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RFP 72012223R00002

Market Systems Transformed

Amendment 0001 Accordingly, the RFP is amended as follows:

1. The first set of pages of the RFP, from the cover page to p. 120., shall encompass the correct version of the RFP. The second set of pages that follow p.120 (repeated p.3-120) is deleted. Attachment J remains as part of the RFP.

2. SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD form, change item 12 as follows:

“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 by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.”

3. Section C.4, STATEMENT OF WORK, sub-section A. Background and Rationale, add a footnote as follows:

“A “startup” is a company in the first stages of its operations, up to three years from the date of its incorporation and registration. However, if a significant scale (in terms of revenues or number of employees) has been achieved before the three years mark, a company will no longer be considered a startup.”

4. Section D.3., BRANDING STRATEGY, paragraph 4, delete the second sentence:

"In general, all releases/alerts are issued by the U.S. Embassy on behalf of USAID."

5. Section F.5., KEY PERSONNEL, Communications Manager, paragraph Responsibilities, change 10th sentence as follows:

“Ensure that activity-level specific data are contributing to and deepening Market System Transformed activity’s understanding of the drivers and barriers to deploying climate finance in developing countries”.

6. Section I., AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 7), replace “752.7008 Personnel Compensation Jul 2007” as follows:

“752.7007 Personnel Compensation (Jul 2007)”.

7. Section K.4, 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (DEC 2022) replace items (a) (1)-(2) as follows:

“(a) (1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541990.

(2) The small business size standard is $19,5 million”.

8. Section L.6., DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS, 6th paragraph, change the last sentence as follows:

“Pages requiring original (manual or electronic) signatures should be scanned and emailed as an attachment”.

9. Section L.6, DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS, 8th paragraph, change the first sentence as follows:

RFP 72012223R00002

Market Systems Transformed

Amendment 0001 “The subject line for every such email must include the following: “USAID/Uzbekistan Market Systems Transformed, RFP No. 72012223R00002”.

10. Section L.7., GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, change the 5th sentence as follows:

“Tables must comply with the 12-point Times New Roman requirement. A 10-point font may be used for textboxes, graphs and charts only, but the Contracting Officer is authorized to take appropriate action if this authorization is misused”.

11. Section L.12., INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL, shall be added with the paragraph as follows:

“Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors

Offerors and all proposed subcontractors must ensure they are registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (www.sam.gov) per FAR part 4.

The Offeror and each proposed subcontractor must complete Section K, “Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors”.

The submission of these items in accordance with these instructions will, if the USG accepts the offer, contractually bind the USG and the successful Offeror to the terms and conditions of the prospective Contract (i.e., sections A through K). The USG advises prospective Offerors to read the terms and conditions of the prospective Contract carefully and to refer any questions of interpretation in accordance with the instructions in Section L.5 of the solicitation in writing.”

Questions & Answers

1. Section C.4.G, Grants Under Contract (page 16), indicates that grants under contract (GUCs) may use a “pay for performance approach.” Please confirm that the contractor may also utilize other modalities of grants under contract as appropriate.

Answer: Confirmed. The contractor will ultimately document “modalities'' etc. in the Grants Manual (see RFP section F.7). The emphasis of this element is on results-based obligation grants to build capacity in enterprise development and improve the business enabling environment in Uzbekistan.

2. We note that the RFP repeats the Table of Contents through Section M (numbered pages 3–120) in pages 123–240 of the PDF. Can USAID please confirm that this information is the same as presented in PDF pages 5–122 (i.e., that no new information was introduced in these duplicated in these sections?)

Answer: We confirm that the first set of pages should be used for the RFP, from the cover page to p. 120. The second set of pages that follow p.120 (repeated p.3-120) is deleted. Attachment J remains as part of the RFP. Please see the RFP Amendment.

3. Section L.11, Past Performance (page 107), states that “The Offeror must provide the Past Performance Information in the standardized format provided in Attachment J-2, Past Performance Report. The Offeror must provide a brief description of the work along with the results achieved.” However, the J-2 form itself says, “The form is not required if the below information is available in the Government past performance systems.” Please confirm offerors can list projects that are available in the government past performance systems in the annex and include a brief description of relevance, but not specifically presented in the J.2 form.

Answer: Past Performance Information must be summarized in the body of Technical Proposal and submitted as annex in the form of the Attachment J.2. Information on previous awards, not available in CPARS, must include the details provided in Section L.11, page 108.

4. Could USAID please consider evaluating letters of support from key stakeholders as part of the Management Approach and Staffing Plan?

Answer: Letters of support from key stakeholders are not requested as part of the RFP and will not be evaluated.

5. Could USAID please confirm that USAID will authorize the contractor’s use of its established Letter of Credit for advanced funds for grants under contract financing?

Answer: We cannot confirm that. We do not anticipate that the GUC program, if pay-for-performance, will be structured to include advances to grantees.

