6c_-_Ghana_Sample_Task_Order.pdf

Ghana Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project Support Services

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

USDA Forest Service

1. INTRODUCTION

The Office of International Programs (IP) of the United States Forest Service (USFS) is mandated to coordinate international activities for the agency around the world. The office is funded by appropriation from the United States Congress and through partnership agreements the Department of State, the United States Agency for International

Development and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. IP administers programs overseas to enhance technical cooperation on areas of domestic interest, to advance environmental diplomacy, to train its own personnel, and to help conserve the world’s natural resources.

IP seeks assistance from an outside firm to provide staffing domestically and overseas, training, overseas office administration, technical consultation and donation of equipment for an environmental program. This support cannot be provided by the agency itself but is integral to achieving the Forest Service’s international mission.

2. BACKGROUND

Established in 1905, USFS is a federal agency that manages public lands in National

Forests and grasslands under a founding principle, "To provide the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people in the long run." The agency’s mission is to

“sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.” USFS has the responsibility for stewardship of more than 193 million acres of the nation’s forests and grasslands; for developing and communicating scientific knowledge through research and development that leads to informed natural resource decision-making; for delivering technical assistance through state and private forestry programs; and for sharing knowledge and experience with others in the global community through international programs.

USFS and USAID/Ghana have partnered on forestry and natural resource management initiatives including wildfire preparedness and policy, protected area management and natural resource policy review. In recent years, USFS has provided technical assistance to the USAID/Ghana mission on environmental program design and implementation.

Through the Participating Agency Partner Agreement between USAID and USFS, the

USAID/Ghana mission has transferred funds to the USFS to develop and manage a multi-year sustainable landscapes project in Ghana. This project aims to strengthen capacity for low emissions development through improved coastal landscape management.

3. PROJECT BACKGROUND

Ghana’s Western Region is one of the fastest growing areas of the country and in all of

West Africa. Land use pressures are enormous, especially in the high population centers of the region’s six coastal districts. Demand for conversion of forests to agriculture, cash crop development, harvesting of mangroves and other forest species for charcoal and timber production, artisanal mining, and urban development all pose significant threats to forests in this region. High unemployment rates compound these pressures, exacerbating unsustainable natural resource management practices and reducing ecosystem services provided by the region’s forests.

Most land in the Western Region outside forest reserves and other protected areas has been deforested and converted to agriculture. The current situation is one of urgency—to find ways of taking pressure off the remaining reserves and to improve livelihoods and land management outside the reserves. Coupled with the human pressures on the landscape, a warming climate caused by increased atmospheric carbon dioxide poses significant risk to the landscape. In addition to increased temperatures, climate change is associated with jet stream fluctuations causing irregular, more extreme, and unusual weather patterns and events. Changing rainfall patterns and amounts can mean droughts in some areas and floods in others. Changing phenology, distributions of plant species, and rising sea levels are some of the potential adverse impacts on the region from climate change.

To address these growing threats, USAID/Ghana’s Economic Growth office has developed natural resource interventions in Ghana’s Western Region. USAID’s main initiative, the

Fisheries and Coastal Management (FCM) Program, has four components: (i) strengthened enabling environment for decentralized fisheries and coastal governance, (ii) increased use of applied science to inform decision-making, law enforcement and the implementation of management plans, (iii) heightened public awareness of trends, challenges and successes in ecosystem management and stronger public demand for sustainable use and conservation, and (iv) improved management of marine and coastal natural resources for multiple benefits.

The US Forest Service, under a participating agency partnership agreement (PAPA) with

USAID, manages one component of the FCM program, the Coastal Sustainable Landscapes

Project (CSLP). It will contribute in some form to all four components but most of its emphasis is on the fourth component. Operating in the six coastal districts of Ghana’s resource-rich Western Region, the CSLP activities target landscape-level engagement with communities, non-governmental organizations, Government of Ghana agencies, the private sector, and international partners. The project’s geographic area stretches from the Cote d’Ivoire border eastward through the Greater Amanzule wetlands complex, Cape Three

Points, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area (STMA) and east to the Central Region border.

To confront these growing threats mentioned above, the CSLP intends to improve carbon sequestration, forest management, and livelihoods in the six coastal districts of the Western

Region. The overall long-term impact of the project will be to promote low emissions development in Ghana’s Western Region by strengthening community-based natural resource management and monitoring. The project will focus on the coastal landscape, including mangroves, other wetlands, and forests and agricultural areas (within and outside protected areas) all of which are managed under a diversity of land tenure regimes.

