RFI_Vulnerable_communities.pdf

Issuance Date: January 12, 2018 Responses Due Date and time: January 25, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Burma Local Time.

Subject: Feedback on USAID/Burma’s Vulnerable Communities Activity in Areas Affected by Conflict.

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 assist vulnerable communities in areas affected by 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 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.

To that end, USAID requests comments on the two attached documents contained in this file, an 80% complete draft statement of work (SOW) and a set of specific questions regarding the draft SOW.

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 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 notice must be received by no later than the due date and time stated in this notice.

Responses should be submitted to USAID via email to BurmaOAA@usaid.gov with subject line “RFI Vulnerable Communities Activity in Areas Affected by Conflict.” 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, R. Brian Aaron

Brian Aaron Contracting Officer USAID/Burma

Request for Information USAID/Burma’s Vulnerable Communities Activity in Areas Affected by Conflict

USAID welcomes comments on any section in the Draft Statement of Work. Of particular interest to USAID are the following four questions:

1) One principle element of the design is an electronic intervention database system to track and report on grants and interventions under the contract. USAID is unsure how prevalent such systems are in the contractor community; whether there are commercial off the shelf software options or open source options; and what capabilities these system normally contain.

a) What systems for tracking interventions (activities) already exist in the contractor community?

b) For example, USAID believes that it wants a system capable of tracking the following items, at the same time, USAID is unsure how realistic it is to require each of them:

Intervention id number Intervention title Partner name Partner type Partner contact info Intervention / grant start date Intervention / grant end date Intervention / grant estimated budget Intervention / grant actual expenditure Intervention / grant objectives Intervention Intended results Intervention M&E Plan Intervention / grant location/gps data: state/region, township, village tract, village level Intervention / grant fund source Intervention / grant summary Intervention / grant relevant performance indicators Intervention / grant work plan Intervention / grant number of beneficiaries Capability to aggregate and integrate data to assist in evaluation, learning, and adaptation Integration of external analytical tools, such as political or economic data and GIS or other imagery.

Possibility of web accessibility by USAID or just regular reports

c) What items above are unrealistic to ask for?

d) What are not asking for in such a system that we need to ask for?

2) USAID is stating that it plans to use a flexible and iterative approach to intervention design.

USAID believes that the contractor community has experience with flexible and iterative design approaches. Based on this experience, what additional information would be useful to the contracting community to provide a more clear and comprehensive response to the Agency’s requirements?

3) USAID has presented two options in C.4.3 DETAILED WORK REQUIREMENTS - IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS . In one option, USAID is stating that it plans to use ‘pool’ model to separately track the cost of programmatic technical interventions. For this option, USAID expects that there will be separate line item in the budget that accounts for programmatic activities. USAID would expect that during implementation, all interventions will be charged against the pool. In the case of Grants under Contract and STTA, USAID expects that it will be self-evident that they are programmatic in nature and all costs will be charged to the pool. In the case of subcontracts and direct implementation, especially the use of contractor staff for technical implementation, USAID is concerned that the contractor would have an incentive to charge staff time to the pool rather than assume the operations costs. The second option does not reference a pool and condenses some of the tools into a general Direct Implementation category.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of the two options?

DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK

Table of Contents

C.1 GOAL 6

C.2 PURPOSE 6

C.3 BACKGROUND 6

C.3.1 U.S. SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY CONFLICT AND EVALUATION OF

RECENT ACTIVITIES 6

C.4 SERVICES AND TASKS REQUIRED 10

C.4.1 OBJECTIVES 10

C.4.2 DETAILED WORK REQUIREMENTS - APPROACH 12

OPTION 1 - TARGETED INTERVENTION POOL EXPLANATION 13

Grants Under Contract 13

Direct Implementation 14

Short-term Technical Assistance 14

Training 14

Subcontracts 15

OPTION 2 - TWO CATEGORIES: DIRECT IMPLEMENTATION AND GUCs 15

Grants Under Contract 15

Direct Implementation 15

C.4.4 ADDITIONAL WORK REQUIREMENTS 16

Intervention Design and Management 16

Intervention Approval Thresholds 16

Electronic Intervention Database 16

Communications and Information Technology 17

Small-Scale Community Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Construction Projects 17

