VIE_RFP_72044025R00002_Amendment 01.pdf

(x)

72044025R00002 x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

REQ-440-25-00000812/19/2024

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

12/19/2024

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

This is Amendment 01 to the RFP shown in Block 9A. The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Provide responses to questions received during the question and answer period. Details are in Attachment 1 - VIE_Questions and Answers of this amendment;

2. Amend the RFP as shown in Attachment 2 - Amendment 01_VIE_RFP 72044025R00002 of this amendment; and

3. Note that the RFP language takes precedence in any instance where the answer to a question contradicts the

RFP as amended.

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

USAID/Vietnam 15/F, Tung Shing Square 2 Ngo Quyen Street Hoan Kiem District Hanoi,Vietnam x

Jameson Hutton

Amendment 01 to RFP No: 72044025R00002 Amendment Issue Date: January 16, 2025 Hanoi time Proposal Submission Due Date: February 14, 2025 at 0800 am (Hanoi Time)

Subject: Amendment 01 to the Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 72044025R00002

Vietnam Innovation Ecosystem

To All Prospective Offerors:

This is Amendment No.01 to the Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 72044025R00002 issued on December 19, 2024.

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development in Vietnam (USAID/Vietnam), is seeking proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing the services to support the Vietnam Innovation Ecosystem Activity, as described in the attached solicitation.

This procurement will be conducted through full and open competition procedures, pursuant to Part 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1). Any type of organizations (U.S. and non-U.S., large or small commercial [for profit] firms, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations) are eligible to compete. The principal geographic code for this contract is 937 and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541990.

USAID/Vietnam anticipates an award of a Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee Term Type contract with a period of performance consisting of three (3) base years and two (2) one-year option periods, totaling five (5) years, subject to availability of funds. In order to understand the magnitude of USAID’s requirement, the Government estimates 25,520 of professional/technical staff person days level of effort.

This RFP Amendment reflects changes resulting from questions received. The questions and answers are attached to this Amendment. We have also amended the RFP. All changes from the original version are highlighted in yellow. Please carefully review the revised RFP.

Issuance of this RFP does not in any way obligate USAID to award a contract nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. Furthermore, the Government reserves the right to reject any and all offers, if such action is considered to be in the best interest of the Government.

Proposals regarding this solicitation must be submitted only electronically via email to Patrick Kollars at pkollars@usaid.gov, Jameson Hutton at jhutton@usaid.gov, and Van Trinh at vantrinh@usaid.gov by the date and time specified above.

mailto:pkollars@usaid.gov mailto:vantrinh@usaid.gov

RFP No. 72044025R00002 Amendment 01

USAID appreciates the time and effort put into preparing proposals in response to this solicitation.

Sincerely, /s/

Jameson Hutton Contracting Officer USAID/Vietnam

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND CONTRACT SERVICES

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

B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

B.6 ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING ON CEILING INDIRECT COST RATES AND FINAL

REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIRECT COSTS

B.7 COST REIMBURSABLE

B.8 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

B.9 MULTI YEAR CONTRACT

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/ STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 TITLE OF THE ACTIVITY

C.2 PURPOSE

C.3 BACKGROUND

C.4 THEORY OF CHANGE

C.5 STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION D – BRANDING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.2 BRANDING STRATEGY

D.3 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION AND MARKING PLAN COMPLIANCE

D.4 EXCEPTIONS AND WAIVERS TO USAID BRANDING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.4 PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL LEVEL OF EFFORT

F.5 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

F.6 AUTHORIZED WORK WEEK

F.7 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES

F.8 KEY PERSONNEL

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.3 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.4 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998)

G.5 PAYING OFFICE

G.6 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

G.7 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

G.8 CONTRACTOR’S PAYMENT ADDRESS

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

H.2 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.3 AIDAR 752.225-70 SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012)

H.4 AIDAR 752.239-72 USAID-FINANCED PROJECT WEBSITES (MAY 2024)

H.5 AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JUL 1997)

H.6 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JUL 2007)

H.7 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.8 AIDAR 752.7031 LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS (OCT 1989)

H.9 AIDAR 752.228-70 MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES (JUL 2007)

H.10 AIDAR 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY (DEC 2004)

H.11 EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON TERRORISM FINANCING

H.12 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES (ADS Reference 350maa)

H.13 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.14 AIDAR 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

(APR 2014)

H.15 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.16 AIDAR 752.228-3 WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEFENSE BASE ACT) [(DEVIATION JUN 2022)] CLASS DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-24-06c

