SOL_72061219R00003.pdf

Request for Proposals (RFP) No.: 72061219R00003 Date Issued: March 01, 2019 Deadline for Submission of Questions: March 15, 2019 Closing Date for Receiving Proposals: April 22, 2019 Closing Time: 5:00 pm - Malawi Time

SUBJECT: Request for Proposals (RFP) No: 72061219R00003

Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests in Malawi (Tiphike Mwa Makono)

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in Malawi, is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to carry out a five-year activity to promote sustainable forest management of selected landscapes and promote sustainable energy options in Malawi. Please refer to the Statement of Objectives in Section C of this RFP for a complete statement of goals and objectives. The authority of this RFP is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. The applicable NAICS code for this acquisition is 541990 and the authorized geographic code is 935.

Subject to availability of funds, USAID/ Malawi plans to award a single contract to one successful offeror with an estimated cost of approximately $11-14 million, inclusive of fees, through a full and open competition. The procedures set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15 apply. Revealing the estimated cost range for the contract does not mean that Offerors should strive to meet the maximum amount estimated. Offerors must propose costs that they believe are realistic and reasonable for the work in line with the proposed technical approach.

If questions are received, which affect the responses to the solicitation, or if changes are made to the closing date and time, as well as any other aspects of the RFP, this solicitation will be amended. Any amendments to this solicitation will be issued and posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. Offerors are encouraged to check this website (https://www.fbo.gov) periodically. Offerors must comply with FAR 52.204.7, System for Award Management (SAM), and adhere to the requirements set forth in Section K – Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors.

All types of organizations are eligible to compete under this RFP. USAID encourages the participation, to the maximum extent possible, of small business concerns in this activity as a prime contractor or as subcontractors.

Offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation, which includes all pertinent technical sections and the terms, conditions and instructions required for submitting a proposal. Special attention must be paid to Section L – Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors, and Section M – Evaluation Criteria. Proposals in response to this solicitation must remain valid for 180 days.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1. PURPOSE

B.2. CONTRACT TYPE

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

B.4. BUDGET

B.5. INDIRECT COSTS

B.6. COST REIMBURSABLE

B.7. MULTI‐YEAR CONTRACT

B.8. PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

SECTION C - STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

1. ACTIVITY PURPOSE

2. BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM STATEMENT

3. GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND RESULTS

4. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT INDICATORS AND RESULTS

5. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND CROSS-CUTTING PRINCIPLES

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1. 752.7009 MARKING. (JAN 1993)

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.3 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.4 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES

F.5 DELIVERY SCHEDULE FOR REPORTS/PLANS AND OTHER OUTPUTS

F.6. LANGUAGE OF REPORTS/PLANS AND OTHER OUTPUTS

F.7 KEY PERSONNEL

F.8 AUTHORIZED WORK WEEK

F.9 AIDAR 752.7005 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE DOCUMENTS

(SEPT 2013)

F.10 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (DDL) (OCT 2014)

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

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

G.2 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY

G.4. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.5. TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.6. PAYING OFFICE

G.7. INVOICES, ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL

G.8. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

G.9. CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

H.2. FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES (AUG 2016)

H.3. DEFENSE BASE ACT (DBA) INSURANCE (OCT 2017)

H.4. AIDAR 752.228-3 WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (Defense Base Act) (DEC 1991)

H.5. AIDAR 752.228-70 MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES (JULY 2007)

H.6. AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.7. LOGISTIC SUPPORT

H.8 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT (DEC 2016)

H.9 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

H.10 AIDAR 752.229-74 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)

H.11 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY (DEC 2004)

H.12 AIDAR 752.245-71 TITLE TO AND CARE OF PROPERTY (APR 1984)

H.13 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JULY 2007)

H.14. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.15 AIDAR 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (APR

2014)

H.16 AIDAR 752.222-71 NONDISCRIMINATION (JUNE 2012)

H.17 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM (JULY 2014)

H.18 BUSINESS CLASS TRAVEL

H.19 USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR ACQUISITION (JULY 2014)

H.20 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (AUG 2013)

H.21 AIDAR 752.231-72 CONFERENCE PLANNING AND REQUIRED APPROVALS (AUG 2013)

H.22 AIDAR 752.231-71 SALARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR HG EMPLOYEES (MARCH 2015)

H. 23 CLOUD COMPUTING (MAY 2016)

H.24 IMPLEMENTATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 13224 ON TERRORISM FINANCING

(AUG 2016)

H.25 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

H.26 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

H.27 NON-DISCRIMINATION (JUNE 2012)

H.28 CONFIDENTIALITY AND OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

H.29 DISCLSORUE OF INFORMATION

H.30 GENDER CONSIDERATION

H.31 NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES (APRIL 2017)

