Attachment 1- Sample Task Order - Laos.pdf

Sample Task Order - Community Forest Management Program in Laos

USDA Forest Service

RFP 12318722R0003

The following describes an example of a typical overseas project implemented by the US Forest

Service. The Forest Service does not currently operate nor anticipate in the future opening an office in Laos, or a field office in Vietnam. This scenario is an example to assess each offeror’s ability to register and operate an overseas office and support field offices in neighboring countries. Performance Work Statement issued under the awarded contract may be larger or smaller in both scope and value.

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 appropriations from the United States Congress and through inter-agency agreements with 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 is implementing the Community Forest Management Program in Laos (CFMP) and provides targeted technical and capacity building assistance to Lao People’s Democratic

Republic (PDR) agencies and forest-dependent communities. Over the next four years, the

CFMP seeks to conserve forest resources across Laos through the development of sustainable community forest management plans and diversification of economic livelihoods among forest-dependent communities in Laos. Additionally, the Forest Service recently initiated community forest management activities to Vietnam using a field office that report to the main CFMP office in Vientiane.

Engaging in technical cooperation with forest communities is a priority for the Forest Service both at home and abroad. In the U.S., the Forest Service works closely with state forest agencies, private landowners, and communities in and around national forests to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes that ensure the conservation of forest resources. Internationally, the Forest

Service works on these same issues across the globe with regional- and national-level institutions and community organizations.

3. PROJECT BACKGROUND

USFS IP has collaborated with Lao PDR since 2014, within the framework of the US

Government Interagency SilvaCarbon Program that build local capacity for forest monitoring.

Lao PDR Department of Forestry (DoF) has participated in over 50 capacity building events organized by SilvaCarbon for improved forest cover mapping and monitoring. As a result of the demonstrated technical capacity in Monitoring Verification and Reporting (MRV), in January

2021, Lao PDR was the third country in the Asia region to sign the Emission Reduction Purchase

Agreement (ERPA) with the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. USFS IP through the

SilvaCarbon program continues to support DoF to successfully implement the ERPA and to access other climate finance.

The collaboration with DoF at the national level opened additional opportunities for collaboration, including support to the Lao PDR government as they increase engagement with local communities in the management of natural resources. To address the recommendations from the 2019 Forestry Law related to improved village forest management, USFS IP partnered with RECOFTC – the Center for People and Forests and two local civil society organization

(CSO) partners from Bokeo Province in Norther Laos: Maeying Huamjai Phattana/Women

Mobilizing for Development Association, and Community Association for Knowledge in

Development.

The long-term goal of USFS support is to develop and implement village forest management plans that contribute to the promotion of sustainable forest management and enhance forest-based livelihoods of forest-dependent communities in Bokeo and beyond. To date, the CSO partners from Bokeo secured the approval of two village forestry management plans, which are currently under implementation. USFS’s project in Bokeo supported certification of smallholder farmers, contracts for local forest product users, as well as trainings in different aspects of forest management. The focus for the next four years under the CFMP will be to work on strengthening specific skills of Bokeo partners, support income generation, and ensuring sustainability of the work. Drawing from the experience in Laos, the work in Vietnam will support community managed forests and work closely with CMFP staff to design and implement activities.

During the CFMP, USFS will continue to provide targeted expertise through its vast network of subject matter experts as well as its in-country program coordinators, to deliver needed technical inputs at regional, national, or local counterpart levels. The activities will:

• Strengthen sustainable forest management through support to Lao PDR government agencies to develop forest management policies, regulatory frameworks, and planning processes.

• Improve implementation of community forestry concessions, including inventory, management plan development, and monitoring.

• Build the technical, financial, and operational capacity of forest-dependent communities in forest management activities.

• Improve access to and use of data, tools, and advanced technologies for land use and forest policy, monitoring, and management, including by civil society organizations.

