Draft RFP 72061723R00015 MEL SI IDIQ June 27 2023.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Project Title:____Solicitation #:

DRAFT SOLICITATION ISSUANCE DATE: June 27, 2023

COMMENTS SUBMISSION DEADLINE: July 7, 2023

SUBJECT: Request for comments on USAID’s draft Solicitation/Request for Proposals (RFP)#72061723R00015 for USAID’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Strategic Information (MEL-SI) Activity.

Dear Potential Offerors, The United States Agency for International Development Mission to Uganda (USAID/Uganda) is soliciting comments on the attached draft Solicitation for USAIDS’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Strategic Information (MEL-SI) services. Your comments will help USAID/Uganda refine its requirements before issuing a final solicitation.

Please refer to the draft solicitation attached to this letter for details.

Comments must be emailed to kampalausaidsolicita@usaid.gov on the date indicated above. No other forms of submission will be accepted. The subject line of the email transmitting the comments must reference the draft solicitation number with the title.

Interested potential offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation which includes the statement of work; the terms and conditions; the instructions required for preparing and submitting proposals; and the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated.

We are especially interested in comments on our choice of labor categories, the labor category definitions, the directions for the cost matrix, the excel cost matrix, and the evaluation criteria.

This draft solicitation does not obligate USAID to issue a solicitation and neither does it commit USAID to pay costs incurred in the preparation and submission of comments.

This draft solicitation can be downloaded from wwws.sam.gov. You are advised to regularly check this site for any developments on this solicitation.

Thank you for your interest in USAID's Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Strategic Information (MEL-SI) Activity.

Sincerely, Brian Aaron Supervisory Contracting Officer Office of Acquisition and Assistance, USAID/Uganda mailto:kampalausaidsolicita@usaid.gov http://www.sam.gov/

ISSUANCE DATE: TBD

CLOSING DATE: TBD

QUESTIONS DUE: TBD

SUBJECT: Request for Proposals (RFP) No. TBD

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking proposals to provide services for the USAID/Uganda Program Office and Office of Health & HIV/AIDS described in the attached Request for Proposals (RFP). USAID anticipates the award of up to three awards for a five-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contracts (IDIQs). The NAICS code(s) for this procurement is/are 541990. The authorized geographic code is 935.

USAID anticipates that the maximum aggregate ordering limitation for contracts resulting from this RFP will be $60,069,885 over the five-year ordering period. The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded to all contractors cannot exceed this contract ceiling. This ceiling is not being subdivided among the number of awardees nor is it being multiplied by the number of awardees. There is no guarantee on the number of task orders that the successful contractors will receive or the amount of money beyond the minimum order guarantee set forth in the RFP.

Section L of the RFP sets forth instructions for the preparation and submission of the technical and cost proposals while section M states the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated. Oral explanations or instructions given before award of the contract will not be binding.

This RFP in no way obligates USAID to award a contract nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. Award of a Contract under this RFP is subject to availability of funds and other internal USAID approvals.

Offerors are responsible for ensuring proposals are received at USAID by the due date and time specified on the cover page. Submissions made after the submission date will not be acceptable and will not be reviewed or evaluated. This RFP and all related amendments can be viewed and downloaded from wwws.sam.gov.

Offerors are advised to regularly check the above website for amendments.

Proposals in response to this solicitation must be emailed to kampalausaidsolicita@usaid.gov in MS Word format. Faxed proposals are not acceptable, nor will they be reviewed or evaluated. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

Sincerely, /s/

Richard Brian Aaron Contracting Officer, USAID http://www.sam.gov/ mailto:kampalausaidsolicita@usaid.gov

[SF 26 FORM – AWARD/CONTRACT] -To be included in the final RFP.

Contents

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

B.3 MINIMUM OBLIGATED AMOUNT

B.4 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

B.5 FIXED FEE CEILING (Cost-Plus- Fixed-Fee Task Orders Only)

B.6 CONTRACT LINE ITEMS

B.8 INDIRECT RATES

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PURPOSE

C.2 BACKGROUND

C.3 OBJECTIVES

C.4 STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION D - BRANDING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (January 1993)

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE/RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL

E.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

F.2 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Evaluation of the contractor's performance will be conducted at the Task Order level in accordance with the performance standards set forth in the Task Order, if any, the Contractor's overall performance toward achievement of the objectives in Section C and provision of deliverables in Section F of the Task Order, & the Contractor's compliance with all other terms and conditions of the IDIQ and Task Order. Each evaluation will be conducted jointly by the TOCOR & the TOCO and must form the basis of the contractor's permanent performance record about this Contract and Task Orders as required in FAR Part

42.15 and AIDAR 742.15

F.5 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

F.6 ORDERING PROCEDURES

F.6.2. TASK ORDER LIMITATIONS

F.7 TASK ORDER ADMINISTRATION

F.8 KEY PERSONNEL

SECTION G - IDIQ/TASK ORDER CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998)

G.2 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER AND AUTHORITY

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (TOCOR)