H.32 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JULY 1997)

H.33 CONTRACTOR-MISSION RELATIONSHIPS (JUNE 2018)

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.2. 52.216-24 LIMITATION OF GOVERNMENT LIABILITY (APR 1984)

I.3 52.203-13 CONTRACTOR CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT (OCT 2015)

I.4 752.242-70 PERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS (OCT 2007

I.5 752.225-70 SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012)

I.6 FAR 52.204-23 PROHIBITION ON COTNRACTING FOR HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND SERVICES

DEVELOPED OF PROVIDED BY KASPERSKY LAB AND OTHER COVERED ENTITIES (JULY 2018) 71

I.7 FAR 52.209-13 VIOLATION OR ARMS CONTROL TREATIES OR AGREEMENTS-CERTIFICATION

(JUNE 2018)

PART III – LIST OF DUCMENTS, EXHIBITS, FORMS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment J.1. – Background Information Attachment J.2. – Illustrative Activities for collaboration Attachment J.3. – References Section Attachment J.4. – Sustainable Livelihoods PAD (See Attached File) Attachment J.5. – Past Performance Reference Checklist Attachment J.6. – Past Performance Matrix (See Attached File) Attachment J.7. – Contractor Biographical Data Sheet – AID 1420-17 form

PART IV – REPRESENTATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1. NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2. FAR 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (OCT 2018)

K.3. FAR 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (OCT 2015) ... 95

K.4. FAR 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE—COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR 2005) . 98

K.5 INSURANCE – IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY

K.6 AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATORS

K.7 SIGNATURE

K.8 52.204-3 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (OCT 1998)

K.9 52.209-2 - PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH INVERTED DOMESTIC CORPORATIONS—

REPRESENTATION (NOV 2015)

K.10 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2015)

K.11 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

K.12 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (OCT 2015)

K. 13 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE--COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR 2005)

K.15 52.209-11 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY

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

K16 52.203-18, PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE CERTAIN

INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS -REPRESENTATION (JAN 2017)

K.17 52.215-6 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE (OCT 1997)

K.18 52.222-56 - CERTIFICATION REGARDING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS COMPLIANCE PLAN (MAR

2015)

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

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 (SEPT 2006)

L.4. L.2 52.215-1 - INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION (JAN 2017)

L.5. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.6. SUBMISSION/DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL

L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF BRANDING AND MARKING PLAN

L.10 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.2 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.3 COST EVALUATION

M.4 DETERMINATION OF THE COMPETITIVE RANGE AND CONTRACT AWARD

M.5 SOURCE SELECTION

M.6 CONTRACTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND DISADVANTAGED ENTERPRISES

Modern Cooking For Healthy Forests

RFP # 72061219R00003

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to procure the services of a contractor for the implementation of the activity entitled “Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests (Tiphike Mwa Makono)” that fall within the Statement of Objectives (SOO) specified in Section C.

B.2. CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) completion-type contract. For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor must achieve the performance objectives and deliverables/outputs described in Sections C and F, in accordance with performance standards specified in Section E, and otherwise comply with all contract requirements.

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

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee is $___________. The fixed fee is $__________. The estimated cost plus fixed fee is $________.

(b) Within the estimated cost plus fixed fee specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor, and payment of fee, for performance hereunder is $_________. The Contractor must use funds obligated under this award and any subsequent modifications from the specific Operating Units (OU) and Program Areas (PA) for activities approved in the award and detailed in the work plan, as applicable. Program disbursements for each OU/PA must not exceed the amounts specified in the Accounting and Appropriation data for each OU and PA.

(c) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through {TBD based on the date of award}.

B.4. BUDGET

(a) By CLINs/Objectives

CLIN

No. CLIN Description Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total

Amount

Alternative energy sources and efficient cooking technologies adopted to reduce unsustainable wood fuel demand.

Local delivery of forestry services and sustainable use of forestry resources in targeted areas improved.

Regulatory and enforcement framework to support sustainable wood fuel production and use strengthened.

Government of Malawi’s implementation capacity of low emissions development in REDD+ and/or other Land Use increased.

5 Interventions leveraged with other USAID and development partners resources.

Total Direct Cost

Total Indirect Costs

Fixed Fee

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST PLUS FIXED FEE

(b) By line item/Category

Line Item Description Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total Salaries & Wages Fringe Benefits Consultants Travel/Transportation/Perdiem Allowances Supplies Equipment Sub-awards Grants under Contract Other Direct Costs Indirect Costs Fixed Fee Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

B.5. INDIRECT COSTS

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs will be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Description* Period** Rate Base***

* Description or type of rate indicated as a percentage, e.g., G&A ** Period, e.g., Calendar Year *** Base, e.g., Direct Labor for Labor Overhead

B.6. COST REIMBURSABLE

Allowable costs will be limited to reasonable, allocable and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment (August 2018), FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee (June 2011), if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003, Documentation for Payment.

