RFP 72016921R00001 CO signed.pdf

Subject: Request for Proposal (RFP) Number: 72016921R00001 USAID/Serbia Media Innovation Activity (MIA) Activity

Dear Prospective Offerors, The United States Agency for International Development Mission to Serbia (USAID/Serbia) is seeking proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing technical assistance to promote, support and improve the economic sustainability and business development of Serbian digital media as described in the attached Request for Proposal.

The procurement will be conducted through full and open competition, under which any type of organization (large or small commercial [for profit] firms, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations) is eligible to compete. The procedures set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15 apply.

Please note, the Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract without discussions with Offerors (except clarifications as described in FAR 15.306(a)). Therefore, the Offeror’s initial proposal should contain the Offeror’s best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint. The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary.

USAID anticipates awarding a five-year Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF) completion type contract, with a total estimated cost up to $14,000,000 to implement this activity, covering a total estimated period of five years. Although an estimate is provided, this does not mean that Offerors should necessarily strive to meet the maximum amount estimated. Offerors must propose realistic and reasonable costs for the work described in their proposals. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this solicitation is 541611. The authorized geographic code for the prime contractor of this procurement is 937.

Action Date Time Submission/Location Questions Due May 07, 2021 17:00 Belgrade

Time dhasani@usaid.gov bbulatovic@usaid.gov

Proposals Due May 31, 2021 17:00 Belgrade Time

Please refer to Section L for information regarding proposal requirements. Failure to comply with the submission date and time may result in a submission being deemed unacceptable, such that it will not be reviewed or evaluated. Faxed proposals are not acceptable, nor will they be reviewed or evaluated. Section M states the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated.

All questions related to the RFP must be submitted on the date and time indicated above. Unless otherwise notified by an amendment to the RFP, no questions will be accepted after this date. No other forms of submission will be accepted. The e-mail transmitting the questions and proposals must mailto:bbulatovic@usaid.gov reference the RFP number and title on the subject line of the email.

Offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation, which includes all pertinent technical sections and the terms, conditions and instructions required for submitting proposals. Pursuant to Block 12 of Standard Form 33 of this RFP, USAID requires that offers remain valid through a period of 260 days.

This RFP in no way obligates USAID to award a Contract. Nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. Award of a Contract under this RFP is subject to availability of funds and other internal USAID approvals.

This RFP and any future amendments can be viewed and downloaded from www.beta.sam.gov.

USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

Further, be aware that amendments to solicitations are occasionally issued and will be posted on the same internet site from which you downloaded the solicitation. You are therefore advised to regularly check the above internet site for amendments.

Sincerely, Patricia Siaso Contracting Officer Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance http://www.beta.sam.gov/ http://www.beta.sam.gov/

Table of Content

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

SECTION C – PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS –

SECTION J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND REFERENCED BY LINK

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

Acronyms

ADS Automated Directives System AIDAR USAID Acquisition Regulation ASAP Accelerating Support to Advanced Local Partners AWP Annual Work Plan BIP Branding Implementation Plan CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CFR Code of Federal Regulations CLA Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting CLIN Cost Line Item CO Contracting Officer COR Contracting Officers’ Representative CPA Certified Public Accountant CPAF Cost Plus Award Fee DA Development Assistance DDL Data Development Library DEC Development Experience Clearinghouse DO Development Objective DOD Department of Defense DQA Data Quality Assessment DUNS Data Universal Numbering System ESRS Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation FBO Faith Based Organization FY Fiscal Year G2G Government-to-Government GAO Government Accountability Office GBV Gender-Based violence GCS Geographic Coordinate System GDL USAID/Washington’s Global Development Lab GOS Government of Serbia GUC Grants Under Contracts HCC Host Country Counterparts (public, non-governmental and private) HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus HR Human Resources IDA Institutional Development Advisor IDP Institutional Development Plan IL Implementation Letter IP Implementing Partner IR Intermediate Result KP Key Personnel LOE Level of Effort LPIDR Local Partner Institutional Development Report M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MEL Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning MER Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

MIS Management Information System MP Marking Plan NARA National Archives and Records Administration NDP National Development Plan NGO Non-Governmental Organization NICRA Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement NTE Not to Exceed NUPAS Non-US Organization Pre-Award Survey OCA Organizational Capacity Assessments OD Organizational Development OMB Office of Management and Budget PII Personally Identifiable Information PIRS Performance Indicator Reference Sheet PMP Performance Management Plan PP Priority Population QPR Quarterly Performance Report RF Results Framework RFP Request for Proposal SB Small Businesses SD Service Delivery SITES Strategic Information Technical Support SOP Standard Operating Procedures SOO Statement of Objectives SSR Summary Subcontracting Report STA Senior Technical Advisor STTA Short Term Technical Assistance TA Technical Assistance TBD To Be Determined TEC Technical Evaluation Committee TOC Theory of change USAID United States Agency for International Development USG United States Government VAT Value Added Tax

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide services that fall within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) specified in Section C for the USAID/Serbia Media Innovation Activity (MIA).

