Niger_MCC-16-RFQ-0223.pdf

PAGE 1 OF 1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NO. 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls) 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: % FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR CODE FACILITY CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE NO. DUNS: DUNS+4:

PHONE: FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM NO. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________ 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION (REV. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 68

TBD MCC-16-RFQ-0223 08/03/2016

José Jiménez; jimenezja@mcc.gov 202-772-6542 10/13/2016

2:00 PM EST

Millennium Challenge Corporation Contracts and Grants Management Division 1099 Fourteenth Street, NW Suite 700 Washington DC 20005

X

541611

$15 Million

N/A

Millennium Challenge Corporation

CGM

1099 Fourteenth Street, NW Washington DC 20005

Millennium Challenge Corporation Contracts and Grants Management Division 1099 Fourteenth Street, NW Suite 700 Washington DC 20005

TBD

Interior Business Center Interior Business Center M/S D-2773 7301 West Mansfield Avenue Lakewood CO 80235-2230

See CONTINUATION Page

This requirement is for: Expert services in protected area management and compliance with International Finance Corporation Performance Standard 6 (IFC PS 6)on Biodiversity Conservation and the Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources.

Place of Performance: Niger

This solicitation is being issued pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items.

Please see continuation page for additional information.

See CONTINUATION Page

X X x 1

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 2 of 68

Table of Contents

SECTION B ‐ SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

B.2 PRICING ARRANGEMENT/CONTRACT TYPE/SCHEDULE

SECTION C ‐ DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK (PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

WITH IFC PS 6)

C.1 INTRODUCTION

C.2 BACKGROUND

C.3 SCOPE

C.3.1 Project Description

Irrigation and Market Access Project

C.3.2 Protected Area and Land Use Management Background

C.4 TASKS

Task 1. Rapid Ecological Assessment

Task 2. Technical Support to Protected Areas and Land Use Management Sub‐Activity

Task 3. Technical Support to Irrigation and Market Access Project

Task 4. Miscellaneous Due Dilligence Support

C.5 LEVEL OF EFFORT

SECTION D ‐ PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 PRESERVATION, PACKING, AND MARKING

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F ‐ DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 DELIVERABLES

Task 1

Inception Report

Draft Rapid Ecological Assessment

Final Rapid Ecological Assessment

GIS database

Task 2, 3, and 4

Trip Reports

Meeting Notes

Monthly Progress Reports

Monthly Progress Report Sections

Other Reports

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 3 of 68

F.4 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

F.5 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

SECTION G ‐ RESERVED

SECTION H ‐ SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 KEY PERSONNEL

Biodiversity Conservation/Natural Resource Management (Key)

Land Use Management Specialist (Key)

H.2 NON‐KEY PERSONNEL

Protected Area Plan and Management Specialists

Soil Scientists and Agriculture Specialist (Agriculture):

Geographic Information Systems Specialist:

Other Supporting Personnel

TABLE: GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS ‐ SENIORITY

H.3 FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

H.4 ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

H.5 MCC NON‐PERSONAL SERVICES

H.6 MCC ALL ITEMS TO BECOME PROPERTY OF THE GOVERNMENT

H.7 MCC GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES

H.8 MCC TECHNICAL DIRECTION

H.9 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

H.10 TIMING AND REPORTING

H.11 MCC 52.203‐70 CONTRACTOR NON‐DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (JULY 2012)

H.12 MCC 52.209‐70 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: PRECLUSION FROM IMPLEMENTATION CONTRACT (July 2012)

H.13 MCC 52.201‐70 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) AND/OR PROJECT MONITOR (PM) (JULY 2012)

H.14 MCC U.S. LANGUAGE AND U.S. CURRENCY

H.15 MCC 52.232‐70 INVOICE INSTRUCTIONS (MAY 2013)

H.16 MCC 52.232‐73 Travel Reimbursement (MAY 2013)

H.17 MCC 52.232‐74 ODC REIMBURSEMENT (JAN 2007)

H.18 MCC 52.243‐70 INCREASE IN SERVICES (OCT 2006)

H.19 MCC 52.245‐70 CONTRACTOR ACQUIRED MCC GOVERNMENT PROPERTY OVERSEAS

(JULY 2012)

H.20 ADDITIONAL LABOR CATEGORIES

SECTION I ‐ CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.2 52.212‐3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (APR 2016)

I.3 52.212‐5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 4 of 68

COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2016)

I.4 52.217‐8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

I.5 52.217‐9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

SECTION J ‐ LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

J.1 Attachment 1: MEDICAL ACCOMODATION PROCEDURES

J.2 Attachment 2: DS‐4086: Special Seating Request Form for Business Class Air Travel

