RFP_MSP_SOL-306-14-000010.docx

Request for Proposals (RFP) SOL-306-14-000010 Monitoring Support Project (MSP) Indefinite-Quantity Contract

Date Posted: March 15, 2014 Cut-off Date for Questions: March 31, 2014 Closing Date: April 30, 2014

SUBJECT: Request for Proposals (RFP) SOL-306-14-000010 Monitoring Support Project (MSP) Indefinite-Quantity Contracts (IQCs)

Dear Potential Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the United States Agency for International Development in Afghanistan (USAID/Afghanistan), is pleased to release the attached Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Monitoring Support Project (MSP). MSP’s objective is to support the development activities in Afghanistan, as further described under the Description/Specifications, Section C of this RFP. U.S. and non-U.S. (including Afghan) for-profit firms and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) meeting USAID source and nationality geographic code 937 are eligible to submit proposals for this RFP.

USAID/Afghanistan OAA invites interested and qualified organizations to submit proposals in accordance with the requirements of this RFP. In the evaluation of proposals preference will be given to firms that illustrate a commitment to working with Afghan organizations. Work shall be delivered through Firm-Fixed-Price and Cost Plus Fixed Fee (Completion/Term) task orders under each IQC. Task orders will be awarded to IQC holders through a competitive, fair opportunity process.

To be responsive to a changing environment and be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, USAID/Afghanistan developed a Multi-Tiered Monitoring Strategy to collect and verify information. By gathering monitoring data from multiple monitoring actors, USAID/Afghanistan can triangulate results, and make informed decisions. All projects in the USAID/Afghanistan portfolio will have a Monitoring Overview, a document articulating how it will employ this multi-tiered strategy. Tiered monitoring actors are:

· Tier 1: USG direct observation

· Tier 2: Implementing Partner reporting

· Tier 3: GIRoA and other donors

· Tier 4: Civil society, local organizations, and beneficiaries

· Tier 5: Independent Monitoring Contractors The MSP, one of several independent monitoring mechanisms under Tier 5, will provide USAID/Afghanistan with additional data on project implementation, allowing Mission staff, including Contracting and Agreement Officer’s Representatives (CORs/AORs), to make informed management decisions on the performance of their projects.

To achieve this objective, the MSP will provide USAID/Afghanistan with sufficient, accurate and verified information on the progress of projects in accordance with approved project work plans and Performance Management Plans (PMPs). For this project, “sufficient information” means that Monitoring Support Project (MSP) contractors will provide USAID with verified information requested in project PMPs and the Mission PMP, which should allow USAID to make strategic decisions about the direction of its project portfolio. In this case, “accurate information” means that MSP contractors will, to the best of their abilities, ensure USAID receives data that reflect the reality in the field without bias or distortion. Lastly, “verified information” refers to the role the MSP contractors will play in corroborating information that USAID other implementing partners provide through their normal monitoring and reporting functions. In addition to verification, the MSP contractors in some cases will be required to assess the quality of data collected and to confirm activity implementation.

The RFP outlines an IQC with three initial individual task orders that will cover only Component 1 and divide the requirement geographically: 1) the North; 2) the East; and 3) the South and the West. Component 2 of the IQC will be set-aside for competition between U.S. Small Businesses, with task orders to be released at a later date. Additional task orders may be issued under this IQC for the provision of additional services covered by Components 1 and 2 for other U.S. Government agencies and/or development assistance donors.

USAID intends to award up to four IQCs as a result of this RFP. Of those, USAID anticipates awarding one IQC to Small Business concerns. IQC holders will be eligible to compete for task orders until the shared IQC ceiling is reached. USAID anticipates a shared ceiling of US$170,000,000 for the combined amounts of task orders awarded to all IQC holders.

The statements of work of the IQCs and Task Orders may include elements of the respective successful Offerors’ proposals to fully reflect requirements of each IQC and/or Task Order.

Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by email to the following address, by the date and time stated in this cover letter, to: kabulaidoaamailbox@usaid.gov.