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF) completion-type contract. For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor must provide deliverables or outputs described in Section F in accordance with the performance standards specified in Section E.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, AWARD FEE AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of award fee, if any is $TBD. The award fee, if any, is $TBD. The estimated cost-plus award fee if any is $TBD.

(b) Within the estimated cost-plus award fee (if any) specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor for performance hereunder is $TBD. The Contractor must not exceed the obligated amount in accordance with the Limitation of Funds Clause, FAR 52.232.22.

(c) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through TBD.

B.4 BUDGET

The budget for this contract is as follows.

CLIN Item Total Amount 001 Direct Costs (inclusive of subcontracts)

TBD

002 Grants Under Contract (GUC)* TBD 003 Indirect Costs TBD Total Estimated Cost TBD 004 Award Fee TBD Total Estimated Cost-Plus Award Fee TBD

*The amount of up to $2,300,000 is exclusively reserved for GUC. This amount does not include any relevant management or administrative expenses incurred by the Contractor.

[USAID will insert the final total estimates of each cost category provided by the contractor in its budget at award; see Section J, Attachment J-2-Budget Template that informs the development of the budget]

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

The Contractor is authorized to recover applicable indirect costs, if it is part of the contractor's usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31, and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

(NICRA).

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs will be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases as below:

[To be inserted at the time of Award]

Contractor Fringe

Rate % Overhead Rate %

G&A Rate

PRIME (insert) Type of Rate (insert) TBD TBD TBD Base of Application (insert) TBD TBD TBD Source: (insert) TBD TBD TBD Period: (insert) TBD TBD TBD

MAJOR SUBCONTRACTOR(S)

(insert)

Type of Rate TBD TBD TBD Base of Application (insert) TBD TBD TBD Source: (insert) TBD TBD TBD Period: (insert) TBD TBD TBD

NOTE: Insert additional indirect rates as needed for prime and subcontractors in the above table.

NOTE: Contractors are allowed to recoup indirect costs (OH, G&A, etc.) as other direct costs if it is part of the contractor’s usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR 31 and the contractor's NICRA.

NOTE: Major subcontractors are those subcontractors whose proposed costs exceed 20% of the Offeror’s proposed total cost or perform a key element of the RFP.

NOTE: The Contractor will make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect costs without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer. Reimbursement for indirect costs shall be at final negotiated rates.

B.7 COST REIMBURSABLE

The U.S. dollar costs allowable will be limited to reasonable, allocable and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 31 (Contract Cost Principles), 2 CFR Part 200 (Cost Principles), FAR 52.216- 7 (Allowable Cost and Payment), FAR 752.216-70 (Award Fee) if applicable, FAR 52.232-20 (Limitation of Cost), FAR 52.232-22, (Limitation of Funds), and AIDAR 752.7003 (Documentation for Payment), may be reimbursable under this contract.

B.8 PAYMENT OF AWARD FEE

The Contractor may earn and be paid all or a portion of an award fee for performance under this contract.

The Government's purpose in granting an award fee is to encourage and reward superior contract performance.

The maximum award fee must be made available to the Contractor in four (4) increments, with the first evaluation occurring fifteen months after the award date, and the remaining three evaluations occurring as specified below:

Awa rd Fee Period

Period of Performance

Period* (Start/End date)

Amount of Award Fee Available

1 First 15 Months $TBD 2 Month 16-31 $TBD 3 Month 32- 47 $TBD 4 Month 47- 60 $TBD Maximum Award Fee Available $

* Period will be completed upon contract award.

Award fee will be based on the completion of expected results/outputs/indicators stated in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) in Section C and described in the AWP, and/or AMELP/QASP. Definite goals or targets must be achieved, and end products must be timely completed, delivered, and accepted by USAID during the period of performance and within the total estimated cost as a condition for payment of the award fee.

Note that the AMELP will include the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

The determination of the award fee, if any, earned by the Contractor must be in accordance with the Award Fee Plan (see attachment J-4 Award Fee Evaluation Plan). Payment of award fee, if any, shall be made after each award fee period has expired and the award fee evaluation has been performed. Unearned award fee cannot rollover from one award fee increment to the next award fee increment.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

USAID will insert the contractor’s Performance Work Statement (PWS) at award; [see SECTION J, ATTACHMENT J-1-STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO) that informs the development of Section C].

