RFP No. SOL-278-11-000003.pdf

US Agency for International Development American Embassy P.O.Box 354 Amman 11118, Jordan

Tel: +962 (6) 5906000 Fax +962 (6) 5921535 www.usaidjordan.org

AmEmbassy Amman 6050 Amman Place Washington, DC 20521-6050

RFP Issuance Date: January 27, 2011 Deadline for Questions: February 14, 2011 at 1:00 pm Jordan time

Closing Date and Time for Proposals: March 24, 2011 at 12 pm Jordan time

Subject: Request for Proposal (RFP) No. SOL-278-11-000003 Learning Environment: Technical Support Program

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID/Jordan), is seeking proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing the services described in the attached solicitation. USAID plans to award a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Completion Contract with a total estimated cost of $20 million subject to the availability of funds.

Revealing the cost for the contract does not mean that Offerors should necessarily strive to meet the maximum amount. Offerors must propose costs that they believe are realistic and reasonable for the work. Cost proposals will be evaluated.

USAID plans to award one contract under this solicitation without discussions, unless deemed necessary by the Contracting Officer, and as such initial proposals should represent the best possible and most competitive terms available.

If substantive questions are received which affect the response to the solicitation, or if changes are made to the closing date and time, as well as other aspects of the RFP, this solicitation will be amended. Any amendments to this solicitation will be issued and posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website. Offerors are encouraged to check this website periodically (http://www.fbo.gov).

It is the responsibility of the recipient of this solicitation document to ensure that it has been received from the internet in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

Questions or requests for clarifications regarding this solicitation must be submitted in writing by email not later than the deadline for questions shown on the cover page of this RFP to Arwa Ghanma at aghanma@usaid.gov. Offerors must not submit questions to any other USAID staff.

Unless otherwise notified by an amendment to this RFP, no questions will be accepted after the deadline for questions. Oral instructions or explanations given before the award of the contract resulting from this solicitation shall not be binding.

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER RATING PAGE OF PAGES

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED 6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

9. Sealed offers in original and _____________________________ copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in until local time _______________________ (Hour) (Date)

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All Offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

A. NAME B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS) C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

AREA CODE NUMBER EXT.

(X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM I CONTRACT CLAUSES

B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

D PACKAGING AND MARKING PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA L INSTR., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

K

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

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 (%)

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8)

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated:

CODE FACILITY

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

(Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER 17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AREA CODE NUMBER EXT.

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS IS DIFFERENT FROM

ABOVE - ENTER SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE

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

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: 23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN ITEM (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

10 U.S.C. 2304(a) ( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c) ( )

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BYCODE CODE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD DATE

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

(REV. 9-97)

10. FOR INFORMATION CALL:

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

STANDARD FORM 33

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

SOLICITATION

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

1 N/A 110

SOL-278-11-000003

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01/27/2011

U.S. Embassy, USAID/Regional Contracting Office, Abdoun, Amman 12:00 PM Jordan 03/24/2011

Charis Nastoff, RCO 962-6 5926654 cnastoff@usaid.gov See Attached Table of Contents

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Financial Management Office (FMO) AmEmbassy Amman 6050 Amman Place Washington, DC 20521-6050

Charis Nastoff Contracting Officer

Regional Contracting Office (RCO) AmEmbassy Amman 6050 Amman Place Washington, DC 20521-6050

Regional Contracting Office (RCO) AmEmbassy Amman

Table of Contents Page

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

SF 33 SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

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

B.4 PRICE SCHEDULE

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING

D.2 BRANDING

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

F.4 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

F.5 PROGRESS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

F.6 LEVEL OF EFFORT

F.7 KEY PERSONNEL

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT

G.2 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE (COTR)

G.4 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.5 PAYING OFFICE

G.6 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

H.2 AIDAR 752.225-70 SOURCE, ORIGIN AND NATIONALITY

REQUIREMENTS

H.3 AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION

H.4 AIDAR 752.7005 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT

EXPERIENCE DOCUMENTS

H.5 INSURANCE AND SERVICES

H.6 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.7 NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES AND INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

H.8 LOGISTIC SUPPORT

H.9 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.10 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN AND THE SF 294 - SUBCONTRACTING

REPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS AND SF 295 - SUMMARY

CONTRACTING REPORT

H.11 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING

H.12 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES

H.13 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.14 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.15 EMPLOYMENT COSTS OF THIRD COUNTRY NATIONAL AND COOPERATING

COUNTRY NATIONALS

H.16 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT – IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES

H.17 USAID DISABILITY POLICY

H.18 SPECIAL PROVISIONS

H.19 COMPETITION AND SUBCONTRACTING

H.20 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

H.21 USAID IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 508 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF

1973 AND FEDERAL ACQUISITION CIRCULAR (FAC) 97-27 “ELECTRONIC AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY

H.22 INVESTMENT PROMOTION

H.23 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.2 52.247-67 SUBMISSION OF TRANSPORTATION DOCUMENTS FOR AUDIT

I.3 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.4 AIDAR 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND

NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

I.5 COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

K.3 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION,

PROPOSED DEBARMENT, AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS

K.4 52.219-22 SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS STATUS

K.5 52.223-13 CERTIFICATION OF TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE REPORTING

K.6 PROHIBITION ON CONDUCTING RESTRICTED BUSINESS OPERATIONS IN

SUDAN – CERTIFICATION

K.7 INSURANCE - IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY

K.8 COMPLIANCE WITH VETERANS EMPLOYMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS .. 51

K.9 SIGNATURE

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED

BY REFERENCE

L.2 ACQUISITION SCHEDULE

L.3 TYPE OF CONTRACT

L.4 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

L.5 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

L.6 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.7 RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.2 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.3 DETERMINATION OF THE COMPETITIVE RANGE AND CONTRACT AWARD

M.4 PRICE/BUSINESS EVALUATION

M.5 CONTRACTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND DISADVANTAGED

ENTERPRISES

ATTACHMENT 1 IDENTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL GEOGRAPHIC CODE

NUMBERS

ATTACHMENT 2 USAID FORM 1420-17 - CONTRACTOR BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

SHEET

ATTACHMENT 3 SF LLL - DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

ATTACHMENT 4 PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

ATTACHMENT 5 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

ATTACHMENT 6 MARKING AND BRANDING TEMPLATE

ATTACHMENT 7 LEVEL OF EFFORT CHART

ATTACHMENT 8 BACKGROUND STATEMENT

ATTACHMENT 9 ERFKE II CONCEPT PAPER

ATTACHMENT 10 EDUCATION REFORM SUPPORT PROGRAM

ATTACHMENT 11a JORDAN’S NATIONAL EDUCATION STRATEGY - SUMMARY ATTACHMENT 11b JORDAN’S NATIONAL EDUCATION STRATEGY - FULL

ATTACHMENT 12 USAID FIVE YEAR COUNTRY STRATEGY FOR JORDAN

ATTACHMENT 13 JORDAN GLOBAL SCHOOL BASED STUDENT HEALTH

SURVEY (2007)

RFP NO. SOL-278-11-000003 SECTION B

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to improve student well-being and school achievement through improving the overall school learning environment.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

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

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 to be determined (TBD). The fixed fee, if any, is TBD. The estimated cost plus fixed fee, if any, is TBD.

(b) Within the estimated cost plus fixed fee (if any) specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is TBD. The Contractor shall not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount.

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

B.4 PRICE SCHEDULE

Line Item Amount Salaries Fringe Benefits Consultants Travel, Transportation and Per Diem Allowances Subcontracts Subgrants $1,800,000.00 Other Direct Costs Indirect Cost Fixed Fee Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

RFP NO. SOL-278-11-000003 SECTION B

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS (DEC 1997)

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

1/ 1/ 1/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 3/ 3/ 3/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Provisional Period:

2/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Provisional Period:

3/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Provisional Period:

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE

The U.S. dollar costs allowable shall be limited to reasonable, allocable and necessary 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.

[End of Section B]

RFP NO. SOL-278-11-000003 SECTION C

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

Learning Environment: Technical Support Program

I. Purpose:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Jordan is issuing this Request for Proposals to implement education activities that support USAID/Jordan’s Agreement for Investing in People, which is an integrated program to improve the health, education and life skills for young Jordanians. The Learning Environment: Technical Support Program aims to improve student well-being and school achievement through improving the learning environment. The program will last five years with a total estimated value of $20 million. It will work side-by-side with the Learning Environment: Improved Infrastructure Program which will upgrade the physical environment of 120 selected schools. The Learning Environment:

Technical Support Program will provide technical assistance to those same 120 schools and an additional 200 schools with activities to address the non-physical environmental factors that impact student learning.

Refer to Section J, Attachment 12 for USAID Five Year Country Strategy for Jordan.

II. Background:

Jordan is a principal voice for moderation, peace and reform in the Middle East. Its difficult geographic position – surrounded by Iraq, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, Israel and Saudi Arabia – brings it into constant contact with regional turbulence that affects its political climate and its economy.

Within this volatile environment, Jordan’s economy has performed well over the past six years with an average annual growth rate of 5-7%. However, high unemployment and deep pockets of poverty persist. Jordan’s population growth is among the highest in the region, and nearly 70% of the population is under the age of 30. Youth unemployment is particularly high, even amongst those with high education attainment. Therefore, poverty reduction and job creation remain Jordan’s most important challenges.

Refer to Section J, Attachment 8 for full Background Statement.

Education Sector Context:

In line with the international Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Jordan has made steady progress in raising primary education completion rates and eliminating gender disparities in education. Access to education is high: In 2008, the primary net enrollment rate was 89% (89% for males, 90% for females), while the secondary net enrollment rate was 82% (80% for males and 84% for females). Youth literacy (age 15-24) is nearly 100%. Access to early childhood education has surged over the past several years with gross enrollment reaching 36% (38% for males and 34% for females). UNESCO ranked Jordan 18th out of 94 countries in the “Education for All” rating for gender and education, indicating that Jordan provides equal learning opportunities for males and females.

Despite the very high enrollment rates and the availability of access to schools across the Kingdom, the quality of education remains uneven. The average achievement in urban areas is higher than that in the rural and more remote areas. Although there are diminishing gender disparities in Jordan in terms of enrollment rates or access, disparities can be found in the quality of the educational experience male and female students are receiving. After the third grade, boys and girls are segregated and attend separate schools which impacts on student behavior and teacher classroom management.

In addition, relevancy of the education provided needs to be addressed. While the MOE has mandated all schools to have school counselors on staff, the capacity of these personnel is limited to focusing on school to career issues, not psychosocial issues. Until recently, the curriculum and teaching techniques remained unchanged, and students received an education that did not adequately prepare them with the skills required by a 21st century labor market.

Recognizing these challenges, the Government of Jordan (GOJ) embarked on the design and implementation of a bold and ambitious education reform program known as “Education Reform for the Knowledge Economy (ERfKE).” ERfKE was initiated in 2003 as a five-year $500 million multi-donor program to strengthen and integrate critical thinking, problem-solving, workplace skills and e-learning approaches into Jordan’s core education curricula. ERfKE closed-out in 2009 and the next ten-year phase of reform (ERfKE II) launched in March 2010.

(Refer to Section J, Attachments 9, 11a and 11b for more on ERfKE II Concept Paper and Jordan’s National Education Strategy).

Learning Environment:

Student well-being and school achievement is influenced by various physical and social factors.

It is critical to have a safe and healthy environment, both physical (which includes elements such as sanitation facilities, noise, temperature, and lighting as well as biological or chemical agents) and social (social relationships and attitudes) in the schools. Research has demonstrated that there are social and emotional skills that are critical factors in motivating students to improve learning and achieve academically. Students who feel connected to their schools perform better academically and the quality of relationships within the Learning Environment (teacher-student and student-student) correlates with students’ capacity to learn effectively. Certain levels of fear or stress can inhibit or stifle students’ ability to learn. A safe, clean, and well-maintained school with a positive social climate and culture can foster school connectedness which, in turn, boosts student and staff health as well as students’ educational achievement.

The need to improve the schools in support of quality-learning environments is one of GOJ’s priorities. In an evaluation of the ERfKE I initiative, it was noted that activity components - in both its completed phase and planned second phase - do not focus enough on ensuring healthy school environments. Studies and surveys conducted in Jordan show a dire need for programs that focus on improving the learning environment.

Unhealthy behaviors of students, staff and their families further exacerbate the problem. It essential to work on behavior change to ensure that general hygiene and other practices by students are in line with the overall transformation that will take place at the school.

Refer to Section J, Attachment 13 for more information on learning environment in Jordan’s schools. Also, http://www.unicef.org/jordan/VAC_Study_final_Arabic_005_FOR_SCREEN(1).pdf http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/global/gyts/factsheets/emr/2007/Jordan_factsheet.htm

Through two Learning Environment Programs, the Technical Support and Improved Infrastructure, USAID aims to provide assistance that enables schools to foster healthy lifestyles.

This will include actively engaging schools and communities to improve learning environments and adopt positive learning behaviors by addressing issues such as physical and verbal abuse by teachers and peers, bad sanitation conditions, healthy lifestyles as well as the conditions of the classroom setting. This will also include identifying the gender issues that impact the quality of the learning environment.

The two Learning Environment Programs are designed to complement ERfKE II efforts. They are consistent with the overall vision and objective of the reform efforts of improving student achievement. These programs should be implemented in full collaboration and partnership with the relevant Managing Directorates at the Ministry of Education (MOE) and also in close coordination with other concerned government bodies such as the Ministry of Health (MOH).

The implementers of the Learning Environment: Technical Support Program and the Learning Environment: Improved Infrastructure Program will make particular effort to coordinate with each other, collaborate thoroughly as appropriate, and complement each other’s efforts as a way to improve conditions in Jordan’s needy and at-risk public schools. USAID/Jordan views such a close working relationship as absolutely key to the success of both the Technical Support Program and the School Improvement Program as their goals, objectives, and approaches are strategically integrated.

III. Scope of work:

A. Program Objective:

The overall program objective is to improve student behavior and school achievement.

Overarching program objectives include:

- Building awareness within school communities to support enabling environments that contribute to positive learning behaviors and school achievement, and reinforce positive change including reduced violence and bullying and increased healthy behaviors.

- Establishing effective and sustainable communication channels within the schools and with the community.

- Assisting MOE to develop a sustainable learning environment (LE) quality assurance and LE accreditation system.

B. Program Components:

The program shall focus on promoting a positive learning environment in public schools for different age groups (5-18 years). This shall be achieved through addressing the social and behavioral issues that exist in schools that impede learning and teaching. Achieving change in the school culture and behavior will lead to enhanced learning, effective classroom management, and improved students’ social skills to ultimately achieve higher levels of achievement. Program components shall be structured in a way that will ensure the best level of performance for the program and the maximum efficiency.

1. Assessments as a Crosscutting Component:

The objective of this component is to develop school improvement plans based on data and information that identify the key issues related to school environments. The school-specific improvement plans will be dependent upon the two assessments described below. These assessments will inform all components of this program and are, therefore, considered crosscutting. The following two activities shall be implemented under this component:

a. General Survey Assessment:

Prior to the implementation of any activity, the Contractor shall conduct a general survey assessment that evaluates the situation of schools in Jordan, across stages of education and geographical areas, from the infrastructure as well as behavioral perspectives. The survey shall include schools from the different geographical areas in Jordan to identify any patterns that are general or specific to certain neighborhoods or governorates.

The General Survey report shall be submitted to USAID within 90 days of award date. The General Survey report shall include general findings and identified trends with categorization of schools based on their needs and current situation.

b. School Selection:

Based on the initial findings of the General Survey Assessment and in collaboration with the MOE and according to set criteria, the Contractor shall select all 320 schools that will be targeted under this program. The list of schools shall be submitted to USAID within 90 days of the award date.

c. School Specific Assessment:

The Contractor shall conduct an assessment in every individual school that is targeted through the program prior to the start of school-specific activities to serve as baseline data. Data shall be collected at mid-term and also at the end of the program to feed into the quasi-experimental evaluation which shall be undertaken.

The School Specific Assessment individual reports shall be submitted to USAID by the end of month 9 of the Contract. The individual reports include information and analysis that are specific to the individual school with its specific context, environment and situation.

Activities will include, but are not limited to the following:

Development of a research design that includes methods demonstrating whether there is a link between program activities and changes in student and teacher attendance, attitudes, and behavior and improved student performance prepared and approved by USAID.

Design and implementation of school specific assessments in each of the 320 participating schools.

Development of a baseline data collection plan within the first six months of the Contract.

Delivery of seminars and/or workshops to discuss assessment results with the MOE and other line ministries.

Preparation of a report that highlights recommendations on how to establish a school-based healthy learning environment accreditation system that would also serve as an incentive for schools to institutionalize healthy behaviors.

2. Promoting School and Community Based Decisions for Positive Behavioral Change:

a. Promoting Positive Change:

Under this sub-component, the program shall address issues that have been identified as prevalent in Jordan’s schools, such as but not limited to violence, hygiene, effective communication, and teaching and learning conditions. The Contractor shall assist schools by providing the necessary expertise and resources depending on the focus of each school as determined by the school-specific assessment. The following activities shall be implemented under this component:

i) In close collaboration with the MOE, the Contractor shall design and implement behavior influence/behavior change campaigns that will focus on promoting positive behavior among students and teachers. The Contractor shall submit a social marketing campaign plan that targets the general issues that were found to be prevalent at the majority of the schools. The plan should also include specific behavior change messages or campaigns targeted to individual schools to address their specific set of issues in a manner that is most suitable given the context and situation.

ii) The Contractor shall develop and implement a school counselor and teacher-training program to identify student behavior related issues in schools including how to find the appropriate resources to address behavior issues with respect to gender and to students with disabilities. This activity shall be coordinated with the Education Reform Support Program (Refer to Section J, Attachment 10 for a description of ERSP) and other USAID-funded and non USAID- funded projects providing teacher training. The Contractor’s work will lay the foundation for the MOE to institutionalize and sustain counselor and teacher training.

Focusing on improving the social climate inside schools through offering social skills training and cooperative classroom projects can be good complementary efforts. It is important, within the schools, to have a holistic approach towards problems related to the social climate, working environment and safety. Extra-curricular activities and access to school facilities (computer labs, libraries and sports halls) outside regular school hours shall be promoted in collaboration with the MOE.

b. School and Community Based Project:

Under this sub-component, a major focus will be to initiate change, specifically in behavior, from the grassroots up; where rules are created and agreed upon by the school community, including the students. The Contractor shall use approaches that will ensure higher levels of sustainability and school-community involvement. The following activities shall be implemented under this component:

i) Implementation of school and community-based projects (at least four projects per participating school – over 3 semesters) on priority issues, as identified by school stakeholders in the school specific assessments, at each participating school.

ii) Provision of training for all staff members on priority social, health and safety related issues as identified in the school specific assessments, which could include but are not limited to conflict resolution, addressing bullying and aggression, managing vandalism, implementing emergency plans, handle accidents and illnesses, and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

iii) Development and implementation of school-based strategic or long-range plan to improve the learning environment and services. Plans shall be aligned with the school’s philosophy/mission and its operational plans, and shall be focused on continuous improvement of the learning environment.

The Contractor shall stay in each targeted school for at least 3 semesters to implement the above mentioned activities and ensure proper follow-up and provide assistance. A roll-out plan of the activities shall be thoroughly thought out to ensure the availability of the needed resources to be allocated to achieve the desired results. The plan shall be included in the Offeror’s proposal.

The following points shall be considered when planning and implementing the above activities to ensure participation and buy-in of the relevant stakeholders:

The project shall emphasize family and parent involvement to help impact student learning and achievement positively, and assist schools to create internal systems that will incentivize greater community involvement. Moreover, it shall instill a sense of healthy competition among classrooms within individual schools or even among a number of participating schools.

The Contractor shall increase student and parent involvement in decisions related to their school’s environment. The Contractor shall develop school and community based projects that will be student-led and implemented with the involvement of the whole school. Under this sub-component, the Contractor shall assist the school community in developing and implementing projects. These projects will address the most serious issues and challenges identified as priority areas through the school-specific assessment.

These projects are to focus on both physical and behavior related issues, which impact the learning environment.

The Contractor shall work with the relevant stakeholders to guide the selection of project activities based on certain criteria (must be active-learning based, must link to improved behaviors, must be participatory in nature, for example). The Contractor shall monitor project activities to determine how effective they were in changing behaviors and building awareness on focus topics. These projects will serve as “pilot” projects to inform policy changes for national support for improved learning environments.

In achieving the above objectives the Contractor shall give out subgrants (to which $1.8 million shall be allocated to that line item as a plug figure) for local groups within or outside the school to implement certain projects. The projects can be part of the awareness campaign or a school and community-based project that focuses on one or more of the major needs identified for a specific school. The sub-granting shall follow a competitive nature and be according to an assessment against clearly identified evaluation criteria. The Offeror shall clearly propose a specific management plan and processes that will govern the sub-grants component to ensure relevance of the sub-grants to this component, compliance with USAID sub-granting rules and regulations and contribution of the sub-grant activities to the overall component objective.

3. Learning Environment Quality Assurance and Accreditation System:

Under this component the Contractor shall develop and strengthen a school environment quality assurance and accreditation system that will help the MOE sustain and institutionalize improved learning environments in schools. The following activities shall be implemented under this component:

a. Quality Assurance System:

i) In close collaboration with the MOE, the Contractor shall clearly define quality assurance

(QA) and its elements; develop a QA strategy and implementation plan for an effective and manageable QA system.

ii) The Contractor shall assist the MOE develop and implement operational plans at the Education Directorate and school levels that cover all important activities and are not limited to project interventions. The submitted plan should clearly demonstrate how capacity will be built at the MOE and how the Ministry will be able to institutionalize the QA system. The Contractor shall submit a roll-out plan for 2 years after completion of project showing how the established QA interventions can be sustained by the trained MOE personnel. This plan shall be approved by the MOE and USAID.

As part of the overall QA system, it is important that the Contractor utilize the current MOE systems and continue to implement, strengthen and expand them focusing on the Education Directorate and school levels, in coordination with the central MOE.

The following points shall be considered when planning and implementing the above activities to ensure participation and buy-in of the relevant stakeholders:

The Contractor shall develop quality assurance and control mechanisms to achieve better supervision of schools and enhance the school environment and performance.

Concurrently, the Contractor will build the capacity of the MOE to implement and institutionalize this system so as to ensure the sustainability of improved learning environments in schools.

The quality assurance shall give strong emphasis to the “Community Involvement” criterion to ensure that families and community members are encouraged to participate and are included in all projects implemented at the school level.

Operational planning should enable schools to be more aware of school environment issues affecting student and teacher performance, establish realistic goals, improve effectiveness and efficiency, mobilize community resources, mobilize other resources, monitor progress, generate reports, and foster information-based decision making. Operational plans should emphasize activities at the community level and should serve the interface of linking the communities with schools.

b. Assist the MOE in the establishment of a learning environment accreditation system:

The Contractor shall assist the MOE and other stakeholders to establish a sustainable school learning environment accreditation system that is based on local and international standards.

The Contractor shall work closely with all schools under the program to help them to meet the accreditation standards. Such system shall ensure that a school is meeting quality standards relevant to the learning environment.

The accreditation system shall identify a set of indicators that are relevant to school environment improvement. Through the accreditation process, the school staff shall continuously review the standards and indicators to ensure that the standards are being met and to identify areas that the school may need to strengthen or improve. This review requires the school to identify the data, information, evidence, and documented results that validate that it is meeting each standard.

The Contractor is encouraged to closely coordinate with Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS), Madrasati Initiative and other existing NGOs and initiatives to explore the possibility of hosting the accreditation body at one of these organizations. The activity is expected to include capacity building efforts provided to the entity to enable it to implement and sustain the accreditation system. (check www.madrasati.org and www.rhas.org.jo for more information).

Activities will include, but are not limited to the following:

Development and implementation of Learning Environment (LE) Accreditation standards.

Roll-out and establishment of a LE Accreditation System at the central ministry, educational directorate and participating schools levels.

Training for all participating schools on the accreditation.

Assistance in identification of an appropriate accreditation entity or body outside MOE.

Delivery of workshops and specialized training to build capacity of selected LE accreditation body.

Development of an award and incentive system for school learning environment accreditation.

IV. Gender Considerations:

It is essential that the contractor be cognizant and considerate to gender specific issues, priorities and norms. All activities must be gender sensitive, including school renovation A/E design concepts, assessments, implementation and then post-evaluation. All statistics and data should be disaggregated by gender.

V. Coordination:

This program complements the Learning Environment: Improved Infrastructure Program and it is mandatory that both projects coordinate with each other at all stages of the project development, in particular:

i. Logistics: Offices for both programs shall be physically located in one building.

ii. Reporting: Assessments and technical reports prepared by the LE: Technical Support

Program shall be shared and discussed with the Learning Environment: Improved Infrastructure Program to be used as guidelines for the conceptual designs and the renovation intervention.

iii. Work plans shall be coordinated in close coordination and related activities in the work plans shall match each other for both programs.

iv. Field Activities: All field activities in the selected 120 schools shall be shared and coordinated with the LE: Improved Infrastructure Program.

v. Roll-out of interventions and the associated timelines need to be coordinated between the two programs. Programs shall work simultaneously in the schools; The LE: Technical Support Program shall work for one academic semester at each of the 120 schools after the renovation work is completed.

vi. Meetings: Both programs shall meet, at a minimum, on a biweekly basis to discuss issues related to the design concepts and the implementation of the renovation works. Minutes of meetings or other critical meetings shall be recorded and sent to USAID.

[End of Section C]

RFP NO. SOL-278-11-000003 SECTION D

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

(a) It is USAID policy that USAID-financed commodities and shipping containers, and project construction sites and other project locations be suitably marked with the USAID emblem.

Shipping containers are also to be marked with the last five digits of the USAID financing document number. As a general rule, marking is not required for raw materials shipped in bulk (such as coal, grain, etc.), or for semi-finished products which are not packaged.

(b) Specific guidance on marking requirements 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

The contractor shall comply with the requirements of the USAID "Graphic Standards Manual" available at www.usaid.gov/branding, or any successor branding policy.

[End of Section D]

RFP NO. SOL-278-11-000003 SECTION E

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)

52.246-5 INSPECTION OF SERVICES -- COST REIMBURSEMENT APR 1984

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports and other required deliverables or outputs shall take place at:

Social Sectors Office (SSO) USAID/Jordan Amman, Jordan or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and deliverables or outputs are produced or submitted. The COTR listed in Section G has been delegated authority to inspect and accept all services, reports and required deliverables or outputs.

[End of Section E]

RFP NO. SOL-278-11-000003 SECTION F

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

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)

52.242-15 STOP-WORK ORDER ALTERNATE (APRIL 1984) AUG 1989

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this contract is o/a August 2011 through o/a August 2015.

F.3 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Evaluation of the contractor's overall performance in accordance with the performance standards set forth in Section C, Tangible Results and Deliverables, will be conducted jointly by the COTR and the Contracting Officer, and shall form the basis of the Contractor's permanent performance record with regard to this contract.

F.4 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

In addition to the requirements set forth for submission of reports in Sections I and J and in the AIDAR clause 752.242-70, Periodic Progress Reports, the contractor shall submit the following deliverables or outputs to the COTR. All reports and other deliverables shall be in the English language, unless otherwise specified by the COTR.

All reports shall be submitted in hard and soft copies per the approved format by USAID. All reports shall be approved by USAID.

a) Annual work plans. Within 60 days after award of the contract, an umbrella four-year strategic plan and a draft of the first annual work plan shall be submitted by the Contractor.

Annual work plans will be developed in consultation with the LE: Technical Support Program MOE counterparts, cooperating agencies implementing other programs as appropriate, and USAID Jordan. Annual work plans have to fit with U.S. Government fiscal year and must be submitted 30 days prior to the end of the previous planning period.

b) Quarterly Progress. This report is due within 15 days of the last day in each quarter. This report will include at a minimum the following information:

- Summary of all activities since the last report

- Update on resolution of issues raised in previous report

- New issues arising

- Recommendations for resolving issues

- Progress towards results, and

- Summary of financial expenditures

The fourth quarterly report will be cumulative and will serve as an annual report, feeding into USAID annual reporting requirements.

c) Accrual Reports have to be submitted on quarterly basis at least 15 working days before the end of the quarter.

d) End of Project Report: This report shall be submitted in the last quarter and will provide an assessment of the program’s success at achieving the program objectives. The report will provide details on program sustainability/institutionalization plans adopted by the MOE, major impediments faced during implementation and lessons learned.

F.5 PROGRESS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

752.242-70 Periodic Progress Reports (OCT 2007)

a) The contractor shall prepare and submit progress reports as specified in the contract schedule.

These reports are separate from the interim and final performance evaluation reports prepared by USAID in accordance with FAR 42.15 and internal Agency procedures, but they may be used by USAID personnel or their authorized representatives when evaluating the contractor's performance.

b) During any delay in furnishing a progress report required under this contract, the Contracting

Officer may withhold from payment an amount not to exceed US$25,000 (or local currency equivalent) or 5 percent of the amount of this contract, whichever is less, until such time as the contractor submits the report or the Contracting Officer determines that the delay no longer has a detrimental effect on the Government's ability to monitor the contractor's progress.

F.6 LEVEL OF EFFORT

a) The contractor shall devote TBD person-hours level of effort of direct employee, consultant, or subcontractor labor for the period specified in the clause, Period of Performance, above.

This total level of effort is organized by labor category below.

b) The number of person-hours for any labor category may be used in any other labor category, subject to the prior written approval or direction of the COTR. Once the level of effort has been fully expended, this contract is complete.

c) The level of effort by labor category is given in Attachment 7.

F.7 KEY PERSONNEL

a) The key personnel which the contractor shall furnish for the performance of this contract are as follows:

(1) Chief of Party

(2) Deputy Chief of Party

(3) Team leader of Behavior Change

(4) Team leader of Quality Assurance and Accreditation

(5) Social Marketing Specialist

b) The personnel specified above are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder. Prior to replacing any of the specified individuals, the Contractor shall immediately notify both the Contracting Officer and USAID COTR reasonably in advance and shall submit written justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the program. No replacement of personnel shall be made by the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer.

c) USAID reserves the right to adjust the level of key personnel during the performance of this contract.

[End of Section F]

RFP NO. SOL-278-11-000003 SECTION G

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998)

(a) Claims for reimbursement or payment under this contract must be submitted to the Paying Office indicated in the schedule of this contract. The Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) is the authorized representative of the Government to approve vouchers under this contract. The Contractor must submit either paper or fax versions of the SF-1034-- Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other Than Personal. Each voucher shall be identified by the appropriate USAID contract number, in the amount of dollar expenditures made during the period covered.

(1) The SF 1034 provides space to report by line item for products or services provided. The form provides for the information to be reported with the following elements:

Total Expenditures [Document Number: XXX-X-XX-XXXX-XX] Line Description Amt vouchered Amt vouchered Item No. to date this period 001 Product/Service Desc. for Line Item 001 $XXXX.XX $XXXX.XX

002 Product/Service Desc. for Line Item 002 $XXXX.XX $XXXX.XX

Total $XXXX.XX $XXXX.XX

(2) The fiscal report shall include the following certification signed by an authorized representative of the Contractor:

The undersigned hereby certifies to the best of my knowledge and belief that the fiscal report and any attachments have been prepared from the books and records of the Contractor in accordance with the terms of this contract and are correct: the sum claimed under this contract is proper and due, and all the costs of contract performance (except as herewith reported in writing) have been paid, or to the extent allowed under the applicable payment clause, will be paid currently by the Contractor when due in the ordinary course of business; the work reflected by these costs has been performed, and the quantities and amounts involved are consistent with the requirements of this Contract; all required Contracting Officer approvals have been obtained; and appropriate refund to USAID will be made promptly upon request in the event of disallowance of costs not reimbursable under the terms of this contract.

BY: ______________________________________________________

TITLE: ______________________________________________________

DATE: ______________________________________________________

(b) Local currency payment. The Contractor is fully responsible for the proper expenditure and control of local currency, if any, provided under this contract. Local currency will be provided to the Contractor in accordance with written instructions provided by the Mission Director. The written instructions will also include accounting, vouchering, and reporting procedures. A copy of the instructions shall be provided to the Contractor's Chief of Party and to the Contracting Officer. The costs of bonding personnel responsible for local currency are reimbursable under this contract.

(c) Upon compliance by the Contractor with all the provisions of this contract,…