In addition, the requirement and conditions concerning estimated cost and funding apply as detailed in FAR 52.232-22 Limitation of Funds (April 1984).

B.7. MULTI‐YEAR CONTRACT

The Contract is subject to the requirements of FAR 17.106. However, this is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type contract where the contractor is authorized to be reimbursed for all costs which are allowable in accordance with FAR 52.216‐7, “Allowable Costs and Payment.” Therefore, the contractor will not incur any costs which would have been amortized over the life of the Contract should the Contract be cancelled in accordance with FAR 52.217‐2.

B.8. PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

Payment of fixed fee will be in accordance with FAR 52.216-8.

The Contractor may earn and be paid all or a portion of the total fee based on performance under this contract. The Contractor’s fixed fee payment is tied to the accomplishment of the performance objectives and targets described in Section C and that are specified in Table 1 below. The Contractor will be paid the amount of fee specified for each denoted performance objective, output set forth in the table below upon acceptance by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Full fee payment is dependent upon full completion of the contract, as demonstrated by attainment of the objectives and targets. Payment of the fixed fee for each target is dependent upon the Contractor meeting each target set for that year, as specified in the table below and as determined by the COR. If the Contractor does not reach 69% of the target the Contractor will not be paid any of the fees specified for that target, as full contract completion will not have been demonstrated. USAID reserves the right to engage a third party to verify results. The Contracting Officer, in consultation with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and at the request of the Contractor, may modify the fee schedule, including targets or dates, based upon changes in underlying assumptions, the development context or other extenuating circumstances.

USAID will pay a fee in proportion to the level of completion attained by the set deadline as follows:

● If USAID verifies 0-69% level of completion, then the Contractor will receive 0% of the fee associated with the target.

● After USAID verification, the contractor will receive the percentage of the fee associated with the percentage of the target achieved (i.e. if 72% of the target is achieved, then the contractor will receive 72% of the fee associated to that target).

Payment of the fixed fee will be made as stated in the Table No. 1 below.

Table 1 – Fee Payment Schedule

Indicators Targets Fee’s Percentage

Means of Verification Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Total Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Total

Goal: Number of hectares of forested land showing reduced deforestation and forest degradation based on the updated Land Use Land Cover (LULC) and Forest Cover maps by GOM.

Baseline

TBD N/A N/A N/A N/A 10% 10%

Objective 1.1.a: Percentage of people in around targeted forest reserves that have adopted alternative efficient cooking technologies.

Annual Verification

Survey conducted by USAID

75% 5%

Objective 1.1.b: Percentage of people in urban areas that have adopted of alternative energy sources and efficient cooking technologies

TBD 5%

Objective 1.3: Number of firms of the nascent alternative energy sources and efficient cooking technologies receiving USG-funded technical assistance for improving business performance

(EG 5.2-1)

Annual Verification

Survey

Objective 2.1: Number of hectares of degraded landscapes under improved natural resources management as a result of USG assistance

Annual Verification

Survey

TBD 15%

Objective 2.4: Number of natural resource-based enterprises providing measurable community revenues over at least a two-year period in areas in which the Contractor works.

Annual Verification

Survey

TBD N/A N/A 10%

Objective 2.5: Number of people receiving livelihood co-benefits (monetary or non-monetary) associated with implementation of USG sustainable landscape activities - EG.13-5

Annual Verification

Survey

TBD 10%

Objective 3.2: Percentage increase in the number of prosecution cases and custodial sentences passed as a result of law enforcement relating to illegal charcoal production and illegal trade in forest products

Court Records

TBD 15%

Objective 4.3: Number of people trained in sustainable landscapes supported by USG assistance (EG 13-1)

Annual Verification

Survey

Objective 5.2: Amount of investment mobilized (in USD) for sustainable landscapes as supported by USG assistance (EG 13-4)

Contractor Records on new similar awards

TBD 10%

TBD – Proposed by Offeror TBD TBD 5% TBD - Proposed by Offeror TBD TBD 5%

TOTAL 100%

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C - STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

[Selected Offeror’s Performance Work Statement will replace Statement of Objectives at the time of award execution]

1. ACTIVITY PURPOSE

The purpose of Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests (Tiphike Mwa Makono) is to promote sustainable forest management of selected landscapes and promote sustainable energy options in Malawi in order to sustainably maintain forest cover and reduce land-based emissions. By increasing the demand for alternative and efficient energy options and technologies and the supply of sustainable wood fuels from well managed forest resources, the Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests (Tiphike Mwa Makono) activity will help Malawi reduce unsustainable tree cutting in both public and customary forests, improve forest cover as well as conserve associated watersheds.

2. BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM STATEMENT

a) Background

More than 90% of Malawi’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are derived from the forestry, agriculture and other land use sectors, with more than 75% of all emissions coming from the forestry land use sector and are largely associated with forest cover loss (forest degradation and deforestation)1. Forestry resources in Malawi are crucial in supporting energy needs, livelihoods and infrastructure development. The forestry sector is also important for soil and water conservation for agriculture and household use; habitat for wildlife; carbon sequestration, etc. However, forestry resources are not utilized sustainably making Malawi one of the countries in Southern Africa that has the highest rates of deforestation. It is estimated that forestry resources are degrading at a fast rate of 1% per annum.2

Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests (Tiphike Mwa Makono) is positioned to support Malawi achieve environmental sustainability, one of the stated goals in the Malawi Vision 2020 document, and key priority area 3: Agriculture, Water Development and Climate Change Management of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) III. The Vision 2020 recognizes the need to arrest deforestation in Malawi by reducing over-dependence on wood energy, selling of wood for income, preventing uncontrolled bushfires, discouraging customs and beliefs that do not value forestry resources, encouraging long-term perspectives to manage forestry resources and better enforce forestry regulations and laws3.

Similarly, the MGDS III recognizes that the environment and natural resources should be sustainably managed because the environment plays a very significant role in influencing social and economic development at both household and national levels. This activity will also assist Malawi make significant progress to achieve some of the targets under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6

- “Clean Water and Sanitation” to protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes; SDG 7 – “Affordable Clean Energy” to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; and SDG 15 – “Life on Land” to promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. In addition, this activity will serve as USAID’s primary support to the Government of Malawi (GoM) to implement some of its significant policies and strategies in the forestry and energy sectors, including: the Nation Forestry Policy

1 Republic of Malawi, 2015. Intended Nationally Determined Contribution 2 Ibid 3 National Economic Council, 2000. Malawi Vision 2020 – The National Long Term Development Perspective for Malawi.

(2016), Forestry Act (1997), National Charcoal Strategy, National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy, Malawi Renewable Energy Strategy, draft National Energy Policy, Sustainable Energy for All Action Agenda for Malawi; National Cookstove Steering Committee Strategy 2018 – 2020 among others.

This Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests (Tiphike Mwa Makono) activity directly contributes toward achieving the goal of USAID/Malawi’s Country Development and Cooperation (CDCS) Strategy for 2013-2019: Malawians’ Quality of Life Improved. By slowing deforestation and forest degradation, reducing soil erosion, improving land management and supporting sustainable livelihoods, this activity will strengthen resiliency to climate change (IR 2.1). By increasing the availability of fodder and forest foods, this activity also holds potential to contribute to improved nutrition in targeted communities (IR 2.3). These intermediate results support the achievement of Development Objective (DO) 2: Sustainable Livelihoods Increased. It will be a 5-year activity and serve as the primary implementing mechanism for the U.S. Government’s partnership with the Government of Malawi on low-emissions development to help Malawi reach its nationally determined contribution to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and forest landscape restoration targets. This activity will be funded with Congressionally mandated Sustainable Landscapes funding4.

b) Problem Statement

The main threats to Malawi’s forests include unsustainable tree cutting because of over-reliance on biomass for energy needs (charcoal and firewood for cooking, fish smoking, brick and tobacco curing) and timber for construction; agriculture and settlement expansion in forested areas; and harmful bushfires.

High population density and growth is deteriorating the situation.

Charcoal production is currently the single most significant driver of forest degradation. More than 97% of households rely on charcoal and firewood as their primary cooking fuel. By contrast, only 2% of households use electricity for cooking because using electricity for cooking is considered expensive; and the country is faced with serious electricity generation and supply problems. Less than 1% of the population uses other fuel sources for cooking because of GoM’s insufficient focus on alternative energy sources5. Even in urban areas, almost 90% of residents cook using biomass energy, and the majority of urban households (62.2%) depend on charcoal6. For Example, Dzalanyama Forest Reserve (DFR), the second biggest forest reserve and the main water catchment area for the capital city, is projected to be depleted by 2021 because of charcoal production for domestic use in the capital city. As of 2015, DFR was the biggest source of the charcoal consumed in the capital city, and biomass loss caused by the charcoal accounted for nearly 80% of the total. A comparison of the second Integrated Household Survey (2005) and the fourth Integrated Household Survey (2017) reveals that the percentage of the population using charcoal as their primary source of cooking fuel increased from 2% (or approximately 260,000 people in 2005) to 16% (or approximately 2,896,000 in 2017).