• Strengthen institutional capacity for sustainable forest management at regional, national and local government levels

SCOPE

The Forest Service requires that a contractor perform multiple services in support of CFMP and other technical assistance activities in Laos: 1) provide technical leadership and management for the overall project in Vientiane, Laos as well as technical leadership in the Vietnam field office;

2) register and maintain a project office in Vientiane, Laos; 3) provide Washington, D.C.-based back-stopping project support; 4) provide short-term technical assistance as required to advance program objectives; 5) provide in-country consultants; 6) process payments to overseas vendors;

7) process a payment to a local entity; and, 8) process a payment to a local, community-based organization. Tasks one, two, three, four, and five may be billed as cost-plus fixed fee (CPFF) while task six, seven and eight will be firm fixed price (FFP)

Management and Leadership

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 five major deliverables:

(1) Strengthen sustainable forest management through support to Lao PDR government agencies to develop forest management policies, regulatory frameworks, and planning processes.

Task 1 – Technical Leadership and Management (CPFF)

Outcome 1: The CFMP 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

(2) Improve implementation of community forestry concessions, including inventory, management plan development, and monitoring.

(3) Build the technical, financial, and operational capacity of forest-dependent communities in forest management activities.

(4) Improve access to and use of data, tools, and advanced technologies for land use and forest policy, monitoring, and management, including by civil society organizations.

(5) Strengthen institutional capacity for sustainable forest management at regional, national and local government levels

b) Managing local personnel, which included experts in forest monitoring and inventory, climate change, community forest management, disaster management, community resilience, natural resource law enforcement, geographic information systems, accounts, logistics, driving services, outreach and education, and monitoring and evaluation;

providing quality oversight and technical direction; administering the staff benefits and payroll.

c) Coordinating and communication with the FS Contracting Officer’s Representative

(COR), and local entities in Laos.

d) Working closely with government and nongovernment entities in the forestry sector, including ministries, local and international nongovernmental organizations, private sector entrepreneurs, other forestry practitioners, academics and local municipalities across Laos and Vietnam.

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

f) Monitoring and reporting on program status.

g) Ensuring local staff:

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

ii) Maintains office space, furniture, vehicle(s), and equipment.

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

iv) Complies with local legal requirement, including retention of a certified local law firm(s) to ensure compliance with all labor, tax, and registration laws.

v) Support and follow IP and USFS’s policies on anti-harassment and anti-racism.

h) Ensuring equipment clears local customs efficiently and adheres to local laws and regulations and that it is properly inventoried and/or donated to appropriate entities per

USFS regulations.

1.2 The Contractor shall assume all day-to-day administrative functions of the CFMP Vientiane office, as well as the field office in Vietnam.

1.3 Manage financial operations in project offices and support the management and ongoing performance of CFMP activities.

1.4 The Contractor shall ensure that all deliverables for all tasks under this contract are complete, accurate, and delivered according to established schedule and are provided to the

Government for review, comment, and acceptance.

1.5 Level of Effort: The contractor shall provide project management and technical leadership through the provision of a:

a) senior office director (Senior Program Specialist Level II) based in Vientiane, Laos with a level of effort of 2080 hours,

b) country director (Senior Program Specialist Level II) based in Hanoi, Vietnam with a level of effort of 2080 hours; and, Quality Insurance

1.6 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.

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

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

Reporting

1.9 The Contractor shall prepare and submit monthly status reports within five 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 in Vientiane and manage the project office including, but not limited to:

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

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

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, as a minimum: Specific tasks to be performed and the resources assigned to them; task dependencies and relationships; proposed task duration;

and major milestones, including deliverables 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 CFMP Project Office

2.4 Manage financial operations in Vientiane to include opening of a bank account in Vientiane and support the management and ongoing performance of the CFMP Project.

2.5 Retain up to eight qualified mid-level local staff for institutional strengthening and policymaking, forest monitoring and inventory, NGO partnership development, community

Task 2 – Register and Maintain CFMP Project Office in Vientiane (CPFF)

Outcome 1: The CFMP activities will take place under a legal, supportive, and well managed environment.

Outcome 2: The CFMP office in Vientiane has a bank account established in a local bank that can receive international wire transfers and deliver payments to vendors and field office staff.

forestry, monitoring and evaluation, administrative, driving, and communications; provide quality oversight and technical direction; administer the staff benefits and payroll.

