Performance_Work_Statement_-_DIC_Program_Evaluation_Assistance.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

International Affairs, Division of International Conservation (DIC)

Performance Work Statement

Program Evaluation Assistance – International Conservation

1. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their habitats. It is the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the management of these important natural resources. The Service’s International Affairs (IA) programs coordinate domestic and international efforts to protect, restore, and enhance the world’s diverse wildlife and their habitats with a focus on species of international concern, and have international responsibilities under some 40 treaties and U.S. laws and regulations. In order to improve the Service’s international partnerships and program delivery, IA seeks to evaluate its financial assistance programs and develop program capacity to answer long-term strategic questions about how the agency meets its mission of foreign species conservation in accordance with new responsibilities created by Congressional legislation.

2. BACKGROUND

The Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2016 (FATAA) was enacted by Congress to evaluate the performance and improve the effectiveness and monitoring and evaluation of U.S.

Government foreign assistance. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published guidelines in January 2018 (OMB Memorandum M-18-04), reiterating the objectives of FATAA and setting forth key principles to provide specific direction for agencies to include in their own policies on monitoring and evaluation of foreign assistance. Building on FATAA, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (abbreviated as the “Evidence Act”) was enacted by Congress to advance data and evidence-building functions in the Federal Government.

In order to support the implementation of both FATAA and the Evidence Act, IA’s Division of International Conservation (DIC) initiated a pilot project in 2019. Working with partners, DIC tested methods to develop measurable outcomes for the agency’s foreign assistance programs, specifically the agency’s Multinational Species Conservation Funds (MSCFs) and DIC Regional Programs. In 2020, the pilot project was adapted based on feedback from recipients of USFWS funding. From June to November 2020, DIC staff collected data from approximately 100 wildlife projects that received USFWS funding in conservation areas of programmatic importance. Where appropriate, the contractor may also be asked to contribute evidence-building activities in support of strengthening the scientific integrity and use of data in DIC financial assistance.

http://www.fws.gov/ http://www.fws.gov/ https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3766/text https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/M-18-04-Final.pdf https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4174/text

3. WORK TO BE PERFORMED BY CONTRACTOR

3.1 Work Responsibilities

Activity A: Strengthen DIC’s efforts to develop a project-level data layer for its financial assistance programs. Serve as a technical expert in DIC to develop a project dataset of conservation areas and wildlife strongholds that have received IA financial assistance since at least 2015. [As defined by the CFO Performance Management Playbook for federal financial assistance, projects are the level between a program (i.e., CFDA assistance listing) and individual awards.] In coordination with DIC Evaluation Officer, other staff and partners, define and collate information on conservation areas of programmatic importance. Manage and organize data related to DIC projects, including compilation and quality control of existing datasets on DIC past funding history. Duties will include providing technical expertise on (1) conservation geography, including knowledge of landscapes and place names in Asia; (2) identifying up to 200 areas of programmatic importance as an authoritative DIC project layer, based on FWS funding since 2015, input from DIC program staff, and other conservation information (e.g., conservation protection status, biodiversity status); (3) developing an authoritative and comprehensive funding history for areas of programmatic importance, including review and quality control of 1500 previously categorized awards; (4) establishing dataset linkage between projects, past funding history, and surveys of conservation impact; (5) development of a data structure and data management plan, including quality assurance and quality control practices for DIC project data, in accordance with the Service data management policy.

Activity B: Support DIC scientific integrity and use of evidence in its financial assistance programs. Promote accountability, goal setting and documentation of Service progress against outcomes, and a return-on-investment approach with Service resources. Contribute to new agency monitoring procedures to inform program strategy and decision-making, by advancing USFWS responsibilities under and aligning program practices with the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2016, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, and associated OMB guidelines. Build on existing program practices in the Multinational Species Conservation Funds and other International Affairs financial assistance programs by promoting use of project data referenced in Activity A such that Service resources are directed to critical needs, conservation areas and grant activities with the strongest evidence of effectiveness and potential impact. Contribute to any required reporting or data calls as relevant and needed.

Activity C: Develop DIC capacity to communicate data on conservation impact in visually compelling ways. Build visual design and data communication products to advance program evaluation activities referenced in Activity A and B. Assist DIC Chief and Evaluation Officer to identify communication and visual design needs, based on existing data, intended audience and context. Support adherence to communication practices and standards (e.g., 508 compliance).

