72052322R00002 ARCO.pdf

Date Issued: January 27, 2022 Questions Due Date: February 8, 2022, 9:30 AM Mexico City Time Closing Date: March 15, 2022 Closing Time: 9:30 AM Mexico City Time

SUBJECT: Request for Proposals (RFP) No.: 72052322R00002 REFERENCE: Alliance for Root Causes and Opportunities

(ARCO) Activity

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) mission Mexico is seeking proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing services as described in the attached solicitation.

This competitive procurement will be conducted through full and open competition, for which the procedures for “contracting by negotiation, trade-off process” as set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15 will govern. All types of organizations (large or small commercial for-profit firms, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations) meeting USAID source and nationality geographic code 937 are eligible to compete. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this action is 541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. USAID encourages the participation to the maximum extent possible of small business concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in this activity as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor, in accordance with Part 19 of the FAR.

USAID/Mexico intends to award a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Completion type contract for a three year base period from the date of award, with one one-year option period with a total estimated cost of $12,000,000, $11 million for the three year base period and $1 million for the one year option. Revealing the estimated cost for the contract does not mean that Offerors should necessarily strive to meet the maximum amount estimated. Offerors must propose costs that they believe are realistic and reasonable for the work described in their proposal. The most effective approach for achieving the expected results is encouraged and the award will be made to the Offeror whose proposal offers the best value to the Government considering technical and cost factors (see Section M) of the solicitation.

Offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation, paying special attention to Section L – Instructions to Offerors and Section M – Evaluation Criteria. Any blanks in Sections B through J will be completed by the Contracting Officer before award. Offerors must comply with FAR Clause 52.204-7, System for Award Management and adhere to the requirements set forth in Section K – Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors.

Amendments to this solicitation will be made available through the Federal Business Opportunities website at https://sam.gov. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to check this site periodically for official updates and amendments to the solicitation. The Government reserves https://sam.gov/ mailto:mexicoaa@usaid.gov

72052322R00002

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

1 119

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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G

F

E

D

C

B

A

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

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

18. OFFER DATE17. SIGNATURE

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

(Type or print)AND

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY

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

DATEAMENDMENT NO.DATEAMENDMENT NO.

and related documents numbered and dated):

amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

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

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232.8)

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

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

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

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

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

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

28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

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

ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

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

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

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

AWARD (To be completed by government)

CODE

REQ-523-22-00000201/27/2022

X

720523

USAID/Mexico

PASEO DE LA REFORMA 305

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO 06500

0930 AMC 03/15/2022

Lesley DeRosa lderosa@usaid.gov

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PAGE(S)

Elizabeth Colarik

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 _____268_________ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 119

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

72052322R00002

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

0001 TEC of line item is $11,000,000.00. The purpose of USAID/Mexico’s Alliance for Root Causes and

Opportunities (ARCO) Activity is to provide sustainable economic opportunities for youth and farmers benefiting from its assistance and generate models and learning to enhance the impact of assistance that aims to address the root causes of irregular migration. It will also deepen the strategic partnership between USAID and AMEXCID through the exchange of knowledge, know-how, assets, and resources.

0002 TEC of line item is $1,000,000.00 for the option year. The purpose of USAID/Mexico’s Alliance for

Root Causes and Opportunities (ARCO) Activity is to provide sustainable economic opportunities for youth and farmers benefiting from its assistance and generate models and learning to enhance the impact of assistance that aims to address the root causes of irregular migration. It will also deepen the strategic partnership between USAID and AMEXCID through the exchange of knowledge, know-how, assets, and resources.

OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

NSN 7540-01-152-8067

Request for Proposal 72052322R00002 Alliance for Root Causes and Opportunities (ARCO) Activity

Contents

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES/PRICES

B.1 PURPOSE

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

B.3 ESTIMATED COST AND FIXED FEE AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

B.4 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

B.5 CONTRACT BUDGET

B.6 INDIRECT COSTS

B.7 REIMBURSABLE COSTS

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 SCOPE

C.2 BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

C.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT

C.4 RELATIONSHIP TO U.S. GOVERNMENT AND BROADER STRATEGIES

C.5 SERVICES AND TASKS REQUIRED

C.6 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

C.7 IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY

D.4 MARKING

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE24

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE25

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.4 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

