72027820R00014 - TAP RFP.pdf

Solicitation Issuance Date: September 01, 2020

Closing Date/Time for receipt of Technical and Cost Proposals: October 01, 2020, 4:00 pm (Jordan Time)

Closing Date/Time for receipt of Questions: September 09, 2020, 4:00 pm (Jordan Time)

Subject: Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 72027820R00014

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking proposals to implement the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) activity, as described in the attached Request for Proposals (RFP). The Government contemplates an award of a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee term type contract resulting from this solicitation. the Government estimates that forty-five thousand (45,000) Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) person-days level of effort (this is an estimate only) will be required for Long-Term, Short-Term direct employees and consultants, as well as subcontractors. USAID reserves the right to award more, or no awards than the anticipated number under this solicitation.

USAID invites all interested and responsible organizations to submit offers in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation. USAID will conduct this procurement as a full and open competition under which any type of organization may submit a proposal. The procedures set further in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) Part 15 will govern the procurement. The North America Industry Classification System (“NAICS”) Code is 541990.

Please refer to Section L for information regarding proposal requirements. Only electronic proposals sent to jtap@usaid.gov in response to this RFP by the date and time specified above will be accepted. Offerors are responsible for ensuring proposals are received by the due date and time as specified in Section L.

Failure to comply with the submission date will deem any submission unacceptable and it will not be reviewed or evaluated. Faxed, mailed, and/or hand-delivered proposals are not acceptable, nor will they be reviewed or evaluated.

Section L of the RFP sets forth all instructions for the preparation and submission of required proposal contents, including critical dates/times for the submission of questions, and full proposal submission closing dates and times. Section M states the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated. Oral explanations or instructions given before award of the contract will not be binding.

mailto:jtap@usaid.gov

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

Prospective offerors must submit questions about this solicitation to jtap@usaid.gov, by the time and date indicated above.

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

Sincerely, Michael Ashkouri, Esq.

Supervisory Contracting Officer mailto:jtap@usaid.gov https://beta.sam.gov/ https://beta.sam.gov/

72027820R00014

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

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

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

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

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

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

SEALED BID (IFB)

5. DATE ISSUED

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED RATING PAGE OF PAGES

1 139

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)A. NAME

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

CAUTION: LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

(Date)(Hour) local timeuntildepository located in copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if hand carried, in the

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

I

J

K

L

M SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

PACKAGING AND MARKING

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSESPART I - THE SCHEDULE

H

G

F

E

D

C

B

A

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

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

18. OFFER DATE17. SIGNATURE

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

(Type or print)AND

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY

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

DATEAMENDMENT NO.DATEAMENDMENT NO.

and related documents numbered and dated):

amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

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

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232.8)

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

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

by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the

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

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

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

28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

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

ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

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

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

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

AWARD (To be completed by government)

CODE

REQ-278-20-000061

X

720278

USAID/Jordan American Embassy PO Box 354 Amman, 11118, Jordan 11118

1400 B

Zeina Al Twal 962 0 zaltwal@usaid.gov

659-0600

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PAGE(S)

Michael Ashkouri

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97)

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

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

LIST OF ACRONYMS

ACO Administrative Contracting Officer ADS Automated Directives System AMELP Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan AIDAR USAID Acquisition Regulation AQACHEI Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education

Institutions AWP Annual Work Plan CAGE Commercial and Government Entity CAS Cost Accounting Standards CCN Cooperating Country National CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CE Categorical Exclusion CO Contracting Officer COP Chief of Party COR Contracting Officer Representative COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease CPARS Contract Performance Assessment Reporting System CPFF Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee CSB Civil Service Bureau CSP Cloud Service Provider CST Contractor Salary Threshold CUI Controlled Unclassified Information DDL Development Data Library DEC Development Experience Clearinghouse ESMP Enhancing School Management and Planning ESP Education Strategic Plan FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation FAPIIS Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System FOIA Freedom of Information Act G&A General and Administrative GAO Government Accountability Office GoJ Government of Jordan HCD Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities IEE Initial Environmental Examination IPN Implementing Partner Notices IR Intermediate Result JOC Jordan Olympic Committee LPA Legislative and Public Affairs

