Request For Information_USAID Employ.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

RFI Number: RFI-442-24-003

Issuance Date: December 22, 2023

Responses Due Date: January 19, 2024 at 4:00pm, Phnom Penh time

USAID Employ Activity

USAID/Cambodia is developing a Scope of Work for a prospective initiative called USAID Employ, which is intended to equip Cambodians with job skills that are tailored to sectors that will drive inclusive and sustainable growth and economic diversification over the coming decade. By working directly with and through local partners such as NGOs, private businesses, universities, and vocational training institutions, USAID Employ will ready Cambodia’s emerging workforce with the skills and knowledge that are needed for them to be able to compete for and thrive in the jobs of tomorrow. USAID Employ will emphasize improving the capabilities of women and youth in science, technology, and innovation, concentrating on areas like the green economy, STEM-related fields, digital technology, and manufacturing, among others.

Accordingly, USAID/Cambodia is adopting a flexible approach in determining the interventions and sectors under the USAID Employ initiative. This Request for Information (RFI) serves as a vital platform for USAID to gather insights from stakeholders, including local partners, enhancing our understanding of sector-specific needs within our scope of influence. This approach is integral to USAID's commitment to narrowing the skills gap in Cambodia, leveraging local expertise and insights for long-term, sustainable impact.

The purpose of this RFI is to provide industry and stakeholders an opportunity to review, comment, clarify, provide suggestions for improvements, and enhance areas in the draft scope of work below. The anticipated value of this planned activity is in the range of $10–$25 million.

DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP)/Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government to issue an RFP/NOFO. Responses to this RFI shall not be portrayed as a proposal/application and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Issuance of this notice does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of comments. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

Responses to this RFI are strictly voluntary and USAID will not pay respondents for information provided in response to this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned and respondents will not be notified of the result of the review. If an RFP or NOFO is issued, it will be announced on the sam.gov or grants.gov website at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that RFP or NOFO announcement separately from any response to this announcement.

Businesses should identify any proprietary information in their responses. Proprietary materials will neither be distributed, nor discussed with any other organization. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used at the discretion of the U.S. Government1. Further, the information submitted will remain confidential insofar as permitted by law, including the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.

INSTRUCTIONS

Responses (comments, suggestions, and enhancements) to this RFI are due to USAID/Cambodia’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) at the identified e-mail address(es) below by January 19, 2024 at 4:00 pm, Phnom Penh time. Please forward your responses to Ms. Samsak Sao at ssao@usaid.gov with a copy to Mr. Francis Hall at fhall@usaid.gov with the subject title “Response to the USAID Employ RFI”. The responses are limited to five pages maximum using 12-point font size.

1 FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) mailto:ssao@usaid.gov mailto:fhall@usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1: SCOPE OF WORK

A. Context and Problem Statement:

Cambodia faces a critical challenge in its education and labor sectors, marked by high dropout rates in secondary education and a significant skills mismatch in its labor force. Despite a population of approximately 17 million, with 60% in the working age range of 15–59 years, the country struggles to effectively leverage its human capital for economic growth and diversification. As of 2022, the labor force was just over 9 million, yet many young Cambodians do not complete their secondary education due to economic constraints within their households. In fact, only about 58% of youth complete lower secondary education, limiting the pool of skilled labor available for the country’s rapidly evolving economic needs.

This educational shortfall has direct implications for Cambodia’s labor market, leading to a substantial skills gap. Employers frequently face difficulties in recruiting adequately skilled employees for high and mid-level positions, often resorting to hiring expatriates for technical and skilled jobs. This situation is exacerbated by the limited availability and accessibility of quality skills training programs across the country. Consequently, a significant portion of the labor force lacks the education and skills necessary for effective performance in their roles, negatively impacting worker productivity and Cambodia’s overall economic progress. Studies have shown that foreign companies investing in developing countries, like Cambodia, prioritize finding a workforce that balances cost-effectiveness with skill. Thus, improving workforce skills among youth is crucial not only for local employment but also for attracting foreign direct investment. Moreover, in the context of Cambodia, where human trafficking remains a significant issue, enhancing education and skill levels is critical, as lower educational and skill levels increase susceptibility to exploitation, underscoring the importance of education and skill development in building personal agency to protect against such risks.