H.17 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS ADS 225

H.18 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT

H.19 ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEM (AUG 2014)

H.20 RESTRICTIONS AGAINST DISCLOSURE (MAY 2016)

H.21 MEDIA AND INFORMATION HANDLING AND PROTECTION (APRIL 2018)

H.22 CLOUD COMPUTING (APRIL 2018)

H.23 LIMITING PLASTIC POLLUTION AND MISMANAGED WASTE (MAR 2020)

H.24 FAR 4.21 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR CERTAIN COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (SECTION 889) (DEC 2021)

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

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

I.3 FAR 52.204-1 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT (DEC 1989)

I.4 FAR 52.204-25 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT. (NOV 2021)

I.5 FAR 52.229-8 TAXES – FOREIGN COST-REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS (MAR 1990)

I.6 AIDAR 752.209-71 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DISCOVERED AFTER AWARD

(JUN 1993)

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

I.8 AIDAR 752.245-70 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY - USAID REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (OCT

2017) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..78

I.9 AIDAR 752.7025 APPROVALS (APR 1984)

I.10 AIDAR 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)

I.11 AIDAR 752.222-71 NONDISCRIMINATION (JUNE 2012)

I.12 AIDAR 752.231-72 CONFERENCE PLANNING AND REQUIRED APPROVALS (AUG 2013)

I.13 AIDAR 752.7036 USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR ACQUISITION

(JUL 2014)

I.14 AIDAR 752.7037 CHILD SAFEGUARDING STANDARDS (AUG 2016)

I.15 FAR 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

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

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2 FAR 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2020)

K.3 FAR 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO

SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

K.4 FAR 52.204-26 COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR

SERVICES- REPRESENTATION (OCT 2020)

K.5 FAR 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2015)

K.6 FAR 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

K.7 FAR 52.209-11 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING DELINQUENT TAX

LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW (FEB 2016)

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

(NOV 2021)

K.9 FAR 52.222-22 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS (FEB 1999)

K.10 FAR 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984)

K.11 FAR 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (OCT 2015) . 99 K.12 FAR 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE—COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR 2005) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………101

K.13 INSURANCE—IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY

K.14 AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATORS

K.15 SIGNATURE

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES 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 WAIVERS UNDER FAR PART 4.2101 PROHIBITION ON COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT (JUNE 2023)

L.5 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.6 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.2 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.3 COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL EVALUATION

M.4 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE

M.5 SOURCE SELECTION

ATTACHMENT J.1 - Useful Links ATTACHMENT J.2 - List of Acronyms ATTACHMENT J.3 - Past Performance Information Sheet ATTACHMENT J.4 - Overview About The National Innovation Center (NIC) ATTACHMENT J.5 - Budget Template ATTACHMENT J.6 - Form AID 1420-17 - Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet ATTACHMENT J.7 - Certification Regarding Trafficking In Persons Compliance Plan

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide technical assistance services and related support to accomplish the objectives of the USAID/Vietnam’s activity entitled “Vietnam Innovation Ecosystem”, as described in Section C - Statement of Work.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND CONTRACT SERVICES

This is a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) term type contract. For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor must provide the level of effort described in Section F.4 to accomplish the goals and objectives set forth in Section C. The Contractor must also comply with all other contract requirements.

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

a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is $TBD [to be filled in at the time of award]. The fixed fee, if any, is $TBD. The estimated cost plus fixed fee, if any, is $TBD.

The estimated cost for the option period exclusive of fixed fee is $TBD. The fixed fee, if any, for the option years is $TBD.

The total estimated cost plus fixed fee, if any, for the base and option years is $TBD.

b) Within the total 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 $TBD. The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount in accordance with FAR 52.232- 22 Limitation of Funds.

c) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through TBD. Funding for this contract will be on an incremental basis, subject to the availability of funds.

B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET

a) The contract budget found herein is based on the Contractor’s original proposal and/or final proposal revision, which was accepted by USAID through award of this contract.

b) The following itemized budget sets forth the estimates for individual line items of cost:

Cost Category Base Period

(3 years)

Option Year 1

Option Year 2

Total Estimate (Base + Option Years)

Direct Costs TBD

Indirect Costs TBD

Total Estimated Cost TBD

Fixed Fee TBD

Total Estimated Cost Plus Fee TBD

These amounts may not be adjusted without a written modification signed by the Contracting Officer. The contractor will not bill any amounts against this contract in excess of the amounts specified for each line item as illustrated above.

