72051422R00007 - Destination Nature Activity.pdf

Issuance Date: May 6, 2022 Questions Due Date: May 16, 2022, 17:00 Bogota Local Time Past Performance Due Date: May 30, 2022, 17:00 Bogota Local Time Full Proposal Due Date: June 17, 2022, 17:00 Bogota Local Time

Subject: Request for Proposal (RFP) No 72051422R00007, “USAID Destination Nature” Activity

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Colombia, is seeking proposals from U.S. or non-U.S., non-profit or for-profit organizations, to provide services to build sustainable business models for Colombia's nature tourism sector that support community development, conserve the country's rich biodiversity, and reduce major drivers of land use and land use change that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in Colombia, as described in the attached Request for Proposals (RFP).

The Authorized Principal Geographic Code for this solicitation is 937 – Default. The NAICS Code for this solicitation is 541620 – Environmental Consulting Services.

USAID anticipates awarding a single Hybrid - Cost plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Completion - Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract. The Total Estimated Cost-Plus Fixed Fee for services under this contract (CLIN 001 & CLIN 002) is estimated to fall within the range of $38 million to $42.5 million. This procurement will be conducted under Full and Open Competition procedures, pursuant to Part 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1).

Please refer to Section L for information regarding proposal requirements. Offerors should consider the expected delivery time required by the proposal transmission method they choose, and they are responsible for ensuring proposals are received at USAID by the due date and time as specified in Section L. Any proposal not received by USAID by the date/time specified in this RFP will not be reviewed or evaluated. Faxed proposals are not acceptable, nor will they be reviewed or evaluated.

Section L of the RFP sets forth all instructions for the preparation and submission of required proposal contents, including critical dates/times for the submission of questions, and the proposal submission closing date and time. Section M states the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated. The competition will utilize a Highest Technical Rated with Fair and Reasonable Price and Realistic Cost (HTR) process, not a tradeoff process. In this process, USAID is concerned with getting the best technical solution that has a fair and reasonable price and realistic cost. There will not be a tradeoff to justify paying a premium for a higher technical rated proposal.

Offerors must carefully review Sections L and M of this RFP for details of this process. Section L of the RFP sets forth all instructions for the preparation and submission of required proposal contents, including critical dates/times for the submission of questions, and the proposal submission closing date and time. Section M states the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated. Oral explanations or instructions given before award of the contract that are not formalized with an amendment will not constitute a formal amendment of the RFP and will not be binding.

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

USAID expects that Offerors will have equal access to all local organizations needed to implement this contract and strongly discourages exclusivity agreements with local organizations.

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

Interested firms can register and use the Interested Vendor List (IVL) accessible through this solicitation on www.sam.gov, so that firms can contact one another for consideration of teaming arrangements and/or small business subcontracting opportunities in response to this solicitation.

Sincerely, R. Clark Pearson Contracting Officer USAID/Colombia http://www.sam.gov/

72051422R00007

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

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

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

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

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

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

SEALED BID (IFB)

5. DATE ISSUED

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED RATING PAGE OF PAGES

1 170

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)A. NAME

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

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

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

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

I

J

K

L

M SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

PACKAGING AND MARKING

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSESPART I - THE SCHEDULE

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18. OFFER DATE17. SIGNATURE

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EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

(Type or print)AND

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

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

DATEAMENDMENT NO.DATEAMENDMENT NO.

and related documents numbered and dated):

amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

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

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232.8)

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

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

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

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

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

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

28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

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

ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

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

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

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

AWARD (To be completed by government)

CODE

REQ-514-22-00006205/06/2022

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720514

USAID/Colombia Office of Acquisition & Assistance Unit 3030, Box 5101

DPO, AA 34004

1700 AB 06/17/2022

Angela Garcia +57 6 anggarcia@usaid.gov

127-5413

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PAGE(S)

Ronald (Clark) Pearson

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97)

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

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

Table of Contents

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET AND CEILINGS

B.5 OTHER DIRECT COST LIMITATIONS UNDER CLIN 002

B.6 LEVEL OF EFFORT (CLIN 002)

B.7 INDIRECT COST

B.8 COST REIMBURSABLE

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

C.1 PURPOSE

C.2 BACKGROUND

C.3 COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION STRATEGY (CDCS) ALIGNMENT

C.4 STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS

C.5 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND PRINCIPLES

C.6 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

C.7 ACTIVITY FUND (APPLICABLE TO CLIN 001)

C.8 SUPPLEMENTAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (CLIN 002: 20% OF TOTAL ESTIMATED COST) 25

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.2 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING PLAN

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 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

