Attachment J.11. IEE.pdf

? ///- -;t;;d~/~ 'bPSM DCN: t!JAP4- )f--~'t -&12/1 ~l--

RCEfor Pakistan Policy and Performance Support Mechanism (JPSM) C:: C

(jJ~§~PEOPlE I ~KISTAN T6f£P

US Agency for International Development (USAID) I Pakistan

Request for Categorical Exclusion (ReE)

Pakistan Policy and Performance Support Mechanism (3PSM)

Project! Activity Data:

Activity/Projcct Title: Pakistan PoUcy and Performance Support ISolicitation #:N.A. Mechanism (3PSM) Contract/Award Number (if known):

Geographic Location: Pakistan; 391

Originating BureaU/Office: USAID Pakistan, Office ofProgram Management

Supplemental lEE: DYes 181 No Amendment: DYes 181 No Programmatic lEE: DYes ~No

DCN and date ofOriginal document:

DCN and ECD link(sJ of Amendment(s): N.A

Amendment No.: NA

Funding Amount: $90,000,000 Life ofProject Amount: $90,000,000

Implementation Start/End: September 2018 - September 2023

Prepared By: Alison Salisbury Date Prepared: March 26,2018

Expiration Date (if any): Reporting due dates (if any): N.A.

Environmental Media and/or Human Health Potentially Impacted (check all that apply):

None 181 Air 0 Water D Land 0 Biodiversity 0 Human HealthD OtherD Recommended Threshold Determinadon:

D Negative Determination D with conditions 181 Categorical Exclusion o Positive Determination o Deferral D Exemption o USG Domestic NEPA action

Iimate Change:

181GCCIAdaption DGCClMitigation 181 Climate Change Vulnerability Analysis (included)

AdaptationlMitigation Measures: Included

DCN:~__~~____~_________

RCEfor Pakistan Policy and Peiformance Support Mechanism (3PSM)

US Agency for International Dcyelopment (USAlD) I Pakistan

Request for Categorical Exclusion (RCE)

Pakistan Policy and Performance Support Mechanism (3PSM)

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS:

1.0 Background and Project!Activity Description:

1.1 Purpose and Scope ofRCE

The purpose of this Request for Categorical Exclusion (RCE) in accordance with 22 CFR 216 is to provide the first review ofthe reasonable foreseeable effects on the environment, as well as recommend Threshold Decisions, for the "Pakistan Policy and Performance Mechanism (3PSM) or the"Activity". Activities planned to be implemented under this program are considered to have no negative effect on the natural or physical environment This RCE is in accordance with 22 CFR

216.2 (c) (1) (i); and 22 CFR 216.2 (c) (2) (i), (iii), (v) and (xiv).

1.2 Background

Based on USAID/Pakistan's emerging Country Development Cooperation Strategy CCDCS) (2018 2023) and technical discussions during the September 2017 Portfolio Reviews, the Mission identified policy reform and technical advisory support (i.e., capacity building) as two key areas necessary to support CDCS program implementation.

At the re<tuest of Mission leadership, the Offiee of Program Management (OPM) conducted a survey of the Mission's technical and support offices to Wlderstand current and planned policy support and capacity-building efforts, and identify any coverage gaps or shortfalis in mechanism flexibility that could hinder effective strategy implementation in the future.

The survey identified policy support and/or capacity-building efforts involving various Government of Pakistan (GoP) offices and other non-government entities as integral components ofnumeious ongoing activities, all of which will continue (variously) under the new CDCS. However, analysis of the survey data revealed coverage gaps driven largely by the Mission's current approach to policy reform and capacity building. By conforming interventions along narrowly defined and project-specific constructs (in terms of purpose, scope, and partner) current practice has resulted in activities that lack the flexibility and broad appljcation necessary to respond quickly to unanticipated requirements. In view of the innate, cross-cutting nature of the CDCS, underscored by its three fully integrated development objectives, such constrained programming practices run counter to the Mission-wide focus needed to serve CDCS implementation demands.

1.3 Requirement (or USAID Assistance

On the basis of this analysis on February 9,2018, the Mission Director approved OPM to move forward with the design ofa mission-wide service delivery mechanism called the Pakistan Policy and Perfonnance Support Mechanism (3PSM) that can respond quickly and flexibly to provuie policy and technical capacity-building services to support the Mission's CDCS. 3PSM is envisioned to be a service contract designed to improve selected GoP offices' perfonnance and to engage the private sector, thereby enhancing the u.s. Government's ability to meet development

D~: .______~____~____~~~ RCEfor Pakistan Policy and Performance Support Mechanism (3PSM) commitments made to the GoP. The main objectives of3PSM are to build the capacity ofGoP federal, provincial, and local-level institutions as well as other relevant stakeholder organizations;

provide advisory services to help structure public-private partnerships; and support collaboration between the GoP and the private sector to develop, implement, and reform policies in order to support implementation of the Mission's CDCS.

3PSM will be a multi-award Indefinitc DcliverylIndefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract that can be utilized by all Mission offices. Mission offices will be able to use 3PSM to respond to requests for policy and capacity-building support and design task orders to respond to specific needs.

3PSM will focus on five main lines of effort:

1.3.1 PoUcy Development, Implementation, and Reform

Mission offices have identified significant gaps in assistance to the GoP and private sector in formulating and implementing laws, policies, and regulations. Further, the private sector also lacks the capability to voice concerns and provide input into policymaking. Assistance to GoP entities, as well as engagement with the private sector on policy development, implementation, and reform, will allow the Mission to supplement existing effort-.s and further advance policy change and implementation. Moreover, this assistance will strengthen GoP institutions' ability to direct &iid lead implementation of policies effectively and efficiently to further enhance development in Pakistan.

1.3.2 FeaslbUity Assessments, Needs Analyses, and AppUcadons

Support is required to conduct a variety of studies, including feasibility assessments and needs analyses, cite actions necessary to synthesize assessment findings and information, and assist ~n the development of next steps to utilize and apply study findings. Work in these areas could include both conducting analyses and assessments and helping GoP entities, as needed, to apply and carry out the recommendations from assessments already conducted by other organizations, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and UN Agencies. This support may also include assistance with conducting mandatory environmental and social impact assessments, and climate risk needs and analyses as appropriate.

1.3.3 Fublic Administration

Assistance is required to help develop and improve basic public administration functions in the GoP, such as human resources, procurement, Infonnation Technology systems, fmancial budgeting/management, alld strategic planning. USAID already provides somc targeted support in these areas, but mostly in response to managing and mitigating U.S. Government fiduciary risk associated with government-to-govemment assistance programming in compliance with ADS 220.

Efforts under this core area would focus on broader institutional support for GoP organizations to enhance and improve public administration functions, including delivering basic services and responding to citizen needs.

1.3.4 Support to Core GoP Ministries

Page 3 oftt

I

DCN:

~----~------~--~~~RCEfor Pakistan Policy and Performance Support Mechanism (3PSM)

The Mission currently does not have any activities that pro"ide technical assistance to key GoP partners and provincial/regional offices, including the Fi.'lance Ministry's Economic Affairs Division (EAD) (USAID's main GoP counterpart), the Federal Board ofRevenue (taxation issues), and the regional planning and development offices. These national organizations serve as the main policy conduits from national to subnational government. They are also responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of development budgets for the provinces. This mechanism could provide support and build professional capabilities within these facilitating entities, which are otherwise unable to access USAID assistance directly.

1.3.5 ProfessionaVfechnical Assistance

The Mission lacks the capability to respond to GoP and Pakistani organizations' requests for supplementary professional and technical subject matter experts who can support entities in a "surge" capacity. This kind ofassistance could support special projects and requirements whcre in house staff is either not available or lacks the right technical skill set to accomplish specific time bound assignments. Assistance could be delivered through the use of Short-term Technical Assistance (SITA) under this award.

1.4 Period of Assignment/Services

The planned implementation period is five years, starting in early 2019, subject to the availability of funds. Over the course of the life of3PSM, the Mission will be able to design and develop task orders of varying scale, effort. and time aligned WIder the five lines of effort described under Section 1.3. Each task order will also undergo environmental and climate risk analyses as p8.1l of the design process.

1.5 Budget and Deliverables

The funding estimate is $90 million.

