72016924R00001_Opinion Polling and Focus Groups Activity_CO_signed.pdf

Request for Proposals (RFP) No.: 72016924R00001 Issue Date: February 09, 2024 Proposals Submission Due Date: March 01, 2024 at 12:00, Serbia local time

SUBJECT: Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 72016924R00001 for Opinion Polling and Focus Groups Activity in Serbia

Dear Prospective Offeror:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Mission in Serbia, is seeking proposals from qualified local Serbian entities interested in providing the services as described in this solicitation.

The competition under this solicitation is limited to local entities in accordance with Section 7077 of Public Law 112-74, as amended by Section 7028 of the Consolidated Appropriation Act (P.L 113-76) titled “Local Competition Authority”. For the purpose of the solicitation, local entity means an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of person that:

(1) Is legally organized under the laws of Serbia;

(2) Have its principal place of business or operations in Serbia;

(3) And is: (A) majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Serbia;

and (B) managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Serbia.

For purpose of this section “Majority owned" and "managed by" include, without limitation, beneficiary interests and the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exercisable, to control the election, appointment, or tenure of the organization's managers or a majority of the organization's governing body by any means.

Please note that offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) in order to do business with the U.S. Government. A successful registration in SAM means the Offeror has obtained a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and has secured an NCAGE number to successfully register in SAM.

USAID reserves the right to amend or rescind this solicitation at any time. Any amendments to this solicitation will be issued and posted on the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) website. In order to be informed of changes that may affect proposal preparations, Offerors are encouraged to check this website (https://sam.gov) periodically. It is the responsibility of the prospective Offerors of this solicitation to ensure that the solicitation has been received from the internet in its entirety. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

https://www.sam.gov

72016924R00001 Opinion Survey Activity in Serbia

Proposals must be received electronically on or before the closing date stipulated above to provide the services and deliverables specified in the RFP below. Proposals must be sent via email attachments to Branislav Bulatovic at: bbulatovic@usaid.gov and Armend Aliu at: aaliu@usaid.gov by the closing date and must conform to all requirements outlined in Section L of this RFP. USAID reserves the right to award the contract subject to availability of funds. This is a firm fixed-price type contract and the period of performance is three (3) years.

This solicitation 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 the proposal.

Respectfully, Claudio Ballesteros Contracting Officer

USAID/ROAA

mailto:bbulatovic@usaid.gov mailto:aliu@usaid.gov

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 TITLE

B.2 PURPOSE

B.3 CONTRACT TYPE

B.4 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

B.5 PRICE AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C1 BACKGROUND

C2 PROJECT DELIVERABLES

C3 GENDER AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

C4 KEY PERSONNEL

C5 LINKS AND COORDINATION WITH OTHER INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES

C6 QUALITY STANDARDS FOR RESEARCH REPORTS

SECTION D – BRANDING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.2 BRANDING

D.3 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F – DELIVERIES AND PERFORMANCE

F.1 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 KEY PERSONNEL

F.4 DELIVERABLES

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.4 TECHNICAL DIRECTION/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.5 PAYMENT OFFICE

G.6 INVOICING INSTRUCTIONS

G.7 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATED DATA

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.2 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

H.3 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.4 LOGISTIC SUPPORT AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

H.5 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES OR PROPERTY

H.6 CONFIDENTIALITY AND OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

H.7 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING

H.8 USAID DISABILITY POLICY - ACQUISITION (AAPD-04-17) (DEC 2004)

H.9 ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

H.10 AIDAR 752.204-72 ACCESS TO USAID FACILITIES AND USAID'S INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MAY 2016)

H.11 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.12 ADS 302.3.5.17 LIMITATION ON SUBCONTRACTING TO NON-LOCAL ENTITIES (JULY 2014)

H.13 ADS 302.3.5.21 USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR ACQUISITION (JULY 2014)

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.2 FAR 52.204-1, APPROVAL OF CONTRACT (DEC 1989)

I.3 FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I.4 AIDAR 752.7038, NONDISCRIMINATION AGAINST END-USERS OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES (OCT 2016)

I.5 FAR 52.252-2, CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF BIDDERS

K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2 FAR 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (DEC 2023)

SECTION J – LIST OF DOCUMENTS EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

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

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

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

L.4 ELIGIBLE OFFEROR

L.5 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.6 SUBMISSION/DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL

SECTION M – EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.2 FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021). 61

M.3 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.4 COST PROPOSAL EVALUATION

M.5 AWARD DECISION

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 TITLE

Opinion Polling and Focus Groups Activity in Serbia

B.2 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide technical assistance for the deliverables or outputs described in Sections C, and F.