J.3 Attachment 3: DS‐4086A: Business Class Upgrade Medical Questionnaire

SECTION K ‐ REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

SECTION L ‐ INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

L.2 GENERAL INFORMATION REQUIRED TO PREPARE QUOTE

L.2.1 Quote Format

L.2.2 Electronic Copy Submission

L.3 QUOTE PREPARATION & INSTRUCTIONS

L.3.1 Volume I –Technical Capability and Past Performance

L.3.2 Volume II – Price/Business Quote

L.4 DISCREPANCIES

L.5 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

L.6 QUOTE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

L.6.1 Questions/Request for Clarification Regarding Solicitation

L.7 DISCUSSIONS

L.8 EXCLUSION OF QUOTES AND COMMUNICATIONS

SECTION M ‐ EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 BASIS OF AWARD

M.2 EVALUATION FACTORS AND SUBFACTORS

FACTOR 1: TECHNICAL CAPABILITY

Subfactor 1: ‐ Firm’s Overall Capability, Sector Experience, and Management Team

SubFactor 2: Technical Approach

Subfactor 3: Personnel Qualifications

FACTOR 2: PAST PERFORMANCE

FACTOR 3: PRICE

M.3 EVALUATION METHODOLOGY

M.4 SELECTION

ATTACHMENT J.1, Medical Accommodation Procedures

ATTACHMENTS J.2 and J.3 (DS‐4086 and DS‐4086A

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 5 of 68

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) requires a Contractor to provide expert services in protected area management and compliance with International Finance Corporation Performance Standard 6 on Biodiversity Conservation and the Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources (IFC PS 6). The Contractor will provide advice to the MCC team on environmental and social due diligence and will support MCC in providing technical assistance and oversight to the Niger team responsible for preparing and implementing the Compact projects. The Contractor will conduct a rapid ecological assessment of the Irrigation and Market Infrastructure Project area in the region of Dosso, Niger. The Contractor will provide MCC with ongoing expert advice to improve the management of the Dosso Partial Faunal Reserve and Moyen Niger Ramsar site, and to comply with IFC PS 6.

B.2 PRICING ARRANGEMENT/CONTRACT TYPE/SCHEDULE

This is a Full and Open solicitation. The Government intends to award a single Time and Materials (T&M) Contract. All responsible sources may submit a quote which shall be considered by the agency.

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, equipment and logistics required to provide the services in accordance with the Descriptions/Specifications/Statement of Work, and the terms and conditions herein. The total price includes labor and other direct costs to perform all required services.

ITEM

NUMBER

DESCRIPTION OF

SUPPLIES/SERVICES AMOUNT

CLIN 0001 – Base Period (12 months) TBD SubCLIN 0001A – Direct Labor SubCLIN 0001B – Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

CLIN 1001 – Option Period 1 (12 months) SubCLIN 1001A – Direct Labor SubCLIN 1001B – Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

CLIN 2001 – Option Period 2 (12 months) SubCLIN 2001A – Direct Labor SubCLIN 2001B – Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

CLIN 3001 – Option Period 3 (12 months) SubCLIN 3001A – Direct Labor SubCLIN 3001B – Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

CLIN 4001 – Option Period 4 (12 months) SubCLIN 4001A – Direct Labor SubCLIN 4001B – Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

Total Amount of Contract

(End of Section B)

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 6 of 68

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

(PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE WITH IFC PS 6)

C.1 INTRODUCTION

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a Federal Corporation created under Title VI1 of the Foreign Operation, Export Financing, and related Programs Appropriations Act, 2004. As a United States government-owned corporation responsible for the stewardship of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), MCC works with developing countries to promote sustainable economic growth to reduce poverty. MCC’s work is based on the principle that aid is most effective in countries that promote good governance, provide economic freedom, and make investments in people. MCC provides large grants to a small number of eligible developing countries.

MCC looks at likely distributive effects of projects and, to the extent that data are available to perform such analyses, identifies their beneficiaries and estimates their impact on poverty reduction. Ultimately, MCC seeks significant and measurable decreases in the numbers of poor people and significant reductions of poverty. In addition, MCC-funded projects need to be implemented within a Compact period of five years. Further details on the MCC and its methodology may be viewed at http://www.mcc.gov.

C.2 BACKGROUND

The Government of Niger established a Coordination Unit for Millennium Challenge Programs (UC-PMC), attached to the Presidency, to develop its compact proposal and manage preparatory studies until the formal Millennium Challenge Account-Niger (MCA-Niger) is established after Compact signing. The Niger Compact was approved by the MCC Board of Directors in June 2016 and Compact signing occurred in July 2016. There will be a transition between the UC-PMC and MCA-Niger during the contract period. For this reason, this contract refers to the representative of the Government of Niger as UC-PMC/MCA-Niger.

Through this solicitation MCC seeks to contract with a Contractor for expert services in wetlands, protected area management, ecological/ecosystem service assessment, and IFC PS 6 Biodiversity Conservation and the Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources in order to assess the potential conservation opportunities as part of a protected area complex. In addition to the conservation values, the Contractor will evaluate options for improving land and natural resources management both internally and in the buffer zone of the protected areas.

C.3 SCOPE

The Scope of this assignment consists of two key categories: 1) conducting a rapid ecological assessment of the Ramsar site Zone Humide du Moyen Niger I as well as the Reserve Partielle de Faune de Dosso, including the development of a final assessment report and GIS database, and 2) provide ongoing expert guidance to MCC regarding management of the protected areas and necessary mitigation measures for the long term environmental and social impacts of the proposed large-scale irrigation development activities and improved infrastructure components of the Niger Compact in the Dosso/Gaya region.