2.0 JUSTIFICATION FOR CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION REQUEST

The activities described justify Categorical Exclusions, pursuant to 22 CFR §216.2( c)( I) and §216.2(c)(2), for which an Initial Environmental Examination or an Environmental Assessment are not required because the actions do not have an effect on the natural or physical environment.

Specifically, the 3PSM activity, as currently planned, falls into the following classes of action:

a) education, technical assistance, and training [2 I 6.2(c)(2)(i)];

b) p~blic awareness campaigns, media campaigns, advocacy campaigns, public information campaigns, analyses, studies, and workshops [22CFR216.2( c )(2)(iii)];

c) document and information transfer [216.2(c)(2){v)]; and

d) activities that will develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning [216.2(c)(2)(xiv)]. As currently planned, no interventions will directly affect the environment.

DC1\':

RCEfor Pakistan Policy and Performance Support Mechanism (3PSM)

3.0 CL~TE CHANGE INTEGRATION

3.1 Country Climate Cbange Information (Baseline Information)l,2.3 Pakistan has II climate zones due to its range of topographies and ecosystems, and each of these experiences different weather and climate patterns. Generally, the coastal areas of the country are dry and hot and the northern uplands get progressively cooler. The winter months (December February) are cool and dry. The country experiences monsoons from June through September, with a lesser degree of monsoon activity in October and November.

Temperature: Widespread changes in extreme temperatures have been observed in Pakistan over the last 50 years. Cold or frosty days and nights have become less frequent whereas hot days and nights, and heat waves have become more frequent. According to Pakistan's Task Force on Climate Change, temperature is projected to increase from the 1960-1999 baseline by 1.3°C by 2020, 2.SoC by 2050, and 4.4°C by 2080 under one scenario. Under another scenario, temperatures in Pakistan are projected to rise by 1.4SoC, 2.7SoC, and 3.87°C in 2020,2050, and 2080, respectively.

Precipitation: Average rainfall in the arid and coastal plains of Pakistan has decreased by between 10 and 15 percent since 1960, while increasing during the same time period over northern Pakistan.

Heavy rainfall events have increased, with the nine heaviest rains recorded in 24 hours all being registered in 2010.

Sea Level Rise: The low-lying plains along the coast ofPakistan are exposed to the impacts vf sea level rise, with conselVative scena.';os projecting an increase of40 em by 2100.

Extreme Events: Pakistan has experienced about 18 extreme weather events since 1990, including the historic 2010 floods, as well as droughts, cyclones, and landslides. Due to the heavy monsoon rains during the summer months, Pakistan often experiences severe flooding in the Indus River basin where much of the population lives on low-lying lands. Rain or otherwise-triggered landslides are common in the northern regions of Pakistan, particularly those connected to Azad Jammu Kashmir province. Lowland plains, especially those surrounding the urban areas of Karachi and Hyderabad, are vulnerable to the impacts of cyclones a.'1d storm surge. Finally, sparse and erratic rainfall patterns can alter water tables, leading to drought conditions in the southern and central regions ofPakistan.

According to USAIDlPakistan FAA 118/119, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services Assessment, and the Global Climate Risk Index (2017), Pakistan is one of the ten countries most affected by climate change and is highly vulnerable to future impacts.

3.2 USAID Climate Risk Management Requirements

In the revised ADS 201, dated January 23,2017, Climate Risk Management is a required analysis for new projects (ADS 201.3.3.13) and activities (201.3.4.5). The Mandatory Reference for ADS Chapter 201, Climate Risk Management for USAID Projects and Activities, dated October 11, 2016, outlines the process and provides tooLI; for so doing.

1 Global Climate Risk Index 2017, available at: https:lIgermauw3tch.org/enJdownJoadJl6411.pdf 2 USAJDlPakistan FAA 118/119, C1imate Change, end Ecosystem Services Assessment 3 Pakistan Climate Vulnerability Profile available at: httpsJ/www.climatelinks.org/resourceslpakistan-<:limate wlncrabilirv-profile

Page 5 ofll https:lIgermauw3tch.org/enJdownJoadJl6411.pdf http:201.3.3.13

DCN: . ______~------~--------

RCEfor Pakislan Policy and Performance Support Mechanism (3PSM)

3.3 Project Activities And Recommended Climate Risk Management Actions:

The Agency Climate Risk Screening and Management Tool for use in activity design, updated February 23,2017, was used to screen 3PSM. The tool is a matrix that systematically identifies the relevant sectors, regions, and time frames for analysis, and assesses the potential climate change impacts, adaptive capacity, and potential options to address those impacts. The tool includes specific questions related to climate risk that were helpful in identifying specific risks and opportunities.

