Amd._1_M E _Program_Support_and_AE_RFP.pdf

5. PROJECT NO.

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR AC- KNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 10-83)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF: The FAA of 1961, as amended & E.O. 11223

D. OTHER

BY

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 STANDARD FORM 30

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(If applicable)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

1 132

Office of Procurement USAID/Egypt 1A Ahmed Kamel St., Off El-laselki St.

New Maadi Cairo, Egypt

To all Offerors/Bidders 268-15-000001

X 03/24/2015

The purpose of this amendment is to revise the Request for Proposal No. SOL-268-15-000001 (see revisions highlighted) issued on March 24, 2015 and to answer questions received regarding the subject RFP. The main changes include:

- Extend the closing date to May 11, 2015;

- increase the level of effort estimate;

- changes to the Statement of work in section C; - changes to the qualifications of key personnel in section F.9;

- add the vetting requirements of sub-awardees in section H;

- add the weighted guidelines form;

- add a summary of USAID local compensation plan;

- changes to the Instructions in section L and edits to the criteria for evaluation in section M.

Ralph Koehring

Contracting Officer

008-26-2007

RFP no. SOL-268-15-000001

Date Issued: March 24, 2015 Deadline for Questions: April 2, 2015 12:00 noon Cairo local time Closing Date: April 24 May 11, 2015 12:00 noon Cairo local time Closing Time: 12:00 noon Cairo local time

SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) No.: SOL-268-15-000001 Performance Management and Support Program for Lebanon

On behalf of USAID/Lebanon, the Regional Procurement Office of USAID/Egypt intends to award a five-year Cost plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Term (Level of Effort)-type contract to develop and implement a program for Performance Management and Support Program for Lebanon. The total estimated level of effort for this project is 16,385 20,070 labor days for professional technical and administrative staff excluding non-professional such as drivers). A plug figure of $8,400,000 is budgeted for the Architect and Engineering Services task.

You are invited to submit a proposal in accordance with the requirements of the enclosed RFP No. SOL-268-15-000001. Proposals must be received by the Government no later than the local time on the due date stated above and in the RFP.

All Amendments to this solicitation will be made available through http://www.fbo.gov. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to check this site periodically for official updates and amendments to the solicitation. This solicitation 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 in response hereto. Furthermore the Government reserves the right to reject any and all offers, if such action is considered to be in the best interest of the Government.

Offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation, which includes all pertinent technical sections and the terms, conditions and instructions required for submitting a proposal. By email only please submit all questions about this RFP no later than April 2, 2015 at 12:00 Noon (Cairo local time) to the following e-mail address: SLEBANON@usaid.gov and arizk@usaid.gov.

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

Sincerely, (signed) Ralph Koehring Director of Procurement Office of Procurement USAID/Egypt mailto:SLEBANON@usaid.gov mailto:arizk@usaid.gov

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD 1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

RATING PAGE OF PAGE

(S) N/A 1 123

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. SOLICITATION NO. 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED 6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE

NO.REQ-268-15-000015

SOL-268-15-000001 SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

03/24/2015

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7) Office of Procurement USAID/Egypt Unit 64902

APO AE 09839-4902

Office of Procurement USAID/Egypt 1/A Nady El-Etisalat St.(off El Laselki St), New Maadi – Cairo - Egypt

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations “offer” and “Offeror” mean “bid” and “bidder”

SOLICITATION

9. Proposals are due electronically to the address shown in section L CAUTION LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L.9. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. A. NAME B. TELEPHONE NO. (NO COLLECT

CALLS)

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

FOR

INFORMATI

ON

CALL:

See attached cover letter Intl CODE NUMBER EXT. SLEBANON@USAID.GOV And arizk@usaid.gov

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

(x) SEC

DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (x) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

x A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 2-3 x I CONTRACT CLAUSES 56-64 x B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST 4-5 PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

x C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT 6-18 x J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 65 x D PACKAGING AND MARKING 19 PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS x E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 20-21 x K REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

66-78 x F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 22-30 x G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 31-35 x L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 79-101 x H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 36-55 x M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 102-106

OFFER (Must be fully completed by Offeror) NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _____ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the Offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 20 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) CALENDAR DAYS (%)

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

(The Offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the

SOLICITATION

for Offerors and related documents numbered and dated:

AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER (Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER 15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE

ADDRESS

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE –

ENTER

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AREA

CODE

NUMBER EXT.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

All

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: 23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN ITEM

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) ( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c) ( ) (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

CODE 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

mailto:SLEBANON@USAID.GOV

Same as Item 7 Office of Financial Management

USAID Egypt

26. NAME OF Contracting Officer (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD

DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer) IMPORTANT: Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition not usable.

33-133 STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97) Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this Contract is to provide Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Program support, Architecture and Engineering (A&E) Services for Lebanon.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) term type contract. For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor shall provide the level of effort described in Section F to accomplish the tasks and results set forth in Section C.

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

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is __________. The fixed fee, if any, is ________. The estimated cost plus fixed fee, is __________.

CLIN BUDGET

CLIN 1: Monitoring and Evaluation Support CLIN 2: Program Support CLIN 3: Architecture and Engineering Services Fixed Fee Total

(b) Within the estimated cost plus fixed fee specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee) for performance hereunder is __________.

Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through ____________.

The Contractor shall not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount.

B.4 INDIRECT COSTS

For the Prime Contractor:

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:

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD 1/ 1/ 1/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Predetermined Period:

B.5 COST REIMBURSABLE

The U.S. dollar costs allowable shall be limited to reasonable, allocable, and allowable costs determined in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment, FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003, Documentation for Payment.

In addition, the requirements and conditions concerning estimated cost and funding apply as detailed in:

FAR 52.232-20 Limitation of Cost (applies while the contract is fully funded), and FAR 52.232.22 Limitation of Funds (applies while the contract is funded in an amount less than the ceiling price)

B.6 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

Subject to FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, if applicable, payment of fixed fee shall be allocated based upon the proportion of the level of effort (LOE) specified in Section F.5 that was provided by the contractor in the period covered by the invoice. Normally, the contractor will be paid the proportion of the fee specified that corresponds to the proportion of LOE delivered by the Contractor during the period covered by the invoice. In the event that the Contractor does not provide the total LOE stipulated in Section F.5, the total amount of fixed fee will be reduced in similar proportion.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 TITLE

Performance Management and Support Program for Lebanon

C.2 OBJECTIVE AND EXPECTED RESULTS

With a portfolio in excess of $300 million and over 20 active projects in Lebanon, USAID engages with partners to increase access to education; improve water; wastewater, and irrigation services;

promote good governance; enhance economic opportunity; and protect the environment.

USAID/Lebanon is a lead donor in education and water and an important influence in championing good governance and economic opportunity for low-income Lebanese citizens.

The purpose of this project is to supplement the monitoring and program management efforts of USAID Lebanon staff; and to verify, monitor and support USAID program performance in Lebanon. Information gathered and program support services provided by the Contractor will assist the Mission to make informed decisions and better manage Implementing Partners’ (IP) performance throughout the country. The Contractor will provide consistent, relevant and frequent performance monitoring and reporting of USAID/Lebanon activities and projects, day-to-day information needed to make management decisions, and most importantly, field monitoring support to USAID Lebanon staff, especially for activities located outside of greater Beirut.

USAID will use the Contractor’s services to:

1. Develop and support the implementation of USAID/Lebanon’s Performance Management Plan (PMP);

2. Support Implementing Partners’ Monitoring and Evaluation efforts;

3. Integrate Gender issues into USAID/Lebanon’s activities;

4. Support USAID/Lebanon’s Geographic Information System (GIS) activities and integration to the AID Tracker Plus (AT+);

5. Support USAID/Lebanon’s monitoring activities;

6. Provide Evaluation assistance;

7. Build the capacity of local organizations in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E);

8. Assist in project design, management and reporting support;

9. Implement knowledge management;

10. Provide Architectural and Engineering services (A&E);

11. Provide Development Outreach and Communication (DOC) support; and,

12. Provide Program Support and additional M&E services

C.3. BACKGROUND

The USAID/Lebanon portfolio expanded significantly since 2009. Moreover, since late 2012, Lebanon witnessed the evolution of the Syrian crisis that deteriorated dramatically in 2013 and led the Mission to adjust its program priorities to focus more support to Lebanese host communities and institutions to assist them to cope with the increased pressure on their resources and public services owing to the huge influx of Syrian refugees. This pivot of Mission’s priorities resulted in expanded program activities as well as the design and implementation of more than a thousand of quick-impact activities. Consequently, considerable field monitoring is needed to ensure USAID anticipated program performance is achieved and that small grants are used for their intended purposes.

