SOL_72011123R00006_final_signed.pdf

Issuance Date: October 3, 2023 Questions Due: October 10, 2023 at 23:00, Yerevan local time (GMT +4) Closing Date: November 19, 2023 at 23:00, Yerevan local time (GMT +4)

Subject: Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 72011123R00006 “USAID Strategic

Communications Support” Activity

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Agency for International Development in Armenia (USAID/Armenia), is seeking proposals from qualified companies and organizations interested in implementing the above-referenced activity, as described in this solicitation.

Subject to availability of funds, USAID/Armenia anticipates awarding one Cost-Plus-Fixed- Fee (CPFF) completion type contract from this solicitation for a period of five (5) years from the date of award. The total estimated cost (TEC) of the award is $18 - $20 million, including a plug figure of $1,600,000 for Grants under Contracts.

USAID invites all interested and responsible organizations to submit offers in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation. USAID will conduct this procurement as a full and open competition under which any type of organization may submit a proposal. The procedures set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) will govern the procurement. The competition will utilize a Highest Technically Rated with Fair and Reasonable Price and Realistic Cost (HTR) selection process.

The principal geographic codes for this procurement are 937 and 110. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541990 – All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.

Please note that the award of this contract and its period of performance is based on the Section 889 Modified Foreign Assistance (FA) Waiver USAID received from the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), which expires on September 30, 2028. Therefore, although this is anticipated to be a five-year period of performance, the base period will be for 51 months and an option period for an additional eight 9 months. If and when the Contractor submits the representation for FAR 52.204-24 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services- Representation, which may be submitted no later than March 31, 2028 that the Contractor represents that it does not use covered equipment and services, or there is a renewed or alternative waiver in place before that date, the Contracting Officer will provide written notice of its intent to exercise the option.

If your organization decides to submit a proposal in response to this solicitation, it must be submitted in accordance with Section L of this RFP. Offerors must also carefully review Section M – Evaluation Factors. Proposals must be submitted by email to USAID/Armenia no later than the closing date and time stated above to yerevanaidaao@usaid.gov and to Mr.

mailto:yerevanaidaao@usaid.govM

Armen Karapetyan at akarapetyan@usaid.gov. If the proposal is received after the closing date and time or if it is incomplete, it will neither be accepted nor considered unless authorized by the Contracting Officer pursuant to FAR 15.208.

Any questions regarding the RFP must be submitted via email to yerevanaidaao@usaid.gov and to Mr. Armen Karapetyan at akarapetyan@usaid.gov no later than the time stated above.

Any amendments to this solicitation will be issued and posted on www.sam.gov. Offerors are encouraged to check the website regularly. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure that the solicitation or any amendments have been received in their entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

Oral instructions, answers, or guidance from any USAID source other than the Contracting Officer prior to the award of the contract shall not be binding.

This request in no way obligates USAID to award a contract nor does it commit USAID to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. Thank you for your interest and I look forward to receiving your proposals.

Sincerely, Sascha Kemper Regional Contracting Officer USAID/Armenia mailto:akarapetyan@usaid.gov mailto:yerevanaidaao@usaid.govM mailto:akarapetyan@usaid.gov

Contents

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES/PRICES

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

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

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF BIDDERS 73

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

SOL No. 72011123R00006 USAID Strategic Communications Support Activity

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES/PRICES

B.1 PURPOSE

The aim of the USAID Strategic Communications Support Activity is to provide support to the Government of Armenia to build effective, streamlined, data-driven, and citizen-centered strategic communications systems, capacity and practices.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) completion type contract. For the consideration set forth below, the contractor must perform the tasks required in Section C (Statement of Work) and provide all deliverables and/or outputs as described in Section F.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

a. The Total Estimated Cost of the base contract for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, is [ TBD ]. The Total Fixed Fee is [ TBD ]. The Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee, if any, is [ TBD ].

b. The Total Estimated Cost for the performance of the work under the option period, if exercised, exclusive of fixed fee, is [ TBD ]. The Total Fixed Fee is [ TBD ]. The Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee, if any, is [ TBD ].

c. Within the estimated cost plus fixed fee specified above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee) for performance hereunder is [ TBD ] . The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount, unless authorized by the contracting officer pursuant to the clause of this contract entitled “Limitation of Funds (APR 1984)” FAR 52.232-22.

d. Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through [ TBD ] .

