RFP 72048622R00002 USAID Enhance_RDMA.pdf

Request for Proposal Number 72048622R00002

Issuance Date April 1, 2022

Deadline for Questions April 5, 2022 10:00 a.m., Bangkok time

Deadline for Submission for the Past Performance Matrix and Key Personnel References

April 19, 2022 10:00 a.m., Bangkok time

Deadline for Submission of Proposals May 1, 2022, 10:00 a.m., Bangkok time

Subject: Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 72048622R00002 USAID Enhance Activity

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The U.S. Agency for International Development, Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA), contemplates aw arding a five-year cost-plus-fixed-fee completion type Contract , to perform the services described in the attach ed solicitation. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). The authorized geographic code is 937. The maximum amount of the Contract (including costs and fee) is anticipated to be within a range of $14 million to $17 million, subject to the a vailability of funds.

The procurement will be conducted through full and open competition, under which any type of organization (large or small commercial [for profit] firms, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations) is eligible to compete. The procedures set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15 apply.

Prospective Offerors must submit questions about this solicitation to Ms. Tanapreeyanun Paoluglam, Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) Specialist, at tpaoluglam@usaid.gov , copy and Ms. Deborah Rakowski, Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) Specialist at drakowski@usaid.gov by the time and date indicated above. Offerors must submit electronic copies of offers in accordance with the instructions contained in Section L, “Instructions to Offerors.” USAID will evaluate responsive offers in accordance with the evaluation factors in Section M, “Evaluation Factors for Award.”

Issuance of this solicitation neither obligates USAID to award a Contract nor commits USAID to pay for any costs incurred by the Offeror in preparing and submitting an offer. Offerors incur such costs at their own risk. Any resulting Contract awarded under this RFP remains subject to the availability of funds and other internal approvals. Furthermore, USAID reserves the right to reject any and all offers when considered by the Contracting Officer (CO) to serve the best interests of the U.S. Government.

Thank you in advance for your interest in this procurement.

mailto:tpaoluglam@usaid.gov mailto:drakowski@usaid.gov

Solicitation No. 72048622R00002 USAID Enhance Activity

Best Regards, /s/

Ayana Angulo Regional Contracting Officer USAID/Regional Development Mission Asia

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 1

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS 2

B.1 PURPOSE 2

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES 2

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT 2

B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET 2

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS 3

B.6 REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS 3

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE 3

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK 4

C.1 TITLE OF ACTIVITY 4

C.2 BACKGROUND AND OVERALL APPROACH 4

C.3 SCOPE OF WORK AND KEY DEFINITIONS 7

C.4 OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS 9

C.5 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT 11

C.6 COORDINATION 12

C.7 CROSS-CUTTING PRINCIPLES 12

SECTION D– BRANDING AND MARKING 14

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993) 14

D.2 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING PLAN 14

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY 14

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 18

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 18

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 18

SECTION F – DELIVERY AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 19

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 19

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 19

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE 19

F.4 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUT 19

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 31

G.1 CONTRACTING OFFICER 31

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE 31

G.3 PAYING OFFICE 31

G.5 TECHNICAL DIRECTION/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID 31

G.6 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT. (NOV 1998) 33

G.7 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 34

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 35

H.1 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE 35

H.2 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM 35

H.3 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT 36

H.4 LOGISTIC SUPPORT 36

H.5 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (November 2017) 36

H.6 USAID’S PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM 38

H.7 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT 38

H.8 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 39

H.9 ADS 302.3.5.21 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY

(DDL) (October 2014) 40

H.10 DEFENSE BASE ACT (DBA) INSURANCE 42

H.11 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING (FEB 2002) 43

H.12 USAID/RDMA PARTICIPANT TRAINING, EXCHANGE VISITORS, AND LEARNING

ACTIVITIES 44

H.13 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES (JAN

2002) 46

H.14 COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH REQUIREMENTS (JANUARY 2021) 46

H.15 LIMITING PLASTIC POLLUTION AND MISMANAGED WASTE (MARCH 2020) 48

H.16 RESTRICTIONS AGAINST DISCLOSURE (MAY 2016) 48

H.17 HOST COUNTRY GOVERNMENT TAXES 49

H.18 AIDAR 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY (DEC 2004) 49

H.19 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL (APRIL 2020) 49

H.20 SEXUAL MISCONDUCT (DECEMBER 2020) 51

H.21 SALARY APPROVALS FOR LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM TECHNICAL

