RFI.2__CommStrengtheningProg_02072018.pdf

Issuance Date: February 7, 2018 Response Due Date and Time: February 21, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Burma Local Time.

Subject: Request for Information (RFI) - Feedback on USAID/Burma Community Strengthening Project (RFI_CommStrengthening_Project)

The U.S. Agency for International Development's Mission to Burma (USAID/Burma) is in the process of finalizing the design of a new activity to strengthen communities in areas affected by conflict by improving access to essential services, supporting recovery from conflict; improving their resilience to future shocks; and, empowering them to more fully participate in Myanmar's democratic transition and national reconciliation efforts.

Subject to availability of funds, it is anticipated that this activity will be implemented over a period of three years with one two year option.

This is the second draft document posted related to this activity. The first draft was posted on January 12, 2018 on fbo.gov, titled “USAID/Burma's Vulnerable Communities Activity in Areas Affected by Conflict Solicitation Number: RFI_Vulnerable_Communities_Activity.”

This round of feedback was excellent. USAID/Burma was exceptionally pleased with the thoughtfulness and depth of insight in the comments. This draft contains changes based on the first round of comments received.

This second draft contains the principle sections of section C, F, L, and M. USAID does not expect these documents to change considerably from the current draft to the RFP. That said, USAID has the following questions to help refine these sections:

1) Please comment on any ambiguities or inconsistencies in and between sections C, F, L, and M.

2) Please provide recommendations for changes to the requirements for key personnel. If USAID has included a requirement that diminishes contractor’s ability to recruit a high quality person for the position, please let us know.

3) Please provide percentage estimate for the Program Activity Fund line item. USAID will be moving forward with the Program Activity Fund (PAF). The fund is roughly modeled after OTI’s Transition Activity Pool (TAP). USAID will likely place a plug figure or minimum target percentage amount for the PAF in the final RFP. The final PAF would be a line item in section B of the contract (see section B below). USAID/Burma is currently believes the cost range for this procurement will be between $43 and $47 million. USAID would like to take ‘a wisdom of crowds approach’1 and ask for estimates for the maximum amount USAID could reasonable and realistically implement through the PAF line item as percentage of the total budget based on the requirements presented in this section C. (For the sake of this exercise, consider the final contract value to be $45 million). Percentage estimates provided will not be binding in any way nor will they be considered for any evaluation or other purpose except to help USAID/Burma decide on an appropriate realistic plug figure or recommend percentage amount for the PAF in the final RFP.

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for planning purposes and is published in accordance with FAR Part 10 and FAR 15.201(e). This RFI is open for comments from any interested US and Non-US Organizations.

1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wisdom_of_Crowds#cite_note-2

This is not a solicitation or a call for proposals. Any proposals submitted in response to this request will not be considered.

Please do not submit applications, proposals, resumes or promotional materials, as they will be discarded. The submission shall be written in English with each page numbered consecutively.

Responses to this RFI should be submitted to USAID via email to BurmaOAA@usaid.gov with subject line “RFI

- USAID/Burma Community Strengthening Project (RFI_CommStrengthening_Project)”, no later than the date and time stated above. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.

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. 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 the 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.

Thank you for your assistance and interest in USAID/Burma programming.

Sincerely, /s/

R. Brian Aaron Contracting Officer USAID/Burma mailto:BurmaOAA@usaid.gov

USAID/Burma’s

Community Strengthening Project

B.4 CONTRACT BUDGET

The total cost (including fixed fee) stated below may not be adjusted without a written modification signed by the Contracting Officer. No amounts in excess of the amounts specified for each line item below shall be billed against the Contract.

Description Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Option Year 4

Option Year 5

Total

Direct Costs Indirect Costs Program Activity Fund

Fixed Fee

TOTAL

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 Goal

The Contractor will design and implement interventions to assist communities in areas affected by or prone to conflict to improve access to essential services, recover from conflict, improve their resilience to future shocks, and empower them to more fully participate in Myanmar’s democratic transition and national reconciliation processes.

C.2 Purpose

The Contractor will achieve the above goal by promoting locally-driven and community-centered approaches that: expand access to essential services such as health, education, livelihoods, water, sanitation, and civil documentation; improve or rehabilitate community infrastructure; support early recovery and enhance resilience to future crises; develop and strengthen community level participatory leadership and governance; and, increase the ability of communities, civil society, and local governance actors to build constructive relationships that support cohesion, advance prospects for peace, and mitigate conflict. The Contractor will also provide analytical services underlying the iterative and adaptive approach to activities.

