RFI Guatemala Support Services 10.01.2021.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Date of Issuance: October 1, 2021

Reference No.: 72052022RFI00001

Preliminary Activity Title: USAID/Guatemala Support Services

Deadline to Submit Responses: October 22, 202112:00 noon, Guatemala local time

Submit Responses to: guatemalaproposals@usaid.gov

Dear Interested Parties:

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to collect written information about an activity with the preliminary title of “Guatemala Support Services” in which USAID seeks technical support and consultant services, as further described in Attachment 1.

Attachment 2 provides a list of inquiries for which any small disadvantaged business and/or women owned small business may provide comments. This is an RFI, not a Request for Application (RFA) or Request for Proposal (RFP). Do not submit any applications at this time;

only the information requested in this RFI will be reviewed. Responses will be treated as confidential. USAID may revise the structure and concept of the activity based on comments received but is not obligated to do so. Please further note that organizations are not required to respond to this RFI. A solicitation is expected to be released in December 2021.

At this time, a decision has not been finalized as to whether the instrument type will be acquisition or assistance. Therefore, this RFI is being posted on both grants.gov and beta.sam.gov.

USAID currently anticipates that it may restrict eligibility/competition to entities that satisfy the following criteria:

1. Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) as certified by the Small Business Administrations

AND/OR

2. Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) is a small business program in which one or more women has 51 percent or more stock ownership in the company.

USAID requests small businesses that meet the above criteria to submit a capabilities statement in response to the request set forth in Attachment 2. The information provided will be used to help identify whether there are adequate new or underutilized entities that possess the capability to provide the technical assistance described in Attachment 1. No final decision regarding limiting eligibility/competition has been made.

All responses should be sent using the cover page that is part of Attachment 2 - Response Form to this RFI. All comments must be submitted electronically via email to guatemalaproposals@usaid.gov with the subject of “RFI: USAID/Guatemala Support Services” no later than the date/time stated above.

Please note that release of this RFI is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S.

government to issue any notice of funding opportunity or solicitation or ultimately award on the basis of this RFI. USAID is not responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this RFI nor will funding be made available prior to any award. Respondents are responsible for all costs incurred prior to award.

Thank you for your interest in USAID/Guatemala’s programs and we look forward to your comments.

Sincerely, Armando Espinosa Contracting/Agreement Officer USAID/Guatemala

Attachments:

1. Activity Description

2. Capability Statement

Attachment 1 - Activity Description

1. BACKGROUND

The objective of Guatemala Support Services (GSS) is to provide technical support and consultant services to USAID/Guatemala, the Government of Guatemala (GoG), and non-governmental organizations (NGO), in support of U.S. development assistance activities. The scope of the GSS Contract is divided into three support tasks - Activity 1: Technical Support, which includes monitoring and evaluation technical support; Activity 2: Program and Operations;

and Activity 3: Communications Support.

USAID/Guatemala’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2020-2025 seeks to address the systemic development challenges which underpin Guatemalans’ decisions to immigrate to the United States, while simultaneously deterring irregular immigration in the short-term. Core areas that influence the decision to migrate include lack of economic opportunity, insecurity, and inadequate access to basic services. To advance Guatemala’s long-term development, it is imperative that the Guatemalan government can address these challenges.

USAID will address irregular immigration to the United States by partnering with stakeholders to increase opportunities for Guatemalans in the areas that exhibit the highest levels of out-migration, which correspond to the areas with weakest state presence and lowest levels of economic development.

USAID’s goal for the 2020-2025 strategy is to advance Guatemala’s development by connecting indigenous peoples, women, and youth to opportunities that enable them to achieve prosperous, secure, and dignified lives at home in Guatemala. Under this strategy, USAID/Guatemala will: a) redefine its relationship with the Government of Guatemala (GOG), b) refine USAID/Guatemala’s strategic, geographic and demographic focus, and c) evolve its development model to employ new strategic approaches. USAID’s strategy focuses on three development objectives (DO): DO 1: Partner with the GOG and other stakeholders to increase economic prosperity, inclusion, and stability in areas with high irregular migration; DO 2: Partner with the GOG and other stakeholders to strengthen effective and accountable governance to improve quality of life and reduce irregular migration; and DO 3: Partner with the GOG and other stakeholders to improve justice and security to reduce irregular migration. USAID will pursue substantive partnerships with the government, where feasible, and other key Guatemalan stakeholders, including civil society, and the private sector, to redefine our development approach and increase our impact.