The Contractor shall take into consideration, among others, the requirements stipulated in the following documents, when conducting work under these terms of reference:

• The MCC Environmental Guidelines which include adoption of the IFC Performance Standards, at http://www.mcc.gov/pages/docs/doc/environmental-guidelines

• The MCC Gender Policy which can be found at http://www.mcc.gov/documents/guidance/mcc-policy-gender.pdf

• Studies and data made available by MCC or the Government of Niger to be provided during the course of the work.

The Niger Compact is composed of two projects: the Irrigation and Market Access Project and the Climate-Resilient Communities Project. This contract action is primarily to provide expertise regarding the development and implementation

1 The Millennium Challenge Act of 2003

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 7 of 68 of the Irrigation and Market Access Project.

C.3.1 Project Description

Irrigation and Market Access Project The proposed project aims to increase rural incomes through improvements in agricultural productivity and increases in sales resulting from modernized irrigated agriculture systems with sufficient market access. In order to achieve this objective while following best practices and lessons learned, the project will: (i) address the finance constraint for infrastructure in key large-scale irrigated perimeters and targeted roads that serve irrigated perimeters, as well as facilitate international trade flows; (ii) address institutional and management constraints by rationalizing roles and responsibilities for operations and maintenance of perimeters and roads at the local level, putting in place the key building blocks to move toward more commercialized agriculture and household food security, and building community capacity in sustainable management of natural resources;

and (iii) address environmental and social risks and impacts by conducting agro-climatological analyses, environmental and social assessments of sensitive environments, and integrating environmental and social management and livelihood concerns into all investment planning.

Activity 1 – Irrigation Perimeter Development This activity aims to rehabilitate the Konni Irrigation System and develop new irrigated perimeters along the Niger River in the Dosso-Gaya area. The investments will make a major contribution to realizing the national potential for large-scale irrigation development in Niger, rehabilitating approximately 2,450 ha, which is 19 percent of the existing 13,000 ha under irrigation in Niger, and constructing approximately 2,600 ha of new perimeters, increasing the national potential by 20 percent. However, the irrigation is dependent on ecosystem services derived from the Niger River and its associated wetlands. Long-term sustainability of the irrigation infrastructure benefits will depend in part in protecting and, if possible, enhancing the landscape and ecosystems provisioning key sediment and water resources.

Sub-Activity 1.1 Rehabilitation of Konni Irrigation System (2,452 ha) This sub-activity consists of rehabilitating a system of two cascading surface runoff dams, a downstream collection reservoir and supply channel, as well as the 2,452 ha perimeter, which is designed to also irrigate 1,200 ha during the dry season.

Proposed works include soil conservation in the catchment to stem the siltation problem that threatens future water availabilities, and repairs and rehabilitation of the irrigation system to reduce water losses and improve efficiency.

Sub-Activity 1.2: New Development of Dosso Gaya Perimeters (2618 ha)

This sub-activity consists of developing new irrigated perimeters in a series of floodplains in the Dosso-Gaya area, along the Niger River and adjacent to the Benin border. The Ouna Kouanza perimeter (zones 4-5-6-7) requires the construction of flood protection dikes, or polders, water control gates and drainage structures to enable full water control during the river’s high season, while the selected terraces in the Sia perimeter (lower Sia) are on higher ground and will require pumping and water distribution networks for mixed crop irrigated agriculture.

(Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank)

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 8 of 68

Activity 2 - Management Services, Market Facilitation and Policy This activity aims to put in place a suite of institutional and management support activities designed to ensure achievement of project objectives in the irrigated perimeters, namely to increase farm household savings to invest in increasing yields, aggregate product and increase sales, and invest in productive assets and nutritional status to improve household food security and income.

Sub-Activity 2.1: Land Tenure Security This sub-activity will develop land tenure profiles, develop and implement inclusive land access principles and criteria for land allocation, formalize land property rights, reinforce institutional capacity for local land tenure management, improve application of mechanisms for land conflict management, and engage in integrated land use planning. A comprehensive land tenure sub-activity will reduce the risk of land tenure insecurity and land conflict, thus reducing or eliminating these factors as potential disincentives to productive investment on the part of the farmers who will work in the irrigated perimeters.

Sub-Activity 2.2: Sustainable Irrigation System Management This sub-activity will support capacity building of user-managed entities for rehabilitated and new irrigation systems. Rather than seeking to reform, strengthen and upgrade the existing agricultural cooperatives who are currently also managing existing irrigation perimeters, a better option, and one that is internationally endorsed and has fairly broad support including from ONAHA and other donors, is to remove the irrigation management function from the cooperatives and to set up single-purpose, self-governing, self-financing non-profit water user associations (WUAs) to undertake this task on both the existing Konni irrigation system and the planned development at Dosso-Gaya. WUAs will be formed in year 1 for the Konni perimeter, with training throughout the compact. In order to minimize training fatigue, WUAs will be formed in year 3, syncing with construction, for the Dosso-Gaya perimeters and MCC will seek to partner with other donors to continue WUA support post-compact.