Develop data templates to document projects, past funding history, the results of USFWS funding, and other information in coordination with the Technical Liaison. Contribute to internal data sharing practices, including by development of data visualizations and organization tools (e.g., Sharepoint) to ensure information and data is accessible across USFWS programs.

Contribute to briefings, presentations, data calls, and USFWS public communications (e.g., social media, public-facing blogposts) as relevant and needed.

3.2 Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Mastery knowledge of and skill in data visual design and data organization, including application in a program evaluation and international conservation context.

• Preferred experience working with data in financial assistance programs, including familiarity and experience with documenting and communicating the results and effectiveness categories of environmental financial assistance as administered by state and federal programs.

• Preferred experience in international wildlife conservation, including familiarity and experience in countries or regions (e.g., Southeast Asia) that are not covered by existing program evaluation staff.

• Masters degree in environmental related science or equivalent experience with a focus on animals.

• The ability to work independently while also discerning when to seek assistance.

• Strong organizational skills with a desire to increase and strengthen program evaluation capacity and data communication in international wildlife conservation.

• Attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast moving environment.

• Desire and willingness to be an integrated member of DIC, attending Division meetings, and learning about the work of the Division’s programs more generally.

• Experience conducting conservation research in different cultures, and demonstrating exemplary written and oral communication skills.

• Strong project management and critical thinking skills.

• Valid passport and ability to travel internationally and to Washington D.C. (as needed) approximately 1-2 times per year.

4. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED MATERIALS/SERVICES

This work can be performed remotely, with the expectation of at least two hours overlap with the core working hours of the Technical Liaison. If needed, USFWS can provide access to office space at the USFWS International Affairs office (5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041).

USFWS will provide a U.S. Government computer and associated hardware, access to financial assistance management systems, project databases, and other relevant information needed to accomplish the contract deliverables.

5. SUMMARY OF MILESTONE DUE DATES

Within 5 business days after award, the Contractor shall contact the Division of International Conservation (technical liaison) to discuss initial steps of contract implementation. Regular progress and status reports, staff/contractor feedback, coordination of contract extension, and any other contract-related activities will be conducted in coordination with the technical liaison.

6. DELIVERABLES

Data Management deliverables

6.1 Authoritative dataset of conservation areas and wildlife strongholds supported by FWS MSCFs and Regional Programing since 2015.

6.2 Authoritative dataset of the comprehensive funding history for up to 200 conservation areas and wildlife strongholds, including review and quality control of 1500 previously categorized awards, linked to collected data on conservation status and impact of FWS support.

6.3 Interrelational table linking 6.1, 6.2 and collected data on conservation status and impacts of FWS support.

6.4 Development of data structure and data management plan, including quality assurance/quality control practices, for MSCF and Regional Program project data.

Visual Design deliverables

6.5 In coordination with Technical Liaison and as assigned, development of visual templates using Microsoft O365 products (e.g., Sharepoint) to ensure information and data is online and accessible by staff and management across programs.

6.6 In coordination with Technical Liaison and as assigned, coordination and communication with external partners on evaluation, data collection and evidence-building activities.

6.7 Completion of other deliverables as assigned.

7. PROJECT COMPLETION/DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The deliverables for this contract will be done on an ongoing basis with all deliverables completed by the end of the contract. USFWS reserves full ownership rights to the deliverables.

8. TRAVEL EXPENSES

The contractor shall travel as required to support program tasks. All travel arrangement are to be made by the contractor. Payment for transportation, per diem, mileage, parking, and other fair and reasonable travel expenses will be paid in accordance with the effective Federal Travel Regulations as amended and supplemented by the Department of the Interior travel regulations where applicable. No Federal travel authorizations are to be issued. All travel expenses are to be submitted through the contractor’s invoice for reimbursement. The Government recognizes that the contractor does not have access to the Government rates for airfares. The contractor shall make every effort to keep travel costs to a minimum. No reimbursement will be made for parking at a contractor’s normal place of work. The contractor must comply with regulations under the Fly America Act. Travel arrangements must be approved in advance by the Technical Liaison.

9. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this order is within six months from the time of the award.

10. LOCATION OF WORK

Work will be conducted in the United States.

11. TECHNICAL LIAISONS

Dr. Matthew Muir Division of International Conservation US Fish and Wildlife Service 1101 E Tudor Rd STE 200 Anchorage AK 99503 Work: 907-786-3533

Alternative address (home workstation for program):

Division of International Conservation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: IA Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 Fax: (703) 358-2115