MEL Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning MEO Mission Environment Officer MoE Ministry of Education MoF Ministry of Finance MoHED Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research MoPIC Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation MoSD Ministry of Social Development MoY Ministry of Youth MPWH Ministry of Public Works and Housing MP Marking Plan NCCD National Center for Curriculum Development NCHRD National Center for Human Resource Development NICRA Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement NGO Non-Governmental Organization ODC Other Direct Costs OH Overhead OMB Office of Management and Budget PFMRAF Public Financial Management Risk Assessment Framework PGS Partner Government Systems PRO Program Office RAMP Early Grade Reading and Mathematics Program SAM System for Award Management SBU Sensitive But Unclassified SF Standard Form SLAs Service Level Agreements SOQ Statement of Qualifications SOW Statement of Work SSN Social Security Number TCN Third Country National TIN Taxpayer Identification Number UN United Nations USG United States Government

PART I - THE SCHEDULE 9

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS 9

B.1 PURPOSE 9

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES 9

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT 9

B.4 BUDGET AND CEILING PRICE 10

B.5 COST REIMBURSABLE 10

B.6 INDIRECT COSTS 10

B.7 FAR 52.216-8 Fixed Fee (Jun 2011) 11

B.8 FIXED FEE PAYMENT 11

B.9 LEVEL OF EFFORT 11

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK 13

C.1 GOAL 13

C.2 DEVELOPMENT HYPOTHESIS 13

C.3 BACKGROUND 13

C.4 OPPORTUNITIES, ASSUMPTIONS, AND RISKS 14

C.5 GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE AND TARGET BENEFICIARIES 15

C.6 TECHNICAL COMPONENTS AND RESULTS 16

C.7 LINK TO GOJ AND USAID STRATEGIES 26

C.8 GUIDING PRINCIPLES 26

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING 28

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 - MARKING (JAN 1993) 28

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY 28

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 29

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 29

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE/RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL 29

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 30

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 30

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 30

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE 30

F.4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 30

F.5 KEY PERSONNEL 31

F.6 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS 32

F.7 AIDAR 752.242-70 PERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS (OCT 2007) 47

F.8 LANGUAGE OF REPORTS AND OTHER OUTPUTS 47

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 48

G.1 AIDAR 752.7003 - DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998) 48

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY 49

G.3 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE 49

G.4 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) 50

G.5 PAYING OFFICE 50

G.6 INVOICING INSTRUCTIONS 50

G.7 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT 50

G.8 CONTRACTOR'S PAYMENT ADDRESS 51

G.9 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 51

G.10 TECHNICAL DIRECTION/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID 51

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 54

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 54

H.2 AIDAR 752.7001 - BIOGRAPHICAL DATA (JUL 1997) 54

H.3 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JUL 2007) 54

H.4 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION 55

H.5 EMPLOYMENT COSTS OF THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS (TCNs) AND COOPERATING COUNTRY NATIONALS (CCNs) 57

H.6 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE 58

H.7 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES 58

H.8 DEFENSE BASE ACT (DBA) INSURANCE 58

H.9 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM 59

H.10 LOGISTIC SUPPORT 60

H.11 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST 60

H.12 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT – IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES 62

H.13 AIDAR 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY - (DEC 2004) 62

H.14 AIDAR 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND NOTIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS (APR 2014) 62

H.15 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY 63

H.16 AIDAR 752.245-71 TITLE TO AND CARE OF PROPERTY 63

H.17 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

H.18 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 63

H.19 CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT 65

H.20 VALUE ADDED TAX AND CUSTOMS DUTIES 65

H.21 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT 65

H.22 PRESS AND PRESS RELATIONS 66

H.23 PROHIBITION AND ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKING 66

H.24 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES OR PROPERTY 66

H.25 AMERICAN EMBASSY COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AECSA) 66

H.26 SOVEREIGN RELATIONSHIPS 66

H.27 MEETINGS WITH GOVERNMENT OF JORDAN MINISTERS 67

H.28 CONTRACTOR’S USE OF PROJECT VEHICLES 67

H.29 ADS 547 - MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES 67

H.30 INDIRECT COSTS FOR NON-U.S. ORGANIZATIONS 68

H.31 ADS 302.3.5.19 - USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (NOV 2017) 68

H.32 CONFIDENTIALITY AND OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 70

H.33 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION 70

H. 34 LIMITATION ON ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (APRIL 2018)

(DEVIATION NOs. M/OAA-DEV-FAR-20-3c and M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-20-2c) (APRIL 2020) 70

H.35 CLOUD COMPUTING (APR 2018) 72

H.36 COUNTRY CLEARANCE 79

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES 80

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES 80

I.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 80

I.2 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998) 80

I.3 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) 80

I.4 752.252-1 AIDAR SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE (MAR 2015) 83

I.5 752.252-2 AIDAR CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (MAR 2015) 83