Vulnerable populations assisted through this activity will include populations affected by conflict and immediate post-conflict situations, including emerging or new conflicts occurring over the life of the contract; populations in an early recovery stage following conflict or significant natural disasters; and populations building resilience to protracted conflict or recurrent natural disasters. It is expected that the Activity will principally focus on needs of communities in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Kachin State and northern Shan State. However, the Activity may adjust target implementation areas based on the country context and evolving dynamics.

C.3 Background

C.3.1 Context

Communities throughout Myanmar have been affected by ongoing, protracted and recurrent crises, including fighting between armed groups and violence between religious and ethnic groups. This has increased their vulnerability, reduced access to appropriate coping mechanisms, further marginalized minority groups, and eroded trust between communities and their relationships with state and non-state actors. Decades of conflict and marginalization in many parts of Myanmar have made communities affected by conflict particularly vulnerable as a result of inadequate access to essential services, concerns for their safety and security, lack of voice in decisions that affect their families, and deep seated mistrust of other communities and local governance actors.

Kachin State and northern Shan State Context

Conflict between the military and various ethnic minority groups in the country’s border areas has persisted for more than 60 years. In recent years, conflict has decreased in areas where armed groups have signed on to the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, but has increased in areas where existing bilateral ceasefire agreements do not exist or have broken down, such as Kachin State and parts of northern Shan State.

More than 100,000 people have been displaced by conflict in Kachin and Shan States, including over 91,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kachin, where approximately 80 per cent are women and children. Additional IDPs in Kachin and Shan States are staying with host families. Many of those displaced are located in areas beyond government control where international actors have limited humanitarian access, but where local humanitarian organizations continue to operate, despite increasing constraints. These IDPs are reliant on humanitarian assistance and have limited access to livelihood options and sustainable essential services such as health, education and civil documentation. Small scale returns have been facilitated by the government and non-state actors, and many people displaced by sporadic conflict return unassisted once the violence abates.

This conflict has also affected villages and communities that have not been displaced, stretching their resources to host IDPs and/or increasing tensions between communities from different ethnic groups involved in the conflict. Decades of discrimination, exploitation, and tension between ethnic minority groups and the government, as well as between different ethnic groups, has eroded relationships and trust necessary for sustainable peace and recovery. Localized conflict is likely to continue in Kachin State and parts of northern Shan State.

Rakhine State Context Communities throughout Rakhine State are vulnerable due to discrimination, poverty, under-development, inter-ethnic and religious tensions, and recurrent natural disasters. Decades of marginalization and lack of development have led to all communities in Rakhine State experiencing high levels of poverty and inadequate access to livelihoods, food and quality health and education services.

Communities throughout Rakhine State are also vulnerable to recurring natural disasters such as floods and cyclones, including Cyclone Mora in 2017 and widespread flooding in 2015, which damaged local infrastructure and affected hundreds of thousands of local residents.

Tension and mistrust between different religious and ethnic groups remains a significant challenge.

Tension between Muslim and ethnic Rakhine communities led to recurrent instances of intercommunal violence between 2012 and 2017. Violence in 2012 left more than 140,000 Muslim residents confined to IDP camps, most in Sittwe and nearby townships. The government allowed the return of some of these IDPs to their original villages in 2014, but continued restrictions on their freedom of movement and tensions with nearby villages perpetuate their vulnerability. Currently, 128,000 people remain in camps or camp-like situations in Sittwe and central Rakhine State. Most Muslim populations, especially those in camps, are reliant on humanitarian assistance, have little or no freedom of movement, and face significant restrictions on accessing basic services such as health, education and essential government services such as civil documentation and birth registrations.

In northern Rakhine State, attacks on security posts in October 2016 and August 2017 by a Rohingya Muslim group and related security operations led to significant displacement of local residents and increased intercommunal tensions throughout the state. More than 26,000 ethnic minority populations were temporarily displaced within the state and more than 600,000 Muslim residents crossed into Bangladesh. Thousands of homes were destroyed, including more than 200 Muslim villages, and local markets and existing livelihood networks were significantly disrupted. Tensions between community groups, particularly between Rohingya and other ethnic groups, remain high. These tensions have disrupted humanitarian and development activities, and significantly eroded trust and prospects for cooperation between communities. The risk of future conflict and intercommunal violence is high.

Civil Society and Local Governance Dynamics

Myanmar civil society is diverse and active, including many local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in humanitarian assistance, community development, conflict mitigation, reconciliation and peace building activities. Local NGOs also provide basic services such as health care and education, often in hard-to-reach locations in non-government controlled areas. Many of these organizations are associated with the ethnic group they serve and use approaches and languages that are tailored to their target beneficiary groups. In southeastern Myanmar, some of these ethnic social service providers have cooperated with government actors to improve coverage of health, education and other essential services in government and non-government controlled areas. Opportunities for similar cooperation may exist in other conflict-affected areas.