Field Offices and Administrative Structures 18

Start-Up Conference 18

Advisory Board 18

Strategy Review Workshops 19

Security 19

C.5 CONFLICT SENSITIVITY AND GENDER CONSIDERATIONS 20

C.6 ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE 21

Request for Information – Draft Statement of Work

C.7 MONITORING AND EVALUATION 22

C.8 PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS 23

C.8.1 QUALIFICATIONS OF KEY PERSONNEL 23

F.4 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES 25

Reports 25

Deliverables 26

F.4.1 Reports and Deliverables Schedule 31

J. List of Attachments 34

C.1 GOAL

The Contractor will design and implement interventions assist vulnerable communities in areas affected by 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 efforts.

C.2 PURPOSE

The Contractor will achieve this 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 or strengthen community institutions or structures capable of effective, participatory leadership and governance; and increase the capacity of communities, civil society and local governance actors to develop constructive relationships and mitigate conflict. The Contractor will also provide robust analytical services to support research, analysis, and continuous learning and adaptation.

Vulnerable populations assisted through this activity may include populations affected by ongoing, recurrent conflict and immediate post-conflict situations; populations in an early recovery stage following conflict or significant natural disaster; and populations building resilience from protracted conflict or recurrent natural disasters.

C.3 BACKGROUND

Communities throughout Burma 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 in 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 through inadequate access to essential services and inability to meet their basic needs, concerns for their safety and security, lack of voice and input into decisions that affect their families, and deep seated mistrust of other communities and local governance actors.

C.3.1 U.S. SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES

AFFECTED BY CONFLICT AND EVALUATION OF

RECENT ACTIVITIES

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.

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. 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 landmines survivors assistance.

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.

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 Programme. 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.

Project for Local Empowerment (2011-2017)

The 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.

Advancing Community Empowerment in Southeastern Myanmar (2017-2022)

The Advancing Community Empowerment in Southeastern Myanmar (ACESM) project 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.

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.

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.

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 communities 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.

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:

Health – (To be added in the final RFP)

EGO –(To be added in the final RFP)

EGO – (To be added in the final RFP)

The Activity will incorporate lessons learned from past USAID activities supporting vulnerable populations and communities affected by conflict, including recommendations from the following evaluations.

Project for Local Empowerment - 2015 Mid-Term Performance Evaluation

Key Recommendations:

● Internally, all USAID stakeholders should have a commonly-held and agreed definition of convergence so that it can be more easily integrated into program objectives and progress measured against the defined concept;

● Provide support to promote joint efforts in a more integrative manner;

● Continue to promote closer working relations between individuals and institutions in convergence;

● Prioritize health and education as entry points for convergence;

● Provide support to and collaborate with decentralized levels of government if and when appropriate and possible;

● Strengthen women’s leadership and women-oriented community networks; and

● Emphasize donor coordination.

Shae Thot: The Way Forward - 2015 Mid-Term Performance Evaluation

Key Recommendations:

● Continue training for Village Development Committee (VDC) members on active management skills and leadership;

● Train VDCs on community needs assessments methods;

● Deepen local leadership by mentoring potential leaders, with a focus on women and youth;

● Seek out opportunities for increased community engagement with local government officials;

● Explore options to support health system strengthening;

● Incorporate maintenance and sustainability plans more strongly into WASH activities;

● Look at the gap between knowledge and practice related to hygiene;

● Continue to support the positive uptake of the program’s livelihoods activities through scaling up agriculture and access to credit interventions; and

● Promote the participation of more women in water, agriculture and livestock activities.