B.4 COST PLUS FIXED FEE BUDGET

The following itemized budget sets forth the estimates for reimbursement of dollar costs for cost categories and the fixed fee.

Base Contract (TBD, 2024 – TBD, 2028)

Item Total ($) Direct Costs TBD Grants under Contract TBD Indirect Costs TBD Fixed Fee TBD

Base (CLIN 0001) Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

TBD

Option Period (TBD, 2028 - TBD, 2029)

Item Total ($) Direct Costs TBD Grants under Contract TBD Indirect Costs TBD Fixed Fee TBD Option (CLIN 0002) Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

TBD

[Note to Offerors: For purposes of offeror proposals, the Base Period will be a total of four years and four months (e.g., fifty-two months) and the Option Period will be for a total of eight months. The total period of performance of base plus option year must not exceed five (5) years. Based on the award date, the dates for the Base Period and the Option Period will be established at time of award]

The amount of $1,600,000 is a lump sum exclusively reserved for GUCs. This amount does not include any relevant management or administrative expenses incurred by the contractor.

The contractor will not be paid any sum in excess of the Total Estimated Cost-Plus Fixed Fee.

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

The contract clause entitled “Allowable Cost and Payment (JUN 2013)”, FAR 52.216-7, specifies that the indirect cost rates must be established for each of the contractor’s accounting periods that apply to this contract. Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs shall be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases pursuant to the Contractor’s current executed Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA):

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD TBD% 1/ 1/ 1/

TBD TBD% 2/ 2/ 2/

1/ Base of Application: TBD Type of Rate: TBD Period: TBD 2/ Base of Application: TBD Type of Rate: TBD Period: TBD

B.6 ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING ON CEILING INDIRECT COST RATES AND FINAL

REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIRECT COSTS

The Contractor must make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect costs without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer.

Reimbursement for indirect costs must be at the lower of the negotiated final (or predetermined) rates or the following ceiling rates:

Description 2025 2026 2027 2028

TBD % % % %

The Government will not be obligated to pay any additional amount should the final indirect cost rates exceed the negotiated ceiling rates. If the final indirect cost rates are less than the negotiated ceiling rates, the negotiated rates will be reduced to conform to the lower rates.

This advance understanding must not change any monetary ceiling, obligation, or specific cost allowance or disallowance. Any changes in classifying or allocating indirect costs require the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

The Government will pay the Contractor for performing this contract the fixed fee specified in the Schedule.

In accordance with FAR 52.216-8 Fixed Fee (JUN 2011), USAID reserves the right to withhold a reserve not to exceed $100,000. The Contracting Officer must release 75 percent of all fee withholds under this contract after receipt of an adequate certified final indirect cost rate proposal covering the year of physical completion of this contract, provided the Contractor has satisfied all other contract terms and conditions, and is not delinquent in submitting final vouchers on prior years’ settlements. The Contracting Officer may release up to 90 percent of the fee withholds under this contract based on the Contractor’s past performance related to the submission and settlement of final indirect cost rate proposals.

B.8 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 and Procedures), FAR 52.216-7 Allowable Cost and Payment, FAR 52.216-8 Fixed Fee, FAR 52.232-20 Limitation of Cost, FAR 52.232-22, Limitation of Funds, if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003 Documentation for Payment.

END OF SECTION B

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of USAID Strategic Communications Support Activity (Activity) is to support the Government of Armenia (GOAM) to build effective, streamlined, data-driven, and citizen-centered strategic communications systems, capacity, and practices. Specifically, the activity will support GOAM in the following three main focus areas:

1. Enable the institutional set up and talent management of the public sector’s streamlined strategic communications.

2. Ensure the public sector has institutionalized systems and capacity for data-driven information management to inform strategic communications.

3. Foster citizen-centered strategic communications and public outreach.

C.2. BACKGROUND

Since Armenia’s peaceful political transition in 2018, the Government of Armenia has embarked on a number of key institutional reforms across sectors. At the same time, the Government has faced significant challenges with communicating these reforms and the progress made due to a number of functional and institutional constraints. These include but are not limited to:

● Limited and archaic institutional structure, resources, and capacity to strategically communicate the larger purpose and implications of launched reforms;

● Lack of mechanisms and practices for interagency and intra-agency coordination of communications;

● Lack of two-way communication culture, with the Government communicating to, rather than with, its citizens;

● Dis/misinformation campaigns from external and internal sources derailing public discourse from the reform agenda;

● Public communication largely aimed at reactively countering unfavorable narratives rather than focused on proactive and concerted messaging;

● Low media literacy levels inhibiting citizens’ ability to navigate increasingly sophisticated mis/disinformation campaigns.

These constraints have become more salient as Armenia is struggling through a fragile security environment in the aftermath of the 2020 hostilities over Nagorno Karabakh. As evident from public opinion research, the lack of coordinated, data-driven, proactive, and interactive public messaging has been undermining confidence in the Government and its ability to move the reform agenda forward and resist internal and external malign influences.

Recognizing these challenges, the Government of Armenia has committed to establishing a strategic communication system aimed at proactive communications and public engagement as part of its 2022-2024 Public Administration Reform (PAR) Strategy. This entails: developing a https://www.arlis.am/DocumentView.aspx?docID=162791 more agile institutional architecture capable of effective coordination, establishing new rules and guidelines across communication channels, devising a unified messaging voice , and enhancing the capacities of responsible staff.

C.2.1 RELATIONSHIP TO USAID/ARMENIA’s STRATEGY AND GOVERNMENT OF ARMENIA

PRIORITIES

The Activity directly aligns with sub-intermediate result 1.1.3 “Capacity and commitment for targeted transformational reforms strengthened” and contributes to sub-intermediate result

1.2.1 “Civic and political participation increased” under the results framework of USAID/Armenia’s 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) . Thus, the activity will support the attainment of intermediate results 1.1 “Effective and accountable governance institutionalized” and 1.2 “Citizen engagement for democratic consolidation increased” thereby advancing CDCS Development Objective (DO) 1 “Democratic transition advanced.” The Activity also contributes to the cross-cutting intermediate result “Increased resilience through peace, strengthening resilience to malign influence, and improving disaster response” of the CDCS Results Framework.

The activity’s approach closely aligns with the development hypothesis underlying DO 1 stating that: “IF effective and accountable governance is institutionalized by strengthening the rule of law, political representation, and the capacity and commitment to implement democratic reforms, and IF citizen engagement for democratic consolidation is increased, THEN Armenia will advance its democratic transition and be more resilient to malign influence.”

The Activity aligns with the Government of Armenia stated priorities and will support the implementation of the 2022-2024 PAR Strategy, particularly the objective of establishing a strategic communication system under the institutional modernization pillar. The Activity is also aligned with the Government of Armenia’s draft National Strategy Against Disinformation and directly contributes to the second commitment under the Open Government Partnership 2022- 2024 National Action Plan that focuses on the formation of the strategic communication architecture of the Government.

C.3 SCOPE OF WORK

The goal of this activity is to equip the Government of Armenia with effective, streamlined, data-driven, and citizen-centered strategic communication systems, capacities, and practices.

As such, the Activity will provide targeted technical assistance to enable the institutional set up and talent management for the public sector’s streamlined strategic communication (Component 1), ensure institutionalized systems and capacity for data-driven information management to inform strategic communications (Component 2), and foster citizen-centered strategic communications and public outreach (Component 3).

The three interconnected components of the activity will aim to achieve the following expected outcomes:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/CDCS-Armenia-external-September-2025-b.pdf

● Sustainable institutional structure and protocols are in place for effective internal, interagency , and external strategic communication;

● Improved government systems and technical and human capacities for effective, data-driven, message-tested, and targeted strategic communications are established, utilizing polling, focus groups, and social sentiment analysis;

● Effective strategies are developed for two-way communications, including feedback loops based on interactive discussions to generate stronger citizen engagement.

The interventions are expected to be built on international best practices and evidence-based research in building enabling systems and practices for effective strategic communication in the public sector. The Activity is expected to build on the ongoing strategic communication support to the Government of Armenia through the USAID-funded Strengthening Electoral Processes and Political Accountability (SEPPA) and Public Finance Management (PFM) Activities as well as the technical assistance provided by the European Union’s “Support to Justice Sector Reforms in Armenia: Improving strategic communication and dialogue capacities related to reform implementation project”, which is anticipated to inform the institutional approach of the Government’s strategic communication efforts.

USAID’s principal counterparts in this effort include but are not limited to: the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, currently in charge of coordinating the implementation of the Government of Armenia’s strategic communications reform under the PAR; the Information and Public Relations Center of the Prime Minister’s Office and/or any other state agency to be established in charge of strategic communication across the public administration;

communications departments in line ministries and key government agencies. The Activity is also expected to tap into the potential of the private and civil society sectors in support of the Government’s strategic communication efforts.