Local governance actors from both state and non-state groups exercise significant influence in many parts of the country affected by conflict. In some locations, such as Kachin State, significant territory is controlled by non-state actors who have established substantial civil administration and social service structures. Mistrust of government is widespread in many areas affected by conflict and non-state actors are often seen as key decision makers and trusted representatives of ethnic and religious minority groups. One of the major challenges for the peace process and Myanmar’s democratic transition will be building one integrated system that respects and responds to the needs of all the country’s diverse people. Seizing opportunities to build trust between communities and cooperation between state and non-state actors will contribute to broader reconciliation efforts and mitigation of future conflict.

National Efforts toward Peace and Reconciliation

Within the context of Myanmar’s ongoing democratic transition, initial steps are being taken by the government to prioritize national reconciliation and peace. The Government of Myanmar signed a Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with a number of ethnic armed groups in 2015 and has engaged in discussions with other groups to reach agreeable terms to end the ongoing conflict. While these are promising initial steps, negotiations with remaining armed groups will likely be protracted and a sustainable peace remains a long-term prospect.

The Government of Myanmar has also prioritized efforts to address long-standing challenges in Rakhine State. The government established an Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, led by former U.N.

Secretary General Kofi Annan, to offer recommendations on conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, reconciliation, institution building and development. These recommendations include urgent and sustained action to prevent violence, maintain peace, foster reconciliation and improve conditions for all communities, and a committee for implementing the recommendations has been formed by the government. The Government of Myanmar also established the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine, with a focus on addressing the situation in northern Rakhine State. Discussions are ongoing between the Myanmar and Bangladesh governments regarding the return of refugees.

C.3.2 Relationship to Mission Objectives

This Project contributes to the following Embassy and USAID/Burma Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) goals and objectives:

Goal 2: Myanmar makes meaningful progress toward peace and national reconciliation and begins to construct a shared national identity.

Objective 2.1: Achieve an inclusive national ceasefire and development of an effective political dialogue aimed at achieving a federal union.

Objective 2.2: Reduce religious and communal conflict and build inclusive, tolerant national identity with a particular focus on Rakhine State

Within this framework, USAID’s Office of Democracy & Governance Project Appraisal Document (PAD) includes the following theory of change:

if State institutions’ accountability is increased, non-State actors’ participation is improved, and vulnerable communities are empowered, assuming the elected government maintains constructive engagement with all interested parties with a stake in the reforms, then democratic governance will be strengthened to advance the transition in Myanmar.

Empowerment and involvement of the country’s most vulnerable populations is an important component of supporting an inclusive and robust transition to democratic governance. This Activity will contribute to the following sub-theory of change included in the PAD:

if community vulnerabilities are reduced, community participation is strengthened, and local governance systems are strengthened, then vulnerable communities will be empowered.

C.3.3 U.S. Support for Communities Affected by Conflict

The U.S. Government has a long history of providing assistance to communities affected by conflict in Myanmar. The following are representative of recent and ongoing U.S. activities to support vulnerable populations and communities affected by conflict.

USAID Project for Local Empowerment (2011-2017) The USAID-funded Project for Local Empowerment (PLE) was a six-year project that served approximately one million displaced and conflict affected people living in four states and two regions in southeastern Myanmar, as well as migrants and refugees living in four provinces and nine camps in Thailand. Implemented by the International Rescue Committee, Mae Tao Clinic, The Border Consortium and World Education, PLE formed partnerships with more than 40 community-based organizations to provide health and education services, food security and livelihoods assistance, protection assistance including women’s protection and empowerment, and organizational development support. Through advocacy and other interventions, PLE also directly addressed roadblocks in the legal and policy environment that limit access to rights and services for communities affected by conflict.

USAID Advancing Community Empowerment in Southeastern Myanmar (2017-2022) The Advancing Community Empowerment in Southeastern Myanmar (ACESM) project continues USAID’s longstanding assistance in southeastern Myanmar and aims to support communities by reducing vulnerabilities, promoting community participation in decision making, and strengthening mechanisms for more responsive and accountable local governance. ACESM’s community empowerment model begins with community engagement on topics local people see as essential to their lives and wellbeing. As new priorities emerge, the project works with communities to identify solutions and mobilize villagers, other communities, authorities, service providers, and businesses to meet needs.