F.5 KEY PERSONNEL

F.6 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES or outputs

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 TECHNICAL DIRECTION AND DESIGNATION OF RESPONSIBLE USAID

OFFICIALS

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY

G.3 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

G.4 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.5 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.6 PAYMENT AND INVOICES

G.7 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

G.8 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.2 CONTRACTOR’S STAFF SUPPORT AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICS

ARRANGEMENTS

H.3 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.4 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (DDL)

ADS 302.3.5.21 (OCTOBER 2014)

H.5 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM (JULY 2014)

H.6 PROHIBITION OF ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS (22 CFR Part 140) 39

H.7 AUTHORIZED WORK WEEK

H.8 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING

H.9 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL

CONFERENCES (JAN 2002)

H.10 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT

H.11 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN REPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS AND

SUMMARY CONTRACTING REPORT

H.12 DEFENSE BASE ACT INSURANCE AND SERVICES

H.13 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE (22 CFR 216)

H.14 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.15 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

H.16 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)

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE48

I.2 FAR 52.204-21 BASIC SAFEGUARDING OF COVERED CONTRACTOR

INFORMATION SYSTEMS (NOV 2021)

I.3 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000) 55

I.4 FAR 52.222-2 PAYMENT FOR OVERTIME PREMIUMS (JUL1990)

I.5 FAR 52.222-35 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR VETERANS (jun 2020)

I.6 FAR 52.222-36 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES

(JUN 2020)

I.7 FAR 52.247-67 SUBMISSION OF TRANSPORTATION DOCUMENTS FOR AUDIT

(FEB 2006)

I.8 FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

I.9 AIDAR 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)

I.10 AIDAR 752.245-70 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY—USAID REPORTING

REQUIREMENTS (OCT 2017)

I.11 AIDAR 752.252-2 AIDAR CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (MAR

2015)

I.12 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998)

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS ... 62

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS

OF OFFERORS

K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2 FAR 52.204-3 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (OCT 1998)

K.3 FAR 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2022)

K.4 FAR 52.204-20 PREDECESSOR OF OFFEROR (AUG 2020)

K.5 FAR 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR

EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

K.6 FAR 52.204-26 COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR

SERVICES-REPRESENTATION (OCT 2020)

K.7 FAR 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (AUG

2020)

K.8 FAR 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT

2018)

K.9 FAR 52.209-11 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING

DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION UNDER ANY

FEDERAL LAW (FEB 2016)

K.10 FAR 52.209-12 CERTIFICATION REGARDING TAX MATTERS (OCT 2020) ... 80

K.11 FAR 52.209-13 VIOLATION OF ARMS CONTROL TREATIES OR AGREEMENTS-

CERTIFICATION (NOV 2021)

K.12 FAR 52.215-6 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE (OCT 1997)

K.13 FAR 52.219-1 SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM REPRESENTATIONS (SEP 2021)83

K.15 FAR 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984)

K.16 FAR 52.225-2 BUY AMERICAN CERTIFICATE (MAY 2014)

K.17 FAR 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND

CERTIFICATION (JUN 2020)

K.18 FAR 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE—COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE

CHANGES (APR 2005)

K.19 AGREEMENT ON, OR EXCEPTIONS TO, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

K.20 AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATORS

K.21 SIGNATURE

SECTION L –INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFEROR

L.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE

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

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

L.4 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

L.5 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL 97

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL

L8. WAIVERS UNDER FAR PART 4.2101 PROHIBITION ON COVERED

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES AND

EQUIPMENT (DECEMBER 2021)

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 OVERVIEW

M.2 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.3 EVALUATION OF COST PROPOSALS

M.4 DETERMINATION OF THE COMPETITIVE RANGE

M.5 CONTRACTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND DISADVANTAGED

ENTERPRISES

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES/PRICES

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to deepen USAID’s strategic partnership with Mexico’s Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AMEXCID) and to provide sustainable economic opportunities for youth and farmers in northern Central America, thereby addressing the root causes of irregular migration.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Completion Type Contract. For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor must perform the services and provide the deliverables or outputs described in Sections C, D, and F in accordance with performance standards specified in Section E.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST AND FIXED FEE AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

(a) The total estimated cost for the performance of the work required for the period of performance combined hereunder, inclusive of fixed fee, if any, is: $TBD. The fixed fee, if any, is $TBD. USAID will not pay the Contractor any sum in excess of the total estimated cost.

(b) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required for the three-year base period hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is: $TBD. The estimated fee for the base period is $TBD. The estimated cost plus fixed fee for the base period if any, is $TBD.