6. Could USAID please provide the updated Uzbekistan FSN scale and/or a general salary range for CCNs to offerors?

Answer: The provided Attachment J.3 Local Compensation Plan is current and used for determination of salary rates for FSNs.

Attachment 1

7. Could USAID please provide an exchange rate from USD to Uzbekistani Som to standardize all offerors’ cost proposals?

Answer: Cost proposals must be in USD. You must determine an exchange rate using the best information available and state the rationale in the budget notes.

8. Page 112 of the RFP states, “B. If the Offeror or subcontractor does not have a cognizant Government Audit Agency, the proposal must include:

.Audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements for the last two complete years, and the current year-to-date statements (or such lesser period of time if the Offeror is a newly-formed organization). The profit and loss statements should include detail of the total cost of goods and services sold, including a listing of the various indirect administrative costs, and be supplemented by information on the prime contractor’s customary indirect cost allocation method, together with supporting computations of the basis for the indirect cost rate(s) proposed; and .The most recent two fiscal year pool and base cost compositions along with derived rates, the bases of allocation of these rates and an independent certified audit by a certified accounting firm of these rates.”

Due to the timing of this procurement, could USAID please confirm that subcontractors who do not have a NICRA may utilize their 2020 and 2021 audited financial statements to calculate their proposed indirect rates?

Answer: Offerors are allowed to submit audited financial statements for 2020 and 2021, if 2022 audited financial statements and/or valid NICRA are not available.

9. In Section L.12, the RFP states that “upon receiving a specific request from the Contracting Office, Offeror may be required to submit a copy of the Offeror’s personnel policies…” whereas other cost volume documents have more specific language that states that documents will be required of the apparent successful offeror. Can USAID confirm if the Policies and Procedures will be required of the apparent winning offeror?

Answer: Offeror’s personnel policies are to be provided upon receiving a specific request from the Contracting Office. There is no need to provide the personnel policies with the initial submission.

10. In section L.12, Section K isn’t listed as a required cost volume document. Could USAID confirm if Offerors are to include section K as an Annex to the cost proposal?

Answer: Confirmed. Representations and Certifications required in the Section K must be submitted as annexes to the Cost Proposal. Please refer to the RFP Amendment for detailed instructions.

11. As with tables and graphs, may offerors use smaller than 12pt for the font of textboxes?

Answer: Tables must comply with the 12 point Times New Roman requirement. 10 point font can be used for graphs, textbooks and charts only. Please see the RFP Amendment.

12. As both are mentioned, may offerors include both a cover page and a cover letter?

Answer: cover page and cover letter shall refer to one document and is used interchangeably. Using both cover page and cover letter as separate documents is not allowed.

13. USAID has requested both an Organogram – that reflects the staffing plan – and an organizational chart that depicts the roles of primes, subcontractors, and other consortium members in program implementation. There still might be significant overlap in these two documents; would USAID clarify the specific content preferred in each of these documents so that offerors may avoid redundancy and maximize responsiveness?

Answer: There should not be overlap. The staffing plan looks at the skill sets/positions that are needed for a particular approach. The management approach looks at how the prime will manage the relationships and flow of information among all the entities, including subcontractors, stakeholders, USAID, GOU etc.

14. Could USAID kindly provide additional detail on the difference in content they would like to see in the Institutional Capability section, Past Performance section, and the Contractor Past Performance Report Annex?

Answer: Past Performance must summarize the offeror’s past performance information on previous awards of similar size and complexity and the referenced past awards information must be provided using the form in the Attachment J.2. Under Institutional Capacity offeror’s must describe the corporate experience of itself and any proposed major subcontractors, including prior/current contracts of a similar size and scope and in similar country settings.

15. May offerors include the required information for Performance in Using Small business Concerns in Annex 3 (Contractor Past Performance Report)?

Answer: Yes, information on Performance in Using Small Business Concerns is to be provided in the form of the Attachment J.2.

16. Could USAID confirm that Past Performance Section is separate from the Contractor Past Performance Annex?

Answer: Contractor Past Performance must be provided as a summary information in the body of the Technical Proposal and award details as annexes in the form of Attachment J.2.

17. Would USAID consider making all past performance content part of the past performance Annex?

Answer: Past Performance Information must be provided as a summary in the body of the Technical Proposal and award details as annexes to the Technical Proposal.

18. Please confirm that the solicitation number is 72012223R00002. Delivery instructions require that the subject line for e-mails include “RFP No. 72012223R000002.

Answer: correct solicitation number is 72012223R00002. Reference number in the delivery instructions is a typo. Please see the RFP Amendment.

19. On page 101 of the RFP, Section L.1 states that Offerors are required to complete blocks of solicitation provisions and submit with the offer. Could USAID confirm if the entire solicitation provisions are required to be signed and submitted OR only the specific parts of the referred provisions?

Answer: Per Section L.6, Delivery Instructions, only pages requiring original manual signatures should be scanned and emailed as an attachment.