[END OF SECTION C]

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

(a) It is USAID policy that USAID-financed commodities and shipping containers, and project construction sites and other project locations be suitably marked with the USAID emblem. Shipping containers are also to be marked with the last five digits of the USAID financing document number. As a general rule, marking is not required for raw materials shipped in bulk (such as coal, grain, etc.), or for semi-finished products which are not packaged.

(b) Specific guidance on marking requirements must be obtained prior to procurement of commodities to be shipped, and as early as possible for project construction sites and other project locations. This guidance will be provided through the cognizant technical office indicated on the cover page of this contract, or by the Mission Director in the Cooperating Country to which commodities are being shipped, or in which the project site is located.

(c) Authority to waive marking requirements is vested with the Regional Assistant Administrators, and with Mission Directors.

(d) A copy of any specific marking instructions or waivers from marking requirements is to be sent to the Contracting Officer; the original will be retained by the Contractor.

D.2 BRANDING AND MARKING POLICY

Branding Strategy Implementation and Markings under this contract must comply with the “USAID Graphics Standards Manual” available at http://www.usaid.gov/branding or any successor branding policy, as detailed in ADS Chapter 320.

[USAID will insert the contractor’s Branding Strategy, Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan as an attachment to the contract at the award].

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY

In accordance with ADS 320 Branding and Marking, and USAID’s overall policy, all assistance delivered through this program must be clearly credited to the American People. This Branding Strategy (BS) outlines the framework in which materials and communications use to promote the program deliver the message that the assistance is from the American People, as well as to ensure appropriate use of the USAID identity markings. The branding strategy for this contract, as specified in USAID ADS 320.3.2.1, is as follows:

Program Name: USAID/Serbia Media Innovation Activity (MIA)

Level of Visibility: USAID identity must be prominently displayed in commodities or equipment;

audio, visual or electronic public communications; studies, reports, publications, web sites, and all promotional and informational products; and events.

[END OF SECTION D]

http://www.usaid.gov/branding http://www.usaid.gov/branding

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this contract. See http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html for electronic access to the full text of a clause

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1)

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.246-3 Inspection of Supplies—Cost Reimbursement MAY 2001 52.246-5 Inspection of Services—Cost Reimbursement APR-1984

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports and other required performance objectives or outputs will take place at:

USAID/Serbia Bulevar kneza Aleksandra Karađorđevića 92, Belgrade, Serbia

Or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and performance objectives or outputs are produced or submitted. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) listed in Section G has been delegated authority to inspect and accept all services, reports and required performance objectives or outputs.

E.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE & INSPECTION SYSTEM FOR USAID ACTIVITIES

The progress, success, and impact of the Contractor’s performance under this contract will be monitored and evaluated as a part of the overall activity results through the AMELP, which includes the QASP.

The QASP is a management process with the intent of encouraging maximum performance, efficiencies, and cost- effectiveness by the Contractor and can be modified at any time by the Government. QASP will identify appropriate indicators for each level of the activity’s results framework, show data sources, and describe how data will be collected, analyzed, and presented to regularly inform performance. The Plan will identify core indicators for every result and intermediate result/outcome and provide preliminary five-year performance indicator targets for these core indicators. Indicators should balance between the USAID/Serbia PMP indicators, third-party and custom indicators. In addition, QASP should describe CLA practices

The QASP will be used as a Government monitoring process to enforce the inspection and acceptance clauses of the contract. The QASP may require modification and/or updates after selection for award to reflect the Contractor’s known strengths and weaknesses. The QASP is a “living” monitoring process that should be discussed, reviewed, and updated regularly but no less than on an annual basis, based on previously defined and applied CLA practices, indicators data, and overall performance. It is http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html based on the premise that the Contractor, not the Government, is responsible for managing and ensuring that quality controls meet the terms of the contract.

The Government reserves the right to modify performance standards and/or metrics during the life of this contract, in order to ensure that the right outcomes are being assessed and that the performance standards are appropriate. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to follow up with the COR to ensure the QASP monitoring process is implemented and updated.

A variety of mechanisms including, but not limited to, the following may be utilized by the Contractor and COR to monitor the progress/success of the activity and the Contractor’s performance:

1. Weekly contract mobilization meetings including minutes (minutes may address issues, actionable items, steps to address and solve any issues/actions as well as POCs for each issue/action item) during the first three months of contract implementation.

2. Monthly progress review meetings, including similar protocols as above, with the implementation teams.

3. Review and proposed feedback and/or edits, if any, to the Contractor’s scheduled reports (see Section F).

4. Site visits as needed or directed by USAID personnel organized by the Contractor.

5. Quarterly reviews of work plan with performance milestones and proposed feedback and/or edits, if any, to the Contractor’s work plan and performance milestones incorporated/addressed.

