RFI-523-16-002.pdf

Solicitation Number:

RFI-523-16-002

Notice Type:

Sources Sought Synopsis:

Added: March 28, 2016

The U.S. Agency for International Development's Mission to Mexico

(USAID/Mexico) supports the Government of Mexico’s (GOM) efforts to address climate change. One of USAID’s objectives under USAID/Mexico’s Country Development

Cooperation Strategy

(https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1869/Mexico%20CDCS%202014%

202018.pdf) is to support the GOM’s implementation of a strategy of low emissions development. Part of this low emissions development is to increase renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies. The GOM has committed to increase clean energy sources from 25% (its current level) to 35% by 20241.

While Mexico accelerates its effort toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal; the potential for conflict with local communities over land use increases. As an example, in recent years there have been incidences of conflict (some of which have turned violent) between wind energy companies and local communities in Oaxaca, Mexico. USAID/Mexico would like to assist the GOM to create an environment conducive to renewable energy development. One area that USAID believes could be beneficial would be to mitigate and prevent potential social conflict with regards to renewable energy expansion.

As part of Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR) part 10, market research, USAID/Mexico seeks responses to the following questions:

1) What do you believe are the social obstacles or challenges in developing renewable energy projects in Mexico?

2) How would you recommend mitigating and mediating social conflict associated with renewable energy projects? What steps would you take?

https://www.gob.mx/presidencia/en/prensa/mexico-has-a-strong-commitment-to-itself-and-the-world-because-we-believe-in-the-commitment-to-care-for-the-environment-epn https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1869/Mexico%20CDCS%202014%202018.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1869/Mexico%20CDCS%202014%202018.pdf

3) If designing a project aimed at mitigating and preventing social conflict around renewable energy projects, which geographical areas of Mexico would you concentrate and why?

4) Which civil society groups are most influential in working to mitigate negative social impacts of energy projects? Who would you include from the private sector?

5) What other factors do you feel are important for USAID/Mexico to consider when designing such a project?

This FAR part 10 Request for Information (RFI) is issued for interested organizations and individuals to provide information, opinions, and recommendations on approaches for the design of a possible activity to address social conflict with regards to the renewable energy sector.

This is a Request for Information. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S.

Government to issue any solicitation or Notice of Funding Opportunity, or ultimately award a contract or assistance agreement on the basis of this RFI, or to pay for any information voluntarily submitted as a result of this request. USAID posts its competitive business opportunities on www.fbo.gov or www.grants.gov. It is the potential offeror's/applicant's responsibility to monitor these sites for announcement of new opportunities.

Information received by USAID/Mexico as part of this RFI shall become the property of

USAID/Mexico and thus intellectual property rights shall vest with USAID/Mexico and therefore, proprietary information that cannot be shared should not be sent. Please note that responding to this RFI will not give any advantage to any organization or individual in any subsequent solicitation and as submissions in response to this RFI are strictly for information gathering purposes, a submission will not preclude respondents from later being able to submit an offer should there be a resultant solicitation.

By taking a few minutes to answer the above five questions we hope that you will be about to help USAID/Mexico and the GOM to design a program which will ultimately not only help the citizens of Mexico, but everyone who is affected by clean energy issues.

USAID/Mexico requests that you respond by email to mexicooaamaillist@usaid.gov with the subject line “Response to RFI-523-16-002” no later than 3:00 pm (Mexico City time), April 29, 2016. Responses can be in either English or Spanish, with a maximum page limit of 5 pages total for all 5 questions.

http://www.fbo.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:mexicooaamaillist@usaid.gov