SWIM__RFP_SOL-306-16-000004.pdf

Request for Proposal (RFP), SOL-306-16-000004

Strengthening Watershed and Irrigation Management (SWIM)

CONTENTS

ACRONYMS

SF33

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B: SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS _________________________ 11

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 CEILING ON INDIRECT COSTS

B.7 COST REIMBURSABLE

B.8 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

B.9 CANCELLATION CEILING AND MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT

SECTION C: DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK _____________ 17

C.1 PURPOSE

C.2 BACKGROUND

C.3 ACTIVITY COMPONENTS AND EXPECTED RESULTS

C.4 EXPECTED RESULTS

C.5 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACTS (GUC)

C.6 CROSS CUTTING REQUIREMENTS

C.7 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT)

C.8 MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AND OFFICE LOCATIONS

C.9 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS

SECTION D: PACKAGING AND MARKING _______________________________________ 29

D.1 BRANDING STRATEGY

D.2 AIDAR 752.7009 – MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.3 ANTICIPATED ELEMENTS OF MARKING PLAN

D.4 APPROVAL OF CONRACTOR BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION & MARKING PLAN

SECTION E: INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE ___________________________________ 31

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.3 USAID/AFGHANISTAN DATABASE REPORTING REQUIREMENT (JUNE 2015)

SECTION F: DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE____________________________________ 33

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.4 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES

F.5 DESCRIPTION OF THE REPORTS:

F.6 REPORTING FORMAT

F.7 LANGUAGE OF REPORTS AND OTHER OUTPUTS

F.8 KEY PERSONNEL

F.9 OTHER PERSONNEL

F.10 PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN

F.11 AIDAR 752.7005 – SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

DOCUMENTS (SEP 2013)

F.12 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

SECTION G: CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA ______________________________ 48

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

G.2 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY

G.4 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.5 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.6 ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL

G.7 PAYING OFFICE

G.8 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

G.9 CONTRACTOR’S PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

G.10 CONTRACTOR’S PAYMENT ADDRESS

PART II – CLAUSES

SECTION H: SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS ______________________________ 53

H.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

H.2 752.702 DESIGNATION OF AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.3 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY (DEC 2004)

H.4 752.225-70 SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012)

H.5 AIDAR 752.228-3 WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEC 1991)

H.6 AIDAR 752.228-70 MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES (JUL 2007)

H.7 AIDAR 752.231-71 SALARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR HOST GOVERNMENT (HG) EMPLOYEES

(MAR 2015)

H.8 AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JUL 1997)

H.9 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JUL 2007)

H.10 AIDAR 752.7031 LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS (OCT 1989)

H.11 AIDAR 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND NOTIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS (APR 2014)

H.12 52.204-5 WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS (OTHER THAN SMALL BUSINESS) (OCT 2014)

H.13 ADS 302.3.5.5 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)

H.14 ADS 302.3.5.9 NONDISCRIMINATION (JUNE 2012)

H.15 ADS 302.3.5.19 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES (AUG 2013)

H.16 ADS 302.3.5.20 CONFERENCE PLANNING AND REQUIRED APPROVALS (AUG 2013)

H.17 ADS 302.3.5.21 USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR

ACQUISITION (JULY 2014)

H.18 302.3.5.22 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (DDL)

(OCTOBER 2014)

H.19 INSURANCE AND SERVICES

H.20 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.21 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL

H.22 NONEXPENDABLE PROPERTY PURCHASES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

RESOURCES

H.23 LOGISTIC SUPPORT GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES OR PROPERTY

H.24 COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 508 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973, AS

AMENDED

H.25 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACTS

H.26 SUB-AWARD REQUIREMENTS (MARCH 2012)

H.27 USAID’S AFGHAN FIRST POLICY AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

H.28 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

H.29 LOGISTIC SUPPORT

H.30 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.31 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT -- IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES

H.32 PROHIBITION OF ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS

H.33 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION (AIDAR)

H.34 USAID/AFGHANISTAN DATABASE REPORTING REQUIREMENT (JUNE 2015)

H.35 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)

H.36 FACILITIES USED FOR RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

H.37 RIGHT TO PROCURE FROM OTHER SOURCES

H.38 SERIOUS INCIDENT REPORTING IN AFGHANISTAN (DEC 2010)

H.39 FRAUD REPORTING

H.40 VETTING

H.41 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.42 HOST COUNTRY TAXES AND DUTIES

H.43 CONFIDENTIALITY AND OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

H.44 AMMONIUM NITRATE AND CALCIUM AMMONIUM NITRATE RESTRICTION (September

2011) (Class Deviation OAA-DEV-ll-03c, expiration date September 8, 2016)

H.45 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM

SECTION I: CONTRACT CLAUSES ______________________________________________ 78

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

I.2 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.3 52.203-13 CONTRACTOR CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT (APR 2010)

I.4 52.216-8 FIXED FEE (JUN 2011)

I.5 52.217-2 CANCELLATION UNDER MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTS (OCT 1997)

I.6 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

I.7 52.222-50 COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (MAR 2015)

I.8 AIDAR 752.209-71 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DISCOVERED AFTER