I.6 FAR 52.204-1 - APPROVAL OF CONTRACT (DEC 1989) 85

I.7 FAR 52.204-21 - BASIC SAFEGUARDING OF COVERED CONTRACTOR

INFORMATION SYSTEMS (JUN 2016) 85

I.8 FAR 52.222-35 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR VETERANS (JUN 2020) 86

I.9 FAR 52.222-36 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES

(JUN 2020) 87

I.10 FAR 52.252-4 - ALTERATIONS IN CONTRACT (APR 1984) 87

I.11 AIDAR 752.229-71 - REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JUL 2007) 87

I.12 AIDAR 752.245-70 - GOVERNMENT PROPERTY—USAID REPORTING

REQUIREMENTS (OCT 2017) 89

I.13 AIDAR 752.7013 - CONTRACTOR-MISSION RELATIONSHIPS (JUN 2018) (M/OAA-

DEV-AIDAR-18-04C) 91

I.14 AIDAR 752.7036 - USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL

FOR ACQUISITION (JULY 2014) 92

PART III – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS 94

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 94

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS 95

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

THE OFFEROR 95

K.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 95

K.2 AGREEMENT ON, OR EXCEPTIONS TO, TERMS AND CONDITIONS 95

K.3 FAR 52.204-3 - TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (OCT 1998) 96

K.4 FAR 52.204-8 - ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (MAR 2020)

K.5 FAR 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR

EQUIPMENT. (AUG 2020) 101

K.6 FAR 52.204-26 - COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR

SERVICES-REPRESENTATION (DEC 2019) 104

K.7 FAR 52.209-7 - INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT

2018) 105

K.8 FAR 52.209-13 - VIOLATION OF ARMS CONTROL TREATIES OR AGREEMENTS-

CERTIFICATION (JUL 2020) 106

K.9 FAR 52.230-1 - COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND

CERTIFICATION (JUN 2020) 108

K.10 FAR 52.230-7 - PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE-COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE

CHANGES (APR 2005) 111

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 112

L.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE 112

L.2 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984) 112

L.3 FAR 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006) 113

L.4 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 113

L.5 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS 115

L.6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL 115

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPERATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL 121

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

AND MARKING PLAN 128

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 135

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION 135

M.2 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA 135

M.3 COST PROPOSAL EVALUATION 138

M.4 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE 138

M.5 SOURCE SELECTION 138

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide technical assistance and services that fall within the Statement of Work (SOW) specified in Section C for the Technical Assistance Program (TAP).

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) term-type contract. For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor shall provide the technical support specified in Section C, deliverables or outputs described in Section F, and comply with all Contract requirements.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

(a) The total estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is $ [___]. The fixed fee, if any, is $ [___]. The estimated cost-plus-fixed-fee, if any, is $ [___].

(b) Within the estimated cost plus fixed fee (if any) specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is $ [___]. The Contractor shall not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount.

(c) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through [___].

(d) The Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee term-type of contract requires the contractor to devote a specified level of effort for a stated time period. If performance is considered satisfactory by the Government, the fixed fee is payable at the expiration of the agreed upon period, upon contractor statement that the level of effort specified in the contract has been expended in performing the contract work. In the event the contractor has not expended the total level of effort at the expiration of the contract period, the amount of fee owed to the Contractor shall correspond to the percentage of total level of effort expended during the contract period of performance.

B.4 BUDGET AND CEILING PRICE

Line Item Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

00001 Technical Assistance 1 LOT $ $

Estimated Cost $ $

Fixed Fee $ $

Total Estimated Cost + Fixed Fee $ $

B.5 COST REIMBURSABLE

The U.S. dollar costs allowable shall be limited to reasonable, allocable and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment, FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, if applicable, FAR 52.232-20, Limitation of Cost, FAR 52.232-22, Limitation of Funds and AIDAR 752.7003, Documentation for Payment.

B.6 INDIRECT COSTS

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs must be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases pursuant to the contractor’s current executed Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement:

(To be determined at time of award)

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD TBD 1/ 1/ 1/

TBD TBD 2/ 2/ 2/

1/ Base of Application: TBD

Type of Rate: TBD Period: TBD

2/ Base of Application: TBD

Type of Rate: TBD Period: TBD

Note: The Contractor is allowed to recover applicable indirect costs (i.e., overhead, G&A, etc.)

on other direct costs (ODCs), if it is part of the Contractor’s usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31, and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

B.7 FAR 52.216-8 Fixed Fee (Jun 2011)

(a) The Government shall pay the Contractor for performing this contract the fixed fee specified in the Schedule.