B.3 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type Contract for duration of three (3) years.

B.4 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Period of Performance of the work required hereunder is from TBD to TBD.

B.5 PRICE AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

a) The fixed price for the performance of the work required hereunder, for the three (3) years period is TBD.

b) Commercial interim payments under the award will be made in accordance with successful delivery and acceptance of the deliverables listed in the table above. The Contractor may invoice for the corresponding deliverable only after the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and the Contracting Officer (CO) have determined that the deliverable has been delivered and accepted. The CO and COR may use numerous methods to verify the achievement of the deliverable. There is no particular order.

[END OF SECTION B]

Delivera ble #

Cost element: 2024 2025 2026 Amount:

1 Methodology, including survey instruments, interviewee guide, sampling approach, quality control, etc.

$TBD

2 Quantitative reports $TBD 3 Presentation of quantitative reports $TBD 4 Raw datasets with codebooks $TBD 5 Full reports containing quantitative and qualitative analysis

$TBD

6 Presentation of full reports $TBD Total Price $TBD

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

Opinion Polling and Focus Groups Activity in Serbia

C1 BACKGROUND

Objective: To determine citizens’ awareness of and opinion about USAID assistance programs in Serbia to inform strategic communications planning.

Description of Service: A series of three annual national opinion surveys and three annual focus group sets will serve to establish baselines and then serve as monitoring tools to determine how U.S. assistance is being perceived in Serbia. This quantitative and qualitative research will allow us to measure attitudinal movement in the population. The 2024 survey will set a baseline of awareness and attitudes and allow for deeper analysis of different demographic groups, while any annual surveys thereafter will monitor awareness levels and track attitudinal shifts in the population, in response to different factors, including exposure to communications.

C2 PROJECT DELIVERABLES

Public Opinion Surveys:

Conduct three annual surveys (in-person, quantitative research) focused on public opinion about USAID and its activities through implementers; employing the standard geographic location, city/rural, age, gender, ethnicity mix for Serbia. Sample size: 2,400 people. Surveys will take place in May of each year.

USAID must be able to receive a cross-tabulation analyses that contains detailed information about awareness levels and attitudes of different segments of the population, information about any regional differences in awareness levels and attitudes, as well as more reliable information about answers to sub-questions (i.e. among those that have heard of USAID, there are both groups that have a favorable as well as those that have unfavorable views about USAID).

The three annual surveys shall consist of standard demographic questions determined by the contractor and up to 50 specific questions (mostly closed ended) agreed upon by the contractor and USAID’s Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Office. Discussions between the contractor and DOC Office will help to ensure that the questions are phrased in a way that provides clear and useful answers from respondents.

Other topics to include:

● Comparison of US assistance to that of other countries

● Comparison of views on the United States and Americans to those of other countries

● More in-depth look at issues relevant to our activity implementation

The contractor shall provide results through electronic files and data sets and shall prepare and deliver a presentation of the results. The presentation of results to USAID shall include valid demographic tables, the sampling methodology, an executive summary, and analytical narrative (use tables and graphs where appropriate). Data collected will be the intellectual property of USAID and is not to be shared further without the express written consent of USAID.

The selected contractor shall be responsible for conducting and supervising all research. Specifically, USAID requires the contractor to be responsible for the following tasks:

● Quantitative Research;

● Developing questionnaires in English and Serbian with final approval from USAID;

● Selecting the sample and demographic conditions with approval from USAID;

● Producing the interviewee guide;

● Ensuring enumerators are briefed on asking questions related to what might be perceived as politically sensitive issues;

● For face-to-face polls, conducting the survey (in person) throughout the country using a representative sample of the adult Serbian-wide population, using voter-registration lists/polling stations as a sampling frame. Full randomization/methodology plan to be agreed on the workplan level.

● Conducting standardized 20% quality control of the research field work; and

● Providing USAID a set of data in English, including:

● Raw dataset that is readable in tableau and R with personally identifiable information removed;

● A detailed codebook for the dataset;

● Compiling the statistical report including comparison with previous relevant data when available;

top-line results and cross-tabs based on instructions received by USAID.

Focus Groups:

Each year, the contractor shall conduct one round of focus group sessions consisting of eight separate focus groups to allow for qualitative analysis of public outreach messages, campaigns, materials and other communications from USAID and its implementing partners and to strategically plan future communications. Focus groups shall be conducted within 4 months after the conclusion of the annual public opinion survey. Applicants shall propose the geographic and demographic samples, including numbers, necessary to get an agreed representative sample of adults in Serbia.

The selected contractor shall be responsible for conducting and supervising all research. Specifically, USAID expects the contractor to be responsible for the following tasks:

● Qualitative research:

● Recruiting participants for focus groups participation based on demographic characteristics and numbers approved by USAID and arrange participants’ transportation to the research venue;

● Designing moderator guides with final approval from USAID;

● Moderating the proceedings;

● Providing simultaneous translation, if requested;

● Providing transcripts of qualitative research in English, if requested;

● Providing narrative analytical reports.

Contractor shall provide results through a presentation and electronic files.

Timing of implementation:

● The Opinion Surveys shall be conducted in May and presented in June of each year in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

● Focus groups shall be held no more than 4 months after opinion surveys are conducted and tabulated.

● Following the conclusion of both opinion surveys and focus groups, the contractor shall prepare the results in full and also prepare condensed findings and graphs into a presentation. The content and the design of the presentation shall be done in consultation with the USAID DOC office.

● The contractor shall also coordinate with USAID’s Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to ensure that USAID receives all data collected in a way that it can be further analyzed and disaggregated.

● The contractor shall present its findings to interested USAID and US Embassy staff members.

Expected deliverables:

● Methodology, including survey instruments, interviewee guide, sampling approach, quality control, etc.

● Quantitative reports for years 2024, 2025, 2026.

● Presentation of quantitative reports for years 2024, 2025, 2026.

● Raw datasets with codebooks for years 2024, 2025, 2026.

● Full reports containing quantitative and qualitative analysis for years 2024, 2025, 2026.

● Presentation of full reports for years 2024, 2025, 2026.

C3 GENDER AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Gender:

The Contractor must provide gender disaggregated data for all relevant findings from the survey and focus groups. The Contractor must analyze if there is any trend in data penetrating to gender and if so, provide a section in the analysis that speaks to those findings.

Environmental Consideration:

The Contractor must comply with USAID and USG environmental procedures. The request for categorical exclusion has been approved by the Bureau Environmental Officer. If there are any programmatic changes affecting the environment during project implementation, the COR will ensure that the environmental requirements are met.

C4 KEY PERSONNEL

The following positions have been designated as key personnel, and are essential to the work being performed under this contract. Prior to replacing any of these individuals, the Contractor shall notify both the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) reasonably in advance and must submit written justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the project. No replacement shall be made by the Contractor without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer:

Lead Researcher

The Contractor must provide an in-country Lead Researcher (LR) for the duration of the contract. The Contractor must delegate adequate authority to the LR to make all contract implementation decisions and speak for the Contractor. The LR shall be responsible for all reporting to USAID and is expected to play a lead role interacting with USAID and other development partners. The LR will be responsible for coordinating all activities of the project, building relations and overseeing the achievement of the objective of the activity.

Minimum qualifications:

The COP must have a proven track record of designing, implementing and successfully delivering research projects. The candidate must have at least 5 years of experience working on quantitative and qualitative research, with a focus on citizen surveys and focus groups. The candidate must have at a minimum a Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as social sciences, humanities or other related areas of study.

C5 LINKS AND COORDINATION WITH OTHER INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Role of USAID:

The Contractor must work in close coordination with the COR for the contract. The Contractor, working together with the COR, must coordinate with other USAID activities (e.g. those identified below), other USG activities, and other entities as stated in SOW in effort of meeting the project objectives.

Coordination with other USAID Activities:

The COR and the Contractor will coordinate to identify other existing USAID activities that can benefit from and coordinate with during the implementation of the activity.

C6 QUALITY STANDARDS FOR RESEARCH REPORTS

All research reports submitted by the Contractor must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Relevance

a. Data that is relevant to research request

b. Data is of highest quality and rigor

c. Sets data in larger context of socio-political developments

2. Accurately

a. Fact based

b. Reliable resources

c. Confirmed statements

d. Enough backing of the data

3. Simplicity

a. Illustrates the data and research in tables and graphics;

b. Displays findings in a way that are clearly understood

c. Data is presented convincingly and unambiguously;

d. Data is analyzed and interpreted.