ASSISTANCE 51

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES 53

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES 53

I.1 FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) 53

I.2 AIDAR 752.252-1 AIDAR SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(MAR 2015) 55

I.3 FAR 52.204-1 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT (DEC 1989) 57

I.4 FAR 52.222-36 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES (JUN 2020)

I.5 FAR 52.247-67 SUBMISSION OF TRANSPORTATION DOCUMENTS FOR AUDIT (FEB

2006) 57

I.6 FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) 58

I.7 AIDAR 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JUL 2007) 58

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

(OCT 2017) 59

SECTION J – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS 62

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS 63

K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 63

K.2 FAR 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2022) 63

K.3 FAR 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOVEMBER 2021) 67

K.4 FAR 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018) 69

K.5 FAR 52.209-13 VIOLATION OF ARMS CONTROL TREATIES OR

AGREEMENTS-CERTIFICATION (NOV 2021) 71

K.6 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (JUN 2020)

K.7 FAR 52.230-7 – PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE-COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES

(APR 2005) 76

K.8 AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATORS 76

K.9 SIGNATURE 76

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

RESPONDENTS 78

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

1998) 78

L.2 FAR 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984) 78

L.3 WORKWITHUSAID.ORG 78

L.4 FAR 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006) 79

L.5 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) 79

L.6 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 80

L.7 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PROPOSAL 80

L.8 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS 81

L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL 81

L.10 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL 84

L.11 Waivers under FAR Part 4.2101 Prohibition On Covered Telecommunications And Video Surveillance Services and Equipment (December 2021) 91

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS AND BASIS OF AWARD 94

M.1 SOURCE SELECTION AND BEST VALUE CONTINUUM 94

M.2 TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS 94

M.3 COST PROPOSAL EVALUATION (See Section L.10) 95

M.4 THE COMPETITIVE RANGE 96

ATTACHMENTS 98

ATTACHMENT J.1: THAILAND LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN 98

ATTACHMENT J.2: PAST PERFORMANCE MATRIX 100

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD 1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

RATING PAGE OF PAGES

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED 6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

CODE7. ISSUED BY 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than item 7)

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

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and copies for furnishings the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in item 8, or if hand carried, in the depository located in until local time

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.

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

A. NAME B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)

AREA CODE NUMBER EXTENSION

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

A B C D E F G H

I

J

K

L

M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

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

CONTRACT CLAUSESSOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

PACKAGING AND MARKING

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

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)

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

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

DATEAMENDMENT NO.AMENDMENT NO. DATE

15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND THE TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN

OFFER(Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

AREA CODE NUMBER EXTENSION

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS IS

DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER SUCH

ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL OPEN COMPETITION:

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) ( )41 U.S.C. 3304(a)

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

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

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

28. AWARD DATE

CODE

ITEM

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 6/2014)

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

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

(Hour) (Date)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

N/A 1 100

REQ-486-22-000012

RDMA

USAID/Regional Development Mission for Asia Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance (ROAA)

TBD 72048622R00002

N/A See Section L and the Cover Letter Page N/A

Tanapreeyanun Paoluglam tpaoluglam@usaid.gov

35 94

N/A

66 22573000

4/1/2022

Ayana Angulo

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this Contract is to provide services outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) specified in Section C for the USAID Enhance Activity.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

The type of award anticipated is a Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee (CPFF) completion Contract, and therefore the provisions of this award pertain to a prospective CPFF Contract.

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, is TBD . The fixed fee for the Contract period is TBD . The total estimated cost plus fixed fee is TBD .

(b) Within the estimated cost plus fixed fee 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 unless authorized by the CO pursuant to the clause of this Contract titled “Limitation of Funds” (FAR 52.232-22).

B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET

(a) The final negotiated budget for this Contract is as follows:

Line Item Total Activity Implementation Grants under Contract Total Estimated Cost Fixed Fee Total Cost plus Fixed Fee

* Program Implementation will be equal to the sum of all direct costs and indirect costs except for GUCs.*

(b) These amounts may not be adjusted without a written modification signed by the CO. The Contractor must not bill any amounts against this Contract in excess of the amounts specified for each line item.