G.4 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.5 PAYING OFFICE AND SUBMISSION OF INVOICES

G.6 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

G.7 INVOICES, ACCEPTANCE, APPROVAL AND PAYMENT

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

H.2 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.3 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL (AIDAR 752.7002 AND 752.7032)

H.4 ADS 302.3.5.5 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)

H.5 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT

H.6 NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES .. 45

H.7 LIMITATION ON ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DEVIATION NOs. M/OAA- DEV-FAR-18-2c and M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-18-2c) (APRIL 2018)

H.8 LOGISTIC SUPPORT

H.9 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.10 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.11 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

H.12 ADS 302.3.5.19 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (AUG 2013)

H.13 ADS 302.3.5.20 CONFERENCE PLANNING AND REQUIRED APPROVALS (APR 2022)

H.14 COMPLIANCE WITH THE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT (2017)

H.15 ADS 302.3.5.22 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (OCT

2014)

H.16 AIDAR 752.225-70 SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012)

H.17 AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JUL 1997)

H.18 AIDAR 752.228-70 MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES (JUL 2007)

H.19 PERSONNEL APPROVALS (AIDAR 752.7007 AND 752.7027)

H.20 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING (FEB 2002)

H.21 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES (JAN 2002)

H.22 ADS 302.3.5.14a USAID DISABILITY POLICY - (DEC 2004)

H.23 AIDAR 752.245.71 TITLE TO AND CARE OF PROPERTY

H.24 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

H.25 AIDAR 731.7013 CONTRACTOR-MISSION RELATIONSHIPS (JUNE 2018)

H.26 NONDISCRIMINATION (JUNE 2012)

H.27 USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR ACQUISITION

H.28 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM

H.29. 752.228-3 WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEFENSE BASE ACT) (DEC 1991)

[(DEVIATION JUNE 2022)] Class Deviation No. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-10c

H.30. AIDAR 752.204-72 ACCESS TO USAID FACILITIES AND USAID'S INFORMATION SYSTEMS. .. 56

H.31. AIDAR 752.216-71 PARTNER VETTING IN INDEFINITE DELIVERY CONTRACTS

H.32 AUTHORIZED WORKDAY/WEEK

I.2 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (NOV 2021)

(End of clause)

I.3 52.204-27 Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 20203)

I.4 52.216-18 Ordering (AUG 2020)

I.5 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity (OCT 1995)

I.6 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999)

I.7 52.232-19 Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year (APR 1984)

I.8 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF THE OFFEROR

K.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2 52.204-3 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (OCT 1998)

(End of provision)

K.3 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (MAR 2023)

K.4 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO

SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

K.5 52.204-26 COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES-REPRESENTATION.

OCT 2020

K.6 52.209-2 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH INVERTED DOMESTIC CORPORATIONS-

REPRESENTATION (NOV 2015)

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

K.8 52.209-11 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR

A FELONY CONVICTION UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW (FEB 2016)

K.9 52.209-12 CERTIFICATION REGARDING TAX MATTERS (OCT 2020)

K.10 52.209-13 VIOLATION OF ARMS CONTROL TREATIES OR AGREEMENTS-CERTIFICATION (NOV 2021)

K.11 52.215-6 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE (OCT 1997)

K.12 52.222-22 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS (FEB 1999)

K.13 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984)

K.14 52.222-38 COMPLIANCE WITH VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

K.15 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (JUN 2020)

K.16 52.230-7 Proposal Disclosure-Cost Accounting Practice Changes (APR 2005)

K.17 AGREEMENT ON OR EXCEPTIONS TO, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

L.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

L.2 Waivers under FAR Part 4.2101 Prohibition on Covered Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services and Equipment (JUNE 2023)

L.3 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT. APR 1984

L.4 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST. SEP 2006

L.5 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

L.6 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.2 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.3 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE

M.4 COST/PRICE EVALUATION

ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT J.1 – COST /PRICE EVALUATION MATRIX

SAMPLE COST/PRICE EVALUATION MATRIX

LIST OF ACRONYMS

ADS Automated Directives System

AIDAR USAID Acquisition Regulation AMELP Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan ART Anti-Retroviral Therapy CD4 Cluster of Differentiation 4 CDC US Centers for Disease Control CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CLA Collaborating, Learning and Adapting CLIN Cost Line Item COP Country Operational Plan COR Contracting Officer Representative CSO Civil Society Organization DDL Development Data Library DHIS2 District Health Information Software-2 DO3 USAID/Uganda Development Objective #3 DOD US Department of Defense DQA Data Quality Assessment EAA Evaluation, Assessment and Analysis EMR Electronic Medical Record FAR Federal Acquisition Regulations GCS Geographic Coordinate System GIS Geographic Information System G2G Government-to-Government GDL Global Development Lab GOU Government of Uganda GPS Global Positioning System HFA Health Facility Assessment HIA Health Impact Assessment HMIS Uganda Health Management Information System HTC HIV testing and counseling IP USG-funded Implementing Partner KP Key Populations LG Local Government MEEPP Monitoring and Evaluation of Emergency Plan Progress MELP Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Program MER PEPFAR’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting METS CDC Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support Project MGLSD Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development MIS Management Information System MLG Ministry of Local Government MOEST Ministry of Education, Science and Technology MOH Ministry of Health NIH US National Institute of Health NSP Uganda’s National Strategic Plan OGAC Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator OMB Office of Management and Budget OP Operational Plan OVC Orphans and Vulnerable Children PEPFAR Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief PAD Project Appraisal Document

PCO PEPFAR Coordination Office PMTCT Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV POC Point of contact.

