RFI_USAID Burma Localization Support Mechanism (LSM) Activity.pdf

Subject: RFI/EOI-USAID/Burma-LSM

Request for Information (RFI) and Expression of

Interest (EOI) on USAID/Burma’s Localization Support

Mechanism (LSM) Activity

Date of issuance: July 26, 2022

Response Due Date and Time: August 19, 2022, at 17:00 Burma Local Time

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission to Burma is in the process of designing its new Localization Support Mechanism (LSM) activity to advance its development objectives and increase progress towards more localized, impactful, and ultimately sustainable development. The Mission seeks market information as well as responses to the RFI questions enclosed in order to inform the design of the LSM. This

RFI/EOI is open for comments from any interested party.

This RFI/EOI has two sections. You may respond to either section but are encouraged to respond to both:

1. Responses to the RFI questions in Attachment No. 1 may use any format but USAID values concise, issue-specific responses to the information sought.

2. EOI responses should be sent using the format provided in Attachment No. 2 to provide self/organization information on interest and capacity to perform the proposed work indicated in the RFI, including past experience working in this subject area and working with relevant stakeholders on the ground.

This RFI/EOI is issued solely for planning purposes and is accepting information from all interested organizations. This is not a solicitation or a call for proposals. Any proposals submitted in response to this request will not be considered.

Responses to this RFI/EOI should be submitted to USAID via email to burmaoaa@usaid.gov with subject line “RFI/EOI-USAID/Burma-LSM”, by the date and time stated above. USAID welcomes concise and direct responses addressing all, or a subset of the questions, to help best inform USAID’s planning and activity design.

All information provided will become the property of USAID and will not be returned. USAID reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for its purposes, including, but not limited to, sharing that information with third parties. Proprietary information must not be sent.

The issuance of this request will not restrict the Government's ultimate approach, if any.

Respondents are advised that USAID is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of information, answer questions, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. Any information submitted in response to this notice is voluntary. Not responding to this request does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued.

mailto:burmaoaa@usaid.gov

Thank you for your interest and engagement in USAID activities. We look forward to receiving your responses.

Sincerely, /s/

Gregory S. Wang

Contracting Officer

USAID/Burma

ATTACHMENT 1: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Background

Localization and New Partnership Initiative approaches, particularly involving local entities and locally established organizations, have and will continue to be a central part to USAID/Burma’s programs. USAID/Burma anticipates increased progress towards more localized, impactful, and ultimately sustainable development. The Mission seeks to expand partnerships with nontraditional organizations and increase its application of practices that advance locally-led development. Partnerships will leverage the resources of other donors and assist local partners to diversify their funding sources beyond large international funders. Capacity development efforts will strengthen the capacities of local organizations to manage USAID resources and drive local and national development.

The Mission has several activities designed specifically to engage new, local entities and locally established organizations. USAID/Burma has also designed activities that recognize the role and importance of enabling locally-led development through traditional development partners, and have included requirements to subaward 50 percent or more of total award funding to local organizations. Further, the Mission endeavors to expand local engagement and co-creation practices during the design phase of new activities and within the procurement process itself, to capitalize on the insight and knowledge of local, diverse, and marginalized partners for our programming.

Activity Purpose

The primary purpose of USAID’s planned localization activity is to support the achievement of

USAID/Burma’s localization and New Partnership Initiative objectives in current and future programming. The activity will provide organizational development of local entities and locally established organizations; capacity development and training, including assessments/analyses of capacity of local implementing partners; facilitation and documentation; and technical services to USAID local grantees in Burma. This work will transfer knowledge to and build local capacity among local organizations and individuals to lead the type of work necessary to implement their programs supporting Burma in the future.

Statement of Work

Specific capacity development areas of intervention will reflect the particular needs of participating local entities in Burma. Assessment and capacity development services in general will focus at the individual and team levels (i.e. building the knowledge and skills) and at the organizational level (e.g. strengthening structures, tools, policies, procedures, and practices).

The Contractor must provide on-site support and must tailor training and technical assistance to ensure that the most useful and appropriate assistance is delivered for each targeted entity. The services may include seconded staff to the local organizations to provide short, quick, one-time interventions to assist local entities; research and information exchanges; interpretation and/or translation services, and traditional, longer-term, capacity development for local organizations.

The interventions of this activity may include:

● Providing support for localization meetings

● Organizational Support and Assessment During Co-Creation

● Organizational Capacity Development Plans (CDP)

● Adherence to USAID Rules & Regulations

● Consolidate & Customize Training Modules

● Learning forums for organizational capacity development

● Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis for Organizational Capacity Development

● Award Management, Knowledge Transfer, and Building Local Capacity

RFI Questions

USAID/Burma seeks input from potential implementers and other stakeholders to better understand prospective approaches, opportunities, and other ideas leading to more successful outcomes for the anticipated activity that will support the Mission’s ongoing localization efforts.

Specifically, USAID/Burma requests feedback on the following:

1. What are the key barriers/challenges for nontraditional partners: local entities and locally established organizations to partner with USAID to implement activities within the current context in Myanmar? How could LSM help to address these challenges?

2. How might USAID/Burma build the capacity of local entities not only to implement activities but to also strengthen the sustainability of their organizations?

3. What constraints do you foresee in implementing approaches supporting the Localization support activities?

4. What are the risks associated with this type of localization support activity? How can

USAID mitigate these risks over the course of implementation?

5. Are there other factors, recommendations, or considerations regarding localization approaches in Myanmar that USAID should be aware of?

6. Other comments are welcome.

ATTACHMENT 2: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

RFI/EOI-USAID/Burma-LSM

GENERAL

INFORMATION

Name of the Organization:

Address:

CONTACT PERSON:

Name, Position, Email:

TYPE OF ORGANIZATION:

Please indicate your organization type:

● US Organization (other than small business)

● US Small Business

● Public International Organization (e.g. United Nations)

● Non-US Organization

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Please provide brief information that describes your organization’s capability and interest in implementing activities to achieve the objectives of USAID/Burma’s Localization Support

Mechanism (LSM) Activity.

PAST PERFORMANCE:

● Past experience working in this subject area and working with relevant stakeholders on the ground.

End of RFI/EOI - USAID/Burma’s Localization Support Mechanism (LSM) Activity