SOL-306-12-000089 _RADP-South _10-8-2012.pdf

Table of Contents

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 BUDGET ($) - THIS CONTRACT

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

SECTION C: DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

C.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

C.2 PROGRAM CONTEXT

C.2.1 Linkages to other USG and donor programs C.2.2 Linkages to the Work of Other Donors

C.3 SCOPE OF WORK AND PROGRAM TECHNICAL APPROACH

C.3.1 PROGRAM THEMES AND COMPONENTS:

C.3.2 PROGRAM THEMES

C.3.3 PROGRAM COMPONENTS

C.4 MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND REPORTING

C.4.1 PROGRAM EVALUATION

C.5 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT APPROACH

C.6 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT MANUAL

C.7 CROSS CUTTING CONSIDERATIONS

SECTION D: PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 BRANDING STRATEGY

D.2 AIDAR 752.7009 – MARKING (JAN 1993)

SECTION E: INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.3 MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN

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 DELIVERABLES

F.5 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

F.6 PROGRESS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

F.7 KEY PERSONNEL

SECTION G: CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

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

G.2 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.4 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.5 PAYING OFFICE

G.6 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

G.7 CONTRACTOR’S PAYMENT ADDRESS

PART II – CLAUSES

SECTION H: SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

H.2 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

H.3 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.4 752.228-3 WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEFENSE BASE ACT)

H.5 AIDAR 752.7001 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA (JULY 1997)

H.6 AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JUL 1997)

H.7 LOGISTICAL SUPPORT

H.8 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.9 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING

H.10 PROHIBITION OF ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS

H.11 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (July 2007)

H.12 USAID DISABILITY POLICY - ACQUISITION (DECEMBER 2004)

H.13 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (April 2006)

H.14 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.15 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

H.16 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.17 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACTS

H.18 SUBCONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS

H.19 VETTING

H.20 USE OF SYNCHRONIZED PRE-DEPLOYMENT AND OPERATIONAL TRACKER (SPOT) FOR

CONTRACTORS SUPPORTING A DIPLOMATIC OR CONSULAR MISSION OUTSIDE THE UNITED

STATES (SUPPLEMENT TO FAR 52.225-19)

SECTION I: CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

I.2 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.3 52.216-8 FIXED FEE (JUN 2011)

I.4 52.216-24 LIMITATION OF GOVERNMENT LIABILITY (APR 1984)

I.5 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (Nov 1999)

I.6 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

I.7 AIDAR 752.209-71 Organizational conflicts of interest discovered after award (JUN 1993)

I.8 COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS (OCT 1994)

I.9 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL

I.10 AIDAR 752.228-3 WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEFENSE BASE ACT)

I.11 AIDAR 752.242-70 PERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS (OCT 2007)

I.12 AIDAR 752.7006 Notices (APR 1984) I.13 AIDAR 752.7008 Use of Government Facilities or Personnel (APR 1984) I.14 AIDAR 752.7025 Approvals (APR 1984)

PART III- LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, & OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J: LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

J.1 BACKGROUND

J.2 USAID Information Form

J.3 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE BIOGRAPHICAL DATA SHEET

J.4 CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT-SHORT FORM

J.5 CERTIFICATION OF CURRENT COST OR PRICING DATA

J.6 U.S. COUNTER-NARCOTICS STRATEGY FOR AFGHANISTAN

J.7 pre-solicitation conference registration list J.8 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION (iee) J.9 SF – LLL DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING Activities

J.10 SF – 294 SUBCONTRACTING REPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS

J.11 AFGHANISTAN AGRICULTURAL ASSESSMENT (dALBERG STUDY)

SECTION K: REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2 52.204-3 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (OCT 1998)

K.3 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (may 2012)

K.4 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (APR 2010)

K.5 52.209-7 – INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (feb 2012)

K.6 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (MAY 2012)

K.7 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE--COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR 2005) .. 89

K.8 INSURANCE - IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY

K.9 SIGNATURE

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

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

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 (SEP 2006)

L.5 SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.6 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL

L.9 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF BRANDING AND MARKING PLANS

L.10 LATE SUBMISSIONS

L.11 52.215-22 LIMITATIONS ON PASS-THROUGH CHARGES—IDENTIFICATION OF

SUBCONTRACT EFFORT (OCT 2009)

SECTION M: TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.2 EVALUATION FACTORS

M.3 EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.4 PRICE/COST EVALUATION