SI Strategic Information SIMS PEPFAR’s Site Improvement through Monitoring System SITWG Strategic Information Technical Working Group SOP Standard Operating Procedure SOW Statement of Work/Scope of Work STI Science, Technology and Innovation TA Technical Assistance TBD To be Determined TWG Technical Working Groups UAC Uganda AIDS Commission UBOS Uganda Bureau of Statistics UNAIDS United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS VMMC Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision WGS World Geodetic System WHO World Health Organization WRP Walter Reed Project XML Extensible Markup Language

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide services that fall within the Scope of Work (SOW) specified in Section C for USAID’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Strategic Information (MEL-SI) Activity. USAID Task Order Contracting Officers (TOCOs) will request the work through the issuance of Task Orders during the ordering period as specified in Section F of the contract.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract. The Government will issue Task Orders that are either Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee or Fixed-Priced type. The Contractor must perform the services set forth in Task Orders at prices consistent with Section B of this contract.

B.3 MINIMUM OBLIGATED AMOUNT

The basic contract includes an initial obligation of funds in the amount of $25,000 to cover the minimum order guarantee USAID is required to order and the Contractor is required to furnish the minimum order amount of services. There is no guarantee on the number of Task Orders that the successful contractor/s will receive or the amount of money beyond the minimum order guarantee set forth in the contract.

Following this initial obligation, individual Task Orders will obligate funds to cover the work required under that Task Order

B.4 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

This is a multiple award Indefinite Quantity Contract (IDIQ) with an overall ceiling price of $60,069,885 over a period of 5 years for the provision of USAID’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Strategic Information (MEL-SI) services. The maximum aggregate dollar value of Task Orders awarded to all contractors must not exceed the contract ceiling. This ceiling is not being subdivided among the number of awardees nor is it being multiplied by the number of awardees.

B.5 FIXED FEE CEILING (Cost-Plus- Fixed-Fee Task Orders Only)

(a) The ceiling on fixed fee does not apply to any Fixed Price Task Orders. Fixed fees for CPFF Task Orders will be negotiated by the Task Order Contracting Officer (TOCO) at the time of Task Order award. The fixed fee ceiling applies to the prime contract and all Cost Reimbursement subcontracts.

(b) For each cost-reimbursement Task Order issued under this IDIQ, the TOCO and Contractor agree to negotiate a set dollar amount for the fixed fee. In negotiating the fixed dollar amount for fee, the TOCO must consider the policies and factors for establishing fee in FAR 15.404-4 as well as any applicable USAID policy on establishing a fixed fee amount. In no event, however, may the amount of fixed fee in any individual Task Order exceed ___% to be determined (TBD) at time of award] of the Task Order’s estimated cost, excluding fee).

(c) The Total Estimated Cost -Plus- Fixed- Fee for each Task Order must be negotiated in accordance with the terms of this contract.

(d) Fixed Fee Payment: For any Task Order issued under this Contract, at the time of each payment of allowable costs to the contractor, the USAID paying office ordinarily pays the contractor a percentage of fixed fees that directly corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs being paid. One exception to paying fixed fee in this manner applies:

(1) If the TOCO determines that this method results in paying a disproportionately higher ratio of fixed fee than the percentage of work that the contractor has completed, then the TOCO may suspend further payment of any fixed fee until the contractor has made sufficient progress to justify further payment, up to the agreed percentage.

B.6 CONTRACT LINE ITEMS

001 IDIQ Minimum Guarantee $25,000.00

B.7 LABOR (Only applicable to cost reimbursement type Task Orders)

(a) Central management costs will be handled through the following method:

(1) The Contracting Officer has determined that a key (full-time) technical manager is not necessary or required to administer the basic IDIQ. Contractors will not be authorized to bill USAID directly for IDIQ management costs under this IDIQ or under Task Orders. Contractors must propose a centralized management structure that allows for recovery of IDIQ management costs as part of its indirect costs.

(b) The workday and work week policies and method of accounting for paid absences including holidays for the contractor and major subcontractors is set forth in Attachment J.1 [To be inserted at time of award]. FILLIN#1#THE CONTRACTING OFFICER WILL FILL IN THE ATTACHMENT NUMBER AT THE

TIME OF AWARD AND INCORPORATE THE INFORMATION FROM THE CONTRACTOR’S PROPOSAL

INTO SECTION J OF THE CONTRACT].

(c) Compensation of personnel under this contract or any resulting subcontract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation (July 2007) (See Section H.).

B.7 (a) Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates (CDR)

(1) The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates apply to any Task Order(s) that are awarded under this contract. The Task Order rates must not exceed the ceiling daily rates set forth in the table below.

(2) Each CDR for personnel listed below is “unburdened” and must only include salary costs or consulting rates of the individual providing the services.

The CDR for employees must not include the following:

● Payroll costs (fringe benefits, FICA, allowances, differentials, etc.);

● Indirect Costs applicable to labor; and

● Profit or fee, if any.

(3) The CDRs set forth below are fixed for the contract period, are for a productive eight (8) hour day, and apply to all subcontractors set forth in clause 52.244-2 in Section I. The CDRs apply to all labor (i.e., the prime contractor, subcontractor, Third Country Nationals (“TCNs”), Cooperating Country Nationals (“CCNs”), and consultant salaries) on cost-type Task Orders. CCN and TCN labor are also governed by the local compensation plan limitations. The subcontract is subject to consent by the TOCO in accordance with FAR Part 44.

(4) Locally Hired National Personnel or Other Non-U.S. Expatriate Rates

a. All locally hired national personnel and other non-U.S. expatriates must be paid in accordance with AIDAR 722.170.

b. Salaries for individual locally-hired personnel and other non-U.S. expatriates under any Task Orders or resulting subcontracts must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007, Personnel Compensation (July 2007), and should be based upon a combination of factors including the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country as determined by USAID and consideration of the individual's education, work experience and recent relevant salary history.

c. Unless otherwise authorized by USAID, the compensation for CCN and TCN labor must not exceed the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country as determined by USAID and must be paid in the currency of the cooperating country.

(5) Actual salaries for all personnel will be negotiated under Task Orders and final approval is provided by the TOCO. The ceiling rates presented below do not constitute approval of final salary rates above the Contractor Salary Threshold (CST) (see ADS 302).

(6) The single unburdened ceiling daily rate for each labor category/group below represents the mid-level and senior level rate in each category/grouping. One unburdened ceiling daily rate for each labor category/grouping is included in the contract to provide more flexibility under Task Orders. If junior-level personnel are required under Task Orders, they must be proposed at rates below the unburdened ceiling daily rate.

Table 1. Labor Categories and Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates

No. Labor Category Level Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

1 Technical Leadership/Management Senior

2 Home Office Specialist Positions Senior Mid

3 Finance, Accounting & Procurement Staff Senior Mid

4 Subject Matter Expert - General Senior Mid

Subject Matter Expert – Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL/SI) Senior

Mid 6 Statistics and Data Management Staff Senior

Mid 7 Administrative and Operational Staff Senior

Mid

*Additional years may require approvals in accordance with ADS 300 and ADS 302.

Table 2. Definition of Labor Categories

Labor Category Descriptions of probable Personnel Positions

Technical Leadership/Managemen t

Provide leadership and management of the Contract and serve as the primary point of contract with USAID. These include: Chief of Party/Project Director, Deputy Chief of Party, Director Monitoring Evaluation and Learning, Director Performance Improvement, Strategic Information Team Lead and Operations Manager among others.

Home Office Specialist Positions

Staff from the Contractor’s Home Office providing relevant support on the contract.

Finance, Accounting & Procurement Staff

Personnel responsible for managing/supervising, and executing finance, accounting, and procurement related activities on the contract such as the Director Finance and Administration, Finance and Compliance Manager, Auditors, Accountants, Procurement Manager/Specialists among others.

Subject Matter Expert - General

Provides appropriate technical knowledge and expertise on general Task order matters, these may include, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists, Technical Officers, Director Performance Improvement and Human Resources (HR) Specialists.

Subject Matter Expert – Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL/SI)

Management Information Systems (MIS)/Database Management Expert, Director Collaboration and Outreach.

Statistics and Data Management Staff

Responsible for ensuring the quality and timeliness of data and analytics, these include Staticians, Data visualization Specialists, Data Analytics Specialists and Data Administrators among others.

Administrative and Operational Staff:

Provide programmatic, operational, logistics, and administrative support to the Task Order and Field Offices. These may include Administration Officers, Editors, Project Management Assistants, and ICT Officers among others.

B.7 (b) Minimum Qualifications

To perform the statement of work set forth in Section C, the Contractor must provide personnel that meet the minimum education and experience requirements set forth below. These minimum qualifications for mid-level and senior personnel correspond to the Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates of Table 1 above.

Table 3. Minimum Qualifications

Education + Experience Requirements

Level Academic Degree* Minimum Years of Relevant Work Experience**

Senior Master’s degree in any of the listed and other relevant related fields: Economics, statistics, social sciences, Epidemiology, Human Medicine, public health, development studies, monitoring and evaluation, Informatics, Business Administration, finance and accounting, Biostatistics, management information systems, Business management, public health, development studies.

10 years

Less than a master’s degree 15 years

Mid Master’s OR bachelor’s degree in any of the listed and other relevant related fields: Economics, statistics, social sciences, Epidemiology, Human Medicine, public health, development studies, monitoring and evaluation, Informatics, Business Administration, finance and accounting, Biostatistics, management information systems, Business management, public health, development studies, information technology, and database management.

A master’s degree 7 to 10 years

Less than a master’s degree 15 years

Junior Bachelor’s Degree in relevant fields. 3-5 years

Less than bachelor’s degree 5 years and above

*Highest degree obtained should be related to work being performed.

** Experience should be related to the work being performed.

***Relevant Work Experience is required for the levels indicated.

**** Specific Positions and minimum requirements will be included at Task Order Level.

Language fluency, relevant regional experience, and international development experience requirements will be specified in individual task orders.

B.7 (c) Subcontractor Rates.

The following provides guidance for various subcontracting arrangements:

(i) The unburdened CDR’s for the prime contractor apply to the subcontractor approved from the original IDIQ competition.

(ii) If the Prime contracts with a new subcontractor not yet approved, the unburdened CDR’s for the prime contract apply to the new subcontractor.

(iii) If the Prime subcontracts with a new subcontractor not yet approved and may or may not have a different cost accounting system that only processes fully burdened rates, and the subcontractor proposes rates that are “above” the prime IDIQ rates, the Prime may then include in its TO proposal, (i) the fully burdened rate proposed to the Prime by the Subcontractor,(ii) allocation of the Prime’s indirect costs in accordance with established accounting practices, and (iii) a reasonable profit. If the rfates proposed to USAID, inclusive of the Prime’s allocable indirect costs and a reasonable profit are above the Prime’s unburdened CDRs , the Prime must disclose the amount of the indirect costs, and the amount of the proposed profit that were added to the Subcontractor’s proposed rates. A reasonable fixed fee will be negotiated by the TOCO for the specific TO. The CDRs of the subcontractor must not exceed the prime’s CDRs in the IDIQ contract.

B.8 INDIRECT RATES

(a) Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs must be reimbursed based on the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases for prime contractors and their major subcontractors.

(b) Indirect Rates are only applicable to Cost-Reimbursement Task Orders.

Offeror Fringe Rate % Overhead Rate % G&A Rate %

PRIME (Insert Name) Base of Application Source: (insert) Period: (insert)

Major Subcontractors (Insert Name (s))

Base of Application

Source: (insert)

Period: (insert)

*Notes:

1. The indirect cost table above is the current approved indirect cost rates for the prime and major subcontractor(s).

2. The Contractor will make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect costs that impacts this contract without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

3. Contractors are allowed to recoup indirect costs (OH, G&A, etc.) as other direct costs if it is part of the contractor’s usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31 and the contractor's NIC

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of the USAID Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Strategic Information (MEL-SI) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is to provide third party monitoring, evaluation, learning, and strategic information support services to USAID/Uganda’s technical offices and implementing partners.

Implemented via Task Orders, these services will strengthen performance management by generating a technical evidence base to guide the Mission’s programming.

C.2 BACKGROUND

USAID/Uganda’s 2022–2027 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS)1 seeks to strengthen local partnerships with the Ugandan people to achieve the nation’s 2040 vision of a transformed Ugandan society to a modern and prosperous country and is committed to ensuring that all Ugandans and refugees participate and reap the benefits of Uganda’s growth and modernization. To achieve this, USAID/Uganda focuses on the three interrelated development objectives below:

● Increasing Health Security: This represents USAID’s global push to plan for, mitigate, and respond to current and emerging health threats. Uganda is a Global Vaccine Access partner country, as well as a

1 The public version of the CDCS is available at https://www.usaid.gov/uganda/country-development-cooperation-strategy successful partner in implementing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and other interagency and agency priorities. DO 1 aligns with the GOU’s National Development Plan (NDP) III Pillar on human capital development;

● Enhancing Resilient Growth: This highlights USAID’s emphasis on addressing food security, climate change, economic growth, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation and access to education. Uganda is a priority country for the Global Food Security Strategy and the Global Water Strategy and receives resources for climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation. DO 2 aligns with the NDP III private sector development priorities of agro-industrialization, human capital development, climate change adaptation, and natural resource management; and

● Strengthening Accountability: This represents the Agency’s focus on advancing accountability and strengthening democratic institutions; it aligns with the NDP III Governance and Security priority area.

The USAID/Uganda Mission has developed a Performance Management Plan (PMP) to enable adaptive management for improved results. The Mission takes a learning-centered approach to advance locally led programming. USAID’s programming across all sectors also seeks to strengthen gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) throughout activity design and during implementation. This integration will be accomplished through capacity building, strengthening reporting on GESI impact for improved adaptive management, and by bolstering feedback loops to ensure that USAID’s programs are reaching the target beneficiaries effectively.

The learning agenda of the PMP will be integrated into the Activity Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plans (AMELPs) of all USAID/Uganda’s implementing mechanisms.

Uganda is a PEPFAR priority country with complex reporting requirements. The Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC)- coordinated Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) strategy and guidance sets out an overall framework to address a wide breadth of questions pertaining to the global HIV response. These key questions range from those addressing higher level impacts to those assessing the outcomes, outputs, and costs associated with the response in any given technical area. This approach is a culmination of years of effort within the global community to define and promulgate a single and unified strategy for monitoring and evaluation, as a foundation for the Three Ones concept introduced in 2004. Particularly the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), World Health Organization (WHO), Global Fund, and PEPFAR have collaborated in a variety of contexts during this period, leading to this strategy, cognizant of the global work to respond to the epidemic, of the sovereignty, capabilities, and priorities of partner countries, and of the significance of consistent and harmonized support and requirements from bilateral and multilateral communities.

PEPFAR’s (MER strategy is anchored on the principles of a Continuum of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research;

Monitoring and Evaluating Quality and Outcomes; Monitoring and Evaluation of Integrated HIV Programming;

Global Harmonization; Country Ownership and Partner Country Systems; Considerations for Special Programs, Settings, and Populations; Balancing National Alignment with Donor Accountability; Smart Use of Technology;

and Data for Decision Making.

An Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Management Information System (MIS) is another critical system for PEPFAR and national reporting. The OVCMIS is designed as a central hub for OVC related data in Uganda and developed mainly by OVC program planners and implementers both within and outside government. It is freely accessible to public users via the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) website www.mglsd.go.ug/ovcmis. It was first conceptualized in 2007, and the current version has been rolled out to all 112 districts and extended to reporting at sub-county level. The system allows for the capturing of quarterly data. The system still faces multiple challenges. An assessment commissioned by the national OVC Technical Working Group (TWG) in late 2014 and supported by USAID identified the following weaknesses/challenges:

● No or weak IT governance structure

● Unsustainability of the OVCMIS due to dependence on external funding

● Lack of structured training plan for OVCMIS key users at the districts

● Inadequate IT equipment at the center for in-house hosting of the OVCMIS

● Lack of customizable reports and dashboards - No clear backup plans for OVCMIS data

C.3 OBJECTIVES

The MEL-SI IDIQ contract will support the Mission’s activities through the following objectives:

C.3.1 Provide technical support to the Mission and Implementing Partners to advance the objectives of the CDCS through strengthening evidence based programming;

C.3.2 Implement and maintain a comprehensive performance management and reporting system for the

USAID/Uganda Health and HIV/AIDS and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) portfolios;

C.3.3 Provide technical support to the strengthening of Government of Uganda’s (GOU) management information systems for OVC

C.3.4 Systematically analyze the effectiveness and sustainability of USAID/Uganda’s work in advancing national and or agency policy priorities including, but not limited to gender equity and social inclusion, localization, climate resilience and private sector engagement.

C.4 STATEMENT OF WORK

The Contractor will support USAID/Uganda’s continuous pursuit of evidence-based programming through the following objectives and performance management result areas:

Note: Individual task orders will not necessarily contain every objective.

C.4.1 Objective 1: Provide technical support to the Mission and Implementing Partners to advance the objectives of the CDCS through strengthening evidence-based programming

USAID Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adapting is guided by the Mission’s PMP that describes how USAID/Uganda’s activities will be monitored, analyzed, evaluated, reported on, and adapted. Consistent with the PMP, Implementing Partners (IP) prepare respective AMELPs for their respective activities for the USAID’s MEL Office and Contracting Officer’s Representatives’ (COR) review and approval.

The following are the result areas for this objective:

Result 1.1: Performance Monitoring systems strengthened for improved reporting and performance management.

The critical technical support required of the Contractor under this result area includes but not limited to the following: (i) timely and quality data of implementing partners, in line with ADS 201; (ii) strengthening efforts to collect contextual indicator data; and (iii) providing a clear understanding of the performance and contextual indicator data and how they relate to each other. Result area 1.1 is complemented by result areas

1.2 and 1.3.

Sub-Result 1.1.1: Monitoring and reporting on strategic progress, programmatic assumptions, activity performance and the Ugandan context is relevant, accurate and timely.

Illustrative Services

● Technical assistance, training and other support to USAID for the development and/or modification of performance indicators and baseline data and preparing and/or customizing performance indicator reference sheets.

● Technical support in helping the Mission meet its various Agency reporting requirements, including the annual Performance Plan and Report (PPR).

● Technical and other relevant support to ensure quality, relevant, cost effective and user friendly data collection and reporting tools to support data collection and input, support efforts to maintain data quality, support efforts to ensure inclusive data/information accessibility (that users with disabilities are catered to) and development of data visualization tools to improve user-friendliness and graphical representation of data.

● Technical assistance towards the continuous improvements in the functionality of the Agency-wide Development Information Solutions (DIS) to enhance its functionality and utilization as a tool for facilitating learning by the Mission and IPs.

Sub-Result 1.1.2: The capacity of USAID and Implementing Partners to develop relevant and high quality MEL tools and processes are strengthened.

● Training and other support to improve the capacity of implementing partners, especially newly onboarded local partners, with skills and knowledge in AMELP development in compliance with agency requirements outlined in ADS 201.

● Technical and other relevant support to develop and improve the capacity of IPs to collect and analyze performance monitoring data

● Technical support in building the capacity of IPs in verifying the quality of their performance data.

Sub-Result 1.1.3: Data visualization and GIS mapping services to facilitate learning provided.

● Production of activity-level maps of USAID program areas using geographic information systems.

● Development of other data visualizations to facilitate learning by Mission and implementing partner staff.

Sub-Result 1.1.5: Data quality assessments (DQAs) of performance monitoring data and MEL systems of IPs

The contractor will provide technical support to agreement and contracting officers representatives (A/CORs) to assess the quality of their performance indicator data, document any limitations in data quality, and help establish a plan for addressing those limitations. The DQAs must be conducted to understand and document the extent that data meet or do not meet the five data quality standards documented in ADS 201

● Technical support for Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) of performance indicator data of IPs

● Quality assessment of the monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) systems of IPs.

● Technical support to IPs to effectively implement action plans to address identified limitations in the quality of their performance indicator quality and MEL systems.

Result 1.2: Evaluations, analytic studies and assessments strengthening program performance.

USAID/Uganda has undertaken several evaluations and analytical studies in the past and is keen to build on this performance by achieving higher levels of contextual and programmatic learning; and strengthening the linkages between contextual and programmatic learning whenever these linkages are relevant. To this end, the contractor will provide technical support to plan and implement quality external evaluations, analytical studies, and learning reviews aimed at improving the relevance, technical quality, and socio-cultural appropriateness of USAID/Uganda activities and strategy. Additionally, the evaluations should, where appropriate, encourage private sector-led and or digital solutions to Uganda’s development challenges;

inform strategies for building local political will; and help USAID promote the protection of Uganda’s fragile environment.

Sub-Result 1.2.1: High quality evaluations, analyses and assessments increase programmatic learning.

Evaluations under the Contract must meet the standards of USAID’s Evaluation Policy [https://www.usaid.gov/evaluation/policy] and the Agency policies outlined in Automated Directives System (ADS) 201 Program Cycle Operational Policy and any future updates of the Policy.)

Illustrative Services

● Technical support towards conducting the following types of evaluations:

✔ Required external performance evaluations of activities as stipulated in ADS 201 ✔ Impact and other evaluations as identified in the Mission’s PMP and AMELPs.

✔ Assessments, surveys, case studies, political economy, and other studies relevant to

USAID programming

● Technical support to identifying and sourcing relevant external study reports from various sources, including professional journals and publications.

● Other support relevant to strengthening USAID’s learning and adaptation.

Result 1.3: Deliberate contextual and programmatic learning taking place and informing adaptive management.

The potential for learning from evaluations and other analyses is not fully realized largely because the intent is overshadowed by more immediate pressures and/or because existing systems fail to capture and translate relevant lessons learned into programmatic adaptations. The Contractor will help USAID/Uganda fully exploit the available learning tools and processes and ensure that learning supports continuous program improvement.

● Technical assistance and other support to help USAID/Uganda analyze performance data to extract and prioritize a learning agenda that is relevant to decision-making and programmatic adaptation.

● Technical assistance and other support to develop tools and practices to ensure that learning is deliberate and that:

✔ Lessons learned are documented in user-friendly formats and linked to programmatic adaptations along USAID’s program cycle.

✔ USAID and the IPs are supported to transform learning into plans for action.

✔ The quality of learning is increased through collaboration, complementary learning when it exists, and experiences during adaptation.

✔ Applications of learning are tracked and evaluated both for impact and to support iterative learning.

C.4.2 Objective 2: Implement and maintain a comprehensive performance management and reporting system for the USAID/Uganda Health and HIV/AIDS and OVC portfolio

Result 2.1: Data collection, extraction, cleaning, and analysis to produce quality and timely data for PEPFAR and other OHH program planning, monitoring, and reporting.

The contractor will access, collect, and analyze data from District Health Information Software-2 (DHIS-2) and other sources to meet PEPFAR data needs, specifically for Country Operational Plan (COP) planning, and quarterly reports or as and when needed. The data provided will sufficiently meet the quality and timeliness needs for completing COP and other planning documents.

Illustrative Services ✔ Support the Office of Health and HIV (OHH) implementing partners (IPs) on routine health data collection, extraction, cleaning, monitoring, and reporting using the (a) Health Management Information System (HMIS), (b) District Health Information Software (DHIS)-2, (c) the HIV Information Based Real-Time Integrated Database (HIBRID) in USAID-supported districts and health facilities, and (d) Data for Accountability Transparency and Impact Monitoring (DATIM).

✔ Provide data for District-Level Coverage and Outcome Indicators.

✔ Support local-level data cleaning in USAID-supported districts and health facilities.

✔ Support Development Information Solution data entry and results reporting for OHH IPs, to feed into the

Mission’s annual PPR.

✔ Extract relevant data from multiple sources and organize them logically to support analytics.

✔ Respond to data calls by OHH and their IPs.

✔ Support data mining, processing, visualization, and analysis, including automated analytics and visualizations for the HIV and other health data streams.

✔ Collaborate with OHH teams to identify and execute innovations in health data analytics.

✔ Support OHH teams with customized data analytic products in support of program design, reporting, and program management and oversight.

✔ Prepare or contribute to weekly, monthly, and quarterly technical briefs and factsheets to support OHH reporting and program management.

✔ Produce geographic information system maps to support OHH health program and activity design, management, and oversight.

Result 2.2: Data Quality Assessments for Health/HIV Implementing Partners

Data quality assessments help USAID, implementing partners to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of their data and the extent to which the data can be trusted to influence management decisions.

The contractor will provide technical support to the health/HIV implementing partners and health facilities in program districts, assess the quality of their performance indicator data, document any limitations in data quality, and help establish a plan for addressing those limitations. The DQAs must be conducted to understand and document the extent that data meet or do not meet the five data quality standards documented in ADS 201.3.5.

Illustrative Services

✔ Support local data quality assessments (DQAs), data quality improvement, and continuous quality improvement with USAID IPs in USAID-supported districts and health facilities.

✔ Participate in Interagency DQAs, which are led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

✔ Contribute to quality assurance/quality control processes for all data products, including reports.

✔ Support Site Improvement through Monitoring System and national Health Facility Assessment processes.

✔ Support Lot Quality Assurance Sampling to monitor the performance and impact of health services provision in USAID-supported districts.

Result 2.3: Health and HIV-related Analytical Studies and Assessments Improve Program Performance

Illustrative Services

✔ Support studies, assessments, primary data collection, modeling, or other data acquisition and analysis activities to fill gaps between USAID reporting needs and data available through national systems or other secondary data sources. This may include monitoring special population groups (HIV-positive children, adolescents, Key Populations, and gender-based vulnerable groups) as well as analysis of health impact assessment data to identify “leaks” in the HIV intervention cascade in USAID-supported districts.

✔ Participate in the design and implementation of research activities, non-required health-sector specific evaluations, and short studies that are of particular interest to USAID.

✔ Contribute to specific technical themes of the OHH learning agenda, including identification of relevant learning themes, relevant data, and preparation and presentation/dissemination of learning products.

C.4.3 Objective 3: Support the Government of Uganda’s (GOU) Management Information Systems for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC)

Result 3.1: Support to the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Management Information System (OVCMIS) and Related Information System to GOU Provided

The contractor will provide necessary technical support to GOU Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), Ministry of Local Government (MLG), district management structures, other relevant GOU institutions and PEPFAR-funded IPs to ensure that the necessary strategies and processes needed to collect, collate, process, analyze and report quality data on the selected indicators are developed, discussed and agreed upon.

✔ Identify already existing GOU reports containing relevant indicators and update them with current and complete data.

✔ Provide technical support to data validation processes to improve reliability of the national report

✔ Convene and/or support ongoing processes for stakeholder data quality reviews on OVCMIS data and data from other systems on a quarterly basis.

✔ Provide technical support to GOU, U. S. Government (USG), IPs and key stakeholders to improve OVCMIS governance, data management, analysis, access, feedback, utilization, sharing, backup and security at central, district, sub-district and site levels

✔ Develop/revise guidelines for access rights, stakeholder responsibilities, standard operating procedures and/or protocols for acquiring, collating, analyzing, reporting and accessing data

✔ Facilitate after-action reviews with GOU and other stakeholders to strengthen national OVC MEL systems, including reports.

Result 3.2: OVCMIS in Selected Districts Improved

The contractor(s) will work closely with USAID Implementing Partners to provide technical, logistical and management support to districts, district health teams, health facilities and community sites aimed at facilitating improvements in the national OVCMIS.

Illustrative Services

✔ Technical support to USAID IPs, Districts and Health Facilities to develop data capture tools ✔ Training to support district, health facility, CSO and community level health workers in data capture, transmission, analysis and utilization of OVC data.

✔ On-site technical support to district, health facility, CSO and community level health workers to improve data quality.

Result 3.3: OVCMIS in Districts where Department of Defense (DOD)/Walter Reed PEPFAR activities are implemented Improved.

Since 2010, USAID has achieved marked improvement in the completeness, quality, and use of OVC MIS data reported from the districts and military sites. Under this IDIQ, the contractor(s) will work closely with DOD/Walter Reed to provide technical, logistical and management support to districts, district health teams, health facilities and community sites aimed at facilitating improvements in the national OVCMIS.

Illustrative Services

✔ Technical support to USAID IPs, Districts and Health Facilities to develop data capture tools ✔ Training to support…