3PSM will take place in Pakistan. The assessment considered the potential impacts of: climate (temperature, drought, precipitation and flooding, sea level rise and storm surge, and winds and other storms), across the geographical scope, over a 0-15 year time frame.

3PSM is providing technical assistance and policy development, implementation, and reform under task orders. The climate risk for Policy Development, Implementation and Reform, Feasibilit'j Assessments, Needs Analyses and Applications, and ProfessionalfTechnical Assistance efforts via USAID assistance (as described in Section 1.3) was determined to be moderate. The improving institutional capacity ofgovernment institutions with the technical assistance being provided by the activity influenced the moderate risk rating for the lines ofeffort. The Public Administration and Support to Core GoP Ministries efforts (as described in Section 1.3) was determined to be low.

Further Climate Risk Screening will be applied in the design of individual task orders under 3?SM.

The sector-specific questions in the tool will be heipful in identifying opportunities for those task orders as they are designed.

Due to the moderate risk ratings of three of the levels of effort, 3PSM did require specific climate risk management measures to be incorporated in individual task order design and implementation.

The Activity also offers tIle opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the impacts of climate change and provides the potential to increase coordination and cooperation to positively respond to and mitigate the effects of climate change by incorporating climate considerations into the policy and capacity-building assistance provided through each line of effort.

[n addition to further Climate Risk Screenings, USAID will ensure that all lines of effort incorporate appropriate Climate considerations into task order design, implementation, and moni toring, regardless of Climate Risk Screening Rating. A summary of the conclusions from the analysis is presented in Table 1 below:

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OCN :~__~~__~~__~~~

RCEfor Pakistan Policy and Peiformance Support Mechanism (3PSM)

PoUcy Development, Implementation and

Reform

Build the capacity oj the GoP and private sector to develop and implement policy reforms. Increase engagement between the GoP and private sector to Joster the ability to communicate and provide input into the policy making process to develop and implement policies that effectively and efficiently enhance development in Pakistan.

.3 on ~....., Q.., Climate driven events (i.e.

flooding, drought, sea-level rise, etc.)

may make it difficult or impossible to develop or implement policy change.

Lack of capacity, understanding, or awareness to factor climate change and event~ into assessments and analyses.

Uncertainty to commit to policy development.

rcformand implementation due to increased market volatility from climate variability.

E "8 u

Potential to increase awareness and understanding of impacts of climate change;

Potential to increase coordination and cooperation to positively respond to and mitigate the effects ofclimate change by integrating climate considerations into policy development. reform and implementation.

Through USAIO's support recipient's capacity can be built to address challenges.

Recipient's capacity to address challenges will be built through

USAID

support.

USAIDwill ensure adaptation measures are considered and taken into account in technical guidance to respective organizations and activities.

Z

Page 7of11

DCN:~________~~____~__

Feasibility II Assessments, Needs USAID will

Analyses, and Climate driven ensure ovents (i.e. AppUcations Through Recipient's adaptationPotential to ensureLack of capacity, flooding, USAlD's capacity to measures are feasibility assessments, Conducting atUilyse~j drought, sea undemtanding, or support address considered<II needs analyses andand assessments; level rise, etc.) awareness to factor recipient's challenges and taken~ I ~ applications consider and 0~ >.helping GoP enlities as may make it climate change and capacity will be.,.. into account Z-g factor climate change and....needed to apply and events intodifficult or can be built in technical~ ::a0 climate change implications carry out impossible to assessments and built to through guidance tointo information that is recommendations from carry out analyses. address USAlD respectivecaptured.assessments conducted assessments challenges. support. organizations by other organizations. and analyses. and including World Bank. activities.

ADB. and UN agencies.

Lack of institutional Potential to increasecapacity to address I awareness andClimate driven and incorporate

I unden;tanding of impact.'! ofI events (i.e. climate vulnerabilities Public Administration climate change; flooding, into government plans

Improve basic public drought, sea- and proce!ISCs.

Potential to increase~ level rilll:, etc.) admillistration ~ ~ coordination and<II '">. 0may make it!unctions such as HR. Impact to government.,.. oS Zcooperation to positively.... ~ function, delivery ofIT. procurement. difficult or Q..,0 respond to and mitigate the

IIfinancial budgeting and impossible to public decentralized effects of climate change management. and carry out I'Crvices and natural by integrating climate strategic planning. public resource management considerations into publicadministration. due to predicted administration functions climate variability and and considerationschange.

Climate driven Lack of institutionalSupport to Core GoP ·Potential to increase I events (i.e. capacity to addressYlinistries awareness and ~ flooding, and incorporate understanding of impacts ofu ~ ~ ~>. 0Provide support and drought, sea- climate vulnerabilities climate change; .,.. ZoS~.... level rise, etc.) build professional into government plans Q.0

Icapabilities within GoP may make it and processes. Potential to increase facilitating entitieJ' such difficult or coordination and

DCN: ________________________

a., EAD. Federal Boord impossible to Impact to government cooperation to positively ofRevenue. and provide function, delivery of respond to and mitigate the planning and support to public decentralized effects ofclimate change development offices that ministries. services and natural by integrating climate otherwise are lIot able resource management considcrations into public to access USAJD due to predicted administration functions assistance directly. climate variability and and consideration II

I change.

Professional I TecbDkal A ••istance

Supplementary support to GoP and Pakistani organization's request for professional and technical subject matter experts ;n a Hsurge" capacity to support special projects and requirements to accomplish specific.

time bound assignment.

u on-0

~ a..

Climate drivcn events (i.e.

flooding, drought, sea-level rise, etc.)

may make it difficult or impossible to provide professional/te chnical support.

Lack of institutional capacity to address and incorporate climate vulnerabilities into government plans and proces.~.

Impact to government function, delivery of public decentralized services and natural resource management due to predicted climate variability and change.

Potential to increase awareness and understanding of impacts of climate change;

G Potential to increase coordination and -g cooperation to positively ::E respond to and mitigate the effects of climate change by integrating climate considel'8tions into public administration functions and considerations I - -

Through USAlO's support recipient's capacity can be built to address challenges.

Recipient's capacity to address challenges will be built through

USAID

support.

USAID will ensure adaptation measures are considered and taken into account in technical guidance to respective organizations and activilies.

Z

DCS: ________________________

4.0 REVISIONS

In accordance with 22 CFR 216.3(a)(9) if a project/activity is revised or new infonnation becomes available, which indicates that a proposed action might be "major" and its effects "significant.·' The Detennination will be reviewed and revised by the originator(s) of the projects and activities and submitted through the MEO to the Bureau Environmental Officers, OAP A, for approval. If warranted, an environmental assessment (EA) will be launched to prepare scoping statement and EA report. The scoping and EA process, if detennined necessary during scoping, will follow und comply with 22 CFR 216.3(a)(4). It is the responsibility of the CORIAORJPM to infonn the MEO and BEO-OAP A, in a timely manner, of any changes in the scope and nature ofapproved activities.

These changes may warrant the revision ofthe approved threshold decisions.

Page !il of 11

RCEjor Pakisllm Policy and Performance Support M«hanJs", (3PSM) us Ageaey for lateraatioaal Developmeat (USAJD) I Pakistaa

Requat for Categorical Es:dasioD (RCE)

Pakistaa Policy aad Performance Support Mecbaaism (3PSM)

Cltlt\JlANCE I AlPROVAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ACIlON RECOMMENDED;

CLEARANCE;

~~ Date: 3 19-c:J J t)o'i' Activity Manager: ------.....I_------~

Alison Salisbury

Date: ___.L-...--:-.l.___Mission Environmental Officer:

and Climate Integration Lead

Regional Environmental Advisor: cleared elcctmoicaUy Date: March 26. 2018 ~ South Asia and OAPA Andrei Barannik

Date: D J l '2, ~IZto I¥OPM Office Director:

Deputy Mission Director:

APPROVAL:

Mission Director:

Jerry Bisson

CONCURRENCE:

Bureau Environmental Officer: -6-6::...-r.:;..~_ /~:::........-a.....u..~_..~~;t:i_- OAPA Christopher Payne

Distribution: 1). Project files, 2). Mission lEE Data base, 3). OAA, 4). RLO

Page 11 of11

Memo to File for 3PSM IEE extension: Investment Promotion Activity (IPA)

MEMORANDUM TO FILE

Date January 25, 2021 To Will Gibson, Asia Bureau Environmental Officer Through Andrei Barannik, Regional Environmental Advisor-

Central, South Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Asia Bureau Asim Aziz, Mission Environmental Officer (MEO) and Climate Integration Lead (CIL) Mark Tegenfeldt, Director Office of Economic Growth and Agriculture (EGA)

From Afsheen Shakoor, COR – Office of Economic Growth and Agriculture (EGA)

Subject Time Extension in the life of project duration for the Pakistan Policy and Performance Support Mechanism (3PSM) without any change of scope.

Reference 3PSM RCE: OAPA-18-MAR-0011 approved on March 30, 2018

1.0 Purpose:

The purpose of this “Memorandum to File” (MTF) is to timely and duly:

a) Account for the extension of USAID’s Pakistan Policy and Performance Support Mechanism (3PSM) Request for Categorical Exclusion (RCE) from September 30, 2023 till December 31, 2026, without any change in previously approved LOP funding level of $90.0 Million, and

b) Establish that all sub-activities and interventions shall be aware of and implemented in compliance with ASIA and OAPA EMERGING THREATS (COVID-19) Programmatic IEE: Asia 20-042, approved on April 09, 2020

The scope and nature of all previously approved activities remain the same. All previously approved threshold determinations, conditions, limitations, and stipulations for revision remain in force.

2.0 Background:

3PSM is designed to improve selected Government of Pakistan (GoP) offices’ performance, and to engage the private sector, thereby enhancing the U.S. Government’s ability to meet development commitments made to Pakistan through implementation of the Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS)1. The main objectives of 3PSM are to build the capacity of the GoP’s federal, provincial, and local-level institutions as well as other relevant stakeholder organizations; provide advisory services to help structure public-private partnerships; and support collaboration between the GoP and the private sector to develop, implement, and reform policies. 3PSM will focus on five main lines of effort to advance these objectives:

1 The public version of CDCS is available at: https://www.usaid.gov/pakistan/cdcs https://www.usaid.gov/pakistan/cdcs

(i) Policy Development, Implementation, and Reform: Mission Offices identified significant gaps in assistance to the GoP and private sector in formulating and implementing laws, policies, and regulations. The private sector also lacks the capability to voice concerns and provide input into policy making. Assistance to GoP entities, as well as engagement with the private sector on policy development, implementation, and reform, will allow the Mission to supplement existing efforts and further advance policy change and implementation. Moreover, this assistance will strengthen GoP institutions’ ability to direct and lead implementation of policies effectively and efficiently to further enhance development in Pakistan.

(ii) Feasibility Assessments, Needs Analyses, and Applications: Support is required to conduct a variety of studies, including feasibility assessments and needs analyses, cite actions necessary to synthesize assessment findings and information, and assist in the development of next steps to utilize and apply study findings. Work in these areas could include both conducting analyses and assessments and helping GoP entities, as needed, to apply and carry out the recommendations from assessments already conducted by other organizations, including the World Bank and UN Agencies. If required, the activity may support environmental and social due diligence and assessments as required by national laws and international obligations.

(iii) Public Administration: Assistance is required to help develop and improve basic public administration functions in the GoP and other stakeholders, such as human resources, procurement, Information Technology systems, financial budgeting/management, and strategic planning. Efforts under this core area would focus on broader institutional support for GoP organizations to enhance and improve public administration functions, including delivering basic services and responding to citizen needs.

(iv) Support to Core GoP Ministries: Currently, the Mission does not have any activities that provide technical assistance to key GoP partners and regional offices, including the Finance Ministry’s Economic Affairs Division (USAID’s main GoP counterpart), the Federal Board of Revenue (taxation issues), and the regional planning and development offices. These national organizations serve as the main policy conduits from national to subnational government. They are also responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of development budgets for the provinces. This mechanism will provide support and build professional capabilities within these facilitating entities, which are otherwise unable to access USAID assistance directly. Activities in this area may include technical assistance and capacity building that provide support, build professional capabilities, and strengthen host country federal, provincial, and local government organizations and systems, by supporting financial management, leadership and governance, institution strengthening, donor coordination, policy development and implementation capabilities and as well as other abilities specified by USAID.

(v) Professional/Technical Assistance: The Mission lacks a mechanism to respond to GoP and Pakistani organizations' requests for supplementary professional and technical subject matter experts who can support entities in a “surge” capacity. This kind of assistance could support special projects and requirements where in-house staff is either not available or lacks the right technical skill set to accomplish specific time-bound assignments. Assistance could be delivered through the use of Short-term Technical Assistance under this award.

2.1 Explanation for No Cost Time Extension Request:

The initial implementation of the task orders (TOs) under 3PSM project was planned for early 2019, however due to delays in activity design followed by disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mission was not able to award any TO/activity to date. Now, it is expected that the first activity to be covered under the 3PSM RCE i.e. “Investment Promotion Activity (IPA)” will be designed and awarded by early 2022. IPA is planned to be a five-year activity; therefore, the Life of Project expiry date is requested to be extended until December 31, 2026.

3.0 Climate Change Information

3.1 Country Climate Change Information (Baseline Information)2,3,4 This section of original 3PSM RCE: OAPA-18-MAR-0011, is amended to include following additional information:

According to USAID/Pakistan FAA 118/119, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services Assessment, and the Global Climate Risk Index (2017), Pakistan is one of the ten countries most affected by climate change and is highly vulnerable to future impacts.

3.2 USAID Climate Risk Management Requirements:

This section of original 3PSM RCE: OAPA-18-MAR-0011, remains unchanged.

3.3 Project Activities and Recommended Climate Risk Management Actions:

This section of original 3PSM RCE: OAPA-18-MAR-0011, remains unchanged.

4.0 Threshold Determination:

The Threshold Decision for all activities in the original REE remains the same. The broad activities and nature of all activities established under the original RCE as well as all conditions, limitations and stipulation for revisions established in the original RCE for all activities, remain the same and in force for the extended Life of Project duration.

In view that activities are being implemented during global COVID 19 pandemic and extreme caution and EHS due diligence shall be exercised by USAID staff, the IP and contractors, this MTF shall be read together with Asia/OAPA Emerging Threats (COVID-19) Programmatic IEE: Asia 20-042, approved on April 09, 2020 (https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/52764.pdf), which provides specific guidance on approved disinfectants, PPE, social distancing and relevant environmental mitigation and monitoring measures.

2 Global Climate Risk Index 2017, available at: https://germanwatch.org/en/download/16411.pdf 3 USAID/Pakistan FAA 118/119, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services Assessment 4 Pakistan Climate Vulnerability Profile available at: https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/pakistan-climate-vulnerability-profile about:blank about:blank https://germanwatch.org/en/download/16411.pdf https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/pakistan-climate-vulnerability-profile https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/pakistan-climate-vulnerability-profile

AOR and MEO/CIL will explain to the IP the scope, nature, and applicability of Asia COVID-19

PIEE.

5.0 Revisions:

In accordance with 22 CFR 216.3(a)(9), if an activity is revised or new information becomes available which indicates that a proposed action might be "major" and its environmental effects “significant,” the determination will be reviewed and revised by the originator(s) of the project/activity and submitted through the MEO/MCIL to the Bureau Environmental Officers (BEO), for approval. If warranted, an environmental assessment (EA) will be launched, and a scoping statement and environmental assessment report prepared. The scoping and EA process, if determined necessary during scoping, will follow and comply with 22 CFR 216.3(a)(4). It is the responsibility of the COR to inform the MEO/MCIL or Deputy MEO/MCIL, and BEO of any changes in the scope and nature of approved activities, which may warrant the revision of the approved threshold decisions, in a timely manner.

Attachments:

ASIA and OAPA EMERGING THREATS (COVID-19) Programmatic IEE: Asia 20-042, approved on April 09, 2020 (available at: https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/52764.pdf) Distribution: 1). Project files, 2). Mission IEE Database, 3). OAA, 4). RLO about:blank