F.5 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES

F.6 REPORTING AND DELIVERABLES MATRIX

F.7 FIXED FEE PAYMENT SCHEDULE [CLIN 001]

F.8 KEY AND NON-KEY PERSONNEL

F.9 AUTHORIZED WORKDAY/WEEK

F.10 ORDERING SUPPLEMENTAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CLIN 002

SECTION G– CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

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

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER – CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE

G.3 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

G.4 PAYING OFFICE

G.5 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

G.6 CONTRACTOR’S PAYMENT ADDRESS

G.7 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY

G.8 TECHNICAL DIRECTION/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

H.2 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JUL 2007)

H.3 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.4 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.5 DEFENSE BASE ACT INSURANCE RATES

H.6 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM

H.7 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING

H.8 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (DDL) (OCTOBER

2014)

H.9 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACTS (GUC)

H.10 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (NOVEMBER 2017)

H.11 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

H.12 PROHIBITION OF ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS

H.13 LIMITATION ON ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (APRIL 2018)

(DEVIATION NOS. M/OAA-DEV-FAR-20-3C AND M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-20-2C) (APRIL 2020)

H.14 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.15 EXCHANGE VISITORS AND TRAINING

H.16 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES OR PROPERTY

H.17 INHERENTLY GOVERNMENTAL AND CLOSELY ASSOCIATED FUNCTIONS

H.18 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

H.19 PRESS RELATIONS

H.20 SECURITY CONDITIONS

H.21 LIFE SUPPORT AND SECURITY SERVICES

H.22 TITLE TO AND CARE OF PROPERTY

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

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

(MAR 2015)

I.3 52.203-13 CONTRACTOR CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT (NOV 2021)

I.4 52.204-1 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT (DEC 1989)

I.5 52.204-25 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATION AND

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

I.6 52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020) (CLIN 002)

I.7 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995) (CLIN 002)

I.8 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995) (CLIN 002)

I.9 52.223-99 ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-ALTERNATE 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR-22-01C)

I.10 52.229-8 TAXES – FOREIGN COST-REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS

I.11 52.244-2 SUBCONTRACTS (JUNE 2020)

I.12 52.247-67 SUBMISSION OF TRANSPORTATION DOCUMENTS FOR AUDIT. (FEB 2006)

I.13 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JUL 2007)

PART III – DOCUMENTS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

J.1 TECHNICAL LINKS FOR REFERENCE

J.2 ACRONYMS LIST

J.3 BRANDING AND MARKING TEMPLATE

J.4 CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT - SHORT FORM

J.5 BUDGET GUIDANCE AND TEMPLATE

J.6 AMELP TEMPLATE

J.7 AMELP GUIDANCE

J.8 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION (IEE)

J.9 NATURE TOURISM RAPID ASSESSMENT

J.10 USAID COLOMBIA FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT 118/119

J.11 SECTION 889 RULE GUIDANCE

J.12 USAID DIGITAL STRATEGY 2020-2024

J.13 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA SHEETS

J.14 SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN TEMPLATE

J.15 NON-U.S. ORGANIZATION PRE-AWARD SURVEY GUIDELINES AND SUPPORT

J.16 USAID DIGITAL STRATEGY 2020-2024

J.17 STANDARD INDICATORS

J.18 REGIONAL INTEGRATION STRATEGY GLOSSARY

J.19 LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN – PAY SCALE

PART IV – REPRESENTATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

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

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

SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

K.4 52.204-26 COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES-

REPRESENTATION. (OCT 2020)

K.5 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

K.6 52.209-12 CERTIFICATION REGARDING TAX MATTERS (OCT 2020)

K.7 52.209-13 VIOLATION OF ARMS CONTROL TREATIES OR AGREEMENTS CERTIFICATION

(NOV 2021)

K.8 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (JUN 2020)

K.9 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE—COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR 2005)

K.10 INSURANCE - IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY

K.11 SIGNATURE

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1 NOTICE LISTING CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

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

L.3 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

L.5 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.6 GENERAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

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

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.2 METHOD OF EVALUATION

M.3 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.3.1 TECHNICAL APPROACH - CLIN 001 (SEE SECTION L.7.3)

M.3.2 MANAGEMENT APPROACH– CLIN 001 AND 002 (SEE SECTION L.7.4)

M.3.3 KEY PERSONNEL (SEE SECTION L.7.5.)

