RFI_72011521R00001_beta.sam.gov.pdf

3 Moyqorghon Street, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, 100093 Tashkent Tel: +998 781205450; Fax +998 781206335 Website: http://www.USAID.gov/Uzbekistan

Request for Information (RFI)

Subject: USAID/Uzbekistan Judicial System Strengthening Activity

Reference: RFI NO. 72011521R00001

Issued: October 14, 2020

Due Date: October 29, 2020, 05:00 PM Almaty Time

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)/Uzbekistan, is seeking input from interested organizations, individuals and potential offerors who may provide comments, input, opinions and recommendations in response to the proposed questions outlined in this Request for Information (RFI).

Responses to this notice are not considered a proposal or application and will not be accepted or evaluated by the Government as a result of this RFI. Only responses with the information requested in this RFI will be reviewed. Responses received may be used for planning and design purposes.

Release of this RFI in no way obligates the United States Government or USAID to release a funding opportunity or solicitation for this proposed activity, nor are either responsible for any costs incurred in preparing responses to this RFI.

Responses must be submitted electronically to AlmatyAASolicitations@usaid.gov with a copy to Gulzhanat Rysdauletova, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at grysdauletova@usaid.gov and Joshua Schramm, Contracting Officer at jschramm@usaid.gov under the title: RFI No.

72011521R00001 for USAID/Uzbekistan Judicial System Strengthening Activity. The submitted information must not exceed four (4) pages, including annexes/attachments. Submissions will receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt. USAID will not provide feedback or responses to questions submitted in response to this RFI and no applications or resumes will be accepted or considered. Your responses will not be made public. Thank you for your interest in this Request for Information.

Sincerely, Joshua Schramm Contracting/Agreement Officer

Attachment: Scope of Work/Program Description

Request for Information

I. PURPOSE

The United States Agency for International Development Judicial System Strengthening Activity in Uzbekistan aims to strengthen an independent judiciary capable of providing justice for all and guaranteeing the rule of law in Uzbekistan. Through this program, USAID intends to work in close partnership with the country’s core judicial administration bodies that are mandated to guarantee judicial independence, efficiency, and accountability.

The Activity goal will be achieved through the following objectives:

1. Strengthened administration of justice

2. Improved professionalism and integrity of the judiciary

3. Strengthened openness and public trust in the judiciary

Please see attached Draft Scope of Work/Program Description for a more detailed description.

II Questions

USAID will continue to provide support to Uzbekistan in strengthening the judiciary, its independence and efficiency and would like to gather information on the following questions.

The submitted information must not exceed four (4) pages, including annexes/attachments. The submitted response should include the following information:

· The questions or specific areas requiring clarity in the SOW/PD; and

· Recommendations for considerations/improvements, referencing a place/section in the

SOW/PD.

Specifically, please consider the following questions in your response:

● Describe what you see as the best development practices in each of the described objectives.

● The activity will work with various government institutions. What ‘hard asks’ are needed from those institutions to ensure successful implementation of activities?

● How can USAID better approach Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) – especially with other USAID activities and partners – to ensure it is meaningful and effective?

● What role can the private sector play in advancing judicial independence in Uzbekistan?

● What additional objectives, if any, should be added to support the current efforts taken by the Government of Uzbekistan judicial independence, rule of law and transparency/openness?

● What do you view as more appropriate for such potential activities, acquisition or assistance, and why?

● What is the capacity/experience of your organization to address strengthening administration of justice and public trust in the judiciary?

● Describe how the key factors of sustainability and gender inclusion can be addressed.

Please do not copy information from publicly available reports but you are free to include citations or references.

III How to submit a response

All comments must be submitted electronically to AlmatyAASolicitations@usaid.gov under the title: RFI No. 72011521R00001 USAID/Uzbekistan Judicial System Strengthening Activity.

Responses to this RFI will be accepted through the date and time on the cover letter. You will receive only an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response but will not receive individualized feedback or suggestions. No basis for claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this request for information or from the U.S. Government’s use of such information. Specific questions about this RFI should be directed only to the email addresses identified above. This office will not respond to any telephone or other inquiries regarding this notice.

The submitted response must not exceed four (4) pages, including annexes/attachments, if needed and should include the following information:

Reference Number: RFI No. 72011521R00001, USAID/Uzbekistan Judicial System Strengthening Activity Date:

Affiliation/ Organization:

Business Address:

Representative Name / Email:

A short technical narrative that includes responses to the Questions in the RFI

Please note that USAID is not seeking technical or cost applications at this time. Do not submit any application in response to this RFI. Issuance of this notice does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of comments.

Provision:

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 shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of seeking input from interested Offerors on the draft Scope of Work/Program Description for USAID/Uzbekistan Judicial System Strengthening Activity.

(End of provision)