Ghana has seen numerous interventions related to forest conservation in the past, many with only limited success. CSLP’s primary activities are focused on community-level interactions that work to achieve low emissions development goals. One key component of the CSLP strategy is the application of a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model—a social entrepreneurial concept that has already enjoyed much success in Ghana.

It is employed by the CSLP as a novel vehicle to help encourage and promote activities that maintain and increase forest cover with native and existing tree species. The project’s activities are being established within communities where there is an existing and functioning community governance body such as Community Resource Management Areas

(CREMAs) or similar entities. This history of community collaboration provides an entry point to develop a community’s capacity to launch their own VSLA and oversee loans to community members. The CSLP is applying the VSLA concept to provide incentives for farmers and landowners to incorporate more indigenous species of trees on their land while helping provide seed funding for a revolving funding mechanism to work towards improved livelihoods.

With successful implementation, these efforts will contribute to increased employment, improved livelihoods, better land management of existing natural resources, increased soil fertility, and increased carbon stocks. Moreover, improved land management and livelihoods will reduce pressure on intact areas of forest reserve, protecting their biodiversity, allowing for ecotourism opportunities and enhancing the value of other ecosystem services within the value chains of the local communities.

4. ATTACHMENTS

4.1. Ghana CSLP Performance Monitoring Plan

4.2. Ghana CSLP Branding Implementation Plan and Marketing Plan

5. SCOPE

The Forest Service requires that a contractor perform six types of services for the Ghana

CSLP: 1) provide technical leadership and management for the overall project in

Takoradi; 2) register and maintain the Ghana Project Office; 3) provide short term technical assistance as required to advance program objectives; 4) provide Washington

D.C.-based back-stopping project support; 5) provide in-country consultants; and, 6) process payments to overseas vendors at the direction of the Forest Service. Tasks one, two, three, four and five may be billed as cost- plus fixed-fee (CPFF) while tasks and six will be firm fixed price (FFP).

Management and Leadership

Task 1 – Technical Leadership and Management (CPFF)

Outcome 1: The Ghana CSLP activities will continue without disruption to ongoing partnerships and project activities.

Outcome 2: The highest quality project technical management support and leadership is provided to ensure an efficient and effective project execution.

1.1 The Contractor shall be responsible for project management and technical leadership for this effort including, but not limited to:

a) Meeting:

i. PWS performance standards.

ii. Deadlines included in the PWS and in the Contractor’s project plan to achieve the following four major deliverables:

• Natural resources policy and enabling environment strengthened

• Applied research for improved ecosystem services delivery reinforced

• Awareness and coordination capacity of GOG and the public for sustainable landscape management strengthened

• Livelihoods improved through enhanced natural resources management in targeted areas on and off reserve

b) Managing local personnel, which include experts in: climate change, geographic information systems, accounts, logistics, driving services, and outreach and education; providing quality oversight and technical direction;

administering the staff benefits and payroll.

c) Coordinating and communicating with the FS Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR), local entities in Ghana and USAID/Ghana.

d) Working closely with Ghana’s nongovernmental forestry sector, including nongovernmental organizations, private sector entrepreneurs, other forestry practitioners, academics, and local municipalities.

e) Identifying international technical experts to provide advice and consultation as required.

f) Monitoring and reporting on status.

g) Ensuring that the USAID branding agreement with USFS is strictly adhered to.

h) Ensuring that local staff:

i. Utilize USFS accounting standards and practices for documenting local expenses and inventory.

ii. Maintains USAID-approved office space, furniture, vehicles and equipment per the on-going agreement between USAID and the

Forest Service. The incumbent contractor will transition all computers and project furnished equipment to the new contractor.

iii. Develop specifications for all equipment and local services and communicate closely with USFS prior to provision of those services.

iv. Complies with local legal requirements, including retention of a certified local law firm in order to ensure compliance with all labor, tax and registration laws.

i) Ensuring that equipment clears Ghanaian customs efficiently and adheres to local laws and regulations and that it is properly inventoried and/or donated to appropriate entities per the USAID and USFS agreement.