Through this process, community members develop the tools, resources, agency, and connections to access healthcare, clean water, education, disaster response, improved livelihoods, improved governance and inclusive participation to serve them beyond the life of the project. ACESM is implemented by Pact, Inc. in partnership with Community Partners International, Mercy Corps, and Save the Children.

USAID Shae Thot: The Way Forward (2011-2018) The Shae Thot activity is an integrated community development program, working in over 2,800 villages across central Myanmar and Kayah State to help communities identify and address local needs and ensure inclusive service delivery to marginalized and vulnerable communities. The project facilitates community participation to achieve sustainable solutions in the areas of maternal and child health, livelihoods and food security, and water, sanitation and hygiene. Through its democratic, participatory approach, the program also fosters improved local governance. Shae Thot is implemented by Pact, Inc. in partnership with Cesvi, UN-Habitat, Marie Stopes International, Pact Global Microfinance Fund and seven local partners.

USAID Opportunities for Economic Development (2013-2018) USAID’s Opportunities for Economic Development activity, implemented by CARE International in Myanmar, works in northern Rakhine to improve community development, promote cooperation and build trust between Rakhine and Rohingya communities through joint livelihoods trainings, community development projects and mediation workshops.

USAID Rakhine Early Recovery Activity (2016-2018) USAID’s Rakhine Early Recovery Activity works in 54 villages in central Rakhine to improve community development, promote cooperation, and build trust among communities affected by violence, displacement, and extreme poverty. The Rakhine Early Recovery Activity works with Rohingya, Rakhine, Chin and other ethnic groups in an equitable and transparent way to facilitate joint projects and dialogue on issues of mutual interest such as basic services and local infrastructure improvements. The Rakhine Early Recovery Activity is implemented by the International Rescue Committee in partnership with Danish Refugee Council and Relief International.

USAID Burma Transition Initiative I and II - Kann Let (2012-2019) The Burma Transition Initiative, also known as the Kann Let program implemented by Development Alternatives, Inc., is an initiative managed by USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) to deepen and sustain reform and foster legitimate, inclusive peacebuilding in Myanmar. Kann Let works with civil society, communities, ethnic leaders, and the Government of Myanmar to communicate local priorities and concerns, support peacebuilding processes, address intercommunal conflict, and create the conditions necessary for Myanmar to become a truly inclusive, multi-ethnic union.

Additionally, interventions under this Activity may include support for civil society, health, education, livelihoods and other services that complement the following ongoing and planned USAID programs:

USAID/Burma, Office of Public Health, Defeat Malaria (ongoing)

Support comprehensive and community-based coverage of at-risk populations in 3 states/ regions, including Rakhine, with vector control and case management interventions, prioritizing highly endemic and hard-to-reach areas, and mobile and migrant populations. Key objectives include strengthening the malaria surveillance system; support the National Malaria Control Program; and promote the engagement of communities and private healthcare providers in malaria control and elimination initiatives.

USAID/Burma, Office of Public Health, Maternal and Child Survival Program (ongoing) Improve maternal, newborn and child health by creating an enabling policy environment for quality and equitable access to Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) services and improving delivery of MNCH s by strengthening the quality and effectiveness of in-service midwifery trainings. This activity includes coverage of Rakhine and northern Shan states.

USAID/Burma, Office of Public Health, HIV/AIDS Flagship (UHF) project (ongoing) Provide technical assistance and targeted support to improve the continuum of HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment services for “key populations” affected by high HIV prevalence and that have limited access to and low coverage of HIV and AIDS services. This activity includes coverage of Kachin State and northern Shan.

USAID/Burma, Economic Growth Office, LIFT Multi-donor Trust Fund USAID/Burma’s contribution to the LIFT multi-donor trust fund increases food security by developing vegetable markets, providing support to civil society organizations focused on rural development, supporting agricultural extension to disseminate new science-based knowledge to farmers to increase productivity and incomes, and providing smallholder agricultural finance. LIFT has activities in Kachin’s Myitkyna, Waingmaw, Mohnyn, Momauk, and Mogaung townships.

USAID/Burma, Economic Growth Office, Various Rakhine Activities USAID programs expand opportunities by increasing agricultural production and the incomes of both men and women.

• USAID sits on the board of and is a donor to the Livelihoods and Food Security (LIFT) Trust Fund, which implements a $60-million food security and poverty reduction program in Rakhine State.

• USAID’s Stress Tolerant Rice in Vulnerable Environments (STRIVE) improve livelihoods and promote economic growth in rural communities.