4. Formatting

a. Executive Summary

b. Methodology - Data collection method adequately explained?

c. Clear Statement of Research Questions;

d. Presenting of Robust data

e. Limitations acknowledged

f. Citation and formatting follows the set template.

5. Inclusive

a. Presenting data that may disagree with the main research (distending opinions);

b. Have a diverse, representative and inclusive approach to qualitative data respondents' sampling.

[END OF SECTION C]

SECTION D – BRANDING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

(a) It is USAID policy that USAID-financed commodities and shipping containers, and project construction sites and other project locations be suitably marked with the USAID emblem. Shipping containers are also to be marked with the last five digits of the USAID financing document number. As a general rule, marking is not required for raw materials shipped in bulk (such as coal, grain, etc.), or for semi-finished products which are not packaged.

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

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

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

D.2 BRANDING

The Offeror shall comply with the requirements of the USAID branding policies available at:

www.usaid.gov/branding and appropriately mark all deliverables with the USAID brand.

The Offeror will not be producing any outward facing materials, so no branding and marking plan is required.

D.3 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

In accordance with provision D.1 above, and where applicable, the Contractor shall comply with the requirements of the policy directives and required procedures outlined in USAID Automated Directive System (ADS) 320.3.2 “Branding and Marking in USAID Direct Contracting” (version from January 8, 2007) at http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/320.pdf; and USAID “Graphic Standards Manual” available at www.usaid.gov/branding, or any successor branding policy.

In accordance with ADS 320.3.2.5, USAID will grant an exception to branding of survey materials and focus group gatherings.

320.3.2.5 Exceptions to Marking Requirements for Contracts Effective Date: 02/05/2020 The following exceptions reflect USAID’s usual, non-emergency practices in not marking certain contract deliverables for programmatic reasons. The CO—in consultation with the Principal Officer, RO, GC/RLO, and DOCs at Missions or Bureau/Office Communications Officers for USAID/W-managed activities—may grant an exception to marking requirements, if marking of specifically identified contract deliverables would:

a. Compromise the intrinsic independence or neutrality of a program or materials for which independence or neutrality is an inherent aspect.

This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

● Election-monitoring materials or ballots and voter information literature;

● Support for political parties or advocacy for public policy or reform;

● Support for independent media, such as television and radio broadcasts, and newspaper articles and editorials;

● PSAs; and Public-opinion polls and surveys;

b. Diminish the credibility of audits, reports, analyses, studies, or policy recommendations whose data or findings must be seen as independent;

[END OF SECTION D]

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract Clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with clause at FAR “52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE” in Section I of this contract. See FAR 52.252-2 for an internet address (as specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed price AUG 1996

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports, and other required deliverables or outputs shall take place at the principal place of performance or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and deliverables are produced or submitted. The COR listed in Section G has been delegated authority to inspect and accept all services, reports, and required deliverables or outputs, with the exception of the deliverables tied to interim payments in Section B.

[END OF SECTION E]

SECTION F – DELIVERIES AND PERFORMANCE

F.1 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance under this contract is Serbia.

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this contract is three (3) years from the date of award.

F.3 KEY PERSONNEL

The personnel proposed and approved during proposal submission will be considered Key to the successful implementation of this Contract.

(a) The contractor must furnish the Lead Researcher (LR) position deemed as key personnel for the performance of this contract.

(b) The key personnel or LR identified above is considered essential to the work being performed under this contract. The contractor must remain responsible for providing such key personnel for full-time performance for the term of this contract unless otherwise agreed to by the contracting officer.

(c) The failure to provide the key personnel designated above may be considered nonperformance unless such failure is beyond the control, and through no fault or negligence, of the contractor.

(d) The contractor must immediately notify the contracting officer and the COR of key personnel’s departure and the reasons therefore.

(e) Key personnel under this award may be replaced with written approval of the Contracting Officer based on the responsibilities, qualifications and experience as stated in section C.4 of the contract.

F.4 DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall submit deliverables listed below. These are in particular order.

[END OF SECTION F]

Delev # Cost element: 2024 2025 2026 Amount 1 Methodology, including survey instruments, interviewee guide, sampling approach, quality control, etc.

$TBD

2 Quantitative reports $TBD 3 Presentation of quantitative reports $TBD 4 Raw datasets with codebooks $TBD 5 Full reports containing quantitative and qualitative analysis $TBD 6 Presentation of full reports $TBD

Total Price $TBD

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

The Contracting Office is located at:

USAID/Kosovo Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance (ROAA) Rr. 4 KORRIKU Nr. 25, Arberia, Pristina, Kosovo 10000

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in the requirements of this Contract and notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this Contract, the said authority remains solely in the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change shall be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment shall be made in the contract terms and conditions, including price.