1.2 The Contractor shall prepare a project management and project transition plan. A draft plan shall be delivered to FS within ten business days of the kickoff meeting.

A final project and transition plan shall be delivered within ten business days of receipt of FS comments on the draft. The transition plan will include the following:

a) Approach for managing the transition from the current Contractor.

b) How the Contractor will work with the current contractor to facilitate the transition of staff members.

c) A list of all Government dependencies and assumptions for Government services to be used during the transition.

d) Transition risks and risk mitigation recommendations.

e) Schedule risks, if anticipated, and their likely impacts on affected personnel, and transition issues.

f) Transition schedule that includes, at a minimum: specific tasks to be performed and the resources assigned to them; task dependencies and relationships;

proposed task duration; and major milestones, including the deliverable milestones.

1.3 The Contractor shall complete the initial transition within 2 weeks from the initial transition start date.

1.4 The Contractor shall assume all day-to-day administrative and management functions of the Ghana CSLP Office.

a) Manage financial operations in Ghana and support the management, and ongoing performance of the CSLP.

1.5 The Contractor shall ensure that all deliverables for all tasks under this contract are complete, accurate and delivered according to established schedules and are provided to the Government for review, comment, and acceptance.

1.6 Level of Effort: The contractor shall provide project management and technical leadership through the provision of a senior office director based in Takoradi, Ghana with a level of effort of 2000 hours.

Quality Assurance

1.7 The Contractor shall document and apply quality control procedures used throughout the performance of this contract for itself and any Subcontractors, in accordance with its proposed quality assurance plan.

1.8 The Contractor shall document and conform to quality standards and best practices.

1.9 The Contractor shall identify and remedy quality issues in a timely manner.

Reporting

1.10 The Contractor shall prepare and submit a monthly status report within 5 business days of the last business day of the preceding month to the COR. The Contractor shall include in its report any areas of concern.

The Contractor shall:

2.1 Develop a Registration Plan, based on information provided in the kickoff event with the Government, to describe how it will register the project and manage the project office including, but not limited to:

a) Establish relationship with a qualified Ghana legal counsel to ensure compliance with project registration requirements in Ghana.

b) Complete necessary documentation and legal requirements to register the project in

Ghana.

c) Develop registration risks and risk mitigation recommendations.

d) Schedule risks, if anticipated, and their likely impacts on affected personnel, and transition issues.

e) Registration schedule that includes, at a minimum: specific tasks to be performed and the resources assigned to them; task dependencies and relationships; proposed task duration; and major milestones, including the deliverable milestones.

2.2 Finalize the Registration Plan based upon Government provided feedback.

2.3 Assume all day-to-day administrative and management functions of the Ghana Project

Office.

2.4 Manage financial operations in Ghana to include opening of a bank account in Ghana and support the management, and ongoing performance of the CSLP program.

2.5 Retain up to seven qualified mid-level local staff for environmental policy, environmental planning, communications, community natural resources benefits, accounts, logistics, and drivers; provide quality oversight and technical direction;

administer the staff benefits and payroll.

2.6 Ensure compliance with local legal requirements, including retention of a certified local law firm in order to ensure compliance with all labor, tax and registration laws.

Task 2 – Register and Maintain Ghana Project Office (CPFF)

Outcome: The Ghana CSLP activities will take place under a legal, supportive, and well managed environment.

2.7 Maintain a full-time accountant and utilize USFS accounting standards and practices for documenting local expenses and inventory.

2.8 Maintain USAID approved office space, furniture, vehicles and equipment per the on-going agreement between USAID and the Forest Service.

Tree Nursery Expert

3.1 The Contractor will provide one tree nursery expert consultant to perform short-term technical assistance assignments to Ghana. The expert will work with Ghana CSLP staff and local partners on effective development and delivery of training on best practices for nursery establishment, seed procurement, seed storage, seedling propagation, nursery shading systems and siting of tree nurseries in tropical forest areas and other growing methods unique to the growing conditions in western Ghana.

3.2 The expert shall have the following requirements at a minimum:

a) Minimum 10 years’ experience working with tree nursery management.

b) Extensive experience coordinating training for nursery development and operation.

c) Extensive experience with and understanding of seed procurement, seed storage, seedling propagation, nursery shading systems and siting of tree nurseries in tropical forest areas.

d) Experience working in an international setting.

e) Strong communication skills and training experience.