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, USAID will reimburse allowable indirect costs 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

(NICRA):

Contractor Fringe Rate% Overhead Rate% G&A Rate% PRIME (Insert Name) Base of Application Source: (insert) Period: (insert) Major Subcontractor (Insert Name) Base of Application Source: (insert) Period: (insert)

NOTE: Insert additional indirect rates as needed for the Contractor in the above table.

B.6 REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS

Allowable costs must 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), and AIDAR 752.7003, Documentation for payment.

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

Pursuant to FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, payment of fixed fee shall be allocated based upon the execution of tasks outlined in Section C, the approval of required deliverables listed in Section F, the proportion of allowable and allocable costs incurred to achieve the performance standards and complete deliverables.

Two exceptions to paying fixed fee in this manner apply:

(a) If the CO determines that this method results in paying a disproportionately higher ratio of fixed fee than the percentage of work that the Contractor has completed, then the CO may suspend further payment of any fixed fee until the Contractor has made sufficient progress to justify further payment, up to the agreed percentage.

(b) The clauses entitled "Allowable Cost and Payment" (FAR 52.216-7) and "Fixed Fee" (FAR 52.216-8) are incorporated into this Contract. The terms and conditions of these clauses apply after total payments of fixed fee reach eighty-five percent (85%) of the total fixed fee.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

Acronyms

CLA Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting COR Contracting Officer’s Representative CSO Civil Society Organization GUC Grants Under Contract ICS Integrated Country Strategy IPS Indo Pacific Strategy MEL Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning PAO Provincial Administrative Organizations RDCS Regional Development Cooperation Strategy RDMA Regional Development Mission for Asia RTG Royal Thai Government SAO Sub-district Administrative Organizations SOW Statement of Work STIP Science, Technology, Innovation & Partnerships USAID United States Agency for International Development USG United States Government

C.1 TITLE OF ACTIVITY

This Contract is t itled “USAID Enhance”, henceforth “Enhance” or the “Activity”.

C.2 BACKGROUND AND OVERALL APPROACH

C.2.1 Introduction

USAID/RDMA has a longstanding engagement with the Royal Thai Government (RTG) and relevant stakeholders in Thailand on key development issues, including governance. Based on past experience and extensive consultations with these multi-sectoral stakeholders, USAID/RDMA is well-positioned to partner with RTG entities and other stakeholders seeking to support the consolidation of viable good local governance in Thailand. The USAID Enhance Activity aims to strengthen citizen-centric local governance in Thailand. In particular, it aims to 1) Strengthen capacity of local governments and non-governmental stakeholders in citizen-centric governance, 2) Strengthen communications, networking, and learning among government and non-governmental stakehold ers to increase innovations that will amplify citizen voice and accountability in local governance, and 3) Ensure wider adoption and/or institutionalization of successful local innovations that support citizen-centric governance.

C.2.2 Background

The United States and Thailand share a longstanding friendship that spans more than 200 years. Since World War II, the United States and Thailand have significantly expanded diplomatic, security, and commercial relations. Thailand is a key U.S. ally in Asia. Stability and growth are important to ensure

Thailand plays a leadership role throughout the region. Thailand has emerged as a donor in its own right, contributing to the security, resiliency, and prosperity of the region while also having the potential to serve as an important governance model. Despite Thailand’s socio-economic progress, the country continues to be challenged by competing visions for a system of good governance. Thailand has witnessed a series of political crises over the past decades. There are few opportunities for citizens to articulate their needs effectively through democratic means, contributing to internal unrest, and further exacerbated by increasing social and economic polarization.

While a majority of key governance decisions in Thailand are made at the national level, there are opportunities available to citizens to influence decision making on issues of public interest. Thailand has an extensive system of elected local governments, comprising 76 provincial administrative organizations (PAOs), 2,472 municipalities, and 5,300 sub-district administrative organizations (SAOs). 1 Elected local governments operate at three main levels: municipalities (primarily the three or four principal towns of each province), PAOs, and SAOs. The latter two levels of local government were introduced as part of decentralization reforms in the 1990s, and play an important role in giving communities greater authority over their own services. In addition, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority elects its own governor and councilors, while Pattaya is a special administrative area which has an elected mayor, otherwise similar to a city municipality structure. Most local authorities are small SAOs, which outnumber PAOs and municipalities. PAO elections were held on December 20, 2020; municipal elections were held on March 28, 2021; and SAO elections were held on November 28, 2021. The elected officials have the mandate and many incentives to take forward new initiatives at the local level. USAID’s consultations have also identified a high level of demand for modernization at the local level, and a desire to strengthen the mandate and legitimacy of local authorities to better represent their constituents, promote local priorities, and interact with the national government more effectively.