(c) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required for the option period year (year

4) period hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is: $TBD. The estimated fee for the option period is $TBD. The estimated cost plus fixed fee for this option period, if any, is $TBD.

(d) Within the total estimated cost plus fixed fee (if any) specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is $TBD.

(e) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through TBD.

(f) The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount unless authorized by the Contracting Officer pursuant to the clause of this contract entitled "Limitation of Funds" (FAR 52.232-22). In accordance with Section F, the Contractor must not exceed the Pre-Mobilization Budget to be proposed by the Contractor after award until otherwise notified in writing by the Contracting Officer.

B.4 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

Pursuant to FAR 16.306(d) Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts, payment of the fixed fee will be divided between fixed payments for activity deliverables found in Section F.6 (25 percent) and fixed payments based on the completed performance indicators/targets (75 percent) found in the Fixed Fee Schedule below.

[Selected Offeror’s Fixed Fee Schedule to be inserted at time of award.]

All fixed fee payments are subject to the inspection and acceptance by USAID as specified in Section E of the same and in compliance with the terms of this contract. Upon successful completion of a deliverable, the Contractor must provide evidence of its achievement in accordance with performance standards specified in Section E to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Upon receipt of concurrence by the COR, the Contractor shall submit an invoice for the amount of the fee associated with the deliverable.

In the event of discontinuance of the work in accordance with the clause of the contract entitled FAR 52.249-6 Termination (Cost Reimbursement), the fee must be re-determined by mutual agreement equitably to reflect the reduction in the work actually performed. The amount by which such fee is less than, or exceeds, payments previously made on account of the fee must be paid to, or repaid by the Contractor, as applicable.

Pursuant to FAR 52.216-8 Fixed Fee, after payment of 85 percent of the fixed fee, further payment of the fee will be withheld until a reserve is set aside not to exceed 15 percent of the total fixed fee or $100,000, whichever is less.

B.5 CONTRACT BUDGET

The total cost (including fixed fee) stated below may not be adjusted without a written modification signed by the Contracting Officer. No amounts in excess of the amounts specified for each line item below shall be billed against the Contract:

Category Base Period (Years 1-3)

Option Period 1 (Year 4)

Direct Costs $TBD $TBD Subcontracts $TBD $TBD Indirect Costs $TBD $TBD Fixed Fee $TBD $TBD Total Estimated Cost $TBD $TBD

a) The inclusion of any costs in the above budget does not obviate the requirement for prior approval by the Contracting Officer of cost items designated as requiring prior approval by any of the terms and conditions of this contract, including the applicable cost principles (see FAR 52.216-7, “Allowable Cost and Payment”); nor, does it constitute a determination of allowability by the Contracting Officer of any item of cost, unless specifically stated elsewhere in this contract. Also, the Contractor must not adjust these amounts without a written modification signed by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor must not bill any amounts against this contract in excess of the amounts specified for each line item.

b) The Contractor agrees to furnish data that the Contracting Officer may request on costs expended or accrued under this contract.

c) Without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer, the Contractor must not exceed the total estimated cost set forth in the budget or the total obligated amount, whichever is less.

B.6 INDIRECT COSTS

a) Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, USAID/Mexico 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”):

• [To Be Determined at Award]

Description Rate Base Type Period Indirect Cost [•]% 1/ 1/ 1/

a) Description or type of rate indicated as a percentage, e.g. G&A

- Base, e.g. Direct Labor for Labor Overhead

- Period, e.g. CY 2018

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

c) The Contractor will use the indirect cost recovery rates proposed during negotiations and accepted by the Contracting Officer for the subcontractors that received Contracting Officer consent. The Contractor must not apply different indirect cost recovery rates for the subcontractors without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

B.7 REIMBURSABLE COSTS

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

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 SCOPE

The purpose of USAID/Mexico’s Alliance for Root Causes and Opportunities (ARCO) Activity (hereafter referred to as the “Activity”) is to deepen USAID’s strategic partnership with Mexico’s Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AMEXCID) and to provide sustainable economic opportunities for youth and farmers in northern Central America, thereby addressing the root causes of irregular migration. The contract will support AMEXCID workforce development and agriculture efforts, as well as foster the exchange of knowledge and know-how on development best practices between USAID and AMEXCID.