The Royal Government of Cambodia acknowledges the issues and is actively addressing these gaps through a comprehensive skills roadmap and the enhancement of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs. Despite these efforts, the challenge is significant, necessitating ongoing, enhanced, and expanded educational investments for strategic workforce development. Within this framework, public and private TVET institutions, universities, training-centric NGOs, and industry-specific training initiatives are key. They will play a crucial role in equipping the population with essential lifelong learning skills and ensuring the Cambodian workforce is able to meet the evolving demands of an increasingly dynamic labor market.

B. Localization:

In August 2022, USAID reaffirmed its dedication to localization, emphasizing locally led action for sustainable development solutions (https://www.usaid.gov/localization). Recognizing that https://www.usaid.gov/localization development and humanitarian assistance must be attuned to the needs and priorities of local actors and communities, USAID is committed to incorporating local perspectives and solutions.

In Cambodia, where the development and humanitarian challenges are both vast and uniquely local, this approach is especially pertinent.

The challenges in Cambodia, particularly in bridging the skills gap in the workforce, require solutions rooted in an understanding of the local context. USAID’s concept of localization involves a series of internal reforms, actions, and behavioral changes aimed at placing local actors at the forefront of our initiatives, bolstering local systems, and ensuring responsiveness to the needs of local communities.

USAID Employ is strategically designed to align with the principles of the localization policy and is committed to incorporating local perspectives and solutions in its approach. As increasing local capacity often involves collaboration with a wide range of institutions, including those that might not traditionally be considered 'local,' we welcome responses from a diverse array of groups eager to contribute to these objectives.

C. Theory of Change:

IF youth proficiency in the skills and qualifications desired by emerging industries is enhanced, and connections and partnerships between local institutions and key businesses in these sectors are fostered to help provide clear career pathways into growing areas of the economy, THEN young Cambodians will have increased economic opportunities, and Cambodian institutions will have greater capacity to adapt to changing workforce development needs.

D. Activity Goal:

The goal of USAID Employ is to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth by investing in institutions that are training, or have the capacity to train, Cambodian youth in the skills, qualifications, and competencies that are demanded by growing industries. The initiative emphasizes the creation of strong links and partnerships between learning centers and private sector firms, with the intent of providing clear pathways into new employment opportunities.

By aligning education and training with market demands, including the needs of U.S. companies investing in, or with the potential to invest in Cambodia, USAID Employ aims to contribute to a more diverse, resilient, and innovative Cambodian economy.

Performance Objectives and Intermediate Results

The overall objectives of the USAID Employ activity are as follows:

Objective 1: Strengthen Cambodian programs that deliver market-relevant training and education in subjects and skills that are sought-after by employers in emerging sectors like innovative manufacturing, engineering, green technology, renewable energy, environmental compliance, agricultural innovation, and ICT, among others.

USAID Employ will equip Cambodian youth and young adults, who are either entering or already in the workforce, with the increasingly specialized skills being demanded by firms, particularly in fields underpinned by science and technology. By enhancing the ability of local institutions to provide young Cambodians with industry-relevant skills and qualifications — including certifications, competencies, and various levels of accreditation — USAID Employ aims to boost productivity, attract investment, and spur growth.

The following are illustrative examples of activities that would advance this objective:

● Develop and implement training, educational, accreditation, and certification programs designed to foster expertise and job advancement in computer programming, software and hardware development, cybersecurity, robotics, engineering, biotechnology, and other similar STEM-related topics. These programs are designed to equip young individuals with the skills needed to navigate and contribute to the rapidly evolving technological landscape, particularly in the most dynamic and expanding sectors of Cambodia's economy.

● Establish and carry out specialized training, education, accreditation, and certification programs aimed at equipping young Cambodians with the skills to enter fields related to sustainable growth and green technology. These fields include renewable energy, energy efficiency, environmental compliance, recycling and waste management, innovative and climate-smart agricultural technology, food safety, cold chain logistics, supply chain management, sustainable forestry, and water and sanitation, among others. This will empower young Cambodians to drive and support sustainable development and green technology initiatives.