Sub-Activity 2.3: Management Services to Improve Agricultural Productivity, Sales and Sustainability This sub-activity will apply a portfolio of best practices to address the financial independence and economic empowerment of beneficiaries of the large-scale perimeters. Services will facilitate savings and change in practices to increase yields, planning and participation in actions to increase sales of commodities, investment in profitable value-addition and sustainable natural

Map of Irrigation Perimeter Development Zones of Intervention

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 9 of 68 resources management. To achieve the desired outcome of increasing rural household income and empowering women and youth, services under this sub-activity will need to be carefully planned and coordinated.

There will be two entry points to the delivery of services: new or existing savings groups and existing producer groups.

Through the group structure, the sub-activity will build the capacity of beneficiaries to:

Develop cropping calendars that help grow commodities to market demand and pricing signals;

Participate in savings groups to improve business skills and save capital to operationalize their cropping calendars;

Increase use of appropriate fertilizers and improved seeds;

Participate in producer organizations to improve their negotiation position at the farm gate and in the market place;

Invest in infrastructure to store and add value to their production; and Increase sales of commodities.

Please see Annex B – Project Description for Large-scale Irrigated Agriculture and Market Infrastructure for additional detail on program logic, justification, and training sequencing.

Activity 3 – Road Infrastructure for Market Access

This activity aims to improve physical market access through targeted improvements on the road network serving the Dosso- Gaya perimeters and linking them to the rest of the country2. The activity also envisions the introduction, on a pilot basis, of a performance-based maintenance contract as well as support to a community-based road network management program. The map shown above highlights the location of the road investments.

Sub-Activity 3.1: Rehabilitation of Bella-Dosso Section of RN 7 (83 kms) This sub-activity will consist of completing the rehabilitation of the main north-south international trunk road (RN7) linking the southern region to the rest of the country. With high traffic counts of 473 heavy trucks per day, the RN7 is the main corridor for import/export from Benin to points north/north east in the country. The sub-activity plans to rehabilitate the road with structural asphalt concrete type pavement.

Sub-Activity 3.2: Rehabilitation of Gaya-Margou Section of RN 35 (187 Kms) This sub-activity aims to rehabilitate the main road directly serving the perimeters (RN35). The RN35 is currently a laterite road in very poor condition that begins in Gaya and runs north along the proposed Dosso-Gaya perimeters. Due to the traffic counts on this road, which showed primarily motorbikes with limited heavy trucks, the sub-activity proposes rehabilitation to an all-weather standard.

2 The Konni perimeter is located along the national road (RN‐1).

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 10 of 68

Sub-Activity 3.3: Rehabilitation of Rural Road Sambera- Guitodo (37 km)

The Sambera Rural Road links RN35 to RN7, effectively linking the Dosso-Gaya perimeters to a major international trade route. The laterite road, which is in poor condition, forms part of the departmental network of rural access roads. The Niger National Directorate of Rural Roads in the Ministry of Public Works has developed a method and approach of rural road development based on a successful model instituted by the Swiss Cooperation Agency in the Dosso-Gaya area. MCC proposes to rehabilitate this road and incorporate the community-based road maintenance program to ensure sustainability.

Activity 4 – Policy Reform

Sub-activity 4.1: Water Resource Management Policy Reform In order to facilitate strategic management of water resources of Niger, this sub-activity will support the development and implementation of a national water resources plan. The sub-activity will include a detailed assessment of ground water resources using remote sensing technology, and capacity building within the Ministry of Hydraulics to institutionalize and operationalize the plan at the national, regional, and local levels.

Sub-activity 4.2: Protected Area and Land Use Management The development and implementation of natural resource and land use management plans for the protected areas and nearby communities affected by the Irrigation and Market Access Project in the Dosso Region, including (i) ecological assessments and land use studies necessary to identify and promote conservation and natural resource planning objectives: (ii) the development and implementation of management plans for Dosso Partial Faunal Reserve and Ramsar site Zone Humide du Moyen Niger; and (iii) support for the development of community land use plans within the protected areas;

Sub-activity 4.3: Fertilizer Distribution Reform This sub-activity will reform the fertilizer distribution system to allow greater competition and private sector participation to enable broad availability and affordability of fertilizers, especially to small farmers. Specifically, the Ministry of Agriculture will open the fertilizer market to all professional private firms that meet specific criteria to handle fertilizer business operations (including skills, knowledge, and financing capability) and continue to implement the subsidy program but in a much more targeted manner to reach those in greatest need.

Sub-activity 4.4: Statistical Capacity Development This sub-activity will assist the National Institute of Statistics and key ministries to generate timely data in order to analyze and inform government policy decisions related to growth, investment, agricultural trade, and natural resources.

C.3.2 Protected Area and Land Use Management Background Niger became party to the Ramsar Convention in August 1987. There are 12 sites in Niger, including the 88,000 ha Zone Humide du Moyen Niger I in the project area and the 66,000 ha Zone Humide du Moyen Niger II.