Further, a performance audit of the Shae Thot project in 2015 conducted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded that Shae Thot employs an integrated approach across sectors that strengthens community-level governance and promotes financial sustainability through Village Development Funds (VDFs). Shae Thot’s integrated approach brings complementary sectoral interventions, with strategic geographic selection among partners achieving maximum results at the community level. As articulated in a report by the OIG, “where multiple implementing partners worked together, villages benefited from synergies….the integrated approach had made a substantial impact.”1

1 Office of the Inspector General. Audit of USAID/Burma’s Shae Thot (The Way Forward) Program. Audit Report No. 5-482-15-007- P. September 3, 2015. https://oig.usaid.gov/node/1884 p. 5

USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives’ Contribution to Burma’s Nascent and Unexpected Transition - 2016 Mid-Term Evaluation

Key Recommendations: (To be added in the final RFP)

See Section J Annexes for more information

C.4 SERVICES AND TASKS REQUIRED

USAID/Burma requires an implementing partner (the Contractor) to establish and manage a three (3) year flexible mechanism supporting interventions that address the needs of vulnerable communities, increase community participation, and enhance trust and reconciliation between local stakeholders as detailed in the Statement of Work. This contract also includes a two (2) year option period to extend the period of performance with provision of the same type and level of services. For more information on the option period, see Section I clause 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract.

The Contractor will provide its best corporate capacities and strengths, through its field and headquarters staff, to effectively design and manage a portfolio of responsive and flexible interventions to achieving the contract objectives. Interventions will include activities implemented directly by the Contractor, short-term technical assistance, training, grants under contract, and subcontracts (see Section C.3.3).

C.4.1 OBJECTIVES

The activity will consist of four interrelated and mutually reinforcing objectives. The Contractor will 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.

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

USAID requires well informed analyses of conflict dynamics, drivers of conflict, key influencers and potential spoilers within communities. This requires a thorough and nuanced understanding of political, economic, and social systems, as well as continual monitoring and analysis of changes in conflict dynamics. It is also important for 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. Additionally, USAID and other relevant stakeholders can benefit from identification of best practices and recommendations for more holistic, complimentary activities to bridge humanitarian, peace and development objectives and can be adapted to other areas affected by conflict.

Expected outcomes:

● Availability of 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 Burma 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.

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

Community members must have a voice in the decisions that will impact their lives through meaningful opportunities for participation, feedback and leadership. Communities are most effective at addressing threats and vulnerabilities, seizing opportunities for recovery and growth, and building resilience to future crises when they have organized community governance institutions that are responsive, transparent and well-equipped. In this process, people are not merely seen as beneficiaries, but as actors, participants and change agents. Community involvement in the provision of essential services, community development initiatives, and peace and reconciliation efforts can 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 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.

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

Access to essential services has been a driver of conflict across Myanmar. In many areas, basic health and education services were often not available to marginalized groups, not provided in a language they understand, and were viewed as a way to expand the influence of the government. Chronic lack of investment in development, economic and livelihood opportunities in areas affected by conflict has exacerbated community vulnerabilities and undermined resilience to protracted crises and unanticipated shocks. Improved access to essential services such as health, education and civil documentation, together with restoration or improvement of community infrastructure, and support to re-establish livelihoods and economic self-sufficiency will contribute to early recovery and improved resilience. This is most effectively accomplished in a sustainable and conflict-sensitive way when communities participate in the identification and implementation of essential services and community development activities.

Expected outcomes:

● Essential services are more responsive to community needs;

● Basic 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.

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 with key decision makers have eroded. The project will support mutually beneficial interactions and linkages between communities, such as economic ties and cooperation on issues that affect multiple communities, to expand engagement and build trust among different religious and ethnic groups. Building relationships between communities and local government officials, as well as between state and non-state actors, is also important to ensure essential service provision and community development do not exacerbate tensions or conflict. All stakeholders can benefit from improved skills and capacity for constructive dialogue, engagement and conflict resolution to create an environment conducive to solving rather than exacerbating long-standing problems and tensions between groups. Opportunities to enhance trust and reconciliation between communities may emerge unexpectedly or over time, but do exist and can be supported by actors who are well-positioned 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.4.2 DETAILED WORK REQUIREMENTS -

APPROACH

USAID requires contractor flexibility to address shifts in a dynamic operating environment. The underlying assumptions, theories, and methodology that guide strategic planning and design of interventions may change over the expected life of the contract.