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

USAID/Serbia shall provide technical oversight to the Contractor through the designated COR. The designated COR will be determined at the time of award and designated per a separate letter. All technical questions shall be addressed to the COR.

G.4 TECHNICAL DIRECTION/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

(a) Technical Directions is defined to include:

(1) Written directions to the Contractor which fill in details, suggest possible lines of inquiry, or otherwise facilitate completion of work;

(2) Provision of written information to the Contractor which assists in the interpretation of drawings, specifications, or technical portions of the work statement;

(3) Review and, where required, provide written approval of technical reports, drawings, specifications, or technical information to be delivered. Technical directions must be in writing, and must be within the scope of the work as detailed in Section C.

(b) The COR is authorized by designation to take any or all action with respect to the following which could lawfully be taken by the Contracting Officer, except any action specifically prohibited by the terms of this Contract:

(1) Assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract in accordance with the contract terms, conditions, and specifications.

(2) Perform or cause to be performed, inspections necessary in connection with a) above and require the Contractor to correct all deficiencies; perform acceptance for the Government.

(3) Maintain all liaison and direct communications with the Contractor. Written communications with the Contractor and documents shall be signed as "Contracting Officer’s Representative" with a copy furnished to the Contracting Officer.

(4) Issue written interpretations of technical requirements of Government drawings, designs, and specifications.

(5) Monitor the Contractor's production or performance progress and notify the Contractor in writing of deficiencies observed during surveillance, and direct appropriate action to effect correction. Record and report to the Contracting Officer incidents of faulty or nonconforming work, delays or problems.

(6) Obtain necessary security clearance and appropriate identification if access to Government facilities is required. If to be provided, ensure that Government furnished property is available when required.

LIMITATIONS: The COR is not empowered to award, agree to, or sign any contract (including delivery or purchase orders) or modifications thereto, or in any way to obligate the payment of money by the Government. The COR may not take any action which may impact on the contract schedule, funds, scope. All contractual agreements, commitments, or modifications shall be made only by the Contracting Officer.

(c) The COR is required to meet quarterly/semi-annually/annually with the Contractor and the Contracting Officer concerning performance of items delivered under this contract and any other administration or technical issues. Telephonic reports may be made if no problems are being experienced. Problem areas should be brought to the immediate attention of the Contracting Officer.

(d) In the absence of the designated COR, the COR may designate someone to serve as COR in their place. However, such action to direct an individual to act in the COR's stead shall immediately be communicated to the Contractor and the Contracting Officer.

(e) Contractual Problems - Contractual problems, of any nature, that may arise during the life of the contract must be handled in conformance with specific public laws and regulations (i.e. Federal Acquisition Regulation and Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation). The Contractor and the COR shall bring all contracting problems to the immediate attention of the Contracting Officer. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to formally resolve such problems. The Contracting Officer will be responsible for resolving legal issues, determining contract scope and interpreting contract terms and conditions. The Contracting Officer is the sole authority authorized to approve changes in any of the requirements under this contract. Notwithstanding any clause contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer.

These changes include, but will not be limited to the following areas: scope of work, price, quantity, technical specifications, delivery schedules, and contract terms and conditions. In the event the Contractor effects any changes at the direction of any other person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority.

(f) Failure by the Contractor to report to the Administrative Contracting Office, any action by the Government considered to be a change, within the specified number of days contained in FAR 52.243-7 (Notification of Changes), waives the Contractor's right to any claims for equitable adjustments.

G.5 PAYMENT OFFICE

USAID/Serbia Controller‘s Office Bulevar kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevica 92 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

G.6 INVOICING INSTRUCTIONS

Soft or Electronic copies of the invoices shall be sent to belgrade-invoices@usaid.gov with copy the COR’s email address.

● Send via email, one invoice, all other required documents, and SF-1034 Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other Than Personal.

● The SF-1034 must be signed,

● The invoice should provide the bank account details which should include the bank account number, the bank name and address, the SWIFT Code and the ABA number.

● Invoices shall be submitted based on deliverables after the deliverable is completed, received and accepted by COR.

G.7 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATED DATA

Data will be entered upon contract award.