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

2.7 Ensure compliance with local legal requirement, including retention of a certified law firm to ensure compliance with all labor, tax, and registration laws.

2.8 Maintain office space, furniture, vehicle(s) and equipment per USFS regulations.

Community Forest Framework Consultant

3.1 The Contractor will provide one Community Forest Framework consultant to perform short-term technical assistance assignment to Laos. The expert will work with Laos CFMP staff and local partners on frameworks for sustainable community forest management.

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

a) Minimum 10 years’ experience working with forest-dependent communities.

b) Extensive experience coordinating training on community forest frameworks.

c) Extensive experience with and understanding of community forest frameworks in different contexts, including forest inventory, management plan development, concession management, and community governance.

d) Experience working in an international setting.

e) Strong communication skills and training experience.

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

a) Develop a framework for community forest management together with Lao PDR partners

b) Deliver one training course in collaboration with CFMP for CFMP staff and Lao PDR government partners on community forest frameworks and governance

c) Deliver one training course in collaboration with CFMP for CFMP staff and community partners on frameworks for community forest management.

f) Provide oversight to CFMP staff and community and government partners remotely as needed.

g) Participate in CFMP annual work planning exercise.

3.4 Level of effort: The Government estimates a total level of effort of 46 days. Twenty-five

(25) days (five days per month for five months) for consulting from the consultant’s place of business and an additional 21 days level of effort in Laos. The consultant shall be required to make three international trips from his/her home of record to participate in CFMP’s strategic

Task 3 – Short-Term Technical Consultants (CPFF)

Outcome: The CFMP receive technical support, advice, and visits from natural resource manager and scientists that are otherwise not available in Laos.

planning workshop and two 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 three airline tickets and 21 days per diem).

Forest Management Plan Consultant

3.5 The Contractor will provide one Forest Management Plan consultant to perform short-term, on-the-ground guidance at project sites in Laos and to train local staff on developing and implementing sustainable forest management plans.

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

a) Strong practical experience and theoretical knowledge with successful forest management techniques in an array of settings, including sensitive resource conservation, sustainable utilization, non-timber forest products, forest economics, and international timber markets.

b) Extensive experience delivering training and education in forest management plan development and implementation.

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

3.7 The expert will perform three, 14-day trips to Laos to meet partners, inspect field sites, and provide advice relative to forest management plan development. The expert will also provide consultation to CMFP staff from home via email and conference calls.

3.8 The following deliverables are required of the consultant:

a) Design and implement three, 14-day visits to Laos to develop forest management plan interventions in prioritized community areas in collaboration with CFMP staff and share best practices.

b) Conduct on-the-ground training for CFMP technical staff and CFMP partners responsible for developing and maintaining forest management plans in select communities.

c) Provide written guideline for CFMP staff on technical management and techniques when appropriate.

d) Provide reports on all technical activities after each trip to Laos and communicate with

CFMP staff monthly.

3.9 Level of effort: The Government estimates a total level of effort of 60 days. Eighteen (18) days of level of effort will take place at the consultant’s place of business and 42 days will take place in Laos, inclusive of travel. The consultant will be required to make three international trips from his/her home to participate in CFMP’s strategic planning workshop and two training courses. It is anticipated that the consultant will require one roundtrip airline ticket and 14 days of per diem for each overseas trip (total of three airline tickets and 42 days per diem).

4.1 The Contractor shall provide a qualified individual to serve as a Laos Program Specialist in the Asia-Pacific Regional program of International Programs. The specialist will support the development and execution of Forest Service programs in Laos.

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

a) Two years’ related work experience with an emphasis on administrative and/or project management skills.

b) Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a variety of partners

(government, NGO, private sector, academia) and in a diverse team environment.

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

d) Experience living or working in a developing country 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 the key units in the Forest Service who work with the Asia-Pacific

Program in the region.

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

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 financial management needs relative to the program.

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

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 Asia-Pacific program and assisting other IP office support needs as requested.