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

For the Prime Contractor:

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 for the Contractor:

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD % 1/ 1/ 1/

1/ Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

B.6 ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING ON CEILING INDIRECT COST RATES AND FINAL

REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIRECT COSTS

a) The Contractor must make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect costs without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

b) Reimbursement for indirect costs must be at the lower of the negotiated final (or predetermined) rates or the following ceiling rates:

Description Ceiling Rate

TBD %TBD

c) The Government will not be obligated to pay any additional amount should the final indirect cost rates exceed the negotiated ceiling rates. If the final indirect cost rates are less than the negotiated ceiling rates, the negotiated rates will be reduced to conform to the lower rates.

d) This advance understanding must not change any monetary ceiling, obligation, or specific cost allowance or disallowance. Any changes in classifying or allocating indirect costs require the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

B.7 COST REIMBURSABLE

The U.S. dollar costs allowable will be limited to reasonable, allocable, and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 31 (Contract Cost Principles and Procedures), FAR § 52.216-7 (Allowable Cost and Payment), FAR 52.216-8 (Fixed Fee), if applicable, FAR 52.232-20 (Limitation of Cost), and FAR 52.232-22 (Limitation of Funds), if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003 (Documentation for Payment).

B.8 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

USAID will pay a proportion of the Contractor’s fixed fee pursuant to FAR § 52.216-8, “Fixed Fee,” upon the receipt of an invoice deemed proper by the USAID Financial Management Office.

Payment of fixed fee shall be allocated based upon the proportion of the level of effort (LOE) specified in Section F.4 that was provided by the Contractor in the period covered by the invoice.

In the event that the Contractor does not provide the total LOE stipulated in Section F.4, the total amount of fixed fee will be reduced in similar proportion. In accordance with FAR 52-216-8, Fixed Fee, the CO will withhold 15% of the total fee or $100,000, whichever is less until the required awards conditions under the reference clause have been met.

B.9 MULTI YEAR CONTRACT

The contract is subject to the requirements of FAR 17.106. However, this is a Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee contract where the Contractor is authorized to be reimbursed for all costs which are allowable in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, “Allowable Costs and Payment.” The Contractor will not incur any costs which would have been amortized over the life of the contract should the contract be canceled in accordance with FAR 52.217-2. Therefore, the cancellation ceiling established pursuant to FAR 17.106-1(c)(1) for each program year is $0.00.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/ STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 TITLE OF THE ACTIVITY

Vietnam Innovation Ecosystem (VIE) (hereinafter referred to as the “Activity”).

C.2 PURPOSE

USAID/Vietnam is seeking technical assistance and strategic advisory services to support the Government of Vietnam (GVN)’s efforts to strengthen Vietnam's innovation ecosystem to drive the development and productivity of Vietnamese value-added enterprises.

For the purposes of this Activity, an Innovation Ecosystem is defined as a network of interconnected organizations, institutions, and individuals (as mentioned in Section C.5.3 of this Section - Stakeholders) engaged in innovating Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies or 4IR enabled processes, leveraging related resources (e.g., natural environment, social capital, human capital, infrastructure, financing) and a conducive business enabling environment (e.g., legal and regulatory, market systems, and institutional and cultural contexts) to empower the creation, adoption, commercialization, and dissemination of 4IR technologies or 4IR enabled processes. In addition, innovation under this Activity is defined broadly to include both improvements in technology and better methods or ways of doing things. It can be manifested in product changes, process changes, new approaches to marketing, new forms of distribution, and new conception of scope. Innovators not only respond to possibilities for change, but force it to proceed faster (Michael E. Porter, The Competitive Advantage of Nations, 1998).

This Activity will develop Vietnam's innovation ecosystem by supporting the GVN to strengthen the business enabling environment; strengthening interconnections and resources among actors;

and enhancing the Ministry of Planning and Investment's (MPI) National Innovation Center's (NIC) capabilities to facilitate the ecosystem's development. The purpose of this Activity is to promote Vietnamese Growth-oriented Businesses (GOBs) that develop, commercialize, or implement innovative 4IR technologies or processes to realize untapped business growth opportunities, in alignment with Vietnam’s National Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution to 2030 (NS/4IR).

By bridging the gap between innovation supply and market opportunities, the Activity will increase the visibility and market reach of local innovators, contributing to economic growth and technological advancement in Vietnam.