6. Periodic impact evaluations as required by the contract and/or determined as necessary by the

COR during contract administration; and

7. Review of Milestone Achievement Reports and proposed feedback and/or edits, if any, to the

Contractor’s work plan and performance milestones incorporated/addressed.

With regards to CLA and with respect to the AMELP/QASP, the Contractor must address:

1. How the products, technical assistance, access to finance, technology and result of collaboration will improve implementation approaches and development practice broadly;

2. Approaches that improve USAID implementing partner’s ability to respond to target groups’ needs, address risks and opportunities by applying learning by doing and adaptive management approach;

3. How the application of adaptive management and continuous learning will influence decision making, resource allocation, and contextual shifts / adaptation to changes in the operating environment;

4. How to increase the efficiency of activity implementation, including maximizing benefits form the opportunities and minimizing risks.

The standards stipulated above do not apply to procedures in determining award fee under this contract.

[END OF SECTION E]

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this contract with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. See http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1)

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.242-15 Stop-Work Order AUG-1989 52.242-15 Stop-Work Order Alternate I APR-1984 52.204-14 Service Contract Reporting Requirements OCT-2016

752.7005 Submission Requirement For Development

Experience Documents

SEP-2013

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is five (5) years effective from the date of the USAID Contracting Officer signature on the cover page of the contract. The conditions set forth below are subject to the contractor’s performance and availability of funds.

[Note to Offerors: This language will be added to the award if it is based on the Foreign Assistance waiver. If the apparently successful offeror does not require a waiver, this additional language will be deleted from the award document.]

The period of performance for this contract is from TBD to TBD subject to the conditions set forth in Section H.38.

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance under this Contract is Serbia.

F.4 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

In addition to the requirements set forth for submission of reports in Sections I and in the AIDAR clause 752.242-70, Periodic Progress Reports, the contractor must submit the following plans, reports and deliverables electronically to USAID as further described below. Unless otherwise noted below, narrative reports must be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF and budgets in unlocked Excel. A description of the required reports is as follows, and due dates are noted in the table below:

Note: USAID’s fiscal year starts on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal quarterly periods start on October 1, January 1, April 1 and July 1.

A description of the required reports/deliverables is as follows, and due dates are noted in the table below:

1. Grants Manual - The Grants Manual must detail the process for identifying, evaluating, vetting, awarding, and monitoring of grant activities. The Grants Manual will be approved by the Contracting Officer.

2. Annual Work Plans (AWP) - The AWP will be reviewed and approved by the COR within two weeks of submission. AWPs will include a narrative describing the strategies, activities and interventions required to meet the award outputs as well as a Gantt chart outlining specific activities, the timetable and responsible persons. Activities on the Gantt Chart must be fully costed. Furthermore, annual budgets must accompany the AWP. The AWP must incorporate the Contractor’s annual gender action plan informed by the USAID/Serbia CDDS and its Gender Analysis:

https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00WNPZ.pdf

With regards to Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) and respect to the Annual Work Plan, the Contractor must address:

● Any proposed actions to strategically collaborate internally and with other implementing partners to conduct joint targeting, product development, and/or collaborative research.

● How knowledge gaps in the theory of change, the technical implementation approach, operating environments, assumptions and risks, will be filled using activities such as, but not limited to, monitoring, research, evaluation and analytical studies

● How knowledge generated by learning will be used to increase efficiency

● How/which approaches and activities will change based on CLA

3. Performance Reporting Requirements

a) Weekly Activity Updates:

The contractor must prepare a brief weekly update of no more than one page on the key activities and accomplishments of the past week and the week to come. The final format of the updates must be agreed upon in consultation with the COR. These updates are not required to be uploaded to the DEC.

b) Quarterly Performance Reports (QPR):

The Contractor shall submit quarterly reports no later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter.

Each quarterly performance report shall include narratives of quarterly achievements, and progress against the work plan, and agreed-upon performance indicators. A format for the quarterly report will be approved by the COR. The quarterly report shall describe and assess the overall progress to date based upon agreed performance indicators. The reports shall also describe the accomplishments of the Contractor and the progress made during the past quarter; include information on key activities, both https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00WNPZ.pdf ongoing and completed during the quarter (e.g. meetings, training, workshops, significant events, subcontracts, and grants).

The quarterly performance reports should provide information on how considerations for gender and youth were addressed; what new opportunities for social inclusion were created and what needs, and gender/youth inequalities emerged or remained. Contractor shall notify USAID of developments that have a significant impact on the award-supported activities.