4.1.3 Level of Effort: This position requires approximately 2000 hours of a Mid-Level

Program Specialist Level 1 and will require travel in support of project goals as follows. It is estimated that three roundtrips to Laos of approximately 14 days each will be required during

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

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

Task 5: In-Country Consultants (CPFF)

Outcome: The CFMP in Laos receives support from in-country experts to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation and provision of high-quality interpretation and translation services.

the period of performance as well as one roundtrip of approximately 21 days within the

United States to support an international seminar, hosted by the Forest Service. 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 qualifies individual to serve as an In-Country Consultant to support short-term monitoring and evaluation (M&E) support to the CFMP in Laos and guide the local team through collaboration. The consultant will review current project monitoring and evaluation documents, provide recommendation for any identified gaps, develop templates and procedures to ensure a strong monitoring and evaluation system is in place, support the project developing custom indicators, as necessary to best track progress toward standard indicators, and lead CLA exercises during the CFMP annual work-planning process.

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

a) Minimum five years’ experience working with monitoring and evaluation activities for development projects.

b) Experience working in forestry, natural resource management, community livelihoods, or other related development projects.

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

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 CFMP staff in Laos to accomplish the following deliverables:

a) Review project performance monitoring plan, CFMP 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 CFMP 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 CFMP, develop any custom indicators needed to further support reporting and ensuring project activities are accurately reported.

e) Lead CLA exercises with CFMP team to continually improve program effectiveness.

f) Write a final report along with any recommended templates or tools to CFMP 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 ten days for consulting from the consultant’s place of business and an additional 20 days level of effort at the

CFMP office. The consultant shall be required to make two domestic trips from his/her home of record to meet and consult with CFMP staff at the CFMP office at the beginning and end of the assignment (total of two round trip domestic flights and 20 days of per diem).

Interpretation and Translations

5.5 The Contractor shall provide a qualified individual to serve as an in-country consultant to provide short-term interpretation support to the CFMP in Laos. The consultant will provide consecutive English and Lao interpretation for short-term technical consultants in the field sites.

5.6 The in-country interpretation consultant shall have the following requirement at a minimum:

a) Minimum five years’ experience providing professional consecutive interpretation services.

b) Professional fluency in written and spoken English and Lao.

c) An understanding of forestry, natural resource management, community livelihoods, or related development projects.

5.7 The in-country interpretation consultant will coordinate closely with CFMP staff in Laos to accomplish the following deliverables:

a) Review activity work plan and related documents to ensure sufficient understanding of program 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 a full understanding of information being shared.

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

5.8 Level of effort: The Government estimates a level of effort of six days for consulting from the CFMP office and an additional 20 days of level of effort at the CFMP project sites. The consultant shall be required to make two domestic trips from his/her home of record to meet and consult with CFMP staff at the CFMP office, and two domestic trips from his/her home of record to CFMP project sites, requiring four domestic round-trip flights and 26 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

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

Outcome: The CFMP in Laos 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.

workshops and events, rent for office space, legal representation for the program, technical assistance from local partners, 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 to the program office account in Laos at regular intervals as well as direct payments to vendors and the field office in

Vietnam from time to time to ensure that project implementation is unimpeded on the ground.

The Forest Service will require up to 20 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 Recipient

1 $250,000 December 1, 2022 CFMP Office

2 $50,000 January 15, 2023 CFMP Office

3 $7,500 January 27, 2023 Vendor

4 $35,000 February 1, 2023 Vietnam Field

Office

5 $9,000 February 15, 2023 CFMP Office

6 $105,000 March 1, 2023 CFMP Office

7 $20,000 March 7, 2023 Vendor

8 $45,000 March 15, 2023 Vietnam Field

Office

9 $250,000 April 1, 2023 CFMP Office

10 $145,000 May 15, 2023 CFMP Office

11 $5,500 May 21, 2023 Vendor

12 $11,000 May 25, 2023 Vendor

13 $450,000 June 1, 2023 CFMP Office

14 $60,000 June 15, 2023 Vietnam Field

Office

15 $35,000 June 22, 2023 Vendor

16 $300,000 July 15, 2023 CFMP Office

17 $75,000 August 15, 2023 Vietnam Field

Office

18 $7,000 September 14, 2023 Vendor

19 $100,000 October 1, 2023 CFMP Office

20 $40,000 November 1, 2023 CFMP Office

The Forest Service will provide final verification to the Contractor about where and when to make individual payments.