Most research agrees that charcoal and firewood will continue to be a significant source of energy in Malawi for the foreseeable future, in part, because of increasing population growth, rapid urbanization and relative high prices in other alternative energy sources. It is expected that at the current demand for charcoal and firewood, sustainable supply will be surpassed by 2030.7 In 2007, a study of charcoal consumption, trade and production in Malawi quantified that the four urban centres of Malawi (Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, and Zomba) account for roughly 90% of the charcoal use. Malawi’s urban population

4 The term “sustainable landscapes” generally refers to working at a landscape scale, including both managed and natural ecosystems. In particular, USAID Sustainable Landscapes programming aims to improve land use and management in order to achieve multiple benefits including: 1) reducing greenhouse gas emissions or increasing carbon sequestration, and 2) providing livelihoods and economic development.

5 Republic of Malawi. 2017. National Charcoal Strategy.

6 National Statistics Office, 2017. Fourth Integrated Household Survey (IHS4).

7 Republic of Malawi. 2017. National Charcoal Strategy.

has been growing very rapidly averaging between 3.7 – 5.2% per year over the past two decades. The lack of income generating opportunities in rural areas is the primary cause for urbanization in Malawi. It is estimated that around 20% of the population will be dwelling in a city or town of Malawi by 2030 and will reach 30 percent by 20508. Although a major source of employment and energy, charcoal production fuels widespread corruption and is often illegally produced in protected forest reserves intended to serve as critical water catchments for large populations and some charcoal enters from neighboring countries of Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania. Malawi needs to implement innovative solutions that balance citizenry energy needs and proper management and utilization of forestry resources.

3. GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND RESULTS

The goal and objectives are listed below:

Goal: Promote sustainable forest management of selected landscapes and promote sustainable energy options in Malawi in order to sustainably maintain forest cover and reduce land-based emissions.

Objective 1- Alternative energy sources and efficient cooking technologies adopted to reduce unsustainable wood fuel demand.

Objective 2 - Local delivery of forestry services and sustainable use of forestry resources in targeted areas improved.

Objective 3 - Regulatory, and enforcement framework to support sustainable wood fuel production and use strengthened.

Objective 4 - Government of Malawi’s implementation capacity of low emissions development in

REDD+ and/or other Land Use increased.

Objective 5 - Interventions leveraged with other USAID and development partners resources.

Offerors should develop an activity Results Framework that addresses the five (5) objectives highlighted and the goal stated above. A copy of the Sustainable Livelihoods PAD is included as an attachment to this solicitation.

4. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT INDICATORS AND RESULTS

The Performance Work Statement (PWS) must incorporate interventions that:

(a) Fully address the problems laid out above;

(b) Meet all of the specific objectives and provide a realistic, yet ambitious, plan for hitting the proposed performance targets; and

(c) Provide a clear strategy for meeting Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests’s (Tiphike Mwa

Makono)’s overarching goal in a manner that will sustain results beyond the life of the activity.

The PWS must provide a variety of innovative solutions to address the challenges of the forestry sector discussed above. The PWS must demonstrate an understanding of USAID’s Sustainable Landscapes priorities as well as USAID/Malawi’s environment and natural resources management priorities as articulated in the Sustainable Livelihoods Project Appraisal Document (PAD).

The PWS should include specific, achievable targets over the five year implementation period.

USAID/Malawi has developed a list of indicators, provided in the table below, to measure program results aligned with each of Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests’s (Tiphike Mwa Makono)’s objectives

8 Kambewa, Mataya, Sichinga and Johnson. 2007. Charcoal: the reality - A study of charcoal, consumption, trade and production in Malawi.

Small and Medium Forestry Enterprise Series No. 21. IIED, London, UK.

and end-of-project targets. Offerors must propose specific targets for Years 1-5 that meet or exceed the overall “Total” target for each Indicator listed. Offerors may propose up to five more indicators with yearly targets, in addition to those provided in the table below, but should prioritize the use of standard indicators where possible.

Illustrative Indicators/Targets

Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Total

Goal: Number of hectares of forested land showing reduced deforestation and forest degradation based on the updated Land Use Land Cover (LULC) and Forest Cover maps by GOM.

TBD

Objective 1.1.a: Percentage of people in around targeted forest reserves that have adopted alternative efficient cooking technologies.

Objective 1.1.b: Percentage of people in urban areas that have adopted of alternative energy sources and efficient cooking technologies.