The Zone Humide du Moyen I in Dosso region covers the wetlands and floodplains adjacent to the Niger River from the commune of Falmey (Koulou perimeter) to the commune of Tounouga (South of Gaya and the Gatawani perimeters). A map of the wetlands is not readily available. Ramsar describes the wetlands as the Niger River and its floodplains with the permanent and seasonal ponds and water courses. The area meets Ramsar criterion 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8, which recognize its importance for habitat of international importance as a wetland with habitat for important plants, birds, and fish.

The Zone Humide du Moyen II is also in Dosso, located north of the site described above. The site is described as a 25km stretch of the Niger River and its associated floodplains and pools. It is recognized for the same Ramsar criterion and notes the presence threatened species such as the white-tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda), the pale fox (Vulpes pallida), and the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis).

There is no current registered management plan for the Ramsar sites, and active management of this zone for the protection of wetland services is lacking. A notable exception to this is in the community of Albarkaize, the “reference community” for the Zone Humide du Moyen Ramsar area, and whose local leadership is actively engaged in conservation measures and promotion of ecotourism for bird watching. Most of the floodplain wetlands are under cultivation of rice by local communities or used for fish nurseries and fishing.

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 11 of 68

Different project or planning documents received by MCC show conflicting information on the precise location of the Ramsar wetlands. Bidders should review the material on Zone Humide du Moyen available on the Ramsar website:

https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1073.

The Ramsar convention does not exclude the rights of the state to utilize a Ramsar wetland. The state must develop and implement a management plan to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the wetland and its ecosystem services.

The State is required to inform the Convention of the 193 ecological character of the wetlands and if any are altered. Ramsar does recognize fish ponds and rice paddies as an acceptable wetland use. However, the proposed irrigation systems include drainage and a possible shift to non-wetland crops. This would cause a permanent loss of the wetland and its ecosystem function.

The Dosso Partial Faunal Reserve is a regional mixed use reserve that serves as a border area to Park National du W. The northern part of the Reserve represents the southern migration of the endangered West African Giraffe.

It is an IUCN category IV park which has the objective to conserve, maintain or restore species or habitats. In consultations with the Government, MCC did not find that the Reserve has a management plan or objectives. The Government of Niger completed a five-year action plan for the reserve in July 2011 with a grant from United Nations Development Program. The actions were not implemented due to lack of funding. This Plan proposes revising the classification of the Reserve to Category VI and creating zones of Category Ib protection.

Limits of Park W and its surrounding designated areas in Niger, Benin and Burkina

C.4 TASKS

The Contractor shall provide the following tasks:

Task 1. Rapid Ecological Assessment The goal of a Rapid Ecological Assessment is to assist in evaluating the overall quality of the habitat, key areas for potential protection, sources of ecosystem services that need to be maintained, and to provide some preliminary recommendations to improve overall land and resources management in the area.

A Rapid Ecological Assessment will be carried by the Contractor to evaluate the overall habitat quality, conservation value of the land both in the officially protected areas and those that make up the buffer zone and key habitats for preserving

MCC‐16‐RFQ‐0223 Page 12 of 68 ecosystems services such as water quality, fisheries nursery areas, sediment trapping and soil erosion control. The Rapid Ecological Assessment should follow an internationally accepted methodology for such an assessment. As this area is a mix of paper parks, degraded wetlands and agricultural areas, the assessment is intended to categorize land. For the official protected areas, the assessment should identify the quality of the habitat and the extent of any modification or threats to the area. An attempt should be made to classify the lands based on the IFC Performance Standard 6 nomenclature: modified, natural and critical, keeping in mind that critical can be a sub-category of both modified and natural. The Contractor should draw upon existing research such as species assessments, migratory bird studies, keystone species requirements for the areas, and any literature that was assembled as part of the efforts to establish the various protected areas. The Contractor should also identify if any of the areas have been designated International Bird Areas (IBA), Key Biodiversity Areas, migratory flyways (e.g. international migratory species if the area is not an IBA) and any studies that identify endemic and potentially important species for protection purposes (e.g. giraffe and the African manatee – Trichechus senegalensis). The assessment should include a preliminary evaluation of threats to the habitat and opportunities to improve protection, temporal and spatial changes to the habitat extent or quality and opportunities to potential landscape management between protected areas and other natural habitat or moderately modified habitat (e.g. biodiversity corridors).

In addition to assessing the quality of the habitat, the rapid ecological assessment should evaluate land and habitat for important ecosystem services and livelihood activities. These can include evaluation of habitat for important fish nurseries, wetland or buffer zones strips along the river for sediment, run-off and nutrient capture, wetlands for water purification for local communities and key species as well as ecosystem provision of key coping measure or economic livelihoods such as fisheries, pastoralism, medicinal plants, food, fiber or building materials. As part of the planning, an assessment will need to evaluate what customary or traditional management norms are in place to sustain these locations, if those customs are breaking down (especially in an influx of people) and what threats are posed to the on-going sustainability of both the habitat and the ecosystems that such habitat supports.

For heavily modified lands and agricultural fields, the Contractor will conduct a Land Suitability Classification or a Land Capability Study to identify the cultural practices needed to sustain soils and to improve agronomic practices. The Classification system will be proposed by the Contractor but should be based upon methodologies such as FAO’s Land Suitability Classifications (http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5310e/x5310e04.htm#3.2 structure of the suitability classification, Last accessed June 21, 2016) or USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Land Capability Classifications (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_052290.pdf, Last Accessed June 21, 2016). Other land suitability methodologies could be proposed by the Contractor, but the methodology has to consider at a minimum the following requirements as spelled out in the USDA document:

http://www.envirothon.org/pdf/2012/2012ce_soils_resources/KP4.3land_capability_classification%5B1%5D.pdf, Last Accessed June 21, 2016). The Contractor should also evaluate as part of the capabilities any irrigation needs, including limitations such as high water tables, salinity, the need for a leeching quotient, improved drainage and agronomic (e.g. deep plowing) or crop rotation to improve soil structure or porosity. The goal of this part of the assessment is to enable improve soil and land management, taking into consideration the introduction of irrigation, and with an overall goal of improving sustainable yield and reducing pressures to expand agricultural lands into conservation areas identified above.

The rapid ecological assessment should establish the socioeconomic context of the area. This will require a high-level presentation of the demographics, livelihoods, and needs of local communities. The assessment should identify and describe the dominant land tenure management systems, practices, property rights’ categories and characteristics, and associated risks that are specific to the area, including both customary and statutory land tenure management. It should also explain relevant cultural aspects of natural resource use including any differences among ethnicities, genders, or age.

The Contractor as part of the rapid ecological assessment should review the institutional capacities to manage land in the area, overlapping jurisdictions, organizational capacity and potential conflicts between stakeholders. It is recommended that the Contractor carry out a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats Analysis (SWOT). This lays the ground work for any capacity building efforts for those key stakeholders that are implicit to successfully improving land and resource management in the area. As part of the SWOT, areas of potential resource or jurisdictional conflicts should be assessed as this may undermine recommendations for future protections or the ability to implement any planning goals. Finally, the SWOT should identify key stakeholders who are able to influence and/or guide the implementation of any recommendations as well as key constituents who need to be kept engaged if there is going to be strong political, social or cultural support for implementing future management plans.

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Key Task:

Kickoff Meeting: Review SOW with MCC and UC PMC; identify and schedule meetings with key stakeholders.

Inception Report: Literature review of species, habitat or protected areas, and land tenure studies previously conducted for the area. Propose field work, schedule, and multi-criteria that will be used to assess habitat, key ecosystems, a proposed land suitability classification system, and socioeconomic assessment. (NOTE: this will be a separate deliverable)

Field work: habitat assessments, wildlife (terrestrial and aquatic) surveys, soil studies and land suitability classification, evaluating of habitat change through LandSat images, surveys, interviews with key stakeholders and public consultations with local communities and stakeholder groups. Consultations should take cultural and gender aspects into consideration to ensure that the input is inclusive and draws on experience of men, women, key demographic groups, vulnerable groups and key influencers such as community leaders. Habitat assessment and wildlife surveys may need to occur at multiple times of the year to account for seasonal changes.

Development of a GIS database with the mapping of the habitats, protected areas (if delineated, or estimated boundaries), important zones for maintaining ecosystem services.

Narrative report describing methodology, criteria used to assess land, natural resources and ecosystem services, maps of the areas, an institutional assessment, etc and preliminary management recommendations coming out of the Rapid Assessment. (Note: There will be several deliverables - a draft and final report and GIS database).

Task 2. Technical Support to Protected Areas and Land Use Management Sub-Activity Based on the findings of the Rapid Ecological Assessment and the Contractor’s expertise in protected area management, the Contractor will be expected to provide MCC with ongoing technical support during the development and implementation by MCA-Niger of the Protected Areas and Land Use Management sub-activity. In this task, the Contractor may be asked to complete the following activities:

Develop recommendations for improved protected area management, natural resource and ecosystem protection.

Develop recommendations on work plans and timelines to accomplish the sub-activity.

Advise, review, and comment on Implementation Entity Agreements or other agreements made between MCA-

Niger and other Nigerien government entities.

Advise, review, and comment on terms of reference (TOR) developed by MCA-Niger to conduct further studies, and develop and implement the sub-activity.

Advise, review, and comment on deliverables produced by MCA-Niger or their Consultants such as detailed biological studies, stakeholder engagement plans, monthly reports, management plans, land use plans, etc.

Review third party documents on ongoing infrastructure and planning activities in the Dosso region that may affect the protected areas.

Identify additional stakeholders and contacts for the purpose of coordinating resources and efforts in achieving this sub-activity.

Identify, track, and recommend mitigation measures for risks arising during the development and implementation of the sub-activity.

Participate in phone calls with MCC and MCA-Niger.

Participate in MCC oversight missions.