The quarterly performance report provides the opportunity to discuss the impacts of learning on the program, updates in key assumptions and the underlying development hypotheses. Also, notification shall be given in the case of problems, delays, or adverse conditions which materially impair the ability to meet the objectives of the award or which may have an impact on the development hypothesis or theory of change for the activity, and/or other activities (USG-funded or not) which might be informed by such learning. This notification shall include a statement of the action taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation. The Contractor shall also prepare quarterly financial reports showing the amount of funding and level of effort spent and accrued during the quarter, cumulative spending, and estimates for the next quarter. The quarterly activity and financial reports are to be submitted within 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter to the COR at USAID/Serbia.

With regards to CLA and with respect to the Quarterly Performance Report, the Contractor must address:

● The products and results of collaboration that improve implementation approaches and development practice broadly

● Increased ability of USAID implementing partner to respond to the needs of target groups, such as women and youth, through adaptive learning

● Instances of learning applied to influence decision making, resource allocation, and contextual shifts.

● Increased efficiency in activity implementation

c) Quarterly Financial Reports:

These reports must be submitted in conjunction with the Quarterly Performance Report for approval of the COR. These reports must have a financial summary page that lists the amounts expended for the quarter by major cost item, showing cumulative expenditures to date, and a variance analysis. The variance analysis will use the detailed cost proposal submitted for the contract award, or any revision made for subsequent contract budget revisions (authorized by the CO), as baseline budget plan, and as requested will be able to explain significant actual expenditure variance in relation to the detailed baseline. The contractor will also include a brief note on any significant or accrued expenditures for the quarter that have yet been billed to the contract, along with the specific amount involved, to enable the COR to accurately track expenditure rate.

d) Minimum Activity Indicators and Targets Below are the minimum activity indicators and targets that will be tracked and reported on in addition to the ones listed in the AMELP including the QASP.

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): As part of the draft (due with the offers) and final (due after contract award) AMELP, The Offeror/Contractor must submit a QASP that provides a systematic method to assess performance for the Contract. The QASP must include (a) what will be monitored;

(b) how monitoring will take place; (c) who will conduct the monitoring; (d) how monitoring efforts and results will be documented. The QASP is one of the Key Implementation Management documents that will be utilized by USAID to monitor and assess whether the performance standards under the contract have been met and expected results are being achieved.

Mandatory PMP/PPR Performance Indicators

Indicator Type (Standard or Custom)

Indicator # Baseline Target over Life of Activity

Number of non-state news outlets assisted by USG (“F” standard indicator DR.5.3-1) std DR.5.3-17 0 TBD

Number of private sector firms that have improved management practices or technologies as a result of USG assistance (USAID indicator

– Private Sector Opportunity EG.5.2-2) std EG.5.2-226 0 TBD

Percent increase of sales or donations of firms receiving USG-funded assistance (USAID indicator – Private Sector Productivity EG.5-1b std EG.5-1b2 0 TBD

e) Annual Reports:

The Contractor will submit the Annual Report, inclusive of the final QPR for that year, which reflects the progress of the program activities over the last year against the Annual Work Plan. The report must indicate the outputs and impact the program is having on the beneficiaries.

Annual and cumulative to date data must be included. Anecdotal stories and case studies, pictures and any other information that gives insight into the success of the program will also be included.

With regards to CLA, the Contractor must address:

● The products and results of collaboration that improve implementation approaches and development practice broadly

● Increased ability of USAID implementing partner to respond to the needs of target groups by using learning

● Instances of learning applied to influence decision making, resource allocation, and contextual shifts

● Increased efficiency in activity implementation

f) Success Stories and Press Releases:

The Contractor will present success stories to the COR on a continuing basis that highlight the ways the project is succeeding or is benefiting local people. “Success Stories” will be prepared whenever a major achievement or personal testimonial merits documentation and public dissemination. These stories provide information that demonstrates the impact that the project has had through stories and photos.

Once implementation is underway, the Contractor will present at least two success stories in the stipulated formats (from USAID Branding web site) within each six-month period.

The COR’s prior written approval is required before any dissemination of press releases and uploading any success stories.

Reports for Short-Term Technical Assistance:

Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by the COR, the Contractor will submit a brief (no more than 5 pages) technical assistance report to the COR that describes progress and observations made by the consultant(s), identifies significant issues, describes follow-on activities and plans for the Contractor and counterparts, and provide names, titles and contact information for all professional assignment-related contacts.

4. Submission of Data Sets to Data Development Library (DDL) Thirty days after the dataset is first used, the Contractor shall submit to DDL in accordance with Section H.24

5. Quarterly VAT Reports – Please refer to Section H.36

6. Reporting of Foreign Taxes – The Contractor will submit the Reporting of Foreign Taxes in accordance with AIDAR 752.229-71.