[END OF SECTION G]

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Level 5/5 English language proficiency is required for the Key Personnel position.

H.2 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

Funds in this contract may not be used to finance the travel, per diem, hotel expenses, meals, conference fees or other conference costs for any member of a foreign government's delegation to an international conference sponsored by a public international organization, except as provided in ADS Mandatory Reference "Guidance on Funding Foreign Government Delegations to International conferences at: http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/350maa.pdf or as approved by the CO.

H.3 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

The authorized geographic code for this award is 937 defined as the United States, the Cooperating Country (Republic of Serbia), and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, and excluding prohibited sources.

For accurate identification of developing countries, advanced developing countries, and prohibited sources, please refer to Automated Directive System (ADS) 310 entitled “Source and Nationality Requirements for Procurement of Commodities and Services Financed by USAID”.

H.4 LOGISTIC SUPPORT AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor is responsible for its own logistical administrative and logistical support. The Contractor will be responsible for its own communications, transportation, translation services, arrangements, and equipment to work sites unless otherwise specified in the contract. In addition, the Contractor is responsible for maintaining the security of its personnel, materials, and equipment commensurate with the circumstances involved. All employees of the Contractor must meet the requirements of their work-site, which may include background checks, security/restricted area clearance, drug-free workplace, safety training and/or other inspections/requirements. The contractor must become familiar with and comply with relevant Chief of Mission rules and requirements, USAID requirements, and applicable Kosovo law.

H.5 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES OR PROPERTY

The Contractor and any employee or consultant of the Contractor is prohibited from using U.S.

Government facilities (such as office space or equipment) or U.S. Government clerical or technical personnel in the performance of the services specified in the Task Order.

The contractor shall comply with all requirements of the clauses in section I of this contract entitled "Government Property (Cost Reimbursement, Time-and-Material, or Labor-Hour Contracts)" (FAR 52.245-01) "Government Property; USAID Reporting Requirements" (AIDAR 752.245-70), and “Title To and Care of Property" (AIDAR 752-245-71).

H.6 CONFIDENTIALITY AND OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All reports generated and data collected during this activity shall be considered the property of USAID and shall not be reproduced, disseminated or discussed in open forum, other than for the purposes of completing the tasks described in this document, without the express written approval of a duly-authorized representative of USAID. All findings, conclusions and recommendations shall be considered confidential and proprietary.

H.7 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING

The Contractor is reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the contractor to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in all subcontracts issued under this contract.

H.8 USAID DISABILITY POLICY - ACQUISITION (AAPD-04-17) (DEC 2004)

(a) The objectives of the USAID Disability Policy are (1) to enhance the attainment of United States foreign assistance program goals by promoting the participation and equalization of opportunities of individuals with disabilities in USAID policy, country and sector strategies, activity designs and implementation; (2) to increase awareness of issues of people with disabilities both within USAID programs and in host countries; (3) to engage other U.S. government agencies, host country counterparts, governments, implementing organizations and other donors in fostering a climate of nondiscrimination against people with disabilities; and (4) to support international advocacy for people with disabilities. The full text of the policy paper can be found at the following website:

http://www.usaid.gov/about/disability/DISABPOL.FIN.html.

(b) USAID therefore requires that the contractor not discriminate against people with disabilities in the implementation of USAID programs and that it make every effort to comply with the objectives of the USAID Disability Policy in performing this contract. To that end and within the scope of the contract, the contractor’s actions must demonstrate a comprehensive and consistent approach for including men, women and children with disabilities.

H.9 ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

The Contractor shall not have access to classified information.

H.10 AIDAR 752.204-72 ACCESS TO USAID FACILITIES AND USAID'S INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MAY 2016)

(a) HSPD-12 and Personal Identity Verification (PIV). Individuals engaged in the performance of this award as employees, consultants, or volunteers of the contractor must comply with all applicable Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) and Personal Identity Verification (PIV) procedures, as described below, and any subsequent USAID or Government-wide HSPD-12 and PIV procedures/policies.

(b) A U.S. citizen or resident alien engaged in the performance of this award as an employee, consultant, or volunteer of a U.S firm may obtain access to USAID facilities or logical access to USAID's information http://www.usaid.gov/about/disability/DISABPOL.FIN.html systems only when and to the extent necessary to carry out this award and in accordance with this clause. The contractor's employees, consultants, or volunteers who are not U.S. citizens as well as employees, consultants, or volunteers of non-U.S. firms, irrespective of their citizenship, will not be granted logical access to U.S. Government information technology systems (such as Phoenix, GLAAS, etc.) and must be escorted to use U.S. Government facilities (such as office space).