(b) Payment of the fixed fee shall be made as specified in the Schedule; provided that the

Contracting Officer withholds a reserve not to exceed 15 percent of the total fixed fee or $100,000, whichever is less, to protect the Government’s interest. The Contracting Officer shall release 75 percent of all fee withholds under this contract after receipt of an adequate certified final indirect cost rate proposal covering the year of physical completion of this contract, provided the Contractor has satisfied all other contract terms and conditions, including the submission of the final patent and royalty reports, and is not delinquent in submitting final vouchers on prior years’ settlements. The Contracting Officer may release up to 90 percent of the fee withholds under this contract based on the Contractor’s past performance related to the submission and settlement of final indirect cost rate proposals.

B.8 FIXED FEE PAYMENT

Monthly payment of fixed fee will be paid in proportion to the level of effort (LOE) delivered during that month and pursuant to FAR 52.216-8, it will be made upon receipt of a proper invoice. In the event the Contractor has not delivered the total LOE at the expiration of the Contract period, the fixed fee will be adjusted proportionately to the LOE delivered. For example, if the Contractor has expended 85% of the total level of effort, then the Contractor is entitled to 85% of the fixed fee amount, provided that the performance has been satisfactory.

B.9 LEVEL OF EFFORT

(a) Recognizing that this contract is a term form within the meaning of FAR 16.306(d), the Government estimates that forty-five thousand (45,000) Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) person-days level of effort (this is an estimate only) will be required for long-term, short-term direct employees and consultants, as well as subcontractors. The Contractor must provide the following level of effort (LoE) of all direct charged employee and subcontractor labor for the contract period of performance. The level of effort must be organized by labor categories as Follows:

Labor Category Person Days

Directors TBD

Headquarters Support Staff TBD

Senior Technical Team Managers/Operational Team Leaders

TBD

Technical Advisors and Priority Area Specialists

TBD

Officers and Operational Staff TBD

Embedded Field Support Staff TBD

Local Long/Short Term Field Coaches and Technical Assistance

TBD

International Short-Term Technical Assistance TBD

Total LOE TBD

(b) The number of person-days for any labor category may not be used in any other labor category, unless prior approval by the Contracting Officer has been granted. Once the required level of effort has been provided, the contract will be completed.

(c) Approvals, technical orders or other direction from the COR do not constitute authorization to increase the total LOE for this Contract. The Government is not obligated to reimburse the Contractor for any actions which increase LOE unless such actions have been authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer.

END OF SECTION B

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 GOAL

The goal of this Activity is to transform the organizational culture and technical and institutional capacity within the Government of Jordan (GoJ) to successfully implement education and youth reforms supported by direct USAID investment, by providing complementary technical assistance to relevant stakeholders.

C.2 DEVELOPMENT HYPOTHESIS

Optimized education and youth program implementation is dependent on how the relevant GoJ entities function at their core. A holistic approach to organizational culture and capacity strengthening must therefore focus on systems, staff and resources together as interconnected and complementary elements. There would be limited change if staff had improved technical skills and a strong work ethic, but little resources to apply them in practice during program implementation, or if ample resources were available but skills and attitudes remained unchanged. USAID’s development hypothesis for this activity is, therefore:

If targeted GoJ systems and frameworks are strengthened to enable effective staff engagement, behavior and management, and the requisite quantity and quality of human, material, and financial resources are available then the GoJ’s organizational culture and technical and institutional capacity to drive results in the education and youth sectors will be transformed.

C.3 BACKGROUND

USAID has made significant investments in Jordan’s education and youth sectors over several decades through a mix of implementing partner-led and GoJ-led activities. To institutionalize the reforms supported through these activities, USAID plans to increase the support it provides to the GoJ through Partner Government Systems (PGS) over the next five years. The GoJ has demonstrated increasing ability to directly manage USAID funds to advance shared United States Government (USG) and GoJ goals, but progress has not been uniform across the various stakeholders or even within different operating units under the same body.

The GoJ’s implementation of programs in the education and youth sectors is limited by an organizational culture that does not promote or perpetuate effective performance and innovation.

Despite the introduction of ambitious strategic plans and significant donor support, the GoJ struggles to develop, mobilize and institutionalize positive practices. The current organizational culture is a product of systemic weaknesses and strained resources, which have impacted the GoJ’s ability to deliver essential services and adapt to evolving needs.

Monitoring and evaluation, financial and human resource planning, and overall coordination systems at the central, field directorate and school levels are underperforming, including between ministries and other relevant entities. This hinders effective day-to-day functioning, resilience to shocks, as well as longer-term planning and decision-making. In addition, many GoJ staff lack the necessary technical skills to perform their duties, and are further limited by a shortage of material and financial resources, inefficient resource management, and unclear or cumbersome bureaucratic processes.