Task 3. Technical Support to Irrigation and Market Access Project Based on the Contractor’s expertise in wetland ecosystems and IFC PS 6, the Contractor will be expected to provide MCC with ongoing expertise to support the development and implementation of the IMA Project in compliance with IFC PS 6, the Ramsar Convention, and best international practices. In this task, the Contractor may be asked to complete the following activities:

Development recommendations for mitigation measures and other activities required for IFC PS 6 compliance.

Develop recommendations on work plans and timelines for IFC PS 6 compliance activities.

Advise, review, and comment on TORs developed by MCA-Niger to conduct feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, and other activities to development and implement the IMA Project.

Using information available in task 1 on Land Suitability, provide recommendations for operations of the irrigation system and farmer practices that will maintain valuable wetland ecosystem services, sustainable yields, and soil management.

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Advise, review, and comment on deliverables produced by MCA-Niger Consultants such as environmental and social impact assessments, resettlement action plans, environmental and social management plans, detailed designs of infrastructure components, monthly progress reports, commune-level land use plans, etc.

Identify, track, and recommend mitigation measures for risks arising during the development and implementation of the sub-activity.

Participate in phone calls with MCC and MCA-Niger.

Participate in MCC oversight missions.

Task 4. Miscellaneous Due Dilligence Support The Contractor shall provide additional guidance and reviews throughout the Niger Compact implementation as requested by MCC. These tasks shall be relevant to the Contractor’s expertise in natural resource management, biodiversity, protected areas, and wetlands. Examples of possible tasks are:

Advise, review, and comment on work plans, timelines, and deliverables related to the National Water Resource Management sub-activity.

Track relevant developments in Niger and West Africa on protected area, wetlands, or natural resource management.

Advise, review, and comment on sub-project proposal documents under the Climate-Resilient Communities Project.

Review qualifications for MCA-Niger technical staff or MCA-Niger Consultant staff.

Provide general advice and assistance to MCC in the oversight activities of the Niger Compact relevant to ecosystems, wetlands, natural resource management, biodiversity, or protected areas.

Report to MCC on institutional capacity needs or technical assistance identified while conducting the tasks above.

Identify opportunities for MCC or MCA-Niger engagement on improving or enhancing protection or sustainable management of ecosystems, wetlands, natural resources, biodiversity, or protected areas.

C.5 LEVEL OF EFFORT

Below please find the anticipated level of effort for this requirement:

BASE PERIOD – ANTICIPATED DIRECT LABOR

TASK 1

Key Positions Rate Category # Hours

Biodiversity conservation / Natural Resource Management / Project Manager Senior 200

Land Use Management Specialist (Social Science, Social Impact Assessment, Participation) Mid-Career II 160 Protected Area Plan and Management Specialists (Environmental Management Systems or Biodiversity Conservation/Natural Resource Management, or Institutional Development): Mid-Career II 200

Soil Scientists and Agriculture Specialist (Agriculture) Mid-Career I 160

Geographic Information Systems Specialist Junior 160 Wetlands Specialist Junior 200 Land Use Planner Mid-Career I 160 Hydrologist Mid-Career I 160 Freshwater Biodiversity Specialists (Ichthyologists) Mid-Career I 200 Dryland Biodiversity Specialist Mid-Career I 160 Flora/Fauna Specialist Mid-Career I 160 Invasive Species Specialists Mid-Career I 160 Migratory Bird Specialists Mid-Career I 160 Environmental Specialist Junior 160 Agricultural Economics Mid-Career I 160 Water/Natural Resource Economist Junior 160 Agronomy/Soil Science Mid-Career I 160 Community Engagement and Planning Mid-Career I 160

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Additional GIS Specialists or Surveyors (multiple) Junior 400

TASK 2, 3 and 4

Key Positions Rate Category # Hours

Biodiversity conservation / Natural Resource Management / Project Manager Senior

Land Use Management Specialist (Social Science, Social Impact Assessment, Participation) Mid-Career II 320 Protected Area Plan and Management Specialists (Environmental Management Systems or Biodiversity Conservation/Natural Resource Management, or Institutional Development): Mid-Career II 320

Soil Scientists and Agriculture Specialist (Agriculture) Mid-Career I 80

Geographic Information Systems Specialist Junior 80

BASE PERIOD – ANTICIPATED

OTHER DIRECT COSTS

Base Period

Cost Component Number of

Units Units

Airfare to Niger 15.0 Round Trip

Enroute Expenses (Niger) 15.0 Round Trip

Per diem - Niger (for all mission days) 120.0 Daily

Per Diem - local authorities 18.0 daily

Car (x2) 40.0 Per Week

Mobile database collection (tablets) 4.0 tablet

GPS device 5.0 device/mo

Satellite Imagery 1.0 lump

Communications 1.0 Lump

Report and Document Printing 1.0 Lump

Translation, French, English 1.0 Lump

OPTION YEARS – ANTICIPATED DIRECT LABOR

Option Yr 1

Key Positions Rate Category # Hours

Biodiversity conservation / Natural Resource Management / Project Manager Senior 800

Land Use Management Specialist (Social Science, Social Impact Assessment, Participation) Mid-Career II 640