(c) (1) No later than five business days after award, the Contractor must provide to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) a complete list of employees that require access to USAID facilities or information systems.

(2) Before a contractor (or a contractor employee, consultant, or volunteer) or subcontractor at any tier may obtain a USAID ID (new or replacement) authorizing the individual routine access to USAID facilities in the United States, or logical access to USAID's information systems, the individual must provide two forms of identity source documents in original form to the Enrollment Office personnel when undergoing processing. One identity source document must be a valid Federal or State Government-issued picture ID. Contractors may contact the USAID Security Office to obtain the list of AAPD 16-02 Special Requirements for Information Technology (IT) 2 acceptable forms of documentation. Submissions of these documents, to include documentation of security background investigations, are mandatory in order for the contractor to receive a PIV/Facilities Access Card (FAC) card and be granted access to any of USAID's information systems. All such individuals must physically present these two source documents for identity proofing at their enrollment.

(d) The Contractor must send a staffing report to the COR by the fifth day of each month. The report must contain the listing of all staff members with access that separated or were hired under this contract in the past sixty (60) calendar days. This report must be submitted even if no separations or hiring occurred during the reporting period. Failure to submit the ‘Contractor Staffing Change Report’ each month may, at USAID’s discretion, result in the suspension of all logical access to USAID information systems and/or facilities access associated with this contract. USAID will establish the format for this report.

(e) Contractor employees are strictly prohibited from sharing logical access to USAID information systems and Sensitive Information. USAID will disable accounts and revoke logical access to USAID IT systems if Contractor employees share accounts.

(f) USAID, at its discretion, may suspend or terminate the access to any systems and/or facilities when an Information Security Incident or other electronic access violation, use, or misuse incident gives cause for such action. The suspension or termination may last until such time as USAID determines that the situation has been corrected or no longer exists.

(g) The Contractor must notify the COR and the USAID Service Desk at least five business days prior to the Contractor employee’s removal from the contract. For unplanned terminations of Contractor employees, the Contractor must immediately notify the COR and the USAID Service Desk (CIOHELPDESK@usaid.gov or (202) 712-1234). The Contractor or its Facilities Security Officer must return USAID PIV/FAC cards and remote authentication tokens issued to Contractor employees to the COR prior to departure of the employee or upon completion or termination of the contract, whichever occurs first.

(h) The contractor is required to insert this clause including this paragraph (h) in any subcontracts that require the subcontractor, subcontractor employee, or consultant to have routine physical access to USAID space or logical access to USAID's information systems.

H.11 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

The Contractor will be required to implement the provisions of the Request for Categorical Exclusion (RCE) and is responsible for ensuring that all requirements of the Agency's environmental regulations as described in 22 CFR 216 are met, and an amendment, if any, to the approved RCE is submitted in timely manner, as will be approved by the Bureau Environmental Officer.

1. General Requirements

1a) The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, Section 117 requires that the impact of USAID’s activities on the environment be considered and that USAID include environmental sustainability as a central consideration in designing and carrying out its development programs. This mandate is codified in Federal Regulations (22 CFR 216) and in USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) Parts 201.5.10g and 204 (http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ADS/200/), which, in part, require that the potential environmental impacts of USAID-financed activities are identified prior to a final decision to proceed and that appropriate environmental safeguards are adopted for all activities. Contractor environmental compliance obligations under these regulations and procedures are specified in the following paragraphs of this Award.

1b) In addition, the Contractor must comply with host country environmental regulations unless otherwise directed in writing by USAID. In case of conflict between host country and USAID regulations, the latter shall govern.

1c) No activity funded under this Contract will be implemented unless an environmental threshold determination, as defined by 22 CFR 216, has been reached for that activity, as documented in a Request for Categorical Exclusion (RCE), Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), or Environmental Assessment (EA) duly signed by the Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO). (Hereinafter, such documents are described as “approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation.”)

4. Planning and Reporting

4a) As part of its initial Work Plan, and all Annual Work Plans thereafter, if any, the Contractor, in collaboration with the USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative and Mission Environmental Officer or Bureau Environmental Officer, as appropriate, shall review all ongoing and planned activities under this contract to determine if they are within the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation.

4b) If the Contractor plans any new activities outside the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation, it shall prepare an amendment to the documentation for USAID review and approval. No such new activities shall be undertaken prior to receiving written USAID approval of environmental documentation amendments.