75% (illustrative)

TBD

Objective 1.2: Percentage of audience reporting exposure to messages on alternative energy sources and fuel efficient technologies on radio, TV, electronic platforms, or in print

Objective 1.3: Number of firms of the nascent alternative energy sources and efficient cooking technologies receiving USG-funded technical assistance for improving business performance

(EG 5.2-1)

Objective 1.4: Value of annual sales of firms doing business in alternative energy options and efficient cooking technologies

Objective 1.5: Value of new private sector capital investment in alternative energy options and efficient cooking technologies leveraged by this activity’s implementation (US$)

TBD

Objective 1.6: Number of new alternative technology products that provide an alternative to illegal charcoal introduced into Malawi

TBD

Objective 2.1: Number of hectares of degraded landscapes under improved natural resources management as a result of USG assistance

TBD

Objective 2.2: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, estimated in metric tons of CO2 equivalent, reduced, sequestered, or avoided through sustainable landscapes activities supported by USG assistance (EG.13-6)

3,000,000 (Illustrative)

Objective 2.3: Number of forest management plans and signed co-management agreements with agreed upon by-laws and documented best practices for ecosystem-based management for targeted forest reserves.

Objective 2.4: Number of natural resource-based TBD enterprises providing measurable community revenues over at least a two-year period in areas in which the Contractor works.

Objective 2.5: Number of people receiving livelihood co-benefits (monetary or non-monetary) associated with implementation of USG sustainable landscape activities - EG.13-5

TBD

Objective 3.1: Number of laws, policies, regulations or standards addressing sustainable landscapes formally proposed, adopted or implemented as supported by USG assistance

(EG 13-3).

TBD

Objective 3.2: Percentage increase in the number of prosecution cases and custodial sentences passed as a result of law enforcement relating to illegal charcoal production and illegal trade in forest products

TBD

Objective 3.3: Offeror to propose indicator(s) to measure the quality of advocacy for forestry issues by local organizations - TBD

TBD

Objective 4.1: Number of institutions with improved capacities to address sustainable landscapes issues as supported by USG assistance (EG 13-2)

TBD

Objective 4.2: Institutionalized data management system for forest landscape management and monitoring

TBD

Objective 4.3: Number of people trained in sustainable landscapes supported by USG assistance (EG 13-1)

TBD

Objective 5.1: Number of discrete integration opportunities successfully implemented with USAID and other development partners activities

(Illustrative)

Objective 5.2: Amount of investment mobilized (in USD) for sustainable landscapes as supported by USG assistance (EG 13-4)

5. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND CROSS-CUTTING PRINCIPLES

In addition to addressing the development challenges and achieving performance objectives, the PWS must address and integrate each of the following cross-cutting requirements and key principles below:

1. Geographic Preference – For site based activities, USAID/Malawi would like to prioritize landscapes and forest reserves that 1) are on the Department of Forestry priority list; 2) have been hit hard by charcoal production for urban use and there is potential to halt forest degradation and deforestation and improve tree/forest cover; and 3) high potential for enhanced ecosystem services delivery, especially of water, forest products, carbon sequestration, or soil/slope stabilization. The Offerors must propose a methodology and rationale for selecting priority landscapes and forest reserves as part of their proposal. The final site selection will be done in collaboration with the GoM, USAID/Malawi, and the selected Offeror during activity startup.

2. Evidence-Based, Iterative Implementation and Adaptation - USAID/Malawi recognizes that development efforts yield positive change more quickly if they are coordinated and collaborative, test promising new approaches in a continuous search for improvement, and build on what works, while eliminating what does not. The contractor must therefore implement an approach to continuously assess the activity’s causal pathways, target outcomes, and adjust the interventions and approach as necessary to yield the most effective course of action. To that end, the contractor must develop a formal approach to Collaborate, Learn and Adapt Plan which incorporates the CLA approach, and which includes best practices in the industry while also allowing flexibility for new, innovative methods of capturing, analyzing, and sharing evidence and experiences. The CLA Plan must clearly relate to the Activity Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP), while incorporating activities to complement continuous performance monitoring and external evaluation. The CLA Plan must propose learning strategies, processes, and time frames to ensure iterative reflection on new learning, emergent contextual shifts, game- changing trends, and adaptation of interventions and approach accordingly over the entire life of the activity.

3. Private-Sector-Oriented Approach – The Malawian and international private sector are critical actors in achieving the goals of this activity sustainably. USAID/Malawi would like this activity to attract private investment in alternative energy sources, efficient cooking technologies and land restoration. The Offerors should demonstrate how this activity can mobilize finance and investment, reinforce specific policy directives and enabling conditions that reduce barriers to financing and increase economic incentives and market access for sustainable and certified alternative energy sources, efficient cooking technologies and other forestry based products.

4. Leveraging Other Investments and Coordination with Other Development Partners - As outlined in USAID/Malawi’s CDCS, USAID expects the successful Offeror to exemplify the Mission’s “3C” approach throughout implementation, including:

● Co-locating interventions where sensible;

● Coordinating closely with relevant USAID and with other Development Partners’ (DPs) investments; and

● Collaborating closely with other relevant actors to foster linkages that improve results, and program sustainability, including collaborative work planning.