If your organization decides to submit a proposal in response to this solicitation, it must be submitted by the designated date and time indicated in Block 9 of the RFP (Standard Form 33). Proposals received after the closing date and time will be processed as late and handled in accordance with FAR 15.208.

Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please note that the designated initial point of entry to the government infrastructure for proposal submissions is the USAID internet server. Please pay careful attention to, and complete in full, RFP section K – Representations, Certifications, and Statements of Offerors. Offerors should also carefully consider section L – Instructions to Offerors, and section M – Evaluation Factors for Award. Sections B through I of the solicitation will become the substantive part of the anticipated contract with blanks to be completed by the Contracting Officer upon award. Proposals must be signed by an official authorized to bind the Offeror’s organization.

Issuance of this solicitation does not in any way obligate the U.S. Government to award a contract nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a 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 U.S. Government.

We thank you for your interest in this important program and look forward to receiving your proposals.

Sincerely, /s/ Sonila Hysi Supervisory Contracting Officer

USAID AFGHANISTAN

FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

Request for Proposals (RFP) SOL-306-14-000010 Monitoring Support Project (MSP) Indefinite-Quantity Contract

USAID/Afghanistan

U.S. Agency for International Development

PROPOSALS ARE DUE ELECTRONICALLY TO THE ADDRESS SHOWN IN SECTION L

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

RATING

PAGE OF

PAGES

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

2. CONTRACT NUMBER

3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

5. DATE ISSUED

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7. ISSUED BY

CODE

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO

(If other than Item 7) NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

9. Sealed offers in original and ___________________ copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in until local time _______________________ (Hour) (Date) CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All Offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

A. NAME

B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

AREA CODE

NUMBER

EXT.

(X)

SEC.

DESCRIPTION

PAGE(S)

(X)

SEC.

DESCRIPTION

PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

A

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

I

CONTRACT CLAUSES

B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COST

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

C

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

J

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

D

PACKAGING AND MARKING

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

F

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

G

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

L

INSTR., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

H

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

M

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

K

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

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

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

10 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

20 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

30 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

CALENDAR DAYS (%)

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

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT NO.

DATE

AMENDMENT NO.

DATE

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

CODE

FACILITY

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER

15A. 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 26

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

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

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) N/A 315

SOL-306-14-000010

X

03-15-2014 REQ-306-13-000158

Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) USAID/Afghanistan

APO AE 09806

12:00 PM Kabul

04-30-2014 Eric Strong

Supervisory Contracting Officer estrong@state.gov

See Attached Table of Contents

TBD

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Request for Proposals (RFP) SOL-306-14-000010 MONITORING SUPPORT PROJECT Indefinite-Quantity Contract

Request for Proposal (RFP) SOL-306-14-000010 MSP Indefinite-Quantity Contract

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide services as specified in the statement of work (SOW) in Section C. USAID Task Order Contracting Officers (TOCO) will request the work through the issuance of task orders during the ordering period as specified in Section F of the contract. Task orders will be awarded to IQC contract holders through a competitive, fair opportunity process.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

This is a multiple-award Indefinite-Quantity Contract (IQC). The Government will issue task orders that are either Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) or Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) term or completion. The Government intends to make maximum use of FFP task orders or task orders that are FFP with some cost reimbursable line items. The Contractor must perform the work set forth in task orders at prices consistent with Section B of this contract. Cost-type task orders will indicate if they are completion or term form.

B.3 MINIMUM OBLIGATED AMOUNT

The basic contract includes an initial obligation of funds in the amount of $50,000 to cover the minimum order guarantee. USAID is required to order and the Contractor is required to furnish the minimum order amount of services.

Following this initial obligation, individual task orders will obligate funds to cover the work required under that task order. The obligated amount for each task order will be established by the TOCO. The initial obligation will be used as part of the funding for the initial task orders awarded under this contract.

B.4 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

This is a multiple award Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) with an overall ceiling price of U.S. $170,000,000 ($170 million). The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded to all Contractors cannot exceed the contract ceiling. This ceiling is not being subdivided among the number of awardees, nor is it being multiplied by the number of awardees.

B.5 OBLIGATED AMOUNT, ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE

B.5.1 Obligated Amount

The basic contract includes an initial obligation of funds in the amount of $50,000 to cover the minimum order guarantee.

