Final SOW_FSN Empowerment.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK FOR HIRING AN EXTERNAL FIRM TO SUPPORT USAID’S MISSION ACTION PLAN FOR FSN

EMPOWERMENT

1. OBJECTIVE

USAID/Nepal requires the services of a qualified consulting firm to support USAID’s Mission Action Plan for Local Staff (FSN) Empowerment1.

2. BACKGROUND

USAID/Nepal is undergoing a transformation towards locally led inclusive development, necessitating changes in processes, culture, and mindsets. This initiative aims to equip staff with knowledge, skills, and information and align with Agency-wide priorities such as localization2, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA3), and local staff empowerment. The mission seeks to hire a vendor to support these efforts.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

Based on the objective, following is the major scope of this assignment:

● Interactions for Learning, local staff targeted: Drawing on external experts, organize monthly two- to three-hour sessions over 12 months to enhance and encourage practical application of skills on topics such as leadership, facilitation, negotiation, trust-building, conflict management, performance management, interview preparation, media engagement, and communication. Sessions may be conducted in Nepali or English.

Determine external experts in consultation with USAID’s Foreign Service National (FSN) Advisory Committee (UAC). Some sessions such as interview preparation might warrant 1-1 follow-up consultations with interested participants.

● Conversations Series, with all staff: Facilitate year-long 1.5 to 2-hour sessions, each month, for all interested staff on topics related to local staff empowerment, DEIA, and localization. Determine the specific duration, topic, and timeline in consultation with UAC.

● Coaching: offer Training of Trainers (TOT) on facilitation skills to selected, interested staff.

The specific work plan - including cadence and duration - will be determined in collaboration with USAID’s Foreign Service National (FSN) Advisory Committee (UAC) once the contract is awarded to the successful contractor.

4. KEY TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

The followings are the key tasks and expected deliverables from this assignment:

● Conduct about 12 learning-oriented interaction sessions with local staff. Each session will likely take two-three hours, and some might warrant 1-1 follow-up consultations if requested by participants (e.g. on the interview preparation topic).

● Organize and facilitate 12 conversations over one year, each lasting 2-3 hours. These sessions should build on one another and contribute to fostering common ground, trust, and communications.

● Coach up to 15 USAID local staff to build and practice facilitation skills.

● Document and share key takeaways from each session with USAID. The report, each two-five pages in length, should capture major issues, ideas, and interests along with recommended follow-up action points.

1 Empowering local staff to excel by providing leadership pathways, fostering an enabling environment, and recognizing the skills and talents of FSN leaders within the Mission.

2 Shifting towards locally led development, with a focus on engaging local actors, including FSNs, to respond to development challenges, create partnerships, engage with local systems, and promote inclusion of historically disempowered communities. USAID’s local staff play a crucial role in this shift towards greater local ownership and sustainable development results.

3 Ensuring a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workforce that reflects the countries in which USAID operates, with a focus on empowering local staff and recognizing their skills.

5. TIMELINE

The total duration of this assignment is twelve months, which is expected to start from on or about March 2024 and conclude on or about February 2025.

6. AREAS OF EXPERTISE AND COMPETENCIES

All legally registered firms/agencies with proven track record in providing professional training in topics such as leadership, advocacy, negotiation, and communication, as well as strategic communications and performance management are highly encouraged to apply. Proposed team should have the ability to facilitate conversations, build trust, encourage critical and creative thinking, and enable courageous conversation.

7. BUDGET

The total maximum budget for this assignment is $100,000.00 (in words: U.S. Dollar one hundred thousand only), inclusive of all applicable taxes. This includes any relevant expenses involved in this assignment, including fee, stationeries and transportation.

8. EVALUATION CRITERIA

No. Evaluation Criteria Points

1 Technical Approach: Ability to demonstrate an understanding of DEIA 20

2 Past Performance: Relevance of previous experience 30

3 Key Personnel: Track record of proposed team members 30

4 Cost Proposal: Must reflect realism, completeness, and reasonableness 20

TOTAL 100

9. CONTRACT TYPE AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

This is a fixed price contract awarded in U.S. dollars with four scheduled payments. A firm-fixed price contract provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor’s cost experience in performing the contract. Payment shall be made upon successful completion, submission, revision, and acceptance of the required deliverables.

The Contractor shall submit a request letter along with the “Public Voucher SF-1034” to the Office of Financial Management (OFM), USAID/Nepal, for payment indicating the contract number and description of service.

Invoices may be submitted electronically to: payments-kathmandu@usaid.gov. OFM, pursuant to FAR Clause

52.232.25 “Prompt Payment”, will make payment close to 30 days in consideration of services rendered and as required by this order and accepted by the POC. Vouchers for payment will be submitted on the following schedule.

● 20% upon acceptance of a detailed work plan and finalization of the session schedule.

● 20% upon completion of six learning-oriented interaction session, six conversation sessions with interested staff on topics related to local staff empowerment, DEIA, and localization, and submission of session report (no longer than five pages);

mailto:payments-kathmandu@usaid.gov

● 20% upon completion of remaining learning-oriented interaction session and remaining conversation sessions with interested staff on topics related to local staff empowerment, DEIA, and localization and submission of brief session report capturing key highlights and follow-up action points, including interests, issues, and ideas.;

● 20% upon completion of a coaching for up to 15 individuals including a report on the progress made for each individual.

● 20% upon submission of consolidated report including key takeaways and highlights of each session with USAID and all other deliverables mentioned in Section 4 of SoW.

10. REPORTING AND SUPERVISION

The contractor will report to the Contracting Officer (CO) and/or the designee.

11. CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION

All prospective U.S. Government contractors are required to obtain a Unique Entity (UEI) number and to complete the System for Award Management (SAM) registration before a contract may be awarded. To learn more and to begin the registration process, please visit the following websites:

SAM registration: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

Proposals may be submitted under this RFP without a UEI number or SAM registration. However, the successful awardee will be required to obtain both of them and submit evidence of registration to USAID/Nepal before an award is made. The registration process may take many weeks to complete. Therefore, offerors are encouraged to obtain them early so that, if selected, the award will not be delayed.

Completion of an early registration does not constitute any commitment on the part of the U.S. Government to make an award.

12. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Proposals are due within 45 days from the date of the released solicitation. Interested offerors must submit the technical and financial proposal to prlama@usaid.gov.

Technical Proposal:

The technical proposal must include the following:

A. Summary of the technical expertise to undertake responsibilities proposed in the Statement of Work along with detail approach and proposed work plan B. Recently updated CVs of proposed team members

Cost Proposal:

Based on the Scope of Work, the Offeror must submit a proposed budget in USD, along with cost breakdown and proposed person-days. Group accident insurance is mandatory and must be procured by the Contractor and included in the cost proposal.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration mailto:prlama@usaid.gov mailto:prlama@usaid.gov