The Contractor must understand the context. The Contractor will assess risks through regular and thorough assessment and analysis of the context and proposed activity interventions. This analysis must also consider the risks of not acting.

The Contractor must be responsive to incremental opportunities. The Contractor must ensure that assistance is flexible and timely to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the well-being of vulnerable communities and promote reconciliation and trust between groups and key stakeholders.

The Contractor must provide assistance that gives primary consideration to the needs, rights and legitimate interests of vulnerable populations themselves. Where supporting government initiatives or working in partnership with government representatives, the Contractor must ensure reasonable prior assurance that support will be in the best interests of vulnerable populations, based on the reality of the local context and local expertise. The Contractor must engage in meaningful consultation and ongoing dialogue with a variety of community members and beneficiaries - including particularly vulnerable groups such as women, children and persons with disabilities - to ensure assistance is responsive to community-identified needs and conflict dynamics.

The Contractor must ensure that assistance is non-discriminatory and responsive to the needs of all ethnic groups and beliefs. The Contractor will not discriminate on ethnicity, age, religion, gender or sexual orientation in the choice and implementation of activity interventions or partners.

The Contractor must maximize opportunities for intercommunal interaction and local level peacebuilding, while ensuring conflict risk is minimized through close consultation with relevant stakeholders during design, implementation and evaluation of interventions. The Contractor must also ensure that assistance provided through activity interventions does not exacerbate unfair distribution and control of power or resources.

Activity outcomes will be achieved by the contractor through locally-driven and community-centered approaches.

The Contractor must establish and enhance partnerships with existing community structures, networks or other representative bodies and increase the involvement of community representatives in interventions. The Contractor must promote the optimization of local labor, utilize local resources and expertise as appropriate in activity interventions, unless a strong justification for not doing so is identified.

The Contractor must consult as widely as possible and engage with relevant authorities, communities and stakeholders who have an interest and influence in activity interventions. The Contractor must coordinate activities at the geographic and sectoral level through collaborative consultation and information sharing with other donors, development actors, organizations and local stakeholders.

C.4.3 DETAILED WORK REQUIREMENTS -

IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS

Note: Two approaches have been presented in this section for feedback.

OPTION 1 - TARGETED INTERVENTION POOL EXPLANATION

The Contractor will design and implement interventions, referred to collectively as the Targeted Intervention Pool (TIP), to achieve the activity objectives. TIP funding will primarily be directed to grants under contract (GUCs). However, there may be certain circumstances where grants are not the most appropriate vehicle to achieve Activity objectives. In these instances, the Contractor may utilize the following TIP implementation tools: direct implementation; short-term technical assistance; training; and subcontracts. All TIP activities are subject to USAID/Burma approval prior to implementation and will be documented in the Electronic Intervention Database.

Grants Under Contract

Grants under contract are authorized for this contract. The Contractor must actively identify grantees, develop interventions with the grantee, and monitor and evaluate grantee implementation and deliverables. USAID anticipates that grants will range from $5,000 to $400,000, contingent on the design, scale and scope of the intervention, and intended results.

USAID anticipates that the majority of grant recipients will be local entities. However, the grantees may include a wide range of governmental and non-governmental organizations, including local faith-based groups; youth associations; cooperatives; associations; informal groups; local, regional and national entities;

Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs); U.S. Organizations; student groups; media; international organizations; private sector; and coalitions or networks of these entities.

Consistent with U.S. policy and Myanmar’s Association Law, recipients will include both registered and unregistered organizations. Reflective of the context, the majority of grant recipients may not be registered with the Government of Myanmar (unregistered organizations). Furthermore, very few recipients will possess DUNS numbers. The Contractor will facilitate DUNS number applications as needed for recipients.

Cash grant options include simplified grants, fixed amount agreements (FAAs), and standard grants. For in-kind grants, the Contractor will procure commodities and services for grantees.