Local governance is where the interplay of government and citizens is most tangible. There are outstanding examples of good governance in a number of localities. Some municipalities and other local administrative bodies are well-run and are models of creativity and innovation, while others are in the process of improving their administrations and services. Many local governments intend to channel the energy and ideas of localities while addressing pluralism and diversity. Some local governments already have taken steps and developed tools to communicate with and respond to citizens on a range of issues via increased use of technology and open data at the local level. However, many of these initiatives are being developed in isolation, without connections to other promising local governance initiatives or opportunities to expand successful initiatives through mutual learning and collaboration. Moreover, the regulatory environment for these initiatives is not always clear, which has also inhibited broader adoption of multi-stakeholder modes of local governance.

Non-governmental stakeholders have an important role in strengthening local governance in Thailand.

For the purposes of this Activity, “non-governmental stakeholders” include think tanks, academic institutions, media, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), local community networks, and private sector actors including both individual entrepreneurs and local business associations. They and their networks seek to amplify citizen’s concerns and serve as intermediaries between government and citizens.

However, there have been limited opportunities to develop innovative skills in engaging citizens, articulating and advocating for their needs and interests. There is limited neutral space for constructive

1 http://www.dla.go.th/work/abt/summarize.jsp dialogue and engagement among governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to discuss and develop innovations together to solve local issues.

Local governments and non-government stakeholders in their most effective form are organizations that have strong connections to local issues. Their roles and responsibilities include engagement with citizens as constituents that inform their work and priorities. Thus, citizens can participate effectively directly or through stakeholders or intermediaries that represent them in local governance efforts. However, gaps remain in terms of communication, networks and innovations in magnifying local voices around particular issues. This is particularly important for under-represented or socially marginalized groups that would otherwise have little influence over politics and policies because they do not have access to consultative or decision-making authorities. For example, according to USAID’s recent regional gender analysis, women's unequal participation and representation in political processes is due to gendered norms that situate women's roles predominantly within their homes and family realms, whereas politics and decision making are a largely male-dominated sphere. Even when women do hold decision-making positions, traditional cultural biases may undermine women's voices.

C.2.3 Relationship to USG Strategies

Indo Pacific Strategy (IPS): The USAID Enhance Activity is consistent with and contributes to the United States Government’s IPS. Good governance is a core pillar of the U.S. vision for a free and open, and ever more resilient, prosperous, secure, and interconnected Indo-Pacific, including a commitment to work with Indo-Pacific nations to promote sound, just, and responsive governance.

USAID/RDMA Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (RDCS): The USAID Enhance Activity is well aligned with the USAID/RDMA’s RDCS which aims to strengthen partnerships among the RTG, Thai civil society, and the private sector that promote citizen-responsive governance; address key issues undermining Thailand’s long-term stability/sustainability; promote an effective and responsive governance system; and strengthen Thailand’s role as a stable U.S. ally and emerging donor in the Asia Pacific.

The U.S. Embassy’s Thailand Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) : The USAID Enhance Activity is well aligned with Mission Objective 3.1: Strengthen Accountability, Public Participation, and Rule of Law in Governing and Political Institutions, Mission Goal 3: Promote Rule of Law, Democratic Values, and Global Health. More information on the Thailand ICS can be found on https://www.state.gov/integrated-country-strategies/#eap .

C.2.4 Development Challenges and Opportunities

Insufficient participation, engagement and communication among local governments and non-government stakeholders may lower citizen voice and accountability in local governance and lead to uneven development outcomes in some areas of Thailand. This Activity is based on the premise that mutually reinforcing efforts and deeper partnerships between government and non-governmental stakeholders will provide more opportunities for citizens to participate in governance and empower citizens to voice their concerns constructively. Strengthening communications, networking, and learning among government and non-governmental stakeholders play an important role in facilitating more https://www.state.gov/integrated-country-strategies/#eap citizen-centric local governance that can contribute to reorienting local public officials toward processes and initiatives that better reflect citizen’s concerns and interests.

Localities where residents have opportunities to participate in local governance and express grievances peacefully, empower the population and produce champions who advocate in accordance with citizen interests. Along with inclusive interventions and adequate resources, the promotion of citizen-centric local governance will help nurture more transparent and accountable local administration that is able to deliver effective services to communities and will build resilience to obstacles.