GSS will enable USAID/Guatemala to efficiently respond to the technical support needs, including human resource staffing needs, both short- and long-term, and effectively respond to USAID commitments under the U.S. government’s Strategy Addressing the Root Causes of Central American Migration (Root Causes Strategy) and the Collaborative Migration Management Strategy released by the White House in July 2021.

2. OBJECTIVES

The objective of the USAID/Guatemala Support Services Activity is to provide consultant services to the USAID/Guatemala, in the areas of technical, administrative, communications, and program and operations support as needed by USAID/Guatemala to ensure the continued ability to successfully implement the development assistance activities of the CDCS and achieve the objectives of the Root Causes Strategy.

https://www.usaid.gov/guatemala/cdcs https://www.usaid.gov/guatemala/cdcs https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/fact-sheet-strategy-to-address-the-root-causes-of-migration-in-central-america/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/fact-sheet-strategy-to-address-the-root-causes-of-migration-in-central-america/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/fact-sheet-the-collaborative-migration-management-strategy/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/fact-sheet-the-collaborative-migration-management-strategy/

3. ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1: TECHNICAL SUPPORT

USAID/Guatemala seeks technical support services for USAID/Guatemala and GoG. In cases where staff is seconded to a GoG Department or other external entity (e.g., Local Organizations), an official of the GoG or the external entity will also be responsible for staff performing work under this activity.

a) Areas of support: A full range of the following technical areas, including but not limited to:

- Democracy and Governance (including Migration)

- Economic growth (including agriculture, environment, and private sector competitiveness)

- Humanitarian assistance

- Health (including HIV)

- Education (including youth and workforce development)

- Other technical areas, as identified by USAID/Guatemala.

b) Activities to be conducted under this task area include, but are not limited to:

- Short-term technical assistance to USAID/Guatemala, GoG and/or other external entity

- Long-term technical assistance to USAID/Guatemala, GoG and/or other external entity

To meet the requested technical support needs, the Contractor/Awardee may need to hire an individual expert; hire or subcontract with a team of experts; and/or hire or subcontract with an organization. This may also include secondments to USAID/Guatemala, GoG, and/or other external entity. As applicable, the Contractor/Awardee must obtain all clearances and visas, manage relocation and housing, school fees and other approved allowances, and provide on-going logistic support required by the Technical Advisors, including in-country travel and logistic support.

ACTIVITY 2: PROGRAM AND OPERATIONS

USAID/Guatemala seeks program and operations support services.

a) Areas of support: This consists of the full range of program and operations functions, including but not limited to:

- Strategic planning

- Project and activity life cycle

- Program budgeting and related support

- Operational budget planning formulation and control

- Human resources, including local and international staff recruitment and administration

- Other Program and Operations related activities and functions

- Providing support for a wide range of program operations including strategic planning, activity planning, procurement planning and budget and reporting as required.

- Providing advice and support on current program activities, as needed

- supporting efforts to develop new program activities

- Preparing documentation, approval memoranda, procurement related inputs, etc.; and

- Providing support for a wide range of support for staffing operations including current administrative management and forward planning of human resource needs within USAID/Guatemala HO.

To meet the requested support needs, the Contractor/Awardee may need to hire an individual expert; hire or subcontract with a team of experts; and/or hire or subcontract with an organization.

This may also include secondments to USAID/Guatemala, GoG, and/or other external entity. As applicable, the Contractor/Awardee must obtain all clearances and visas, manage relocation and housing, school fees and other approved allowances, and provide on-going logistic support required by the Technical Advisors, including in-country travel and logistic support.

ACTIVITY 3: COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

a) Areas of support: A full range of the following technical areas, including but not limited to:

- Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) support

- Translation and interpretation consultancy services

- Conference, meeting, and event consultancy services

- Video/Film production services

- Web-based marketing services

- Marketing research and analysis services

- Public relations services

- Providing support on current program activities, as needed;

- Supporting efforts to develop new program activities;

- Developing DOC materials including social media content;

To meet the requested support needs, the Contractor/Awardee may need to hire an individual expert; hire or subcontract with a team of experts; and/or hire or subcontract with an organization.