• With USAID support, the University of Arizona is facilitating industry-university collaboration to promote employment and the adoption of best practices in aquaculture farming and processing. USAID and the university’s project staff visited a private soft-shell crab farm, Advance Seafood, to identify a site for mangrove planting to improve farm sanitation systems. The farm, 15 miles north of Sittwe, is spread over approximately 10 hectares. The farm has ponds, feeding and cleaning shelters, a freezing and packing plant, and employs 200 locals, 60 percent of whom are women.

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (ongoing) The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) supports humanitarian assistance and protection programs for vulnerable populations in Myanmar and throughout the Southeast Asia region.

Since 2012, PRM has provided more than $200 million USD of humanitarian assistance to UNHCR, ICRC, IOM and NGOs in East and Southeast Asia, including support for vulnerable populations in Myanmar and in the region, including programs along the Thailand-Burma border. These programs provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to refugees and asylum seekers such as health and medical care, nutritional services, water, sanitation and hygiene, food, shelter, gender-based violence prevention and response, mine risk education and training, and landmine survivors assistance.

USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (ongoing) Since 2012, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has provided nearly $30.4 million USD in humanitarian assistance to IDPs and conflict-affected populations in Myanmar. In FY 2017, OFDA supported programs to feed malnourished children, improve access to protection services for children and other vulnerable groups, increase access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene, increase access to health services, provide shelter for IDPs, and provide livelihood opportunities for displaced and vulnerable populations in Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan States. OFDA also works with the Government of Myanmar, civil society and local communities to build their capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters.

USAID Office of Food for Peace (ongoing) USAID’s Office of Food for Peace (FFP) supports emergency food assistance to vulnerable populations in Kachin, Rakhine and Shan States through the World Food Program. In addition, FFP is supporting UNICEF to treat malnutrition in children and promote integrated management of acute malnutrition programs in Ayeyerwady, Chin, Kayin, Magway, Rakhine and Shan States by building the capacity of communities and local health authorities. Since 2012, FFP has provided more than $56 million USD to address emergency food needs, malnutrition and food security in Myanmar.

C.4 Project Objectives

If vulnerable communities have confidence that their basic needs will be met in a balanced and equitable manner, then they are more likely to participate in decision making processes that affect their families and community, and in turn, more likely to participate in processes that improve relationships with, and conditions for other communities. When communities are actively participating and feel empowered to request greater accountability and quality from decision makers, local governance is strengthened.

This project consists of four interrelated and mutually reinforcing objectives. The Contractor must consult with USAID/Burma to identify priorities, specific interventions, and approaches that will be tailored to the unique needs of target communities to achieve these objectives.

C.4.1 Objective 1: Improve understanding of conflict dynamics, early recovery strategies, and approaches to working in communities affected by conflict

The Contractor will provide high-quality and informed analyses of conflict dynamics, drivers of conflict, key influencers and potential spoilers within communities, developing a thorough and nuanced understanding of political, economic and social systems. The contractor must provide geographic data analysis and mapping as a component of its efforts. The Contractor will use the analyses to underpin its proposed activities under Objectives 2-4, and its associated management and evaluation processes. It is also important for USAID and other local and international actors working in humanitarian, early recovery, development and peacebuilding activities to identify and utilize approaches that mitigate harm, avoid exacerbating drivers of conflict, and promote trust building and reconciliation where possible. The analysis undertaken by the Contractor will further support the identification of best practices and recommendations for more holistic, complementary activities to bridge humanitarian, peace and development objectives and can be adapted to other areas affected by conflict.

Expected outcomes:

● Interventions more appropriately tailored to community needs and context, and more capable of adjusting to changes in local dynamics;

● Availability of high quality localized conflict analyses increased;

● Local and international actors exposure to conflict sensitive principles and resources, including but not limited to Do No Harm approaches, improved;

● Capacity of USAID technical teams to identify and implement conflict sensitive interventions in areas within Myanmar affected by conflict enhanced; and,

● Availability of lessons learned, best practices and recommendations on working in areas affected by conflict for humanitarian, development and peacebuilding practitioners increased.

The specific tasks contemplated by USAID are described in Section C.5.1 and require the Contractor to undertake extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of the drivers of conflict within Myanmar.

While standard and conventional research methods such as key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys can be used, the Contractor or its partners must be capable of using and appropriately applying more advanced data collection and analytics techniques. This includes including mining of existing quantitative and qualitative data available on Burma, predictive analytics related to conflict or underlying drivers of conflict, applied geospatial analysis techniques, and crowdsourcing of information on events and activities. The Contractor may, and is encouraged to propose to USAID additional techniques or applications of research applicable to activities contemplated under this contract over the performance period.