M.4 COST EVALUATION

M.5 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE

ATTACHMENTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

J. 1 – TECHNICAL LINKS FOR REFERENCE

J. 2 – ACRONYMS LIST

J. 3 - BRANDING AND MARKING - GUIDANCE AND TEMPLATE FOR ACQUISITION AWARDS

J.4 - PAST PERFORMANCE REPORT – SHORT FORM

72051422R00007 – Destination Nature SECTION B

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide the services described in the Statement of Work (SOW) to implement the “USAID Destination Nature” Activity (henceforth ‘the Activity’), as described in Section C.

The purpose of the Activity is to build sustainable business models for Colombia's nature tourism sector that support community development, conserve the country's rich biodiversity, and reduce major drivers of land use and land use change that contribute to greenhouse gas in Colombia.

Building on successful models of previous nature tourism programs developed in Colombia, including approaches under various USAID activities, and how it will scale them and work in concert with other USAID/Colombia programs to address the root causes of environmental degradation, deforestation, and climate change in Colombia.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is a FAR 16.102(b) combination award consisting of a Cost-plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Completion (CLIN 001) and a single-award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract (CLIN 002) for the purpose of providing supplemental technical assistance.

Under the CPFF portion of the contract, which represents 80% of the total estimated cost, (CLIN 001), the Contractor must furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, services (except as expressly set forth in this contract as furnished by the U.S. Government (USG)) and perform all activities necessary for, or incidental to, the performance of work described in Section C and other sections of the contract not specifically identified under CLIN 002 as the IDIQ Supplemental Technical Assistance.

Under the IDIQ portion of the contract, which represents 20% of the total estimated cost, (CLIN 002), the Contractor must furnish additional supplemental technical assistance arising out of or related to the completion portion of the contract as required by USG-issued Level of Effort (LOE) Task Orders.

For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor must achieve the performance objectives and deliverables, or outputs described in Sections C and F, and otherwise comply with all contract requirements.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

The Total Estimated Cost (TEC) for CLIN 001 and CLIN 002 is [TBD].

a. Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee for CLIN 001

The Total Estimated Cost for this CLIN is [TBD], exclusive of fixed fee, if any. The fixed fee, if any, is [TBD]. The estimated Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee, if any is [TBD].

b. Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee for CLIN 002

The Total Estimated Ceiling Cost for this CLIN is [TBD], exclusive of the associated maximum fee of [TBD]. The total estimated ceiling cost and maximum fee is [TBD].

c. Payment of Fixed Fee

CLIN 001: Pursuant to FAR 16.306(d), the fixed fee is payable under CLIN 001 and will be tied to the conditions and completion of the deliverables specified in Section F.7 of this contract and in accordance with the amounts in B.3.a.

CLIN 002: Payment of the corresponding fixed fee for each Task Order will be negotiated at the task order level upon receipt of a proper invoice and must directly correspond to the percentage of level of effort being paid. In no event, the fixed fee percentage of the Task Orders under CLIN 002 will exceed the fee percentage negotiated under CLIN 001.

d. Amount Obligated

CLIN 001: Within the estimated cost-plus fixed fee (if any) specified in paragraph a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is [TBD]. The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount nor will the United States Government (USG) be responsible for costs incurred should the Contractor do so.

Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through [TBD].

B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET AND CEILINGS

CLIN 001

Direct Costs $TBD Activity Fund (Up to 50% of the TEC of CLIN 001) $TBD Indirect Costs $TBD Total Costs $TBD Fixed Fee $TBD Total Estimated Cost-Plus Fixed Fee $TBD

CLIN 002

Direct Costs $TBD Indirect Costs $TBD Maximum Fee $TBD Total Ceiling $TBD

Total Estimated Cost-Plus Fixed Fee CLIN 001 and CLIN 002: $TBD

B.5 OTHER DIRECT COST LIMITATIONS UNDER CLIN 002

The estimated cost of this CLIN includes estimates for material, equipment, subcontracts, travel, and training required for performance of the total amount of work that can be ordered by the government under this CLIN during the life of this contract. The amount of ordered Other Direct costs will not exceed $1,200,000.

B.6 LEVEL OF EFFORT (CLIN 002)

a. In performing Government orders for Technical Assistance under CLIN 002, the Contractor is obligated to provide up to a maximum of 9,000 person-days.

b. The CLIN 002 fee set forth in B.3.b is based upon furnishing the level-of-effort specified in B.6.a. The total estimated cost and fixed fee will be established in the individual Government-issued Task Order and will not exceed the amounts set forth in Section B.4.

B.7 INDIRECT COST

The contract clause entitled “Allowable Cost and Payment (AUG2018)”, FAR Subpart 52.216-7, specifies that the indirect cost rates must be established for each of the Contractor’s accounting periods which apply to this contract. Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs shall be reimbursed based on the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Description Rate Base Type Period

[TBD] [TBD] 1/ 1/ 1/

[TBD] [TBD] 2/ 2/ 2/

[TBD] [TBD] 3/ 3/ 3/

1/ Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

2/ Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

3/ Base of Application:

Type of Rate:

Period:

B.8 COST REIMBURSABLE

Allowable costs shall be limited to reasonable, allocable, and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment, FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003, Documentation for Payment.

[END OF SECTION B]

72051422R00007 – Destination Nature Activity SECTION C

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

C.1 PURPOSE

The Destination Nature activity will build sustainable business models for Colombia's nature tourism1 sector that support community development, conserve the country's rich biodiversity, and reduce major drivers of land use and land use change that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in Colombia. Building on successful models of previous nature tourism programs developed in Colombia, including approaches under various USAID activities, and how it will scale them and work in concert with other USAID/Colombia programs to address the root causes of environmental degradation, deforestation, and climate change in Colombia.

C.2 BACKGROUND

C.2.1 Deforestation Challenges

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, yet fourth in deforestation globally.

In addition, it ranks tenth among countries in the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from land use change and land management.2 The country is facing unprecedented challenges as it seeks to implement the ambitious 2016 Peace Accord while at the same time, it aims to meet international commitments such as those made under the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement, which includes ambitious goals in greenhouse gas mitigation and deforestation rates reduction. While the Accord’s provisions include environmental sustainability as an essential component of peace and security, forested areas once occupied by armed groups suffer from “land grabbing,” record high levels of coca cultivation and a spike in conservation crimes such as illegal gold mining and violence by illicit actors, resulting in surging deforestation rates. Unsustainable agricultural and cattle practices are expanding the agricultural frontier, causing land use changes, and exacerbating the crisis. Critical ecosystems throughout the country, vital for biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and environmental services, are being destroyed at alarming rates. According to the Government of Colombia3, in 2020, deforestation reached 171,685 hectares, an 8 percent increase compared to 2019. Deforestation represents 33% of the country’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.

To address the key drivers of deforestation, land degradation, and climate change in Colombia, USAID has developed an integrated strategy focused on: (1) enhancing the national protected area system; (2) strengthening government and community natural resources governance capacity; (3) restoring and rehabilitating degraded land; and (4) strengthening market-based incentives to leverage private sector capital and sustainable public-private partnerships to thwart deforestation and increase reforestation and restoration. These strategies are embedded in USAID’s ongoing and

1 This document adopts the concept of sustainable nature tourism combining the definitions by the Government of Colombia of sustainable tourism and nature tourism. Sustainable tourism is a type of tourism that takes into consideration current and future economic, environment and socio-cultural implications of tourism activities, and develops those in response to the needs of visitors, destinations, hosting communities, and the tourism industry. Nature tourism is a type of tourism that emphasizes the interrelation and appreciation of nature in its pure state. It is conceived as an umbrella product, with eco-tourism, adventure tourism and rural tourism as subproducts, each with specialized segments. Cultural, wellness and scientific tourism are complementary products.

2 Roe, S., Streck, C., Obersteiner, M. et al. Contribution of the land sector to a 1.5 °C world. Nature Climate Change. 9, 817–828 (2019).

3 IDEAM 2021, Deforestation Monitoring Results 2020.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-019-0591-9 http://www.ideam.gov.co/documents/10182/113437783/Presentacion_Deforestacion2020_SMByC-IDEAM.pdf/8ea7473e-3393-4942-8b75-88967ac12a19 planned biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscapes program. The Destination Nature Activity is fully aligned and designed to effectively address USAID’s Environment strategies.

C.2.2 Nature Tourism as an Opportunity

Colombia’s landscapes, forests, and biodiversity offer an enormous market opportunity for nature tourism, mainly in conflict affected PDET regions (PDET refers to Planes de Desarrollo con Enfoque Territorial, Spanish for Territorial Focused Development Plans). PDET regions hold 45 percent of the country’s natural parks4, and they house unique ecosystems that are economically and culturally vital to rural and ethnic communities.

Yet, 55 percent of the population in PDET regions live in poverty and have a long history of state abandonment.5 Rural and ethnic communities in PDET regions also face increasing pressure to engage in illicit and unsustainable economic activities, like coca production and illegal mining, that lead to ecosystem degradation and deforestation. In 2016, 78 percent of the country’s deforestation took place in PDET territories6, negatively affecting local resources like soil and water, essential for social stability and economic prosperity.