3.3 The expert will coordinate work closely with CSLP staff in Ghana to accomplish the following deliverables:

a) Develop a framework for a nursery seedling propagation course in collaboration with CSLP staff to be used with community and government partners.

b) Deliver a training course in collaboration with CSLP staff for tree nursery managers in five communities in the Western Region as well as Government of Ghana counterparts on tree nursery establishment and management.

c) Deliver a training course for out-planting experts in Ghana on effective methods for transporting seedlings from nurseries to planting sites and best practices when planting to ensure success.

d) Provide oversight to CSLP staff and community and government

Task 3: Short-Term Technical Consultants (CPFF)

Outcome: The Ghana CSLP receives effective technical support, advice, and visits from natural resource managers and scientists that are otherwise not available in Ghana.

partners remotely as needed.

e) Participate in CSLP annual work planning exercises.

3.4 Level of effort: The Government estimates level of effort of 30 days (five days per month for six months) for consulting from the consultant’s place of business and an additional 28 days of level of effort in Ghana. The consultant shall be required to make four international trips from his/her home of record to participate in CSLP’s strategic planning workshop and three training courses. It is anticipated that the consultant will require one roundtrip airline ticket and seven days of per diem for each overseas trip (total of four airline tickets and 28 days per diem).

Agroforestry Expert

3.5 The Contractor will provide one agroforestry management expert consultant to perform short-term, on-the- ground guidance at project sites in Ghana, and to train local staff on appropriate tropical agroforestry techniques to enhance soil quality, increase or maintain tree cover, and promote multi-use cropping systems for the CSLP and community partners.

3.6 The consultant shall meet the following requirements at a minimum:

a) Strong practical experience and theoretical knowledge with successful tropical agroforestry techniques in an array of settings and land tenure regimes.

b) Extensive experience in delivering training and education in tropical agroforestry systems development and management.

c) Minimum five years’ experience working in an international setting and advising large-scale natural resource conservation projects.

3.7 The expert will perform three 15-day trips to Ghana to meet partners, inspect field sites, and provide advice relative to developing new and enhancing existing agroforestry sites to promote soil conservation, conserve biodiversity, increase or maintain tree cover and promote multi-cropping systems for community partners in collaboration with CSLP staff and government counterparts. The expert will also provide consultation to CSLP staff from home via email and conference calls.

3.8 The following deliverables are required of the consultant:

a) Design and implement three 15-day visits to Ghana to develop pilot agroforestry interventions in prioritized community areas in collaboration with CSLP staff and share best practices in various settings.

b) Conduct pertinent on-the-ground training for CSLP technical staff and

CSLP partners responsible for developing and maintaining identified agroforestry sites.

c) Provide written guidelines for CSLP staff on technical management techniques when appropriate.

d) Provide reports on all technical activities after each trip to Ghana and communicate with CSLP technical staff on a monthly basis.

3.9 Level of effort: The Government estimates a total level of effort of 50 days.

Five days of level of effort will take place at the consultant’s place of business and 45 days will take place in Ghana inclusive of travel. The consultant will be required to make three international trips from his/her home to participate in

CSLP’s strategic planning workshop and two training courses. It is anticipated that the consultant will require one roundtrip airline ticket and fifteen days of per diem for each overseas trip (total of three airline tickets and

45 days per diem).

4.1 The Contractor shall provide a qualified individual to serve as a Ghana

Program Specialist in the Technical Cooperation Unit of International

Programs. The specialist will support the development and execution of Forest

Service programs in Ghana.

4.1.1 The consultant shall meet the following requirements at a minimum:

a) Two years’ experience living and working in a developing country.

b) Strong written and oral communication skills, strong analytical abilities, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural awareness necessary for fostering productive and positive interactions with individuals from the

West Africa.

c) Experience or familiarity with cultural and natural resource management issues is preferred.