Interventions under this Activity will lead towards more accountable and responsive local governance, increasing partnership among local stakeholders and RTG agencies in support of innovation, and replicability in other localities. Citizens can participate effectively directly or through stakeholders that represent them in local governance, provided that they have greater opportunities to influence local planning and decision-making, accountability mechanisms, mobilization and management of resources, and delivery of services through consultative processes. The opportunity to provide inputs on local priorities provides citizens the opportunity to voice their views, and take responsibility as active participants in the progress of their community. It also builds a sense of empowerment and ownership that underpins good governance, and provides local governments with valuable insights to inform decision-making, increase transparency, and build consensus on critical community issues.

Strengthening communications, networking, and learning among government and non-governmental stakeholders can play an important role in facilitating more citizen-centric local governance that can contribute to reorienting local public officials toward processes and initiatives that better reflect citizen’s concerns and interests. The development of multi-stakeholder collaboration, which includes both local governments and non-governmental stakeholders, and neutral platforms to bring together key stakeholders and local champions from government and non-governmental stakeholders will deepen constructive dialogue, and increase their capacity to strengthen participation, inclusion, transparency, and accountability for sustainable development and self-reliance. Enhancing local actors’ awareness and knowledge will catalyze them towards actions to foster greater inclusion and stability in their communities. Bringing local government and non-governmental stakeholders together can also provide a valuable forum to share and evaluate bottom-up efforts for innovation and expand these efforts to other localities. This could lead to more responsive, transparent, accountable local governments that are able to deliver basic services to the people and will build resilience to address a range of important issues facing communities.

Despite Thailand’s current political crossroads, opportunities do exist given local elections were held in 2020 and 2021 for the first time since 2014. USAID assistance, therefore, can support local efforts to strengthen citizen-centric local governance and contribute to a more stable foundation for more inclusive and equitable economic and social development. USAID/RDMA has long standing relationships with the RTG and various stakeholders in Thailand that will be critical to Thailand’s continued social and economic development, and is well-positioned to partner with RTG entities and all stakeholders seeking to support good local governance.

C.3 SCOPE OF WORK AND KEY DEFINITIONS

C.3.1 Theory of Change

The fundamental theory of change is that:

If Capacity of local governments and non-governmental stakeholders in citizen-centric governance is strengthened, and

If Communications, networking and learning among government and non-governmental stakeholders to increase innovations that will amplify citizen voice and accountability in local governance are strengthened, and

If Wider adoption and/or institutionalization of successful local innovations that support citizen-centric governance is ensured

Then Citizen-centric local governance will be strengthened.

The Contractor must address both the demand and supply sides of local governance. The Contractor must work on the demand side to strengthen the capacity of non-governmental stakeholders to effectively and constructively advocate for local concerns and interests. On the supply side, the Contractor must work to address capacity gaps and support mechanisms or processes in local governance that increase transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in local decision-making. USAID/RDMA expects that the approach will vary among localities depending on locality-level analysis, including challenges and opportunities for promoting transparency, accountability, and participation.

The Contractors’ role must be to serve as a neutral convener and professional technical advisor to support various stakeholders from the government and non-government stakeholders, and other relevant sectors to come together in constructive ways that increase mutual understanding and develop innovations to strengthen citizen-centric local governance.

USAID anticipates the Contractor will provide a combination of technical assistance, training, material assistance, and/or logistical and administrative support to ensure rapid response to emerging opportunities.

C.3.2 Target Beneficiaries

National and local government and non-governmental stakeholders all play important roles in strengthening local governance in Thailand. For the purposes of this Activity, “non-governmental stakeholders” include think tanks, academic institutions, media, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), local communities, and private sector stakeholders including both individual entrepreneurs and local business associations.

C.3.3 Geographic Focus

USAID RDMA aims to work nationwide to strengthen citizen-centric local governance in Thailand. This Activity will have both local and national audiences in Thailand’s Deep South (Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and some districts of Songkhla), and nationwide (North and Northeast). The allocation of funding per geographic focus must be 60% for the Deep South, 20% for the North, and 20% for the Northeast. To contribute to achieving the goal of the Activity, the Contractor must implement activities and actions that are related to the objectives and results within these three geographic focus areas.

C.3.4 Key Definitions

Innovation for the purposes of this Activity means design and implementation of creative and tangible ideas that result in introduction of new public services or improvement in offering public services. It includes use of appropriate technologies to achieve the expected results.

Citizen-centric for the purposes of this Activity means actions or processes that substantively focus on or address citizens’ concerns, consult citizens about their needs, and ensure citizens’ participation and engagement at all levels.

Objective information for the purpose of this Activity means unbiased information based on facts and analyses that are not influenced by opinions or emotions.

C.3.5 Implementation Considerations

As a U.S. Government-funded Activity, the Contractor must not lead or interfere directly in any peace dialogue - current or future if not invited by the RTG.

C.3.6 COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the establishment of COVID-19 prevention and safety protocols. These include social distancing and lockdowns that have led to a non-traditional operating environment. The Contractor must operate in this new environment and include measures to address and mitigate expected and unanticipated challenges.

C.4 OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS

The Contractor must provide the necessary approaches and solutions to achieve Enhance’s purpose of “ Strengthened citizen-centric local governance in Thailand.” Interventions under this Activity will lead towards more accountable and responsive local governance, increasing partnership among local stakeholders and RTG agencies in support of plans for innovation, and promote successful efforts to other localities. USAID/RDMA defined three coordinated and mutually supportive objectives. Below are the three objectives, expected results and indicators against which the Contractor must report associated with each objective.

Objective 1: Strengthen capacity of local governments and non-governmental stakeholders in citizen-centric governance

Strengthening the capacity of local governments to work with citizens on productive co-creation of solutions and/or opportunities, and non-governmental stakeholders on constructive advocacy with their counterparts will require the leading participants to develop or refine their skills in planning, coordination, consultation, analysis, and implementation to more effectively engage in citizen-centric local governance.

The Contractor must provide technical, material, and/or logistical and administrative assistance to governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to achieve the following expected results:

1.1: Strengthened local governments’ capacity to engage in the productive co-creation of solutions and/or opportunities with local communities

1.2: Strengthened non-governmental stakeholders’ capacity to engage in constructive advocacy for community priorities

Indicators:

● Percentage of citizens who report they have influenced policies and/or decisions being made by their local governments

● Percentage of USG-assisted organizations with improved performance [IM-level] (F-indicator, CBLD-9)

● Number of civil society organizations (CSOs) receiving USG assistance engaged in advocacy interventions (F-indicator, DR.4.2-2)

● Number of local government officials receiving USG assistance in the development of local innovations.

● Number of persons trained with USG assistance to advance outcomes consistent with gender equality or female empowerment through their roles in public or private sector institutions or organizations (F-indicator, GNDR-8)

Objective 2: Strengthen communications, networking, and learning among government and non-governmental stakeholders to increase innovations that will amplify citizen voice and accountability in local governance

The communications, networking, and learning must involve constructive engagement among local governments and non-governmental stakeholders. This objective aims at formally strengthening those relationships in a systematic way so that local governments and non-governmental stakeholders can successfully work together to develop more innovations that will amplify citizen voices as well as strengthen the accountability of local governance. Interventions under this objective must ensure that these networks can promote communication, build learning, and develop community consensus around the development and implementation of actionable multi-stakeholder innovations aimed at addressing local community tensions, concerns, and priorities. This objective also supports the dissemination of the results of analyses and evidence that will increase local government transparency, accountability and responsiveness. Approaches in this Objective must reinforce wider adoption and/or institutionalization of local innovations that will be expanded in Objective 3.

The Contractor must provide technical, material, and/or logistical and administrative assistance to governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to achieve the following expected results:

2.1: Active use of communication, networking, and learning platforms by government and non-governmental stakeholders

2.2: Increased engagement of local officials and non-governmental stakeholders in citizen centric innovation

2.3: Citizens better informed and engaged through increased access to objective information and innovations

Indicators:

● Perception of citizens who agree that innovations implemented by local governments and non-governmental stakeholders have increased access to objective information and their level of engagement in raising their needs and priorities

● Frequency of collaborative citizen responsive activities held by USG-supported local governments and non-governmental stakeholders

● Number of citizen-centric innovations implemented by USG-supported local governments and non-governmental stakeholders

Objective 3: Ensure wider adoption and/or institutionalization of successful local innovations that support citizen-centric governance

This objective is aimed at ensuring wider adoption and/or institutionalization of successful local innovations developed in Objective 2. The Contractor must identify and scale innovations that build local consensus and promote local community-government engagement in successful multi-stakeholder initiatives to other localities. To the extent possible, interventions under this objective must build national-level agency support for such innovations through the development of procedures or regulations favoring them.