C.3 BACKGROUND

Vietnam has been a global economic star over the last 30 years, during which it has experienced one of the fastest GDP growth rates in the world. From 1990 to 2021, Vietnam’s GDP per capita grew at an average annual rate of 5.3 percent, faster than any other economy in the region, except China. Today, Vietnam needs to increase productivity of the domestic private sector to meet its target of becoming a high income country by 2045. In order to achieve the ambitious 2045 target, the domestic private sector will need to sustain an average GDP growth of 5.9 percent per year.

The role of private sector led productivity growth will be especially important as the country’s historic sources of growth are gradually losing steam: capital accumulation is constrained by relatively low public investment due to a conservative fiscal policy and implementation challenges, while the contribution of labor supply is also declining due to an aging population. This leaves private sector led productivity growth, in addition to further private sector capital accumulation, as the key growth engine going forward. (World Bank, 2023)

The term “Industrial Revolution 4.0” or 4IR was popularized by Prof. Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum. Broadly, 4IR refers to technological innovations built on systems of interconnected components that potentially substitute human decision-making. These "smart" and connected systems leverage vast arrays of core, enabling, and application technologies to sense, predict, and interact with the physical work to make real-time production decisions. 4IR is expected to harness and leverage technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, robots, drones, three-dimensional printing, blockchain, smart production, smart cities, renewable energy) to drive a technological paradigm shift in economic behavior and organization. It is broadly anticipated that 4IR will result in disbursed automated manufacturing, digital integration, competitive niche markets and local production, process decentralizations, increased vertical and horizontal integration of value chain actors, systems' self-correction, and heightened demand signal responsiveness. In sum, it is anticipated that 4IR will further increase firm-level and country-level total factor productivity by applying systems of existing and new technologies to reduce economic frictions.

Realizing the potential benefit to the Vietnamese economy, on December 31, 2020, the Government of Vietnam issued the National Strategy for 4th Industrial Revolution toward 2030 e (NS/4IR). On January 26, 2021 the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Government News published the translated text.

Driving the design and implementation of this Activity, the NS/4IR indicates that 4IR in Vietnam will require: improving the quality of institutional performance and policy making capabilities;

implementing measures to improve the business enabling environment and encourage private sector investment in innovation; strengthening linkages between scientific research, higher education institutions (HEIs), and businesses; and developing a national innovation system that puts businesses in the center and develops linkages to HEIs and research institutes.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) characterizes the following three categories of technologies that underpin 4IR:

● Core technologies - e.g., IT hardware, software and connectivity technologies, including processors, operating systems, network protocols, wireless technologies

● Enabling technologies - e.g., artificial intelligence, 3D printing, user interfaces, geo-positioning systems, smart power supply, data management systems.

● Application technologies - e.g., smart factories, intelligent robots, autonomous driving vehicles, smart farming systems, smart personal devices

WIPO explains that core technologies constitute the base on which all other 4IR technologies are developed and deployed. The second layer of enabling technologies intermediate core and application technologies by enabling the propagation of 4IR technologies in an economy. Lastly, application technologies are the autonomous systems of interconnected components that substitute human decision-making.

https://en.baochinhphu.vn/national-strategy-for-4th-industrial-revolution-11140283.htm

USAID aims to foster economic growth in Vietnam by promoting collaboration among the public, private, and higher education sectors. This initiative focuses on empowering startups and growth-oriented enterprises with the necessary capabilities and support services to successfully enter or expand in regional and international markets. By leveraging the skills of graduates from Vietnamese HEIs, and fostering innovation, products, services, and operational efficiencies will be enhanced. These efforts will support the Government of Vietnam’s trajectory toward achieving high income status by 2045.

C.4 THEORY OF CHANGE

If Vietnam's innovation ecosystem is sufficiently strengthened, then Vietnamese enterprises will have the potential to develop and implement 4IR innovations or processes to increase their productivity, enter regional and international markets with value-added products and services, and contribute to fulfilling the GVN's NS/4IR.

C.5 STATEMENT OF WORK

C.5.1 Overall Objective

Support the GVN's efforts to strengthen Vietnam's innovation ecosystem to drive the commercialization of 4IR innovations and contribute to fulfilling the GVN's NS/4IR.

C.5.2 Specific Objectives (not listed in sequence or priority)

1. Business enabling environment improved to facilitate commercializing and implementing innovative 4IR technologies or processes;

2. A dynamic innovation ecosystem strengthened to serve the needs of its constituents and advances innovations to drive economic growth.

3. The Ministry of Planning and Investment's (MPI) National Innovation Center's (NIC) capabilities developed to facilitate the development of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.