Given the high profile of strategic communication assistance and its contingency on the political will of the Government of Armenia, the contractor is expected to incorporate appropriate mechanisms and tools to adapt to the evolving environment and redirect assistance if there is evidence of changes in the stakeholder commitment.

C.3.1. THEORY OF CHANGE

The underlying theory of change is as follows: IF the Government of Armenia adopts an effective institutional structure and strengthens human capacity for strategic communication, employs systems and capacity for data-driven messaging and communications, and engages in citizen-centered communication; THEN the Government will improve its public trust domestically and strengthen and diversify its relationships globally.

The contract purpose will be achieved through three interconnected Components, as described below.

C.3.2. COMPONENT 1: INSTITUTIONAL SET UP AND TALENT MANAGEMENT FOR

STREAMLINED STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

Armenia recognizes the vital role of strategic communication in driving national development, fostering public trust, and advancing its global standing. To advance these objectives, the Government of Armenia must undertake a transformative initiative to establish a robust institutional setup and implement effective talent management practices in strategic communication. Institutional setup and talent management for streamlined strategic communication refers to the organizational structure, processes, and practices put in place, as well as professional and sufficient human resources to effectively manage and execute communication strategies in a coordinated and efficient manner. This approach aims to ensure that the Government’s communication efforts are aligned with its policy goals, consistent in messaging across the interagency, and capable of reaching its target audiences effectively.

Under Component1, the Contractor must thoroughly assess the current state of how cross-government communication efforts are organized, staffed, budgeted and executed. To facilitate consistent and coherent messaging across the government, the Contractor must further develop communication policies and protocols that are ambitious yet feasible within the present stage of institutional set-up, human resources, and state budget constraints. It must establish policies and protocols that will facilitate streamlined communication efforts and maintain a unified corporate voice across the central government.

In furtherance of this strategy, the Contractor must develop a context-relevant comprehensive plan for the human resource management of the government’s communication function both within the coordinating body (should one be designated) and key government agencies. To ensure the continuous professional development of communications staff, the Contractor must design and deliver comprehensive and specialized training programs tailored for government officials and staff responsible for communication. The training modules must be streamlined, concise, and hands-on. Based on the communication audit findings and recommendations, potential training themes can include, but are not limited to, public relations, media relations, content creation, message development, speechwriting, public speaking, digital marketing, audience analysis, social listening, crisis communication, and cross-functional collaboration.

The Contractor must also provide tailored communications counsel to senior government officials (e.g. deputy ministers, ministers, chiefs of staff, department heads, who publicly represent their respective agencies) as relevant and necessary. The Contractor must ensure that the core training program is institutionalized and remains available for the onboarding of incoming staff. The Contractor must work with the government to ensure the long-term sustainability of the developed institutional structure and human capital beyond the performance period of the Contract.

The Contractor must assist the Government of Armenia to establish a robust online presence and effectively utilize digital platforms, including but not limited to revamping official websites, social media channels, and other digital communication tools for improved interactivity, ease of finding information, and greater public access through various device types .

The Contractor must support the Government to develop comprehensive communication plans, including for emergency situations, and must provide real-time support in crafting appropriate messages and efficiently managing communication responses when needed.

The Contractor must, at a minimum, execute the following tasks under Component 1:

● Conduct communication audits across civilian, non-law enforcement Government agencies

(Ministries, Bodies under the Government, Bodies under the Prime Minister, regional authorities/Marzpetarans) to assess their current communication practices based on a tailored methodology and sampling strategy. These audits must also assess the openness of GOAM communications cadre to utilizing advanced information systems, data processes, and data analytics tools.

● In consultation with key stakeholders, develop or update the standard operating procedures for whole-of-government (internal, interagency, and external) communication, including crisis communication. These procedures will define the approved brand voice, communication standards, and protocols for different types of communication. In developing standard operating procedures, the Contractor must ensure that gender and inclusive development considerations are included in the process of context analysis, objective formulation, target audience identification, message design, and dissemination platform selection.

● Upon confirming the need, support the establishment of a unified structure of communication divisions across state agencies, including organizational and reporting/accountability structures based on relevant best practices and feasibility in the public service cadre and budget context.