Offerors are expected to clarify opportunities to maximize resources and results by proposing approaches that leverage and coordinate closely with existing investments within Malawi. In addition, it is incumbent upon the offeror to proactively identify opportunities to leverage other donor resources. Annex J-2 provides illustrative activities for collaboration.

5. Fostering Local Capacity/Self-Reliance/Sustainability - Offerors must clearly outline how proposed activities will foster local capacity, national self-reliance to achieve the modern cooking for healthy forests goal and objectives and ensure sustainability well beyond the life of the activity.

USAID emphasizes the importance of the utilization of local systems and resources. Emphasis must be placed on the human and institutional capacity development of local non-governmental and for-profit institutions by taking a facilitation role and delivering the majority of assistance through existing local financial and business association, business service providers, financial sector service providers, and education institutions.

6. Non-Exclusivity - USAID requires that Offerors not stipulate exclusive arrangement with sub-partners. This prohibition also applies to key personnel.

7. Gender Equality and Economic Empowerment - USAID has an explicit commitment to gender equality in all its development activities. The activity is required to ensure that gender issues are suitably addressed throughout and identify opportunities to bring women into structures that control access to finance. Interventions and approaches must be adopted to ensure women’s equitable access to resources and increase women’s participation in financial intermediation.

8. Environmental Best Practices and Climate Risk Management - In order to identify any potential negative impacts and ensure compliance with USAID and USG environmental procedures, the Contractor will be required to develop procedures to assess the environmental impact of proposed assistance and develop mechanisms to address the relevant assessment requirements. The environmental compliance of the award will be guided by the approved Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) which can be found at the following link https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=50950. Offerors need to incorporate IEE requirements in their proposals.

[END OF SECTION C]

https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=50950

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1. 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 must be obtained prior to procurement of commodities to be shipped, and as early as possible for project construction sites and other project locations. This guidance will be provided through the cognizant technical office indicated on the cover page of this contract, or by the Mission Director in the Cooperating Country to which commodities are being shipped, or in which the project site is located.

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

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

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

Branding Strategy Implementation and Markings under this contract must comply with the “USAID Graphics Standards Manual” available at http://www.usaid.gov/branding or any successor branding policy, as detailed in ADS Chapter 320.

The approved Contractor’s final Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan will be incorporated as a material part of this contract as Attachment.

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY

In accordance with ADS 320 Branding and Marking, and USAID’s overall policy, all assistance delivered through this program must be clearly credited to the American People. This Branding Strategy (BS) outlines the framework in which materials and communications use to promote the program deliver the message that the assistance is from the American People, as well as to ensure appropriate use of the USAID identity markings.

The contractor shall comply with the requirements of the policy directives and required procedures outlined in USAID Automated Directive System (ADS) 320.3.2 “Branding and Marking in USAID Direct Contracting” (version from January 8, 2007) at http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/320.pdf; and USAID "Graphic Standards Manual" available at www.usaid.gov/branding, or any successor branding policy.

Program Name: “Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests [Until such time as a name is agreed upon with the Contractor] http://www.usaid.gov/branding http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/320.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/branding

Positioning: The Contractor will have the responsibility to position USAID name and logo in each activity to be supported to ensure that people recognize and identify that those activities are developed with USG financing.

Branding: The branding must incorporate the message that the assistance is "from the American People and by USAID”

Desired Level of Visibility: USAID identity must be prominently displayed in all Contractor field offices; printed, audio, visual or electronic public communications; studies, reports, publications, web sites, and promotional and informational products; and events; banners; grant fact sheets and activity one-pagers; curricula; study and workshop materials; all commodities or equipment in grants (i.e. computers, photocopiers, printers, etc.) and all enduring physical structures resulting from implementation (e.g., rehabilitated schools and bridges, repaired electrical facilities, etc.). Marking and attribution for physical structures may need to be visible as soon as rehabilitation commences. The Contractor will clearly and conspicuously state in the small grants documentation and all delivered procurement that resources for the grant have been donated by USAID and make clear that the Contractor is acting as USAID's agent.

Marking: The Marking Plan (MP) will enumerate the public communications, commodities, infrastructure activities, program materials, events, deliverables, and other items that will be marked with the USAID identity or brand.

[END OF SECTION D]

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this contract. See http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.246-3 INSPECTION OF SUPPLIES--COST-REIMBURSEMENT MAY 2001

52.246-5 INSPECTION OF SERVICES--COST-REIMBURSEMENT APR 1984

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports and other required performance objectives, deliverables or outputs shall take place at the principle place of performance or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and deliverables or outputs are produced or submitted. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) referenced in Section G has be delegated authority to inspect and accept all services, reports and required deliverables or output.

E.3 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Evaluation of the Contractor's overall performance will be conducted annually and jointly by the COR and the Contracting Officer, and shall form the basis of the Contractor's permanent performance record with regard to this contract as required by FAR 42.15 and AIDAR 742.15.

