FISCAL-ECHO RFI RFI-278-24-EDE-ECHO SIGNED.02.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development American Embassy P.O. Box 354 Amman 11118, Jordan

Telephone No.: +962.6.590.6000 Facsimile (Fax) No.: +962.6.590.7300 Website: http://jordan.usaid.gov

U.S. Department of State 6050 Amman Place Washington DC 20521-6050

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

ISSUANCE DATE: Wednesday, October 25, 2023

RFI CLOSING DATE & TIME:

Thursday, November 08, 2023, by 16:00 PM Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC))

SUBJECT:

USAID/Jordan Fiscal Empowerment and Continuous Harmonization of Public Financial Management for Optimized Economic Growth (FISCAL-ECHO) Project

REFERENCE: RFI No. RFI-278-24-EDE-ECHO

Dear Prospective Respondents, The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Jordan mission (USAID/Jordan) issues this RFI per Title 48 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Chapter 1 (i.e., Federal Acquisition Regulation or FAR)) §§ 15.201(c)(7) and 15.201(e), respectively, to provide stakeholders an opportunity to review, comment, suggest, and enhance areas for the forthcoming USAID/Jordan activity: USAID/Jordan Fiscal Empowerment and Continuous Harmonization of Public Financial Management for Optimized Economic Growth (FISCAL-ECHO) Project. USAID/Jordan contemplates awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) completion form cost reimbursement contract per FAR 16.306(d)(1) for a five-year period of performance.

USAID issues this RFI solely for information and planning purposes as well as to collect and analyze information about capabilities within the market to satisfy agency needs. However, this RFI does not constitute a request for proposals (RFP). Moreover, responses to this RFI neither constitute offers nor will USAID accept any responses to form a binding contract. Furthermore, any commentary provided in response to this RFI will not advantage any organization with respect to any subsequent procurement. Nevertheless, USAID/Jordan will not provide answers to any questions posed in response to this RFI. USAID/Jordan will issue and post the subsequent RFP or any corresponding amendments on the Governmentwide point of entry (GPE), the System for Award Management (SAM) website, located at http://www.sam.gov. However, it remains the potential offeror’s responsibility to monitor these sites for announcements of new opportunities.

I. BACKGROUND

Public financial management is a key driver of economic reform, and fiscal policy can directly affect economic growth and any other reform efforts. Public financial management plays a http://jordan.usaid.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

Request for Information USAID/Jordan Fiscal ECHO Project

RFI No.: RFI-278-24-EDE-ECHO crucial role in financing social sectors such as water, education, and health. By aligning fiscal policies with the priorities of these sectors, governments can directly impact economic growth and promote reforms. Government spending, taxation, and debt policies can all have a direct impact on the level of economic activity in Jordan. For example, government spending on infrastructure can create jobs and stimulate economic activity, while high tax rates can discourage investment and reduce economic growth. A well-managed public financial system can help create a stable and predictable business environment that encourages investment and promotes economic growth. Additionally, improved fiscal commitment and contingent liability processes can resolve public private partnership (PPP) project challenges.

This proposed activity differs from previous fiscal reform activities by increasing the focus on economic growth, which is critical for Jordan to provide jobs for its growing population. The activity will emphasize growth-oriented policies and measures that go beyond fiscal sustainability and encompass broader economic objectives. These reforms aim to create an environment conducive to private sector growth, job creation, and overall economic prosperity.

II. PURPOSE

This new activity aims to promote economic growth within the country and facilitate the implementation of the Economic Modernization Vision1 by improving fiscal policies and the public financial management performance in Jordan. This new activity will improve fiscal policies and Jordan’s public financial management performance by enhancing revenue systems within all revenue institutions and improving their connections and interactions with other institutions. This collaborative approach aims to boost efficiency and performance, not only by increasing revenues, but also enhancing the business environment, promoting investment, and optimizing government budget planning and preparation, as well as public expenditure systems.

The FISCAL-ECHO Project’s overarching objective is to foster economic growth, create a more favorable business climate, and encourage public strategic investments in addition to fiscal stability and improve public financial management performance. The activity will include an analysis of current fiscal policies, administration and the relevant information technology systems then work on the development and implementation of a comprehensive fiscal reform plan that focuses on economic growth. This will involve reforming the revenue system, streamlining budgetary processes, and cultivating a conducive business environment.

Moreover, the activity seeks to build capacity among stakeholders, align budgets with various sector strategies and plans, and improve communication with the private sector, citizens, and other stakeholders.

1 Available at https://www.jordanvision.jo/en.

https://www.jordanvision.jo/en

RFI No.: RFI-278-24-EDE-ECHO

III. RFI SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

USAID strongly encourages all types of organizations and firms (e.g., large, small, for-profit, nonprofit, private company, non-governmental organization (NGO), local NGO, university, foundation, foreign governmental organization, etc.) and individuals to provide information or comments via email no later than Thursday, November 08, 2023. by 16:00 PM EEST.

Please submit all responses to the following email address:

Amman_fiscalecho@usaid.gov

Respondents must format the response subject line as follows:

RFI-278-24-EDE-ECHO USAID/Jordan Fiscal ECHO Project Response

USAID reiterates that responses to this RFI neither constitute offers nor will USAID accept any responses to form a binding contract. Moreover, USAID further reiterates that any commentary provided in response to this RFI will not advantage any organization with respect to any subsequent procurement. Lastly, USAID/Jordan reserves the right to use submitted responses without restriction or limitation.

IV. QUESTIONS

USAID seeks feedback on the following matters. Further, USAID requests for respondents to provide concise and issue-specific comments. The total page limit for the feedback is 5 pages.

USAID/Jordan also aims to consult with a broad community of public and private sector actors concerned with improving fiscal reform and increasing the economic growth in Jordan. Thus, USAID/Jordan may revise this proposed new activity and planned solicitation based on comments received and further stakeholder consultations.

(a) Based on your organization’s experience, what should be the FISCAL-ECHO Project’s main priorities and focus areas? Further, what strategies and methodologies could be employed to develop and implement a comprehensive fiscal reform plan aimed at promoting economic growth? Moreover, in addition to the Ministry of Finance, who should USAID consider as main counterparts?

(b) What measures can be implemented within this activity to foster a conducive business environment to attract investment and promote economic growth? Further, how can the FISCAL-ECHO Project best complement and link with economic reform efforts in Jordan and create sustainable benefits for the broader economy?

(c) Provide and explain a hypothetical approach to increase strategic communications targeting the private sector, citizens, and other stakeholders to cultivate accountability, improve customer service, and solicit and integrate feedback into fiscal and monetary policy reforms.

mailto:Amman_fiscalecho@usaid.gov

RFI No.: RFI-278-24-EDE-ECHO

(d) How can the FISCAL-ECHO Project advance strategic public investments and better manage government assets to support economic growth and long-term sustainability?

(e) How could your organization ensure managing climate and gender concerns in fiscal and budget policies, from design to implementation?

(f) What would your organization propose as the most effective interventions to work with the Central Bank of Jordan to harmonize the fiscal policy with the monetary policy, aiming to enhance finance accessibility for businesses?

Issuance of this RFI neither obligates the USG to issue a solicitation or award a contract nor commits the USG to pay for any costs incurred or information resulting from this request.

Respondents remain solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

Thank you.

Yours truly, Jack M. Adrien Contracting Officer

[END RFI No. RFI-278-24-EDE-ECHO]