RFI 72011924RFI00001 Basic Education in Tajikistan.pdf

109-A, Ismoili Somoni Avenue (Zarafshon district), Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734019; Tel: +992 (37) 229 20 00; fax: +992

(37) 229 20 50 Website: https://www.USAID.gov/Tajikistan

Document Type: Request for Information (RFI) Reference Number: RFI № 72011924RFI00001 Issuance Date: September 18, 2024 Closing time: October 07, 2024, 10:00 Dushanbe time Subject: Basic Education Activity in Tajikistan

The United States Agency for International Development, Mission to Tajikistan (USAID/Tajikistan) 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). This RFI seeks information on the availability, interest, and diverse capacities of entities to support a prospective Basic Education Activity in Tajikistan.

Please note: This is NOT a request for applications. Only expressions of interest should be submitted at this stage. However, USAID/Tajikistan may use responses to inform which organizations it will work with in this activity.

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It is NOT a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and in no way obligates the U.S. Government to issue an award or pay for any information submitted as a result of this request. If a NOFO is issued, all necessary information will be supplied in that document. Interested parties are advised to periodically monitor the www.grants.gov and www.sam.gov websites for updates concerning a potential procurement.

Thank you for your interest in USAID/Tajikistan programs and we look forward to your comments.

Sincerely, Kinsy Hood Contracting/Agreement Officer https://www.usaid.gov/Tajikistan http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

I. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

USAID/Tajikistan is exploring the design of a new activity which will support basic education in Tajikistan. The purpose of this RFI is to provide a community of stakeholders the opportunity to provide input to inform the activity’s design.

USAID has funded three significant education investments since 2014, strengthening Tajikistan’s primary education sector. These investments are:

• The USAID Quality Reading Project (QRP) Tajikistan, January 2013 – October 2017;

• The USAID Read with Me (RWM) project, October 2016 – September 2021;

• The USAID Learn Together Activity (LTA), October 2020 – September 2025.

As the USAID LTA ends in September 2025, USAID is planning to design a new activity to strengthen the education system and enhance learning outcomes.

The activity design process is anticipated to result in finalizing either a Statement of Work, Statement of Objectives, or a Program Description that may lead to a formal solicitation or Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The place of performance is Tajikistan. Your comments will be used to develop a design document that is clear, innovative, maximizes development learning, adaptation, and impact, and facilitates coordination and collaboration with existing Tajikistan efforts

II. QUESTIONS

USAID/Tajikistan would like to gather information on the following points and questions.

Respondents do not need to respond to all questions.

1. Considering the work of the government, donors and NGO’s, what gaps exist in the Tajikistan education sector that USAID should prioritize?

2. What mechanisms exist for facilitating after school social and educational activities for students in the public education system?

3. To what extent is bullying a problem in public schools, and what proposed interventions could address this challenge? How can teachers and school staff be trained to recognize early signs of bullying, especially when it occurs in subtle or less obvious ways?

4. What are the points of entry in the Tajikistan education system for building emotional intelligence and soft skills?

5. How can psychosocial support be integrated into primary schools to help children cope with the effects of poverty, migration, or family disruption? How could USAID strengthen these services?

6. How can STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) be promoted more in the primary grades?

7. What role can technology play in developing STEM skills in Tajikistan, given the low level of connectivity in schools and challenges with consistent access to electricity?

8. Are there any opportunities for private sector partnership with USAID or other actors in the Education sector?

9. Please provide any other feedback or comments that you want USAID to consider in the development of the new education activity design.

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

III. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

USAID/Tajikistan asks that interested respondents submit written responses to the questions outlined in Section II in one of the following forms: Microsoft Word document, PDF document, or email text. The information provided must be in one email submission. Responses should not exceed 10 pages. Annexes/attachments (if any) are not part of the 10-page limit but are limited to 3 pages each. This optional information should be provided as a separate annex/attachment not exceeding 3 pages. Responses to all questions are not required but encouraged as applicable. Please also provide your name, title, organization, and contact information in your response. The responses can be submitted in any of three languages:

English, Tajik or Russian. Please choose ONLY ONE submission option (either English, or Tajik, or Russian).

Please do not include in your responses any information of a confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or proprietary information. Information obtained as a result of this notice may be used by the Federal Government for program planning on a non-attribution basis.

Responses must be submitted electronically under the title: RFI No 72011924RFI00001 for Basic Education Activity in Tajikistan, no later than October 07, 2024, 10:00 Dushanbe time to:

• Dauren Akhmetov, A&A Specialist, at dakhmetov@usaid.gov;

• Denis Arvanitidi, A&A Specialist, at darvanitidi@usaid.gov;

• Kinsy Hood, Contracting/Agreement Officer at khood@usaid.gov.

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.

mailto:dakhmetov@usaid.gov mailto:darvanitidi@usaid.gov mailto:khood@usaid.gov