SIMPLE_IDIQ_DRAFT_RFP.pdf

Issuance Date: May 15, 2014 Deadline for questions: May 22, 2014 at 12pm Cairo time

Subject: Request for Proposals (RFP) No. SOL-263-14-000005

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking proposals to provide Services to Improve Performance Management, Enhance Learning and Evaluation (SIMPLE) for USAID/Egypt as described in the attached Request for Proposals (RFP). USAID anticipates the award of one (1) five-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contract

(IDIQ).

USAID anticipates that the maximum aggregate ordering limitation for contracts resulting from this RFP will be $24,500,000 over the five-year ordering period. The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded cannot exceed this contract ceiling. There is no guarantee on the number of task orders that the successful contractor will receive or the amount of money beyond the minimum order guarantee set forth in the RFP.

Please refer to Section L for information regarding proposal requirements. Failure to comply with the submission date will deem any submission unacceptable and it will not be reviewed or evaluated. Faxed proposals are not acceptable, nor will they be reviewed or evaluated.

Section L of the RFP sets forth all instructions for the preparation and submission of required proposal contents, including critical dates/times for the submission of questions, and the proposal submission closing date and time. Section M states the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated. Oral explanations or instructions given before award of the contract will not be binding.

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 can be viewed and downloaded from www.fedbizopps.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 website from which you downloaded the solicitation. USAID advises to regularly check the above website for amendments.

Sincerely, Ralph V. Koehring Contracting Officer, USAID http://www.fedbizopps.gov/

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 Scope of Work (SOW) specified in Section C for Services to Improve Performance Management, Enhance Learning and Evaluation (SIMPLE). USAID Task Order Contracting Officers (TOCOs) will request the work through the issuance of task orders during the ordering period as specified in Section F of the contract. The Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quality (IDIQ) will include all CORE activities.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract. The Government will issue task orders that are Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee (CPFF). The Contractor must perform the services set forth in task orders at prices consistent with section B of this contract.

B.3 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

This is a single award Indefinite Quantity Contract (IDIQ) with an overall ceiling price of $24,500,000 for USAID/Egypt. The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded to all contractors must not exceed the contract ceiling.

B.4 FIXED FEE CEILING (Cost-Plus- Fixed-Fee Type Only)

(a) For each task order issued under this IDIQ, the TOCO and Contractor agree to negotiate a set dollar amount for fixed fee. In negotiating the fixed dollar amount for fee, the TOCO must consider the policies and factors for establishing fee in FAR 15.404-4 as well as any applicable USAID policy on establishing a fixed fee amount. In no event, however, may the amount of fixed fee in any individual task order exceed _____ percent of the task order’s estimated cost, excluding fee). This fee must not be applied to costs that have a separate fee ceiling established below. The fee ceiling applies to the Offeror.

NOTE: The ceiling on fixed fee does not apply to Fixed-Priced Task Orders.

(b) The Total Estimated Cost -Plus- Fixed- Fee for each Task Order must be negotiated in accordance with the terms of this contract.

(c) Fixed Fee Payment. For any Task Order issued under this Contract, at the time of each payment of allowable costs to the contractor, the USAID paying office ordinarily pays the contractor a percentage of fixed fees that directly corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs being paid. Two exceptions to paying fixed fee in this manner apply:

(1) If the TOCO determines that this method results in paying a disproportionately higher ratio of fixed fee than the percentage of work that the contractor has completed, then the TOCO may suspend further payment of any fixed fee until the contractor has made sufficient progress to justify further payment, up to the agreed percentage.

(2) Because the clauses entitled "Allowable Cost and Payment" (FAR 52.216-7) and "Fixed Fee" (FAR 52.216-8) are incorporated into this Contract, the terms and conditions of these clauses apply after total payments of fixed fee reach eighty-five percent (85%) of the total fixed fee.

B.5 CONTRACT LINE ITEMS (CLINs):

Contract Line Items for core functions:

Total Estimated Cost Fixed Fee Total Estimated Cost-plus-fixed-fee

Contract Line Items for fixed-price task orders.

B.6 LABOR

(Only applicable to cost reimbursement type task orders)

a) Central management costs will be handled through the following method:

The Contracting Officer has determined that a key (full-time) technical manager is not necessary or required to administer the basic IDIQ. Contractors will not be authorized to bill USAID directly for IDIQ management costs under this IDIQ or under task orders.

Contractors shall propose a centralized management structure that allows for recovery of IDIQ management costs as part of its indirect costs.

b) The work day and work week policies and method of accounting for paid absences including holidays for the contractor is set forth in Attachment J.

Compensation of personnel under this contract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation (July 2007) (See Section H.).

B.6 (a) Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates (CDR)

(1) The task order rates must not exceed the ceiling daily rates set forth in the table below.

Each CDR for personnel listed below is “unburdened” and must only include salary costs or consulting rates of the individual providing the services.

The CDR for employees must not include the following:

• Payroll costs (fringe benefits, FICA, allowances, differentials, etc.);

• Indirect Costs applicable to labor; and

• Profit or fee, if any.

The CDRs set forth below are fixed for the contract period and are for a productive eight (8) hour day. Actual salaries for all personnel will be negotiated under task orders and final approval is provided by the TOCO. The ceiling rates presented below do not constitute approval of final salary rates above the Contractor Salary Threshold (CST) (see ADS 302).

(2) The single unburdened ceiling daily rate for each labor category/group below represents the mid-level and senior level rate in each category/grouping. One unburdened ceiling daily rate for each labor category/grouping is included in the contract to provide more flexibility under task orders. If junior-level personnel are required under task orders, they must be proposed at rates below the unburdened ceiling daily rate.

Example:

Labor Category Groupings Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Gender Integration Training Specialist Gender Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Sr.

Mid Administrative (Includes Security, Secretarial support, Drivers, etc.)

Mid

[Note 1: The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates apply to any task order(s) that are awarded under this contract.]

[Note 2: The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates apply to all U.S. Personnel. CCN and TCN labor are governed by the local compensation plan limitations as further provided in note 3 below.]

[Note 3: Locally Hired National Personnel or Other Non-U.S. Expatriate Rates

All locally hired national personnel and other non-U.S. expatriates must be paid in accordance with AIDAR 722.170.

Salaries for individual locally-hired personnel and other non-U.S. expatriates under this contract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007, Personnel Compensation (July 2007), and should be based upon a combination of factors including the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country as determined by USAID and consideration of the individual's education, work experience and recent relevant salary history.

Unless otherwise authorized by USAID, the compensation for CCN and TCN labor shall not exceed the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country as determined by USAID and shall be paid in the currency of the cooperating country.]

[Note 4: The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates above do not apply to Fixed-priced task Orders.]

(3) Definition of labor categories:

Sample

Senior Performance Monitoring Specialist (Key Personnel)

This individual will be responsible for leading and managing the technical work related to performance monitoring under this contract. Among other relevant tasks, the Senior Performance Monitoring Specialist will conduct Data Quality Analyses in accordance with ADS 203;

lead/oversee the review of project-level M&E plans, and work to ensure the quality and utility of performance monitoring data. This individual will also support the Field Monitors by reviewing reporting methods, carrying out training needs analyses, designing reporting tools, and advising technical offices on ways to improve field monitor performance.

Sample qualifications

B.6 (b) Minimum Qualifications

In order to perform the statement of work set forth in Section C, the Contractor must provide personnel that meet the minimum education and experience requirements set forth below. These minimum qualifications for mid-level and senior personnel correspond to the Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates above.

Sample Qualifications

The candidate must possess an advanced degree in a relevant field such as international development, statistics, economics, with emphasis on monitoring and evaluations, and a minimum of ten years of progressively more responsible experience in the following areas:

• Indicator development, data collection and analysis, data quality assessments, statistical methods and/or performance monitoring and/or reporting.

• Substantive experience leveraging performance monitoring data for the improvement of ongoing project management.

• Previous experience working in Egypt is preferred.

• Arabic skills are preferred.

• Project management skills are desirable.

B.6(c) Subcontractor Rates.

The following provides guidance for various subcontracting arrangements:

(i) The Prime subcontracts with an approved subcontractor from the original IDIQ competition

The unburdened CDR’s for the prime contract apply to the subcontractor.

(ii) The Prime contracts with a new subcontractor not yet approved

The unburdened CDR’s for the prime contract apply to the new subcontractor.

(iii) Prime subcontracts with a new subcontractor not yet approved and may or may not have a different cost accounting system that only processes fully burdened rates. Further, subcontractor proposes rates that are “above” the prime IDIQ rates.

The Prime may then include in its TO proposal, (i) the fully burdened rate proposed to the Prime by the Subcontractor,(ii) allocation of the Prime’s indirect costs in accordance with established accounting practices, and (iii) a reasonable profit. If the rates proposed to USAID, inclusive of the Prime’s allocable indirect costs and a reasonable profit are above the Prime’s unburdened CDRs , the Prime must disclose the amount of the indirect costs, and the amount of the proposed profit that were added to the Subcontractor’s proposed rates. A reasonable profit will be negotiated by the TOCO for the specific TO. The CDRs of the subcontractor must not exceed the prime’s CDRs in the IDIQ contract.

B.7 LABOR (UNBURDENED CDR) RATE CHANGES

The labor rates are fixed for all contract years; however, the Contractor may submit a proposal reducing the labor rates and/or indirect rates at any time during the life of this contract. The Government will review these proposals and determine if the revised rates are realistic and in the best interests of the Government. If the rates are accepted, the Government will modify the contract by incorporating the new rates into the contract.

B.8 INDIRECT COSTS AND ADVANCED UNDERSTANDING ON CEILINGS

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 for contractors.

Offeror Fringe Rate

Overhead Rate %

Overhead Ceiling Rate%

G&A Rate %

G&A Ceiling Rate %

PRIME (Insert Name) Base of Application Source: (insert) Period: (insert)

SUBCONTRACTOR(S)

Name (s))

Base of Application Source: (insert) Period: (insert)

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

*Special Note: The un-shaded columns in the indirect cost table are the current approved indirect cost rates for the prime and major subcontractor(s).

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, but not in excess of ceiling rates specified above.

The Government shall not be obligated to pay any additional amount associated with indirect costs above the ceiling rates established in the contract. This advance understanding shall not change any monetary ceiling, cost limitation, or obligation established in the contract.

NOTE: For Fixed-priced Task Orders, the overhead ceilings serve as the basis for negotiation only.

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 contactor’s NICRA.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OFWORK

C.1 PURPOSE

USAID/Egypt requirements outstrip workforce resources available to effectively perform assessments and rigorous analyses, gather baseline data, track results, periodically report on progress, verify data, perform evaluations, respond to ad-hoc requests for information, manage recordkeeping, and other project development and program office functions. Moreover, in light of USAID Forward principles, the Mission is directing funding to local organizations and mechanisms. Many of these local organizations, however, lack the skills necessary to effectively manage performance and conduct independent evaluations and verification activities. As such, the Program Office plans to award a contract to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of performance management of USAID/Egypt’s portfolio, as well as to improve the information and reporting mechanisms, products, and systems.

The purpose of SIMPLE is to execute a host of services to improve the efficiency of programs implemented by the Mission’s Technical Offices. These services include activity/project designs, assessments, evaluations, management information and reporting and mapping. In addition, technical assistance is to be provided to the Program Office to collect and disseminate public information and enhance the quality of data.

The primary purpose of this award is to improve performance management at all levels to help the Mission meet Agency requirements, make better informed strategic and management decisions, and advance Agency learning.

C.2 BACKGROUND

Recent refinements in USAID’s policies on evaluation, along with recent changes in the Agency’s guidance on performance management - have increased the priority high premium of monitoring and evaluation at USAID. Additionally, the high political profile of U.S. assistance to Egypt requires that the Mission report rapidly and in greater detail to a diverse set of external stakeholders such as Congress, the State Department, the National Security Council, and auditors. Additionally, in response to the revolution and the need to have an immediate impact on economic development and promoting the principals of democracy, USAID/Egypt issued two Annual Performance Statements which significantly increased number of awards the Mission managed. Currently, the Mission is managing approximately 70 awards. In 2013 and 2014, because of Egypt’s 2013 revolution, the ordered departure, and a backlog of funding to recalibrate and program, USAID requirements, outstrips workforce resources available to effectively perform assessments , gather baseline data, track results, periodically report on progress, verify data, perform evaluations, respond to ad-hoc requests for information, manage recordkeeping, and other project development and Program Office functions. Moreover, in light of USAID Forward Principals, the Mission is directing additional funding to local organizations and mechanisms. Many of these local organizations, however, lack the skills necessary to effectively manage performance and conduct independent evaluations and verification activities.

As such, the Program Office plans to develop and award an IQC to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of performance management of USAID/Egypt’s portfolio, as well as to improve the information and reporting mechanisms, products, and systems.

C.3 OBJECTIVE

Under SIMPLE, the contractor will provide select services to the Program Office and Mission Technical Offices: 1. Education; 2. Public Health; 3. Economic Growth; and 4. Democracy and Governance.

The Contractor shall provide the following services to the Program Office and other technical offices in the Mission:

A. Performance Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation: Update, improve, and support implementation of the Mission’s monitoring and evaluation procedures and programs. Support services would include assisting the Mission with: 1. performance management planning; 2. performance management training of implementing partners and staff; 3. field-based monitoring; 4. evaluations;

B. Project/Program Design: Provide the Program Office and Mission technical offices with Project/Program Development and Design assistance via short and long-term technical consultants. Such assistance would include providing the Program Office and Mission technical offices with short-term technical assistance that will: 1. conduct sectoral and geographic assessments; 2. conduct topical and geographical research relating to development in Egypt; 3. other project development design assistance as required; and 4.

collect baseline data.

C. Information Management: Provide support for information management that will enable USAID/Egypt to be more responsive to the many data calls it receives with accurate and consistent data necessary for reports and briefing materials.

C.4 STATEMENT OF WORK

The Contractor shall accomplish the objectives above by completing the tasks listed below.

The COR will issue work orders that will instruct the contractor as to the specific tasks to accomplish within the broad tasks set out below. The COR will send work orders via electronic mail to the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party.

Objective A: Performance Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation

A.1 Performance Management

Performance management is first and foremost the responsibility of the USAID/Egypt Mission staff, and as such, monitoring of project implementation and reporting on project results is an essential responsibility of AORs/CORs and project managers in the technical offices. These fundamental project management responsibilities cannot be delegated to the Program Office or its contractor. The Mission and AORs/COR use Performance Management Plans (PMP) to systematically monitor the results achieved towards the Mission’s Assistance Objectives by collecting and analyzing performance data for each indicator, and comparing it with previously established baseline situations and targets. This information is used to monitor whether planned results are being achieved, as defined in the USAID Country Development and Coordination Strategy and Project Appraisal Document. The contractor will coordinate with the Program Office to assist technical offices and implementing partners in developing and updating their PMPs. The Contractor will assist the Program Office and technical offices in monitoring program results against stated indicators in the Performance Plan and Report (PPR) and Mission results framework. As part of this activity, the SIMPLE will assist Mission technical office and implementing partner staff in ensuring that data quality assessments have been conducted for the indicators on which the programs are reporting. Any Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) contracted to do this work will work with implementing partner CORs and AORs; and while carrying out their duties will identify themselves as contractors rather than USG representatives.

Task 1: The Contractor will assist the Program Office and Mission technical offices to develop, finalize, and/or implement a PMP for the Mission. This may include revising PMPs at the Development Objective (DO), Intermediate Result (IR), and Sub-IR to respond and adhere to new standard indicators, and other relevant guidance for Egypt with final approval by the Mission. (CORE)

Task 2: The Contractor will work with the Program Office Backstops and Mission technical office to review and finalize project level PMPs. This may include revising PMPs to respond and adhere to new standard indicators, Agency policy, review existing baselines and control groups data to ensure conformity with USAID Evaluation Policy and other relevant guidance for Egypt with final approval by the AOR/COR. (CORE)

Task 3: The Contractor will build the capacity of USAID/Egypt’s implementing partners in order to effectively manage for performance to ensure that PMP-related data is being captured and reported accurately. This includes trainings on performance management systems, data specifications/protocols, baseline data collection, site visit monitoring, and conducting evaluations. (Task Orders)

Task 4: The Contractor will organize M&E workshops with USAID/Egypt staff, implementing partners, Egyptian non-governmental organizations, and private sector, as necessary; coordinate data collection and reporting requirements; and understand the PMP and other reporting requirements and data. (Task Orders)

A.2 Monitoring - Increased frequency and quality of project monitoring

Effective performance management calls for the use of performance data through collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating results. Data collection includes not only those indicators specified in the Mission’s Performance Management Plan (PMP), but also those which are collected through project M&E plans, sub-activity reports, field monitor reports, and secondary data received from other stakeholders. Monitoring performance during an intervention is critical to understanding how USAID/Egypt should correct the course of an award and/or how to develop future programming. As such, the Contractor will assist in monitoring the results of USAID activities and programs on beneficiaries, communities and local organizations (including baseline surveys, mid-term, and final evaluations), in accordance with USAID policy.

Ultimately, the Contractor will assist Mission technical offices with third-party, field-based monitoring of project activities, collecting performance information related to Mission level report.

Task 5: The Contractor shall provide short and long-term technical assistance for the purpose of conducting third party field-based monitoring, and related activities.

(Task Orders)

Task 6: The Contractor will assist with relevant USAID/Egypt staff to track program results against indicators, targets, and baselines in the PMP and PPR. The Contractor will analyze data presented by USAID implementing partners in their periodic reports and updates to ensure quality and accuracy. (CORE)

Task 7: Per USAID instruction, provide annual analysis of and reporting on the overall trend of the country and by governorate. (Task Orders)

Task 8: The Contractor will also support project implementers and technical teams by conducting data quality assessments and independent analysis at the directive of USAID staff. (Task Orders)

A.3. Evaluation - Increased use of evaluation and assessment results

The Contractor will conduct evaluations for USAID/Egypt according to a schedule established by Mission management and maintained by the Program Office. All evaluations will comply with ADS 203.3.2 and the latest USAID Evaluation Policy. The Contractor will provide evaluation teams (with the necessary skills and experience) for USAID/Egypt concurrence (AOR/COR and relevant technical office); facilitate presentations to the Mission, GOE, and other donors and partners on the findings, and solicit feedback on recommendations; and finalize the report in coordination with the Program Office and the appropriate Mission Objective team. Upon final clearance of the evaluation report, the Contractor will ensure that the report is submitted to the Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) – http://dec.usaid.gov.

Presently the Mission expects to conduct, at a minimum, the following evaluations and assessments during calendar years 2015/2016

1. Final Evaluation of the Leadership for Education and Development Undergraduate

Scholarship program (LEAD).

2. Mid Term Evaluation of the Agribusiness for Rural Development and Increasing Incomes

3. Mid Term Evaluation of the Trade and Investment Promotion in Egypt (TIPE).

4. Mid Term Evaluation of the Sustainable Investments in Tourism in Egypt (SITE)

Task 9: Assist the Mission in the development and tracking of a comprehensive, forward-looking evaluation and assessment plan (detailing the type, timing, purpose, and potential research questions). The Contractor will coordinate with the Program Office and relevant technical offices to recommend when program evaluations should be conducted based on monitoring activities. The Contractor will identify the following situations, which could also trigger the need for an evaluation:

http://dec.usaid.gov/

(a) Performance information indicates an unexpected result (positive or negative) that should be explained (such as gender-differentiated results);

(b) Informed feedback from customers, partners or others suggests that there are implementation problems, unmet needs, or unintended consequences or impacts;

(c) Issues of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, or relevance have been cited in the portfolio review or PMP monitoring process; or

(d) The validity of Results Framework hypotheses or critical assumptions are questioned, e.g. due to unanticipated changes in the host country environment.

(CORE)

Task 10: On an annual basis, the Contractor will perform at least 5 high quality evaluations and assessments per Agency’s guidance of Mission-funded programs, projects and/or activities, analyzing progress made, lessons learned, issues and challenges encountered during implementation, and relevance to USAID/Egypt’s Mission Objectives. The evaluations and assessments will be described in Scopes of Work, and will run the gambit from conducting baseline evaluations to impact evaluations. (Task Orders)

Objective B: Project/Program Design

USAID/Egypt’s annual appropriation is approximately $250 million. The Program Office and Mission technical offices are currently in the process of designing new programs to meet Egypt’s transitional and development needs over the coming years. In support of this ongoing Project/Program Design effort, USAID/Egypt will require short-term technical assistance on an as needed basis to assist in conducting assessments for new projects/programs.

Task 11: In collaboration with, and as required by the Program Office and Mission technical offices, the Contractor shall conduct assessments (gender, poverty, youth, geographical, sectoral, etc.), analyses, and/or stakeholder consultations necessary to inform the development of Project Appraisal Documents. The Contractor may be asked to collect baseline data and assist technical offices to identify and collect data on a control group prior to project initiation, conduct studies on broad policy and strategic issues, such as institutional development, mainstreaming gender in development assistance, benefit sustainability, technology transfer, information technology & innovation, policy dialogue, private sector development, or public-private partnerships. (Task Orders)

Objective C: Information Management

Provide support for information management that will enable USAID/Egypt to be more responsive to the many data calls it receives with accurate and consistent data necessary for reports and briefing materials.

Task 12: The Contractor will analyze the Mission’s procedures for generating information for periodic reports and data calls, including but not limited to the PPR, OP, Mission Resource Request, and the various formats required for each report. The

Contractor will prepare recommendations on how to streamline management and reporting of data, geographic data, and information, and use of program information systems, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to improve efficiency and reduce the amount of time spent on preparing related reports and responding to data calls. In coordination with USAID global IMS projects and contracts. (Task Order)

C.5 DELIVERABLES

The period of the SIMPLE IQC will be five years from the date of the award. Expected award date is November 1, 2014.

The contractor will be required to have a finalized, approved project M&E plan and an initial work plan within 90 days after signing the contract. The initial work plan should cover the entire project period and provide greater detail for the period up through December 31, 2015 Subsequent annual work plans will be presented on September 1 each year to cover the subsequent fiscal year (October 1- September 30). Each annual work plan (including the initial work plan) should provide a detailed account of the content, formatting, and frequency, and schedule for routine reporting of work performed under this contract. All work plans are subject to review and approval by the COR.

Routine reporting will be in the form of a monthly report, to be delivered no later than two weeks after the end of the month. The content of these routine reports will be specified in the annual work plans.

All work performed in order to meet the deliverables requirements specified below shall be ordered, in writing (email is an acceptable format) by the COR, subject to the COR’s approval of projected budget expenditure for such purposes.

USAID/Egypt expects the following deliverables to be produced over the Life of Project (LOP).

Specific details concerning the timing of each deliverable shall be incorporated into the annual work plan.

Objective A: Performance Management, Monitoring and Evaluation

Deliverable 1: A fully functional in-country support center staffed with a core team of key personnel hired, to provide ongoing management and support for USAID/Egypt performance management monitoring, and evaluation requests.

This in-country support center team will serve as the management and service hub for all activities under this contract. In addition to providing basic support services, management oversight, and liaison with USAID/Egypt’s Program Office, the core team will also perform a variety of recurring, analytical tasks, as requested by the COR. Illustrative tasks may include:

1. Promoting greater comparability across all Mission activities by, for example, recommending a consistent definition of project beneficiaries so that results can be aggregated.

2. Assisting the Mission in the development and tracking of a forward-looking evaluation and assessment plan (detailing the type, timing, and purpose).

3. As directed, assisting the Mission with the development and deployment of performance management information systems designed to monitor, measure, and report on performance.

4. Tracking of compliance with Mission and Agency guidance on performance management (ADS, policies, Mission Orders).

5. Organization and support for an M&E user’s group bringing together the performance management specialists of all USAID/Egypt’s partners to meet and discuss issues with USAID staff.

6. Supporting design, review, and finalization of Mission and project level PMPs.

7. Conducting a variety of desk studies and research products.

8. On an as-needed basis, responding to urgent ad-hoc information needs of the Mission.

Deliverable 2: Support the preparation and development of a Mission-level Performance Management Plan (PMP) and conduct an annual review of the PMP. (Tasks 1-4)

In conjunction with the Mission’s strategy development process, the Contractor will provide support in preparing the PMP. This could include working with teams to develop Assistance Objectives, Intermediate Results, sub-Intermediate Results, and indicators associated with each level. In addition, the Contractor will provide training and materials to USAID/Egypt staff on developing performance management plans. The Contractor will build capacity, as well, of implementing partners – implementing partners may include international and Egyptian non-governmental organizations, contractors, and private sector.

On an annual basis, the Contractor will conduct a thorough review of USAID/Egypt’s mission-level PMP and the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plans for each USAID/Egypt’s project. The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that the following criteria are met, both at the strategic (Mission) and project levels: (1) the causal relations of inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts are logically and sensibly arranged, consistent with the (anticipated) USAID/Egypt’s strategy and any relevant project design documentation; (2) appropriate performance indicators are selected; (3) as relevant and appropriate, context indicators are selected; (4) Performance Indicator Reference Sheets are completed for all performance and context indicators; (5) baseline, target, and actual values are recorded for all performance indicators, (6) evaluations are adequately planned for, and (7) USAID’s performance management policies, guidance documents, and procedures are followed.

Deliverable 3: Provide third-party monitoring services (Tasks 5-7)

These services will be performed on an ‘as-needed’ basis and will include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Data quality verification of USAID implementing partners’ results reporting and PMPs.

• Rapid response, flexible, activity-level results analyses

• Targeted activity-level performance (non-financial) spot checks and monitoring site visits

The Implementer shall propose a methodology to undertake the data quality verification exercises including an indication of the sampling methods and techniques, the type of data collection methods and tools, (e.g. forms and questionnaires) to be applied, as well as the selection process and training – including training materials - of M&E field and supervisory project staff. Also included shall be a description of quality control processes and the design and elaboration of the data entry systems.

Deliverable 4: Conduct at least one Data Quality Assessment (DQA) per project, annually.

(Task 8)

The contractor will conduct at least one annual review of data and DQAs covering both Mission and project-level data. To the greatest possible extent, the contractor should attempt to include input from third party monitoring in the DQA process. As necessary, and on an ad hoc basis, the contractor may train, and/or work directly with Mission Staff to assess data quality on a routine basis. In Year 1 and Year 4 or Y 2 and Y 5 the Contractor shall conduct and complete at least four full DQAs covering all the indicators included in the PMPs of each Development Objective.

Deliverable 5: Plan, and conduct high quality evaluations and assessments/research papers/other analytical reports. Disseminate reports and conduct outreach activities, as appropriate. (Tasks 9-12)

At the onset, the Contractor will assist the Mission to develop an evaluation and assessment plan that is responsive to USAID Evaluation Policy, and incorporates USAID/Egypt scheduling as well. The USAID Evaluation Policy requires that one evaluation be completed for each “large” (above average size) project within an Operating Unit’s Development Objective. The policy also requires an evaluation for each pilot/innovative project that explores previously untested development hypotheses. At minimum, the Contractor will be expected to complete 25-30 high quality evaluations over the LOP. These evaluations should not only meet the criteria established in Annex 1 of USAID’s Evaluation Policy, but also any additional guidance or technical documents recommended by USAID. In addition to the evaluation work that is required by policy, USAID/Egypt may prioritize other evaluations, on a select basis. The Contractor should expect to conduct 25 performance evaluations and 3 impact evaluations at a minimum, although USAID reserves the right to substitute performance evaluations in lieu of impact evaluations, should it be determined that project design issues preclude the possibility of conducting a rigorous counterfactual analysis.

The Contractor will also perform 10 assessments, research papers, and/or other analytical products over the LOP. These analytical reports may include research on a particular sector within Egypt or within the region, or they may comprise more comprehensive data collection and/or survey efforts that serve the programming needs of USAID/Egypt. They may also explore/examine issues of internal interest to USAID/Egypt.

Examples of these types of products include:

- An assessment of gender, youth, sustainability, etc. as it pertains to USAID programming in Egypt.

- A targeted needs assessment in anticipation of a project design.

In compliance with ADS 203 and USAID’s Evaluation Policy, all evaluations must be submitted to the Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) within ninety days of completion. The Contractor will be responsible for the translation of each report into Arabic. Additionally, the Contractor shall also be responsible for the dissemination and circulation of evaluations and research reports.

Although USAID/Egypt Mission staff will be responsible for developing the SOWs for evaluations and assessments, the contractor will proactively support the process and provide assistance in SOW planning.

In order to fulfill this deliverable, the implementing partner will need to hire short term technical assistance consultants in the area of expertise needed to conduct these evaluations. These consultants will be used to form evaluation teams lead by a designated team leader and coordinated by the AOR/COR of the project being evaluated and the COR of SIMPLE.

Deliverable 6: Provide training on performance management and relevant tools to USAID/Egypt staff and/or partners. (Tasks 13-14)

The Contractor shall coordinate and provide training and advisory services on performance management issues to staff and/or partners at USAID/Egypt. The content of training sessions may include: (1) USAID policy and guidance vis-à-vis performance management, (2) technical content or special topics related to performance management, project monitoring, and/or evaluation; or (3) other pertinent topics, as determined by the COR in response to demand from USAID/Egypt staff. The Contractor shall provide four workshops/training per year to USAID staff and/or partners over the LOP.

C.6. PERFORMANCE MONITORING PLAN

The contractor’s performance shall be evaluated based on the completion of specific tasks as outlined in the contract and reports submitted to the COR.

C.7. POST AWARD ORIENTATION

The Contractor shall attend a post-award orientation conference with USAID staff one week after contract award. The conference should be attended by the key staff. The purpose of the meeting will be to ensure understanding of the contract.

[END OF SECTION C]

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (January 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 should 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 should be retained by the Contractor.

D.2 BRANDING STRATEGY, IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MARKING PLAN

In accordance with ADS 320.3.2.1, the Branding Strategy (BS) is part of the contract requirements, as such Contracting Officers must ensure that USAID contract solicitations include a Branding Strategy and instruct Offerors to prepare a Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP) to implement the Branding Strategy.

(a) As part of the proposal submission, the Offeror will develop a Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) along with a Marking Plan that responds to the Branding Strategy, in accordance with ADS 320. Contractors’ corporate identities or logos must not be used on USAID-funded program materials. Marking is not required on contractor vehicles, offices, office supplies or other commodities used solely for administration of the USAID-funded program. Marking is not permitted on any communications that are strictly administrative, rather than programmatic, in nature. USAID identity is also prohibited on contractor and recipient communications related to award administration, such as hiring/firing of staff or renting office space and/or equipment.

(b) The Contractor shall develop a branding implementation plan (BIP) to describe how the program deliverables will be branded.

Program Name: SIMPLE Project

Branding: The branding shall incorporate the message: The assistance is “from the

American People and by USAID.”

Desired Level of Visibility: USAID identity must be prominently displayed in: commodities or equipment; printed, audio, visual or electronic public communications;

studies, reports, publications, web sites, and all promotional and informational products; and events.

Organizations to Be Acknowledged: The branding may acknowledge other organizations: deemed as partners of an event or deliverable.

(c) The Contractor shall also develop a marking plan for public communications, commodities, program materials, deliverables, and other items that visibly bear or will be marked with the USAID identity. The marking plan may include requests for exceptions to marking requirements, to be approved by the contracting officer. Contract deliverables to be marked with the USAID identity must follow design guidance for color, type, and layout in the Graphic Standards Manual, available at www.usaid.gov/branding, or any successor branding policy.

(d) Plans will be rated as acceptable or unacceptable and not assessed points under section M.

Deficiencies will be listed and Offerors will have an opportunity to revise their plans so they can be deemed acceptable.

[END OF SECTION D]

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 FAR 52.252-2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION

(48 CFR Chapter 1)

52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed Price Aug 1996 52.246-5 Inspection of Services – Cost-Reimbursement April 1984

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE/RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports and other required deliverables or outputs shall take place at USAID Washington or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and deliverables or outputs are produced or submitted. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) identified in Section G has been delegated authority to inspect and accept all services, reports, and deliverables required by the basic IDIQ.

TOCORs may be designated for a specific task order. In accordance with the clauses of this contract entitled ―Inspection of Services – Cost Reimbursement, (FAR 52.246-5) and ―Inspection of Services – Fixed-price, (FAR 52.246-4), inspection of results or other deliverables required by each Task Order issued hereunder shall be made by the cognizant TOCOR for that Task Order. Acceptance of goods/services and reports or other deliverables by the cognizant TOCOR for that Task Order shall form the basis for payments to the contractor, and will form the basis of the contractor‘s permanent performance record with regard to 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. See FAR 52.252-2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

USAID ACQUISITION REGULATION

(48 CFR Chapter 1)

52.211-8 Time of Delivery June 1997 Alternate I Alternate II Alternate III 52.211-9 Desired and Required Time of Delivery June 1997 Alternate I Alternate II Alternate III 52.211-11 Liquidated Damages – Supplies, Services, or Research and Development Sept 2000 52.211-16 Variation in Quantity April 1984 52.211-17 Delivery of Excess Quantities Sept 1989 52.242-15 Stop-Work Order Aug 1989 Alternate I

F.2 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

a. The period of performance for the contract, including all Task Orders, is from November 1, 2014 to October 31, 2019.

b. The ordering period is from November 1, 2014 to October 31, 2019.

c. Task order performance may continue up to 2 years after the ordering period of October

31, 2019 but must be completed by October 31, 2021 which is the end of the period of performance.

The ordering period of the award is limited to five years. Task orders may be issued during the ordering period specified in paragraph b with a maximum period of performance of no more than 5 years not to exceed the contract end date set forth in paragraph a. above. For example, task orders issued during Years 1 and 2 may have a five-year period of performance, whereas task orders issued during Years 3, 4, and 5 will have less than a five-year period of performance.

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Performance of this contract and task orders issued hereunder shall be in Egypt.

F.4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Evaluation of the contractor's performance shall be conducted for each task order in accordance with the performance standards set forth in the Task Order, if any, the Contractor's overall performance toward achievement of the objectives in Section C and provision of deliverables in Section F of the task order, and the Contractor's compliance with all other terms and conditions of the IDIQ and task order. Each evaluation will be conducted jointly by the TOCOR and the TOCO, and shall form the basis of the contractor's permanent performance record with regard to this Contract and task orders 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 minimum, the following factors:

(i) Technical (quality of product or service).

(ii) Cost control (not applicable for firm-fixed-price or fixed-price with economic price adjustment arrangements).

(iii) Schedule/timeliness.

(iv) Management or business relations.

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

Evaluations will be tailored to the task order type, size, content, and complexity of the requirement.

F.5 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

In addition to the requirements set forth for submission of reports in Sections C, I and J, and in the AIDAR clause 752.242-70, Periodic Progress Reports, the Contractor shall submit required deliverables or outputs as specified in individual task orders to the COR specified in Section G with a copy to the Contracting Officer.

F. 5 (1) IDIQ Reports (Task order awards will contain separate reporting requirements).

The below reports are to be submitted to the IDIQ COR by the due dates specified below.

WORK PLANS, PERIODIC AND OTHER REPORTS

SECTION

NO.

DELIVERABLES DUE DATE

Annual Performance Reports

30 calendar days of the end of…