External factors, such as the Syrian refugee crisis, demographic shifts over the past ten years, and the current COVID-19 pandemic place additional pressure on an already strained system.

The impact of these challenges is evident across the youth and education sectors, where reforms are lacking to help children and youth reach their full potential. Poor learning outcomes and low levels of youth engagement persist across the country, notably in the southern regions. Students in Jordan score poorly on national and international assessments, with particularly low levels of literacy in the early grades. Schools are overcrowded and often unsafe or unsuitable for learning, with violence being a recurring problem. Large numbers of children and youth are out of school, including a significant proportion of children with disabilities. Youth feel undervalued and unable to engage productively in their own futures.

These issues have broader effects on economic growth and stability in Jordan, and impact the public’s trust in government. To maintain support and revive the economy, the GoJ must tangibly demonstrate its ability to provide essential services in a consistent, equitable, and accountable manner.

A number of studies produced by the GoJ, USAID and other donors provide important insights on GoJ programs, systems and capacity, and have informed the design of this Activity. This includes assessments conducted jointly with the GoJ, including USAID’s Stage II Public Financial Management Risk Assessment Framework (PFMRAF) of the MoE and a limited risk assessment of the MoY. USAID also draws on the work and assessments of current contractors deeply familiar with GoJ systems, such as the Early Grade Reading and Mathematics Program (RAMP) and the Enhancing School Management and Planning (ESMP) Project, and evaluations of past USAID and other donor activities. These have highlighted a number of challenges in strategic planning and implementation, financial planning, technical expertise and data utilization at the central and field-directorate levels, including behavior change around school infrastructure processes, among other things.

USAID has also coordinated closely with the GoJ and the large number of donors providing assistance in the education and youth sectors to ensure complementarity of its planned programming given the complex environment.

C.4 OPPORTUNITIES, ASSUMPTIONS, AND RISKS

There is significant momentum and goodwill being built in the education and youth sectors that USAID seeks to capitalize on through this Activity. The current Prime Minister and the Royal family have elevated education and youth issues into the spotlight, and it is, therefore, an opportune time to support the GoJ to build its capacity as it pursues ambitious new targets. Among the numerous initiatives being implemented, there is a push to achieve universal kindergarten within the next three years, reforms to the teacher licensing system, a new multi-sectoral National Youth Strategy 2019- 2024, a target for building 600 schools in the next 10 years, and shifting from humanitarian to development assistance for Syrian refugees, among other things. There are also many other donors whose strategies are aligned with the GoJ, and with whom USAID coordinates closely.

The primary assumptions underpinning the success of this Activity are that the GoJ remains committed to reform in the education and youth sectors and that GoJ capacity to take on more PGS awards improves in the short-medium term. This includes the ability to identify champions within ministries and GoJ entities, to spearhead reforms and build ownership. This Activity also assumes that the USG will continue to support education and youth initiatives in the Middle East, and that Jordanians will remain open to the gradual social changes that are required to move beyond the status quo on issues such as inclusion, gender, youth empowerment, and a love of reading.

USAID/Jordan also recognizes that a number of factors may impact the success of this Activity, including the risk of sector-specific strikes that interrupt services and cause political instability and expanded regional conflict causing additional refugee influx and further strain on public service provision. School and youth center closures and disruptions to training schedules for GoJ staff in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will impact the timing and implementation of some PGS activities, that will in turn require rapid adjustments to interventions under this activity. Service delivery and progress on reforms may also be affected by a lack of stability in leadership at the Ministerial and Secretary General levels, slow action on staffing and policy reforms currently underway, including Civil Service Bureau requirements, and insufficient or poorly formulated budget allocations in line with strategic priorities. In addition, there is a risk that a lack of political will could stymie important reforms in areas of concern beyond individual line ministries, for example on decentralization or the Civil Service Bureau.

C.5 GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE AND TARGET BENEFICIARIES

The Contractor must implement this Activity nationwide, supporting a broad range of education and youth stakeholders and GoJ counterparts at central-level Ministries, governorate and field directorate-level entities, as well as other relevant actors. These will include the following:

• Ministry of Education (MoE)

• Ministry of Youth (MoY)

In addition, as appropriate, support may be provided to other stakeholders who are critical to achieving the education and youth sector goals shared by USAID and the GoJ. These may include:

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHED), National Center for Curriculum Development (NCCD), Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions (AQACHEI), Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), Civil Service Bureau (CSB), Teachers’ Unions, Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), National Center for Human Resource Development (NCHRD), Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC), Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), and the Jordanian National Commission for Women.