The Contractor must provide technical, material, and/or logistical, assistance to governmental and non-governmental entities to achieve the following expected results:

3.1: Increased purposeful engagement and contribution of RTG officials for expansion of local innovations

3.2: Best practices and success stories on citizen-centric local governance promoted and advocated for at other localities and national level

3.3: Innovations supporting citizen-centric governance successfully adopted and/or institutionalized in additional localities and national bodies

Indicators:

● Percentage of localities that have successfully adopted the Activity’s citizen-centric efforts for innovations

● Number of best practices and success stories on citizen- centric local governance promoted and advocated at other localities and national level

● Perception of government officials on their engagement and contribution to expansion of innovations

C.5 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

The Contractor must use Grants Under Contract (GUC) to establish formal partnerships with local non-governmental entities, as appropriate. GUCs may be used to support the achievement of one or more objectives of this Activity.

C.6 COORDINATION

On a case-by-case basis, USAID/RDMA mobilizes its various implementing partners to assist in emerging issues. Thus, the Contractor must have the agility to dispatch resources, realign budgets, and support rapid delivery of resources to engage emerging issues. The scope and deliverables expected from the realignment of resources will be mutually agreed by USAID/RDMA and the Contractor.

The Contractor must coordinate activities with other development partners working in the same geographic areas. The Contractor must participate in coordination platforms, forums, meetings, and reviews per guidance from USAID/RDMA. The Contractor must include the identified areas of collaboration with other development partners in the annual work plan. The Contractor, in consultation with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), must coordinate their support to complement other USAID activities and development partners to achieve the goal and objectives.

C.7 CROSS-CUTTING PRINCIPLES

C.7.1 Partnerships Local stakeholders that are conversant with the operating environment, and are aware of socio-political considerations are critical to the success and sustainability of this Activity.

Buy-in and commitment from RTG is critically important to the success of this Activity and must start at the early stages. It will not succeed without the ownership and collaboration of the RTG. The Contractor must work closely with USAID/RDMA, which will engage U.S. Embassy colleagues in Bangkok to identify a strong point of contact within the government for regular coordination.

C.7.2 Sustainability Long-term development impact must be a guiding principle for this Activity, and must be reflected in all aspects of design, implementation, and assessment. During the early stages of the Activity, the Contractor must identify the essential elements of sustainability to achieve the Activity goal and identify how sustainability will be integrated, including how benefits and results will continue and be scaled up beyond USAID funding.

C.7.3 Gender and Social Inclusion This Activity must reflect an equitable and participatory approach that actively includes marginalized populations and their voices in strengthening citizen-centric local governance. This also includes categories of a social inclusion approach which ensures that all people, including those who face discrimination and thus may have limited access to a country’s benefits, legal protections, or social participation are fully included and can actively participate in and benefit from development processes and activities. Here is USAID’s Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment 2020 Policy .

C.7.4 Do No Harm https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USAID_GenderEquality_Policy_MT_WEB_single_508.pdf

The Contractor must contribute to good citizen-centric local governance, while avoiding the exacerbation of conflict and inter/intra-group tensions. The Contractor must work very closely with USAID to integrate conflict sensitive principles, including “Do No Harm,” into all aspects of design, planning, and implementation to avoid interventions that may create negative consequences or endanger the intended beneficiaries, host communities, or local partners. This must include the protection and safeguarding of data and privacy information collected and/or used by the Activity.

C.7.5 Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

(MEL)

The Contractor must incorporate CLA management, as well as complexity-aware MEL approaches, into its Activity design, implementation, and management approach.

Consistent with the goal and objectives of this Activity, and in addition to some indicators similar to those provided above in Section C.4 OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS, the Contractor is required to develop more relevant and meaningful indicators or other types of measurement, especially at the outcome level, that can empirically demonstrate the effectiveness of the Activity in strengthening citizen-centric local governance in Thailand.

USAID RDMA may conduct an independent impact and/or performance evaluation of this Activity to comply with USAID’s Evaluation Policy and due to its innovative nature and the need for evidence to inform scalability of the innovations developed and/or promoted by the Activity and/or future programming. Any evaluation design would be completed in consultation with the Contractor to ensure alignment with the Activity work plan and implementations.