20. On page 111, the RFP states “Consultants: provides guidance to include a blended daily consultant rate for each type of consultant and experience level.” If the Offeror identifies specific individuals that will be providing specialized technical services under this category, can the Offeror include such named individuals actual proposed rates in the cost proposal (instead of a blended daily rate for that particular type of consultant and experience level)?

Answer: Yes, offerors are allowed to provide actual proposed rates in the cost proposal.

21. Could USAID please confirm that Section K is required to be submitted with the Cost Volume?

Answer: Confirmed. Representations and Certifications required in the Section K must be submitted as annexes to the Cost Proposal. Please refer to the RFP Amendment for detailed instructions.

22. Attachment J.3 Local Compensation Plan of the RFQ gives the compensation range in US dollars for low, middle, and high compensation in daily rates in the first three columns of the table, and on the right three columns the annual basic salary is provided for steps 1, 6 and 11. Could USAID confirm that grade 11 the highest used in Uzbekistan for FSNs?

Answer: Confirmed.

23. Attachment J.3 Local Compensation Plan of the RFQ provides the amounts provided for daily rates multiplied by 260 days in the year, is slightly different from the annual basic salary amounts provided. Could USAID please confirm which of the two amounts (daily rate or annual basic salary) should be used as ceiling?

Answer: The daily rate should be used as a basis for calculating a salary.

24. Attachment J.3 Local Compensation Plan indicates a meal allowance of $450.00. Could USAID confirm that this is US dollars and that this amount is a monthly payment given to all employees regardless of Grade?

Answer: A meal allowance is paid for everyone and divided throughout a year period.

25. Could USAID confirm other allowances that are provided to FSNs under the local compensation plan is also established for USAID/CA/Tashkent staff?

Answer: USAID/Uzbekistan FSN staff receive salary and meal allowance.

26. Section I includes FAR 52.219-9 Alternate II (page 76), which states, “(c)(1) Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation shall include a subcontracting plan that separately addresses subcontracting with small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns…. Failure to submit and negotiate a subcontracting plan shall make the Offeror ineligible for award of a contract.” The FAR appears to conflict with L.7 instructions (pages 105-106) that offerors should not submit the Small Business Subcontracting Plan with the initial proposal. Would USAID please clarify whether a Small Business Subcontracting Plan is required with the proposal?

Answer: A Small Business Subcontracting Plan will be required from an apparently successful offeror. It is not required as part of the initial proposal.

27. On page 79 of the RFP, the incorporated AIDAR listings under Section I Contract Clauses include “752.7008, Personnel Compensation.” Would USAID please confirm that “752.7007, Personnel Compensation” is intended.

Answer: Correct. 752.7008 Personnel Compensation is intended. Please see the RFP amendment for correction.

28. Given the congruency of the Staffing Plan and the “organogram that reflects the Staffing Plan” (page 107), would USAID allow offerors to include the Staffing Plan in an annex (not included in the 20-page limitation for the technical proposal)? Describing the Staffing Plan in an annex would allow offerors to present a full depiction of proposed staffing with position titles, employment category, desired qualifications, and how their inclusion would best achieve the results of this project. The offeror could also more fully describe how the project will employ consultants (e.g., long-term and short-term, employee/consultant, percentage of full-time equivalent, and periods of use).

Answer: Per Section L.9., MANAGEMENT APPROACH AND STAFFING PLAN, offerors may provide the list of the staffing positions by title, employments category (USN, TCN or CCN), as well as consultants (e.g., long-term and short-term, employee/consultant, % of Full Time Equivalent and time period) in the “organogram” as an annex. The rest of the information to be submitted as part of the Staffing Plan must be in the body of the technical proposal.

29. Would USAID please confirm that the requested information on quality awards and certifications and use of small business concerns under Section L.11 Past Performance (page 108) can be submitted as part of the Contractor Past Performance Report (Annex 3) and is not part of the 20-page limitation for the technical proposal?

Answer: Past Performance Information must be provided as a summary in the body of the Technical Proposal and past awards details in the form of the Attachment J.2 as annexes to the Technical Proposal.

30. Please provide the NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition (Section K.4, page 85) Answer: NAICS code - 541990; small business size standard for this acquisition - $19,5 million. Please see the RFP Amendment.

31. Section L.1, page 101, includes FAR 52.222-46 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees. Please confirm this requirement will be satisfied by providing the information specified in RFP Section L.12, paragraphs ‘Personnel’ and ‘Fringe Benefits’.

Answer: Yes, Cost Proposal narratives justifying and supporting the proposed costs will be sufficient.

32. A company’s indirect rates are acknowledged to be proprietary and sensitive financial information, the disclosure of which would result in competitive harm and, consistent with the Trade Secrets Act, should therefore be protected from such disclosure to third parties (including prime contractors who may be competitors on other procurements).

Thus, we respectfully request that subcontractors may pursue the option of submitting their confidential information directly to USAID (Section L.6, page 103).