C.2 BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

Sharing borders with Central America and the United States, the Government of Mexico (GOM) is a natural partner to the United States Government (USG) on migration, and in particular addressing the economic conditions that drive irregular migration. Formalizing the US-Mexico bilateral commitment, in June 2021, the USG and the GOM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to carry out foreign assistance jointly to address the root causes of irregular migration stemming from the countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. To operationalize this joint commitment, in early December 2021, the GOM and the USG formally launched “Sembrando Oportunidades1,” an umbrella initiative comprising of implementing mechanisms financed by USAID missions in Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, as well as GOM projects in Central America.

Starting in 2019, the GOM funded and exported its domestic agriculture and youth workforce projects Sembrando Vida (SV) and Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro (JCF) to Honduras and El Salvador to local create economic opportunities, thereby incentivizing beneficiaries in out-migration communities to stay. The GOM also aims to export these projects to Guatemala. With more than $60 million USD of GOM funding, SV and JCF currently constitute Mexico’s largest foreign assistance investments.

As implemented in Honduras and El Salvador, SV provides inputs for would-be migrants to encourage them to stay rooted in their communities, such as fertilizers, tools, new tree crops, as well as seeds for fruits and vegetables. These assets are complemented by technical assistance from agriculture extensionists. Finally, the project provides an eight-month cash transfer of $250 USD per month to beneficiaries (funded with GOM funds only). While in Mexico SV is implemented by Mexico’s Ministry of Social Welfare, in Central America SV is implemented by AMEXCID, part of the Secretary of Foreign Relations. AMEXCID oversees all of Mexico’s international assistance.

As implemented in Honduras and El Salvador, JCF is a workforce project open to participants between 18 and 29 years of age who are neither studying nor working. JCF provides participants

1 https://www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/comunicado-conjunto-sobre-sembrando-oportunidades?state=published (Spanish) and https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/dec-1-2021-us-mexico-joint-statement-sembrando-oportunidades (English) training, placement in an apprenticeship, as well as a stipend for eight months of $180 USD per month. The activity aims to impart employable skills to participants, and hopefully a job at the end of the apprenticeship. AMEXCID also implements JFC in Central America.

The implementation of SV and JCF in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala is at different stages. AMEXCID has reached its targeted scale in El Salvador of 20,000 total beneficiaries. These beneficiaries are graduating from the JCF and SV projects and require integration with the market opportunities, and in the case of JCF, jobs or other economic opportunities. AMEXCID direct assistance will taper off over the first two years of the activity in El Salvador. In the case of Honduras, AMEXCID has registered their targeted 20,000 beneficiaries and is only beginning to work with half of them. Whereas in Guatemala, AMEXCID assistance has not yet begun.

As AMEXCID assistance is progressing at different rates, the activity will be implemented in each country in lock step with AMEXCID and the status of its assistance. This activity will support AMEXCID beneficiaries (those still receiving conditional cash transfers from the GOM and those whose cash transfers have ended) – in the case of SV through integration with commercial buyers, and in the case of JCF with linkages to employment.

C.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Ensuring safe, orderly, and legal migration is a priority for both the USG and the GOM. For irregular migrants, the risks of staying outweigh the perceived risks of leaving their homes for the United States. Some leave for economic reasons, including lack of access to employment, economic opportunities, as well as the impacts of climate change on established weather patterns that have displaced whole communities and rendered some lands untenable for farming. Without sustainable economic growth, which includes an expansion of economic and educational opportunities, irregular migrants will continue to embark on the perilous journey, through Mexico, to the United States. This activity addresses the factors that “push” migrants to head to the United States, also referred to as the “Root Causes.”

C.4 RELATIONSHIP TO U.S. GOVERNMENT AND BROADER STRATEGIES

This award supports four higher-level strategic plans.

i) USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategies (CDCS): USAID/Mexico’s CDCS explicitly mentions “exploring opportunities for advancing trilateral cooperation with Mexico’s Development Agency, AMEXCID” to advance development outcomes in the region. This activity is responding to the emerging priority of increasing close coordination with the GOM to stem irregular migration from Central America.