The Contractor will ensure the use of GUCs will be in compliance with all of the conditions set forth in ADS 302.3.4.13(c). If a subcontract is incorporated into a grant activity, approval of the GUC does not remove the requirement to seek CO consent to subcontract in accordance with FAR 52.244-1.The Contractor will review all proposed grants before submitting them for COR approval to ensure they are consistent with the activity objectives and with all USAID policies and procedures.

Prior to implementation of GUCs, the Contractor will develop a Grants Manual (see Section F.4) that will outline the structure and process for the selection, award, tracking and evaluation process for the grants. The Manual will also include an award template(s) that will be cleared by the Contracting Officer and be revised as and when new guidance and revisions to rules and regulations are proclaimed by USAID. The Manual will be submitted to USAID for approval in the start-up phase.

Direct Implementation When there is no suitable grantee to implement an intervention or a component of an intervention, such as a grantee without the capacity or network to distribute the goods or provide services, the Contractor will implement activities and interventions such as procuring goods and services or utilizing existing staff and operational resources to achieve activity objectives.

Short-term Technical Assistance

The Contractor will provide programmatic short-term technical assistance (STTA) as a stand-alone intervention when needed to achieve activity objectives. STTA is normally limited to several months of expert services and only when the technical assistance cannot be part of a grant. With STTA, the Contractor provides an expert to an organization or government entity to help them to perform a specific function more efficiently and effectively or hires an expert to do an assessment or analysis of local institutions or capacity to support activity objectives. The Contractor will provide the expert(s) for a specific assignment, and the expert either answers to the organization/entity or submits an assessment or analysis. The STTA described here pertains to activities viewed as directly furthering activity objectives; this does not include technical assistance the Contractor may require for its own operational or administrative purposes.

Training The Contractor will provide training as needed to achieve activity objectives. Training is an activity by which skills or knowledge is imparted to a group of people. Training is often part of a grant (technical assistance, training civil society leaders on conflict resolution principles and approaches) when there is a clear grantee.

The primary difference between training as a separate stand-alone activity vs. training as part of a grant is that the former is implemented by the Contractor. The Contractor may need to hire trainers, develop training curricula, and implement a training program.

Training programs under this contract are limited to short-term trainings (defined as one year or less per trainee) that directly contribute to activity objectives. This does not include training that the Contractor may need for its own operational or administrative purposes.

Subcontracts The Contractor may utilize subcontracts to accomplish activity objectives.

OPTION 2 - TWO CATEGORIES: DIRECT IMPLEMENTATION AND GUCs

The Contractor will design and implement interventions to achieve the activity objectives through either grants under contract or direct implementation by the Contractor. The majority of programmatic interventions are expected to be grants under contract (GUCs). However, there may be certain circumstances where grants are not the most appropriate vehicle to achieve Activity objectives. In these instances, the Contractor may propose direct implementation options, as outlined below. All proposed interventions and implementation tools are subject to USAID/Burma approval prior to implementation and will be documented in the Electronic Intervention Database.

Grants Under Contract Grants under contract are authorized for this contract. The Contractor must actively identify grantees, develop interventions with the grantee, and monitor and evaluate grantee implementation and deliverables. USAID anticipates that grants will range from $5,000 to $400,000, contingent on the design, scale and scope of the intervention, and intended results.

USAID anticipates that the majority of grant recipients will be local entities. However, the grantees may include a wide range of governmental and non-governmental organizations, including local faith-based groups; youth associations; cooperatives; associations; informal groups; local, regional and national entities;

Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs); U.S. Organizations; student groups; media; international organizations; private sector; and coalitions or networks of these entities.

Consistent with U.S. policy and Myanmar’s Association Law, recipients will include both registered and unregistered organizations. Reflective of the context, the majority of grant recipients may not be registered with the Government of Myanmar (unregistered organizations). Furthermore, very few recipients will possess DUNS numbers. The Contractor will facilitate DUNS number applications as needed for recipients.

Cash grant options include simplified grants, fixed amount agreements (FAAs), and standard grants. For in-kind grants, the Contractor will procure commodities and services for grantees.