Answer: Unfortunately for your concern, the prime is responsible for managing the whole contract, and to do so it must understand the budget elements, including knowing detailed costs. There is no privity of contract between a sub and USAID.

33. The submission instructions state that, “Pages requiring original manual signatures should be scanned and emailed as an attachment.” Would USAID accept electronic signatures in lieu of scanned manual signatures? (Section L.6, page 104) Answer: Electronic signatures are acceptable. Please see the RFP Amendment.

34. The General Instructions state that the Cover Page should include the name of organization(s) submitting the proposal and also later the “name of partners included in the proposal.” Do both of these instructions refer to major subcontractors only? (Section L.7, page 105) Answer: “Name of organization (s)” refers to the prime offeror and/or a partnership or joint venture; “name of partners” refers to all of the subcontractors proposed.

35. In addition to the graphical depiction for the organogram, please confirm if Offerors may include a supplementary table to better present some of the required information, including the employment status of each staff (employee/consultant) and % of Full Time Equivalent and time period. (Section L.9, page 107) Answer: Offerors are allowed to provide only the stated information in the annexes.

Other required information must be part of the proposal in any allowed format.

36. Please confirm that for Offerors that are including contracts/agreements that are in CPARS, the Past Performance Annex only needs to include a list of up to three relevant contracts (name and number), with no additional information. (Section L.11, page 107) Answer: Confirmed.

37. The RFP requires Offerors to submit Information to Support Consent to Major Subcontractors to address each of the elements in FAR 44.202-2. Can Offerors with approved purchasing systems submit a notification for their major subcontractors instead of information to support consent? (Section L.12, page 114)

Answer: FAR 44.202-2 requires the Contracting Officer to review the questions listed in this section to provide a consent. Offerors must address all the elements required by FAR 44.202-2.

38. Could USAID kindly confirm that the Past Performance Matrices (Attachment J-2) are part of the Annex, and the past performance narrative is part of the page limit?

Answer: Confirmed. Offerors are required to provide Past Performance summary information in the body of the Technical Proposal and an annex in the form of Attachment J.2.

39. SF-33, block 12, currently indicates a validity period of 0 days. May USAID please confirm whether this is the correct required validity period?

Answer: Per Section L.5., GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS, the proposal must be valid for 180 days.

40. In Section D.3, page 20, USAID states, “Co-branding and co-marking with local partners are to be specified in the branding implementation plan and will require approval by USAID.” May USAID clarify whether this applies only to grants under contracts?

Answer: Co-branding and co-marking will only be applicable to the grants program.

41. In Section D.3.4, page 21, USAID notes that all press releases/alerts are issued by the US Embassy. As this may be restrictive, would USAID consider reviewing this?

Answer: Please see the RFP Amendment.

42. With regards to the Communication and Outreach Strategy, detailed in Section D.3, page 21, may USAID clarify whether this is to be a part of the Branding Implementation Plan (BIP)/Marking Plan (MP) or in addition to it?

Answer: Outreach and Communication Plan is separate from the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan. A template of the document will be provided to the apparently successful offeror.

43. Page 107 of the RFP states that “Offerors must not name proposed staff/consultants.”

Does this apply to the three key personnel positions as well?

Answer: Offeror must not name and/or propose any key personnel.

44. Page 107 of the RFP states that “Offerors must not name proposed staff/consultants”.

Does this also apply to the cost proposal?

Answer: The technical evaluation will not include names of proposed staff/consultants. If names are put in the cost proposal, this would not be seen as non-compliant with our instructions; however, those details are not required.

45. May USAID confirm whether Offerors will need to complete and submit a signed Section K, and where in the cost proposal this needs to be included?

Answer: Please see the RFP Amendment.

46. Section C.4.D (page 12) indicates that “Activities within each targeted sector should be led by a sector leader with broad and high-level international expertise in production, logistics, and marketing in that sector.” Given USAID’s emphasis on locally led solutions, please confirm that:

a. The contractor may propose an expert from Uzbekistan for the sector leader positions.

Answer: Yes. We confirm.

b. The sector leaders are not required to have experience outside of Uzbekistan.

Answer: Yes. We confirm, but some experience abroad is preferable.

c. The contractor may support these sector leaders with short-term international expertise.

Answer: Yes. We confirm.

47. Can USAID please share the USAID/Uzbekistan Private Sector Landscape Assessment that was completed in September 2021?

Answer: No, this is an internal USAID document.

48. Can USAID please share the USAID/Uzbekistan Strategic Framework Supplemental Gender Analysis that was completed in January 2022?

Answer: Yes, please find it attached.

49. Section C.4.D (page 13) indicates that 25% of firms supported should “be female, youth and underrepresented groups-owned businesses.” However, USAID also indicates that the activity should “not work at startup level” without explicit approval from USAID.

Would USAID consider broadening the potential exceptions of startups it may approve to include firms that are female, youth, and underrepresented groups-owned businesses?

Answer: USAID would like to maintain the existing language.