Activities in each Central American country will also be aligned with the respective bilateral CDCS, as follows: for El Salvador, with DO 2 Jobs and Income Potential for Likely Migrants Increased; for Guatemala with DO 1, specifically IR 1.1 Stable income expanded; and for Honduras with both IRs within DO1: Socio-economic Opportunities Improved to Reduce Irregular Migration.

ii) Mission Mexico’s Integrated Country Strategy: Furthermore, this activity will directly support the U.S. Embassy Mexico’s Integrated Country Strategy:

• Mission Goal 3 - Curb illegal immigration and protect U.S. borders

• Objective 3.1: - Mexico demonstrates increased capacity to interrupt the flow of irregular, clandestine migrants and illicit goods entering, transiting, and leaving its territory.

iii) the U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Migration in Central America: This activity supports lines of effort within Pillar I: Addressing Economic Insecurity and Inequality of the U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Migration in Central America issued in July 2021, which identifies, prioritizes, and coordinates actions within the USG to improve security, governance, human rights, and economic conditions.

iv) the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)’s Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP): Finally, this activity supports Pillar 1 and 2 of the reissued Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) issued by ECLAC. The CDP via its four strategic pillars: 1) economic development, 2) social welfare, 3) environmental sustainability and adaptation to climate change, and 4) comprehensive management of the migration cycle aims to address development constraints contributing to irregular migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

C.5 SERVICES AND TASKS REQUIRED

C.5.a Theory of Change If the US and Mexico pool complementary knowledge and experience to achieve development results and If USAID and AMEXCID institutionally improve the effectiveness and oversight of assistance to address the root causes through joint implementation while providing youth and farmers new economic and educational opportunities, then individuals will have economic opportunities at home and be less likely to migrate from their countries of origin.

C.5.b Activity Components and Geographic Focus

The Contract will have three components

1. Youth Workforce Development

2. Agriculture

3. Collaboration, Learning and Adapting

Activity interventions in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras will support Youth Workforce Development and Agriculture outcomes, while a Collaboration, Learning and Adapting component will inform best practices through all three countries. Activity interventions will not include cash transfers, as no USAID/Mexico funds will be used for cash transfers. Rather, https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/FOR_PUBLIC-_CDCS_Mexico-_September_2020-August_2025_v.Dec11_4.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CDCS-El_Salvador-external_version-April30.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CDCS-Guatemala-2025-Amended-30Aug2021-Public.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USAID_Honduras_CDCS_Public_Version_CLEAN_b.pdf

USAID/Mexico will support beneficiaries of AMEXCID under its interventions, who have received or are receiving cash transfers or cash payments from the GOM.

ARCO will be implemented within the geography of AMEXCID’s programs. AMEXCID is currently implementing their activities in 13 of the 14 departments in El Salvador; 13 out of 18 departments in Honduras and intends to work in the majority of the 22 departments in Guatemala. Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (Component 3) activities will primarily take place in Mexico City. Final geographic selection will be subjected to USAID’s approval.

The contractor will provide support to AMEXCID (in both Mexico and Central America) and directly implement/deliver services in Central America to enhance the progress and sustainability of AMEXCID’s assistance. The contractor will be responsible for coordinating with other USAID activities in the region related to Youth Workforce Development and Agriculture.

AMEXCID, USAID/Mexico, and the bilateral USAID mission in each country have initiated coordination with relevant bilateral (and regional) USAID implementers. The contractor will be integrated into these regular coordination meetings and will facilitate and manage the information sharing for successful coordination as part of Component 3, below. Collaboration with the GOM / AMEXCID is the first lens of this activity; thus, ARCO service delivery activities should focus on AMEXCID (past, present or future) beneficiaries. Duplication of efforts with the bilateral USAID activities should be prevented; thus, as any possible intervention is identified, prior to initiating the intervention, documentation via a needs assessment (for components 4.c.1, 4.c.2 below) must be provided confirming that it is not already being undertaken by a USAID bilateral activity in the country.

C.5.c Technical Services and Expected Results

Set forth below are minimum activities, results, and specific guidance for providing services and performing tasks under this contract for each component.

C.5.c.1 Component 1: Youth Workforce Development – desired outcome is to help secure meaningful employment for JCF beneficiaries.

At a minimum, activities must include:

• Needs assessment: Recommend / identify the non-duplicative interventions that the activity might undertake for AMEXCID beneficiaries to secure full time employment and/or benefit from current USAID bilateral activities. Recommendations will be country specific, based on the profile of AMEXCID beneficiaries, USAID bilateral assistance and unmet youth workforce skills building needs.

• Develop and deploy custom-designed courses with practical, hands-on pedagogical methodology to give JCF beneficiaries and additional youth the skills necessary to enter the workforce. Overage and/or out-of-school youth will benefit from increased educational access.