The Contractor will ensure the use of GUCs will be in compliance with all of the conditions set forth in ADS 302.3.4.13(c). If a subcontract is incorporated into a grant activity, approval of the GUC does not remove the requirement to seek CO consent to subcontract in accordance with FAR 52.244-1.The Contractor will review all proposed grants before submitting them for COR approval to ensure they are consistent with the activity objectives and with all USAID policies and procedures.

Prior to implementation of GUCs, the Contractor will develop a Grants Manual (see Section F.4) that will outline the structure and process for the selection, award, tracking and evaluation process for the grants. The Manual will also include an award template(s) that will be cleared by the Contracting Officer and be revised as and when new guidance and revisions to rules and regulations are proclaimed by USAID. The Manual will be submitted to USAID for approval in the start-up phase.

Direct Implementation When there is no suitable grantee to implement an intervention or a component of an intervention, such as a grantee without the capacity or network to distribute the goods or provide services, the Contractor will implement activities and interventions such as procuring goods and services or utilizing existing staff and operational resources to achieve activity objectives. Direct implementation by the Contractor may also include short-term technical assistance, provision of training or other capacity building support, and subcontracts.

C.4.4 ADDITIONAL WORK REQUIREMENTS

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 Contractor must be able to assure adequate capital investment and flexibility in order to award and implement interventions in areas of opportunity and be able to provide funds on short notice for operations and activities.

Intervention Design and Management The Contractor will work with USAID to function as an integrated, operational team with shared program vision and commitment to success of the activity. The Contractor will be responsible for implementation of the program strategy that is set and adjusted as necessary in consultation with USAID/Burma.

The Contractor will be responsible for identifying and proposing intervention ideas for USAID/Burma concurrence. With USAID concurrence, the Contractor will be responsible for designing the intervention, securing USAID/Burma approval for the fully developed intervention prior to implementation, overseeing implementation, monitoring, evaluating and closing out each intervention. For grants under contract, the Contractor will provide assistance to potential grantees to help them with grant design and development, as needed.

The Contractor must design activities in accordance with U.S. Government policy. The Contractor, in coordination with USAID/Burma, may be required to involve other stakeholders in the process of identification, development and implementation and support of interventions, such as government, private sector, local community leaders and other key stakeholders.

The Contractor will document all relevant programmatic and financial information for each programmatic intervention in the Electronic Intervention Database (see Electronic Intervention Database section below).

Intervention Approval Thresholds The Contracting Officer will delegate authorities for approval of interventions to the COR. The Contracting Officer may further delegate approval for smaller value interventions to an Activity Manager. The Contractor will propose approval thresholds for interventions during the start-up phase for approval by the USAID Contracting Officer approval.

Electronic Intervention Database The Contractor must have a database for managing information related to all activity interventions. This Electronic Intervention Database is the primary program management and monitoring tool for the activity as a means of supporting the development, documentation, reporting, financial tracking, and real-time monitoring and evaluation of interventions to inform ongoing programmatic decisions and program management. This must include, but not be limited to: intervention number; intervention title; awardee/partner; awardee/partner type; awardee/partner contact; start date; end date; estimated budget; actual expenditures; objective(s); intended results; M&E plan; locations (state/region, township, village tract and village levels); fund source; summary of intervention; relevant performance indicators (custom and U.S. Standard Foreign Assistance Framework); work plan, and number of beneficiaries. The Contractor must specifically track activities related to the support of the Government of Myanmar or other targeted assistance in the Database for reporting and analysis purposes. The database must also have the capability to aggregate this information across the portfolio of interventions to assist in evaluation, continuous learning, and adaptation.

The Contractor is responsible for ensuring ongoing training for their own staff in the field (both at start-up and throughout the life of the program) as well as for providing adequate home and field information technology support for the maintenance of the database.

Communications and Information Technology The Contractor is required to develop and/or provide the capability to collect, analyze, visualize, manage and share information for the purpose of informing programming, for situational awareness, to use for implementation of interventions, and for monitoring and evaluation. Examples of this kind of capability can include but are not limited to Geographic Information System (GIS) data and mapping, data visualization, infographics, mobile phone applications, telecommunication systems and tools, network hardware and software, traditional and new media platforms and sites, and the ability to identify and leverage partners with expertise in these areas. Potential Contractor uses and users of these tools, methods and processes will be discussed during activity start-up and updated as needed based on context and discussions with the USAID/Burma COR.