This may also include secondments to USAID/Guatemala, GoG, and/or other external entity. As applicable, the Contractor/Awardee must obtain all clearances and visas, manage relocation and housing, school fees and other approved allowances, and provide on-going logistic support required by the Technical Advisors, including in-country travel and logistic support.

4. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

(a) Professional Support Staff (Consultants) Qualifications and Roles and Responsibilities

Qualifications The Contractor/Awardee shall, to the maximum practicable extent, use standardized qualifications requirements. All potential candidates identified to be advisors must be fully fluent in English and/or Spanish. The required skills may be adjusted change based on the feedback received during the RFI

Roles and Responsibilities

The following advisors will provide the professional support under the contract. The advisors are envisioned within each support task to conduct specific activities within each support task. The activities are further described below.

Program Management Consultant A project management consultant will lead, facilitate, and ensure strategic planning, implementation, coordination, integration Evaluating programmatic activities & administrative systems. Project management consultants will have hands-on experience and ideally this experience will have been in USAID/Guatemala, a USAID-funded activity, or with the GoG.

Project management consultants will have demonstrated knowledge of broad, multi-sectoral development issues including trends in the global literature. Project management consultants will have excellent communication skills and demonstrate evidence of effective team leadership skills and the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team.

Excellent writing skills are required as well as the ability to make cogent arguments clearly and succinctly in written and oral presentations, and the ability to effectively facilitate discussions and meetings. Examples of disciplines to be supported by project management consultants include, but are not limited to:

● Acquisition support

● Business intelligence support

● Cost/schedule/performance analysis

● Cost estimation & analysis

● Cost/performance trade-off analysis & studies

● Information Analytics

● Regulatory Compliance

● Project Management, Program Management, Integrated Program Management

● Program Documentation

● Integration of Support Systems

● Planning, Programming, Building, & Execution Processes

● Capabilities Integration & Development

● Manpower Estimating

● Stakeholder Requirements Analysis

● Decision Analysis

● Technical Planning

● Technical Assessment

● Requirement Management

● Technical Data Management

Management Consultant A management consultant will support USAID/Guatemala to improve performance Analysis of existing organizational problems & development of improvement plans. Management consultants will have hands-on experience and ideally this experience will have been in USAID/Guatemala, a USAID-funded activity, or with the GoG. Management consultants will have demonstrated knowledge of broad, multi-sectoral development issues including trends in the global literature.

Management consultants will have excellent communication skills and demonstrate evidence of effective team leadership skills and the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team. Excellent writing skills are required as well as the ability to make cogent arguments clearly and succinctly in written and oral presentations, and the ability to effectively facilitate discussions and meetings. Examples of disciplines to be supported by project management consultants include, but are not limited to:

● Business Process Reengineering

● Business Case Development Support

● Change Management

● Concept Development & Requirements Analysis

● Cost/Schedule/Performance Improvement

● Information Analytics

● Knowledge Management

● Relations & Coordination with Law/Policy Making Entities

● Social Media Consulting

● Tactical & Readiness planning

● Technical Advisory Services

● Training & Facilitation

● Strategic Planning

● Strategic Forecasting

● Long Range Planning, Futures, & Forecasting

● Strategy Development

Translation and Interpretation Consultant A translation and interpretation consultant will support translating written material, interpreting speech from one language to another, and services to facilitate communication with and by persons who are visually or hearing impaired.. Services provided must include communication from a source language to a target language. Examples include interpretation of oral communication to and from English and Spanish and/or a local Guatemalan language including Simultaneous, Consecutive, Escort, Community, Telephonic and Voiceovers; Collecting, translating / interpreting and delivering mission related data; performing data analysis of translated materials; cultural consulting and role-playing; Other services include closed captioning, voice-overs, textbook or audio script translation, website (HTML) and online document translation with typesetting services, and Section 508 compliant language services.