7. Final Report – An electronic draft final report in Word will be submitted to the COR no later than 30 calendar days after the completion of the activity. The final report is due 90 calendar days after the end of the award. Three hard copies and an electronic copy will be submitted to the COR. The report will summarize the accomplishments, qualitative and quantitative results against indicators, method of work used, CLA findings, and recommendations regarding unfinished work and/or program continuation, any opportunities for further refinement, as well as key learnings from the total implementation experience. In addition, the report will address the gender and youth gap addressed;

what new opportunities for men and women were created; and what needs and gender inequalities emerged or remained. Report will cover the entire period of the award and include the cumulative results achieved, an assessment of the impact of the program, lessons learned and recommendations, any particularly notable impact stories (or challenges), and detailed financial information. It will be grounded in evidence and data. The final/completion report will contain an index of all reports and information products produced under the award.

8. Mobilization Plan – The Mobilization Plan must include a plan for a start-up of activities covering the first 90 days of the Contract. It must also address benchmark technical, management, and logistical (vehicle, office space, etc.) requirements that include: planning and schedule for the prompt mobilization of the Chief of Party (COP), other expatriate staff, and other key personnel.

9. Close-Out and Disposition Plan – The Disposition Plan will include, at a minimum, an illustrative Property Disposition Plan for the Contractor, Subcontractors and grantees addressing all requirements under contractual and local law for the transfer of property; a plan for the phase out of in-country operations; a delivery schedule for all reports or other deliverables required under the award;

and a timeline for completing all required actions in the

Demobilization Plan, including the submission date of the final Property Disposition Plan to the Contracting Officer. Both the illustrative and final Property Disposition Plans will include the inventory schedule required by FAR 52.245-5, a plan for the disposition of property to eligible parties and a timeline for the disposition of such property. In addition, the Contractor will describe how all required prime and sub-award audits will be conducted after the demobilization of the contractor.

● Conduct a thorough pipeline analysis to ensure that there are sufficient funds available to finalize activities and complete all requirements.

● Review of subcontract and/or grant files for audit purposes and final billing to USAID/Serbia.

● A schedule to address office leases, bank accounts, utilities, cell phones, personnel notification, health insurance, outstanding travel, social payments, household shipments, severance for local staff (if appropriate), vehicle leases/disposition and phone subscriptions.

● Report on compliance with all local labor laws, tax clearances, etc.

● a property disposition plan including equipment (inclusive of any information technology) with a fair market value or depreciated value of $500 and above for the Contractor and subcontractors

The CO will approve the disposition plan while COR will concur with the Close-Out and Demobilization Plan.

10. Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion Analysis - The Contractor will follow recommendations made in the 2020 USAID/Serbia gender assessment as well as the USAID Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy of March 2012. The Contractor will conduct gender, youth and social inclusion analysis to inform the implementation of the activity and contract. The findings will be integrated in the annual work plan activities.

11. Other Reports: The Contractor will prepare and disseminate, as directed in the Annual Work Plan and by the COR, other reports needed to accomplish the purpose of this contract, such as assessments, including but not limited to studies, other analytical products and all short-term consultants reports. These reports will include Quarterly Accruals reports, activity reports, GUC reports, technical reports; data quality assessment reports, portfolio reviews and performance plans and report analytical products, evaluation, review and other operational research reports, Congressional Budget Justifications, scene setters, briefing packages, speeches, talking points, congressional delegation briefings, success stories, press releases, and public information/outreach documents. The reports will be on an ad-hoc basis, based on specified formats, USAID-required processes, within the scope of the activity and at the request of the COR. The Contractor will prepare special reports in the event of extraordinary, time-sensitive events that need to be brought to the COR’s attention promptly. Upon completion of the services of all short-term consultants, the contractor will submit to the COR within ten (10) calendar days a report summarizing the activities, accomplishments, and recommendations of the consultant.

F.5 DELIVERY SCHEDULE FOR REPORTS AND PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES OR

OUTPUTS

All due dates are in calendar days. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the report is due the next business day. References to fiscal year are USAID’s fiscal year which begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.

Year One: Performance Objectives or Outputs and Report

Title Due Date Approver Mobilization Plan 15 days after the start of the award. COR Grants Manual 60 days after the start of the award. CO Annual Work Plan and ESMF 60 calendar days after the start of the award. COR AMELP including QASP 60 calendar days after the start of the award. CO/COR Weekly Progress Updates 3 days after the end of each successive week COR Quarterly Performance Reports (QPR)

30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter COR

Quarterly Financial Reports 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter.

Submitted with the QPR.