C.7.6 Science, Technology, Innovation & Partnerships (STIP) The Contractor must accelerate current positive efforts and look for opportunities to use the best science and emerging technologies and innovations to magnify the impact of investments. The Contractor must encourage and track the creative use of STIP among key beneficiaries and stakeholders to advance the Enhance’s goal and objectives. The Contractor must utilize the most effective, state-of-the-art communication, outreach, and public participation techniques, evidence-based knowledge and successful best practices to a broad audience including positive key influencers issue at the local, national, and international levels. The Contractor must aim to mobilize outside resources by bringing new partners to the table. The Contractor must identify opportunities and promote leveraging of resources from other organizations, and identify opportunities for coordination or co-funding that furthers the impact of the Activity when applicable.

[END OF SECTION C]

SECTION D– BRANDING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

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

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

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

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

The Contractor must comply with the requirements of the USAID “Graphic Standards Manual” available at http://www/usaid.gov/branding , and ADS 320, or any successor branding policy.

D.2 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING PLAN

To be incorporated at time of award.

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY

The USAID Enhance is the Activity name assigned to this Contract.

D.3.1 Activity Materials and Communications

a. Target Audiences - The USAID Enhance Activity has a number of target audiences and messages will vary depending on the audiences and program areas.

1. Primary audience (clients): The primary audiences include both the Royal Thai Government (RTG) and non-governmental organizations. Non-governmental stakeholders include think tanks, academic institutions, media, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), local communities, and private sector stakeholders including both individual entrepreneurs and local business associations engaged in local governance issues.

2. Secondary audience (supporters, influencers, and beneficiaries): The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, other U.S. government http://www/usaid.gov/branding agencies, USAID implementing partners, and the donor community working in local governance and Activity beneficiaries.

b. Messages Funded by USAID, the purpose of USAID Enhance Activity is to strengthen citizen-centric local governance in Thailand. As a result of Activity implementation, citizen-centric local governance will be strengthened through the following objectives:

1) Strengthen capacity of local governments and non-governmental stakeholders in citizen-centric governance,

2) Strengthen communications, networking, and learning among government and non-governmental stakeholders to increase innovations that will amplify citizen voice and accountability in local governance, and

3) Ensure wider adoption and/or institutionalization of successful local innovations that support citizen-centric governance.

c. Marking Plan for Materials to be Produced

Materials : Materials produced under the USAID Enhance Activity will incorporate the message “From the American People” and use the USAID Identity. The materials include, but are not limited to, training materials, posters, pamphlets, brochures, banners, exhibition booths, press releases, fact sheets, compact disks, printed and electronic bulletins, organizational operational plans, studies, assessments, reports (progress and performance monitoring), work plans, promotional materials (bookmarks, leaflets, banners, etc), public announcements, advertisements about the Activity, invitations, articles in the media, certificates, PowerPoint slides, audio visual, electronic communications, and other presentations, websites, and internet-based materials. For all printed and outreach materials, the Activity will follow the guidance set forth in the following documents:

● USAID ADS 320 Branding and Marking (Partial Revision Date: 11/03/2020) ( https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/320.pdf ); and

● USAID Graphic Standards Manual and Partner Co-Branding Guide ( https://www.usaid.gov/branding/gsm ).

These documents contain policy directives and required procedures on branding and marking USAID-funded programs, projects, activities, public communications, and commodities with the “USAID Standard Graphic Identity” (or “USAID Identity”).

As stated in USAID’s ADS Chapter 320, Section 320.3.2 Branding and Marking in USAID Direct Contracts, USAID policy requires exclusive branding and marking in USAID direct acquisitions.

“Exclusive Branding” means that the program is positioned as USAID’s, as showcased by the Activity name (e.g., “USAID Enhance Activity”).

“Exclusive Marking” means Contractors may only mark USAID-funded programs, projects, activities, public communications, and commodities with the USAID identity and logo. Where appropriate, Contractors may add a host-country government or ministry symbol, or another U.S. Government logo or https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/320.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/branding/gsm that of another donor that is funding the project. It is USAID’s policy that Contractors’ and subcontractors’ corporate identities or logos must not be used on USAID-funded project materials.

The cover page of all deliverables required hereunder must include the USAID identity (or the name of the Agency written out)…