4c) Any ongoing activities found to be outside the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation shall be halted until an amendment to the documentation is submitted and written approval is received from USAID.

http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ADS/200/

H.12 ADS 302.3.5.17 LIMITATION ON SUBCONTRACTING TO NON-LOCAL ENTITIES (JULY 2014)

a) Applicability. This provision applies to:

(i) Contracts that have been awarded to those local entities under the authority of and as defined in Section 7077 of Public Law 112-74, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (P.L. 112-74), as amended by Section 7028 of Public Law 113-76, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, also known as "Local Competition Authority"; and

(ii) Contracts awarded to local entities (as defined in Section 7077 of Public Law 112-74) under the authority at AIDAR 706.302-70 Impairment of foreign aid programs.

b) By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor agrees that in performance of the contract for—

1) Services (except construction), at least fifty (50) percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel must be expended for employees of the prime/local entity.

2) Supplies (other than procurement from a non-manufacturer of such supplies), the prime/ local entity concern must perform work for at least 50 percent of the cost of manufacturing the supplies, not including the cost of materials.

3) General construction, the prime/ local entity concern will perform at least 15 percent of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees.

4) Construction by special trade contractors, the concern will perform at least 25 percent of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees.

c) By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor represents that it is an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that:

1) Is legally organized under the laws of;

2) Has as its principal place of business or operations in;

3) Is majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of; and

4) Is managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the country in which this contract will be primarily performed.

d) For purposes of this clause, “majority owned” and “managed by” include, without limitation, beneficiary interests and the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exercisable, to control the election, appointment, or tenure of the organization's managers or a majority of the organization's governing body by any means.

H.13 ADS 302.3.5.21 USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR ACQUISITION (JULY 2014)

(a) Definitions

“USAID Implementing Partner Notices (IPN) Portal for Acquisition (“IPN Portal”)” means the single point where USAID posts universal bilateral modifications, which can be accessed electronically by registered USAID contractors. The IPN Portal is located at https://sites.google.com/site/ipnforacquisitions/.

https://sites.google.com/site/ipnforacquisitions/

“IPN Portal Administrator” means the USAID official designated by the M/OAA Director, who has overall responsibility for managing the USAID Implementing Partner Notices Portal for Acquisition.

“Universal bilateral modification” means modifications such as those that update or incorporate new FAR or AIDAR clauses, other terms and conditions, or special requirements that affect all awards or a class of awards as specified in the Agency notification of such terms and conditions or special requirements.

(b) By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor acknowledges the requirement to:

1) Register with the IPN Portal if awarded a contract resulting from this solicitation, and

2) Receive universal bilateral modifications to this contract and general notices via the IPN Portal.

(c) Procedure to register for notifications.

Go to: https://sites.google.com/site/usaidipnforacquisitions/ and click the “Register” button at the top of the page. Contractor representatives must use their official organization email address when subscribing, not personal email addresses.

(d) Processing of IPN Portal Modifications

The contractor may access the IPN Portal at any time to review all IPN Portal modifications; however, the system will also notify the contractor by email when the USAID IPN Portal Administrator posts a universal bilateral modification for contractor review and signature. Proposed IPN Portal modifications distributed via the IPN Portal are applicable to all awards, unless otherwise noted in the proposed modification.

Within 15 calendar days from receipt of the notification email from the IPN Portal, the contractor must do one of the following:

1) verify applicability of the proposed modification for their award(s) per the instructions provided with each modification; (b) download the modification and incorporate the following information on the SF30 form: contract number, organization name, and organization mailing address as it appears in the basic award; (c) sign the hardcopy version; and (d) send the signed modification (by email or hardcopy) to the CO for signature. The contractor must not incorporate any other changes to the IPN Portal modification. Bilateral modifications provided through the IPN Portal are not effective until the both the contractor and the CO sign the modification;

2) Notify the Contracting Officer in writing if the modification requires negotiation of additional changes to terms and conditions of the contract; or

3) Notify the Contracting Officer that the contractor declines to sign the modification.

Within 30 calendar days of receipt of a signed modification from the contractor, the CO must provide the fully executed modification to the contractor or initiate discussions with the contractor.

[END OF SECTION H]

https://sites.google.com/site/usaidipnforacquisitions/

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause “FAR 52.252.-2 and AIDAR 752-252-2, CLAUSES…