SOL-278-16-000001.pdf

Issuance Date: November 12, 2015

Deadline for Questions: November 23, 2015

Pre-Bid Conference: November 18, 2015

Anticipated Response/Amendment: December 2, 2015

Deadline for Receipt of Proposal: December 11, 2015

COB EST

Subject: Request for Proposal No. SOL-278-16-000001 Syria Essential Services II activity (SES II)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission to Jordan, is seeking proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing the services as described in the attached solicitation. This procurement is being conducted through full and open competition for which the procedures set forth in FAR Part 15 must apply.

This is a full and open competition, under which any type of organization (large or small commercial [for profit] firms, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, faith-based and community organizations) meeting USAID source and nationality geographic code 935 is eligible to compete. In support of the Agency’s interest in expanding the number and sustainability of development partners, USAID encourages proposals from potential new partners.

USAID plans to award a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Term-type contract. The period of performance will be three years including a base two-year with a third year option. Offerors must propose costs that they believe are realistic and reasonable for the work. Cost proposals will be evaluated as part of a best value determination using the trade-off analysis process in accordance with FAR 15.101-1 for contract award, including cost effective approaches to achieving the results. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this solicitation is 541990.

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 the proposal. 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.

The RFP, once issued, and subsequent amendments thereto, can be downloaded from the Federal Business Opportunities (“FBO”) web site. The Worldwide Web address is http://www.fedbizopps.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 from transmission or conversion processes.

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 (FedBizOpps) website (http://www.fedbizopps.gov). It is the Offeror’s responsibility to check this site periodically for official updates and amendments to the solicitation.

USAID/Jordan intends to host a Pre-Bid Conference to provide information regarding this program and to address questions and requests for clarification. The conference will be held in Washington, D.C. on the date indicated above.

The details associated with the submission requirements are outlined under section L of this solicitation. Late proposals will be handled in accordance with FAR 15.208.

Questions and Answers: The deadline for receiving questions is the date noted above. Questions may be submitted to Rima Kayyal at rkayyal@usaid.gov.

We extend our best wishes to all for a successful competition, and certainly want to thank you for your interest in USAID/Jordan program activities.

Sincerely, Luis A. Rivera Director, Acquisition and Assistance Office USAID/Jordan

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 72000 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 __210______ 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) G.8 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 119N/A

SOL-278-16- X

November 12, 2015

N/A

Rima Kayyal 962‐6‐ 590 6666 rkayyal@usaid.gov

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

See Section G.9

Luis A. Rivera Director, Acquisition & Assistance Office

Acquisition & Assistance Office (AAO) AmEmbassy Amman 6050 Amman Place Washington, DC 20521-6050

Acquisition & Assistance Office (AAO) AmEmbassy Amman 6050 Amman Place Washington, DC 20521-6050 ix

Contents

PART I – SCHEDULE

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

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

B.8 LEVEL OF EFFORT

SECTION C—STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION D – PACKING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.2 BRANDING POLICY AND STRATEGY

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSE 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 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.4 AUTHORIZED WORK WEEK

F.5 KEY PERSONNEL

F.6 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

F.7 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

F.8. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND REPORTING

F.9 AIDAR 752.242-70 PERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS (OCT 2007)

F.10 LANGUAGE OF REPORTS AND OTHER OUTPUTS

F.11 AIDAR 752.7005 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

DOCUMENTS (SEPTEMBER 2013)

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY

G.2. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER

G.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE

G.4 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.5 ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL

G.6 COUNTRY CLEARANCE

G.7 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998)

G.8 INVOICING INSTRUCTIONS

G.9 PAYING OFFICE

G.10 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

Request for Proposals No. SOL-278-16-000001 Syria Essential Services II Activity

G.11 CONTRACTOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION/POINT OF CONTACT

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

H.2 AIDAR 752.225-70 SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012)

H.3 AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JUL 1997)

H.4 INSURANCE AND SERVICES

H.5 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.6 NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

RESOURCES

H.7 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

H.8 LOGISTIC SUPPORT

H.9 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.10 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JUL 2007)

H.11 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.12 EMPLOYMENT COSTS OF THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS (TCNS) AND COOPERATING

COUNTRY NATIONALS (CCNS)

H.13 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING (FEB 2002)

H.14 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES (JUN 2012) .. 52

H.15 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)

H.16 USAID DISABILITY POLICY - (DEC 2004)

H.17 AIDAR 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND NOTIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS (APR 2014)

H.18 AIDAR 752.245.71 TITLE TO AND CARE OF PROPERTY

H.19 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

H.20 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.21 AIDAR 752.7013 CONTRACTOR-MISSION RELATIONSHIPS (OCT 1989)

H.22 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN REPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS AND SUMMARY

CONTRACTING REPORT

H.23 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT

H.24 COMPETITION AND SUBCONTRACTING

H.25 VALUE ADDED TAX AND CUSTOMS DUTIES

H.26 PRESS AND PRESS RELATIONS

H.27 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

H.28 PROHIBITION AND ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKING

H.29 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES OR PROPERTY

H.30 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

H.31 NONDISCRIMINATION (JUNE 2012)

H.32 AMERICAN EMBASSY COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AECSA)

H.33 SOVEREIGN RELATIONSHIPS

H.34 U.S. CITIZENS REGISTRATION

H.35 PARTICIPANT TRAINING REPORTS

H.36 TRAINET AND USAID SPONSORED J-1 VISAS

H.37 CONFERENCE PLANNING AND REQUIRED APPROVALS (AUGUST 2013)

H.38 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (AUGUST 2013)

H.39 USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR ACQUISITION (JULY 2014) . 65

H.40 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT – IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES

H.41 CONTRACTOR’S USE OF PROJECT VEHICLES AND LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

FOR PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES

H.42 CONFIDENTIALITY AND OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

H.43 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

H.44 BUSINESS CLASS TRAVEL

H.45 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (DDL) (OCTOBER 2014)

H.46 LIABILITY WAIVER FOR OPERATING IN SYRIA

H.47 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.2. FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

I.3 52.204-1 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT (DEC 1989)

I.4 52.215-23 LIMITATIONS ON PASS-THROUGH CHARGES (OCT 2009)

I.5 52.247-67 SUBMISSION OF TRANSPORTATION DOCUMENTS FOR AUDIT (FEB 2006)

I.6 752.219-70 USAID MENTOR- PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM (JUL 2007)

I.7 FAR 52.222.50 COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (MAR 2015)

I.8 FAR 52.252-4 ALTERATIONS IN CONTRACT (APR 1984)

I.9 AIDAR 752.209-71 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DISCOVERED AFTER AWARD

(JUN 1993)

I.10 52.203-99, PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE CERTAIN INTERNAL

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS (APR 2015)

I.11 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

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 (DEC 2014)

K.3 INSURANCE - IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY

K.4 AGREEMENT ON, OR EXCEPTIONS TO, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

K.5 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2015)

K.6 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (JUL 2013)

K.7 52.215-6 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE (OCT 1997)

K.8 52.219-22 SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS STATUS (OCT 1999)

K.9 52.222-22 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS (FEB 1999)

K.10 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984)

K.11 52.225-25 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES ENGAGING IN SANCTIONED

ACTIVITIES RELATING TO IRAN--REPRESENTATION AND CERTIFICATION (DEC 2012)

K.12 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (OCT 2015)

K.13 52.222-56 CERTIFICATION REGARDING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS COMPLIANCE PLAN

(MAY 2015)

K.14 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE – COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR 2005) .. 99

K.15 AGREEMENT ON OR EXCEPTIONS TO, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

K.16 SIGNATURE

K.17 DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) N UMBER

K.18 FAR 52.209-XX REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A

FELONY CRIMINAL CONVICTION REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATION REGARDING A DELINQUENT

TAX LIABILITY OR A FELONY CRIMINAL CONVICTION (AUGUST 2014)

K.19 FAR 52.203-98, PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE CERTAIN INTERNAL

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS-REPRESENTATION (APR 2015)

SECTION L

L.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

L.2 52.215-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION (JAN 2004)

L.3 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

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

L.5 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

L.6 QUESTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS:

L.7 PRE-BID CONFERENCE:

L.8 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.10 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

M.2 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.3 PRICE/BUSINESS EVALUATION

M.4 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.5 DETERMINATION OF THE COMPETITIVE RANGE AND CONTRACT AWARD

M.6 SOURCE SELECTION

M.7 CONTRACTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND DISADVANTAGED ENTERPRISES

PART I – SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide technical assistance and services as described in detail in Section C – Statement of Work for the implementation of the United States Agency for International Development’s mission to Jordan’s Syria Essential Services II Activity.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) term-type contract. For the consideration set forth in the contract, the Contractor must provide the targets, results and deliverables described in Section C (Statement of Work) and all reports and deliverable set forth in Section F.

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

(a) The total estimated cost and ceiling for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is $ (TBD). The fixed fee, if any, is $(TBD). The estimated cost plus fixed fee, if any, is $(TBD). USAID will not pay the Contractor any sum in excess of the total estimated cost.

(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 must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount and unless authorized by the Contracting Officer in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.232-22, entitled, “Limitation of Funds.”

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

B.4 PRICE SCHEDULE

As the period of performance for this contract is a two year base and one one-year option year, the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) budget structure must be broken into three, one-year increments. The Contractor is required to fill in the template (Attachment J.8) with their proposed cost for the base and option years.

Contract Line Item Number Year 1 (Base)

Year 2 (Base)

Year 3 (Option)

Total

CLIN 1 – Research and Analysis

CLIN 2 – Essential Services

CLIN 3 ‐ Governance

CLIN 4 – Monitoring and Evaluation

Grants

Other Direct Costs

Indirect Costs

Total Estimated Cost

Fixed Fee

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

The contract clause entitled “Allowable Cost and Payment (June 2011)”, FAR 52.216-7, specifies that the indirect cost rates must be established for each of the Contractor’s accounting periods that apply to this contract. Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs must be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases pursuant to the contractor’s current executed negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement:

(To be determined at time of award)

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD TBD 1/ 1/ 1/

TBD TBD 2/ 2/ 2/

1/ Base of Application: TBD

Type of Rate: TBD Period: TBD

2/ Base of Application: TBD

Type of Rate: TBD Period: TBD

Note: The Contractor is allowed to recover applicable indirect costs (i.e., overhead, G&A, etc.)

on other direct costs (ODCs), if it is part of the Contractor’s usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31, and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Indirect costs shall not be allowed for local organizations. All costs for local organizations shall be budgeted and billed as direct costs.

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE

The US dollar costs allowable must be limited to reasonable, allocable and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 31 (Contract Cost Principles), 2 CFR 220 (Cost Principles for Educational Institutions), 2 CFR 230 (Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations), FAR 52.216-7 (Allowable Cost and Payment), FAR 52.216-8 (Fixed Fee), if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003, Documentation for Payment.

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

Monthly payment of fixed fee will be paid in proportion to the level of effort (LOE) delivered during that month and pursuant to FAR 52.216-8, it will be made upon receipt of a proper invoice. In the event the Contractor has not delivered the total LOE at the expiration of the

Contract period, the fixed fee will be adjusted proportionately to the LOE delivered. For example, if the Contractor has expended 85% of the total level of effort, then the Contractor is entitled to 85% of the fixed fee amount, provided that the performance has been satisfactory.

B.8 LEVEL OF EFFORT

(a) The Government estimates that 27,270 person-days of professional level of effort (LOE) will be required for Long-Term and Short-Term direct employees and consultants, however the contractor is free to propose LOE allocations to accomplish the contract’s objecives.. This total level of effort may be organized per year and by labor categories as follows:

Year 1 Total

LOE

(Base)

Year 2 Total

LOE

(Base)

Year 3 Total

LOE

(Option) Total LOE Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Years 1 to 3 Professional Staff (expatriate) TBD TBD TBD TBD Professional Staff (Local) TBD TBD TBD TBD Short-term Staff TBD TBD TBD TBD

TOTAL LOE TBD TBD TBD TBD

(b) The number of person-days for any labor category may not be used in any other labor category for years 1 through 3, unless prior approval by the Contracting Officer has been granted. Once the required level of effort has been provided, the contract will be completed;

however, the Contractor can, with the written approval of the Contracting Officer, modify the Contract by reallocating level of effort between labor categories within the general scope of the Contract. No reallocation of level of effort can result in an increase in the total estimated cost of, or exceed the obligated amount in, the Contract without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

Approvals, technical orders or other direction from the COR do not constitute authorization to increase the total LOE for this Contract. The Government is not obligated to reimburse the Contractor for any actions which increase LOE unless such actions have been authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C—STATEMENT OF WORK

Project Title

This contract is entitled as the “Syria Essential Services II” activity. Any reference to “SES II,” “Essential Services,” “ES,” or the “program,” means the same.

Background

USAID seeks offers for an activity to enhance the stability of Syrian communities and strengthen Syrian local governance institutions through the restoration of essential services and economic livelihood activities. The new contract follows two pilot projects, the Essential Services North (ESN) contract and Essential Services South (ESS) cooperative agreement, in addition to a continuation of the ESS activity under the Syria Essential Services (SES) contract. The award will be managed by USAID under the Southern Syria Assistance Platform (SSAP) in Jordan, and implemented in close coordination with the Syria Transition Assistance Response Team (START) in Turkey.

Operating Environment: Syria is in the midst of a nearly five-year multi-faceted conflict that has led to more than 200,000 killed, the flight of over 6,000,000 refugees, and millions more displaced inside the country. In opposition-influenced areas, local and provincial councils have attempted to fill the gap left by the Assad regime, providing limited services and largely dependent on external resources. The combination of conflict and withdrawal of centralized state resources has rendered basic infrastructure destroyed or severely degraded. Individual communities and their respective governance structures are left to cope with limited access to electricity and water; damaged transportation infrastructure; inadequate educational and health facilities; diminished ability to collect and treat public waste; rising fuel costs and decreasing quality; decreasing economic activity; and demands for basic government services such as marriage, birth, and death records.

As the conflict in Syria continues, the number of actors inside Syria rises. It is not uncommon for new groups to emerge, band together to form coalitions, or for these alliances to fall apart.

USAID, through the SSAP and with support of Embassy Amman, will work closely with the contractor to determine where, with whom, and how SES II will deliver support to stabilize Syrian communities and strengthen local governance institutions by delivering tangible results in the form of essential service and economic livelihood activities.

Statement of Challenges: Implementation of activities in a conflict environment carries unique challenges and requires a high degree of coordination and communication among the contractor, U.S. Government, and sub-partners. The dynamic environment – active conflict, shifting lines of control, and multiplicity of actors – has direct impacts on access to specific geographic locations, Syrian organizations, and individuals. There are significant logistical requirements that demand close coordination with USAID, host-country government, and Syrian partners. The remote management of the activity – contractor personnel are not currently permitted in Syria – requires innovation, creativity, and triangulation of information in the oversight of implementation and monitoring efforts. These challenges pose risk in the design and implementation of individual activities within communities, the timely delivery of material and technical assistance, and verification and monitoring of activities within Syria. Mitigation of these risks requires an approach that leverages extensive and detailed analysis of the environment; strong relationships with Syrian organizations, institutions, and individuals; and USAID and other USG political and diplomatic resources.

Options

The SES II activity contains an option to be exercised at the discretion of USAID. The Option Year, extending the contract into a third year of programming, is exercisable by the Agency at any time, but no later than six months before the expiration of the base award. The third year option is exercisable at the Agency’s discretion. The scope of activities within the option year is identical to those of the preceding years of the contract, with all final reporting requirements shifted from Year 2 to Option Year 1.

Objective

The overall goal of this activity is to stabilize conflict affected communities through two overlapping and complementary objectives to (1) restore essential services; and (2) strengthen governance institutions in opposition influenced areas. The primary means of accomplishing these objectives must be through technical, material, and engineering assistance that increases the ability of local councils or other emerging governance institutions to restore, rehabilitate, and expand the delivery of essential services and support basic economic livelihoods.

Geographic Scope

The program must be able to cover the whole of Syria, including the ability to execute programs in newly liberated areas and communities under siege. The primary areas of focus are the southern governorates of Dara’a, Qunietra, and Rif Damascus. Activities beyond these governorates are subject to consultation with and approval of USAID.

Activity Implementation

a. Vetting:

USAID anticipates a standard operating vetting procedure to be adopted for all programs providing in Syria. The vetting policy is currently being drafted within USAID and when it is officially approved, the contractor must be expected to adhere to the procedures intended to help mitigate the risk that USAID funds and other resources inadvertently provide support or benefit to individuals or entities that are terrorists, supporters of terrorists, or affiliated with terrorists.

Until the Agency policy is adopted, the contractor must follow the below procedures for the implementation of SES II in Syrian communities, subject to ongoing revision and guidance by the COR based on events in Syria or the foreign policy interests of the U.S. Government:

Individuals proposed for SES activity implementation are subject to (1) U.S. government vetting initiated by the contractor through the Partner Vetting System and (2) local concurrence, as directed by USAID, from the Government of Jordan. Individual names, community represented, birth date, Syrian identification number, mobile phone number, copies of Syrian identification documents, and other information as directed by USAID should be submitted as early as possible in advance of implementation. It is the responsibility of the contractor to maintain a secure database to track all names and information. No activity may commence until USG vetting is completed and local concurrence, if necessary, is obtained.

b. Grants Under Contract:

This contract authorizes the issuance of grants under contract (GUCs) in support of the contractor’s activities. GUCs may be used for community interventions, provision of technical assistance to Syrian communities, or in relation to capacity building for Syrian partner organizations. Issuance of GUCs must be in accordance with ADS 303, and all GUCs are subject to the approval of the COR. Per ADS 302, no GUCs in excess of $100,000 may be issued to US based organizations. Non-US organizations are not subject to the threshold. USAID must be substantially involved in developing selection criteria, and all recipients are subject to USAID approval. Further, USAID retains the ability to terminate grant activities unilaterally in extraordinary circumstances.

Scope of Work (SOW) and Approach of Syria Essential Services II

To accomplish the overall goal of this contract as stated in the Objective, the contractor must undertake the following four tasks:

Task 1 – Research and Analysis Task 2 – Essential Services Task 3 – Governance Task 4 – Monitoring and Evaluation

USAID envisions an approach to supporting the restoration of essential services in Syria that begins in newly liberated areas with the provision of a rapid reaction package of material and technical assistance demonstrating the availability of support to local governance structures and their communities; and providing an initial opportunity to understand local political, economic, and social dynamics. Following a rapid reaction activity, or in communities already under opposition influence, the contractor must work through local councils to identify priority services and undertake interventions that restore critical essential services identified by the community and ultimately contribute to increased stability. The contractor must then build on the outcomes and impacts of the rapid reaction and essential service restoration to support increased economic activities and livelihood opportunities. These basic efforts must be supplemented by a robust analytical component and necessary technical assistance targeted to relevant governance structures, Syrian non-governmental organizations, and communities.

The contractor must accomplish its objectives to stabilize and provide relief to Syrian communities through the provision of technical and material assistance, including engineering expertise, training, and cash grants, to restore essential services and increase economic opportunities. Essential services include, but are not limited to water, electricity, public waste management, restoration of public buildings (e.g., schools and hospitals), agriculture (e.g., productivity and access to markets), and civil administration (e.g., provision of civil records).

The contractor’s approach to all four task areas will ensure that activities have the support of local governance structures and the broader community, provide innovative engineering design and support, and build the technical, financial, and administrative capacity of Syrian institutions to maintain and expand their ability to deliver critical services.

The contractor must demonstrate concrete links among the four task areas, including the application of analytical efforts to design service restoration and rehabilitation of essential services, governance efforts by providing technical assistance to civil administration structures, and monitoring and evaluation of the stated objective. The essential services activities undertaken must serve to reinforce governance efforts while providing hands-on experience to councils, communities, and NGOs to take the lead in administrating services. The contractor must further seek opportunities to link local, provincial, or national organizations and structures with common challenges and interests, and develop joint or complementary activities with the potential to multiply the outcomes and impacts of essential services interventions.

1. Research and Analysis: Conduct community assessments, consultation, and engagement to prioritize community needs and undertake research, analysis, and mapping to inform the design and delivery of essential service solutions.

a) Community assessments Deliverable 1.1: Detailed and up-to-date community assessments that provide background on the demographic, political, economic, and cultural data on individual communities.

Community assessments are an important first step in the process to support local councils in the design and delivery of essential service solutions based on up-to-date information. The contractor must use existing networks inside Syria or rapidly develop a network to collect relevant data on communities including demographic, economic, political, and infrastructure information. The contractor must further maintain an information management database and integrate data, available after award, from prior USAID essential services activities , but may add or subtract information in consultation with the COR (examples of previous community assessments are provided). The contractor must have the ability to maintain and manipulate a complex information management database that contains the above described information. A definitive number of new profiles will not be required; however the contractor must update existing or previously profiled communities and rapidly assess newly liberated areas. The contractor is required to provide USAID with full access to any database developed and respond to inquiries and requests for information on an ad hoc basis.

b) Community consultation and engagement

Deliverable 1.2: Documented (written, audio, or video) community input through meetings, forums, surveys, or other means that ensure broad-based buy-in for planned activities.

Following the completion of a community assessment, the contractor must work with local governance institutions and other Syrian partners, such as non-governmental organizations or logistics partners, to directly engage communities in the development of essential service activities. The contractor and its partners must work with Syrian partners and beneficiaries to ensure a strong degree of community input and awareness into any planned interventions.

A key lesson learned from the pilots and SES activities is the need to create more transparency in the decision-making process and to add credibility to the way local councils provide stewardship over donor assistance. The contractor may determine the most appropriate methods with the approval of USAID, which may include, but are not limited to ad-hoc meetings, town hall forums, focus groups, key leader interviews, other qualitative or quantitative surveys, or other means that build broad support for planned essential services activities. Results and attendees of all such meetings must be documented, and may include written notes, audio or video documentation. The contractor must ensure that all efforts are made to engage a broad cross-section of Syrian society in each community, including women, youth, and other minority or vulnerable groups. Creative approaches to engaging the community may be required in light of ongoing security constraints and the specific local context. Additionally, the community engagement process must provide a venue for a participatory discussion on the proposed implementation plan in order to achieve more equitable benefits of USAID funded activities.

Deliverable 1.3: Build relationships across local councils to implement activities of mutual benefit to more than one community.

In addition to engagement between local communities and their constituents, the contractor will seek to build relationships across communities, and among their respective local councils, or other governance institutions. The isolated nature of communities under the Asad regime and limited resources available amidst the ongoing conflict has created sometimes intense competition between communities. In consultation with USAID, the contractor must seek opportunities to undertake essential services activities as described in Section 2 that benefit multiple communities. This may be done on a geographic basis, bringing together neighboring communities and councils that may have equities in a common resource (e.g., electricity, water, or irrigation); existing relationships based on political, tribal, familial, or other similar ties; on an economic basis such as linking an agricultural production center to a key market; or other relationships as determined based on research efforts or experience.

Where such joint activities are undertaken, the contractor must provide necessary technical assistance to the involved councils and communities, and monitoring of the planning and implementation processes, to support equitable outcomes and impacts.

Deliverable 1.4: A database of Syrian contacts that includes basic biographical data, contact information, and confirmed IDs for local council members, senior community members, relief committees, local civil society organizations, and other key individuals.

This database should be part of an integrated data management system.

In the process of completing community assessments, consultation, and engagement the contractor must undertake an ongoing collection of Syrian contacts including members of local councils, relief committees, or other individuals that can be a resource to identify, prioritize, and collaborate on potential SES interventions and other ad hoc information gathering. This information must be housed in the same database as the community assessments to ensure an integrated system of managing information for analysis, reporting, monitoring and evaluation that is accessible to the USG.

c) Research, analysis, and mapping Deliverable 1.5: Regular, not less than monthly, atmospheric reports on political, economic, and other trends relevant to project planning and implementation.

The contractor must develop, maintain, and expand its knowledge and understanding of the complex dynamics within southern Syria or other approved locations. In addition to specific community assessments, the contractor must continuously gather and assess of political, economic, social, and cultural information with the potential to impact program implementation. This includes, but is not limited to, the changing lines of conflict; the role of armed groups (regime, opposition, and extremists) in relation to local councils and communities; political dynamics within and between local, provincial, and national governance structures; and emerging conflict, political, and economic trends. The contractor may use varied means of collecting this information including traditional and social media, partners and their networks inside Syria, and quantitative and qualitative research methods.

The contractor must provide a formal report to USAID on a regular basis, but not less than monthly. The structure, format, and content of the report is subject to USAID approval and must be sufficiently flexible to permit ad hoc requests for specific information from USAID to emerging issues. , Deliverable 1.6: Quarterly study on governance, economic, engineering, or other pertinent issues as mutually agreed between the contractor and USAID.

The contractor must conduct in-depth assessments or studies on topics relevant to the restoration of essential services, including but not limited to local governance structures and practices; economic impacts of the conflict including an inventory of local economic activity;

status of infrastructure; or the viability of specific engineering solutions. The contractor must propose the content and purpose of each quarterly study to the COR for approval in the work plan taking into account security conditions and changing conflict dynamics. Additional studies may be undertaken on an ad-hoc basis outside of the workplan cycle with the approval of the COR. Previous assessments under SES have included the impact of fuel price, quality, and availability on the sustainability of diesel dependent equipment and resulted in hybrid solar activities to better enable local councils to maintain service delivery.

Another assessment examined challenges to agricultural production, including the collapse of government subsidies for seeds and fertilizers and resulted in new activities to pilot agricultural production in cooperation with local councils. The quarterly study is not to exceed 30 pages and may include desk research, qualitative approaches (e.g., focus groups, key leader interviews, case studies), and/or quantitative research.

Deliverable 1.7: GIS mapping capability linked to the integrated data management system that allows for geospatial overlay of community data, activity information, and ongoing tracking of budgets, results, and impact.

The contractor must have the ability to use GIS technology to map and analyze planned and existing projects, including interventions completed under the pilots and SES activities. GIS capacity should be linked to community assessments, atmospheric reports, in-depth analyses, and all projects planned, undertaken, and completed. The contractor must be able to respond to requests from USAID to provide specific maps related to US foreign policy objectives as they relate to support in Syria and within the scope of this contract. USAID will provide access to imagery available through the Agency GeoCenter in the Global Development Lab.

2. Essential Services: Increase the ability of Syrian partners to deliver, administer, and manage community resources

a) Rapid reaction interventions

Deliverable 2.1: Defined package of technical and material assistance to be kept in stock for rapid reaction interventions.

The contractor must develop a package of equipment and commodities designed to provide immediate relief to vetted civilian actors, ideally members of local councils, for the purpose of consolidating moderate opposition support. This package of assistance must be kept in stock and available for immediate release upon identification and approval of a newly liberated area. The contractor, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the COR must develop an appropriate template for approval and implementation of rapid reaction activities. This template must include an assessment of the security situation and risks to staff responsible for implementation.

Deliverable 2.2: Providing rapid reaction support in the form of material and technical assistance to newly liberated communities.

The contractor must provide immediate support to areas newly liberated and under opposition influence, as well as in proximity to besieged areas. This includes, but is not limited to a rapid assessment to be completed once security is permissive enough to ensure safety of partners. This assessment should focus on identification of emerging needs. In consultation with locally identified and vetted partners, the contractor will determine critical needs that can be addressed through equipment, locally procured materials supported by cash assistance, and consumable items for temporary use until a full community assessment can be completed to address service delivery issues. The contractor must then execute the rapid reaction activicty in coordination with its partners and the community. This activity will then form the foundation for continued support as the community stabilizes and is prepared for a broader range of technical and material assistance as described in Section (b).

(b) Syrian Council-Led Interventions

Deliverable 2.3: Clearly defined and executable approach detailed in quarterly workplans to developing essential services and livelihood activities that leverage community assessments, council and community input, and technical assistance efforts.

The contractor must work with governance institutions in Syria, primarily local councils, to design and implement engineering solutions to restore or rehabilitate essential service needs identified through processes outlined in Section 1. The overall objectives of these activities are to increase the stability of communities and to build the capabilities of governance structures, as appropriate, to resource, maintain, and expand the services in their communities. The activities undertaken must incorporate data from community profiles or assessments and input gathered from councils and communities (see Section 1). The activities must fundamentally be community driven, with the local governance partner taking a leading role. The contractor must provide technical assistance, including increasingly complex engineering support, in the design and implementation of the specific intervention.

The contractor must then provide material assistance in the form of cash grants for locally available labor and material, and equipment required to execute the activity. As a local council and community driven process, the scope of potential activities must be broad and the contractor must be prepared to provide expertise to a diverse range of sectors. Significant engineering support must be required to support the design and implementation of projects.

This requires the ability to communicate with field engineers, local councils, communities, and other partners to obtain required specifications, detail materials required, and support installation and initial operation. To date, communities and councils have generally focused on needs encompassing water, electricity, education, civil records, agriculture (including crop production, irrigation, and farm-to-market roads), local markets, and solid waste management.

Deliverable 2.4: Integration of technologically innovative solutions to proposed essential services activities that reduces operating costs, eases maintenance burdens, and increase sustainability of the intervention.

Where practicable, the contractor must seek to implement innovative technical solutions in the restoration and rehabilitation of identified services. Such innovative solutions may include creative applications of existing technology that mitigate risks to the project such as horizontal water pumping in place of elevated water tanks. It may also include use of new materials, processes, or equipment that reduce maintenance requirements and increase the likelihood of sustainable use. Innovative solutions may also reduce the operating costs, particularly fuel, such as the the use of alternative energy sources. The contractor must have a combination of engineering staff and short-term technical assistance capable of working with councils, communities and other partners to support the design and implementation of creative and technologically advanced solutions in a complex conflict environment. Past engineering solutions range from the use of horizontal water pumping systems mitigating the need for raised water storage structures to customized solar power solutions mitigating the need for ongoing fuel and taking advantage of the climate in southern Syria. The contractor will detail proposed innovative technical or engineering solutions in its quarterly workplan, or may propose them on an ad hoc basis based on its research, analysis, and engagement with individual or multiple communities.

(c) Medium to large interventions and support to economic livelihood opportunities

Deliverable 2.5: Scalable responses to essential services needs that lead to increases in economic activity and livelihood opportunities in Syrian communities.

Given the importance that livelihood opportunities play in building community stability, the contractor must work with Syrian partner organizations to identify and design interventions that link the restoration of essential services with livelihood opportunities. This may include scaling existing interventions provided through the pilots or contractor’s past activities, and where Syrian partners have demonstrated a commitment to maintaining services. For example, small scale repair and maintenance of a canal system could be expanded to include new irrigation systems to cultivate idle agricultural fields, provide jobs to youth, and increase agricultural productivity.

The contractor will propose in each quarterly workplan medium or large-scale interventions that demonstrate a clear understanding of the environment and political context of the community(ies). Illustrative areas of emphasis includes agriculture, livestock and market access projects. The contractor should consider the entire agriculture value chain as potential opportunities for livelihood development including agriculture inputs, essential services necessary for production (i.e. irrigation), processing, storage, market access including essential infrastructure for market operations The contractor, if pursuing agricultural activities, will collect localized data on economic activity, inputs and staple food and livestock prices through established research mechanisms referenced in section one (1). The contractor may propose in its quarterly workplan other livelihood interventions for the consideration of USAID. The offeror will include how it will leverage other technical and material assistance provided under the contract, detail its expertise and comparative advantage in the sector; include anyshort-term technical assistance required to supplement these efforts; describe the role of local governance structures, if any; and describe the potential outcomes and impacts of its planned activity.

3. Governance:

(a) Technical assistance to emerging local governance structures

Deliverable 3.1: Criteria for assessing the quality and capabilities of Syrian governance institutions.

Assessments of local councils or other governance institution capacity must take into account factors including representation, transparency, accountability, and implementation capacity.

Additional general criteria may be proposed by the contractor and subject to the approval of the COR. Specific sub-criteria, measurement, and means of analysis will be developed by the contractor, in conjunction with and subject to the approval of the COR. This information will be used as the basis of undertaking capacity assessments of councils or other governance institutions as described under Deliverable 3.2, and in developing customized approaches to the provision of technical assistance to selected governance institutions.

Deliverable 3.2: Technical, administrative, and financial needs assessments of partner local governance institutions.

Local councils will be the primary conduit through which rapid response and essential service restoration activities will take place. The ability of local councils to successfully implement increasingly large scale activities is in part dependent on their technical, administrative, and financial…