The contractor shall deliver payment to a local entity in Laos to provide local logistical support for a 1-week workshop on forest management plans, which includes 25 local participants and international travel for 5 colleagues in Thailand to visit Bokeo. This will be an opportunity to share experiences, best practices and lessons learned regionally. Payment will cover venue, supplies for the workshop, and travel and per diem for the participants.

In order to carry out this initiative, the contractor shall process a payment for $18,685 per the account details that will be provided at the time of award. Banking information will include name of beneficiary bank, beneficiary bank’s SWIFT code, bank location/address, bank telephone/fax, bank account title, bank account number, international routing code and intermediary bank information, if necessary.

Payment should be made within 10 business days of award and contractor shall submit proof that the payment was sent and received to IP within 3 business days of payment.

The contractor shall deliver payment to a local community-based organization (CBO) in

Thailand to support community forest monitoring activities. This activity will support the ongoing regional exchange and follow-up to the 1-week workshop in Bokeo. In conjunction with a Forest Service technical assistance visit, the funds will cover the cost of two technical experts from the CBO to jointly conduct forest monitoring activities over a two-week period with the

Forest Service technical team.

In order to carry out this initiative, the contractor shall process a payment for $8350 per the account details that will be provided at the time of award. Banking information will include name of beneficiary bank, beneficiary bank’s SWIFT code, bank location/address, bank telephone/fax, bank account title, bank account number, international routing code and intermediary bank information, if necessary.

Payment should be made within 10 business days of award and contractor shall submit proof that the payment was sent and received to IP within 3 business days of payment.

Task 7: Payment Processing to a Local Entity

Outcome: The CFMP in Laos is able to share best practices and lessons learned regionally.

Task 8: Payment Processing to a Local Community-Based Organization

Outcome: The CFMP in Laos is able to share best practices and lessons learned regionally.

9. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Perf

Std

Required

Services

Performance

Standards

Acceptable

Quality Level

(AQL)

Monitoring

Method

PS-1 Provide technical leadership and management for the CFMP in

Laos

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 CFMP 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 monitoring plan

95% compliance

FS review of transition activities and the approved

Transition 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

Review and verification of

PMP reports.

PS-5 Provide an In-

Country

Consultant

Project deliverables are met on time and in accordance with

95% compliance

FS review and verification of monitoring and targets in the project’s performance monitoring plan.

evaluation plan and technical reports.

PS-6 Payment

Processing for

Equipment, Supplies 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.

10. DELIVERABLES

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

10.1. 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 Management

and Project Transition Plan

Within 10 calendar days of the kickoff meeting

1.2 Final Project Management

and Project Transition Plan

Within 10 calendar days or receipt of USFS comments

1.11 Monthly Status Report Within five calendar days of

the last calendar day of the month

2.1 Draft Registration Plan Within 10 calendar days of

the kickoff meetings

2.2 Final Registration Plan Within 10 calendar days of

receipt of USFS comments

10.2 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) calendar days to review draft deliverables and make comments.

The Contractor will have seven (7) calendar days to make corrections. Upon receipt of the final deliverables, the COR/designee will have seven (7) calendar days 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) calendar days to correct the rejected deliverable and return it per delivery instructions.

11. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Anticipated Contractor Start Date: November 1, 2022

Base Period: November 1, 2022 – October 31, 2023

12. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE AND WORKDAYS

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

Estimated workdays: 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.

13. 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 Contractor consultants and employees who are U.S. citizens and are directly billed to this task will be required to complete the U.S. State Department’s CTAT and/or FACT trainings depending the length of time they spend overseas in a calendar year.

Medical and emergency evacuation insurance will be required for all Contractor consultants and employees who are directly billed to this task and operating overseas outside of their home country.

14. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND INFORMATION

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.

14. 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.

16. 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.

17. ADMINISTRATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

17.1 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.

17.2 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.