• Support existing training centers to provide training on written and spoken English, Microsoft Office, vocational skills, etc.

https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ICS_WHA_Mexico_Public-Release.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Root-Causes-Strategy.pdf https://www.cepal.org/en/publications/47249-comprehensive-development-plan-salvador-guatemala-honduras-and-south-southeast

• Complement AMEXCID’s efforts by providing assets and minor refurbishment, as needed, to training centers, for example, computers, internet access, furniture, or repurposing of rooms to provide courses.

• Provide capacity building, as necessary, to instructors and staff to training centers to enable them to use pertinent and the most effective methodologies.

Other activities may include:

After completion of the initial needs assessment, the contractor will recommend, for USAID and AMEXCID approval, which of these (or other similar) activities will be undertaken.

• Act as a matchmaker for employers to find and hire qualified youth graduates with an appropriate skill-set. This can be accomplished by organizing job fairs, hiring local recruitment agencies to identify opportunities, creating applications to match youth and jobs, creating alliances with businesses or business associations, or via other appropriate means of linking job seekers with businesses.

• Provide technical experts (staff) to give specialized assistance to JCF project staff and/or beneficiaries.

• Carryout studies on demand by AMEXCID, such as labor studies to identify the gaps where skilled and unskilled can be taken advantage of through activity assistance.

C.5.c.2 Component 2: Agriculture – desired outcome is to integrate SV beneficiaries into more stable, win-win commercial relationships with buyers.

At a minimum, activities must include:

• Needs assessment: Recommend / identify the non-duplicative interventions that the activity might undertake to integrate SV beneficiaries into more stable, win-win commercial relationships with buyers and/or benefit from current USAID bilateral activities that do the same. Recommendations will be country specific, based on the profile of AMEXCID beneficiaries, USAID bilateral assistance, and unmet needs.

• Support AMEXCID to maximize its logistics, such as the purchase and distribution of agriculture inputs (seeds, irrigation, and tools), and streamlining procurements of inputs.

• Provide training in good agricultural practices (GAP) and crop specific technical assistance based on market quality requirements to extensionists and beneficiaries.

• Provide “train the trainer” courses to AMEXCID agricultural extensionists on delivering basic business skills training.

• Provide training to AMEXCID extensionists on organizing producer groups, calendarizing production to meet buyer requirements, providing transportation to get produce to aggregation centers, and providing post-harvest methodologies.

• Provide training to AMEXCID extensionists and beneficiaries on agriculture finance options and establish linkages with financial service providers.

• Provide specialized and targeted training for extensionists, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders.

• Promote the use of climate smart and water wise agricultural techniques and technologies to help ensure sustainability in the face of climate change.

Other activities may include:

After completion of the initial needs assessment, the contractor will recommend, for USAID and AMEXCID approval, which of these (or other similar) activities will be undertaken.

• Provide technical experts on a full or part-time basis to give specialized agricultural technical assistance to project staff and/or beneficiaries.

• Strengthen producer groups’ capacities by providing assets and minor refurbishment, as needed, for aggregation centers.

C.5.c.3 Component 3: Collaborating, Learning, Adapting (CLA) – desired outcome AMEXCID and USAID root cause assistance is more effective from shared learning.

While good governance is a pillar of the USGs root causes strategy, this activity will focus on AMEXCID as an institution. Through Component 3, in particular, USAID/Mexico will be providing assistance to AMEXCID in a learning by doing way. First, ARCO will provide technical assistance in the monitoring and evaluation of their activities through technical assistance, training, and possibly through new information technology tools. Secondly, ARCO will help AMEXCID partner with the private sector so that it is able to leverage relationships with the private sector. Third, ARCO will work directly with AMEXCID contractors and employees in Central America to improve their technical and management skills so as to improve the effectiveness of their assistance.

At a minimum, activities must include:

• Collaborating:

o Provide short- or long-term technical staff that support AMEXCID in the systematization of information and data gathering for the monitoring process.

o Exchange best practices, carry out workshops, produce and share documents and materials related to experiences in agriculture development, youth workforce, conditional cash transfers, and other related topics.

o Provide technical assistance relevant to new information systems to enhance M&E.

o Coordinate implementation efforts with other USAID programs in the region to maximize results and avoid overlapping.

o Aggregate results from joint activities from all sources – bilateral USAID missions and from this contract managed by USAID/Mexico – to report outcomes underneath the Sembrando Oportunidades initiatives.