● Provide additional training in soft skills that are complementary to the hard skills outlined above, including communication, critical thinking, leadership, management, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. This training can either be independent of, or integrated into, the activities listed above.

Objective 2: Forge partnerships between the previously mentioned educational and training programs and private sector entities committed to the principles of USAID Employ. These partnerships should focus on business expansion, recruitment of skilled personnel, and the enhancement of training programs through constructive feedback. Private sector partners should provide supplementary practical training like internships and apprenticeships to facilitate the employment of program graduates in positions that offer career growth opportunities.

USAID Employ is designed to synchronize educational training with industry needs – helping to narrow the "skills gap" identified as essential for ensuring the workforce is equipped with relevant skills and competencies needed to drive the country's economic growth and adapt to rapidly changing market demands. The aim is to collaborate with the private sector to deliver targeted professional training and competencies tailored to their dynamic market demands.

The following are illustrative examples of activities that would advance this objective:

● Establish sustainable systems or services, like career centers, to provide youth and young adults with career counseling and coaching, sponsor career fairs or job-related workshops, and generally facilitate exposure to various professional paths. This could include participation in the classes and training programs outlined in Objective 1, along with internships, apprenticeships, job placements, and similar avenues for career development.

● In conjunction with private sector partners, develop a system that continuously updates and incorporates industry-informed skills and competencies into the curricula of the training and educational programs under Objective 1. This system will ensure that young adults entering the workforce are provided with skills and competencies that are both sought-after and in short supply.

● Develop on-the-job training programs in collaboration with private sector partners that hire or onboard graduates and participants from the training and education programs described in Objective 1, as well as prioritize the upskilling of current employees. These programs should provide targeted opportunities, such as internships and apprenticeships, with the goal of improving both technical and managerial skills. The objective is to prepare young participants for more advanced roles and responsibilities through career advancement learning opportunities that lead to full-time employment in higher-skilled and better-paid positions.

● In support of the above, provide additional information, tools, or learning opportunities through online platforms. These may include courses, updated career information, job listings, and other resources that align with USAID Employ and its objectives.

E. Geographic Focus

USAID Employ will be implemented in Cambodia. The geographic focus of this activity is flexible based on business opportunity and potential. The implementing partners should also remain flexible to adapt to changing geographic priorities as discussed and agreed upon with USAID/Cambodia. USAID/Cambodia also expects that the activities undertaken across implementation sites may differ due to specific contexts within provinces, communes, and districts, depending on business opportunities.

[END OF ATTACHMENT 1]

QUESTIONS

USAID seeks to solicit feedback (comments, suggestions, and enhancements) on the design of the program as laid out in Attachment 1 above and information on the following specific questions to inform the design of the planned activity. Please ensure comments are concise and specific to the information requested.

● What do you see as up-and-coming industries in Cambodia, and what workforce development needs will be required to prepare Cambodian youth to thrive in these industries? How is Cambodia currently addressing these needs, and what gaps could USAID possibly address with this activity?

● Given on-going workforce development activities in Cambodia, including development partners, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, etc., what types of service gaps do you see that USAID can address and provide under this activity?

● What are the critical digital and technological skills, and soft skills gaps among Cambodian youth, and how might USAID Employ activity effectively address these gaps?

Are there specific technologies or digital platforms that you recommend incorporating into workforce development programs?

● What, if any, are the impacts of Chinese development and increased investment in Cambodia on workforce development?

● Do you see any unmet workforce needs or demands that could be best addressed through the integration of US-style education, US-based companies, and technology platforms?

● What potential partnerships or collaborations with local organizations, businesses, or educational institutions do you see as vital for the success of this activity? How can these partnerships be leveraged to maximize the impact of workforce development efforts?

● How can engagement with US-based companies enhance workforce development efforts in Cambodia? Are there specific sectors or initiatives where partnerships with US companies could be particularly beneficial?

● A brief statement of interest and capability statements from interested organizations to include:

○ Name, email address and address of organization

○ General organization information

○ Statement of capabilities (including staff and technical resources)

○ At least three (3) references for similar programs performed by the organization in the past ten (10) years, including a short technical description and project value.