M.5 DETERMINATION OF THE COMPETITIVE RANGE AND CONTRACT AWARD

M.6 SOURCE SELECTION

M.7 CONTRACTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS

COMMONLY USED ACRONYMS

ACE Agricultural Credit Enhancement ACO Administrative Contracting Officer ADS Automated Directives System ADF Agriculture Development Fund AFSA Afghanistan Farm Service Alliance AIDAR USAID Acquisition Regulation AKIS Agricultural Knowledge Information System AO Assistance Objective ARD Agriculture and Rural Development ASAP Accelerating Sustainable Agriculture Program ASNF Afghanistan Special Narcotic Force ANSF Afghanistan National Security Forces AVIPA Afghanistan Vouchers for Increased Production in Agriculture BEO Bureau Environmental Officer BIP Branding and Implementation Plan CARD-F Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development Facility Program CAS Cost Accounting Standard CCN Compensation for Cooperating Country CCR Central Contractor Registration CFDA Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance CFR Code of Federal Regulations CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research CENTCOM Central Command CHAMP Commercial Horticulture and Agricultural Marketing Program CIB Combat Information Bulletin CJTF Afghan Criminal Justice Taskforce CLIN Contract Line Item Number CNPA Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan CO Contracting Officer COP Chief of Party COR Contract Officer’s Representative CPFF Cost-Plus Fixed Fee CST Contractor Salary Threshold DAIL Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock DBA Defense Base Act DC District of Colombia DCOP Deputy Chief of Party DEC Development Experience Clearinghouse DOC Department of Commerce DOD Department of Defense DOJ Department of Justice DOS Department of State DQA Data Quality Assessment DUNS Data Universal Numbering System EA Environmental Assessment EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Management Plan EPCRA Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation FAIDA Financial Access for Investing in the Development of Afghanistan FHCRAA Future Harvest Centers’ Consortium for Rebuilding Afghan Agriculture FSC Farm Service Centers

GDP Gross Domestic Product GIRoA Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan GIS Geographic Information System GL Grant Letter GUC Grants Under Contract HQ Head quarters HSDP Homeland Security Presidential Directive HR Human Ressources ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas ID Identification IEE Initial Environmental Examination IFB Invitation for Bid IT Information Technology IQC Indefinite Quantity Contracts IPA Intergovernmental Personnel Act IR Intermediate Result IRS Internal Revenue Service IT Information Technology LOA Letter of Authorization LOE Level of Effort LOP Life of Project/Program MAIL Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MI Middle Initial MOU Memorandum of Understanding MP Marketing Plan MS Microsoft MSc. Master of Science NABDP National Area-Based Development Program NADF National Agricultural Development Framework MRRD Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development NAEC National Agriculture Education Center NADP National Agricultural Development Framework NARDTC National Agriculture and Rural Development Training Center NARP National Agricultural Experiment Stations Rehabilitation Project NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization NCU National Coordination Unit NGO Non Governmental Organization NHLP National Horticulture and Livestock program NPP National Priority Program NSB National Seed Board OAA Office of Acquisition and Assistance OAG Office of Agriculture OFAC Office of Foreign Assets Control OFM Office of Financial Management OIEE Office of Infrastructure, Energy, and Engineering ORCA Online Representation and Certification Applications OSM On-Site Monitors PCU Project Coordination Unit PhD Doctor of Philosophy PMP Performance Management Plan PDF Portable Document Format PI Public Information PIV Personal Identity Verification

PPA Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal PSC Private Security Contractors R&E Research and Extension RADP Regional Agricultural Development Program RAMP Rebuilding Agriculture Markets Program REPC Research and Extension Program Coordinators RFP Request for Proposal RC Regional Command RCE Request for Categorical Exclusion SB Small Business SF Standard Form SO Strategic Objective SOW Scope of Work SPOT Synchronized Pre-Deployment and Operational Tracker SRAD Southern Region Agriculture Development Program TAC Technical Advisory Committee TEC Technical Evaluation Committee TIFF Tagged-Image File Format TIN Taxpayers Identification Number TCN Third Country Nationals US United States UNDP United Nations Development Program USAID United States Agency for International Development USAID/W United States Agency for International Development Washington Office USDA United States Department of Agriculture USG United States Government

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B: SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The objective of the Regional Agricultural Development Program (RADP) – South project is to improve food and economic security for rural Afghans in the targeted areas of Helmand, Kandahar, and Zabul provinces. Focus will be on improving the production and productivity for targeted value chains to be selected from the wheat, high-value crop, and livestock sectors. This sustainable agricultural development program will support the consolidation of licit economies to fuel economic growth, including providing alternatives to poppy cultivation.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

The U.S. Government contemplates award of a Cost-Plus-Fixed -Fee (CPFF) completion type contract resulting from this solicitation. For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor must provide the deliverables or outputs described in Section F in accordance with the performance standards specified therein based on the Scope of Work (SOW) found in Section C of this solicitation document. The period of performance for this CPFF contract is five years.