COR

Annual Reports Draft due 30 days before the end of the fiscal year Final due 15 days after receipt of USAID comments to the draft

COR

Submission of Data Sets to

DDL*

30 days after the Dataset is first used COR

Reporting of Foreign Taxes November 30. This will enable the mission to meet April 16 deadline. (Reference AIDAR 752.229- 71)

COR

Branding and Marking Plan (if no competitive range is held)

30 days after the start of the award. CO

Combating Trafficking in Persons Compliance Certification

30 days after the start of the fiscal year (Reference

FAR 52.222-56)

CO

STTA Reports 10 days after end of each STTA engagement COR Contract Property Management Plan

90 days after award (Reference AIDAR 752.245- 71)

COR

Annual Report of Government Property in Contractor Custody

Last day of the Contract year (Reference AIDAR 752.245-70)

COR

Year Two: Performance Objectives and Reports Schedule

Title Due Date Approver Annual Work Plan 30 days before the start of the fiscal year COR AMELP including QASP indicator reporting

Draft due 30 days before the end of the fiscal year Final due 15 days after receipt of USAID comments to the draft

COR/MEL

Weekly Progress Updates 3 days after the end of each successive week COR QPR 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter COR Quarterly Financial Reports 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter.

Submitted with the QPR.

COR &

Controller

Annual Report Draft due 30 days before the end of the fiscal year.

Final due 15 days after receipt of USAID comments to the draft.

COR

Submission of Data Sets to

DDL*

30 days after the Dataset is first used CO & COR

Reporting of Foreign Taxes November 30 (Reference 752.229-71) COR STTA Reports 10 days after end of each STTA engagement COR Combating Trafficking in Persons Compliance Certification

30 days after the start of the fiscal year (Reference

FAR 52.222-56)

CO

Annual Report of Government Property in Contractor Custody

Last day of the Contract year (Reference AIDAR 752.245-70)

COR

Year Three: Performance Objectives and Reports Schedule

Title Due Date Approver Annual Work Plan 30 days before the start of the fiscal year COR AMELP including QASP indicator reporting

Draft due 30 days before the end of the fiscal year Final due 15 days after receipt of USAID comments to the draft

COR/MEL

Weekly Progress Updates 3 days after the end of each successive week COR QPR 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter COR Quarterly Financial Reports 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter.

Submitted with the QPR.

COR &

Controller

Annual Report Draft due 30 days before the end of the fiscal year.

Final due 15 days after receipt of USAID comments to the draft.

COR

Submission of Data Sets to

DDL*

30 days after the Dataset is first used CO & COR

Reporting of Foreign Taxes November 30 (Reference 752.229-71) COR STTA Reports 10 days after end of each STTA engagement COR Combating Trafficking in Persons Compliance Certification

30 days after the start of the fiscal year (Reference

FAR 52.222-56)

CO

Annual Report of Government Property in Contractor Custody

Last day of the Contract year (Reference AIDAR 752.245-70)

COR

Year Four: Performance Objectives and Reports Schedule Title Due Date Approver Annual Work Plan 30 days before the start of the fiscal year COR AMELP including QASP indicator reporting

Draft due 30 days before the end of the fiscal year Final due 15 days after receipt of USAID comments to the draft

COR/MEL

Weekly Progress Updates 3 days after the end of each successive week COR QPR 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter COR Quarterly Financial Reports 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter.

Submitted with the QPR.

COR &

Controller

Annual Report Draft due 30 days before the end of the fiscal year.

Final due 15 days after receipt of USAID comments to the draft.

COR

Submission of Data Sets to

DDL*

30 days after the Dataset is first used CO & COR

Reporting of Foreign Taxes November 30 COR & Controller

STTA Reports 10 days after end of each STTA engagement COR Combating Trafficking in Persons Compliance Certification

30 days after the start of the fiscal year (Reference

FAR 52.222-56)

CO

Annual Report of Government Property in Contractor Custody

Last day of the Contract year (Reference AIDAR 752.245-70)

COR

Year Five: Performance Objectives and Reports Schedule

Title Due Date Approver Annual Work Plan 30 days before the start of the fiscal year COR AMELP including QASP indicator reporting

Draft due 30 days before the end of the fiscal year Final due 15 days after receipt of USAID comments to the draft

COR/MEL

Weekly Progress Updates 3 days after the end of each successive week COR QPR 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter COR Quarterly Financial Reports 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter.

Submitted with the QPR.

COR &

Controller

Weekly Progress Updates 3 days after the end of each successive week COR Annual Report Draft due 30 days before the end of the fiscal year.

Final due 15 days after receipt of USAID comments to the draft.