C.5.3 Key Stakeholders and Illustrative Actors

1. Government agencies: central and provincial state agencies, public innovation centers

2. Higher education institutions (HEIs): universities, colleges, academies, research institutions, career placement centers, and HEI innovation centers

3. Growth-oriented businesses (GOBs): entrepreneurs, innovators, startup, existing businesses

4. Business support organizations (BSOs): innovation centers and supporting organizations, incubators, accelerators, and business associations, business consultants, lawyers, and accounting firms

5. Investors: venture capital and private equity firms, angel investors, banks, and insurance companies

6. Corporates: Vietnamese- and foreign-owned and operated businesses, corporate venture capital and business development offices, research and development (R&D) facilities

C.5.4 Key Components

USAID assumes that VIE will be implemented in a context-driven approach to achieve the Activity's Objective and Specific Objectives. Accordingly, detailed annual work plans will be developed in discussion with NIC (i.e., the Activity's Project Management Unit) and relevant stakeholders, and approved by USAID Contract Officer's Representative. This Activity requires the contractor to maintain astute political economy awareness to mitigate threats to required policies and advance recommendations to the GVN to strengthen Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.

Component 1. Enhance public-private dialogue to identify and resolve challenges and constraints to commercialize or implement innovative 4IR technologies or processes, investing in GOBs and increasing firms' productivity.

Sub-component 1.1: Leverage BSOs, the NIC and other relevant GVN agencies to facilitate public-private dialogue, via workshops, roundtables, technical working group meetings, and other forums, to (1) identify barriers to commercializing or implementing innovative 4IR technologies or processes, investing in GOBs, and increasing firms' productivity, and (2) develop recommendations to resolve challenges and constraints in the business enabling environment.

This sub-component focuses on developing the capabilities of BSOs and the NIC to independently and sustainably convene Key Stakeholders. The purpose of this sub-component is to identify and propose recommendations to improve the innovation ecosystem business enabling environment.

Specifically, Key Stakeholder engagement will focus on challenges and constraints to commercializing or implementing innovative 4IR technologies or processes, investing in GOBs and individuals, and increasing firms' productivity. With respect to BSOs, the contractor must identify and provide technical assistance to a select group of BSOs. These organizations should have existing or highly potential capabilities to convene Key stakeholders to affect business enabling environment improvements in consultation with the NIC and other relevant GVN agencies.

Under this component, the Contractor must include, but is not limited to, the following:

● Develop and apply criteria to select BSOs to receive the following technical assistance to address this component.

● Develop capabilities of the NIC and selected BSOs to:

o Convene, engage and strengthen linkages between Key Stakeholders;

o Facilitate Stakeholders' dialogue focused on the business enabling environment through recurring roundtables, workshops, and networking events;

o Identify, prioritize and reach consensus on key challenges and constraints to commercializing innovative 4IR technologies, investing in GOBs, and improving enterprises' productivity;

o Facilitate the development of coherent and actionable recommendations to improve the business enabling environment by addressing prioritized challenges and constraints; and o Aggregate and synthesize recommendations and integrate projected effects of economic models in presentation to and discussion with the other relevant GVN agencies and authorities.

● Leverage BSOs, the NIC and relevant GVN agencies to conduct national innovation enabling environment forums to foster public-private dialogue and linkages with senior GVN officials.

Sub-component 1.2: Strengthen the capabilities of HEIs and think tanks to quantify the economic effects of implementing recommendations to resolve challenges and constraints in the business enabling environment.

This sub-component focuses on strengthening the capabilities of Vietnamese HEIs and think tanks to prepare data driven and dynamic economic models. The purpose of this sub-component is to quantitatively demonstrate or justify positive economic benefits of implementing recommendations under Component 1.1. The contractor must identify and provide technical assistance to a select group of HEIs and think tanks with existing or highly potential capabilities to develop and sustainably deliver economic modeling services to BSOs and the NIC.

Under this component the Contractor must include, but is not limited to, the following:

● Develop and apply criteria to select HEIs and think tanks for the following technical assistance.

● Develop capabilities of selected HEIs and think tanks to:

o Provide economic consulting and research services to BSOs, the NIC and relevant

GVN agencies;

o Develop policy-driven economic models to project economic effects of implementing business enabling environment reforms (i.e. statistical modeling using Stata, r, python, etc.); and o Present orally and in writing the assumptions, driver and projected effects of economic models to BSOs, the NIC, and senior GVN officials

● Develop a community of economic modeling excellence by creating linkages and networks among selected HEIs and think tanks.

Sub-component 1.3: Educate GOBs about legal and regulatory measures to protect and promote commercializing or implementing innovative 4IR technologies or processes, investing in GOBs and individuals, and increasing firms' productivity.

This sub-component focuses on creating awareness and developing an understanding among GOBs of the existing legal and regulatory measures. The purpose of this sub-component is to provide GOBs with a clear understanding of the legal and regulatory environment as they commercialize or implement innovative 4IR technologies or processes, and or create new legal entities. The contractor must leverage appropriate GVN and or private sector expertise to disseminate accurate guidance. This includes, but is not limited to, partnering with various GVN ministry departments, private sector actors, HEIs and think tanks to conduct seminars and training sessions on relevant legal and regulatory topics (e.g., protecting intellectual property, trademarks, legally securing investment funding, understanding innovation incentive policies, registering a business, tax responsibilities, rights and obligations of enterprises in Vietnam). Additionally, the

Contractor must facilitate the sharing of international experience and best practices in relevant topics.

Under this component, the Contractor must include, but is not limited to, the following:

● Collaborate with the NIC and relevant GVN agencies to conduct seminars and training sessions targeting GOBs and individuals on relevant legal and regulatory topics related to commercializing or implementing innovative 4IR technologies or processes, creating new legal business entities.

● Provide technical expertise on relevant legal and regulatory topics focused on regional and international best practices to advance and internationalize Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.

Component 2: Strengthen the interconnections between actors engaged in innovating 4IR technologies or processes, and those furnishing related resources.

Sub-component 2.1: Support and develop the capabilities of the NIC, other relevant GVN agencies and BSOs to design and hold purposeful and value-adding forums for Key Stakeholder actors.

This sub-component focuses on developing the capabilities of BSOs, the NIC and other relevant GVN agencies to independently and sustainably convene Key Stakeholders to strengthen interconnections between the innovation ecosystem actors. The purpose of this sub-component is to cultivate connections and resources necessary for GOBs and a dynamic innovation ecosystem.

With respect to BSOs, the contractor must identify and provide technical assistance to a select group of BSOs. These organizations should have existing or highly potential capabilities, contacts and market recognition to convene Key Stakeholders in purposeful and value-adding forums.

The contractor’s work under this component must include, but is not limited to, the following:

● Develop and apply criteria to select BSOs to receive the following technical assistance.

● Develop capabilities of the NIC, other relevant GVN agencies and selected BSOs to:

o Cultivate input from Key Stakeholder actors to identify purposeful and value-adding forum themes and objectives.

o Design, plan and execute forums to serve the needs and interests of Key Stakeholder actors.

o Effectively conduct exchanges of information, experiences, and best practices among Key Stakeholder actors.

o Facilitate outreach to and engagement with complementary regional and international Stakeholders (e.g., Government agencies, HEIs, BSOs, Investors).

o Provide needs-based training on commercializing innovations (e.g., developing viable business and financial plans, market analysis and product positioning, managing business operations from startups through growth stages, equity investors' and debtors' requirements).

o Conduct Investor-led forums to raise awareness of equity investor's requirements to investing in a GOB (e.g., financial due diligence and reporting, enterprise governance, shareholders' rights) and lenders' requirements to lending to a GOB (e.g., financial due diligence and reporting, enterprise governance, creditor or lien priorities).

o Conduct seminars and forums to promote innovative thinking and creativity to improve businesses’ productivity by:

▪ Developing and commercializing new value-added products and services;

▪ Upgrading and increasing the value of existing products and services;

▪ Implementing innovative 4IR technologies or processes to enhance operational and cost efficiencies.

Sub-Component 2.2: Develop and or enhance the capabilities of the NIC, other relevant GVN agencies and BSOs to provide fee-based services to GOBs.

This sub-component focuses on developing the capabilities of the NIC, other relevant GVN agencies and BSOs to sustainably deliver fee-based services. The purpose of this sub-component is to expand the availability and access of advisors to GOBs on commercializing or implementing innovative 4IR technologies or processes, raising equity, obtaining debt financing, or increasing firm-level productivity. With respect to BSOs, the contractor must identify and provide technical assistance to a select group of BSOs. These organizations should have existing or highly potential capabilities and market recognition to deliver value-added and fee-based services. It is expected that BSOs will have unique capabilities and not singularly be capable of providing the envisioned suite of advisory services under this component.