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

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fee(s) is $[to be added upon award]. The fixed fee is $[to be added upon award] and the estimated cost plus all fixed fees is $[to be added upon award].

(b) Within the estimated cost plus all possible fees 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 $[to be added upon award]. The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount.

(c) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through [date to be added upon award].

B.4 BUDGET ($) - THIS CONTRACT

As the period of performance for this contract is five years, the CLIN budget structure must be broken out into five, one-year increments.

CONTRACT LINE ITEM NUMBERS (CLINs)

CLIN 0001 Wheat Value Chain

0001a Estimated Cost $ TBD 0001b Fixed Fee $ TBD

Subtotal CLIN 0001 $ TBD

CLIN 0002 High-Value Crops

0002a Estimated Cost $ TBD 0002b Fixed Fee $ TBD

Subtotal CLIN 0002 $ TBD

CLIN 0003 Livestock

0003a Estimated Cost $ TBD 0003b Fixed Fee $ TBD

Subtotal CLIN 0003 $ TBD

CLIN 0004 Enabling Environment

0004a Estimated Cost $ TBD 0004b Fixed Fee $ TBD

Subtotal CLIN 0004 $ TBD

CEILING PRICE:

(CLIN 0001+CLIN 0002+CLIN 0003+CLIN 0004) $ TBD

Note: There is no level of on-budget funding for this program as this is an off-budget program.

Coordination across different USAID programs and partnership with MAIL at the national and sub-national level is required.

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

For the Prime Contractor:

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs shall be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD 1/ 1/ 1/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Predetermined Period:

For Major Subcontractor(s):

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs shall be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD 1/ 1/ 1/

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Predetermined Period:

“Major subcontractor(s)” are those subcontractors whose proposed costs exceed 20 percent of the contract value or who are otherwise defined by the prime to be essential to successful project implementation. All primes MUST identify “major subcontractors” in the cover letter of their proposals.

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE

This is a Cost Reimbursable contract. The 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.

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

Payment of fixed fee, subject to FAR 52.216-8, may be made upon receipt of a proper invoice. Subject to FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee shall be allocated based upon the proportion of the labor provided over the period covered by the invoice. In the event that the contractor does not provide the total Level of Effort stipulated in the contract budget, the total amount of fixed fee will be reduced in similar proportion.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C: DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

Title: Regional Agricultural Development Program (RADP) – South

C.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Approximately 80 percent of Afghanistan’s residents depend on some form of agricultural activity for their livelihood. While positive developments have been achieved in the agricultural sector over the last decade, productivity levels lag significantly behind neighboring countries and even those historically achieved in Afghanistan. The agricultural sector comprises roughly one-third of the $17 billion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. USAID has been contributing to the reconstruction and development of the agricultural sector in Afghanistan since 2002. USAID’s programs have supported the capacity building of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), increased licit agricultural production and processing, and strengthened the viability of agricultural production from farm to market.

As transition towards Afghan-led development gains momentum, building the market oriented capacity of Afghan farmers and private sector counterparts with the strategic support of MAIL is the path to ensure greater and more inclusive economic growth and sustainability, including women’s involvement in agriculture value chains.

USAID will issue four contracts in support of the Regional Agricultural Development Program (RADP).

The South, North, and West regional contracts will have a long-term, geographic agricultural development focus, while the Central component contract will be made to support coordination between the regional programs and MAIL and support an improved enabling environment to promote agribusiness and agricultural sector growth. All programs across all regions will have similar approaches to working with DAILs in the different regions of Afghanistan. The central contractor must facilitate communication between the regional contractors and USAID to ensure this is the case. The central contractor must also coordinate and facilitate the overall policy approach of the program (regional and national) with central MAIL to ensure that common goals and common policy problems identified by the programs at the regional level are addressed at the central level. The central program will receive whatever information is required from the regional programs to facilitate the relationship with central MAIL and ensure the Ministry is adequately informed regarding the activities and results of the regional programs.

The RADP-South program will focus on Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, and Uruzgan.1

RADP-South is a five-year program commencing in 2013.

The objective of the RADP is to improve food and economic security for rural Afghans in targeted areas.

Focus will be on improving the production and productivity for targeted value chains to be selected from the wheat, high-value crop, and livestock sectors. This sustainable agricultural development program will support the consolidation of licit economies to fuel economic growth, including providing alternatives to poppy cultivation.

RADP will achieve this objective through a longer-term agricultural value chain approach designed to address sustainability as well as by supporting policy, legal, and regulatory development. Prudent and judicious use of Grants under Contract (GUC) will contribute to long-term program objectives.