C.6 TECHNICAL COMPONENTS AND RESULTS

Organizational culture is closely linked with organizational performance; it affects how members of an organization perceive the need for reform, as well as their responsiveness and commitment to implementing innovations and achieving transformational change. Organizational culture includes an organization’s work ethic, diligence, accountability, communication and gender norms, among other things. As stated above, the goal of this Activity is to transform both the organizational culture and technical and institutional capacity within the targeted GoJ entities to successfully implement education and youth reforms supported by direct USAID investment, by providing complementary technical assistance to relevant stakeholders. The reforms targeted by this Activity, and that will guide its implementation, are the Priority Areas outlined in USAID’s planned PGS agreements with GoJ entities, and in the GoJ’s education and youth strategic plans. The Contractor must provide intensive support in the key technical areas identified (eg. curriculum development, inclusive learning, etc.), while utilizing a methodology that targets organizational culture change around the technical areas being supported. This will provide the necessary support to ensure the success of USAID’s planned direct awards while increasing the effectiveness of public entities in the education and youth sectors as a whole.

The Priority Areas targeted by this Activity include:

a. Education and Youth reforms determined in USAID’s direct awards with the GOJ. These will be focused on -

• Improving learning outcomes in foundational skills (e.g., Arabic, English, math, science from KG2-Grade 10) through in-class or distance learning

• Promoting positive youth development (e.g., career counseling, anti-violence, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, community engagement in schools and youth centers)

• Inclusion of vulnerable children and youth, including people with disabilities

• Increasing availability and quality of non-formal education programs

• Improving quality of teaching

• Improving School leadership and management

• Cross-ministry collaboration on education and youth issues

b. Reforms external to education and youth, but that impact education, youth and other sectors

(e.g., administrative systems like procurement, decentralization and civil service reform, as well as health, democracy, governance, and water priorities that intersect with education and youth issues).

To achieve the goal and nurture an organizational culture that enables the success of these reforms, the Contractor must focus on strengthening GoJ systems and management practices and behavior, and equipping staff with the resources and skills needed to effect major change. The Contractor must utilize the Results Framework below as a lens through which the needs for successful implementation of reforms in each Priority Area can be identified and addressed. The Contractor must remain dynamic and responsive to the priorities of the GoJ’s education and youth reform agenda, as communicated by USAID, and must pivot to provide an appropriate mix of support based on the needs in the identified Priority Areas, in line with the PGS agreements agreed between USAID/Jordan and the GoJ. Different levels of support may be needed for some Priority

Areas, but some elements will be cross-cutting and impact the implementation of programs in a number of Priority Areas. The Contractor must implement behavior change and organizational culture change approaches under every Intermediate Result, which are deliberate and complementary to technical and institutional capacity building interventions. These must be specific and explicit, and rooted in established methodology and best practice for the Jordanian and Middle Eastern context. As such, the behavior and organizational culture change interventions must be sensitive to local norms so as to have a high likelihood of success and uptake beyond the life of this Activity. In addition, the Contractor must propose 5 illustrative indicators that demonstrate meaningful ways of measuring organizational culture change across the results, and that track and demonstrate changes in behavior at the individual and collective levels. The Contractor must also propose 5 technical/institutional capacity building indicators, that measure key changes in individual or institutional capacity.

The Contractor must also include a strong focus on co-creation with the GoJ in the assessment of needs and identification of opportunities and solutions, and the development of annual work plans that align closely with the PGS agreements. Through interventions under this Activity, the Contractor must increase the government’s ability to assume financial responsibility for its own development over the long term, and must, therefore, build institutional capacity and support a transition to full government implementation. The Contractor must negotiate commitments for systems reform, or “hard asks”, with the GoJ, that will be used as one of the measures of success of this Activity.

Goal: Organizational culture and technical and institutional capacity within the GoJ transformed to successfully implement education and youth reforms

Result 1: GoJ management systems and policies in the education and youth sectors strengthened

Result 2: Requisite quantity and quality of human resources available

Result 3: Requisite material and financial resources for effective education and youth program implementation are available

IR 1.1: GoJ system strengthening and policy reform needs identified

IR 2.1: Gaps in key staff’s skills, knowledge, behavior and practice identified

IR 3.1: GoJ material and financial needs identified

IR 1.2: Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems and evidence-based planning and decision-making functions supported

IR 2.2: Key staff’s technical, human resource, and financial management skills supported

IR 3.2: Materials for education and youth program implementation developed & procured

IR 1.3: HR management systems supported

IR 2.3: Behavior change and program

IR 3.3: Development and execution of budgets by GoJ supported management skills of key staff supported

IR 1.4: Financial & resource management systems supported

IR 2.4: External/surge technical support provided

IR 1.5: Public outreach and coordination with other GoJ entities supported

IR 1.6: Integration of best practices supported

Result 1: GoJ management systems and policies in the education and youth sectors strengthened.