4.1.2 The specialist shall complete the following tasks:

a) Assisting and backstopping existing programs, including arranging travel for USFS teams to travel abroad and executing all required tasks for developing study tours, seminars and for otherwise hosting foreign visitors in the US.

b) Networking with key units in the Forest Service who work with the

Africa Program in the region.

c) Writing reports, work-plans and proposals for programs in Ghana.

d) Organizing and participating in travel to the region to work with partners, develop programs and accompany USFS teams.

e) Assisting with tracking program funding, expenditures, budgets, and other

Task 4: DC-based Project Support Specialist (CPFF)

Outcome: The Forest Service and Ghana CSLP will receive effective back-stopping support to ensure good and efficient communication between the home and project office on all matters relevant to implementation of the CSLP.

financial management needs relative to the program.

f) Assisting with representational functions in the US and abroad related to the programs in Ghana.

g) Networking with relevant domestic and foreign organizations working on natural resource management and diplomacy building in the region.

h) Providing general programmatic and administrative support to the

Africa program and assisting other IP office support needs as requested.

4.1.3 Level of Effort: This position requires approximately 2000 hours and will require travel in support of project goals as follows. It is estimated that two roundtrips to Ghana of approximately two weeks each will be required during the period of performance as well as two roundtrips of approximately one week each within the United States to accompany study tours for consultations. These trips will require roundtrip airfare and per diem. This position is located in the USFS International

Programs Office in Washington, D.C.

Monitoring and Evaluation

5.1 The Contractor shall provide a qualified individual to serve as an In-Country Consultant to support short-term monitoring and evaluation (M&E) support to the CSLP in Ghana.

The consultant will review current project monitoring and evaluation documents, provide recommendations for any identified gaps, develop templates and procedures to ensure a strong monitoring and evaluation system is in place, and support the project in developing custom indicators, as necessary to best track progress toward standard indicators.

5.2 The In-Country monitoring and evaluation consultant shall have the following requirements at a minimum:

a) Minimum 5 years’ experience working with monitoring and evaluation activities as part of a USAID-funded development project.

b) Experience working in agriculture, natural resource management, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) or related development projects.

c) Experience advising and mentoring teams on means of improving M&E practice.

d) Experience working with a project team with large field level interventions including trainings and government to government capacity building activities.

5.3 The In-Country monitoring and evaluation consultant will work closely with CSLP staff

Task 5: In-Country Consultant (CPFF)

Outcome: The Ghana CSLP receives support from in-country experts to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation and provision of high quality interpretation and translation services in Ghana to accomplish the following deliverables:

a) Review project performance monitoring plan, CSLP indicator tracking tool, field data sheets, and reporting formats to ensure sufficient and timely information is being collected on field activities.

b) If gaps are identified in reviewing the above mentioned documents, recommend and incorporate changes to fill those gaps while keeping the process and documentation efficient.

c) Recommend tools, templates or processes to better track information from CSLP interventions which provides adequate detail including both qualitative and quantitative information (i.e. trainee information, outcomes of the training, lessons learned, etc.) and that can be easily fed into reporting documentation.

d) In collaboration with CSLP, develop any custom indicators needed to further support reporting and ensuring project activities are accurately reported within the standard USAID indicators being tracked for the project.

e) Write a final report along with any recommended templates or tools to CSLP within one week of final visit. Tools and templates may include a revised PMP, data collection questionnaires or protocols, data tracking tools, etc.

5.4 Level of effort: The Government estimates a level of effort of 5 days for consulting from the consultant’s place of business and an additional 15 days of level of effort at the

CSLP office. The consultant shall be required to make two domestic trips from his/her home of record to meet and consult with CSLP staff at the CSLP office at the beginning and end of the assignment (total of two round trip domestic flights and 15 days of per diem).

Interpretation

5.5 The Contractor shall provide a qualified individual to serve as an In-Country Consultant to support short-term interpretation support to the CSLP in Ghana. The consultant will provide consecutive English and Twi interpretation for short-term technical consultants in the field sites.

5.6 The In-Country interpretation consultant shall have the following requirements at a minimum:

a) Minimum 5 years’ experience providing professional consecutive interpretation services;

b) Professional fluency in written and spoken English and Twi;

c) An understanding of agriculture, natural resource management, WASH or related development projects.

5.7 The In-Country interpretation consultant will coordinate work closely with CSLP staff in Ghana to accomplish the following deliverables:

a) Review activity work plan and related documents to ensure sufficient understanding of the project goals in order to provide effective interpretation services.

b) Provide consecutive interpretation between technical experts and project.

participants to ensure technical experts fully understand the data being collected and participants have full understanding of information being shared.

c) Provide ad-hoc translation of any documentation as needed.