50. Section C.4.D (page 12) indicates that a “donor coordination group may be established.”

Please confirm that the contractor may propose a donor coordination group and outline how it would support the activity as part of the contractor’s response.

Answer: Confirmed, you may.

51. Can USAID please define “startup” for the purposes of partner firms?

Answer: For the purpose of MST, we define a “startup” as a company in the first stages of its operations, up to three years from the date of its incorporation and registration.

However, if a significant scale (in terms of revenues or number of employees) has been achieved before the three years mark, a company will no longer be considered a startup.

52. Section C.4.G (page 17) indicates the contractor “should also develop at least one USAID GDA type of partnership.” In order to co-create solutions with local actors, please confirm that the contractor may outline the approach to the GDA at the proposal stage but is not expected to outline all details at that time.

Answer: Please note that the GDA type of partnership component is not limited to partnerships with local private companies. It is encouraged to consider foreign companies with the capacity to co-create projects that will result in a transformative impact in the targeted sectors. Not all the GDA details need to be included in the proposal, but the approach to the developing at least one GDA type of partnership should be outlined.

53. Section F.5, Key Personnel (page 27), notes that key responsibilities of the Communication Manager include the following:

“Ensure that activity-level and buy-in specific data are contributing to and deepening Market System Transformed activity’s understanding of the drivers and barriers to deploying climate finance in developing countries;

Use participatory processes to co-develop the Market System Transformed activity’s learning agenda with geographically diverse private sector actors, often excluded or marginalized groups, consortium members and USAID;

Host a pause-and-reflect workshop with USAID to evaluate activity achievements and lessons learned, and areas of improvement, and co-create solutions. Capture and track feedback for consideration by the leadership team to incorporate changes in programming as needed.”

We believe that these three functions are critical to success and that they should be led by members of the activity’s senior management team. However, we would ask that USAID be flexible in specifying which team member is required to lead these three functions to enable the most effective team structures and activity outcomes.

Answer: These three functions should be undertaken by the Chief of Party.

54. Could USAID please consider revising the DCOP requirements in one of three ways:

. Assuming an offeror would like to propose a CCN DCOP, it would be very challenging to identify a candidate who meets all the requirements. We request that USAID allow offerors to define the position’s scope and qualifications requirements.

Answer: Please use the position descriptions in the solicitation.

b. Considering that the recent economic growth projects have been regional and based in Kazakhstan and that there have not been recent USAID Uzbek DCOPs that have experience across sectors, would USAID please consider removing the following requirement: “Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in leading international donor supported programs (implementation, logistics, budgeting, staffing), with those in Central Asia and Eastern Europe is preferred”?

Answer: We state “is preferred” which means it is not required.

55. Could USAID please replace the following requirement for the DCOP: “Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in leading international donor supported programs (implementation, logistics, budgeting, staffing), with those in Central Asia and Eastern Europe is preferred;” with “Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible work experience cooperating with international donor supported programs, with those in Central Asia and Eastern Europe is preferred”?

Answer: We state “is preferred” which means it is not required.

56. In terms of support with MST Activity registration, has USAID identified and established the primary counterpart Ministry for MST, including the finalizing of a Government-to- Government MOU for the MST Activity?

Answer: According to the established standard operation procedure, after the contract award USAID sends an official request to the Government of Uzbekistan (GOU) to appoint a primary counterpart government agency for the MST activity. We don’t always sign MOUs for USAID activities, but it is encouraged. We anticipate that the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade will become our main partner for MST.

57. Page 18 states that, “It is particularly important that each sub-activity have specific targets and benchmarks against which progress can be measured on a continuous basis.”

Could USAID please confirm that “sub-activity” refers to the Objectives 1 and 2 under the MST Activity?

Answer: Targets and indicators should clearly flow down from the Objective and Intermediate Results level to each intervention, sub-contract, and grant.

58. Would USAID please share any relevant technical deliverables or quarterly/annual reports for relevant programs to MST, including FGI, TCA, PCA, WAVE, ADA, YES, and LRP. In particular, annual reports for the Future Growth Initiative are not available on DEC.

Answer: Please review all existing quarterly/annual reports that have been published on dec.usaid.gov.

59. On page 9, the RFP states: “The Activity will focus on promising SME opportunities in three of these sectors, tourism, ICT and textiles. In addition, the Activity will also support high-impact SMEs in the green economy sub-sectors”. Further on page 9, the RFP also states: “The Activity will focus on providing assistance to existing SMEs, prioritizing anchor firms with high capacity of creating jobs”. Could USAID please clarify if it intends for Market Systems Transformed to provide technical assistance to anchor firms or to high-impact SMEs more broadly?

Answer: MST intends to provide TA to high-impact SMEs more broadly.

60. On page 12, the RFP states: “Activities within each targeted sector should be led by a sector leader with broad and high-level international expertise in production, logistics, and marketing in that sector.” Can USAID please provide more information on what types of firms can be considered as sector leaders within the framework on Market Systems Transformed and what is USAID’s vision for their engagement?

Answer: This is sufficiently described in the RFP. USAID prefers not to narrow the possibilities for impact by sector leaders.

61. In Section C (page 17), USAID indicates that “The offeror must develop and implement a Gender and Inclusive Action Plan (GIDAP) that describes its objectives and interventions to ensure sustainable access to resources and equal participation of women and other underrepresented groups in all planned activities.” Can USAID clarify when, post-award, they anticipate the GIDAP being completed?

Answer: We expect a Gender and Inclusive Action Plan to be completed ideally within 6 months after the award.

62. In Section D (page 22), USAID indicates that “The contractor will share with USAID a list or group of professional and reputable content creators, along with their portfolios, that it proposes to hire for specific assignments.” Can USAID clarify when they expect the Contractor will provide this list and whether this is meant to be made up primarily of local organizations?

Answer: Contractor will share a list or group of professional and reputable content creators, along with their portfolios, that it proposes to hire for specific assignments after the award is signed.

63. The Future Growth Initiative (FGI) has a task order in Uzbekistan which terminates in September 2024. Given that FGI focuses on three sectors (ICT, textiles, and tourism) which overlap with Market Systems Transformed, it would be helpful if USAID could share its vision for complementary support of these sectors by FGI and MST through

FY2024.

Answer: We don’t expect overlap between FGI and MST because of the timing, work plan and the associated funding, the bilateral focus of MST, and differences in implementation approach.

64. On page 27 of the RFP, in the position description for the Communications Manager, it states: “Provide input to the design of Market Systems Transformed activity’s buy-in activities, subcontracts, and grant agreements related to strategic communications; Ensure that activity-level and buy-in specific data are contributing to and deepening Market System Transformed activity’s understanding of the drivers and barriers to deploying climate finance in developing countries…” These are the only two references to buy-in activities in the RFP. Does USAID envision buy-ins under the Market Systems Transformed Activity?

Answer: We do not expect buy-ins. Please see the RFP Amendment.

65. Page 17 of the RFP states: “An assessment of the market systems for the four sectors and a robust and targeted Political Economy Analysis (including land privatization and impact on access to credit) are required to be conducted by the implementing partner within four months from the start of the implementation.” For the green economy sub-sectors, could USAID confirm whether the offeror is expected to include all sub-sectors in the green economy market systems assessment, or may the offeror determine which of these sub-sectors have the highest potential for SMEs and increased employment and focus on those?

Answer: The offeror should determine which of the green economy sub-sectors have the highest potential for SMEs and increased employment and focus on those.

66. Most of the FGI quarterly and annual reports are not available on the DEC. Could USAID please make these available to all offerors?

Answer: Yes, these reports are now available on the DEC.

67. Can USAID confirm whether U.S. firms (or U.S. joint ventures with Uzbek firms) are eligible for support under the GUC fund? If so, could USAID confirm that the upper limit for such support is $500,000?

Answer: They are eligible, but the total value of an individual grant to a U.S. NGO must not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold ($250,000 for 2022), as defined in 48 CFR Section 2.101.

68. Could USAID share a list of private sector companies USAID has already supported in Uzbekistan in the relevant sectors?

Answer: Please use information from public sources.

69. As a part of Objective 1 activities, will USAID support GOU in developing and implementing sector standardization to align with the EU requirements?

Answer: Yes, when it helps meet the objectives of the contract. However, when possible, activities should prioritize export facilitation to the United States, per the SOW.

70. Section F.7.1, page 29, may USAID consider requiring subsequent Annual Work Plans (AWPs) to be due 60 days prior to the end of the USG fiscal year to ensure that Contractors have the final work plan at the start of the fiscal year?

Answer: USAID will maintain the timelines in the solicitation.

71. In Section F.7.1, page 29, USAID mentions ‘performance monitoring plan’, may USAID clarify whether the ‘performance monitoring plan’ is the same as the ‘monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan’ mentioned in Section F.7.2?

Answer: No, “performance monitoring plan” is part of annual work plan (F.7.1) which is submitted by the contractor to the approval of COR. It is separate from the MEL plan.

72. In Section F.7.2, page 30, USAID requires submission of the final monitoring report within 90 days following the activity’s conclusion, while the final report has to be submitted 30 days prior to the contract end (Section F.7.7, page 34). May USAID consider aligning these due dates?

Answer: This reference does not seem to be in the subject RFP.

73. In Section F.7.2, page 31, USAID describes performance monitoring. May USAID clarify whether the “monitoring report” is in lieu of what is normally called a “performance report”? Or is it in addition to the periodic performance reporting? If in addition, does it have to be submitted separately or as part of the annual performance report?

Answer: “Performance monitoring plan” is part of the annual work plan which is submitted by the contractor to the approval of COR and it is separate from the MEL plan.

Performance reports are submitted on a quarterly basis.