The contractor’s work under this component must include, but is not limited to, the following:

● Develop and apply criteria to selected BSOs for the following technical assistance.

● Develop capabilities of the NIC, other relevant GVN agencies government agencies, and selected BSOs to:

o Advise GOBs on commercializing innovative value-added products and services

(e.g., developing viable business and financial plans, market analysis and product positioning, managing or modifying business operations, evolving from startups to established enterprises).

o Advise GOBs on enhancing operational and cost efficiencies by implementing innovative 4IR technologies or processes (e.g., quality control practices, international standards and certifications, workplace management systems, enterprise resource planning).

o Advise GOBs to address and successfully negotiate investors' expectations and requirements (e.g., financial due diligence and reporting, enterprise governance, shareholders' rights) and lenders' expectations and requirements (e.g., financial due diligence and reporting, enterprise governance, creditor or lien priorities).

o Advise GOBs on practices to develop and continually upgrade products and services to meet new and evolving market-based demands (e.g., market research, trends analysis, product testing).

o Provide advisory services to help GOBs identify opportunities to maximize efficiency and productivity.

Sub-component 2.3: Facilitate career enhancing interconnections between GVN agencies, public and private HEIs, and the private sector.

This sub-component focuses on strengthening linkages between government agencies, HEIs and the private sector to cultivate a future workforce educated in technical and soft skills. The purpose of this sub-component is to enhance the preparation of, and connect HEI graduates for existing and emerging employment opportunities. This component is not intended to replace or conflict with existing Government mechanisms; it is intended to leverage and optimize interconnections between actors in Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.

The contractor's work under this component must include, but is not limited to, the following:

● Collaborate with relevant GVN ministry, HEI, and private sector representatives to define immediate and future demands of 4IR, business, and soft skills, and related employment opportunities.

● Enhance HEIs' career placement centers to develop and implement formal internship, externship, and apprenticeship opportunities with Key Stakeholder actors, and with regional and international corporate actors.

● Facilitate collaboration between private sector actors and HEI's research and development facilities.

● Establish "clubs" with links to Key Stakeholders at HEIs to provide business and soft skills mentoring and coaching services to individual students or groups interested in developing their business acumen, ideas, or startup businesses.

● Conduct forums with Investors to raise awareness of equity investor's requirements to investing in GOBs (e.g., financial due diligence and reporting, enterprise governance, shareholders' rights) and lenders' requirements to lending to GOBs (e.g., financial due diligence and reporting, enterprise governance, creditor or lien priorities).

Component 3: Develop the capabilities of the NIC to facilitate the development of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.

The focus of this sub-component is to strengthen the NIC's capabilities to effectively serve their mandate as the focal agency for innovation. The purpose of this component is to enhance the NIC's capabilities to facilitate the development of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem. The Contractor must build up the management and technical capability of NICs leadership and staff to ensure the organization's sustained development. Additionally, the Contractor must support and leverage the NIC’s central role to foster collaboration among stakeholders.

The contractor’s work under this component must include, but is not limited to, the following:

● Train NIC personnel on innovation and entrepreneurship management and organizational governance skills.

● Provide tailored technical and leadership training to NIC staff to empower them as effective facilitators of innovation and productivity enhancement.

● Strengthen NIC’s management and technical skills to operate as a one-stop shop fostering the exchange of policies and mechanisms among diverse stakeholders.

● Leverage the NIC’s status as the focal point for Vietnam's innovation ecosystem to strengthen linkages among relevant stakeholders, including international counterparts.

This includes but is not limited to:

▪ Strengthening and expanding the NIC sponsored networks (e.g., Vietnamese diaspora) to provide advice and support to GOBs (e.g., coaching and mentorship).

The contractor must work with NIC to facilitate connections and collaborations among local and international stakeholders, enhancing the flow of knowledge and resources.

▪ Leveraging NIC’s convening power to bring together relevant stakeholders for the purpose of enhancing Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.

▪ Supporting NIC in utilizing digital technology and platforms that serve all innovation ecosystem stakeholders (e.g., facilitating access to mentoring, resources, and collaboration opportunities). The contractor must ensure that NIC is able to assume technical responsibility for any new systems introduced.

C.5.5 Programmatic and Strategic Linkages

VIE will support achieving USAID/Vietnam’s 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS)’s Development Objective 1 - Economic Competitiveness Increased. It will respond to Intermediate Results (IR): IR1: Business enabling environment increased; and IR3: Innovation ecosystem enhanced. VIE also aligns with the GVN's National Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution to 2030, and the U.S.- Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership's (CSP) Plan of Actions (POA) - 1.4. developing a Digital Economy and Its Workforce and 2. Education and Training Cooperation and CSP’s Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Semiconductors.