Colombia has been recognized as a top trending tourist destination worldwide because of its natural and cultural assets. The number of international visitors in Colombia increased by 85 percent between 2011 and 20197, and the U.S. Tour Operators Association chose Colombia as the number one trending destination for 2020.8 However, in terms of competitiveness and sustainable development, the country’s tourism sector still faces multiple challenges. According to the World Economic Forum, in 2019, Colombia ranked 55 out of 140 countries in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), and 89th place in the dimension assessing the sustainable development of tourism9. Colombia’s TTCI performance demonstrates that the country is less competitive than other key regional actors in the tourism industry, such as Costa Rica, Peru, and Brazil.10

Factors such as the low quality of services, lack of trained human capital, and inadequate or non-existent infrastructure are the causes of Colombia’s low tourism competitiveness score and directly impact Colombia’s nature-based tourism potential. Tourism service providers are highly informal and provide low-quality services.11 In 2019, 30 percent of tourism providers, including hotels, restaurants, and commercial facilities supported by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism were categorized as informal.12 Trained tourism and bilingual personnel are also scarce.

Only six tourism professional academic programs have received quality accreditation, and very few incorporate biodiversity conservation training in their curriculum.13 Compared to other Latin

4 PDET en Cifras. Agencia para la Renovación del Territorio. Web. 2020.

5 Peace, Stability and Prosperity. Country Development Cooperation Strategy 2020-2025. USAID. 2020.

6 Biodiversidad y Construcción de Paz. Instituto Alexander Von Humboldt. Web. 2020.

7 En 2019 el Turismo en Colombia Rompió Récords. Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (a). 2020.

8 USTOA Tour Operator Members Reveal Top Travel Trends for 2020. United States Tour Operators Association. 2019.

9 The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, Travel and Tourism at a Tipping Point, World Economic Forum, 2019.

10 World Economic Forum. 2019.

11 Tourism Service Providers are all businesses offering tourism services and experiences to consumers when the latter are traveling and performing tourism activities. These businesses include transport companies, hospitality companies, travel agents and tour operators and other tourism-related companies directly involved in servicing tourists’ needs.

12 Tourism Sectoral Plan, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, 2018.

13 Tourism Sectoral Plan, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, 2018.

https://www.renovacionterritorio.gov.co/especiales/especial_PDET/ https://www.usaid.gov/colombia/cdcs http://reporte.humboldt.org.co/biodiversidad/2017/cap4/401/ https://www.mincit.gov.co/prensa/noticias/turismo/en-2019-el-turismo-en-colombia-rompio-records https://ustoa.com/press-releases/top-travel-trends-2020 https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-travel-tourism-competitiveness-report-2019 https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-travel-tourism-competitiveness-report-2019 https://www.mincit.gov.co/minturismo/calidad-y-desarrollo-sostenible/desarrollo-regional/plan-sectorial-de-turismo-2018-2022/plan-sectorial-de-turismo-2018-2022 https://www.mincit.gov.co/minturismo/calidad-y-desarrollo-sostenible/desarrollo-regional/plan-sectorial-de-turismo-2018-2022/plan-sectorial-de-turismo-2018-2022

American countries, Colombia’s availability of efficient and accessible transportation, and connectivity to key business centers and tourist attractions is low.14 15

Governance mechanisms for sustainable nature tourism are also weak. Only 15 percent of all Colombian municipalities have tourism development plans, and just one department, Nariño, has a Nature Tourism Strategic Plan.16 Yet, communities, especially in conflict affected PDET regions, see tourism as a promising economic alternative. Of 170 municipalities in PDET regions, 157 believe tourism will support these regions’ peace development.17 In addition, according to the Private Investment Observatory, in 2020 almost 50% of the new businesses created in PDET municipalities were related to commerce and tourism.18 Finally, concerning gender-related opportunities for nature tourism, the USAID/Colombia Gender Analysis and Assessment Report highlighted women’s empowerment at the household and community levels by improving natural resources governance and addressing illegal economies that have severe environmental impacts such as illicit crops or illegal mining.

Improving tourism’s competitiveness and long-term sustainable development is an opportunity for Colombia, especially for nature tourism services and products. International high spending travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany are particularly motivated by nature and wildlife factors and Colombia has a lot to offer in regard to both of these interests.19 Further, USAID Nature Tourism Market Research concluded that experiencing biodiversity was the highest nature-based motivation to visit Colombia.20 Domestic travelers are also particularly motivated to visit nature tourism areas to enjoy their landscape beauty and wildlife, especially since the COVID-19 lockdowns, and to interact with rural communities.21

Overall, the Tourism sector is an important component of Colombia’s economic growth, representing about 5% of total GDP in 2019, when it reached its peak after nine years of constant growth, before the global COVID-19 pandemic. In the next few years, tourism activities will be driven by new investments and technological advances to improve quality, diversify services, increase competitiveness, and access new markets.22 As an example, the American Chamber of Commerce and Google have partnered to develop training platforms on digital strategies for entrepreneurs in tourism.23 In the medium-term, the reactivation of the tourism sector is a top priority for Colombia’s economy and will depend on a series of factors such as the financial and technical capabilities of national and subnational institutions, the incorporation of mitigation and risk-control actions for tourist operations, and the sector capacity to attract new markets, provide biosecurity protocols and engage into digital technologies. Recent analysis estimates that by 2023 the tourism sector will have recovered the performance levels experienced before the pandemic.