Conference, Meeting, and Event Consultant A conference, meeting, and event consultant will support organizing, promoting, and/or managing events, conferences, and meetings (whether or not they manage and provide the staff to operate the facilities in which these events take place), project management, coordination and implementation of third party participation, collection management of third party payment for participation, liaison support with venue, audiovisual and information technology support, topic and speaker identification, site location research, reservation of facilities, on-site meeting and registration support, editorial services, automation and telecommunications support, design and editing productions; and mailing and other communication with attendees including pre/post meeting mailings/travel support and computer database creation.

Video/Film Production Consultant A video/film Production consultant will support writing, directing, shooting, arranging for talent / animation, narration, music and sound effects, duplication, distribution, video scoring; and editing. Videotape and film production services will be provided to inform the public and Government agencies about the latest products, services, and/or issues in various outputs such as:

industry standard formats, accessibility and video streaming development. Filming in studios, on location, live shows or events may also be required.

Web Based Marketing Consultant A web-based marketing consultant will support writing, modifying, testing, and supporting software to meet the needs of a particular customer. This can include website design and maintenance services, search engine development, email marketing, interactive marketing, web-based advertising (including marketing and social media outlets), webcasting, video conferencing via the web, section 508 compliance, including captioning services, online media management;

and related activities to web based services. Media will be provided in a format that is compatible with the ordering agency's software requirements. Continual website updates and maintenance may also be required.

Marketing Research and Analysis Consultant A marketing research and analysis consultant will support customizing strategic marketing plans, branding initiatives, creating public awareness of products, services, and issues; targeting market identification and analysis, establishing measurable marketing objectives; determining market trends and conditions, identifying and implementing appropriate strategies, conducting focus groups, telemarketing, individual interviews, preparing/distributing surveys, and compiling/analyzing results, establishing call centers (in relation to services provided under this schedule).

Public Relations Services Consultant A public relations services consultant will support customized media and public relation services such as the development of media messages and strategies; providing recommendations of media sources for placement of campaigns; preparing media materials such as, background materials, press releases, speeches and presentations and press kits: executing media programs, conducting press conferences, scheduling broadcast and/or print interviews, media alerts and press clipping services related activities to public relations services.

Core Team Qualifications, and Roles and Responsibilities

The Contractor/Awardee must provide the necessary core administrative team/staff to effectively administer and implement the tasks under the Technical Support contract. This core team staff includes, but is not limited to the following: Chief of Party (key personnel), Deputy Chief of Party (key personnel), Human Resources Director (key personnel), and Finance and Operations Director (key personnel).

Key Personnel

A. Chief of Party (COP)

S/he will have overall responsibility for the technical implementation, performance monitoring, and finance and operations of all aspects of the Activity. S/he will serve as the principal institutional liaison to USAID/Guatemala and should be expected to have regular and transparent communication with the USAID/Guatemala Contract/Agreement Officer’s Representative (A/COR). The following are the minimum qualifications required for the COP.

● A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Development Studies, Management, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Industrial Engineering, or a related field;

● A minimum of ten years of experience with progressively increasing responsibility designing, implementing, managing and leading large development programs involving multiple partners, stakeholders, and an expansive geographic target area in a developing country context;

● A minimum of three years prior experience as a Program Director, Chief of Party or similar leadership role of a large program or activity;

● Demonstrated ability through previous experience leading a technical activity through evidence and data driven decision making;

● Demonstrated ability through previous experience to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholders;

● Demonstrated ability through previous experience to liaise with senior government officials, dignitaries, executives of non-governmental organizations, and the for-profit business community, and senior members of the donor community; and

● Excellent interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English and Spanish

B. Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)

S/he will have "day to day" management responsibilities of the program operations, to include overseeing human resource, finance, and physical infrastructure. S/he will serve as the acting principal institutional liaison to USAID/Guatemala and fulfill related duties in the absence of the COP. The following are the minimum qualifications required for the DCOP.

● A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Development Studies, Management, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Industrial Engineering, or a related field;

● A minimum of 7 years of experience with progressively increasing responsibility managing development programs involving multiple partners and stakeholders in a developing country context;

● A minimum of 3 years prior experience as a Deputy Program Director, Deputy Chief of Party or departmental lead role of a program or activity;

● Demonstrated ability through previous experience to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholders;

● Demonstrated ability through previous experience to liaise with senior government officials, dignitaries, executives of non-governmental organizations, and the for-profit business community, and senior members of the donor community; and

● Excellent interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English and Spanish

C. Human Resources Director

S/he will be responsible for managing all aspects of the recruitment of both long and short-term technical support under the Activity. The following are the minimum qualifications required for the position.

● A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Management, Business Administration, or a related field; or the equivalent of seven years of work experience in human resource management.

● A minimum of 5 years of experience with progressively increasing responsibility in human resource management involving short- and long-term recruitment and hiring both locally (Guatemala) and internationally;

● Demonstrated ability through previous experience to establish and maintain productive working relationships with office co-workers, recruited staff, a wide network of human resource related organizations, and funding stakeholders;

● Demonstrated ability through previous experience to liaise with potential recruits, government officials, officials representing non-governmental organizations, the for-profit business community, and members of the donor community;

● Knowledge and use of various human resource data resource and management tools; and

● Excellent interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English and Spanish

D. Finance and Operations Director

S/he will be the lead expert for financial operations and management. This includes being responsible for efficient resource deployment and use, program accounting and financial reporting systems, and related reporting and ensuring compliance with USAID financial and accounting rules and regulations. The following are the minimum qualifications required for position:

● A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration or a closely related field. A Master’s degree is preferred;

● A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in overseeing financial operations and management of large-scale, complex development activities in developing countries;

● A minimum of 5 years of experience overseeing the procurement administration and financial management and reporting of a U.S. government-funded activity;

● Demonstrated working knowledge of U.S. government financial and procurement rules and regulations; and

● Demonstrated written, presentation, communication and organizational skills in English and Spanish

Non-Key Personnel (Other Support Staff) Qualifications and Roles and Responsibilities

Qualifications The Contractor/Awardee shall, to the maximum practicable extent, use the qualifications for the United States Citizens, off-shore hire Third Country Nationals (TCN), locally hired TCNs, and Cooperating Country Nationals (CCN) based on the Contractor/Awardee’s established policy and practice in comparison to the established qualifications for USAID grading system.

Roles and Responsibilities The Contractor/Awardee shall be responsible for providing all logistical and travel support, coordinating all of the logistical arrangements for the deployment of consultants under each task of this contract. The work under this contract is expected to take place in USAID/Guatemala, offices within various Ministries of GoG, and offices of USAID/Guatemala implementing partners as identified by USAID/Guatemala.

The Contractor/Awardee must establish a communication system that will provide regular updates to USAID/Guatemala on progress in identifying, recruiting and final selection of Advisors for activities under each Support Activity.

Attachment 2 – Response Form and Capability Statement

RESPONSE FORM AND CAPABILITY STATEMENT

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NO. 72052022RFI00001

General Information

Name of Organization: _______________________________________________

Contact Person:

Name: _______________________________________________ Position Title: _______________________________________________ Email Address: _______________________________________________

Type of Organization:

Small Disadvantaged Business

Woman Owned Small Business

Other - Please indicate: _________________________________

A capability statement demonstrating the ability to undertake the activities identified in Attachment 1, including addressing:

● Please describe the type of services/support that you provide relevant to the work described in Attachment 1.

● Does your organization have experience working in Guatemala and/or the region? If yes, what type of activities did you manage?

● Does your organization have experience hiring staff and/or consultants in Guatemala and/or the region? If yes, how many staff and/or consultants have you hired in Guatemala?

● Please describe how long you would anticipate for project mobilization (i.e., from award date to first consultant hired)? What factors specific to your organization will expedite project mobilization?

● Do you have existing staff or staff identified on a consultant roster who can fulfill the role of the key personnel (at least temporarily during project mobilization)? If yes, what type of activities have they managed currently or in the recent past?

● Does your organization have experience working with USAID/Washington Office of Security and/or U.S. Embassies overseas requesting facility access clearance for staff/consultants?

Please list your relevant past performance as a prime contractor/awardee or major subcontractor/subawardee; nature of work/scope related to similar programs; and recent-ongoing services performed during the past five years related to the subject matter.