● Design and deliver specialized training programs for government communication cadre. The training will focus on enhancing skills in areas such as public relations, content creation, digital marketing, audience analysis, social listening, crisis communication, and cross-functional collaboration, all of which are to be identified and confirmed based on the communication audit findings, technical recommendations, and in discussion with the relevant GOAM counterparts.

● Support the government in setting up, expanding, or upgrading the framework for continuous monitoring and evaluation of communication campaigns and initiatives. Provide regular reporting and feedback to facilitate continuous improvements and adjustments to communication strategies over time. Data analytics interventions must be user-friendly and designed with input and feedback from end-users. Data systems and data produced must be interoperable with current and anticipated information and data systems, data processes, and data analytics tools.

● Identify the needs for and support with equipment/software to advance communication efforts. Digital interventions and technologies introduced must be accompanied by training for end-users and documentation including user guides and/or training manuals.

● Provide ongoing consultation and support to the Government of Armenia in matters related https://www.gov.am/en/structure/ to communication practices, ensuring that the communication efforts remain aligned with Armenia's strategic development goals and Contract objectives throughout the period of performance.

In executing the tasks under Component 1, the Contractor must ensure the integration of gender-sensitive approaches into the talent management and professional development tools to be produced and implemented within the activity; develop the capacities of the strategic communications cadre to avoid depicting men and women in exclusively stereotypical, disempowering or traditional ways; be sensitive to diversity in gender identification and sexual orientation; and practice the “Do No Harm” approach.

Additional and specified interventions to achieve the expected outcome and results, and perform the tasks identified will be incorporated into the activity work plans.

Component 1 Expected Results:

● Sustainable institutional structure for effective internal, interagency, and external strategic communications developed and operational; Technical capacity/infrastructure for effective public sector strategic communication improved;

● Human capacity for effective public sector strategic communication improved;

● Strategic communication coordination between government agencies enhanced.

C.3.3. COMPONENT 2: SYSTEMS AND CAPACITY FOR DATA-DRIVEN INFORMATION

MANAGEMENT IS STRENGTHENED

Under Component 2, the Contractor must provide demand-driven technical assistance for, including but not limited to, analytical support, research studies, general training, and on-the-job counseling to support the institutionalization, operationalization, and capacity building of Government staff to employ systems and capacity for data-driven information management.

Ensuring institutionalized systems and capacity for data-driven information management means establishing robust and sustainable processes within the government to effectively collect, analyze, and utilize data to test and inform strategic communication efforts. This approach recognizes the critical role that data plays in shaping, executing, and adjusting effective communication strategies and decision-making.

The Contractor will support the Government of Armenia to build capacities and implement systems to measure the impact of communication efforts through data analytics. By analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), this data-driven approach will provide valuable insights to refine communication strategies by informing the messages, approaches, and delivery mechanisms and providing near-real-time evaluation of the effectiveness of communication efforts. The Contractor must help build the capacity of the Government of Armenia to generate timely answers to questions such as:

● What is public opinion and key audience sentiment toward issues relevant to Armenia’s democratic reform process?

● What issues, reforms, or changes should be communicated, in which ways, and through which mediums to reach different audiences and channels?

● How effective are different messages or communications approaches vis-a-vis different audiences? What resonates and what communications approaches and messages should be improved?

● What are the main disinformation narratives and sources at the time and how to best manage them?

The Contractor must, at a minimum, execute the following tasks under Component 2:

● Establish, expand, or upgrade the framework for GOAM’s systematic collection of relevant data from various sources. This may entail surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, website analytics, social media monitoring, social listening, disinformation mapping, or other data collection methods.

● Establish and implement GOAM-overseen systems for regular public opinion research, audience analysis, social listening, testing of messaging, and evaluation of public outreach campaigns.

● Develop and support GOAM’s implementing tools and techniques to analyze the collected data effectively. These may include but are not limited to data visualization, statistical analysis, or employing data analytics software to derive meaningful insights.

● Build the capacity of government staff to integrate publicly accessible and privacy-respecting data from different sources to create a comprehensive view of audience behavior and preferences. This may include but not be limited to integrating data consensually provided from customer relationship management systems, social media platforms, website analytics tools, and other relevant sources. This may include automated approaches to collecting and aggregating anonymized and publicly available data.

● Support the Government to set up or improve systems and implement data analytics for measuring the effectiveness and/or impact of communication efforts. This includes identifying KPIs and regularly analyzing the data to provide valuable insights that can refine strategies and enhance overall effectiveness.