C.4.2 Objective 2: Strengthen community participation and local ownership in the provision of essential services, community development initiatives, and peace and reconciliation efforts

The Contractor will design, implement, and oversee interventions that support increased participation and local ownership in community-level development and reconciliation efforts. These interventions, based on research and analysis undertaken under Objective 1 and strategic guidance from USAID, will increase community members’ voice in the decisions that impact their lives by providing more meaningful opportunities for participation, feedback and leadership. The Contractor will support communities to organize community governance institutions that are responsive, transparent and well-equipped to address threats and vulnerabilities, seize opportunities for recovery and growth, and build resilience to crises. The Contractor must work under the principle that people are not only beneficiaries, but actors, participants, and change agents. The Contractor’s activities must maximize community involvement in the provision of essential services, community development initiatives, and peace and reconciliation efforts to empower communities, provide them with influence and agency over decisions that affect their future, and hold service providers, duty bearers and decision makers accountable for delivering results.

Expected outcomes:

● Community participation, dialogue, and leadership skills improved;

● Youth, women and especially vulnerable groups’ participation in decision making increased;

● Local organizations and civil society involved in service delivery, community development, and peace and reconciliation activities empowered;

● Community input and involvement in peace and reconciliation processes increased; and,

● Community satisfaction with early recovery and reconciliation activities improved.

C.4.3 Objective 3: Reduce community vulnerabilities, enhance resilience to protracted crises and future shocks, support early recovery, and promote durable solutions for communities affected by conflict and displacement

The Contractor, based on research and analysis provided under Objective 1 and strategic guidance from USAID, will undertake interventions that improve access to essential services including, but not limited to, health, education and civil documentation; restore or improve community infrastructure; and support the re-establishment of livelihoods and economic activity that contributes to early recovery and improved resilience. Access to essential services is a driver of conflict across Myanmar. In many areas, basic health and education services are often not available to marginalized groups, not provided in a language they understand, and are viewed as a way to expand the influence of the government. Chronic lack of investment in development, and economic and livelihood opportunities in areas affected by conflict exacerbates community vulnerabilities and undermines resilience to protracted crises and unanticipated shocks. The Contractor must integrate or link its activities in Objective 3 with the principles of community participation in Objective 2.

Expected outcomes:

● Essential services are more responsive to community needs;

● Basic small-scale community infrastructure improved, established or rehabilitated;

● Sustainable livelihoods promoted;

● Access to finance for micro enterprises, community-managed funds and other economic recovery options improved;

● Capacity for preparedness, mitigation and response to disasters increased;

● Self-sustaining, locally driven and resilient approaches to post crisis recovery are increased; and,

● Conditions for sustainable IDP or refugee returns or resettlement enhanced.

C.4.4 Objective 4: Enhance trust and reconciliation between communities and between communities and local governance actors

In areas affected by conflict, social bonds between communities and among key decision makers have eroded. The Contractor will design and manage activities that support mutually beneficial interactions and linkages among communities, such as building economic ties and cooperation on issues that affect multiple communities, and expand engagement and build trust among different religious and ethnic groups. Building relationships between communities and local government officials, and between state and non-state actors, is also important to ensure essential service provision and community development does not exacerbate tensions or conflict. Under this Objective, the Contractor will improve skills and capacity for constructive dialogue, engagement and conflict resolution to create an environment conducive to solving long-standing problems and tensions between groups. The Contractor must be prepared to support opportunities to enhance trust and reconciliation between communities that may emerge unexpectedly or over time, including support to individuals or organizations that are positioned to serve as trusted partners and interlocutors.

Expected outcomes:

● Cooperation between state and non-state actors enhanced;

● Conflict mitigation, negotiation and dispute resolution skills improved;

● Trust and collaboration between communities and local governance actors or other key decision makers improved; and

● Dialogue and cooperation between communities of different ethnic or religious backgrounds increased.

C.5 Objective Related Tasks

C.5.1 Objective 1 Tasks

(a) Monthly Contextual Report: The Contractor will provide a monthly contextual report covering developments in Rakhine, Kachin, and northern Shan states. The report, not to exceed 15 pages, must include information on the security environment, governance, essential services, and the economy.

Illustrative topics include, but are not limited to: incidents of armed conflict occurring in the program area; critical changes in leadership at the village, township, district, or state level or within ethnic organization; surpluses, shortages, or supply interruptions in staple commodities and labor; reported criminal activity impacting the political or economic environment; the creation, progress on, or destruction of water, electrical, health, or education infrastructure. The monthly report will be analytical in nature, including data analytics and visualization products to demonstrate potential impact or opportunities for USAID, and must include recommendations for adjustments to existing programs or new activities. The scope or specific focus of the monthly report may be adjusted by the COR based on emerging events and circumstances.