The purpose of this Result is to strengthen the overall systems and frameworks needed to support a high-performing organizational culture and strong institutional capacity within the GoJ.

Interventions under Result 1 must focus on GoJ systems reforms that enhance the will and ability of GoJ staff to carry out core functions and complex technical tasks that are critical for the success of the Priority Area reforms outlined above. Under each of the Intermediate Results (IRs) below, the Contractor must utilize interventions that include a mix of training, on-the-job coaching, embedded support, research, data analysis, coordination, outreach and any other interventions to ensure that weaknesses in GoJ systems, policies, practices and behaviors are adequately addressed. This must also include an element of learning-by-doing and learning-by-teaching, through which GoJ staff will apply their knowledge and training by replicating system and policy reforms across different education and youth entities or units at the central and field-directorate levels, as well as in select ministries and operating units in other sectors such as health and water. Interventions under this IR must, to the extent possible, work through existing GoJ systems and not introduce new systems and processes without clear justification, GoJ buy-in and sustainability considerations.

IR 1.1: GoJ system strengthening and policy reform needs identified

For each of the Priority Areas, the Contractor must determine, together with USAID and the GoJ, what systems, policies, practices and behaviors are in need of support to achieve Result 1. The Contractor must utilize the Organizational Performance Index/Government Performance Index tool as the basis for these assessments, or propose a different tool with adequate justification. In these needs assessments, the Contractor must take into consideration that USAID, the GoJ and other donors are implementing or have recently conducted a number of assessments in these fields whose findings are still valid and applicable, and that must not be repeated.

Anticipated results and activities under IR 1.1 include:

• A clear understanding of systems and policy reform needs obtained through initial needs assessments of the MoE and MoY, followed by further assessments on an annual basis, or more frequently, as needed.

• A report following each assessment that outlines the proposed interventions to respond to the needs, with justifications for the proposed approach that highlight best practices and what other previous, current and planned GoJ and donor initiatives address the issues.

IR 1.2: Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems and evidence-based planning and decision-making functions supported

Through this Intermediate Result, the Contractor must support the GoJ in producing, analyzing, and making available data related to the Priority Areas, and must support the GoJ’s positive behavior change and ability to utilize this data when planning, implementing or assessing programs, and during the development and implementation of policies and strategies and outreach initiatives.

In addition to areas of need identified under IR 1.1, anticipated results and activities under IR 1.2 include:

• Providing technical assistance and embedded support to strengthen the MoE and MoY Planning Directorates, and overall MEL functions and frameworks at the central level, across all field directorates where needs have been identified through the annual assessments under IR 1.1, and within the Development Coordination Unit, particularly with respect to alignment and reporting against Education Strategic Plan indicators and donor reporting

• Providing technical assistance to support the MoY with tracking its progress on initiatives at both output and outcome levels.

• Providing technical support to the GoJ in conducting and analyzing Early Grade Reading and Math Assessments (EGRA/EGMA) and Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) at the school level across KG-Grade 10-supported subjects, as well as other national and international assessments in alignment with the national assessment framework.

• Conducting research and analysis to aid in GoJ decision-making, where an independent perspective is needed, or where GoJ capacity for conducting assessments is not yet sufficient.

This may include a cohort study tracking the effects of the co- and extracurricular activity implemented by the GoJ through a PGS agreement (in coordination with other donors working in this field), and a study on reading practices inside and outside of school.

IR 1.3: HR management systems supported

Through this Intermediate Result, the Contractor must enhance the ability of the GoJ to manage the large pool of human resources working in the education and youth sectors.

In addition to areas of need identified under IR 1.1, anticipated results and activities under IR 1.3 include:

• Providing technical assistance to the GoJ to address policy issues related to human resources, which may include the Civil Service Bureau (including through collaboration and support to other USAID initiatives that target such reform) and issues identified by Stage II PFMRAFs (to be provided to the Contractor upon award) and other assessments.

• Providing technical and material assistance to support the GoJ and Human Resource Directorates and related units in automating the MoE’s human resource systems and upgrading its payroll system.

• Providing technical assistance to the MoE and MoY to improve central and field directorate level staff accountability and performance management practices (including a coaching and supervision database for KG2-Grade 10 that institutionalizes work currently underway for KG2-Grade 3).

