engaged in relevant TO assignments in a meaningful way that enhance quality of…