The VIE Activity will utilize the insights and outcomes from previous USAID/Vietnam projects to enhance the current efforts in promoting the commercialization of local innovations and boosting the productivity of Vietnam’s dynamic private sector. Over the past decade, USAID/Vietnam has supported the GVN in enhancing the business environment, economic competitiveness, and productivity of Vietnam’s private sector, especially small and growing businesses, through activities such as Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), Provincial Green Index (PGI), USAID Linkages for Small and Medium Sized Businesses (LinkSME), Workforce for an Innovation and Startup Ecosystem (WISE) and USAID Improving Private Sector Competitiveness (IPSC). By leveraging the successful outcomes and lessons learned from these projects, the VIE Activity aims to further drive innovation, support the commercialization of local innovations, and enhance the overall productivity of the private sector in Vietnam.

The VIE Activity will also complement and leverage the expected outcomes of USAID/Vietnam's Higher Education (HE) portfolios by:

● Strengthening cooperation between the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), particularly between the National Innovation Center (NIC) and MOET's Department of Higher Education.

● Introducing and promoting business skills and planning courses.

● Supporting the internationalization of targeted undergraduate and graduate programs by engaging with private sector partners to create market-led opportunities for innovation and commercialization.

The Activity must also adhere to USAID Digital Policy where applicable and align with USAID’s Private Sector Engagement (PSE) policy to leverage and engage the private sector for its success.

C.5.6 Other Requirements

Geographic focus: The activity will be implemented nationwide with an emphasis in major hubs such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.

Private Sector Engagement

The USAID Private Sector Engagement Policy outlines the value of aligning the interests of the private sector, the host government, and the donor community. USAID is committed to increasing the sustainable impact of our development assistance programs through strategic partnerships with the private sector. The Contractor must proactively work with the private sector and explore ways to promote private sector led initiatives, public private co-investment as well as other creative approaches to advance the respective interests, and achieve far greater development results and impacts. The Contractor is expected to facilitate linkages between Vietnamese government agencies, think-tanks, training and research institutions with industries in areas relevant to achieve the activity objectives. Where possible, a minimum leverage of 1:1 (direct or in-kind) is expected between BSOs and USAID. Additionally, the Contractor must monitor and collect data on private sector engagement including: (1) Description of where private sector contributions have been sought and received, and how these contributions have contributed to the achievement of the overall objectives; (2) Report on the value of private sector contributions (both financial and in-kind).

Collaborating, Learning and Adapting

Overall, the Contractor is expected to create a learning oriented culture that enables adaptive management, and is expected to adequately allocate sufficient resources for Collaborating, Learning & Adapting (CLA) throughout implementation. The CLA approach is based on the understanding that development efforts yield more effective results if they are coordinated and collaborative; test promising, new approaches in a continuous yet also rapid, targeted search for generating improvements and efficiencies; and build on what works and eliminate what does not.

The Contractor is expected to house a strong CLA function so that continuous learning, reflection, and feedback from stakeholders, activity beneficiaries can be used to inform adjustment and necessary changes in implementation. Throughout implementation, the Contractor will be expected to track learning (and adjust approaches accordingly) to produce tangible outcomes. In a close consultation with USAID, the Contractor must develop learning priorities as a part of its Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP).

The learning questions may include but are not limited to the following:

● Is the Activity achieving its intended results? If yes, what is enabling this? What is hindering the achievement of results?

● Are there any negative consequences because of the Activity’s support? If so, what are they and how can they be mitigated?

● What are the perceptions of beneficiaries about the Activity support? Do they consider it useful? In what ways can we improve in response to this feedback?

● If the Activity's inputs and outputs are not leading to intended outcomes, what needs to be adjusted in the theory of change?

The Contractor should be committed to updating their MEL system at regular intervals to ensure that local context, feedback from stakeholders, program participants, and lessons learned can be used to inform ongoing efforts towards the goal/objectives of the Activity. The Contract should also use strong facilitation expertise to ensure effective collaboration with local partners and related GVN counterparts.

Coordination with other existing programs

This activity will be managed by the Office of Education, Economic Growth and Governance at the USAID/Vietnam. While the main local counterpart for this activity is MPI, the activity is expected to work with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g., national and local governments, private sector, associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, research institutions, and other actors of the innovation ecosystem) to implement interventions at…