AWARD (JUN 1993)

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

I.10 AIDAR 752.7006 NOTICES (APR 1984)

I.11 AIDAR 752.7008 USE OF GOVERNMENT FACILITIES OR PERSONNEL (APR 1984)

I.12 AIDAR 752.7025 APPROVALS (APR 1984)

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

SECTION J: LIST OF ATTACHMENTS ____________________________________________ 96

SECTION K: REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS 98

K.1. NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2. 52.203-11 CERTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE REGARDING PAYMENTS TO INFLUENCE

CERTAIN FEDERAL TRANSACTIONS (SEP 2007)

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

K.4. 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (DEC 2014)

K.5. 52.204-19 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF REPRESENTATIONS AND

CERTIFICATIONS (DEC 2014)

K.6. AGREEMENT ON, OR EXCEPTIONS TO, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

K.7. 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (APR 2010)

K.8. 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (JUL 2013)

K.9. 52.215-6 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE (OCT 1997)

K.10. 52.222-22 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS (FEB 1999)

K.11. 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984)

K.12. 52.222-38 COMPLIANCE WITH VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

(SEP 2010)

K.13. 52.222.56 CERTIFICATION REGARDING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS COMPLIANCE PLAN

(MAR 2015)

K.14. 52.225-2 BUY AMERICAN ACT - CERTIFICATE. (MAY 2014)

K.15. 52.227-6 ROYALTY INFORMATION (APR 1984)

K.16. 52.227-7 PATENTS - NOTICE OF GOVERNMENT LICENSEE (APR 1984)

K.17. 52.227-15 REPRESENTATION OF LIMITED RIGHTS DATA AND RESTRICTEDCOMPUTER

SOFTWARE (DEC 2007)

K.18. REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATION REGARDING A DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY

OR A FELONY CRIMINAL CONVICTION (Deviation OAA-DEV-14-02c) (August 2014)

K.19 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (MAY 2012)

K.20. 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE--COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR

2005)

K.21. SIGNATURE

K.22. CONTRACTOR PURCHASING SYSTEM REVIEW

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS ________ 113

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

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

L.3 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.4 PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.5 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME I – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF VOLUME II – COST PROPOSAL

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION AND

MARKING PLANS

L.8 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

L.9 AIDAR 752.204-70 PARTNER VETTING PRE-AWARD REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012)

L.10 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS

L.11 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

L.12 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

L.13 JOINT VENTURE INFORMATION

L.14 INFORMATION TO SUPPORT CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACTORS

L.15 LATE SUBMISSIONS

L.16 GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION

SECTION M: TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA ______________________________ 131

M.1 BEST VALUE CONTINUUM

M.2 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.3 EVALUATION TECHNICAL FACTORS

M.4 EVALUATION OF COST

M.5 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE

ACRONYMS

ADB Asian Development Bank

ADS Automated Directives System

AIDAR AID Acquisition Regulation

AMEP Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

ANDS Afghanistan National Development Strategy

AOR Agreement Office Representatives

ARTF Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund’s

BIP Branding Implementation Plan

CAS Cost Accounting Standards

CBD Convention on Biodiversity

CCN Cooperating Country National

CCR Central Contractor Registration

CDCs Community Development Councils

CFR Code of Federal Regulation

CITIES Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species

CLIN Contract Line Item Number

CO Contracting Officer

COP Chief of Party

COR Contracting Officer Representatives

CP Component

CPAR Contractor Performance Assessment Report

CPFF Cost-Plus Fixed Fee

DAIL Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock

DBA Defense Base Act

DCOP Deputy Chief of Party

DDL Development Data Library

DEC Development Experience Clearinghouse

DOD Departments of Defense

DQAs Data Quality Assessments

EA Environmental Assessment

EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan

ESP Engineering Support Program (ESP)

FAPIIS Federal Awardee Performance Integrity Information System

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation

FAs Forestry Associations

FO Finance Officer

FOIA Freedom of Information Act

FSN Foreign Service National

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GIRoA Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

GIZ

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, (German Society for International Cooperation)

GUC Grants Under Contract

HSDP Homeland Security Presidential Directive

IAs Irrigation Associations

ICIMOD International Center for Integrated Mountain Development

ICT Information and Communication Technologies

IEE Initial Environmental Examination

IP Implementing Partner

IPN Implementing Partners Notices

IRM Office of Information Resource Management

JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency

KFW Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (Reconstruction Credit Institute)

KPIs Key Performance Indicators

LCP Local Employee Compensation Plan

LOAs Letters of Authorization

LOE Level of Effort

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MAIL Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock

MEW Ministry of Energy and Water

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MP Marketing Plan

MRRD Ministry of Rural and Rehabilitation Development

MSP Monitoring Support Program

NAPWA National Action Plan for the women of Afghanistan

NEPA National Environment Protection Agency

NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations

NPPs National Priority Programs

NRM Natural Resource Management

NRVA National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment

NSP National Solidarity Program

O&M Operations and Maintenance

OAA Office of Acquisition and Assistance

OAG Office of Agriculture Growth

OEGI Office of Economic Growth and Infrastructure

OFAC Office of Foreign Assets Control

OFWMP On-Farm Water Management

OIG Office of Inspector General

PIV Personal Identity Verification

PMEP Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

PMP Performance Management Plan

PPIRS Past Performance Information Retrieval System

QA Quality Assurance

RADPs Regional Agriculture Development Programs

RFP Request for Proposal

SAM System for Award Management

SC Subcomponent

SCWAM Supreme Council on Water Affairs Management

SEC Office of Security

SERVIR Regional Visualization and Monitoring System

SOW Scope of Work

SPOT Synchronized Pre-deployment and Operational Tracker

STIP Science, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships

SWIM Strengthening Watershed and Irrigation Management

TBD To Be Determined

TCN Third Country National

TIN Taxpayer Identification Number

UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

UNFCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

USAID U.S. Agency for International Development

WB World Bank

WUAs Water User Associations

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B: SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of the Strengthening Watershed and Irrigation Management (SWIM) activity is to support sustainable, agriculture-led economic growth by increasing the sustainable and productive use of water livelihoods, and strengthening water resource management.

The Contractor will provide capacity building, technical services, and related resources to support:

farmers and farm communities as they manage their water and on-farm resources; the Government of the

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) in strengthening water resource management; and USAID’s

Regional Agriculture Development Programs (RADPs) to increase agricultural water productivity. These interventions will be grouped under the three components: Increased Productive and Sustainable Use of

Water in Agriculture; Strengthen the Water Regulatory Framework; and Strengthen Capacity of Local

Entities to Manage Water Resources.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

The U.S. Government contemplates awarding 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 based on the Scope of Work (SOW) found in Section C of this document.

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

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required for north region, exclusive of fee(s) is $[TBD]. The fixed fee is $[TBD] and the estimated cost plus all fixed fees for north region is $[TBD].

The estimated cost for the performance of the work required for optional regions, west and south, exclusive of fee(s) is $[TBD]. The fixed fee is $[TBD] and the estimated cost plus all fixed fees for optional regions is $[TBD]

The total estimated cost for the performance of the work required for all regions, exclusive of fee(s) is

$[TBD]. The fixed fee is $[TBD] and the estimated cost plus all fixed fees is $[TBD].

(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 is $[to be added upon award]. The Contractor must not exceed the stated obligated amount.

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

B.4 BUDGET ($) - THIS CONTRACT

The program tasks are grouped in three components, namely Increased Productive and Sustainable Use of

Water in Agriculture; Strengthen the Water Regulatory Framework; and Strengthen Capacity of Local

Entities to Manage Water Resources. The CLIN budget is structured into the three components for the five year period for implementation in the North Region and two (2) regional options: West and South.

Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs)

Regional Options

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year5 Total

Direct TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Indirect TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Direct TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Indirect TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Direct TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Indirect TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Grants Under Contracts N/A 750,000 TBD TBD TBD $4,000,000

Security TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Sub Total

Fixed Fee TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Grand Total

CLIN 0002/Component two Strengthen the Water Regulatory Framework

CLIN

North Region

CLIN 0003/ Component three - Strengthen Capacity of Local Entities to Manage Water Resources

CLIN 0001/Component one - Increase Productive And Sustainable Use Of Water In Agriculture

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total

Direct TBD TBD TBD TBD

Indirect TBD TBD TBD TBD

Direct TBD TBD TBD TBD

Indirect TBD TBD TBD TBD

Direct TBD TBD TBD TBD

Indirect TBD TBD TBD TBD

Grants Under Contracts TBD TBD TBD $1,500,000

Security TBD TBD TBD TBD

Sub Total

Fixed Fee TBD TBD TBD TBD

Grand Total

West Region

CLIN 0003/ Component three - Strengthen Capacity of Local Entities to Manage Water Resources

CLIN 0002/Component two Strengthen the Water Regulatory Framework

CLIN 0001/Component one - Increase Productive And Sustainable Use Of Water In Agriculture

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total

Direct TBD TBD TBD TBD

Indirect TBD TBD TBD TBD

Direct TBD TBD TBD TBD

Indirect TBD TBD TBD TBD

Direct TBD TBD TBD TBD

Indirect TBD TBD TBD TBD

Grants Under Contracts TBD TBD TBD $1,500,000

Security TBD TBD TBD TBD

Sub Total

Fixed Fee TBD TBD TBD TBD

Grand Total

CLIN 0001/Component one - Increase Productive And Sustainable Use Of Water In Agriculture

CLIN 0002/Component two - Strengthen the Water Regulatory Framework

CLIN 0003/ Component three - Strengthen Capacity of Local Entities to Manage Water Resources

South Region

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

For the Prime Contractor: Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs will 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 will 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 15 percent of the contract value or who are otherwise defined by the prime to be essential to successful activity implementation. All primes MUST identify “major subcontractors” in the cover letter of their proposals.

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 their Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

B.6 CEILING ON INDIRECT COSTS

(a) Reimbursement for indirect costs will be at the lower of the negotiated final pre-determined rates or the following ceiling rates:

Description 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

[Rate 1 description to be inserted] __% ___% ___% ___% ___%

[Rate 2 description to be inserted] __% ___% ___%___% ___%

[Rate 3 description to be inserted] __% ___% ___% ___% ___%

(b) The Government will not be obligated to pay any additional amount should the final indirect cost rates exceed the negotiated ceiling rates. If the final indirect cost rates are less than the negotiated ceiling rates, the negotiated rates will be reduced to conform to the lower rates.