14 World Economic Forum, 2019.

15 According to the Ministry of Communications Technology, only 6.2% of rural households have access to the internet. Yet, all PDET municipalities are interconnected to existing data networks. National Rural Connectivity Plan 16 Sustainable Tourism Policy. Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, 2020.

17 Nature Tourism Rapid Assessment. USAID. 2019.

18 Fourth Private Investment Observatory Report, Jaime Arteaga & Asociados, & Center for International Private Enterprise, 2020 19 Nature Tourism Market Analysis, USAID, 2021.

20 Nature Tourism Market Analysis, USAID, 2021.

21 Nature Tourism Market Analysis, USAID, 2021.

22 Tourism Economics, 2021. Plataformas Digitales y Datos. Impulsando la recuperación del turismo en Colombia.

23 Turismo Activo Platform - AmCham 2022 https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-travel-tourism-competitiveness-report-2019 https://www.mintic.gov.co/portal/715/articles-125867_PDF.pdf https://www.mintic.gov.co/portal/715/articles-125867_PDF.pdf https://www.mintic.gov.co/portal/715/articles-125867_PDF.pdf https://www.mincit.gov.co/minturismo/calidad-y-desarrollo-sostenible/politicas-del-sector-turismo/politica-de-turismo-sostenible https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NTgzMDA2&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NTgzMDA2&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NTgzMDA2&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NTgzMDA2&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NTgzMDA2&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NTgzMDA2&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NTgzMDA2&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= https://s3.amazonaws.com/tourism-economics/craft/Google-Colombia-FInall-Small-Spanish.pdf https://turismoactivo.amchamcolombia.com.co/

C.3 COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION STRATEGY (CDCS)

ALIGNMENT

The sustainable nature tourism business models developed by this Activity will support USAID’s efforts to expand licit livelihood opportunities and promote more competitive licit economies, aligning with CDCS’s Development Objective 3 “Promote Equitable and Environmentally Sustainable Economic Growth,” Intermediate Results (IR) 3.1 “Expanded Licit Livelihood Opportunities,” and IR 3.2 “More Competitive Licit Economies,” in addition it aligns with CDCS’ Development Objective 2 “Strengthened governance to meet citizen needs and increase citizen confidence in the state,” and IR 2.2 “Greater citizen engagement in governance processes.” Lastly, the Activity will also contribute to the CDCS’ Performance Management Plan, particularly Target No. 11 “Environmental sustainability increases by 15% in the target geography by 2025.”

Additionally, the Activity will support the Agency’s Biodiversity Policy and the new Climate Change Strategy.

C.4 STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS

Through the Activity, USAID aims to build sustainable business models for Colombia's nature tourism that support community development, conserve the country's rich biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from loss of carbon-rich forests by addressing drivers of land use change.

The Activity has two specific strategic interventions:

● Strategic Intervention 1: Develop the market for sustainable nature tourism in targeted destinations24.

● Strategic Intervention 2: Improve evidence-based governance and coordination of sustainable nature tourism in targeted destinations.

Nature Tourism Activity’s theory of change link the Activity’s strategic interventions with the intended outcome is: if the market for sustainable nature tourism is developed, and governance of sustainable nature tourism destinations is improved, then communities will use nature tourism as a sustainable development tool to generate income, conserve biodiversity, and reduce land use change drivers that contribute to land-based greenhouse gas emissions.

Given the Activity’s focus, environmental considerations are at the core of the design, planning, and implementation process. By developing sustainable nature tourism business models, the Activity will bring licit economic opportunities to PDET regions, offering suitable alternatives to undergoing illicit activities that are drivers of deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Addressing environmental threats and improving natural resource management: (1) addresses the drivers of conflict and criminal activity such as illegal mining and

According to the World Tourism Organization, “A local tourism destination is a physical space in which a tourist spends at least one overnight.