As part of ongoing reforms, the Government of Myanmar has removed some restrictions on telecommunications and allowed for greater competition among telecoms providers. Introduction of low-cost SIM cards in 2014 has resulted in rapid expansion of mobile coverage and greater access to internet. However, infrastructure is inadequate to support the growing number of users and some areas of the country still rely primarily on telecommunications services from neighboring countries. The security situation in some parts of the country, including conflict-affected areas targeted by the activity, may warrant the purchase/use of redundant communications systems such as hand-held radios, satellite telephones, or BGAN/RBGAN portable satellite internet equipment. In some cases, the Contractor may need to augment standard communication systems with necessary equipment.

Small-Scale Community Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Construction Projects USAID defines construction as: construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging and excavation) of buildings, structures, or other real property and includes, without limitation, improvements, renovation, alteration and refurbishment. The term includes, without limitation, roads, power plants, buildings, bridges, water treatment facilities, and vertical structures.2 USAID uses a working definition of small-scale construction as construction or repair of facilities where the total surface area of the disturbed environment is under 10,000 square feet and less than $200,000 total cost.3

2 USAID Implementation of Construction Activities, A Mandatory Reference for ADS Chapters 303 (2013) https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303maw.pdf

3 USAID Sector Environmental Guidelines, Small‐Scale Construction (2014) http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00JQZF.pdf.

USAID/Burma anticipates that some interventions that will be directly implemented by the Contractor, through subcontracts, or through grants under contract will include small-scale community infrastructure rehabilitation and construction projects. Such projects may include rehabilitation or construction of household or community-level sanitation infrastructure, water supply, roads, schools, markets, and community centers.

Beneficiaries must be involved in the identification and implementation of small-scale community infrastructure projects.

Field Offices and Administrative Structures The Contractor will establish its principal office for the activity in Yangon. Field offices must be established in two conflict affected areas. All Contractor offices must be sufficient in size and logistics, and be suitably furnished and equipped (including security and communications) to support the Contractor’s implementation needs and to support intermittent use by USAID/Burma staff. The Contractor shall ensure that management and communication systems are sufficient to facilitate effective communication and integrated implementation across all offices.

Start-Up Conference The Contractor will organize and participate in a three or four-day start-up workshop to be held in Yangon, Myanmar within 30 days of award. It is highly desirable that all of the Contractor’s key staff, including the start-up team, designated Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, other key field staff, and relevant home office staff participate in this session.

The agenda for this workshop will be established by the Contractor in consultation with USAID/Burma. A central part of the conference will be to ensure mutual understanding of the roles and relationship of the COR and the Contractor’s Chief of Party, including USAID/Burma’s “one team” approach. The session will review the evolving situation in-country and focus on communication and implementation tools, including the intervention management cycle, electronic implementation database, monitoring, evaluation and learning plan, staffing plan, local registration plan, initial work plan, and other tools.

The Contractor will be responsible for: travel and logistics of all Contractor staff; venue costs; and an external facilitator.

Advisory Board

In order to encourage local ownership and high-level input related to activity strategy, direction and learning, the Contractor will support the formation and proper functioning of an Activity Advisory Council (AAC). The AAC will provide a collective platform to update problem analyses, offering recommendations for topical research or analysis, and adapt the activity to evolving local dynamics. The Contractor Chief of Party and grant partners will brief the AAC on changes affecting conflict dynamics and other issues relevant to the Activity, as needed.

Illustrative composition will include: four eminent Myanmar nationals, including at least one representing grass roots constituencies in each target geographic area with balanced representation from diverse gender, ethnic and religious backgrounds, who are respected and have experience in humanitarian, recovery, peacebuilding, conflict mitigation, community development or other relevant issues; the USAID/Burma COR; and at least one representative from a local or international think tank or advocacy group, independent analyst or other pre-eminent expert in Myanmar conflict dynamics.