5.8 Level of effort: The Government estimates a level of effort of 2 days for consulting from the CSLP Office and an additional 15 days of level of effort at the CSLP project sites.

The consultant shall be required to make one domestic trip from his/her home of record to meet and consult with CSLP staff at the CSLP office, and one domestic trip from his/her home of record to the CSLP project site (total of two round trip domestic flights and 15 days of per diem).

The Contractor shall deliver payment at the Forest Service’s request for items and services that may include the following: facilities, equipment, and interpretation and translation services for workshops and events, rent for office space, legal representation for the program, and salary for qualified local staff with expertise in the following areas:

geographic information systems, accounts, logistics, drivers, outreach and education specialists.

The Contractor shall communicate closely with USFS to process payments at regular intervals to ensure that project implementation is unimpeded on the ground in Ghana.

The Forest Service will require up to 15 overseas payments not to exceed $2 million in total. The following table provides a notional value and dates of each transfer:

Payment

Transfer

Payment

Amount

Payment Date

1 $300,000 April 1, 2016

2 $7,500 May 1, 2016

3 $42,500 May 15, 2016

4 $250,000 June 1, 2016

5 $300,000 July 15, 2016

6 $8,000 August 1, 2016

7 $2,000 August 15, 2016

8 $40,000 September 1, 2016

9 $450,000 September 15, 2016

10 $9,000 October 1, 2016

11 $11,000 December 1, 2016

12 $30,000 January 15, 2017

13 $250,000 February 1, 2017

14 $75,000 February 15, 2017

15 $225,000 March 1, 2017

The Forest Service will provide final verification to the Contractor about where and

Task 6: Payment Processing for Equipment and Local Services (FFP)

Outcome: The Ghana CSLP has timely access to specialized technical equipment, services and supplies to successfully accomplish its program training deliverables and objectives through efficient and timely payment processing.

when to make individual payments.

6. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Perf

Std

Required

Services

Performance

Standards

Acceptable

Quality Level

(AQL)

Monitoring

Method

PS-1 Provide technical leadership and management for the

Ghana CSLP

Project activities are completed on-time and on-budget in accordance with the Government-approved project plan.

The transition of personnel, equipment, management and administration is completed in accordance with the Government-approved

Transition Plan, and is seamless so as to cause no disruptions to ongoing activities.

No deviation. FS review of deliverables, project activities and the approved

Project and

Transition

Plan.

PS-2 Ensure Ghana activities occur under a legal, supportive, well managed environment

The registration of the project is completed in accordance with

Government-approved registration plan and supports ongoing activities of the project.

No deviation.

FS review of registration activities and the approved registration plan.

PS-3 Provide short-term

Technical

Consultants

Project deliverables are met on time and in accordance with targets in the project’s performance

95% compliance with the CSLP

Performance

Monitoring Plan

(PMP)(attached).

FS review of transition activities and the approved

Transition Plan.

monitoring plan.

PS-4 Provide a

DC-Based

Project

Support

Specialist

Project deliverables are met on time and in accordance with targets in the project’s performance monitoring plan.

95% compliance with the Ghana

CSLP

Performance

Monitoring Plan

(PMP)

(attached).

Review and verification of PMP reports.

PS-5 In-Country

Consultant

Project deliverables are met on time and in accordance with targets in the project’s performance monitoring plan.

95% compliance with the Ghana

CSLP

Performance

Monitoring Plan

(PMP)

(attached).

FS review and verification of monitoring and evaluation plan and technical reports.

PS-6 Payment

Processing for

Equipment and Local

Services

Payments will be made efficiently and will not impede project implementation on the ground.

No deviation. Random

COR/designee inspection of equipment.

COR/designee review of invoices and contractor performance.

7. DELIVERABLES

Specific deliverables, as noted in the tasks above, are identified in the following table.

7.1. Table of Deliverables

The following table includes deliverables and expected due dates. Deliverables shall be provided electronically in a Microsoft Office Suite product pre-approved by the

COR.