In addition, during the International Support Group for Lebanon (ISG) meeting held on September 25, 2013, Secretary Kerry committed the United States government (USG) to provide $30 million in additional foreign assistance to deliver development support to the Government of Lebanon through the proposed Lebanon Roadmap of Priority Interventions for Stabilization from the Syrian Conflict (the Roadmap) and the UN’s Regional Response Plan to the Syrian crisis.

These facts underscore the critical need to hire a Contractor to support USAID Lebanon with the tasks delineated in this Statement of Work (SOW).

The USAID/Lebanon proposed Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for Fiscal Years 2014 – 2018 aims to “Improve the accountability and credibility of public institutions, and broader economic prosperity.” Attached is a copy of the CDCS. This strategy pursues the achievement of its goal through the following two Development Objectives (DOs) and related Intermediate Results (IRs):

DO 1: Improved capacity of the public sector in providing transparent, quality services across Lebanon.

IR 1.1: Improved public basic education available to all school-aged citizens.

IR 1.2: Improved availability of water-related public services to all in Lebanon.

IR 1.3: Improved sub-national governance in addressing citizens' needs in public service delivery.

IR 1.4: Strengthened civil society's ability to contribute to a stronger civic culture and more democratic governance.

DO 2: Enhanced economic opportunity.

IR 2.1: Increased private sector competitiveness.

IR 2.2: Increased access to finance especially for new business start-ups and women entrepreneurs.

C.4. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND COMPONENTS

The Contractor shall support and continue implementation of a comprehensive performance measurement, planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting system to assess USAID/Lebanon’s performance in achieving its objectives as well as to provide technical and advisory services to support USAID Lebanon program portfolio. The monitoring system shall be comprised of components that will enable USAID/Lebanon to fulfill its performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements as mandated in the Automated Directives System (ADS) 201 and 203 and other Agency guidance. The Contractor shall assist USAID/Lebanon with the following tasks:

Component 1: MONITORING AND EVALUATION SUPPORT

Tasks:

1. Support Implementation of USAID/Lebanon’s Performance Management Plan

The Contractor shall assist the DO teams in implementing and maintaining the USAID/Lebanon PMP. Such technical assistance includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:

• In consultation with the Agreement/Contracting Officer Representatives (AOR/CORs) in the technical teams, ensure that appropriate indicators at the results framework levels are developed and tracked, and advise on the enhancement of USAID/Lebanon’s PMP, as needed;

• Ensure the collection and analysis of data for all USAID/Lebanon PMP indicators;

• Conduct surveys and studies to report on USAID/Lebanon PMP indicators;

• Report all PMP indicator data to USAID/Lebanon on a regular basis;

• Analyze the monitoring and evaluation data gathered;

• Conduct Data Quality Assessments for PMP indicators as per USAID ADS 203 regulations; and,

• Provide M&E training to USAID/Lebanon staff and other stakeholders as needed.

2. Support Implementing Partners’ Monitoring and Evaluation Efforts

The Contractor shall work closely with USAID/Lebanon’s implementing partners on establishing and improving their Monitoring and Evaluation systems. The function of this M&E program will complement, not replace, implementing partners’ reporting and performance management responsibilities. This task includes the following:

• Provide technical assistance and guidance to current and future USAID/Lebanon implementing partners on M&E related issues;

• Assist in the review of monitoring and evaluation plans of ongoing and newly designed USAID projects in Lebanon;

• Ensure the linkage of implementing partners’ M&E plans to the reporting requirements of USAID/Lebanon’s PMP;

• Develop, with the Mission and the implementing partners, a workflow process for consistent, ongoing data collection and reporting to ensure availability of timely quality data;

• Produce M&E guides and reference materials to support implementing partners to maintain sound M&E systems;

• Review and report on implementing partner performance data on a regular basis;

• Set appropriate mechanisms to ensure performance data quality collected/submitted by implementing partners;

• Provide implementing partners with the analysis of performance data received as well as recommendations for improving project performance;

• Advise on the implementing partner collection and analysis of baseline data;

• Coordinate with implementing partners to avoid the duplication of data collection efforts;

• Conduct data quality assessments, data verifications, project reviews, and monitoring site visits for implementing partners;

• Assist implementing partners with activity-level monitoring and evaluation; and

• Assist implementing partners in identifying and incorporating innovative solutions and approaches to improve their monitoring of programs, especially in remote or isolated parts of Lebanon.

3. Integration of Gender Issues into USAID/Lebanon’s Activities

As a policy goal for USAID globally, the USAID Gender Equality and Female Empowerment policy principles are integrated throughout the Agency’s program cycle, including monitoring and evaluation. Activities supported by USAID/Lebanon aim to benefit both men and women and maximize potential benefits for the activities’ target populations.

USAID stands to play an important role in bringing about fundamental changes in Lebanese women’s status and gender relations. Through its projects, which cover a wide range of issues critical to the development of the Lebanese economy and society as a whole, USAID’s work can affect improvement in attitudes, values, laws, and conditions that would ultimately lead to equality and empowerment for all: men and women, boys and girls and LGBTQ. However, the success of these projects in reaching this objective depends on structural gender mainstreaming in all stages of design, planning, implementation, and evaluation of program activities.

Therefore, USAID requires implementing partners to undertake efforts to prevent gender discrimination and provide economic and leadership opportunities to women; increase gender balanced participation in the political process; improve security for women and girls; and promote education, health and well-being and other efforts designed to equally benefit women as well as men. The Contractor will pay attention to and highlight gender-based constraints and issues in connection to all deliverables; thus, the Contractor will be responsible for verifying and monitoring project performance data across all sectors, including gender-related indicators.

Therefore, the project will support innovative ideas to adequately verify and monitor performance data dealing with gender in traditional, conservative Lebanese culture. These approaches may include hiring female monitors for site visits and designing outreach campaigns for crowd sourcing specifically targeting female respondents, among others.

4. Support USAID/Lebanon’s Geographic Information System (GIS) activities and integration to the AID Tracker Plus (AT+)

The Contractor will support USAID/Lebanon to fully incorporate the AID Tracker Plus. The AT+ is a cloud-based USAID management information system intended to streamline performance management and reporting associated with the frequent data calls on project status and results. As the Mission’s key implementing partner furthering the Agency’s goal of strengthened monitoring and evaluation, the Contractor will make an essential contribution to the success of AT+ as well as the Mission Geographic Information System.

To achieve this objective, the Contractor will implement the following tasks:

• Train implementing partners on how to use the integrated web-based AT+;

• Ensure the implementing partners are continuously updating their portals;

• Assist the USAID Local Administrators to provide support for all in-country

USAID/Lebanon staff and USAID partners who use AT+;

• Enhance USAID staff capacity to collect, analyze and report USAID PMP data;

• Generate informative graphs/charts/visuals to illustrate and analyze performance data;

and,

• Support Partners’ GIS activities to respond to the Mission’s GIS requests.

5. Support USAID/Lebanon’s Monitoring Activities

The Contractor will provide the Mission with an additional layer of data on project implementation, which will allow technical offices to compare information from their own monitoring efforts with additional sources of monitoring data, and make evidence-based management decisions on the performance of their projects. To achieve this objective, the Contractor will provide USAID/Lebanon with sufficient, accurate, and verified information on project progress in accordance with the approved project M&E Plans and the Mission’s PMP.

The Contractor will obtain this information through authentication of project outcomes/outputs and monitoring of activities and submit regular and timely reports detailing its findings. In addition, the Contractor will augment Mission staff project site visits. This function will only complement, not substitute for USAID/Lebanon staff project monitoring responsibilities unless security constraints prohibit staff field visits. Such technical assistance includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Frequently consult with all USAID/Lebanon DO teams on their programs’ monitoring needs;

• In coordination with USAID program managers, conduct regular project site visits (PSVs) to monitor activity progress and implementer compliance with USAID regulations;

• Prepare PSV reports documenting implementer compliance with standard contract/grant clauses to include marking and branding, participant training, commodity end use, etc.;

• Develop and employ a standard checklist to review Contractor/grantee compliance with agreement terms during regular site visits and highlight all issues in writing immediately to the AOR/COR;

• Assist USAID/Lebanon staff in monitoring the implementers’ execution of environmental compliance regulations (22 CFR 216) to ensure that all USAID projects have no adverse effects on the environment or are mitigating potential/actual impacts;

and,

• Assist USAID/Lebanon staff in monitoring implementing partners’ compliance with the Agency Counter Trafficking in Person (C-TIP) Policy released in 2012. This task includes, but is not limited to, educating them and their sub-Contractors and grantees on their responsibilities under the Code of Conduct including how to recognize and respond to TIP and the Agency’s right to terminate grants and contracts if Contractors, grantees or sub-recipients violate the Code.

6. Provide Evaluation Assistance

In accordance with USAID’s Evaluation Policy, the Contractor will conduct project reviews, project evaluations, sector assessments and surveys and other innovative data collection methods such as crowd sourcing to inform USAID/Lebanon management decisions. Throughout the period of performance of the contract, USAID anticipates conducting one impact evaluation pertaining to the basic education portfolio and up to a maximum of 4 performance evaluations per year,one activity under each office (Education, Democracy, Rights and Governance, Water and Environment and Economic Growth). The Impact evaluation is intended to be comprised of two data collection events a baseline and an endline.

Such technical assistance includes the following:

• Undertake impact or performance activity evaluations at USAID/Lebanon’s request;

• Analyze USAID project outcomes on beneficiaries, communities and local organizations as well as conduct baseline surveys and other evaluations;

• Analyze progress in achieving USAID project goals and objectives;

• In consultation with the COR, the Contractor shall assist the Program Office to develop an annual evaluation plan.

• Conduct mid-term and final evaluations of identified projects in Lebanon (at least two evaluations per year are anticipated) ;

• In consultation with the COR, the Contractor shall assist the Program Office to develop a plan to follow-up on evaluations recommendations.

• Ensure the effective and timely use of evaluations to facilitate corrective actions;

• Adopt a participatory approach in conducting evaluations, involving implementing partners and stakeholders throughout the process, as appropriate;

• Disseminate recommendations and lessons learned from evaluations to relevant implementing partners and other stakeholders;

• Ensure the quality, timeliness and appropriate dissemination of evaluation results;

• Use of evaluation methods that generate the highest quality and most credible evidence that corresponds to the questions being asked, taking into consideration time, budget, and other practical considerations;

• Recommend creative and original approaches to measure project achievements in Lebanon’s complex and non-permissive environment as well as methodologies to conduct analyses in areas of Lebanon where security concerns may preclude extensive site visits, interactions with beneficiaries, and other standard approaches;

and,

• Post public versions of evaluation reports on USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) website.

• Design and implement qualitative and quantitative M&E studies including, but not limited to, sector assessments and surveys to collect information needed to inform management decisions; and

• Design and conduct assessments and special studies, and provide technical expertise to inform USAID/Lebanon on strategic planning and project design.

7. Capacity Building of Local Organizations to Monitor and Evaluate Projects

The Paris Declaration, Accra Accord, and Busan Declaration on aid effectiveness have increased the importance of using quality independent evaluation results to make decisions. USAID evaluation policy prioritizes building local evaluation capacity and using local expertise in evaluations. In addition to its immediate needs for supplemental verification and monitoring data, USAID/Lebanon is committed to fostering a culture of accountability in Lebanon.

The project will provide capacity building support to USAID host country local partners and grantees to increase their monitoring and evaluation capability and effectiveness and, as appropriate, their capacity to monitor and evaluate development programs and activities funded by Lebanese and international donors. The Offeror/Contractor is expected to propose the different approaches for the implementation of the M&E capacity building efforts.

In addition, the project will help strengthen the development of Lebanon’s capacity to monitor and evaluate by identifying two local organizations and provide them technical assistance and training to advance their ability and competence to conduct monitoring and evaluation activities.

It is expected that this assistance and training will give them the expertise to design and conduct effective performance and impact development evaluations of assistance programs in Lebanon in accordance to major development donors’ International standards. The offeror/Contractor is expected to propose the criteria for selecting the local organizations.

Component 2: PROGRAM SUPPORT

8. Project Design, Management and Reporting Support

• The Contractor will support USAID/Lebanon’s Program Management Office and technical staff in project design, implementation and reporting through support in interpreting and implementing USAID programming policies, , project design planning and execution, program documentation preparation, reviews, and editing;

• Assist in the support the implementation of USAID/Lebanon’s CDCS in project design planning, developing new programs, stakeholder consultations, and preparing special program reporting.

• Train USAID/Lebanon’s staff in project design planning and execution using USAID’s most up-to-date programming guidance to help them develop effective programs and projects with sustainable results based on best practices and lessons learned locally, regionally, and globally;

• Provide senior level project design support to the Mission. (USAID/Lebanon designs an average of one to two new programs a year.)

• Assist in the identification and selection of consultants to provide short-term technical assistance on project design, partnership development, technical analyses and project implementation support. Final selection of consultants needs to be approved by USAID

COR;

• Assist Mission staff to develop public private partnerships and engage local stakeholders to leverage resources and support for greater program impact and sustainability; and

• Provide additional program management support as needed to USAID/Lebanon’s Program Management Office under the supervision and direction of the Program Office.

9. Implement Knowledge Management

The continuous information gathering conducted by the Contractor throughout Lebanon will generate a large amount of data on the performance of projects in USAID Lebanon’s portfolio.

To capture and share best practices, the Contractor will provide innovative proposals that can evolve and adapt if the security environment changes. In order to store and make data collected under monitoring activities accessible, the Contractor will work with USAID Lebanon to develop a rigorous knowledge management strategy and centralized data repository.

The Contractor shall keep abreast of ongoing and completed monitoring and evaluation activities and strategic secondary reports concerning Lebanon produced by USAID and other donors.

These materials shall be entered into a database by the Contractor and made available to the Mission for use in strategic and implementation decision-making. Such reports may include, but are not limited to, demographic, household-level, and national economic indicator data or results from sector-specific surveys.

The Contractor shall conduct research on best practices, lessons learned, or innovative partnership models as requested by the DO teams to support project implementation and new project design activities.

10. Development Outreach and Communication (DOC) Support Services.

The Contractor shall have on staff a resident DOC to provide support to USAID’s DOC unit in the Program Management Office on a broad range of outreach activities such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Subject to the ultimate approval of the Program Office, develop public awareness campaigns, media engagement, compile program information, and provide event planning support to raise public awareness of USAID assistance and communicate program achievements. The Contractor shall work with the DOC Unit to help develop and package communication materials, including success stories, beneficiary testimonials, videos and photos, and produce customized information products such as wall charts, PowerPoint presentations, brochures, fact sheets, and video documentaries.

The Contractor will also produce GIS work products such as the mapping of USAID programs and activities in Lebanon;

• Provide logistical support for workshops, meetings, stakeholder consultations, and training related to monitoring, evaluation, stakeholder consultation, program information dissemination, and development outreach; and,

• Ensure capability to partner with local entities that can provide outreach and communication services and assist with public relations, media, marketing, video production, etc.

11. Program Support, Project Design and Additional M&E Services.

The M&E and Program Support Contractor will support USAID/Lebanon requests for additional services including, but not limited to, the following:

• Recruit external consultants to assist in technical, administrative, and programmatic support to the Mission in managing and developing strategies, project design and program documentation, reporting and program implementation. Programmatic work is subject to change given the Mission’s shifting needs and demands. Expertise will be needed but limited to the following areas: private sector, water, education, agricultural, democracy and governance, conflict, stabilization, capacity building, infrastructure, and humanitarian assistance as well as project design and USAID program documentation, program management, information technology, development outreach and communication, and staff development training;

• Conduct analytic and/or survey work that will contribute to the Mission’s decision-making process, resolve development questions, enhance program impact and provide success stories, best practices and lessons learned;

• Conduct analyses and needs’ assessments that will contribute to the Mission’s decision-making process in considering and developing new programs and projects. This may also include, but is not limited to, periodic support to project design activities (e.g., assistance in developing logical frameworks, technical and project sustainability analyses, cost-benefit analyses, and other required analyses as appropriate);

• Provide periodic expert facilitators and support to the Mission for local stakeholder, private sector and diaspora engagement to consult and creatively brainstorm to identify innovative local solutions to some of Lebanon’s local development challenges and issues in development sectors and local communities, and to develop Global Development Alliance (GDA) and public private partnerships;

• Conduct GDA or public private partnership assessments to identify potential traditional and non-traditional development partners and partnership opportunities that USAID/Lebanon can develop to achieve intended development results with greater impact and sustainability; and,

• Prepare annual and periodic analyses and assessments that examine the effectiveness of USAID’s projects relative to the stated DOs and the development hypothesis.

COMPONENT 3: ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES

Historically, USAID/Lebanon’s assistance included a broad array of engineering and construction activities. These activities ranged in size from very small to medium scale activities, and were usually included under awards that have primary developmental objectives, for which construction serves as a complimentary component to these objectives. USAID/Lebanon anticipates continuing to provide a similar engineering and construction assistance that compliments the objectives of its ongoing and future projects for which this contract will provide support to. Some illustrative engineering and construction activities anticipated to be included under USAID/Lebanon’s projects include, but are not limited to:

- Rehabilitation and/or construction of communal, municipal, and public structures including but not limited to: schools, municipal and communal headquarters and premises, public facilities, communal gathering places and town halls, gardens and playgrounds, and markets;

- Rehabilitation and/or construction/installation of water, wastewater, and irrigation facilities including but not limited: treatment facilities, storage facilities, pumping stations, wells, pipe networks, irrigation systems, hill lakes, water catchment facilities, wetlands, water quality laboratory testing facilities, and, water monitoring stations and water meters;

- Rehabilitation and/or construction/installation of agriculture related structures including but not limited to: greenhouses, sorting and processing facilities, and storage facilities;

and,

- Design and implementation of the rehabilitation, construction, or installation of any other small to medium scale capital assistance, not mentioned above, but USAID/Lebanon deems necessary to complement its Strategic and Developmental Objectives stated in Section C.3 and elaborated in the attached CDCS whether under a separate capital assistance project or a complimentary component of a project.

For the Architecture and Engineering (A&E) Task under the Program Support Component, the offeror is required to either have an in-house A&E expertise or a U.S. subcontractor to provide oversight of all A&E work accomplished under the award. In either of the above scenarios, a U.S. or local sub-contractor maybe used for the actual A&E work under the award. FAR part 36 procedures need to be followed to the extent practicable in selecting the implementing A&E firm. Selection criteria for the A&E firm in FAR 36.602-1 must be applied in the selection.

Through the A&E firm the Contractor will:

• Provide quality assurance/quality control over the implementer's engineering design and construction activities including field oversight, inspections, and verification as needed;

• Monitor and report on the construction Contractors’ safety and risk management program;

• Monitor and report on the construction Contractors’ environmental compliance management program in accordance with USAID environmental regulations;

• Review and verify the construction Contractors’ engineering designs, specifications, and engineering submissions;

• Provide services necessary to perform a Final Inspection of all constructed facilities, including review of final “As-Built” Drawings provided by construction Contractors;

• Represent USAID in construction meetings, as needed and per USAID instructions, to discuss construction progress and challenges, resolve issues impacting cost and schedule, and prepare agendas for and issue minutes of all meetings;

• Inform USAID, in writing, of all issues that may affect the project(s), and propose methods of resolution;

• Monitor overall construction-related project costs and adherence to the set timeframes.

The Contractor shall report to USAID costs that vary from the plan or whether project changes jeopardize the possibility of completing a construction activity within the budget and set timeframe;

• Assist USAID in validating work completed for the purpose of invoice payment;

• Prepare, as part of the quarterly reports, quarterly progress updates setting forth a narrative to inform the mission of the progress of the project(s) during the reporting period and include pertinent illustrative photos; and

• Inspect and monitor all the construction materials, equipment, and activities associated with the project(s) to verify that the project(s) is executed in accordance with the contract/agreement conditions and specifications.

The M&E contractor will not have a direct authority over the other mission awardees implementing engineering and construction activities. The M&E contractor will rather have a coordination, advice, and recommendation role to USAID with regards to these engineering and coordination activities.

C.5 Limitation on Future Contracting:

(a) The Contracting Officer has determined that this acquisition may give rise to a potential organizational conflict of interest. Accordingly, the attention of prospective Offerors is invited to FAR Subpart 9.5--Organizational Conflicts of Interest.

(b) The nature of this conflict is based on the premise that contractors who provide USAID Services in a Program Management Support or Consulting capacity such as developing USAID-specific business requirements & providing impact analysis may give rise to a potential organizational conflict of interest on contracts where the contractor is providing services in an operational support capacity. Services provided in a Program Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, or Consulting capacity may have a direct impact on contracts of an operational support nature. Likewise, services performed on the operational support contract could impair a contractor’s capacity to provide impartial advice on the Program Management Support, Monitoring and Evaluation, or Consulting Services contract. These conflicting roles could result in the inability to render impartial or objective assistance or bias a contractor’s judgment resulting in an impaired objectivity Organizational Conflict of Interest.

(c) The restrictions upon future contracting are as follows:

(1) If the Contractor, under the terms of this contract, or through the performance of tasks pursuant to this contract, is required to develop specifications or statements of work that are to be incorporated into a solicitation, the Contractor shall be ineligible to perform the work described in that solicitation as a prime or first-tier subcontractor under an ensuing USAID contract. This restriction shall remain in effect for a reasonable time, as agreed to by the CO and the Contractor, sufficient to avoid unfair competitive advantage or potential bias (this time shall in no case be less than the duration of the initial production contract). USAID shall not unilaterally require the Contractor to prepare such specifications or statements of work under this contract.

(2) To the extent that the work under this contract requires access to proprietary, business confidential, or financial data of other companies, and as long as these data remain proprietary or confidential, the Contractor shall protect these data from unauthorized use and disclosure and agrees not to use them to compete with those other companies.

C.6 Organizational Conflict of Interest

(a) Determination. The Government has determined that this effort may result in an actual or potential conflict of interest, or may provide one or more offerors with the potential to attain an unfair competitive advantage. The nature of the conflict of interest and the limitation on future contracting is described below:

The nature of this conflict is based on the premise that contractors who provide USAID Services in a Program Management Support or Consulting capacity such as developing USAID-specific business requirements & providing impact analysis may give rise to a potential organizational conflict of interest on contracts where the contractor is providing services in an operational support capacity. Services provided in a Program Management or Consulting capacity may have a direct impact on contracts of an operational support nature. Likewise, services performed on the operational support contract could impair a contractor’s capacity to provide impartial advice on the Program management Support or Consulting Services contract. These conflicting roles could result in the inability to render impartial or objective assistance or bias a contractor’s judgment resulting in an impaired objectivity Organizational Conflict of Interest. Per FAR 9.505- 3, the Offeror must ensure proper safeguards are in place that will ensure objectivity to protect the Government’s interests.

(b) If any such conflict of interest is found to exist, the CO may (1) disqualify the offeror, or (2) determine that it is otherwise in the best interest of the United States to contract with the offeror and include the appropriate provisions to avoid, neutralize, mitigate, or waive such conflict in the contract awarded. After discussion with the offeror, the CO may determine that the actual conflict cannot be avoided, neutralized, mitigated or otherwise resolved to the satisfaction of the Government, and the offeror may be found ineligible for award.

(c) Disclosure: The offeror hereby represents, to the best of its knowledge that:

(1) It is not aware of any facts which create any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest relating to the award of this contract, or

(2) It has included information in its proposal, providing all current information bearing on the existence of any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest, and has included a mitigation plan in accordance with paragraph (d) of this provision.

(d) Mitigation. If an offeror with a potential or actual conflict of interest or unfair competitive advantage believes the conflict can be avoided, neutralized, or mitigated, the offeror shall submit a mitigation plan to the Government for review. Award of a contract where an actual or potential conflict of interest exists shall not occur before Government approval of the mitigation plan. If a mitigation plan is approved, the restrictions of this provision do not apply to the extent defined in the mitigation plan.

(e) Other Relevant Information: In addition to the mitigation plan, the CO may require further relevant information from the offeror. The CO will use all information submitted by the offeror, and any other relevant information known to USAID, to determine whether an award to the offeror may take place, and whether the mitigation plan adequately neutralizes or mitigates the conflict.

(f) Corporation Change. The successful offeror shall inform the CO within thirty (30) calendar days of the effective date of any corporate mergers, acquisitions, and/or divestures that may affect this provision.

(g) Flow-down. The contractor shall insert the substance of this clause in each first tier subcontract that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold.

(h) The Contractor warrants that, to the best of the contractor’s knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or circumstances which could give rise to an organizational conflict of interest, as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5 Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest, or that the contractor has disclosed all such relevant information.

(i) Prior to commencement of any work, the contractor agrees to notify the CO immediately that to the best of its knowledge and belief, no actual or potential conflict of interest exists or to identify to the CO any actual or potential conflict of interest the firm may have. In emergency situations, however, work may begin but notification shall be made within five (5) working days.

(j) The Contractor agrees that if an actual or potential organizational conflict of interest is identified during performance, the Contractor shall immediately make a full disclosure in writing to the CO. This disclosure shall include a description of actions which the Contractor has taken or proposes to take, after consultation with the CO, to avoid, mitigate, or neutralize the actual or potential conflict of interest. The Contractor shall continue performance until notified by the CO or any contrary action to be taken.

(k) Remedies – USAID may terminate this contract for convenience, in whole or in part, if…