(b) In-depth Analysis: The Contractor will provide three (3) in-depth analyses in each contract year on a topic to be determined by USAID and relevant to the scope and activities contemplated by this contract. The report, not to exceed 30 pages, must be analytical in nature, include maps or other graphics, and must include recommendations for adjustments to existing programs or new activities. The scope and specific focus of the each in-depth analysis will be provided to the Contractor by the COR at the commencement of each “trimester” of the contract. Illustrative examples of the topics to be covered include, but are not limited to: political economy of a specific geographic area; political and economic impacts of planned infrastructure on conflict dynamics; the role of women and youth in conflict mitigation in a geographic area; or, an assessment of property rights and land tenure as a driver of conflict in a geographic area. Upon acceptance of the report by the COR, the Contractor must be prepared to provide briefings and presentations as directed to internal or external audiences including but not limited, to the Embassy, USAID, international donors, the Government of Myanmar, local partners, or community leadership.

(c) Community Level Conflict Analyses: The Contractor is required to provide a written conflict analysis when a community or other defined geographic area is subject to a single activity equal to or exceeding $50,000, or in which the cumulative value of activities over a one-year period in a community meets or exceeds $100,000. The conflict analysis of the geographic area will be between five (5) and ten

(10) pages, dependent upon the complexity of the conflicts and factors identified and detail the geographic area covered. The conflict analysis must contain an assessment of the drivers of conflict in the covered geographic area, including political, economic, social, and environmental factors, and individuals or institutions that could inhibit, constrain, or facilitate USAID’s activities. These analyses will integrate information obtained from the monthly contextual reporting, in-depth analyses, USAID strategic guidance, the Activity Advisory Council, and local partners. The COR may waive or defer the conflict analysis requirement, in order to ensure the responsiveness of the activity, or for activities that are primarily focused on training or analytical work. Once a conflict analysis has been conducted for a specific community, it must be updated for any future activity that meets or exceeds the individual or annual activity threshold value. Updates to conflict analyses must include a specific assessment of the impact of past contractor activities on the drivers of conflict within the community. For activities under $50,000, the Contractor must include a statement on the potential impact on community level conflict in its activity description, grant or sub-grant documents, or other documentation designated by the COR in order to obtain final approval of the activity.

(d) Ad hoc Reporting: The Contractor must be prepared to provide substantive reporting and analysis on emerging or unforeseen events impacting the implementation of the contract. Ad hoc reports may also include data analytics and visualization product requests. Ad hoc reporting requests will be submitted by the COR to the Contractor and require a five (5) to seven (7) page response, and be submitted on a timeline to be determined jointly by the Contractor and COR dependent upon the complexity and urgency of the request. The Contractor should anticipate submission within seven to ten days of the request. USAID anticipates approximately three (3) ad hoc requests per month. The report must be analytical in nature and include recommendations or potential implications related to USAID activities, completed, ongoing, or future. Ad hoc reports will draw from all resources available under the contract including USAID, local partners, sub-contractors, and other local and international development contacts developed over the course of contract implementation. Ad hoc reports will generally take the form of a specific and focused research question, including but not limited to: the economic impact of fighting between two groups in a specific geographic area; the political impact of reported supply shortages of a staple in a specific community; the implications of a negotiated ceasefire between two ethnic groups in a district; or the impact of a new donor or government investment in a specific area.

(e) Analytical Database: The Contractor must develop or maintain a database of analytical information. This database will contain all information created and obtained by the Contractor under Objective 1, providing a centralized location for data mining and other analyses. This database may be independent of, or integrated with, the Electronic Intervention Database contemplated for oversight and management of the Project Activity Fund (PAF). The analytical database must be capable of multiple levels of access, including complete access for the Contractor and USAID, ranging to partial read-only access for local partners or the public, as directed by the COR. The analytical database must also be able to run customized contractor and customer generated reports integrating open source, GIS, and contractor generated information, including basic activity data from the electronic intervention database, contemplated under this contract. The analytical data base will be one source for data analytics and visualization product requests USAID anticipates a base level of functionality upon award and the ability to customize and expand functionality over the life of the contract. Pursuant ADS 579: USAID Development Data, datasets must be submitted to the Development Data Library (DDL) in open and machine-readable formats

(f) Consultations and Training: The Contractor must be prepared to provide consultations and recommendations to USAID, and other internal and external audiences as directed by the COR, on the research and analysis products contemplated under Objective 1. This includes but is not limited to formal presentations to internal and external audiences, and the development of training for international and local partners based on the findings and recommendations of the Contractor’s reports and analyses.