• Learning:

o Establish a joint learning agenda between USAID and AMEXCID. The learning plan will include rigorous analysis to inform root cause programs.

o Carry out impact or performance evaluations, rapid and longitudinal analyses, assessments and activity efforts, comparative studies between the three countries.

o Establish partnerships with academic institutions and think tanks – both U.S. and Mexican to engage in analysis.

• Adapting:

o Meet quarterly with USAID Missions and bilateral activities to assess how collaboration is progressing and what improvements should be made.

o Carry out focus groups and surveys as needed of beneficiaries and stakeholders as required by AMEXCID.

C.5.c.4 Minimum Outcomes and Indicators

The table below – which includes both performance and context indicators – provides an illustrative start to the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan the contractor will finalize with USAID and may propose additional indicators. The contractor will conduct an initial baseline upon launch of the activity so that interim and end of activity measurements would be consistent with the baseline methodology. The baselines estimates in the table below are based on observations and/or inferences from AMEXCID. The activity targets - which the contractor will be responsible for achieving - are expressed as an increase over the baseline numbers. Targets were established for all three countries based on observations during field visits to El Salvador and Honduras in 2021 and are expected to be achieved. Contextual indicators have no target; they will be monitored and are offered as complementary information to assess activity progress.

Outcome Indicator Baseline Estimate Activity Targets

Youth and farmers integrated into new economic opportunities through joint U.S./Mexico international cooperation.

(Components 1 and 2)

Number of AMEXCID beneficiaries integrated into economic opportunities (employment, purchasing relationship, or further education) (total universe of AMEXCID beneficiaries is expected to be 60,000)

TBD 3,000

Percentage of beneficiaries enrolled in AMEXCID/USAID assistance that remain in their communities

Context indicator no target

Context indicator no target

Number of jobs created or facilitated (including short term jobs from agriculture and full-time jobs from workforce activities) baseline to be determined through a baseline study

2,000

USAID and

AMEXCID

Workforce Development (WD) beneficiaries have

Number of AMEXCID beneficiaries of JCF secure employment

10-25 percent of

AMEXCID

beneficiaries (2500- 6250) secure employment

2,000 enhanced economic opportunities

(Component 1) subsequent to their participation in JCF

Number of participants that engaged in continuing education

To define with baseline study

USAID and AMEXCID small holder farmers have enhanced economic opportunities

(Component 2)

Household income of activity beneficiaries (discounting conditional cash transfer)

N/A Context

Numbers of AMEXCID beneficiaries that sell their products to the formal market.

0 (to validate with AMEXCID’s inventory)

1,000

Number of farmers aggregating their products through producer organization.

5,000 beneficiaries (to be validated through a baseline study)

1,000

EG.3.2-26 Value of annual sales of producers and firms receiving USG assistance baseline to be determined through a baseline study

TBD

Number of new jobs created (include short term and fulltime jobs) baseline to be determined through a baseline study

TBD

New Private Partnerships 0 5

E.G 4.2-1 Total number of clients benefiting from financial services provided through USG-assisted financial intermediaries, including non-financial institutions or actors

0 1,000

AMEXCID and USAID root cause assistance is more effective from shared learning.

(Component 3)

Contractor to develop indicators with USAID/AMEXICD upon award.

TBD TBD

C.6 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide all general management and administrative support necessary to perform the contract. The services authorized include, but are not limited to:

1. Overall management and administration of the contract, including both expatriate and home office support and administrative services. The Contractor shall provide both the key personnel specified in the Contract in Section F.6 and additional personnel, both long-term and short-term, necessary to meet recurring general management and administrative support needs under the Contract.

2. The Contractor shall have presence in all four countries – Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras – either employees of the contractor and/or a subcontract relationship.

3. The Contractor shall procure or lease necessary facilities, supplies and services as necessary to perform the contract.

4. The Contractor shall provide the planning necessary for performance of the contract. As discussed in more detail elsewhere, implementation and other plans are required.

5. Oversight, quality control, and general technical support of all services and deliverables provided pursuant to the contract.

6. Provide and assure the proper, efficient and uniform use of modern management and administration, accounting practices, information technology (IT), communications, reporting, human resource management, property control, security, records, and other administrative processes and systems required under the contract.