B.5.2 CPFF Task Orders

The Total Estimated Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) term or completion for each task order must be negotiated in accordance with the terms of the IQC contract and must be appropriate for the SOW defined in each Request for Task Order Proposal (RFTOP). In no event may the indirect rates or fixed fee for a task order exceed the ceilings set forth in Section B.9 and B.11 of this IQC contract. The U.S. dollar costs must be limited to reasonable, allocable, and allowable costs determined in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment, and FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, FAR 31.3 and AIDAR 731.3 (for universities) and FAR 31.7 and AIDAR 731.7 (non profits).

B.5.3 Fixed Fee Payment

Depending on whether a CPFF task order issued under this contract is term or completion type, a reasonable portion of the Fixed Fee will be paid by USAID and specified in the schedule of each Task Order. The Fixed Fee payment schedule in each task order must be commensurate with progress made to justify payment, up to the total agreed amount of Fixed Fee. Because the clauses entitled "Allowable Cost and Payment" (FAR 52.216-7) and "Fixed Fee" (FAR 52.216-8) are incorporated into this contract, the terms and conditions of these clauses apply after total payments of fixed fee reach eighty five percent (85%) of the total fixed fee.

B.5.4 FFP Task Orders

The Firm-Fixed Price for each task order will be negotiated based on the price to complete the work in its entirety. After acceptance of a FFP task order by the Contractor, the task order price will only be adjusted to reflect changes in scope or conditions governed by other clauses (Changes, Differing Site Conditions, etc.).

Cost reimbursable line items may be allowed in Fixed Price task orders for elements of the task order that cannot be reasonably estimated.

B.6 LABOR

(a) Compensation: Compensation of personnel under this contract or any resulting subcontract must be in accordance with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation (July 2007) and section H.7 of the IQC.

(b) Salary Approval: Acceptance of the Contractor labor rates presented during IQC or task order negotiation does not constitute approval of final salary rates above the Contractor Salary Threshold (CST). (ADS 302.3.6.10) All TOCOs will comply with the approval requirements in ADS 302. See section H.7 for additional guidance on approvals.

(c) Labor Categories: The Contractor shall furnish personnel with the necessary education, training and/or relevant experience, as specified in the task orders to be issued under this contract. Task order proposals must justify proposed rates to the satisfaction of the TOCO.

(d) Locally Hired National Personnel or Other Non-U.S. Expatriates

B.7 OTHER DIRECT COST

(a) In addition to direct labor, other direct cost necessary for the performance of the work under task orders, such as travel and transportation, lodging and subsistence expenses, and allowances may be authorized by the task order.

(b) The Contracting Officer determines which other direct costs are allowable, allocable, and fair and reasonable in accordance with the applicable federal cost principles (i.e., FAR 31.2 and AIDAR 731.2 for commercial (for profit) organizations or FAR 31.3 and AIDAR 731.3 for educational institutions, or FAR 31.7 and AIDAR 731.7 for other not-for-profit organizations). For those other direct costs the TOCO authorizes, Contractors are allowed to recover applicable indirect costs on these costs, if doing so is part of the Contractor's usual accounting procedures, consistent with the applicable cost principles, and are included in the Contractor's Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.

B.8 INDIRECT COST (CPFF ONLY)

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

Contractors are allowed to recover applicable indirect cost (i.e., overhead, G&A, etc.) on other direct cost (ODCs) if it is part of the Contractor's usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31, and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

The Contractor will make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect cost without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer and OAA/CAS.

Reimbursement for indirect cost shall be at the final negotiated rates, but not in excess of the ceiling rates specified below.

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

B.9 ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING ON CEILING ON INDIRECT COST RATES AND FINAL PERFORMANCE FOR INDIRECT COST (CPFF ONLY)

(a) For each of the Contractor's accounting periods during the term of this contract, the parties agree as follows:

(1) The distribution base for establishment of final [rate 1 description to be inserted] is [to be inserted at award].

(2) The distribution base for establishment of final [rate 2 description to be inserted] is [to be inserted at award].

(3) The distribution base for establishment of final [rate 3 description to be inserted] is [to be inserted at award].

(b) The Contractor will make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect cost without the prior written approval of the contracting officer.

(c) Reimbursement for indirect cost shall be at the final negotiated rates, but not in excess of the following ceiling rates:

(d) The government shall not be obligated to pay any additional amount on account of indirect cost above the ceiling rates established in the contract. This advance understanding shall not change any monetary ceiling, cost limitation, or obligation established in the contract.

B.10 TASK ORDER LIMITATIONS

B.10(a) Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Task Orders. When issuing CPFF task orders, the TOCO will state in the task order the total estimated cost plus fixed fee, which is the total amount of the task order and the maximum amount the Contractor may be paid without advance written approval of the Cognizant Contracting Officer.

B.10(b) Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Task Orders. When issuing FFP task orders, TOCOs must state in the task order the firm fixed price, which represents the total amount of the task order and the maximum price the contractor may be paid to perform the services, reports, or other deliverables in the task order. In the event a cost reimbursable line is included in a task order, said cost reimbursable line item shall be clearly stated and not included in the FFP.

B.10(c) Minimum Order. When USAID requires services or reports and other deliverables covered by this contract in a Task Order in the amount of less than $50,000, the Contractor is not obligated to accept an order to furnish those services or reports and other deliverables under this contract. However, if the Contractor agrees to furnish services or reports and other deliverables required by USAID in an amount of less than $50,000 and is awarded a Task Order to do so, the Contractor is required to provide these services and reports / deliverables in accordance with the contract's terms and conditions.

B.10(d) Maximum Order. When USAID requires services or reports and other deliverables covered by this contract in a Task Order amount of more than $50,000,000, the Contractor is not obligated to accept an order to furnish those services or reports and other deliverables under this contract. However, if the Contractor agrees to furnish services or reports and other deliverables required by USAID in excess of $50,000,000 and is awarded a Task Order to do so, the Contractor is required to provide these services and reports / deliverables in accordance with the contract's terms and conditions.

B.10(e) Notwithstanding the above, if issuance of a task order to, and acceptance of a task order by, the Contractor would: (1) result in the Contractor (or its personnel or its subcontractors or their personnel) having an organizational conflict of interest for which restrictions would be placed on the Contractor's (or its personnel’s or its subcontractors’ or their personnel’s) future activities; or (2) violate the provisions of the Procurement Integrity legislation, i.e., Section 27 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 423), as amended by Section 814 of Pub. L. 101-189, the Contractor, after written notification to the Contracting Officer, is not obligated to furnish those services or reports and other deliverables under this contract, and USAID may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

B.11 CEILING ON FIXED FEE

(a) For each CPFF task order issued under this IQC, the TOCO and the Contractor agree to negotiate a set dollar amount for fixed fee. In negotiating the fixed dollar amount for fee, the TOCO must consider the policies and factors for establishing fee in FAR 15.404-4 as well as any applicable USAID policy on establishing a fixed fee amount. In no event, however, may the amount of fixed fee in any individual task order exceed (____) percent of the task order's estimated cost; excluding fee.

(b) For each CPFF task order issued under this IQC, the Contractor shall negotiate set dollar amounts for subcontractor fixed fees. In negotiating the fixed dollar amount for fee, the Contractor shall consider the policies and factors for establishing fee in FAR 15.404-4 as well as any applicable USAID policy on establishing a fixed fee amount. In no event, however, may the amount of subcontractor fixed fee in any individual task order for (name subcontractor(s)) exceed (____) percent of the subcontractor's estimated cost, excluding fee.

(c) The fixed fee for any subcontractor not listed above, whether a new subcontractor approved by the IQC Contracting Officer or TOCO or included as a non-major subcontractor in the Contractor’s original teaming arrangement, shall not exceed the prime Contractor’s fee ceiling.

B.12 LABOR CATEGORIES – UNBURDENED CEILING DAILY RATES

(Only applicable to CPFF task orders)

(a) The task order must include labor rates that are equal to or lower than the Ceiling Daily Rates (CDRs) set forth below.

Each Ceiling Daily Rate (CDR) for personnel listed below is “unburdened” and must only include salary costs or consulting rates of the individual providing services. The CDR for personnel must not include additional costs including but not limited to: payroll costs (fringe benefits, FICA, etc.), indirect costs applicable to labor, or profit/fee.

The CDRs set forth below are fixed for the term of the IQC contract award and are for an eight hour day, and apply to all Subcontractors. If a new Subcontractor is proposed for a specific task order on other than a fixed-price basis, the CDRs set forth below will apply, and the subcontract is subject to consent by the TOCO.

Actual salaries for all personnel will be negotiated under task orders and final approval is provided by the TOCO. The ceiling rates presented below do not constitute approval of final salary rates above the Contractor Salary Threshold (CST) (see ADS 302.3.6.10.). All TOCOs must comply with the approval requirements in ADS 302.

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

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

[NOTE 2: The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates apply to prime Contractor, Subcontractor, TCNs, CCNs, and consultant salaries. For consultants that typically bill using a loaded rate, Contractors must propose any charges above the CDR separately and note in the budget narrative.]

[NOTE 3: The Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates above do not apply to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Task Orders.]

THE TABLES BELOW ARE SEPARATED BY COMPONENT AND REPRESENT THE LABOR MIX REQUIRED UNDER EACH. (SEE SECTION B.12.1 TABLE 1 FOR COMPONENT 1 CDRs AND SECTION B.12.2 TABLE 2 FOR COMPONENT 2 CDRs).

B.12.1 LABOR CATEGORIES – COMPONENT ONE

Definition of labor categories:

1001 Chief of Party: The Chief of Party (COP) shall be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the task order and report directly to the USAID Contractor Officer’s Representative. S/he shall supervise project implementation and ensure that the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements. The COP is also responsible for overall cost and budget management, oversight of technical work and compliance with the conditions of the task order, including sub-awards. The COP will confer regularly with USAID management on strategy in order to maximize impact, effectiveness and sustainability.

1002 DCOP Program Development, Finance, and Administration: The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will be responsible for day-to-day management of the task order, including work plans, staffing, and gathering information and data for reporting or analysis as required by the award. The DCOP will prepare reports and will provide recommendations on the direction of implementation to Chief of Party or USAID as needed. The DCOP is also responsible for overseeing and managing logistics in order to support implementation. The DCOP must also fulfill the role as Chief of Party when the Chief of Party is absent.

1003 Finance Manager: The Finance Manager will oversee the financial management and accounting of the task order. Responsibilities include maintaining and managing field office accounts in coordination with HQ and preparing and tracking budgets and expenditures. The finance manager reviews vouchers and payment requests, including proper back-up documentation to ensure financial compliance. S/he will also manage procurement of items under the task order in accordance with USAID rules and regulations and ensures timely payments to staff, consultants and vendors.

1004 Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist: The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will develop M&E plans, define project indicators, and collect and review monitoring data. S/he may contribute to performance and impact evaluations through questionnaire development, key informant in-depth interviewing, managing survey data collection, reviewing data, preparing datasets, analyzing quantitative or qualitative data, and report writing. The M&E specialist will interpret outcomes of implementation through data or other evidenced-based sources and provide program recommendations to the COP as needed. The M&E Specialist must reflect significant experience in the management of field monitoring, evaluation design, empirical and statistical analysis, environmental compliance, management of information systems, and working in challenging environments.

1005 Information Management Specialist: The Information Management (IM) Specialist will be responsible for regularly using the USAID Afghan Info database to download and manage project output data that will be used for verification and monitoring activities, for managing the upload of final verification and monitoring data back into the system, and for maintaining any monitoring data that is not stored in Afghan Info (e.g., personally identifiable information). The IM specialist will also assist the M&E team on collecting, housing and presenting data from surveys or from other monitoring methods. The IM specialist will also oversee technological applications for both internal and external project purposes.

1006 Survey Design Specialist: The Survey Design Specialist will support the M&E Specialist by developing and implementing surveys to understand and improve program impacts. The Survey Design Specialist will be responsible for training enumerators and performing quality control on survey execution. S/he will work in conjunction with a local survey firm to develop and oversee a specified number of surveys that meet required parameters. These parameters may include but are not limited to: designated sample sizes, rapid development or deployment, or progressive data collection methods using technology.

1007 IQC Manager: Shall bear primary responsibility for technical aspects of contract performance, as well as procurement personnel, reporting, and other management related requirements of the contract. The labor and associated costs for the IQC manager will be included either as part of the Contractor’s indirect costs, or as a percentage of an individual position’s effort under task orders to the extent the functions are allocable to the particular task orders. The Contractor will clearly state in each Task Order proposal how it intends to allocate these central management costs.

Specifically, the IQC Manager shall:

· Respond to task order requests, and provide central management and oversight of task orders under this award, working collaboratively and often with USAID central and field project managers, technical officers, Contracting Officers, and meet and consult regularly with the IQC COR.

· Select, provide technical and administrative direction and guidance to, and place and support all technical experts carrying out technical requirements.

· Report to USAID technical and contract personnel in accordance with USAID reporting requirements in Section F.

· Ensure quality and control methods in a consistent and transparent manner for all contracted tasks and functions.

IQC Manager Qualifications Requirements:

· Minimum of six (6) years of recent project management experience with a US Government foreign affairs agency, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization

· Experience in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, human rights activities, and/or political analysis.

· Minimum of two (2) years of overseas field experience working in one or more developing countries undergoing political instability;

· A minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience (including but not limited to mentoring, training, and guiding staff).

Other Personnel Qualifications Requirements:

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

*Highest degree obtained shall be related to work being performed.

**Relevant Work Experience is required for the levels indicated.

B.12.2 LABOR CATEGORIES – COMPONENT TWO

Definition of labor categories:

2001 Chief of Party: The Chief of Party (COP) shall be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the task order and report directly to the USAID Contractor Officer’s Representative. S/he shall supervise project implementation and ensure that the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements. The COP is also responsible for overall cost and budget management, oversight of technical work and compliance with the conditions of the task order, including sub-awards. The COP will confer regularly with USAID management on strategy in order to maximize impact, effectiveness and sustainability.

2002 DCOP Program Development, Finance, and Administration: The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will be responsible for day-to-day management of the Task Order, including work plans, staffing, and gathering information and data for reporting or analysis as required by the award. The DCOP will prepare reports and will provide recommendations on the direction of implementation to Chief of Party or USAID, as needed. The DCOP is also responsible for overseeing and managing logistics in order to support implementation of the task order. The DCOP must also fulfill the role as Chief of Party when the Chief of Party is absent.

2003 Communications Manager: The Communication Manager will oversee the production and dissemination of public information about the activities and accomplishments of the project in order to contribute to the body of knowledge on development project monitoring in restrictive environments. The Communications Manager is responsible for collecting, investigating, managing and distributing information in a variety of mediums to disparate stakeholders.

2004 Finance Manager: The Finance Manager will oversee the financial management and accounting of the task order. Responsibilities include maintaining and managing field office accounts in coordination with HQ and preparing and tracking budgets and expenditures. The finance manager reviews vouchers and payment requests, including proper back-up documentation to ensure financial compliance. S/he will also manage procurement of items under the task order in accordance with USAID rules and regulations and ensures timely payments to staff, consultants and vendors.

2005 Knowledge Management Specialist: The Knowledge Management Specialist (KMS) will contribute to promoting sound KM practices at both the Mission and USAID/Washington levels through supporting the development of USAID’s Afghan Info system. S/he will be required to analyze and understand the full range of Afghan Info users, the various uses for this system (both current and future), and the system’s current level of functionality in meeting these uses. The KMS will then be responsible for proposing a sound approach for modifying Afghan Info to meet users’ current and future needs related to project monitoring, which shall be based in established knowledge management best practices. S/he will also work with the software developers for Afghan Info (both in USAID and any that are hired under task orders) to work through the system requirements necessary to institute the KM changes to the system.

2006 IQC Manager: Shall bear primary responsibility for technical…