It includes tourism products such as support services and attractions and tourist resources within one day’s return travel time. It has physical and administrative boundaries defining its management, and images and perceptions defining its market competitiveness. Local destinations incorporate various stakeholders often including a host community and can nest and network to form larger destinations. Destinations could be on any scale, from a whole country (e.g., Australia), a region (such as the Spanish ‘Costas’) or island (e.g., Bali), to a village, town or city, or a self-contained center (e.g., Center Parc or Disneyland). (A Practical Guide to Tourism Destination Management, UNWTO, 2007).

coca production; (2) strengthens social cohesion, civic engagement, and responsible governance;

and (3) protects and leverages environmental assets as an inclusive and sustainable economic growth engine.

C.4.1 Strategic Intervention 1: Develop and strengthen the market for sustainable nature tourism in targeted destinations.

The Contractor will improve sustainable nature tourism’s markets by strengthening and improving the performance of supply chains25, increasing both supply and consumer demand, and enhancing public and productive infrastructure, working in alliance with the public and private sector. It will also increase national and international travel demand for the Activity’s regions.

The scale of the nature tourism market in Colombia has not been successfully measured, and there are no official figures to estimate it nor specific market segmentation for this sector. Estimations from USAID’s Nature Tourism Market Analysis are of about 1.8 million26 travelers in 2019, represented by visitors to Natural National Parks (PNN) located in PDET zones, with a growth of 150 percent since 2012 (averaging over 20 percent growth per year).27

Before COVID-19, Colombia received an estimated four million international visitors on average annually. Excluding visitors from South America (primarily economic migrants or refugees from Venezuela), the total number of visitors for tourism reached about 2 million, of which 53 percent came from North America and Europe.28 From 2015 to 2019, there was a growth of around 260,000 arrivals from the U.S., representing a 58 percent increase. It is expected that this figure will increase as high-value travelers are more interested in “World Class Beauty and Wildlife”29 destinations, and potential visitors from the United States, United Kingdom and Germany have identified that their main motivations to visit Colombia were a mix between nature and culture.

As for domestic tourism, the market is highly seasonal, with the highest demand during only 29 percent of the year and concentrated in specific regions of the country. Opportunities for developing the demand side of the market are differentiated between domestic and international visitors. Market analysis indicates an earlier opportunity for nature tourism reactivation in Colombia after COVID-19 focused on the domestic market; while a short to medium-term target for developing better nature tourism products with long-term growth opportunities is appropriate to reach international markets.

Regarding the status of nature tourism supply in Colombia, natural capital30 is an element with a significant potential for increasing the attractiveness of tourism as a whole and is a key

25 The tourism supply chain is a network of actors supplying all tourism goods and services delivered to end-consumers. It involves public and private organizations managing natural attractions, tourism products and service providers like hotels, restaurants, handicrafts, transportation services, guides, inbound and outbound tour operators, travel agents and wholesalers.

26 In the absence of statistics that provide information about the size of the nature tourism market, this figure refers to the number of visitors registered by Parques Nacionales Naturales (PNN) in all their Parks during 2019.

27 Nature Tourism Market Analysis, USAID, 2021.

28 MIGRATION STATISTICS (2020) “FLUJOS MIGRATORIOS DE EXTRANJEROS”

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/migraci.n.colombia/viz/FlujosMigratorios-2019/Inicio in nature tourism Market Analysis, USAID, 2021 29 The lead motivators to visit Colombia are a package of nature and culture, which have been classified by nature tourism Market Analysis in the following categories: 1. Safety and security; 2. World-class beauty and wildlife; 3. History and heritage; 4. Friendly citizens; 5. Good food and wine; 6. Value for money; 7. World-class aquatic and coastal; 9. Family-friendly. Nature Tourism Market Analysis, USAID, 2021.

30Definition: Natural capital are natural assets in their role of providing natural resource inputs and environmental services for economic production.

Glossary of Environment Statistics, Studies in Methods, Series F, No. 67, United Nations, New York, 1997.

https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NTgzMDA2&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NTgzMDA2&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/migraci.n.colombia/viz/FlujosMigratorios-2019/Inicio https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NTgzMDA2&inr=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&dc=YWRk&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ%3d%3d&bckToL= differentiating factor for each destination. Nature tourism products emerge when these attractions include a series of experiences, installations, and tourism services. According to USAID/Colombia’s Nature Tourism Market Assessment, 29 out of 114 municipalities present the best conditions for nature tourism according to the following variables: attractions and tourism operation, environmental management, accessibility and security, tourism demand, management capability, and public policies that support nature tourism. The Assessment showed that 62 percent of the municipalities still need substantial improvements in supply development, human capital training, better infrastructure, and further positioning in the supply market, while 7 percent are still at an incipient stage of development. Filling these gaps, accompanied by better tourist access, greater investment for promotion in rural nature entrepreneurship, and better positioning in nature market segments, are critical elements for strengthening the nature tourism supply chain.