Consultations and analyses may be conducted directly by the Contractor’s staff, or through other means including STTA, sub-contract, or grant(s) under contract, as mutually agreed by USAID and the Contractor. USAID anticipates that the Contractor will provide up to four training sessions per month, exclusive of other consultations and briefings of research findings.

C.5.2 Objective 2 Tasks

The Contractor must design, implement, monitor, and assess an ongoing series of activities in support of Objective 2. All activities must be designed and implemented in a manner consistent with the principles and requirements described in Section C. The Contractor will use the specific implementation tools described in the Program Activity Fund to carry out its activities. All activities undertaken by the Contractor under Objective 2 are subject to USAID approval. Illustrative activities include, but are not limited to:

● Establishing and supporting Village Development Committees or other inclusive and representative decision-making bodies at the village level;

● Supporting participatory community needs assessments and identification of community development priorities;

● Establish and/or build the capacity of women’s groups to address gender-based violence or other protection concerns;

● Dialogue sessions or townhall meetings to discuss issues or events related to the peace process and national reconciliation;

● Capacity building support and technical skill building for local civil society organizations or community groups involved in service delivery, community development, and peace and reconciliation activities; or

● Training for community leaders in public speaking, leadership skills, and consensus building.

C.5.3 Objective 3 Tasks

The Contractor must design, implement, monitor, and assess an ongoing series of activities in support of Objective 3. All activities must be designed and implemented in a manner consistent with the principles and requirements described in Section C. The Contractor will use the specific implementation tools described in the Program Activity Fund to carry out its activities. All activities undertaken by the Contractor under Objective 3 are subject to USAID approval unless expressly authorized by a separate provision of this contract. Illustrative activities include, but are not limited to:

● Support local organizations - such as ethnic health organizations - to provide health, education, and improve food security for vulnerable populations;

● Work with local governance actors to assist community members in obtaining civil documents such as birth registrations and identification documents;

● Rehabilitation of schools, roads or other community infrastructure;

● Vocational training or support for alternative livelihood opportunities;

● Establish or support Village Development Funds, self-reliance revolving funds, or other small-scale finance options; and

● Build resilience of local communities through disaster risk reduction strategies.

C.5.4 Objective 4 Tasks

The Contractor must design, implement, monitor, and assess a series of activities in support of Objective

4. All activities must be designed and implemented in a manner consistent with the principles and requirements described in Section C. The Contractor will use the specific implementation tools described under the Program Activity Fund to carry out its activities. All activities undertaken by the

Contractor under Objective 4 are subject to USAID approval unless expressly authorized by a separate provision of this contract. Illustrative activities include, but are not limited to:

● Townhall meetings or dialogue sessions between community members and local governance actors or community leaders;

● Support for joint trainings, workshops or projects between non-state service providers - such as ethnic health or education organizations - and government service providers;

● Training in dispute resolution and conflict mitigation skills for community leaders and/or local governance actors; or

● Joint projects or skills training that includes participants from diverse religious or ethnic backgrounds.

C.6 Technical Approach and Contract Tools

The dynamic operating environment and nature of activity objectives requires that the Contractor be prepared to expand, diminish, or change operations with little notice. The focus of the Contractor must be to understand the drivers of instability and conflict, identify partners, deliver activities or interventions that are contextually appropriate, and identify ways those interventions can be leveraged to generate further stability and mitigate the potential for conflict. The Contractor must also be capable of adjusting to changes in the drivers of conflict and instability and adapt to such changes at the micro-level (i.e., village). USAID envisions a substantial number of activities – 75 to 100 - taking place on an annual basis, with most activities short-term in nature – 3 to 9 months – allowing for frequent adjustments and supporting the overall goal of an iterative process. The primary focus of the activities envisioned under this contract is to increase participation (Objective 2), build resilience (Objective 3), and enhance trust (Objective 4). As such, “capacity building” is seen as a means to an end, and while welcomed and encouraged, is purposefully not defined as objective in itself. The Contractor must be able to assure adequate flexibility to award and implement interventions in areas of opportunity and to provide funds on short notice for operations and activities.

C.6.1 Intervention Design and Management

The Contractor, in conjunction with USAID, must establish and follow a process for activity design, implementation, monitoring, and assessment. USAID anticipates that the activity design cycle and associated processes will be the single most critical factor in the success of the overall contract.