During the period of the contract, the USAID COR will conduct periodic performance reviews to monitor the progress of work and the achievement of results under this Contract. A variety of mechanisms will be used to monitor the progress and success of this award and the Contractor’s performance in achieving agreed results:

• Monthly meetings with USAID;

• Review of Contractor’s scheduled reports (which include updates to the Work Plan, fiscal expenditures and accruals, progress reports, consultancy reports, etc.);

• Feedback from host government officials, and other counterparts;

• Site visits by USAID personnel;

• Periodic impact assessments/evaluations;

• Regular planning meetings between USAID and the Contractor to finalize annual work plan and/or identify emerging priorities requiring attention;

• Coordinating committee meetings with USAID, the Contractor, the host government officials, and other stakeholders as agreed.

(a) This section describes what services USAID expects to be performed by the contractor and to what standard. The performance standards also detail the method of surveillance USAID will use to ensure that the Contractor is meeting the performance requirements.

(b) The Contractor’s performance will be measured according to the following standards:

http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html

1. Timeliness of Performance

(i) Full mobilization and start-up of the program within the timeframe committed to by the contractor.

(ii) Timeliness of documentation submitted to USAID as required by the contract.

(iii) Timeliness of response to USAID inquires for information.

2. Quality of work

(i) Effectiveness and efficiency of professional personnel in executing roles and responsibilities of the contract, including collaboration with, and technical support to other key organizations/committees/institutions, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation.

Particular attention will be paid to communication skills as well as the quality of documents, tools and reports produced under this contract.

(ii) Extent to which open, transparent and informal relations are established with USAID and multiple, sometimes competing partners.

(iii) Ability of the Contractor to take corrective action to compensate for delays which were either within or outside the Contractor’s control.

(iv) Understanding of, and adherence to, USAID regulations and procedures.

(v) Effectiveness in brining critical issues/constraints to the attention of USAID and proposing appropriate solutions.

3. Results

(i) Ability to fulfill the overall mandate of the contract.

(ii) Effectiveness in completing activities as agreed upon in the work plans.

(iii) Extent to which the deliverables under his task/component are achieved.

(iv) Ability to achieve results as outlined in the performance monitoring plan.

4. Cost Control/Effectiveness

(i) Extent to which actual cost incurred is consistent with the Contractor’s final detailed estimated/proposed cost and the overall contract budget.

(ii) Extent to which the Contractor demonstrates cost control, including adequate forecasting of costs, accuracy in financial reporting and ability to attain measurable, quantifiable cost savings in the performance of work.

c. Key Performance Indicators and Assessment Plan

The Contractor’s performance will be measured according to the following standards:

1. Technical (Quality of Service)

2. Schedule

3. Cost control

4. Business relations

Key Performance Indicators and Assessment Plan

CONTRACTOR

EXPECTATIONS

KEY MEASURES OF

PERFORMANCE

PLAN FOR

VERIFYING

PERFORMANCE

i. Technical (Quality of

The Contractor will deliver professional, high quality

Consistency and accuracy of the Contractor’s work is

Official acceptance of submitted reports, and

Service) services that responds to the contract requirements.

demonstrated at all times throughout the life of the contract, including quality of deliverables. Reports and presentations to USAID and other counterparts reflect professional quality standards in writing, data collection, and analysis.

Official acceptance of submitted reports, and other deliverables by the COR via written correspondence, copies saved in COR file.

other deliverables by the COR via written correspondence, copies saved in COR file.

ii. Schedule The Contractor’s results and deliverables are performed and/or delivered to USAID according to the specified timeline. The Contractor will provide timely answers and feedback on all requests, issues and or questions raised by the COR and or the CO.

Deliverables and task results are completed by dates identified in Section F.

No more than fifteen calendar days transpires between submission of comments, questions, or issues to Contractor and a response received by

USAID.

Date of receipt of submitted reports and presentations via physical delivery or electronic submission, copies saved in COR file.

iii. Cost Control The Contractor’s work plan (Inception report) and budget are adequate and result in the completion of all deliverables and tasks as outlined in Section C.

The Contractor must provide the deliverables or outputs described in Section C, F and comply with all contract requirements, performing to the highest standards under the terms of the Contract.

Completion of Contract without any modifications or amendments related to task order price.

iv. Business Relations

Sound working relationship between the Contractor and USAID/Malawi

Avenues of communication are clear;

Effective communication practices and team management are evident and there are no documented instances of problems arising due to management of key personnel or the team;

Logistical aspects pertaining to Section C tasks and deliverables are clearly designed, well-thought out processes, are organized and implemented so that tasks and deliverables are efficiently completed.

No documented problems or issues arise due to Key Personnel management or communication issues;

No documented problems or issues arise…