C.4.1.1 Intermediate Result (IR) 1.1: Strengthened sustainable nature tourism supply chains in targeted destinations.

Under this IR, the Contractor will address the existing human, technical, and financial gaps within the tourism supply chain from a market perspective.

At each selected destination, the Contractor will build the capacity and improve the performance of Community-Based Organizations and Local Businesses (CBO/LB)31, to provide high-quality services to increase tourism’s competitiveness32 while also protecting high-carbon, high-biodiversity forests. The Contractor will design a tailored Capacity Building Strategy for each specific destination, informed by previous USAID activities, international donor projects, and government programs in Colombia and abroad.

As part of the Capacity Building Strategy, the Contractor will offer training to improve CBO/LBs performance and businesses skills in various fields of knowledge, including but not limited to:

marketing, e-commerce, sales, negotiation, communications, bilingualism, quality standards for tourism services, business and financial management, accounting, compliance with national and local regulations, options for generating and trading forest carbon credits, and governance approaches that conserve forests, and management practices that protect carbon and biodiversity.33

The Contractor will also establish collaboration agreements with national learning agencies, the private sector, and other actors such as the National and International Chambers of Commerce, Colombia Productiva, U.S. Peace Corps Colombia, and the National Learning Service (SENA) to improve technical and English language training\programs as appropriate and feasible. The Activity will support and expand the reach of training programs that strengthen local guides’ capacities to communicate the value of natural assets and engage tourists with conservation actions. It will also develop the required tools and materials to support their implementation.

Under this IR, the Contractor will also support CBO/LBs to identify and develop market-based destinations based on natural assets and nature corridors with potential touristic value. Based on

31 Local Business (LB) include small and medium enterprises originally from the destination or region where they operate.

32 Tourism competitiveness is defined as “the ability of the place to optimize its attractiveness for residents and non-residents, to deliver quality, innovative, and attractive tourism services to consumers and to gain market shares on the domestic and global marketplaces, while ensuring that the available resources supporting tourism are used efficiently and in a sustainable way.” Based on Dupeyras, A., & MacCallum, N. (2013).

33 Offerors may want to consult resources created by USAID’s Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance, at:

https://biodiversitylinks.org/projects/completed-projects/gsta https://biodiversitylinks.org/projects/completed-projects/gsta this result, the Contractor must conceptualize and fully implement at least one tourism conservation product/destination in each targeted location by the end of the Activity.

USAID has witnessed the barriers to SMEs formalization and identified some challenges, including a complex registration process, cultural and behavioral barriers, and lack of information, all of which will be addressed by the Contractor during the life of the Activity. Working with the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MINCIT) and its business formalization programs, the Contractor will create incentives and demonstrate the value of formalization in the tourism sector, thus, maximizing the number of nature tourism CBO/LBs enrolled in such business formalization processes.

The Contractor will promote public-private partnerships to foster connectivity, georeferencing services, and infrastructure investments. The Activity will lead CBO/LBs’ rapid adoption of digital, e-commerce, and online technologies that enhance tourism destinations’ capacities to penetrate national and international travel markets and develop fair and meaningful partnerships among actors in the supply chain, including private sector investors.

The Contractor will improve access to finance using the Development Finance Corporation's Development Credit Authority, USAID/Colombia's Equitable Finance Activity, and/or other financial instruments (blended finance, Public-Private Partnerships, etc.) as a tool to mitigate financial risks, leverage private sector investments and improve financial institutions' presence and equitable lending practices in targeted regions. Finally, the Contractor will increase CBO/LBs’ access to financial services, increase their sales using electronic and online payments, and facilitate loan access as seed capital to improve service provision and reach.

C.4.1.2 Intermediate Result 1.2: Increased travel demand for sustainable nature tourism in targeted destinations.

The Contractor will improve the travel demand for select nature tourism destinations by implementing a Marketing Strategy that targets national and international tourists.

Under this IR, the Contractor will leverage the capacities of local communities, SMEs, and businesses to advocate, communicate and highlight the destinations’ level of biodiversity conservation, cultural richness, and sustainable tourism model. Using regular and alternative marketing channels, media campaigns, social media, and media influencers, and in coordination with PROCOLOMBIA34, the Contractor will reach out to different types of tourists, especially those tourist types that have the greatest growth potential35. The Marketing Strategy must boost the positioning of the Activity’s prioritized destinations in local, regional, and national government tourism promotion campaigns.

The Contractor will assist CBO/LBs by…