(c) This understanding shall not change any monetary ceiling, obligation, or specific cost allowance or disallowance. Any changes in classifying or allocating indirect costs require the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

B.7 COST REIMBURSABLE

The resulting contract will be a Cost Reimbursable contract. The costs allowable will 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.8 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

Pursuant to FAR 16.306 (d) “Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts”, payment of fixed fee will be based on completion of the deliverables described in Section F of the RFP, subject to inspection and acceptance by

USAID as specified in section E, of the same and otherwise in compliance with the terms of the contract.

Upon acceptance by USAID and receipt of approval from the Contracting Officer, the Contractor must submit an invoice for the amount of the fee associated with the deliverable. The Contractor must propose a fee distribution schedule for review and approval by USAID. Percentage of fee proposed for each deliverable must be commensurate with the level of effort required for successful accomplishment.

Fee schedule North Region

DELIVERABLE DUE DATE % of Fee Fee $

CLIN 1

1.1 Baseline Data Collection and Analysis - Key Baseline and

Control Data Plan submitted and analyzed

1.2 Rehabilitation of 15,000 ha of Irrigation Canal in North

Region

1.3 Rehabilitation of an Additional 15,000 ha of Irrigation

Canal in North Region

1.4 Restoration of 10,000 ha of upland watershed

1.5 Restoration of an additional 6,650 ha of upland watershed

CLIN 2

2.1 Train 90 MAIL/DAIL, MEW Staff

2.2 Inform 25,000 people about appropriate water and natural

resource management

CLIN 3

3.1 Establish 130 Demonstration Plots of Improved

Agriculture Techniques

3.2 Demonstrated Precision Land Leveling on 3,000 ha

3.3 Provide $4.0m in Grants to Local Organizations

3.4 Train 20,000 Community Members in Participatory

Watershed Management

3.5 Establish 300 WUAs/IAs/FAs

Total North Region

Fee schedule West Region

1.2 Rehabilitation of 7,000 ha of Irrigation Canal in West

1.3 Rehabilitation of 15,000 ha of Irrigation Canal in West

1.4 Restoration of 12,215 ha of upland watershed

CLIN 2

2.1 Train 55 MAIL/DAIL, MEW Staff

2.2 Inform 10,000 people about appropriate water and natural

3.1 Establish 50 Demonstration Plots of Improved Agriculture

Techniques

3.2 Demonstrated Precision Land Leveling on 1,500 ha

3.3 Provide $1.5m in Grants to Local Organizations

3.4 Train 10,000 Community Members in Participatory

3.5 Establish 200 WUAs/IAs/FAs

Total West Region

Fee schedule South Region

1.2 Rehabilitation of 15,000 ha of Rehabilitated Irrigation

Canal in South Region

1.3 Restoration of 8,238 ha of upland watershed

CLIN 2

2.1 Train 55 MAIL/DAIL, MEW Staff

2.2 Inform 10,000 people about appropriate water and natural

3.1 Establish 30 Demonstration Plots of Improved Agriculture

Techniques

3.2 Demonstrated Precision Land Leveling on 1,500 ha

3.3 Provide $1.5m in Grants to Local Organizations

3.4 Train 5,000 Community Members in Participatory

3.5 Establish 150 WUAs/IAs/FAs

Total South Region

B.9 CANCELLATION CEILING AND MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT

CLINs 0001 through 0003 are considered non-severable and are therefore multi-year contracts as defined in FAR 17.103, “Definitions”. This contract is subject to the requirements of FAR 17.106, “Procedures”.

Cancellation Dates:

Contract Year 2: TBD

Contract Year 3: TBD

Contract Year 4: TBD

Contract Year 5: TBD

Cancellation Ceiling: $0

This is a CPFF type contract where the Contractor is authorized to be reimbursed for all costs which are allowable in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, “Allowable Cost and Payment”. Therefore, the Contractor will not incur any costs which would have been amortized over the life of the contract should the contract be cancelled in accordance with FAR 52.217-2 “Cancellation Under Multi-Year Contracts”. Therefore, the cancellation ceiling for each cancellation date is $0.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C: DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

Title: Strengthening Watershed and Irrigation Management (SWIM)

C.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of the Strengthening Watershed and Irrigation Management (SWIM) activity is to support sustainable; agriculture led economic growth by increasing the productive use of water and strengthening water resources management. Specifically, SWIM’s objectives are to:

1. Increase the sustainable and productive use of water in agriculture in targeted areas, through rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, and restoration of degraded watersheds; and,

2. Strengthen the water regulatory framework by supporting the collaboration between the governing bodies for irrigation and water management, strengthening the capacity of water resource and irrigation training programs, and improving public outreach; and,

3. Strengthen capacity of local entities to manage water resources by improving the technical and administrative capacity of local entities to sustainably manage water resources and resolve conflicts through community based natural resource management.

In support of SWIM objectives, the Contractor must provide capacity building, technical services, and related resources to support: farmers and farm communities as they manage their water and on-farm resources; the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) in strengthening water resource management; and USAID’s Regional Agriculture Development Programs (RADPs) to increase agricultural water productivity. These interventions will be grouped under the following three components: 1) Increased Productive and Sustainable Use of Water in Agriculture; 2) Strengthen the

Water Regulatory Framework; and 3) Strengthen Capacity of Local Entities to Manage Water Resources.

C.2 BACKGROUND

Agriculture is the foundation of Afghanistan’s economy as 80 % of the population work in agriculture and the sector contributes 24% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Low agricultural productivity in Afghanistan means high levels of rural poverty and stagnant economic growth. Improved irrigation and associated agro technologies offer a means to bolster farm income. SWIM will contribute to two of the

Ghani Administration goals: professional public administration in the agriculture-related ministries and promoting key economic sectors. SWIM will work with Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) and

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock to identify areas of overlap in governance of the water sector that reduce the impact of their respective ministries.

SWIM is organized as a five year contract with the initial phase to be implemented only in the North region with an option to expand up to two additional regions, west and south. At the 24 - 30 month point in the activity, an evaluation will be conducted to gauge the effectiveness of the program in the North.

This will be both an assessment of the implementation model and the likelihood that this model will perform in the same way in the South and the West. Additional baseline/assessment will also be done in the South and West regions to evaluate if the security situation is conducive to effectively implement the activity and to determine willingness of the Government of Afghanistan and local communities to coordinate and contribute to roll out the activity in the additional region(s).

The Contractor must implement the SWIM activity to be: (a) demand-driven; (b) flexible and responsive to local opportunities for impact; and (c) results-oriented. The Contractor must implement the SWIM activity in close coordination with the relevant GIRoA institution(s) and other USAID/Afghanistan and donor activities, to the greatest extent possible, to avoid duplication, create synergy, and maximize results. The Contractor is expected to allocate 55% of the cost for North Region and 25% and 20% for

West and South Regions respectively.

The Contractor is encouraged to use Science, Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (STIP) solutions, such as remotely sensed data, for early season crop selection, drought prediction, assessing soil moisture of remote areas, identifying flood and other risks, where appropriate, as technological advances provide mitigating solutions to the many obstacles to effective water management imposed by Afghanistan’s climate and topography. STIP data products have proven to be useful to water managers and planners, and have been incorporated into the design and implementation of interventions.

The Contractor must also implement a Grants Under Contract (GUC) mechanism to support and enable rural Afghans in target areas to restore and manage watersheds, and empower local organizations and institutions to build a strong foundation for watershed restoration and rehabilitation.

C.3 ACTIVITY COMPONENTS AND EXPECTED RESULTS

In order to achieve the required results, the Contractor must provide a variety of services to support each of the components and achieve specified results. The Contractor must document their undertakings through the creation and approval of an annual work plan. For each component, the SOW provides additional background information, expected results and illustrative interventions. The Contractor must, when practical, identify other areas of technical support and GIRoA collaboration it deems necessary to achieving the expected results.

C.3.1 Component One: Increase Productive And Sustainable Use Of Water In Agriculture

The Contractor must increase agriculture water productivity through improved efficiencies in irrigation water conveyance and on-farm water management. The Contractor must rehabilitate irrigation infrastructure and restore degraded upper watersheds to reduce sedimentation and flooding of irrigated areas.

While working directly with affected communities, the Contractor must develop integrated watershed management plans. These plans will form the basis and the requirements for decisions regarding future rehabilitation works. In addition, these discussions will also lay the groundwork for future community-based education and operation and maintenance (O&M) training.

The Contractor is responsible for the selection of irrigation schemes and watersheds for rehabilitation and must coordinate this activity with RADPs and other relevant USAID activities within the geographical focus areas. This will be done in coordination with MAIL staff and with USAID’s Contracting Officer

Representatives (COR). After the selection of the irrigation schemes and watersheds and the determination of the irrigation requirements, the Contractor must provide this information to USAID.

USAID will complete the initial environmental examination, the survey, and the design of irrigation structures in a specified area to meet the irrigation requirements provided by the Contractor. The design package will then be provided the Contractor through USAID’s COR. The Contractor is responsible for the procurement, supervision, and quality control of the construction works, which must be performed by local construction companies under the Contractor’s supervision/oversight.

USAID will monitor the quality of the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructures, watersheds, and all other construction interventions under Component 1 through various means, including third-party monitoring.

C.3.1.1. The Contractor must rehabilitate and increase efficiency of irrigation infrastructure through interventions that include, but are not limited to:

a) Rehabilitate primary, secondary, and tertiary irrigation canals and water conveyance infrastructure, such as, canal intake structures, flood control structures, canal bank protections, cross-drainage and turnout structures.

b) Canal refurbishment through lining (where appropriate), restructuring, and de-silting.

C.3.1.2. The Contractor must rehabilitate and restore degraded upper watersheds through interventions that include, but are not limited to:

a) Install soil erosion control measures (e.g. terraces and vegetation coverage) to protect the canals

b) Construct diversions and/or retention ditches/small check dams to prevent runoff and flooding into irrigated lands

Construction Warranty - The Contractor must guarantee all the work to be performed and all the materials to be furnished under this contract against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of the construction completion acceptance. The Contractor, must, within a reasonable time but in no case longer than 30 days after receipt of a written notice, repair or replace any defects in materials or workmanship which may develop during the one (1) year period and any damages resulting from repairing or replacing of such defects at its own expense and without cost. In the event the

Contractor fails to remedy any such defect within a reasonable time, which in no case must be longer than

30 days after receipt of such written notice, the Government may proceed with having such defects remedied at Contractor’s expense, and the Contractor must pay the costs and charges accruing from such work and other damages.

C.3.2 Component Two: Strengthen the Water Regulatory Framework

The Contractor must provide technical assistance to GIRoA by supporting the collaboration between the governing bodies for irrigation and water management, the use of technology in water resource management, irrigation management and decision making, the strengthening of the capacity of water resource and irrigation training programs in Afghanistan, and improving outreach to farmers and farm communities.

C.3.2.1 The Contractor must enhance the capacity of GIRoA institutions to develop and manage water resources through interventions such as:

Illustrative interventions:

a) Provide technical assistance to support inter-ministerial coordination and collaboration

b) Provide trainings to GIRoA ministry staff on effective irrigation and water management

C.3.2.2 The Contractor must strengthen the capacity of the National Environment Protection Agency

(NEPA), MAIL, MEW, and other relevant GIRoA institutions to develop and implement public outreach campaigns in sustainable natural resources management through interventions such as:

a) Design natural resources management awareness programs for schools

b) Design outreach programs for print and electronic media to enhance public awareness of integrated water resource management.

C.3.3 Component Three: Strengthen Capacity of Local Entities to Manage Water Resources

The Contractor must improve the technical and administrative capacity of local entities and people to sustainably manage water resources and resolve conflicts. Cooperative engagement between and among various local entities, including Irrigation Associations, farmers, and government technical field staff, is important. The rehabilitation of upland watersheds and downstream irrigation canals (Component 1), the strengthening of MAIL technical experts (Component 2), and the training of community of users must be coordinated for maximum impact on farmers’ fields. It is expected that on-farm technology or management practices that increase agricultural yields will be adapted and encouraged. This component includes grants under contract which will begin in Year Two (see Section C.5).

C.3.3.1 The Contractor must strengthen community based (including women) water and natural resource management through interventions such as:

a) Support ministries and extension agencies to establish and/or strengthen Irrigation Associations

(IAs), Forestry Associations (FAs), and Water User Associations (WUAs)

b) Develop participatory community watershed rehabilitation/restoration and management plans for targeted watersheds

c) Increase women participation in the IAs, FAs, WUAs, and relevant community water and natural resource management groups

d) Train relevant community resource management groups to improve skills in land and water management (i.e. improved on-farm irrigation and management practices and technologies, address threats to watersheds such as deforestation, desertification)

e) Provide grants under contract to communities and NGOs (including women groups) for implementations that will result in a decrease of upstream watershed degradation, soil erosion and runoff, and flooding of irrigation schemes (with potential linkages to nutrition and gender mainstreaming goals)

C.3.3.2 The Contractor must improve on-farm water management through the establishment of demonstration plots, site visits, and customized training for such topics as:

a) Cost effective and simple irrigation technologies acceptable to local communities (e.g. furrow, basin, raised bed…)

b) Water saving irrigation technologies including drip irrigation, sprinklers etc. for high value crops

c) Irrigation scheduling for crop water needs

d) Conservation agriculture technologies (mulching, minimum tillage, rain water harvesting)

e) Precision laser land leveling and improved field drainage network.

C.4 EXPECTED RESULTS

Expected results are listed below.

Region CP SC Description Unit Total

North CP1 SC 1.1 Conduct feasibility study on rehabilitation of one large scale irrigation scheme Number 1

North CP1 SC 1.1 Build capacity of local sub-partners Number 45

North CP1 SC 1.1 Rehabilitate irrigation infrastructure Hectares 30000

North CP1 SC 1.2 Develop Integrated Watershed Management Plans Number 25

North CP1 SC 1.2 Rehabilitate Watersheds Hectares 16650

North CP2 SC 2.1 Inform people about water and natural resource management People 25000

North CP2 SC 2.1 Train MAIL/DAIL and MEW regional staff People 90

North CP3 SC 3.1 Provide grants to communities and NGOs USD 3000000

North CP3 SC 3.2 Demonstrate Precision Land Leveling Hectares 3000

North CP3 SC 3.2 Establish Demonstration Plots of Improved Agriculture Techniques and Irrigation

Methods

Plot 130

North CP3 SC 3.2 Establish WUAs/IAs/FAs Associations 300

North CP3 SC 3.2 Train communities in participatory watershed management People 20000

North CP3 SC 3.2 Train farmers in on-farm water management People 15000

South CP1 SC 1.1 Build capacity of local sub-partners Number 30

South CP1 SC 1.1 Rehabilitate irrigation infrastructure Hectares 15000

South CP1 SC 1.2 Develop Integrated Watershed Management Plans Number 10

South CP1 SC 1.2 Rehabilitate Watersheds Hectares 8328

South CP2 SC 2.1 Inform people about water and natural resource management People 10000

South CP2 SC 2.1 Train MAIL/DAIL and MEW regional staff People 55

South CP3 SC 3.1 Provide grants to communities and NGOs USD 2000000

South CP3 SC 3.2 Demonstrate Precision Land Leveling Hectares 1500

South CP3 SC 3.2 Establish Demonstration Plots of Improved Agriculture Techniques and Irrigation

Methods

Plot 30

South CP3 SC 3.2 Establish WUAs/IAs/FAs Associations 150

Region CP SC Description Unit Total

South CP3 SC 3.2 Train communities in participatory watershed management People 5000

South CP3 SC 3.2 Train farmers in on-farm water management People 6500

West CP1 SC 1.1 Build capacity of local sub-partners Number 15

West CP1 SC 1.1 Rehabilitate irrigation infrastructure Hectares 22000

West CP1 SC 1.2 Develop Integrated Watershed Management Plans Number 10

West CP1 SC 1.2 Rehabilitate Watersheds Hectares 12215

West CP2 SC 2.1 Inform people about water and natural resource management People 10000

West CP2 SC 2.1 Train MAIL/DAIL and MEW regional staff People 55

West CP3 SC 3.1 Provide grants to communities and NGOs USD 2000000

West CP3 SC 3.2 Demonstrate Precision Land Leveling Hectares 2200

West CP3 SC 3.2 Establish Demonstration Plots of Improved Agriculture Techniques and Irrigation

Methods

Plot 50

West CP3 SC 3.2 Establish WUAs/IAs/FAs Associations 200

West CP3 SC 3.2 Train communities in participatory watershed management People 10000

West CP3 SC 3.2 Train farmers in on-farm water management People 7000

Region refers to the corresponding area of Afghanistan under which USAID’s RADP program is already underway. The Contractor is expected to work in all three regions, as authorized. CP refers to Component (corresponding to the three components listed above) and SC refers to

Subcomponent. Description refers to the desired intervention while the unit is the preferred unit of measurement.

C.5 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACTS (GUC)

The SWIM activity includes GUC to engage Afghan partners and build local capacity for watershed management through the implementation of watershed restoration works and the prevention of watershed degradation. A total of $7 million will be made available for the GUC and this grant portion of the contract will begin in the second year of the activity implementation.

The Contractor is expected to administer $4 million in grants in the North during the life of the activity with a further $1.5 million for each additional region adding up to the total life of activity grants of $7 million, inclusive of options. The Contractor must submit a GUC manual within 30 days of the start of the second year of the contract for the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Contracting

Officer’s (CO) review and approval.

C.6 CROSS CUTTING REQUIREMENTS

The cross cutting issues the Contractor must address in the implementation of the contract includes sustainability, gender, climate change and biodiversity, linkages to other USG and donor programs, and linkages to GIRoA.

C.6.1 Sustainability

The Contractor must use methods that encourage sustainable results. To ensure ownership and maintenance of investments, the Contractor must build the capacity of stakeholders, farmers (both male and female), government officials, community leaders, and upland resource users, to fill gaps in critical areas such as local ownership, local and institutional capacity, financial and economic sustainability, social and cultural soundness, and improvements to the environment and natural resources. The investment in irrigation system rehabilitation must be conditioned on the willingness of benefitting communities to provide the necessary operations and maintenance (O&M) for the irrigation network. To ensure sustainability, the interventions must be technically appropriate for the target communities, and the majority of rehabilitation works will be based on the use of locally available materials that require limited maintenance over a longer period. To strengthen community capacity to carry out O&M, the Contractor must support GIRoA in establishing or strengthening community based organizations (WUAs, IAs, FAs) to carry out the O&M of the irrigation infrastructure that it will rehabilitate. The Contractor must provide technical assistance and training to MAIL and MEW staff to enable them to effectively monitor irrigation system performance, and support farmers to plan, schedule and execute routine, seasonal, and emergency maintenance of the irrigation systems for which they are responsible.

Sustainability is required in the design and implementation of all SWIM interventions. The following are illustrative questions to be considered while planning the activity:

1. Local Capacity and Ownership: Is there a demonstrated local demand and ownership of the proposed interventions? Is there a broad beneficiary/stakeholder base interested to provide the necessary operations and maintenance to ensure the activity/service continues after the implementation ends? Will interventions build the skills and capacity of local stakeholders (e.g.

government institutions; Water User Associations, Irrigation Associations, Forestry Associations, and farmers) to maintain development gains after the implementation ends?

2. Institutional Capacity: What are the national, sub-national and local institutions from the public and private sector, civil society and communities that are most critical to the implementation of the activity’s development interventions? How able and interested are their leadership and membership and how adequate are their structures and resources to participate in the intervention implementation?

RFP, SOL-306-16-000004

3. Financial Sustainability: Will the proposed interventions or services be linked to sustainable financing models? Will the expected results of the activity incentivize the private sector or public institutions to continue investments in the targeted sectors?

4. Economic sustainability: What are the contributions of the activity to the economic welfare of the target areas? Will the proposed interventions be of low to medium technology for easy adoption by the targeted beneficiaries? Will the rehabilitation works be based on locally available materials that require limited maintenance over a longer period?

5. Social and Cultural Soundness: Have there been adequate consultations through participatory community approaches in planning interventions to be implemented?

6. Environment and Natural Resources (NRM): How are the incentives, motivations, and beliefs of the communities factored into the NRM improvement planning and implementation?

How is the capture and control of natural resources monitored and mitigated by GIRoA?

C.6.2 Gender

The Contractor must support gender equity in agriculture, irrigation, and water resource management by integrating gender throughout the implementation of interventions, to include women in decision making roles, and provide economic benefits for women from improved irrigation and water resource management. The Contractor must present a clear strategy for integrating women into SWIM interventions, with specific targets and indicators for the inclusion of women, and measuring benefits afforded to women. Gender equity must be included in all planning, implementation, and monitoring of implementation.

The Contractor must ensure that opportunities to promote female leaders and women’s empowerment are given throughout the life of the activity. The Contractor must ensure fair representation of women in the activity and on the project staff, and must strive to ensure that evaluation designs, methodologies, data collection, and analyses adequately capture the situation and experiences of female beneficiaries. The

National Action Plan for the women of Afghanistan (NAPWA)(Attachment J.1), Realizing Self-Reliance document of the new administration (Attachment J.2), Afghanistan National Development Strategy

(ANDS), and USAID Mission’s order 201.02 (Attachments J.3), contain guidelines on gender mainstreaming, and these guidelines must be taken into account in the planning of interventions. Women, youth, and vulnerable populations must be weighted equally in terms of service delivery austerity.

Inclusion of women in decision making roles is increasingly important in the agricultural sector.

According to the National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA) report, employment rates are highest in the agriculture sector (40 percent) at 7.2 million people, of which 1.3 million are women

(Attachment J.4). In poor and rural areas, women and girls are typically responsible for all domestic water needs, taking care of small gardens, livestock, and collection of firewood. In many cases, women use water from irrigation canals for the household and livestock. There is growing evidence that shows works related to irrigated water are not gender neutral. According to NRVA, the repair of the irrigation system is considered a “rural male issue”, regardless of the needs of women in accessing water from irrigation canals. Some of the issues to be addressed that are of concern include, but are not limited to;

1. Resources (water and land) are unevenly distributed and Afghan women do not have a strong professional network to pursue access to resources;

2. Land owned by a woman is most likely managed by the immediate family and not by herself, thereby reducing her inherited wealth and power;

3. Water conflicts are generally resolved by the elders and the mirab and women are not allowed to participate in discussion regarding their resources (Attachment J.5).

4. At the strategic level, MAIL, MEW and other line ministries have established formal and informal consultative organizations (e.g. the Supreme Council on Water Affairs Management

(SCWAM)) and women do not participate in these discussions; and,

5. Cultural norms and household labor requirements prevent girls from entering into agricultural study programs and participating in MAIL and DAIL extension programs

(Attachment J.5).

The Contractor’s works for rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, institutional capacity development, strengthening of community associations, and promotion of environmental awareness must support increasing economic opportunities for women in remote communities. The inclusion of women in IAs, WUAs, and FAs will provide an opportunity for women’s participation in decision making in the management of water resources. Involving women in SCWAM, River Basin Associations, and River

Basin Councils, and establishing working relationship between female technical staff of MAIL and MEW will increase their self-sufficiency regarding access to water resources for agriculture. The implementation of a gender action plan and inclusive consultative platforms will provide women with an avenue to participate in decisions that affect their well-being and livelihoods (Attachment J.5). An inclusive approach for women’s participation in the income generation interventions of the activity, including but not limited to, small-scale water interventions for home garden, drip irrigation systems for family gardens, rehabilitation of watersheds through plantings, capacity building, and awareness programs will increase economic benefits for women.

C.6.3 Climate Change and Biodiversity

The Contractor must consider climate change and biodiversity in the design and implementation of interventions and the following references:

Alliance Development Works, United Nations University (UNU-EHS), and The Nature

Conservancy “World Risk Report” for Afghanistan’s fragile environmental state http://www.preventionweb.net/files/21709_worldriskreport2011.pdf and http://i.unu.edu/media/ehs.unu.edu/news/4070/11895.pdf

The Executive Order of the President of the United States of America (USA) on Climate Resilient

International Development (https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/09/23/executive-order-climate-resilient-international-development) requiring the integration of climate-resilience considerations in all development projects and programs.

USAID’s Biodiversity Policy https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/USAID%20Biodiversity%20Policy%2

0-%20June%202015.pdf

The National Priority Program, Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), Environment Sector Strategy and Environment Law. http://mfa.gov.af/en/page/6547/afghanistan-national-development-strategy/afghanistan-national-development-strategy-ands

In addition, Afghanistan has already ratified a number of environmental conventions, such as the UN

Convention on Biodiversity in September 2002, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change (UNFCC) in September 2002 and entered into force in December 2002, and the United Nations

Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) signed in 1995 and entered into force on December

1996. Afghanistan has made substantial pledges to control or reduce threats to…