RFI No. 72088720-PACIFIC-RFI-00003.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development Annex 2 Building U.S. Embassy 1201 Roxas Boulevard 1000 Ermita, Manilla, Philippines

Tel: (632) 301-6000 Fax (632) 301-6213 http://philippines.usaid.gov

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

RFI NUMBER: 72088720-PACIFIC/RFI-00003

ISSUANCE DATE: March 30, 2020 RESPONSE DUE DATE & TIME: April 20, 2020 at 4:00PM (Manila time) RESPONSE EMAIL ADDRESS: manila-roaa-rfa@usaid.gov with a copy to hjuanillo@usaid.gov

Subject: Request for Information (RFI) – Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Forest Governance Program

The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Mission to the Philippines, Pacific Islands, and Mongolia posts this RFI to solicit information that will solidify USAID’s understanding of the forest and land management context in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. USAID sustainable landscapes programs promote sustainable management of forest, agriculture and other lands.

The forests of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands cover a vast majority of both countries, containing rich biological diversity, natural resources, and carbon. While both countries’ economies are heavily dependent on the forest sector, current forestry practices are unsustainable. USAID is developing a new five-year regional sustainable landscapes program that will address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, unsustainable forest and land management, the lack of data to inform forest and land management decisions, and the lack of participatory land use planning and livelihood opportunities for forest-dependent communities.

This RFI seeks information from capable organizations (i.e., nongovernmental organizations, universities, consortium, for-profit organizations) that are implementing or have implemented sustainable landscapes activities.

Please note that responding to this RFI will not give any advantage to or preclude any organization or individual from any solicitation that may be subsequently issued as all comments received will be strictly for information gathering purposes only.

Issuance of this RFI does not constitute a solicitation. It does not represent an award commitment on the part of USAID/Philippines, nor does it obligate USAID/Philippines to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of any comments. Information received in response to this RFI shall become the property of USAID and shall become proprietary. Therefore, information that cannot be shared should not be sent.

RFI No. 72088720-PACIFIC/RFI-00003 Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Forest Governance Program

Responses to the questions in Attachment 1 should be submitted to USAID via email as specified above with subject line “Response to RFI No. 72088720-PACIFIC/RFI-00003,” Only electronic submissions will be accepted on or before the date and time specified above.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, Ethan Takahashi Contracting/Agreement Officer Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance

ETHAN NATHANIEL

TAKAHASHI

(affiliate)

Digitally signed by ETHAN

NATHANIEL TAKAHASHI

(affiliate) Date: 2020.03.30 11:21:32 +08'00'

ATTACHMENT 1

Response Requirements

Responses to this RFI must be limited to not more than 8 pages and must include the following:

1. A table that contains the following information:

a. Organization name and address;

b. Organization point of contact, title/position, mobile and landline numbers, email address and website (if applicable);

c. Country where the Organization operates: Papua New Guinea or the Solomon

Islands. Please also specify if the Organization is working in both.

d. A brief statement that indicates the organization’s interest in a future funding opportunity.

2. Responses to the following questions:

a. What is your organization’s approach to sustainable forest management in the

Pacific Islands context? What is the organization’s major accomplishments in the sector?

b. What are the drivers of forest deforestation and degradation, unsustainable forest and land management, and the lack of participatory land use planning and livelihood opportunities for forest-dependent communities in PNG and SI?

c. How adequately are the national and provincial policies regarding forest management implemented? How do agencies/departments coordinate in implementation?

d. What is the capacity of the national government and NGO sector in the monitoring, enforcement and compliance of logging sector? What are the gaps in monitoring, enforcement and compliance?

e. What is your experience in supporting the well-being of indigenous communities

(e.g. alternative livelihoods, awareness of resource rights, connecting to markets)?

f. How has your organization worked on the customary land use and access issues?

What are the challenges and opportunities in working with customary landowners on land rights?

g. What is your experience with promoting environmental and social safeguards as it relates to land, natural resource and infrastructure investment decisions?

h. What is the role of the private sector in promoting natural resource government and sustainability models? What is your experience in promoting natural resource valuation, Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and/or developing ecosystem service markets?

i. Specific to the Solomon Islands: What is your organization’s experience in assessing and monitoring forest resource status, use, and trends; and strengthening forest inventory capacities?