Recipients of GUCs will be either service providers or the direct program beneficiaries. Service providers will include local NGOs or companies providing assistance to targeted farmers and agribusinesses in the select value chains. Example services could include agricultural extension service or management capacity building. Grants provided directly to farmers and agribusinesses will be provided to reduce the risk of adopting new technologies and increase production and productivity of the respective value chains.

All grants will be assessed prior to disbursement regarding proposed impact, promotion of private sector development, and sustainability.

1 The program does not anticipate activities for the RADP in Nimroz and Daykundi provinces.

The overall approach will enable a cohesive strategy to maximize sustainable return on program investment and contribute to food security. The approach will build on previous investments in infrastructure and technical assistance provided by the donor community; select and invest in two to three high-value crop value chains; promote wheat value chain activities to foster food security; and support at least one livestock value chain. Geographical focus on core economic growth zones will also be a key element to ensure success.

C.2 PROGRAM CONTEXT

Southern Afghanistan (RC-S & RC-SW) has a population of approximately 3.3 million people, and roughly one-third of the national land mass. The Helmand and Arghandab river valleys contain some of the largest and most fertile tracts of productive land in Afghanistan. Historically, the region contributed significantly to the country’s food requirements, as well as exported surpluses of horticultural products to Pakistan, India, Iran and beyond. The long growing season, dry air, abundant sunshine, and fertile, well-irrigated soil produce basic subsistence cereal crops such as wheat, as well as superb grapes, high-quality vegetables, fruits and nuts, and some of the world’s finest pomegranates.

The all-weather national ring road connects Kandahar City and Qalat (in Zabul) to other provincial capitals and important local markets. Other roads link Tarin Kowt (in Uruzgan) and Laskar Gah (in Helmand) to the national ring road. A civilian international airport at Kandahar Airfield provides transportation to consumption, processing, and export centers. The principal export route to Pakistan is via Spin Boldak (Weesh-Chaman border crossing) in Kandahar province, while the principal export route to the West and Southwest is via Delaram and Zarang, in Nimroz province. Security has improved in the Southern region, but areas of insurgency still exist with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and Coalition Forces continuing to focus operations on these areas.

To date USAID has focused on shorter-term stabilization activities in the Southern region. RADP is a sustainable agricultural development program that will focus on education and mentoring of farmers and agribusinesses in appropriate agricultural practices for productivity improvements, post-harvest valued added processing and to help build enduring market linkages to existing and new intra-provincial, domestic, and regional markets for long-term economic development.

RADP will promote and execute the agricultural and alternative development strategies of the USG and GIRoA. RADP is harmonized with Afghanistan’s National Agricultural Development Framework (NADF) and MAIL’s priorities – particularly food security and agribusiness. The RADP also aligns with the GIRoA’s Agriculture and Rural Development National Priority Program (NPP) Two. RADP will coordinate with MAIL’s development strategy, including the Food for Life program proposed under NPP Two. The regional focus of the RADP is designed to provide more localized attention and focus on sustainability strategies from the beginning of implementation.

C.2.1 LINKAGES TO OTHER USG AND DONOR PROGRAMS

USAID development projects affecting the Southern region have been numerous. A few of note in the agriculture sector are the Accelerating Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP), Rebuilding Agriculture Markets Program (RAMP) and the current Southern Region Agriculture Development (SRAD) program.

A high level of collaboration and cooperation will be made with these and other USAID projects. More information on USAID’s past agriculture programs in Afghanistan can be found at www.dec.usaid.gov.

C.2.2 LINKAGES TO THE WORK OF OTHER DONORS

The program will collaborate with activities supported by MAIL and other donors, such as: The World Bank supported National Horticulture and Livestock program (NHLP) and the DFID supported Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development Facility (CARD-F) program. The private sector is expected to be a major partner and beneficiary of program activities.

C.3 SCOPE OF WORK AND PROGRAM TECHNICAL APPROACH

The conceptual framework for RADP-South builds on key modalities, outcomes, and components in order to provide a coherent, long-term development approach. The program will complement and expand on USAID’s development hypothesis aligned the theory of change discussed in Section C.4.1 to achieve measureable, sustainable results.

RADP will build on two program modalities to maximize return on program investment and coordination with GIRoA and USG priorities:

Build on previous investments by GIRoA, USG, and other donors. Significant investments have been made over the past 10 years in the agricultural sector in infrastructure, government capacity, technology transfer, and local organization development. RADP will build on these achievements, understand the challenges, and apply lessons learned to increase the returns on investment of this new program.

Focus on core economic growth zones. Focus will be on economically active geographic regions that have multiple economic actors, and improved transportation networks to local and regional markets. This will link to the USAID Regional Economic Zone strategies under development. Target economic zones in the South include Helmand to Kandahar to Pakistan, and Tarin Kowt to Kandahar. These are all zones in the sense that these areas follow existing or planned transportation routes and energy, and ideally link hubs of economic activity. The contractor must propose specific districts in each target province and justify this as part of their technical approach.

C.3.1 PROGRAM THEMES AND COMPONENTS:

RADP is comprised of four activity components: Wheat Value Chain activities, High-Value Crop activities, Livestock activities and Enabling Environment activities for GIRoA. All four of the components will address four thematic areas: farmer productivity and production, gender, agribusiness and alternative development.

C.3.2 PROGRAM THEMES

The following are the thematic areas that will be addressed for each of the program components:

Farmer Productivity and Production. While positive developments have been achieved in the agricultural sector over the last decade, productivity levels lag significantly behind neighboring countries and even those historically achieved in Afghanistan. Technical assistance and promotion of highly productive and efficient techniques to benefit farm communities increase access to inputs, improve productivity, and strengthen post-harvest handling practices will be a major focus of RADP. Development of high quality, sustainable Afghan public and private extension networks will be critical for farmers.

Gender. Women play a major role in the agricultural sector, yet they have very limited control over household resources or decision making. Incorporating women into USAID agricultural programs has been a challenge. Activities that include and benefit women will to be integrated in a substantial and sustainable manner throughout the operations of the program. Planned activities with stakeholders and beneficiaries will be carefully tailored to maximize the possible benefit to women. Opportunities to collaborate with MAIL’s Directorate of Home Economics and DAIL extension activities at the field level will be included. Creative approaches must be used to engage women and ensure they directly benefit from the activities implemented under this program. Past activities have been substantially insufficient.

Women will comprise at least 15 percent or more of beneficiaries and the contractor must integrate gender considerations into all program components and activities. The work plan, objectives, results, indicators, staffing and budget will demonstrate commitment to ensure equitable inclusion of Afghan women in program activities and indicate specific results to be achieved. Where possible and appropriate, innovative technologies must be used to reach women with program activities.

Agribusiness. Efficiency of transportation and access to markets has improved in the South due to the infrastructure investment. The provinces of Helmand, Kandahar, and Zabul enjoy a favored position with the best road and air access, proximity to international trade routes, greatest population density driving strong local demand, and highest production of agricultural products. Even with these improvements, agribusinesses face obstacles to increasing profitability and competitiveness. The contractor must demonstrate how proposed activities will improve access of farmers to price information. Agribusiness and rudimentary post harvest value-added processing is centered in Kandahar City, serving as a large population center with good road access to domestic markets. Past interventions have focused on processing, sorting, grading, and packaging and such interventions will continue with increasing emphasis on market linkages. Opportunities exist to increase the capacity of processing units to compete in domestic markets to substitute imports.

The leadership capacity and dynamism of existing and new grower organizations will be strengthened.

Agricultural cooperatives and other forms of farmer organizations have been established throughout the Southern region. Most members of associations and cooperatives have very basic levels of understanding about the benefits and dynamics of working together for agribusiness purposes. The contractor must build capacities of farmer organization membership and leadership and increase linkages to agribusinesses.

Alternative Development. Poppy production, which is a high return activity, competes with the production and marketing of other crops. Kandahar is second only to Helmand in the amount of poppy produced. Opportunities to expand high-value crops must be evaluated. The contractor must apply a multifaceted understanding to alternative licit crops which considers factors such as geography, crop budget comparisons, financing, cropping patterns, socio-economic standing, cost-benefit and risk analysis and operational security. Additionally, creative alternative solutions to encourage licit production over illicit production linked to public information campaigns and other GIRoA initiatives are encouraged.

The contractor must align program activities with Ministry of Counternarcotics activities, such as the proposed Food Zones, when possible and appropriate.

C.3.3 PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) 1: Wheat Value Chain

Wheat is the most important cereal grown in southern Afghanistan. Rural households are reluctant to rely on the market to supply wheat for household requirements given its importance for household consumption and food security. Improving the productivity of wheat cultivation will allow farmers to increase focus and acreage on higher value crops that contribute to increased household income. RADP will promote improved technologies for wheat cultivation in areas where such production can be sustained and is cost-effective for the farmer. Focus on post-harvest handling to reduce losses will also be important. Wheat activities must be supplemented by the promotion of mixed crop-livestock farming systems as a vehicle to improve food security and to generate increased income. Creativity is encouraged to achieve all goals and objectives.

Focus of the wheat value chain in RADP will be on economically active geographic regions. RADP will invest in increased productivity of wheat in areas where such production can be sustained and is cost-effective for the farmer compared to other options. Improvements will focus on on-farm water management. The Contractor must implement activities in the following areas: Farmer Productivity and Production, Gender, Agribusiness and Alternative Development.

CLIN 1 Deliverables:

- A baseline for this CLIN in the approved beneficiary communities that includes targeted private sector partners with at least one control community (where no activities are carried out) must be completed. This will be used to finalize the schedule of milestones. The contractor must include the methodology for baseline collection in the proposed Performance Management Plan (PMP).

- Wheat value chain strategy to improve farmer productivity and agribusiness profitability developed and coordinated with MAIL and DAILs.

- The contractor will work with at least 60,000 farmers over the life of the program to increase the productivity of wheat by 20 percent. The contractor must introduce improved inputs, new technologies, and improved farming techniques to increase wheat productivity for the targeted districts. Extension methodologies that combine training, field monitoring to ensure adoption, and re-training as required will be used. Activities will be conducted in collaboration with provincial DAIL extension agents and private sector entities as appropriate.

- The contractor must work in a minimum of five districts per province in Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, and three districts in Uruzgan.

- A minimum of 15 percent of beneficiaries of program activities under this component will be women.

- On-farm water management techniques will be demonstrated along with other improved technologies through demonstration plots in the targeted farm communities. The number of demonstration plots will be indicated in the proposed PMP. Consistent field follow-up will be conducted at the community level to encourage and monitor adoption.

- The contractor must implement a total of 50 household and community level wheat storage activities building on previous activities in the region and lessons learned.

- At least 10,000 farmers will use improved post-harvest handling techniques.

- The contractor must improve market linkages between farmers and agribusinesses and between agribusinesses and final consumers to increase total sales over baseline over the life of the program. The increase in total sales will be at least 15 percent over baseline presented in the proposed PMP by the contractor.

- The contractor must provide technical assistance to a total of at least 25 community or commercial level value-added activities, such as milling to increase financial returns to users and/or owners by at least 20 percent as operational profitability increases through value-added activities and improved management of seasonal price variations.

CLIN 2: High-Value Crops

RADP will invest in three high-value crops in the Southern Region with greatest measurable and sustainable potential for value chain development and growth. The value chains selected may include perennial and annual crops. Strategic investment may be made in increasing access to propagated fruit trees or improving use of integrated pest management for crop protection, or improving models for intercropping perennial plantations with annual crops.

Value chains approved by USAID will be selected based on the following factors: (a) competitiveness of a commodity at the farm, national, and regional levels, (b) potential to sustainably reduce poppy production where applicable, (c) environmental sustainability, (d) prospects for replication and adoption in the future with little or no donor assistance, (e) potential to positively impact women, and (f) reduction in food insecurity. Focus will be on economically active geographic regions. The contractor must also ensure that value chain strategies are synchronized with the local level government as well as MAIL through partnership with the RADP Central contractor. Improvements will focus significantly on on-farm water management. At least two of the three crops must be perennial crops.2

CLIN 2 Deliverables:

the methodology for baseline collection in the proposed PMP.

- USAID will approve three high-value crops under which all program activities will be conducted in this CLIN. Justification will be based on the above factors. These value chains will remain the focus throughout the five-year life of the program.

- Three value chain strategies developed to improve farmer productivity and agribusiness profitability developed and coordinated with MAIL and DAILs.

- The contractor will work with at least 40,000 farmers over the life of the program to increase the production of the approved value chains by a minimum of 20 percent over the baseline during the life of the program. The contractor must introduce improved inputs, new technologies, and improved farming techniques to increase productivity and production will be proposed for the targeted districts. Extension methodologies that combine training, field monitoring to ensure adoption, and re-training as required will be used. Activities will be conducted in collaboration with provincial DAIL extension agents and private sector entities as appropriate.3

- The contractor must work in a minimum of five districts per target province in Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul and three districts in Uruzgan.

- The contractor must strengthen at least 175 existing or new farmer organizations that are involved in high-value crop production through increasing the technical and managerial capacity of leadership and improving the participation and commitment of membership.

- A minimum of 15 percent of beneficiaries of program activities under this component will be women.

- On-farm water management techniques will be demonstrated along with other improved technologies through demonstration plots in targeted farm communities. A cumulative total of 900 annual demonstration plots will be conducted during the life of the program. Consistent follow-up will be conducted at the community level to encourage and monitor adoption.

- The contractor must train 40,000 farmers in improved post-harvest techniques for with clear explanations of how these activities will improve farm to market linkages in target areas over the life of the program.

2 This is based on conclusions from the Dalberg report and other economic analysis.

3 These could include local microservice providers for crop protection or pruning.

- Mentor at least 50 ‘lead farmers’ within each value chain who serve as an example of good agricultural practices over the life of the program. The characteristics of the model farmer will vary per value chain, but these farmers must have strong linkages to the market, be capable of classifying and differentiating output qualities to meet the expectations of diverse markets, be able to manage at least 10 seasonal employees not part of their household, and have annual sales in excess of USD 20,000.

- Each lead farmer provides mentoring to at least 10 neighboring farmers to influence land use and/or agricultural practices to improve productivity and linkages to markets.

- The contractor must improve market linkages between farmers and agribusinesses and between agribusinesses and final consumers in order to increase total sales. The increase in total sales will be at least USD 70 million over the life of the project.4

- The contractor must increase the management and technical capacity of a total of 80 overall small, medium, and large existing or start-up agribusinesses related to the approved value chains over the life of the program. This will include increasing access to financial services by agribusinesses through improving business creditworthiness and linking with the Agriculture development Fund (ADF), the Financial Access for Investing in the Development of Afghanistan (FAIDA) program, as well as other partners.

CLIN 3: Livestock

Livestock production in Afghanistan is important both from a cultural and economic perspective. The contractor must address opportunities for improving the conditions and environmental impacts associated with livestock while increasing the production and profitability of approved value chains. Intercropping forage crops with perennials or rotating forage crops with high-value horticulture for soil fertility will provide increased winter feeding or possible feed lot opportunities for animals. Rangeland management activities will increase the availability of feed and support better management of herds in order to halt environmental degradation.

The livestock value chain approved by USAID will be selected based on the following factors: (a) competitiveness of a commodity at the farm, national, and regional levels, (b) potential to sustainably reduce poppy production where applicable, (c) environmental sustainability, (d) prospects for replication and adoption in the future with little or no donor assistance, (e) potential to positively impact women, and

(f) reduction in food insecurity.

CLIN 3 Deliverables:

the methodology for baseline collection in the proposed PMP.

- The livestock value chain strategy to improve farmer productivity and agribusiness profitability developed and coordinated with MAIL and DAILs.

- USAID will invest in one livestock value chain for which all program activities will be conducted under this CLIN. Justification will be based on the above factors. This value chain will remain the focus throughout the five-year life of the program.

4 Note that this figure incorporates understanding that for perennial crops may take several years to reach full potential.

- The contractor must work with at least 8,000 farmers over the life of the program to increase the farmer income of 20 percent within the approved value chain. Activities will include training, demonstration, and consistent follow-up at the community level of improved practices. This will include promoting increased access to inputs, improved husbandry techniques, and introduction of appropriate technologies. Activities will conducted in collaboration with provincial DAIL extension agents and private sector entities as appropriate.

- The contractor must work in a minimum of three districts per target province in Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, and three districts in Uruzgan.

- A minimum of 15 percent of beneficiaries of program activities under this component will be women.

- The contractor must develop the capacity of at least 40 private and public sector veterinary service providers over the life of the program, such as Veterinary Field Units, in the approved target districts who can sustainability provide services to local livestock owners. The number of veterinary service providers will be presented in the proposed PMP by the contractor.

- The contractor must develop and implement a plan to improve the availability and quality of feed/fodder available for the approved value chain for 8,000 livestock farmers. Creative approaches which include activities such as inter-cropping and/or build off or expand upon previous donor or MAIL pilot interventions or activities will be implemented. The contractor must improve rangeland management to promote sustainable livestock management.

- The contractor must improve market linkages between farmers and agribusinesses and between agribusinesses and final consumers in order to increase total sales by at least $5 million over the life of the program.

- The contractor must increase the management and technical capacity of a total of 20 small, medium, and large existing or start-up agribusinesses, not including veterinary service providers related to the selected livestock value chain over the life of the program.

CLIN 4: Enabling Environment

GIRoA has the vital responsibility of providing a supportive macro-level and micro-level operating environment for the agricultural sector. In the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking, the country slipped from 154th position in the world in 2011 to 160th position in 2012, reflecting a relative loss in global overall business competitiveness. The challenges are highlighted by the outdated and antiquated policies, laws, and regulations covering the agricultural sector and the arduous process to evolve this framework.

The RADPs aim to strengthen agricultural policies, laws, regulations, and administrative procedures, and while this will primarily be led by the RADP Central contract, RADP-South will play an important role in informing and coordinating with RADP Central contractor in supporting achievement of this component.

Activities could include: improved strategies and policies to increase availability, access, utilization and stability of food resources for families; promote quality to promote and secure Afghan brands and product confidence; increase efficiency for creating and registering farmer organizations; support WTO accession activities; and increase international trade opportunities.

CLIN 4 Deliverables:

- The contractor must work with various private and public sector Afghan stakeholders in the Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) cluster to identify and analyze at least 30 obstacles during the life of the program to doing business in southern Afghanistan that might be addressed through adjustment of policies or regulations enacted at the national level.5

A minimum of eight of these obstacles will be focused on women’s access and participation in agricultural value chains over the life of project.

- The contractor, in coordination with the RADP Central component and in coordination with public and private partners will support roll-out of at least eight new or improved policies, procedures, regulations or administrative procedures at the local level. This will include any activity required to address a particular process or policy obstacle. This could include drafting policies when required or obtaining local buy-in as required by the respective obstacle being addressed. Identifying the obstacles will be the first step in this process and addressing how to resolve an issue may be beyond the regional scope of the program. The contractor must identify obstacles and propose methodologies they can use to alleviate these obstacles either at the local or national level. Over the life of program, the contractor is expected to be able to address at least eight of these obstacles within the region.

- The contractor will strengthen the capacity of at least one local organization to manage grants related to enabling environment activities such that the organization has the financial, administrative and technical capacity to receive grant directly from USAID or other donors.

- The contractor, in coordination with the RADP Central contractor, will support capacity of provincial DAILs and MAIL through local service providers (such as a University or trade associations) to gather and analyze agricultural at least monthly market information and other value chain information on production and marketing. The RADP Central contractor must develop a proposed data management and analysis system with MAIL.

Note: the contractor may work with the same beneficiary farmers across the CLINs to achieve the targets.

Also, the overall level of effort referred to is an approximation of the allocation of resources necessary to complete the project.

C.4 MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND REPORTING

The contractor must produce a Performance Management Plan (PMP) as part of the submitted proposal.

The contractor must include the following Assistance Objective and Intermediate Results of the Mission’s Agricultural Results Framework in their proposal:

AO 5: A Sustainable, Thriving Agricultural Economy;

IR 5.1: Increased Agricultural Sector Employment and Incomes as a result of USG assistance;

Sub IR 5.1.1: Improved agricultural productivity;

Sub IR 5.1.2: Increased commercial viability of small, medium and large farms and agribusinesses;

RADP-South will support these results while addressing the outcomes listed below. The contractor must present a PMP that demonstrates how all outcomes will support a robust and evidence-based results framework. The PMP will include all relevant results, indicators, and targets by year. In addition to the required indicators listed below, the PMP will include two to three additional indicators per outcome reflecting the targets presented in the CLINs. In addition, wherever possible the contractor must disaggregate all indicators in the PMP by gender. The contractor must present the PMP using the information provided below as a starting point with adjustments made based on the specific technical approach and methodology for gathering data.

5 Each analysis should be up to no more than five pages in length.

Outcome 1. Increased agricultural sector productivity and production in target regions.

Expected Result RADP investments will increase productivity and total production thereby increasing the supply of goods to agribusinesses and farm community income.

Required Indicator

- Percent increase in farmer incomes in target area, which must be presented by the contractor in the PMP.

- Total number of beneficiary farmers, based on respective indicators from the CLINs and accounting for any duplication of farmers benefitting from the respective CLINs.

Outcome 2. Increased profitability of small, medium, and large agribusinesses.

Expected Results Increasing the efficiency and profitability of agribusinesses will strengthen demand for locally produced crops and increase local job opportunities.

- Increase in final sales of licit farm products from assisted agribusinesses based on an aggregation of targets of the respective CLINs.

- Number of enterprises benefitting from program support based on an aggregation of targets of the respective CLINs.

Outcome 3. Increase women’s participation in agricultural value-chain activities.

The inclusion of women in highly profitable agricultural activities.

- At least 15 percent of participants in programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources will be women.

Outcome 4. Increased and sustained adoption of licit crops.

Expected Results The development of licit crops will be linked to Outcome 1 and will also support the potential food zones in Helmand, Kandahar, and Uruzgan as well as mainstreaming alternative development activities.

- Increase in area devoted to licit crop production among targeted farmers based on an aggregation of targets for farmer outreach of the respective CLINs.

Outcome 5. Improved enabling environment providing more favorable operating environment for farmers and agribusinesses.

The program will strengthen agricultural policies, laws, regulations, and administrative procedures.

- Number of agricultural policies, laws, regulations, and administrative procedures implemented based on the targets of CLIN 4.

The contractor will be required to collect baseline data for all indicators and this baseline will be used to evaluate program impact and results in each quarterly report. Agreement will be reached between the contractor and the respective COR as to how data for these indicators will be tracked to ensure consistency. Baseline data gathering will be completed within the first six months, with initial results from secondary sources provided with 90 calendar days of contract award.

Outcome indicators will require accurate baseline data. The baseline will include secondary data collection where possible and primarily field data, including a control group, to verify household or enterprise level indicators.