Protected Area Plan and Management Specialists (Environmental Management Systems or Biodiversity Conservation/Natural Resource Management, or Institutional Development): Mid-Career II 640

Geographic Information Systems Specialist Junior 160

Option Yr 2

Biodiversity conservation / Natural Resource Management / Project Manager Senior 800

Land Use Management Specialist (Social Science, Social Impact Assessment, Participation) Mid-Career II 640

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Protected Area Plan and Management Specialists (Environmental Management Systems or Biodiversity Conservation/Natural Resource Management, or Institutional Development): Mid-Career II 640

Option Yr 3

Biodiversity conservation / Natural Resource Management / Project Manager Senior 800

Land Use Management Specialist (Social Science, Social Impact Assessment, Participation) Mid-Career II 640

Protected Area Plan and Management Specialists (Environmental Management Systems or Biodiversity Conservation/Natural Resource Management, or Institutional Development): Mid-Career II 640

Option Yr 4

Biodiversity conservation / Natural Resource Management / Project Manager Senior 800

Land Use Management Specialist (Social Science, Social Impact Assessment, Participation) Mid-Career II 640

Protected Area Plan and Management Specialists (Environmental Management Systems or Biodiversity Conservation/Natural Resource Management, or Institutional Development): Mid-Career II 640

OPTION YEARS – ANTICIPATED

OTHER DIRECT COSTS

Option Year 1

Cost Component Number of Units

Units

Airfare to Niger (4 trips for 3 ppl) 12.0 Round Trip

Enroute Expenses (Niger) 12.0 Round Trip

Per diem - Niger (for all mission days) 120.0 Daily

Per Diem - local authorities 18.0 Daily

Car (x2) 72.0 Per Week

GPS device 1.0 device/mo

Communications 1.0 Lump

Translation, French, English 1.0 Lump

Option Year 2

Cost Component Number of Units

Units

Airfare to Niger (4 trips for 3 ppl) 12.0 Round Trip

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Enroute Expenses (Niger) 12.0 Round Trip

Per diem - Niger (for all mission days) 120.0 Daily

Per Diem - local authorities 18.0 daily

Translation, French, English 1.0 Lump

Option Year 3

Cost Component Number of Units Units

Airfare to Niger (4 trips for 3 ppl) 12.0 Round Trip

Enroute Expenses (Niger) 12.0 Round Trip

Per diem - Niger (for all mission days) 120.0 Daily

Option Year 4

Cost Component Number of Units Units

Airfare to Niger (4 trips for 3 ppl) 12.0 Round Trip

Enroute Expenses (Niger) 12.0 Round Trip

Per diem - Niger (for all mission days) 120.0 Daily

*Please note that the aforementioned level of effort is an estimate and is being provided for proposal evaluation purposes. See Section L.3.2 for additional information.

(End of Section C)

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SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 PRESERVATION, PACKING, AND MARKING

Preservation, packaging, and packing for all items delivered hereunder shall be in accordance with commercial practice and adequate to insure acceptance by common carrier and safe arrival at destination. The Contractor shall place the contract number on or adjacent to the exterior shipping label. In addition, each package, report, or other deliverable shall be accompanied by a letter or other document that identifies the deliverable item number or reporting requirement that requires the delivered item(s) and indicates whether the contractor considers the delivered item(s) to be partial or full satisfaction of the requirement. These documents shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or the Project Monitor (PM) as required.

(End of Section D)

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SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Incorporated by Reference: FAR 52.212-4(a) Inspection and Acceptance.

(End of Section E)

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SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The primary place of performance is in Niger, primarily Dosso Department or Niamey, with some work done at the vendor location or at MCC headquarters in Washington, DC, if required.

The Contractor will be expected to travel to and within Niger, specifically Niamey and Dosso Region, Niger. The Contractor will be responsible for providing transportation, logistics, and adequate security arrangements.

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be as follows: Base Period of twelve (12) months and 4 Option Periods of twelve (12) months each to be exercised at the sole discretion of the Government.

F.3 DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall address and incorporate comments provided by MCC into final deliverables, as appropriate. The Contractor may be requested to submit or present deliverables not only to MCC but also to high level government officials or MCC counterpart teams in Niger. Deliverables shall be submitted in French with a concise English summary. MCC may request deliverables to be translated and submitted in English. The due dates of the deliverables will be provided by the COR/PM during the period of performance via technical directive.

Task 1, as described in Section C

Inception Report

Draft Rapid Ecological Assessment

Final Rapid Ecological Assessment

GIS database

Task 2, 3, and 4, as described in Section C

Trip Reports Within seven (7) calendar days after each such trip, the Contractor shall submit a trip report that details the objectives, meetings held, and results of each trip.

Meeting Notes From time to time, the Contractor will attend meetings in person or via video or telephone link. The Contractor shall provide a brief summary of each meeting attended within 3 business days following the meeting. The summary may be delivered via electronic mail.

Monthly Progress Reports Monthly Progress Reports shall be submitted within five (5) business days after the last day of each month. These reports shall include at a minimum the below sections.