7. Manage the overall reporting needs of the activity as specified in the contract and developed in work plans in conjunction with the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

C.7 IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES

The following implementation guidelines contribute to the achievement of the programmatic objectives above and are critical to ensuring the sustainability and impact of the

AMEXCID/USAID partnership in Central America. The Contractor must consider the following in their approach:

• Flexibility in implementation. As this activity is USAID/Mexico’s mechanism to support the GOM/USG “Sembrando Oportunidades” framework, it must be responsive to opportunities for increased collaboration on development issues in Central America with AMEXCID that arise through the course of the performance period. There is a requirement for a high degree of adaptability on the part of the Contractor. The activity must be agile in the face of dynamic political and economic changes in the region. The Contractor must work closely, openly, and collaboratively with USAID/Mexico, AMEXCID and other implementers in the region to identify opportunities, as well as potential bottlenecks, so as to achieve results.

• Private Sector Engagement. The Contractor must actively seek out private sector expertise and innovation when designing and implementing initiatives, including expanding partnerships with the private sector to deliver training and employment to youth in the region and expand market access for farmers.

• Institutional Capacity Development. The Contractor will strengthen the capacity of local stakeholders, including community-based organizations, to develop the appropriate skill set of the future workforce, promote the use of climate smart and water wise agricultural techniques and technologies, develop good agricultural practices (GAP) capacities, carry out studies, analyses and evaluations, among other. In working with local partners, the Contractor must incorporate in-country and regional knowledge and expertise when available and appropriate. To the extent possible, tasks implemented under Components 1 and 2 must include local specialists with relevant expertise as part of the team. The Contractor will be responsible for organizing and working with local experts, as well as sharing pertinent information on USAID standards, regulations, and requirements related to the scope of this contract. This work may include hiring local or regional consultants to provide local expertise. The Contractor will work with universities, think tanks, and/or researchers from the United States, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala as appropriate.

• Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting. The Contractor will collaborate with USAID/ Mexico’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning activity to ensure that the Mission’s monitoring and evaluation needs are met. The final indicators and targets for achievement of activity objectives will be developed jointly between USAID and the Contractor and submitted as part of the MEL Plan. The Contractor will conduct an initial baseline upon launch of the activity so that interim and end of activity measurements would be consistent with the baseline methodology. The Contractor will describe proposed data collection and verification strategies to ensure reliability and accuracy of progress towards expected results. The Contractor will be encouraged to collaborate with AMEXCID and other relevant stakeholders in monitoring efforts to ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are as cost-effective as possible, while incorporating and/or building local expertise.

• Gender, Youth, and Inclusion. The Contractor must ensure broad inclusion of stakeholders and promote the empowerment of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community through this activity.

• Sustainability of activity interventions. The Contractor must design and implement interventions in ways that make activity interventions and results achieved through these interventions sustainable beyond the life of the contract. The Contractor must examine the incentives and motivations of key actors for sustaining interventions and incorporate these findings into the design. Where possible, the Contractor must reorient practices or activities that could undermine sustainability, preferably in ways that create new opportunities. The Contractor must also promote engagement and partnerships with financial institutions and other private and public sector actors that have interests in seeing program interventions and results sustained into the future.

• Public Information and Outreach. The Contractor must communicate opportunities, efforts, and successes under the activity to the public. The Contractor will need to coordinate closely with the Mission’s Communication Team, the COR, and AMEXCID to ensure that communication products can be easily digested and disseminated by different audiences. Furthermore, the Contractor needs to ensure that products are aesthetically appealing, and that its staff or subcontractors are capable of presenting information in an engaging manner. The Contractor will be expected to have in-house staff or mechanisms to provide USAID with multimedia products within limited time frames and proactively before USAID identifies the need for them. The Contractor should strive to anticipate the Mission’s communication needs and help identify compelling stories that support USAID development assistance in Mexico and Central America and the end-goal of helping beneficiaries see their future in their home countries.

• Integration with other USAID activities and other donor investments. The Contractor must work in coordination and complementarity with other USAID activities, all of which focus on addressing the root causes of migration. The Contractor will work with other USAID partners to ensure that interventions are mutually reinforcing, avoid duplication and competition, and deliver consistent messaging. The Contractor will also engage with and leverage investments through other donors and international organizations. Through these efforts, the Contractor will help maximize the impact of investments from USAID, AMEXCID, and the international community.

[END OF SECTION C]

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

(a) It is USAID policy that USAID-financed commodities and shipping containers, and project construction sites and other project locations be suitably marked with the USAID emblem.

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…