BMA_Addendum_English.pdf

Addendum 1 to USAID/Mexico Broad Mission Announcement (BMA)

Nos. RFA-523-16-000001 (for assistance) and SOL-523-16-000003 (for acquisition)

Title: “Supporting the Government of Mexico’s Transparency Goals”

PURPOSE1: USAID/Mexico seeks Expressions of Interest from individuals, organizations, and consortia/partnerships that would like to share innovative approaches to solving the Key

Objective outlined below.

WHO MAY APPLY: Expressions of Interest may come from individuals, the public and non-governmental sectors (international or local organizations, foundations, universities, etc.), and the private sector. Please note that USAID welcomes Expressions of Interest from entities or individuals who also seek to contribute ideas to the co-creation process, but who will not necessarily obtain funding from the U.S. Government.

IMPORTANT: To participate in this opportunity, organizations must present their ideas in a manner that applies research (social or technical), analysis, technology, or innovation to help resolve the stated problem below. All Expressions of Interest shall become the property of

USAID/Mexico.

KEY OBJECTIVE: The Government of Mexico (GOM) is committed to transparency, accountability and reduced corruption. This project seeks to bring together various actors and stakeholders to increase transparency, promote accountability, and complement the GOM’s national anti-corruption program (http://www.programaanticorrupcion.gob.mx/).

CHALLENGES: As the GOM moves forward with its commitment to promote transparency and accountability, at least four challenges have been identified. Expressions of Interest must take into account how the solution could be impacted by these challenges:

Collaboration and coordination of stakeholders: While there are networks and coalitions of government, associations, and other stakeholders in Mexico working in parallel on issues of transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption, there is room to improve collaboration focused on shared interests and programming;

Access to information: Citizens, government entities, and non-governmental organizations are, in some cases, limited in their ability to analyze information and contribute to public policy solutions because they do not have access to information;

Governance and legal framework: Mexico is in the midst of strengthening its legal and policy framework surrounding the themes of transparency, accountability, and corruption

The authority to issue a Broad Mission Announcement (BMA) is provided under FAR 35.016 “Research and

Development Contracting, Broad Agency Announcement.” The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is a competitive solicitation procedure used to obtain proposals for basic and applied research and development. The

BAA process is described in detail in FAR 6.102 and FAR 35.016.

http://www.programaanticorrupcion.gob.mx/ but it is still in the process of developing a framework; and

Capacity: Government, associations, and other stakeholders need greater institutional capacity to more effectively implement and complement the Government of Mexico’s vision of transparency and accountability.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: Expressions of Interest must state the research or development idea(s) that will deliver potential solutions to the Key Objective described above that are grounded in:

scientific discoveries or improvements in technology; and/or the application of scientific or technical knowledge in the design, development, testing or evaluation of a potential new product or service (or an improvement in an existing product or service).

Expressions of Interest also must specify:

the interested party’s institutional strengths;

expected impact;

anticipated partnerships and resource contributions;

proposed funding requirements; and the specific geographic area(s) to be targeted (if applicable).

Submitted Expressions of Interest must:

● not exceed 1,000 words, excluding header/footer and graphic(s)

● contain a header with the following information (not included in word count):

Respondent Name/organization and contact information:

Response Title:

BMA Addendum Name/Number:

● be in .pdf, .docx, or .odf format

● may be submitted in English or Spanish

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Expressions of Interest will be evaluated consistent with

USAID/Mexico’s Broad Mission Announcement (BMA) dated January 12, 2016 and the following criteria being given equal consideration:

● Idea/Approach: Soundness, innovativeness and feasibility of the applicant’s idea/approach as it applies to research (social or technical), analysis, technology, or innovation (including appropriate supporting evidence) in relation to the Key Objective set forth in this Addendum.

● Organizational Strength: Organizations strengths as a partner due to appropriate experience, established relations, skill, innovative or proven methodologies, ability to bring together key stakeholders (including the GOM), or other strategic qualities.

SELECTION PROCESS: USAID will review and select Expressions of Interest submitted in accordance with the guidelines and criteria set forth above and in the BMA. USAID/Mexico will select those Expressions of Interest that it feels best meet the requirements of this Addendum and the BMA. USAID reserves the right to reject any Expressions of Interest that do not meet the guidelines. This is the first stage of a four stage process. After the Expressions of Interest stage, the selected organizations will work together to collaborate, co-create, and co-design new program(s). Some approaches and activities emerging from this process may be funded by

USAID. Following the review of Expressions of Interest, the following steps will occur:

Stage 2: Selected individuals or groups of organizations that have been accepted based on their Expressions of Interest will be invited to join the co-creation process. During the co-creation process, selected organizations will gather (possibly multiple days), both physically and virtually, to develop innovative program(s) in a collaborative manner that describe solutions to the Key Objective and that applies research (social or technical), analysis, technology, or innovation to help resolve the Key Objective set forth above. It is envisioned that this will result in one or more Concept Papers of 5-12 pages that outline the concrete programmatic plan, focus areas, notional budget, goals, indicators, and timelines, etc. Travel costs will not be reimbursed by USAID.

Stage 3: Final Concept Papers will be submitted by groups of organizations to a “Peer and Scientific Review Board” that will consist of USAID experts, GOM representatives, partners, and outside development or other experts. The Peer and Scientific Review

Board will evaluate the Concept Papers using its technical expertise in accordance with the evaluation criteria specified above and based on relevant U.S. Government procurement regulations. Approved Concept Papers may be further developed through continued co-design in collaboration with USAID.

Stage 4: Contract/Agreement Officer will negotiate individual award(s) (should an award be appropriate).

This Addendum is subject to all conditions specified in USAID/Mexico’s BMA Nos. RFA-523-

16-000001 (for assistance) and SOL-523-16-000003 (for acquisition). USAID reserves the right to select one, several, or no Expressions of Interest for consideration under this Addendum.

USAID is not obligated to issue a financial instrument or award as a result of this Addendum.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST DUE DATE: Individuals and institutions must submit their

Expressions of Interest to mexicooaamaillist@usaid.gov and include the Solicitation number in the subject line. Expressions of Interest must be received by close of business February 29, 2016. Questions about this solicitation may also be submitted to the same e-mail address, and must be received by the close of business on January 25, 2016. USAID/Mexico hopes to start

Stage 2 of the process in March or April 2016 (exact date to be determined).

mailto:mexicooaamaillist@usaid.gov