● Provide training and resources to government staff to develop their data literacy skills. The training must focus on understanding data analysis techniques, data visualization, and interpretation, enabling them to communicate data and to make data-informed decisions in their communication efforts.

● Build the capacity of target government staff for disinformation mapping, media ecosystem analysis, social listening, and monitoring.

● Issue grants under contract to facilitate partnerships with think tanks and analytical centers to complement the government’s analytical capacity to inform strategic communications efforts.

In executing the tasks under Component 2, the Contractor must build the capacity of the government staff and introduce actionable practices to incorporate gender disaggregation and nuance/specifics into the framework for analyzing audience segments, gauging message perception, and evaluating public outreach campaigns, in a privacy-respecting manner, to ensure that strategic communication interventions are informed and designed in a gender-sensitive and socially inclusive manner to reach the target audiences.

Additional and specified interventions to achieve the expected outcome and results, and perform the tasks identified will be incorporated into the activity work plans.

Component 2 Expected Results:

● Streamlined interagency framework for data collection, analysis and coordination developed or enhanced;

● Functional system/platform for monitoring, data gathering, and analysis developed and employed;

● Knowledge, skills, and expertise of the government designated staff for data-driven and audience-oriented communications enhanced;

● Communication cadre’s capacities to identify and counter disinformation and malign narratives increased.

C.3.4. COMPONENT 3: CITIZEN-CENTERED STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC

OUTREACH SUPPORT

In the dynamic context of Armenia, effective communication plays a pivotal role in cultivating trust, promoting transparency, and empowering citizens to actively engage in the democratic process. Under Component 3, the Contractor must establish a strong and inclusive communication framework for the Government of Armenia that places citizens at the forefront of the conversation. Through the utilization of data-driven insights and innovative communication approaches developed under Component 2, the Contractor must provide technical assistance to strengthen the connection between the Government of Armenia and its citizens guaranteeing that information is readily accessible, comprehensible, and tailored to meet and, where necessary, manage citizens' expectations. By fostering an informed and engaged citizenry, this Activity will reinforce democratic values and enhance public participation in shaping Armenia's future, as well as build a more responsive public administration through effective communication and meaningful citizen engagement.

The contractor must, at a minimum, execute the following tasks under Component 3:

● Conduct a comprehensive mapping of existing public outreach platforms, including but not limited to official websites and social media channels, pages, handles and personas of public officials and assess their effectiveness and reach. Based on the assessment, update and optimize these platforms to enhance citizen engagement and improve their access to relevant information.

● Support the government stakeholders to design and implement strategic communications campaigns focusing on two to three key democratic reform areas per year, with unified branding. This includes supporting the Government in conducting audience segmentation to target specific demographics, developing compelling content and messages, and employing various distribution channels to ensure effective dissemination.

● Strengthen partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs), media outlets, and the private sector by devising a dedicated grants pool for civic actors to support the amplification of issue-based content through tailored communication campaigns to promote democratic advancement.

● Implement and scale interactive citizen engagement platforms that facilitate two-way communication between the government and its citizens. Establish effective feedback loops through mechanisms, such as hotlines, online surveys, town-hall meetings, and other channels to encourage citizens to share their opinions, suggestions, and concerns.

In executing the tasks under Component 3, the Contractor must establish inclusive mechanisms that fully integrate vulnerable and marginalized groups in feedback loops and communication frameworks. In addition, the Contractor must support the production of communication campaigns oriented towards positive attitude/behavior change that challenge stereotypes, counter gender-based violence, promote equality and empower women and youth.

Additional and specified interventions to achieve the expected outcome and results, and perform the tasks identified will be incorporated into the activity work plans.

Component 3 Expected Results:

● Targeted strategic communication campaigns spur the public discourse and generate support for democratic reforms;

● The public receives more frequent information and has higher awareness about key institutional reforms;

● The Government consistently uses platforms, channels or mechanisms for two-way strategic communications enabling citizens to conveniently provide feedback, suggestions, and opinions;

● The Government has increased capacity or improved systems for continually and consistently incorporating citizens’ feedback, suggestions, and opinions into public policy making;

● The Government develops stronger partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs), media outlets, and the private sector.

C.4 TECHNICAL GUIDELINES AND CONSIDERATIONS:

Digital Strategy and Use of Information Technologies: USAID’s Digital Strategy charts an Agency-wide vision for development and humanitarian assistance in the world’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. The Digital Strategy seeks to improve measurable development and humanitarian assistance outcomes through the responsible use of digital technology and to strengthen the openness, inclusiveness, and security of country-level digital ecosystems. The https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/USAID_Digital_Strategy.pdf.pdf contractor must be responsive to the USAID Digital Strategy and the USAID-endorsed Principles for Digital Development.

Where appropriate, the contractor must introduce context-appropriate digital information, technology-based solutions and systems to enable and streamline effective, data-driven, and citizen-centered strategic communications. The contractor must seek commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) digital solutions, including open source, when possible as opposed to developing bespoke technologies specifically under the activity. The contractor must avoid vendor lock-in for digital solutions by prioritizing interoperability when selecting and implementing digital solutions. The contractor must seek to reuse, improve, and scale-up digital solutions already being used by the Government stakeholders when possible. All digital solutions and information technology systems introduced under the Activity will be transferred to the immediate ownership of the host government at the national and local levels, as appropriate. The contractor must support the Government in budgeting for sustainability of digital solutions after the life of the activity, including maintenance costs, data management costs, cybersecurity costs, and training costs.

Localization and Sustainability of Efforts: The contractor must ensure that the systems, knowledge, and skills introduced during the performance of the contract are properly and in a timely manner transferred to relevant local actors. The contractor must, therefore, incorporate feasibility assessments throughout the performance of the work to ensure, on a best effort basis, that there is demonstrated commitment and potential capacity among local actors to adapt and claim ownership of introduced systems, processes, and capacities. In addition, all information technology systems introduced under the activity will be transferred to the immediate ownership of the host government at the national and local levels, as appropriate.

The contractor must thus contribute to USAID/Armenia’s overarching strategy to help Armenian partners to advance toward and transition to self-reliance.

Adaptive Management: Given the changing nature of the communications landscape, the activity must incorporate approaches for adapting to the evolving environment, including if there is evidence of changes in stakeholder commitment. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and complex geo-political situation highlighted the necessity for contingency planning and adapting to new modalities of operations in emergency situations. The Contractor must therefore incorporate adaptive management practices and contingency plans to ensure responsive programming and uninterrupted operations.

The Contractor must ensure that the activity remains responsive to new information and contextual changes and recommend appropriate adjustments. This includes consultations with USAID, the government, local government partners, private sector, donor organizations and other stakeholders as well as the effective use of iterative assessments and key data points from monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA) efforts.

The Contractor’s approach to adaptive management should also examine how to best take advantage of the flexibility of this mechanism to respond to targeted technical needs or other unanticipated requests as they may arise. MEL will be a key component of the activity’s approach to adaptive management and its CLA agenda. The Contractor must develop a systematic method for collecting and analyzing performance data and other information to track progress toward planned results, ensure effective management and oversight, and enable data-based decision-making and refinements to the activity.

The Contractor must guarantee that sufficient human and financial resources are allocated for MEL and CLA, including the development and launch/release of outreach materials such as videos, to promote activity accomplishments and the replication of success.

Coordination with other USAID, US Government, and Other Donors: The contractor must implement this activity in close coordination with other USAID and US Government activities in democracy and governance, economic growth, public financial management, and social sectors to the extent there is alignment with the objectives of the activity. In particular, the most relevant other projects include:

● Media Program in Armenia, implemented by Internews, particularly as it relates to strengthening the integrity of the information space in Armenia, countering disinformation, and fostering an enabling environment for independent information flow.

● Civil Society in Action Activity, implemented by Counterpart International, particularly as it relates to enhancing CSO and Government dialogues on public policy and promoting locally-led development.

● Strengthening Electoral Processes and Political Accountability (SEPPA), implemented by CEPPS (IFES/NDI/IRI), and the anticipated follow-on activity, particularly as it relates to facilitating informed and responsive government policies and enhanced communications with the public.

● Armenia Civics for Engagement, implemented by Project Harmony, that aims to empower youth to advance democratic principles and influence public policy by actively engaging in collective action.

● USAID’s government-to-government agreement with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure in support of territorial and administrative reform, and, as relevant, current agreements with the Ministry of Justice and any future government-to-government agreements.

● USAID’s Public Finance Management (PFM) activity working with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in support of the program budgeting in this sector.

The contractor must coordinate with and leverage the efforts of other development partners in relevant areas, including the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Council of Europe, World Bank, U.S. Embassy, UNDP, UK Embassy, and others.

C.5 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

The contract will include Grants Under Contract (GUC) as one of the tools that will be used to implement the activity. GUCs will be used to support achieving the goals in Objectives 2 and 3 particularly.

Grants will be provided to local non-governmental organizations to improve strategic communications, public understanding, and participation in the government's initiatives. This may include but is not limited to, grants for organizations to implement projects that align with the government's communication goals; to disseminate accurate and accessible information about government policies, programs, and actions through conducting research, producing reports, organizing events, creating media content, and utilizing various channels to communicate with the public effectively; engaging with the public through surveys, consultations, town halls, or other participatory methods; exploring and suggesting approaches allowing the government to leverage the expertise and outreach capabilities of think tanks and civil society organizations, that can lead to broader and more impactful communication efforts than the government alone might achieve. This engagement can help the government understand public sentiments and concerns, leading to more responsive policies.

The specific objectives and mechanics of Grants may vary depending on the government's context, its communication goals, and the scope of engagement with external organizations.

However, the overall aim is to improve strategic communications, public understanding, and participation in the government's initiatives.

The Contractor may expend up to $1,600,000 for grants during the life of the activity.

The activity may have a flexible approach to grants, including providing a combination of smaller, shorter-term grants and larger, multi-year grants. The Contractor must ensure clear, transparent, and competitive procedures for grants under contract. The Contractor must ensure that such funds are offered in a manner that (a) ensures the desired outcome; (b) maximizes leverage of non-USAID funds; (c) minimizes the potential for significant market-distortions, and; (d) ensures additionality.

C.6 ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITIES AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

The Contractor must have the necessary mix of staff and requisite levels of professional expertise, adapted as needed, to implement the activity and must identify, recruit, hire, and support appropriate candidates for the key personnel positions.

The Contractor’s successful track record must demonstrate that it can ensure the sustainability of intervention outcomes, including proven methodologies for engaging and building strong relationships with host government counterparts, promoting knowledge management, pursuing creative approaches, and institutionalizing reform.

The Contractor must have a combination of core staff to manage regularly scheduled work and deliverables as well as short-term advisors, experts, and specialists to conduct periodic or one-off tasks, in accordance with all three components. The team collectively must possess a deep cadre of high-level specialists in the capacity building of public institutions; curricula development and dissemination; information and communications technology; change management; program management; stakeholder engagement, including PSE; and gender equality and social inclusion.

Consistent with the Agency Policy of Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, USAID/Armenia promotes social equity and inclusion in its hiring and management practices and encourages Offerors to do the same through the staff plan and management approach.

The Contractor must demonstrate institutional commitment to gender equality and social inclusion and must consider equitable balance in staffing and staff requirements; personnel systems, hiring, and management; and capacity development principles and approaches. It is critical for the sustainability of the activities to be initiated under this program that the Contractor engages local experts. When qualified personnel are available, the Contractor should utilize local personnel with appropriate prior experience and expertise.

Professional-level skills and management practices are required in the performance of this contract. Accordingly, the Contractor must establish an effective quality control program to assure that deliverables and other products meet professional standards and comply with requirements.

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 program construction sites and other program 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 should be obtained prior to procurement of commodities to be shipped, and as early as possible for program construction sites and other program 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 program 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 should be retained by the Contractor.

D.2 COMPLIANCE WITH BRANDING STRATEGY AND BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION &

MARKING PLANS

The Contractor must comply with the approved Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP) dated [to be completed at the time of award], which is incorporated as a material part of this Contract as an Attachment [to be completed at the time of award].

b. The Activity BIP/MP is incorporated as a material part of this contract.

c. The Contractor must comply with the following Branding Strategy for the contract:

● Activity Name: The name of the activity is USAID Strategic Communication Support. In every public event or document and in discussions with the Government of Armenia and other counterparts, the Contractor must identify the activity as “USAID Strategic Communications Support” in each reference.

● Communicate Sponsorship: USAID is mandated to mark its foreign assistance with the USAID identity (logo) and tagline, “From the American People.” Therefore, in all USAID-funded and related activities, the activity will consistently highlight USAID.

(1) TEXTUALLY: Contractor will include references to USAID in all printed outreach and communications materials, including but not limited to, reports, press releases, website content, social media postings, invitations, publications, fact sheets, presentations, and promotional materials relating to the activity.

(2) VERBALLY: Contractor will ensure that USAID is publicly credited in all…