74. Objective 2 notes access to finance in each of the four sectors, however access to finance is missing from the overall theory of change. Can the Offeror edit the TOC to include access to finance?

Answer: Access to credit goes to an increase in investment and reducing barriers to private sector growth. We will maintain the TOC.

75. Page 106 of the RFP states that the technical approach must demonstrate “how progress and results will be tracked unambiguously” – May USAID clarify what is meant by the term unambiguously?

Answer: USAID wants to use SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, timed) performance indicators.

76. Can USAID clarify what the start date of the project will be, for budgeting purposes?

Answer: We expect this activity to start on October 1, 2023.

Uzbekistan Strategic Framework Supplemental Gender Analysis

January 18, 2022

This supplemental gender analysis was created by USAID to support the development of USAID/Uzbekistan’s Strategic Framework (SF) for years 2022-2025.

The analysis focuses on four strategic priorities identified in Phase 1 of the SF development. For each strategic priority, there is a summary of key findings/priorities and a findings section to inform the strategy development.

Phase I Concept Paper 2019 Uzbekistan Gender Analysis

Table of Content

Overview 2 High-Level Overview 2 Gender and Social Norms 3

1. Good Governance 3 1a. Good Governance: High-Level Priorities/Findings 3 1b. Good Governance: Detailed Findings 5

2. Inclusive Economic Growth 9 2a. Inclusive Economic Growth: High-Level Priorities/Findings 9 2b. Inclusive Economic Growth: Detailed Findings 10

3. Human Capital 14 3a. Human Capital: High-Level Priorities/Findings 14 3b. Human Capital: Detailed Findings 15

4. Climate Resilience 16 4a. Climate Resilience: High-Level Priorities/Findings 16 4b. Climate Resilience: Detailed Findings 17

Attachment 2

Overview

High-Level Overview

● Key Stats

○ Uzbekistan fares fairly well on key gender statistics. While this is positive, it masks underlying inequalities between different groups of men and women.

○ Gender Development Index (GDI): 0.939 (definition: Definition: Ratio of female to male HDI values)

○ Gender Inequality Index (GII): 0.288 (The GII shows the loss in potential human development due to disparity between female and male achievements in three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. Overall, the GII reflects how women are disadvantaged in these dimensions. The GII ranges between 0 and 1. Higher GII values indicate higher inequalities between women and men and thus higher loss to human development. )

● Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the situation of women in Uzbekistan has worsened. This is especially evident in the areas of higher education1 (current enrollment 38.2 percent for women and 61.8 percent for men) and labor force participation2 (53.8 percent for women versus 77.7 percent for men).

● Uzbekistan is also a signatory to key international human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

● President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on the establishment of the Ministry of supporting neighborhood and family of the Republic of Uzbekistan in February, 2020. In accordance with the decree, a new system will be introduced in each neighborhood based on the principle of "a prosperous and safe neighborhood".

● Gender-based violence is a significant issue in Uzbekistan and often considered a private matter, impacting rates of reporting. Rates of domestic violence in particular have spiked during the pandemic.

● COVID-19 has had a significant impact on women.

○ The loss of income from employment, remittances, and other sources, as well as increased domestic care responsibilities and risks of domestic violence, have worsened living and health conditions of women from low-income households in urban and rural areas alike. (Source: World Bank).

● The impacts of migration are significant.

○ Labor migration contributes to changing power relations and family hierarchies, young people are exposed to diverse views and become more independent, seeking more autonomy in choosing spouses and using their incomes.

○ There is an increase in the number of wives abandoned by labour migrants (due to divorce or because they no longer receive remittances) in rural areas. Not only must these

1 Asian Development Bank. Uzbekistan Country Gender Assessment. Update. December 2018.

2 ESCAP. Examining Women’s Economic Empowerment in SPECA countries. 2018.

women take on a larger share of domestic duties and agricultural work, but also they are especially vulnerable to poverty and social stigma and at risk of exploitation from human traffickers. (source)

Gender and Social Norms

○ Social and gender norms play a central role in gender equality in terms of limiting women and girls ability to access education; work outside the home; and have agency over their life outcomes.

○ It is important to emphasize the extent to which gender stereotypes affect the lives of Uzbek women and men. Stereotypes about women’s behavior and social roles affect educational and professional choices for both sexes.

○ Gender stereotypes permeate each sector of the government and society. Current government efforts, including the work of the Oila research center and the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan, to bridge gender-related gaps are focused on women’s role within the family, and not female empowerment.

○ Families are often quite influential in women’s educational choices; preferences are for women to study education or health, so that they can educate their children or provide professional care of family members.

○ Families also prefer that women work in an environment that is dominated by other women, and with a shorter workday, so that they have enough time to take care of their home obligations.

A. Key Priorities for inclusion in RF and SF

B. Key Related Findings:

1. Good Governance Priority Description from Phase 1 Concept Paper: This priority will support the GOU’s wide-ranging reforms in the judiciary and civil society sectors. Notional programming includes: addressing human rights protection, including Trafficking in Persons and women’s access to justice, improving the enabling environment, increasing local governance capacity, reducing corruption, improving the legal and regulatory framework for civil society organizations, and improving the business climate.