• Providing technical assistance to the MoE in operationalizing and institutionalizing teacher career paths and licensing/certification requirements.

• Providing technical and material assistance in supporting the development and institutionalization of non-teacher professional development.

• Providing technical assistance to the MoE and MoY in ensuring adequate and equitable staffing levels in Amman and throughout the governorates, and ensuring gender equitable practices are institutionalized throughout the HR cycle.

• Providing technical assistance to the MoE to enable and facilitate dialogue with teachers’ unions, as appropriate.

• Conducting analysis on human resource incentive structures to motivate staff behavior change, and developing proposals for piloting and implementation by the MoE and MoY.

• Purchasing or upgrading computer systems, licenses, training packages, equipment, and materials to support improved HR management and payroll systems.

IR 1.4: Financial & resource management systems supported

The Contractor must bolster the overall financial planning and budget development functions of GoJ entities, including at the field directorate, governorate and school/youth center levels, and together with the MoF and MoPIC.

In addition to areas of need identified under IR 1.1, anticipated results and activities under IR 1.4

• Providing technical and material assistance to the MoE and MoY in addressing the findings of the Stage II PFMRAF, MoPWH Host Country Contract assessment and other assessments that have not yet been addressed, in particular with respect to ensuring transparent and efficient procurement systems, budget alignment and tracking with key policies and strategies, resource management systems and policies.

• Providing technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of the MoE and MoY Planning, Finance and other relevant directorates with respect to resource allocation/distribution based on assessed needs, value for money, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders during the budget development process.

• Purchasing or upgrading computer systems, training packages, equipment, and materials to support improved financial and resource management systems

IR 1.5: Public outreach and coordination with other GoJ entities supported

The Contractor must support the GoJ in developing and implementing community and national outreach, awareness-raising and social behavior change campaigns, as needed and in coordination with other donor and GoJ-supported plans, targeting the Priority Areas listed under section C.6 . The Contractor must work with the GoJ to ensure that the outreach approaches and messages are gender-sensitive and reinforce positive practices and transformation changes in gender relations.

In addition to areas of need identified under IR 1.1, anticipated results and activities under IR 1.5

• Providing technical and material assistance to the MoE for developing and implementing campaigns aimed at creating a culture of reading, the inclusion of vulnerable children and youth, and increased youth engagement.

• Provide technical assistance to the MoE and MoY on developing stronger inter and intra-ministerial coordination, including through a coordination committee, and collaboration with related entities (such as the NCCD, AQACHEI, and HCD) and unions, as well as through interventions focused on behavior change.

• Purchasing media time, materials, training packages, equipment, and materials to support improved public outreach and coordination

IR 1.6: Integration of best practices supported

The Contractor must provide technical assistance to the GoJ in the development, roll-out and tracking of policies and procedures to incorporate international best practices for public education and youth programming into activities, organizational structures and day-to-day functions at the central and field directorate levels.

In addition to areas of need identified under IR 1.1, anticipated results and activities under IR 1.6

• Providing technical assistance to the GoJ on reviewing and amending policies and procedures related to o gender equity in the student body, workforce and youth interventions, o health and safety protocols in construction, o child protection, o private sector engagement, and o inclusion of persons with disabilities and vulnerable populations regardless of citizenship.

Result 2: Requisite quantity and quality of human resources available.

Under this Result the Contractor must ensure that the GoJ has all necessary human resources to implement programs and policies in the Priority Areas. The Contractor must utilize a mix of approaches that is best suited to promoting positive behavior change and building human resource capacity, including training, workshops, short and long-term coaching, embedded support and ongoing assessments. Where current GoJ human resource capacity is insufficient, the Contractor must itself provide additional resources as a stop-gap interim measure while supporting the GoJ to design and execute a long-term sustainable transition plan to internally manage future human resource needs.

IR 2.1: Gaps in key staff’s skills, knowledge, behavior, and practice identified

The Contractor must determine areas of weakness in skills, technical sector knowledge, behavior, and practice in each of the Priority Areas that must be addressed to support successful implementation of USAID’s direct awards, taking into account USAID and other donor assessments and information derived through the Organizational Performance Index/Government Performance Index tools applied under Result 1.

Anticipated results and activities under IR 2.1 include:

• A clear understanding of the human resource needs of the MoE and MoY obtained through initial needs assessments, followed by further assessments on an annual basis, or more frequently, as needed. The assessments must include a review of relevant gender-sensitive data, and engagement with relevant GoJ counterparts and other stakeholders, including through interviews, surveys, staff observations/shadowing, and testing, etc.

• A report…