COR

Submission of Data Sets to

DDL*

30 days after the Dataset is first used CO & COR

Reporting of Foreign Taxes November 30 COR & Controller

Final Report Draft due 30 days prior to contract end and final days after receipt of USAID comments

CO & COR

STTA Reports 10 days after end of each STTA engagement COR Close-out and Demobilization Plan

6 months prior to the completion of the Contract’s period of performance

CO & COR

Combating Trafficking in Persons Compliance Certification

30 days after the start of the fiscal year (Reference

FAR 52.222-56))

CO

Annual Report of Government Property in Contractor’s Custody

Last day of the Contract year (Reference AIDAR 752.245-70)

COR

*Data Sets apply to all performance years.

F.6 ANNUAL CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORTS

Evaluation of the Contractor's performance shall be conducted in accordance with the performance standards set forth in Section C and provision of deliverables in Section F and the Contractor’s compliance with all other terms and conditions of the contract. Each evaluation of Contractor overall performance will be conducted jointly by the COR and the Contracting Officer and will form the basis of the Contractor's permanent performance record with regard to this contract and as required in FAR Part 42.15 and AIDAR 742.15.

The Contractor’s performance will be evaluated annually and at contract completion, utilizing at a minimum, the following factors:

1) Technical (quality of products and services)

2) Cost Control

3) Schedule/Timeliness of Performance

4) Management or Business Relations

5) Meeting Small Disadvantaged Business Subcontracting Requirements/Goals

6) Others (as applicable) (e.g. late payments to subcontractors, trafficking violations, tax delinquency, failure to report in accordance with contract terms and conditions, defective cost or pricing data, terminations, suspension and debarments).

F.7 KEY PERSONNEL AND STAFFING PLAN

The staffing plan must demonstrate that personnel have the requisite skillset to implement the approach set forth in Section C, achieve sustainable results and coordinate and cooperate with a wide range of stakeholders from private and public sectors, as well as complementary donor-funded programming.

The skillset for the project implementation team must include – across the team – at a minimum the following skills:

• Demonstrated experience in media / information platforms development, including digital media growth, monetization strategies, innovation, and digital development including application of high-tech solutions for Beneficiaries (please refer to the definition of Beneficiaries under Section C.2.).

• Experience in improvement of firm-level SME (SME includes media companies) access to finance including but not limited to: providing transaction advisory services; deploying seed and catalytic capital; attracting venture capital, investments; and assisting SMEs in qualifying and utilizing commercial finances for business development

• Experience with provision of firm-level SME (SME includes media companies) business development support, supporting accelerating SME growth and revenues, supporting startups, and SME utilization of high-tech solutions for creation of added value.

The positions below are designated as key personnel for the successful completion of the tasks outlined in Section C. All Key Personnel must be fully dedicated to the contract (100% LOE) and must be employed by the prime contractor.

The Contractor will provide the following individuals for the positions listed below:

Position LOE 1 The Chief of Party (COP) 100% 2 The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) 100%

(a) Below are the identified position description, roles and responsibilities, and minimum skill sets for each specified key personnel:

(1) Position Title – Chief of Party (COP):

Position Description:

The Chief of Party (COP) will be the key point of contact for this project with USAID regarding day-to-day implementation and management matters relating to the contract. S/he will have the overall managerial responsibility for project execution and project staff, including sub-awardees/subcontractors if applicable, assuring that all assistance provided under the contract is technically sound and appropriate, and adequately managing and supervising all work performed under the contract. As a result, s/he must have at least five preferably ten years of senior managerial experience in the private sector or with donor supported development projects of similar size and complexity. Experience can include COP or corresponding positions on international development projects, or senior managerial positions in private sector enterprises, including senior corporate management, partner/limited partner positions, and similar.

Experience must include at least one, preferably more areas that the MIA is addressing including but not limited to: media / digital development, financial / investment services, SME development, startup support, or wider digital economy development. This professional experience must directly correspond to proposed Technical Approach, e.g. Chief of Party expertise and skills must show that s/he is able lead the implementation as proposed in Applicant’s Technical Approach. Additionally, the COP must possess strong facilitation, communication, collaboration and leadership skills and a proven track record of interacting and working effectively with different local and international stakeholders coming from various backgrounds and industries relevant for MIA implementation, including those representing media, entrepreneurs, financial, investment and digital sector actors, host government counterparts and other donors and projects. The COP’s leadership skills must include the ability to motivate and coach not only project staff but also local Beneficiaries. Given the complexity and scope of this project, it is critical that the COP exhibits effective personnel and resource management, coordination, and decision-making skills along with an ability to troubleshoot. In addition, COP must possess a university bachelor level degree -advanced degree(s)would be an asset.

(2) Position Title – Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP):

Position Description:

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will provide technical leadership in the project and fulfill the responsibilities of the Chief of Party in his/her absence. The DCOP must have in depth familiarity with the challenges faced by Serbian media and information sector actors (please refer to definition of Beneficiaries under Section C.2.), be familiar with the key government stakeholders, relevant private sector actors and…