PWS

Task #

Deliverable Due Date

1.2 Draft Project Plan Within 10 calendar days of the kickoff meeting

1.2 Final Project Plan Within 10 calendar days or receipt of

USFS comments

1.7 Monthly Status Report Within 5 calendar days of the last

calendar day of the month

2.1 Draft Transition Plan Within 10 calendar days of the kickoff meeting

2.2 Final Transition Plan Within 10 calendar days of receipt of

USFS comments

7.2. Inspection and Acceptance

The Government will perform inspection of the deliverables and services received from the Contractor in accordance with the contract Quality Assurance Surveillance

Plan (QASP). The Government has the right to perform periodic surveillance of the

Contractor to ensure that the Contractor’s work products and QC processes are in compliance with the contract requirements. The Government and the Contractor will coordinate Government surveillance in a manner that will not unduly delay or disrupt the Contractor’s performance of the contract.

The COR will have seven (7) seven calendar days to review draft deliverables and make comments. The Contractor will have seven (7) seven calendar days to make corrections. Upon receipt of the final deliverables, the COR/designee will have seven (7) seven calendar for final review prior to acceptance or providing documented reasons for non-acceptance.

Should the Government fail to complete the review within the review period the deliverable will become acceptable by default.

The COR will have the right to reject or require correction of any deficiencies found in the deliverables that are contrary to the information contained in the Contractor’s accepted proposal. In the event of a rejected deliverable, the Contractor will be notified in writing by the COR/designee of the specific reasons for rejection. The Contractor shall have seven (7) seven calendar to correct the rejected deliverable and return it per delivery instructions.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Anticipated Contractor Start Date: March 15, 2016

At the option of the Government, the contract may be renewed for one eight month period, not to exceed one option period, provided the Contracting Officer serves notice of renewal.

Base Period: March 15, 2016 – March 14, 2017

Option Period 1: March 15, 2017 – October 31, 2017

9. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE AND WORK DAYS

Place of performance: Primarily the Ghana CSLP office in Takoradi, Ghana for overseas staff, with travel across Ghana and assignments in the United States. Washington, DC staff will work onsite at FS provided offices.

Estimated work days: A standard workday is defined as eight (8) hours. A standard workweek is defined as Monday through Friday (40 hours). Saturday and Sunday work may be necessary and will require approval. Approval for the number of hours and schedule must be given by the CO in advance.

10. TRAVEL

Travel will be required, both in the United States, and overseas depending on the task order. Travel allowances for per diem and lodging in the United States will be based on the Federal Travel Regulation, while travel abroad will be based on approved rates provided by the Department of State. All travel must be approved by the COR prior to incurring any expense.

11. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND INFORMATION

The Ghana CSLP office will provide furnishings, computers and other required equipment to the new implementer. Access to Forest Service office automation systems, phones, computer processing hardware and software will be provided as needed.

The USFS Washington Office will provide mobile phones, computers, hardware and software, language training programs, other relevant training, office space, and other equipment as needed.

12. SECURITY

Long term overseas and domestic Contractor employees directly billed to this task will obtain background checks, Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12 credentialing, and appropriate security clearances, as required for access to government systems and facilities.

13. KEY PERSONNEL

The Key Personnel designated in the IDIQ are required for this task. The implementation of this task does not require key personnel to be designated at the task level. However, the Government requests that the Contractor provide the COR with resumes of final candidates for all overseas and domestic long and short term positions described in this statement of work for review prior to fielding of personnel.

14. ADMINISTRATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

14.1 Designation of Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

The COR is responsible for the technical direction of the contract work. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreements, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documentation executed by the Contracting

Officer prior to completion of the contract.

The Contracting Officer shall be informed as soon as possible of any actions or inactions by the contractor or the Government which may affect the price, required delivery or completion times stated in the contract, so that identified desired changes and outside influences on the contract may be modified as necessary. Whenever, in the opinion of the contractor, the COR requests efforts outside the scope of the contract, the contractor shall advise the COR. If the COR persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer should be notified immediately, preferably in writing if time permits.

Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in non-payment.

A copy of the COR designation letter shall be provided to the Contractor five days after award.

14.2 Contract Administration

In no event will any agreement, modification, change order, or understanding from any government entity deviating from the terms and conditions of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual document executed by the Contracting Officer.

Whenever, in the opinion of the contractor, a government entity requests effort outside the scope of the contract, the contractor shall advise the COR. If the COR and contractor cannot obtain agreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer should be notified immediately, preferably in writing if time permits.

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes, modifications, and agreements of any type that affect the terms and conditions which may affect the price, required delivery or completion times of this contract. This authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. In the event that the Contractor affects any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the changes will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increased effort incurred as a result thereof.