1a. Good Governance: High-Level Priorities/Findings

● Human Rights

○ Support the Government of Uzbekistan to implement the National Human Rights

Strategy. Specifically:

■ Support the goals of the Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality in Uzbekistan

(2021-2030)

● Its main goal is to achieve gender equality, regardless of origin, religion and status in economic, political and social life.

■ The development/implementation of a WPS National Plan of Action

■ Implementation of effective measures to ensure gender equality in all spheres of public life, especially in political activities and decision-making.

○ LGBTI

■ Experience high levels of stigma and criminalization, which also means NGOs are fearful of working in this space.

○ People with disabilities

■ Uzbekistan has an extensive legislation3 regarding the social protection of persons with disabilities.

■ People with disabilities in Uzbekistan experience high levels of stigma and discrimination at various levels of society including their own families.

■ 70 percent of people with disabilities live below the poverty line and there is a lack of basic accessible infrastructure.

● Gender-Based Violence:

○ Uzbekistan has seen an increase in domestic violence since the outbreak of the pandemic with an increase in rates of physical, verbal, emotional, economic, and sexual abuse against women and girls.

○ Gender-based violence (GBV) in Uzbekistan is considered a private family matter. The victims, usually women, are discouraged from reporting the incidences. Divorce laws make it very difficult for women to leave abusive marriages.

○ The 2019 law on equal rights and opportunities for women and men was an important step. However, Uzbekistan needs to take more significant steps to ensure protection from all forms of GBV.

○ Uzbekistan’s legal system continues to provide opportunities for perpetrators of GBV to escape punishment or liability.

● Civil Society

○ Simplified registration procedures for NGOs open opportunities to support women-run or women-serving organizations to register.

● Justice

○ E-governance and e-court systems created new opportunities to support women who may be discouraged or unable to go to courts to seek justice

○ Women are under-represented in the justice sector.

● Political Participation

○ Despite a 30 percent quota for women in political parties’ lists of candidates since 2004, the proportion of women in Parliament remains low. Low participation of women in decision-making is also true at the local level.

● Countering Violent Extremism

○ Limited opportunities for youth to access higher education and employment increases migration and susceptibility to recruiters from VEOs, particularly when migrants face poor living conditions.

3 For example, see Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan. “On the Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities,” Last modified December 4, 2004. http://www.lex.uz/acts/140860.

● Trafficking in Persons

○ Men are disproportionately affected by forced labor and trafficking in persons (TIP).

Further, due to patriarchal views that men cannot be victims of trafficking, they are less likely to access available programs of support.

1b. Good Governance: Detailed Findings

● Gender-Based Violence

○ The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed laws “On equal rights and opportunities for women and men,” and “On Protecting Women From Harassment and Violence” in September 2019. In accordance with the Law, a victim of harassment and violence has the right to appeal to the relevant authorities or court with a statement about the harassment or violence, to receive free legal advice, economic, social, psychological, medical and other assistance. (source)

○ Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Uzbekistan has seen an increase in domestic violence. Alongside the economic hardships, which have caused income and job losses in many families, there has been an increasing rate of physical, verbal, emotional, economic, and sexual abuse against women and girls. (source)

○ As is the case in the rest of the region, GBV in Uzbekistan is considered a private family matter. The victims, usually women, are discouraged from reporting the incidents, as it would show poorly on them and ruin their reputation.

○ Domestic violence remains a serious problem, against which the government has failed to take effective measures. On the contrary, state policies intended to keep families together and foster community assistance to those families experiencing conflict have compounded the situation of women facing abuse in the home, and often prevent them from obtaining either relief or redress. (Source: HRW)

○ Local officials routinely refuse to take violence against women seriously, blaming the victims and blocking women's attempts to escape brutality and violence in their marriages. Those who commit physical abuse rarely face criminal prosecution. (Source:

HRW)

○ Since this topic is not widely discussed, or actively addressed by the government, there are no data on GBV prevalence, or prevention and response.

○ Domestic violence cases most frequently end up mediated by the mahalla, for whom the preferred outcome is reconciliation. If the victim does report the incident to law enforcement due to extreme abuse, the officers handling the case usually have no training on dealing with these types of crimes

○ Uzbekistan’s divorce4 laws which require payment of hefty amounts for the procedure and undergoing mandatory reconciliation with religious leaders and neighbors make it very challenging for women to leave an abusive marriage

○ Despite recent efforts to protect women’s rights and combat gender-based violence, Uzbekistan’s legal system continues to provide opportunities for perpetrators to escape criminal liability or punishment. (source)

4 See, for example, Decree: Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan. “On the Practice of Application by Courts of Divorce Laws,” Last modified Nov 30, 2018. http://www.lex.uz/acts/2414116.

● Human rights

○ In June 2020, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev…