Economic Modernization RFI 72038323RFI001.pdf

Request for Information USAID/Sri Lanka Economic Modernization Activity

Reference Number: 72038323RFI001 Release Date: March 02, 2023 Response Due Date: March 16, 2023, 9:00 A.M. (Sri Lankan Time)

USAID/Sri Lanka is in the process of designing a new five-year Economic Modernization activity to improve Sri Lankan economic competitiveness through an improved business enabling environment, increased small and medium business export competitiveness, and upgraded workforce capacity. Key activity themes may include improved agriculture sector efficiency and competitiveness and inclusive, accessible, and desirable jobs.

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to provide public information to all interested parties of USAID’s intent to support economic modernization in Sri Lanka, and to collect information and suggestions about perceived programming needs. The information contained within this RFI is intended solely as a thought-piece. Ideas may change significantly during the Mission’s program design, consultation, and approval process. In addition, any information collected through this RFI may or may not be used to help guide thinking about future programming.

In particular, USAID seeks feedback on the following key questions as they pertain to Sri Lanka.

Respondents are not required to provide feedback on all questions. To facilitate compilation of responses, please number each response corresponding to the questions below.

Agriculture and Food Security

1. How do we ensure that the benefits of post-harvest improvements (e.g., to cold storage, processing, value chains, etc.) trickle down to smallholder farmers?

2. How can USAID best address the primary constraints to Sri Lankan export competitiveness in agriculture?

3. What lessons from USAID's past global Feed the Future interventions are applicable to the Sri Lankan context?

4. What are the key opportunities and constraints to Sri Lanka's transition to producing high-value-added goods and services in the long term (next 5-10 years)? What would a timeline look like for such a transition?

5. What is the best approach for USAID to take in helping Sri Lanka's crop-based exporters (e.g., tea, cinnamon, pepper, etc.) become made inclusive and economically sustainable?

Competitiveness

6. Supposing that Sri Lanka recovers from its macroeconomic and food security crises in the next 1-2 years, what key long-term economic objectives should USAID subsequently prioritize (e.g., sector, workforce, or technology development; policy, regulatory, or governance changes; targeted changes to tariffs, subsidies, or other incentives; etc.) to: (1) ensure long-term resilience against another food security crisis, (2) achieve long-term export competitiveness, and (3) sustainably reduce poverty and improve livelihoods?

7. What sectors are best positioned for rapid growth and what external support is needed to realize this growth?

8. What economic development case studies from other countries are the best models for Sri Lanka to emulate?

Workforce Development

9. In developing the Sri Lankan private sector workforce, should we prioritize increased employment, more desirable jobs, or more inclusive workplaces?

DISCLAIMER

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. It is not a Request for Proposal, a Request for Quotation, a Request for Application, an Invitation for Bids, a Solicitation, or an indication USAID will contract for the items contained in this RFI. This RFI is an attempt to reach out in an effort to determine industry capabilities and interests and will be treated as information only.

In accordance with U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

Responses to this RFI are strictly voluntary. Issuance of this notice does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of responses. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Responses to this RFI may not be returned and respondents may not be notified of the result of the review.

If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced on www.sam.gov or www.grants.gov at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from any response to this announcement. This RFI does not restrict the Government's acquisition approach on a future solicitation.

Businesses should identify any proprietary information in their responses. Proprietary materials will neither be distributed, nor discussed with, any other organization. Information submitted in http://www.sam.gov/ response to this notice will be used at the discretion of the Government. Further, the information submitted will remain confidential insofar as permitted by law, including the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.

Standard Clauses and Provisions. The standard clauses or provisions for awards are generally prescribed by law and regulation and will vary considerably by award type. Information regarding clauses and provisions will be provided when the award type is identified if proposals/applications are sought in the future.

FAR 52.215-3 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR SOLICITATION FOR PLANNING

PURPOSES (OCT 1997)

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It will not be used as a proposal.

(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of: receiving recommendations on approaches for designing a USAID/Sri Lanka Economic Modernization Activity.

Instructions for Submitting Responses/Comments

Responses (comments, suggestions, and opinions) to this RFI are due no later than Thursday, March 16th, 2023 at 09:00 A.M (Sri Lankan Time). Respondents may also include organization information including past experiences working in this subject area, experience working with other stakeholders, including implementing partners on the ground or host country government officials, or capacity information.

Send comments related to this RFI via email to the attention of Mr. Hirantha Heenatigala, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist at srilankaprocurement@usaid.gov and CC hheenatigala@usaid.gov with the subject title “Request for Information (RFI): “USAID/Sri Lanka Economic Modernization Activity”, no later than the date/time stated above. You may receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response but will not receive individualized feedback on any suggestions.

This Notice can be viewed and downloaded from the internet at www.sam.gov or www.grants.gov.

mailto:srilankaprocurement@usaid.gov mailto:hheenatigala@usaid.gov http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/

Thank you for your assistance and interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, Julie Ota Contracting & Agreement Officer US Agency for International Development Mission 210, Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka