Amendment_1_SOL-623-14-000003.pdf

Request for Proposals # SOL‐623‐14‐000003 Evaluation of the COMPETE Project

Contents

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1. PURPOSE

B.2. CONTRACT TYPE

B.3. CONTRACT PERIOD

B.4. ESTIMATED FIRM FIXED PRICE, AND OBLIGATION AMOUNT

B.5. TAX REQUIREMENTS

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1. INTRODUCTION

C.2. EVALUATION OBJECTIVES AND KEY QUESTIONS

C.3. EVALUATION DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

C.4. EVALUATION TEAM COMPOSITON

C.5. EVALUATION OF PRODUCTS

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1. AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.2. BRANDING

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1. NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

E.2. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY

G.2. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER

G.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.4. TECHNICAL DIRECTION/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.5. ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL

G.6. PAYING OFFICE

G.7. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1. NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

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

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

H.4. AIDAR 752.7005 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

DOCUMENTS (September 2013)

H.5. SUBCONTRACTING

H.6. INSURANCE AND SERVICES

H.7. 752.228‐70 MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES (JULY 2007)

H.8. AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.9. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.10. AUTHORIZED WORK WEEK

H.11. 752.228‐9 CARGO INSURANCE

H.12. 752.7034 ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND DISCLAIMER (DEC 1991)

H.13. EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING

H.14. FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES (JAN 2002) .. 26

H.15. REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES

H.16. USAID DISABILITY POLICY ‐ ACQUISITION (DECEMBER 2004)

H.17. HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ‐12

H.18. ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

H.19. 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (JAN

1990)

H.20. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.21. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

H.22. HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE‐12 [HSPD‐12] (SEPTEMBER 2006)

H.23. PROHIBITION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION (OCTOBER 2011)

H.24. PROHIBITION ON THE PROMOTION OR ADVOCACY OF THE LEGALIZATION OR PRACTICE OF

PROSTITUTION OR SEX TRAFFICKING (ACQUISITION) (APRIL 2010)

H.25. LOGISTIC SUPPORT

PART II ‐ CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1. NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.2. 52.233‐2 – SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

I.3. 52.252‐2 – CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

PART III – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1. NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

K.2. 52.203‐2 CERTIFICATE OF INDEPENDENT PRICE DETERIMINATION (APR 1985)

K.3. 52.204‐8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JUL 2013)

K.4. INSURANCE ‐ IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY

K.5. AGREEMENT ON, OR EXCEPTIONS TO, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

K.6. 52.209‐5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (APR 2010)

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

K.8. 52.215‐6 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE (OCT 1997)

K.9. 52.219‐22 SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS STATUS (OCT 1999) ALTERNATE I (JAN

2012)

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

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

K.12. 52.227‐15 STATEMENT OF LIMITED RIGHTS DATA AND RESTRICTED COMPUTER

SOFTWARE (DEC 2007)

K.13. 52.230‐1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (MAY 2012)

K.14. 52.230‐7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE – COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR 2005) 50

K.15. SIGNATURE

SECTION L ‐ INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1. NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

L.2. 52.216‐1 – TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

L.3. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.4. QUESTIONS

L.5. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

Section 4 – Past Performance Information

L.6. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE BUSINESS PROPOSAL

SECTION M ‐ EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1. NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

M.2. GENERAL INFORMATION

M.3. TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.4. PRICE EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.5. DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE AND CONTRACT AWARD

M.6. SOURCE SELECTION

M.7. CONTRACTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this award is to provide Evaluation Services for the Competitiveness and Trade Expansion (COMPETE) Trade Hub project, which is coming to an end after a five‐year period of performance. The COMPETE Project is funded as a Task Order contract with and is being implemented by Chemonics International via a Task Order No. AID‐EEM‐I‐05‐07‐00008, under the Global, Business, Trade, and Investment II (GBTI II) IQC No. AID‐EEM‐I‐00‐07‐00008.

B.2. CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type contract. For the consideration set forth below, the Contractor shall provide the deliverables (i.e. tasks) in Section C in accordance with the performance standards specified in Section F.

B.3. CONTRACT PERIOD

As specified in section F.3, the contract period is from the effective date until three months thereafter.

B.4. ESTIMATED FIRM FIXED PRICE, AND OBLIGATION AMOUNT

The fixed price for the performance of the work required hereunder, Evaluation Services of the COMPETE Project, is TBD. The Contractor will not be paid any sum in excess of the fixed price. The amount obligated on award is TBD.

B.5. TAX REQUIREMENTS

USAID is exempt from tax payments. All prices shall be exclusive of tax and/or duty. The contractor will be required to submit a competed tax exemption form, based on a pro forma or invoice, to USAID for approval and forwarding to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). USAID will assist the contractor in obtaining approval from MOFA. This requirement does not apply to off‐the‐shelf procurements totaling $1,000.00 or less. The contractor will be able to import materials free of duty and make local purchases free of tax. However, the exemption will apply only to materials unavailable locally, or to local materials of an unacceptable quality.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1. INTRODUCTION

The USAID (COMPETE) project commenced in February 2009. It was initially designed to take an integrated approach to two high‐level United States Government (USG) priorities: the Initiative to End Hunger in Africa (IEHA), and the African Growth and Competitiveness Initiative (AGCI). It was also designed to act as one of three USG Trade Hubs in Sub‐Saharan Africa to assist firms to export commodities and products to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and to provide “Aid‐for‐Trade” assistance as mandated by USG commitments under the Doha round of negotiations at the World Trade Organization. COMPETE had additional options to accommodate the Global Food Security Response (GFSR), which has evolved into the Feed the Future (FTF) Initiative. The total ceiling on the COMPETE contract including options is $84 million. Of this total, $24 million is allocated to a sub‐grants mechanism called the COMPETE Partnership Fund. The COMPETE contract end date is February 28, 2014

COMPETE’s approach to advancing trade and economic growth and ensuring food security in East Africa is based on the premise that regional integration is a key driver to fostering competitive and efficient regional markets and increasing the competitiveness of East Africa globally. Regional integration also facilitates movement of staple foods from areas of surplus to areas of deficit, increasing availability.

COMPETE has been funded jointly by trade and agriculture programs in USAID/East Africa including the activities of the regional Feed the Future strategy. The objective of that strategy is to ensure regional food security ‐‐ defined as increased access, availability, and utilization of locally grown staple foods in regionally integrated markets resulting – through increased trade flows of staple foods in the region.

COMPETE focuses on removing barriers to trade, increasing the competitiveness of targeted value chains, and enhancing regional exports under AGOA.

COMPETE aims to achieve sustainability by strengthening African private and public institutions c – and through innovative solutions to key development challenges. The project works with key partners, including: (a) regional economic communities, principally the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), including its specialized agency the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA), and the East Africa Community (EAC); (b) regional trade and transit associations like the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) and the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA); (c) the private sector including regional banks and financial institutions; and (d) Non‐governmental organizations (NGOs).

In August, 2011, an internal evaluation of the program was undertaken. The evaluation made a number of recommendations to the program and based on the same, COMPETE’s Performance Management Plan (PMP) and results framework was reviewed and revised. The project’s overall objective statement was also revised as, “To build sustainable capacity for regional and international trade and food security.” To achieve this objective, the project implements activities through three components designed to:

• Reduce barriers to regional and international trade (Component 1).

• Facilitate the efficiency and competitiveness of key value chains (Component 2).

• Ramp up trade and investment between the United States and East Africa (Component 3).

Under Component 1, the project aimed at reducing the barriers to regional and international trade through:

Strengthening of the implementation capacity of the EAC member states and other regional governments on selected trade policies.

Development and introduction of models and best practices.

Building the capacity of private sector partners to undertake informed and structured advocacy on issues affecting the cost of doing business and trade.

Promoting the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions.

Supporting COMESA’s ACTESA program to develop a strategy and operational plan.

Supporting the EAC to develop a regional food security and nutrition strategy.

Supporting the harmonization of regional financial regulation, strengthening and training regional partner institutions, and promotion of knowledge management and networks within and across countries.

Under Component 2, the project facilitated the efficiency and competitiveness of key value chains by supporting:

Adoption and implementation of harmonized regional trade policies and standards, including sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

Improved market linkages in the fiber textile and apparel value chain, and strengthening regional partner institutions to operate sustainably.

The development of a system for capturing data from both governments and the private sector on food stocks and the regular publication by the EAC of regional food balance sheets as a guide for policy‐makers.

The development of improved systems for structured trading systems including warehouse receipt systems, knowledge management, and training of trainers.

Improvement of market information systems for the staple foods value chain.

Harmonizing data collection systems and aligning national Market Information Systems (MIS) providers to RATIN, strengthening the analytical systems and capabilities of the EAGC, and developing and expanding a real‐time warehouse tracking system.

Under Component 3, trade and investment between the United States and East Africa was ramped up through:

The Origin Africa Campaign, which aimed at changing the perceptions about doing business in Africa and demonstrating African creativity and innovation to international buyers and industry leaders, hence putting Africa on the map as a preferred sourcing destination’.

Firm level TA on branding, marketing, standards.

National AGOA strategy development, reverse buyer missions.

C.2. EVALUATION OBJECTIVES AND KEY QUESTIONS

Purpose and use of the evaluation The COMPETE project comes to an end on February 28, 2014, consequently this results in the need for an end of project evaluation. The purpose of this evaluation is to provide USAID/EA and its partners with an independent assessment of COMPETE project performance, highlighting the major achievements, strengths and weaknesses in order to learn from it and use the lessons for future regional programming.

The evaluation will provide useful lessons for current and future programming in USAID/EA. Specifically, the evaluation will: (1) enable USAID/EA to determine to what extent COMPETE’s objectives and goals have been achieved; (2) examine the efficiency and effectiveness of Private Public Partnerships (PPP) implementation strategy; and 3) provide a basis for decisions about future programming.

The specific objectives of the evaluation are to:

Assess the achievements of COMPETE in meeting its original goals and objectives. Review the impact of achievements attained by COMPETE. Assess the results achieved (outcomes and impacts), particularly at the strategic objective level;

Assess the relevance of the COMPETE project to the beneficiary Regional Economic Communities (RECs);

Assess the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the project’s strategies. Assess how effectively COMPETE has contributed to the objectives of the regional Feed the Future strategy;

Identify and discuss the major challenges faced by the project;

Assess donor coordination on strategy and achieving shared objectives;

Assess the immediate impact/outcomes of the COMPETE project within the region. Establish plausible linkages between project outputs, clearly identifiable outcomes, and longer‐term impacts, and draw lessons for future programming

Assess the sustainability of project interventions, particularly at the regional level;

Document lessons learnt and best practices; and

Provide recommendations for future programming

Key Evaluation Questions

The evaluation is expected to address the following questions among others:

Relevance: To what extent project activities have been in line with priorities set forth in the project objectives and how do they address key areas of integration as prioritized by at the RECs?

Effectiveness and efficiency: To what extent has the project achieved its objectives and intended results? What were the factors influencing the achievement and non‐achievement of the objectives?

Outcomes and Impact: What changes (positive/negative; intended & unintended) have occurred as a result of project interventions? What difference has the project made to the target groups/beneficiaries? How have these outcomes contributed to longer‐term impact and benefits for the target groups?

Sustainability: What mechanisms have been put in place to ensure sustainability of the project achievements and to what extent will benefits realized be replicated in the long term by partners?

C.3. EVALUATION DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

Data Collection Methods

USAID seeks the most robust evaluation design and methodological approach that is appropriate for the scope of the project, resources, and audience. The none‐experimental evaluation design is preferred for the evaluation although the Contractor is free to propose an alternative design of choice to be agreed upon with the Evaluation Team prior to commencement of the study.

The Contractor shall gather evidence from both primary and secondary sources. The Contractor shall collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data for this evaluation. Methodological triangulation is encouraged in this study. An illustrative set of possible methods include the following:

a) Secondary data

A desk review of key relevant documents (see Attachments 3‐5 in Section J). For example, review of information from Joint Border Posts will be undertaken to understand the impacts of the project on reduction in trade barriers. Content analysis of all available secondary data relevant to the evaluation shall also be undertaken. (See Attachments 3‐5 in Section J ).

b) Primary data

Interviews with staff from COMPETE, USAID/East Africa, bilateral USAID Missions (particularly EG Officers), other donors and development partners (COMPETE sub‐grantees, COMESA, ACTESA, EAC, and ASARECA), regional trade and transit associations, financial institutions, and other African organizations receiving technical assistance and/or funding from COMPETE. The Contractor shall make field visits to a sample of COMPETE’s project sites in the region to gather information on project operations and results: immediate, intermediate, and impact (if appropriate within the time frame of the project).

The Evaluation Team can also provide suggestions to the COR on data collection methods and analysis approaches that, in their opinion, best accommodates the objectives of the evaluation.

Data Analysis Methods

The Contractor shall propose a clear plan for analyzing and triangulating data from various sources to generate high quality and credible evidence to answer the evaluation questions. The data analysis plan must also specify how data will be disaggregated and particularly describe what types of gender analyzes will be conducted to show the differential effects of interventions on men and women (if applicable). The analysis method proposed must be relevant to the data collection tools proposed.

Potential limitations of methodologies proposed must be highlighted.

For clarity, the Contractor shall fill the matrix below with as much information as possible.

Evaluation Question

Indicators to be measured

Data Collection Method

Data Source Sampling or Selection criteria

Data Analysis Method (s)

1.

2.

3.

4.

C.4. EVALUATION TEAM COMPOSITON

The Evaluation Team shall be comprised of a Team Leader (TL) and three experts with an option of a Research Assistant. All team members must have relevant prior experiences in Africa, familiarity with USAID’s objectives, approaches, and operations and prior evaluation/assessment experience. In addition, individual team members should have the technical qualifications identified for their respective positions.

The TL is ultimately responsible for the overall management of the evaluation team and the final products. In addition, the TL is responsible for coordinating evaluation activities and ensuring the production and completion of an evaluation report in conformance with this scope of work and timelines. The TL will also ensure high quality analysis, writing quality and report integration. NB: For this assignment more weight will be given to the Team Leader in evaluation of the offers.

The TL must be an experienced evaluation expert, with a documented track record of 10 years’ experience in the same. The TL should be familiar with trade and integration issues in the East and Central African Region and should have substantial experience working with regional economic communities, particularly in Africa.

The other three experts shall include a trade, investment and integration specialist, a customs and transit specialist and agricultural economists, and possibly a research assistant. The three other members of the team should be African professionals conversant with regional trade, transit and agriculture issues in eastern and/or southern Africa.

Team Leader – Evaluation Specialist

A minimum of a Master’s degree in social sciences, applied economics, statistics or any closely related field.

At least 10 years’ experience in evaluation of donor funded development programs in Africa.

Priority will be given to those who have evaluated programs of similar nature in Eastern Africa region.

Demonstrated knowledge of the methodologies, design and evaluation process for conducting USAID end of project evaluations in the agribusiness sector.

Understanding of current USAID Evaluation policy.

Excellent report writing skills (evidence of prior evaluation reports or published work is a plus).

A 5/5/5 level of English proficiency is required.

Agricultural Economist/Agricultural Value Chains and Trade Specialist

A minimum of a Master’s degree or higher in agricultural economics or other relevant field.

At least 8 years’ experience working with value chain and agribusiness programs in the East Africa Region.

Demonstrated skills in critical thinking and analysis, as well as, written and verbal communications skills.

Familiarity with CAADP and USAID’s Feed the Future programs.

Knowledge of and experience with project design, management & evaluation processes of similar scope and complexity.

A 5/5/5 level of proficiency in English is required.

Trade and Integration Specialist

Must have a minimum of Master’s Degree in trade, investments, economics, or any other closely related field of study. Good knowledge in applied economic analysis.

At least 8 years’ experience in international trade and/or foreign direct investment. Sound knowledge of regional integration particularly in African Regional Economic Communities.

Familiarity with the East Africa Community (EAC) and/or the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Experience in the evaluation of donor funded projects in Africa.

Sound knowledge of USAID programs and an understanding of the evaluation policy.

Excellent analytical and report writing skills.

Customs and Transit Specialist

Must have a minimum of Master’s Degree in economics, business management, engineering, or a closely related field.

At least 8 years’ experience in transport and trade facilitation at the national, regional and/or international level, in Eastern Africa.

Experience in transport planning, policy and customs reform, demonstrated ability to implement reforms in a developing country context.

Experience in customs operations, trade policy and trade facilitation at national, East African regional and international levels.

Familiarity with World Trade Organization (WTO) and World Customs Organization (WCO) Conventions on customs facilitation, as well as efforts to harmonize customs and transit procedures in the Eastern Africa Region.

Must have participated in evaluation of donor funded development projects in Africa.

Sound knowledge of USAID programs and an understanding of the evaluation policy.

Excellent analytical and report writing skills.

C.5. EVALUATION OF PRODUCTS

Deliverables:

1. Inception Report: The Evaluation Team shall prepare a detailed inception report. The report shall detail the evaluation design and operational work plan, which must include the proposed data collection and analysis methods to address the Key Questions of the evaluation. The inception report shall also include questionnaires and interview protocols. The Inception report must be submitted to the COR for approval within six days of commencement of work.

2. Preliminary Evaluation Report and PowerPoint Presentation: The team shall submit a rough draft of the report and a power point version for preliminary comments prior to final Mission debriefing. This will facilitate preparation of a more final draft report that will be left with the Mission upon the Evaluation Team’s departure.

3. Debriefing: The team shall present the major findings of the evaluation to USAID/EA and Partners through a PowerPoint presentation immediately at the close of fieldwork before the team departs the region. The debriefing shall include a discussion of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The team must consider both USAID/EA and partners comments and revise the draft report accordingly, as appropriate.

4. Post‐Debriefing Report: A draft report of the findings, conclusions and recommendations shall be submitted to the COR within 10 days after the Debriefing. The written report must address the evaluation questions; clearly describe findings, conclusions, and recommendations. USAID will provide comment on the draft report within two weeks of submission.

5. Final Report: Based on the provisions of the USAID evaluation policy, a formal and final evaluation report shall be presented to USAID/EA. The final report shall incorporate the team responses to Mission’s comments and suggestions no later than ten days after USAID/EA provides written comments on the team’s draft evaluation report (see above). The format shall include an executive summary, table of contents, list of acronyms, evaluation design and methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations and lessons learned. The report shall be submitted in English, in both electronic and three bound hard copies. The report must not be more than 40 pages excluding annexes. The report will be disseminated within USAID. A brief summary of this report (the popular version), not exceeding 15 pages, excluding any potentially procurement‐sensitive information shall be submitted (also electronically, in English) for dissemination among implementing partners and stakeholders. The report must meet standards out‐lined in the evaluation policy1. The report shall also be submitted to the DEC. Please refer to AIDAR Clause # 752.7005 Submission Requirements for Development Experience Documents (September 2013) for information.

[END OF SECTION C]

1 http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/USAIDEvaluationPolicy.pdf

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1. AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

(a) It is USAID policy that USAID‐financed commodities and shipping containers, and project construction sites and other project locations be suitably marked with the USAID emblem. Shipping containers are also to be marked with the last five digits of the USAID financing document number.

As a general rule, marking is not required for raw materials shipped in bulk (such as coal, grain, etc.), or for semi‐finished products which are not packaged.

(b) Specific guidance on marking requirements should be obtained prior to procurement of commodities to be shipped, and as early as possible for project construction sites and other project locations. This guidance will be provided through the cognizant officer technical representative indicated on the cover page of this contract, or by the Mission Director in the Cooperating Country to which commodities are being shipped, or in which the project site is located.

(c) Authority to waive marking requirements is vested with the Regional Assistant Administrators, and with Mission Directors.

(d) A copy of any specific marking instructions or waivers from marking requirements is to be sent to the Contracting Officer; the original should be retained by the Contractor.

D.2. BRANDING

The Contractor shall comply with the requirements of the USAID “Graphic Standards Manual” available at www.usaid.gov/branding, or any successor branding policy.

[END OF SECTION D]

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1. NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252‐2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this contract. See FAR 52.252‐2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.246‐4 INSPECTION OF SERVICES – FIXED PRICE AUG 1996

E.2. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

USAID inspection and acceptance of services, reports and other required deliverables or outputs shall take place at USAID Mission in Nairobi, Kenya or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and deliverables or outputs are produced or submitted. The COR has been delegated authority to inspect and accept all services, reports and required deliverables or outputs.

[END OF SECTION E]

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1. NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252‐2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this contract. See FAR 52.252‐2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

52.211‐10 COMMENCEMENT, PROSECUTION, AND COMPLETION APR 1984

OF WORK

52.242‐15 STOP‐WORK ORDER AUG 1989

ALTERNATE 1 APR 1984

F.2. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Payment will be made pursuant to the payment schedule set forth below upon acceptance of the stated deliverables.

ITEM DATE PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Inception Report 6 days after award 10% upon acceptance by the COR

Preliminary Evaluation Report and PowerPoint Presentation

50 days after award 15% upon acceptance by the COR

Debriefing 56 days after award 15% upon acceptance by the COR

Post‐Debriefing Report 66 days after award 20% upon acceptance by the COR

Final Report 90 days after award 40% upon acceptance by the COR

For each deliverable, the Contractor shall be entitled to payment after inspection and acceptance by USAID of the deliverables described in the table above. To be eligible for payment, the Contractor must submit a completed SF 1034 (Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other than Personal) form electronically along with documentation indicating USAID’s acceptance of the deliverable(s) to the USAID/East Africa/Regional Financial Management Services/Controller. All documents submitted for payment must reference the above Contract number. This payment is subject to the Prompt Payment Act. The electronic submission of the invoice must be addressed as follows (with a copy to the COR):

The Controller E‐mail: NairobiRFMSPayments@USAID.Gov

F.3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of the contract is from the effective date until the 3 months thereafter.

F.4. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Evaluation of the Contractor's overall performance in accordance with the task and deliverables set forth in Section C will be conducted jointly by the Contracting Officer and COR and shall form the basis of the Contractor's permanent performance record with regard to this contract.

F.5. REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES OR OUTPUTS

Deliverables:

The Offeror shall submit deliverables as further described below to USAID/East Africa:

ITEM DATE

Inception Report 6 days after award

Preliminary Evaluation Report and PowerPoint Presentation 50 days after award

Debriefing 56 days after award

Post‐Debriefing Report 66 days after award

1. Inception Report: The Evaluation Team shall prepare a detailed inception report. The report shall detail the evaluation design and operational work plan, which must include the proposed data collection and analysis methods to address the Key Questions of the evaluation. The inception report shall also include questionnaires and interview protocols. The Inception report must be submitted to the COR for approval within six days of commencement of work.

2. Preliminary Evaluation Report and PowerPoint Presentation: The team shall submit a rough draft of the report and a power point version for preliminary comments prior to final Mission debriefing. This will facilitate preparation of a more final draft report that will be left with the Mission upon the Evaluation Team’s departure.

3. Debriefing: The team shall present the major findings of the evaluation to USAID/EA and

Partners through a PowerPoint presentation immediately at the close of fieldwork before the team departs the region. The debriefing shall include a discussion of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The team must consider both USAID/EA and partners comments and revise the draft report accordingly, as appropriate.

4. Post‐Debriefing Report: A draft report of the findings, conclusions and recommendations shall be submitted to the COR within 10 days after the Debriefing. The written report must address the evaluation questions; clearly describe findings, conclusions, and recommendations. USAID will provide comment on the draft report within two weeks of submission.

5. Final Report: Based on the provisions of the USAID evaluation policy, a formal and final evaluation report shall be presented to USAID/EA. The final report shall incorporate the team responses to Mission’s comments and suggestions no later than ten days after USAID/EA provides written comments on the team’s draft evaluation report (see above). The format shall include an executive summary, table of contents, list of acronyms, evaluation design and methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations and lessons learned. The report shall be submitted in English, in both electronic and three bound hard copies. The report must not be more than 40 pages excluding annexes. The report will be disseminated within USAID. A brief summary of this report (the popular version), not exceeding 15 pages, excluding any potentially procurement‐sensitive information shall be submitted (also electronically, in English) for dissemination among implementing partners and stakeholders. The report must meet standards out‐lined in the evaluation policy2. The report shall also be submitted to the DEC. Please refer to AIDAR Clause # 752.7005 Submission Requirements for Development Experience Documents (September 2013) for information.

The list of deliverables is provided under Section C.5 in the Statement of Work.

F.6. KEY PERSONNEL

a) Availability of proposed key personnel

The contract proposed by this solicitation includes a key personnel clause, and the quality of key personnel proposed will be an evaluation factor. The offeror must include as part of its proposal a statement signed by all individuals proposed as key personnel, confirming their intention to serve in the stated position and their availability to serve for the term of the proposed contract.

b) Key Personnel

The key personnel provision in the contract requires prior approval of the Contracting Officer for any changes in key personnel. The key personnel that the Contractor must furnish for the performance of this contract are as follows:

1. Team Leader‐ Evaluation Specialist

2. Agricultural Economist/Agricultural Value Chains and Trade Specialist

3. Trade and Integration Specialist

4. Customs and Transit Specialist

The key personnel must meet the qualifications specified in Section C.4 of this RFP.

The personnel specified above are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder.

Prior to replacing any of the specified individuals, the Contractor must notify both the Contracting Officer and the COR reasonably in advance and must submit written justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the program. No replacement will be made by the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer.

[END OF SECTION F]

2 http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/USAIDEvaluationPolicy.pdf

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in the requirements of this Task Order and notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this Task Order, the said authority remains solely in the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change shall be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment shall be made in the contract terms and conditions, including price.

G.2. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER

The Administrative Contracting Officer is Linda McElroy.

G.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

The Contracting Officer’s Representative is TBD, and the alternate is TBD.

G.4. TECHNICAL DIRECTION/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

(a) Technical Directions is defined to include:

(1) Written directions to the Contractor which fill in details, suggest possible lines of inquiry, or otherwise facilitate completion of work;

(2) Provision of written information to the Contractor which assists in the interpretation of drawings, specifications, or technical portions of the statement of work;

(3) Review and, where required, provide written approval of technical reports, drawings, specifications, or technical information to be delivered. Technical directions must be in writing, and must be within the statement of work.

(b) The Contracting Officer authorizes the COR to take any or all actions with respect to the following:

(1) Assure that the Contractor performs the statement of work in accordance with the contract terms, conditions, and specifications.

(2) Inspections in connection with (1) above and require the Contractor to correct all deficiencies

(3) Maintain all liaison and communications with the Contractor. Written communications with the

Contractor and documents shall be signed as "Contracting Officer’s Representative" with a copy furnished to the Contracting Officer.

(4) Issue written interpretations of technical requirements of Government drawings, designs, and specifications.

(5) Monitor the Contractor's production or performance progress and notify the Contractor in writing of deficiencies observed during surveillance, and direct appropriate action to effect correction. Record and report to the Contracting Officer incidents of faulty or nonconforming work, delays or problems.

(6) Obtain necessary security clearance and appropriate identification if access to Government facilities is required. If to be provided, ensure that Government furnished property is available when required.

LIMITATIONS: The COR is not empowered to award, agree to, or sign any contract (including delivery or purchase orders) or modifications thereto, or in any way to obligate the payment of money by the Government. The COR may not take any action which may impact on the contract schedule, funds, scope or rate of utilization of LOE. All contractual agreements, commitments, or modifications which involve prices, quantities, quality, schedules shall be made only by the Contracting Officer.

(c) Contractual Problems – Contractual problems, of any nature, that may arise during the life of the contract must be handled in conformance with specific public laws and regulations (i.e. Federal Acquisition Regulation and Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation). The Contractor shall bring all contracting problems to the immediate attention of the Contracting Officer. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to formally resolve such problems. The Contracting Officer is the sole authority authorized to approve changes in any of the requirements under this contract. Notwithstanding any clause contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. These changes include, but will not be limited to the following areas: scope of work, price, quantity, technical specifications, delivery schedules, and contract terms and conditions. In the event the Contractor effects any changes at the direction of any other person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority.

(d) Failure by the Contractor to report to the Contracting Office, any action by the Government considered to a change, within the specified number of days contained in FAR 52.243‐7 (Notification of Changes), waives the Contractor's right to any claims for equitable adjustments.

G.5. ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL

In order to receive payment, all deliverables must be received and accepted by the COR.

G.6. PAYING OFFICE

The paying office for this contract is:

USAID/EA/RFMS

C/o American Embassy United Nations Ave. Gigiri P.O. Box 629, Village Market‐00621 Nairobi, Kenya

E‐mail: NairobiRFMSPayments@USAID.Gov

G.7. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

TO BE INCORPORATED ON AWARD.

[END OF SECTION G]

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1. NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252‐2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this contract. See FAR 52.252‐2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

752.7027 PERSONNEL DEC 1990

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

(a) Except as may be specifically approved by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor must procure all commodities (e.g., equipment, materials, vehicles, supplies) and services (including commodity transportation services) in accordance with the requirements at 22 CFR Part 228 “Rules on Procurement of Commodities and Services Financed by USAID Federal Program Funds.” The authorized source for procurement is Geographic Code 937 unless otherwise specified in the schedule of this contract. Guidance on eligibility of specific goods or services may be obtained from the Contracting Officer.

(b) Ineligible goods and services. The Contractor must not procure any of the following goods or services under this contract:

(1) Military equipment

(2) Surveillance equipment

(3) Commodities and services for support of police and other law enforcement activities

(4) Abortion equipment and services

(5) Luxury goods and gambling equipment, or

(6) Weather modification equipment.

(c) Restricted goods. The Contractor must obtain prior written approval of the Contracting Officer or comply with required procedures under an applicable waiver as provided by the Contracting Officer when procuring any of the following goods or services:

(1) Agricultural commodities,

(2) Motor vehicles,

(3) Pharmaceuticals and contraceptive items

(4) Pesticides,

(5) Fertilizer,

(6) Used equipment, or

(7) U.S. government‐owned excess property.

If USAID determines that the Contractor has procured any of these specific restricted goods under this contract without the prior written authorization of the Contracting Officer or fails to comply with required procedures under an applicable waiver as provided by the Contracting Officer, and has received payment for such purposes, the Contracting Officer may require the contractor to refund the entire amount of the purchase.

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

The Contractor agrees to provide the following information to the Mission Administrative Officer on or before the arrival in the host country of every contract employee or dependent:

(8) The individual's full name, home address, and telephone number.

(9) The name and number of the contract, and whether the individual is an employee or dependent.

(10) The contractor's name, home office address, and telephone number, including any after‐hours emergency number(s), and the name of the contractor's home office staff member having administrative responsibility for the contract.

(11) The name, address, and telephone number(s) of each individual's next of kin.

(12) Any special instructions pertaining to emergency situations such as power of attorney designees or alternate contact persons.

H.4. AIDAR 752.7005 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

DOCUMENTS (September 2013)

(a) Contract Reports and Information/Intellectual Products.

(1) Within thirty (30) calendar days of obtaining the Contracting Officer Representative’s approval, the contractor must submit to USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) one copy each of reports and information products which describe, communicate or organize program/project development assistance activities, methods, technologies, management, research, results and experience. These reports include: assessments, evaluations, studies, technical and periodic reports, annual and final reports, and development experience documents (defined as documents that (1) describe the planning, design, implementation, evaluation, and results of development assistance; and (2) are generated during the life cycle of development assistance programs or activities.) The Contractor must also submit copies of information products including training materials, publications, databases, computer software programs, videos and other intellectual deliverable materials required under the Contract Schedule. The following information is not to be submitted:

(i) Time‐sensitive materials such as newsletters, brochures or bulletins.

(ii) The contractor’s information that is incidental to award administration, such as financial, administrative, cost or pricing, or management information.

(2) Within thirty (30) calendar days after completion of the contract, the contractor must submit to the DEC any reports that have not been previously submitted and an index of all reports and information/intellectual products referenced in paragraph (a)(1) of this clause.

(b) Submission requirements. The contractor must review the DEC Web site for the most up‐to‐date submission instructions, including the DEC address for paper submissions, the document formatting and the types of documents to be submitted. The submission instructions can be found at:

https://dec.usaid.gov.

(1) Standards.

(i) Material must not include financially sensitive information or personally identifiable information (PII) such as social security numbers, home addresses and dates of birth. Such information must be removed prior to submission.

(ii) All submissions must conform to current USAID branding requirements.

(iii) Contract reports and information/intellectual products can be submitted in either electronic

(preferred) or paper form. Electronic documentation must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

(iv) The electronic submissions must consist of only one electronic file, which comprises the complete and final equivalent of the paper copy. In the case of databases and computer software the submissions must also include necessary descriptive information, e.g., special backup or data compression routines, software used for storing/retrieving submitted data, or program installation instructions.

(v) Electronic documents must be in one of the National Archives and Records Administration

(NARA)‐approved formats as described in NARA guidelines related to the transfer of permanent E‐records. (See http://www.archives.gov/records‐mgmt/initiatives/transfer‐ to‐nara.html).

(2) Essential bibliographic information. Descriptive information is required for all Contractor products submitted. The title page of all reports and information products must include the contract number(s), contractor name(s), name of the USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative, the publication or issuance date of the document, document title, (if non‐ English, provide an English translation of the title), author name(s), and development objective or activity title (if non‐English, provide a translation) and associated number, and language of the document (if non‐English). In addition, all hard copy materials submitted in accordance with this clause must have, attached as a separate cover sheet, the name, organization, address, telephone number, fax number, and Internet address of the submitting party.

H.5. SUBCONTRACTING

The Contractor shall subcontract $______ of the work (amount to be determined on contract award).

The Contractor shall be held responsible for all requirements of and all work performed under this contract.

H.6. INSURANCE AND SERVICES

52.228‐3 – Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act) (Apr 1984)

The Contractor shall:

(a) Provide, before commencing performance under this contract, such workers’ compensation insurance or security as the Defense Base Act (42 U.S.C. 1651, et seq.) requires; and

(b) Continue to maintain it until performance is completed. The Contractor shall insert, in all subcontracts under this contract to which the Defense Base Act applies, a clause similar to this clause (including this sentence) imposing upon those subcontractors this requirement to comply with the Defense Base Act.

752.228‐3 – Worker’s Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act).

(a) The Contractor agrees to procure Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance pursuant to the terms of the contract between USAID and USAID’s DBA insurance carrier unless the Contractor has a DBA self‐ insurance program approved by the Department of Labor or has an approved retrospective rating agreement for DBA.

(b) If USAID or the Contractor has secured a waiver of DBA coverage (see AIDAR 728.305‐70(a)) for

Contractor’s employees who are not citizens of, residents of, or hired in the United States, the Contractor agrees to provide such employees with worker’s compensation benefits as required by the laws of the country in which the employees are working, or by the laws of the employee’s native country, whichever offers greater benefits.

(c) The Contractor further agrees to insert in all subcontracts hereunder to which the DBA is applicable, a clause similar to this clause, including this sentence, imposing on all subcontractors a like requirement to provide overseas workmen’s compensation insurance coverage and obtain DBA coverage under the USAID requirements contract.

(d) Allied World Assurance Company is the only insurance underwriter authorized to write DBA insurance under USAID contracts. To obtain DBA insurance, Contractors are to contact Allied’s agent, Aon Risk Insurance Services West, Inc. at:

(1) 199 Fremont St., Suite 1400

San Francisco, CA 94105

Primary Contact: Fred Robinson; Phone: (415) 486‐7516; Email: Fred.Robinson@aon.com

Secondary Contact: Angela Falcone; Phone: (415) 486‐7000; Email: Angela.Falcone@aon.com

OR

(2) 1120 20th St., N.W., Suite 600

Washington D.C. 20036

Primary Contact: Ellen Rowan; Phone: (202) 862‐5306; Email: Ellen.Rowan@aon.com

Secondary Contact: Chris Thompson; Phone: (202) 862‐5302; Email: Chris.Thompson@aon.com

(e) The Contractor shall be entitled to be reimbursed for the cost of insurance provided to its employees pursuant to the contract clause at FAR 52.228‐3, “Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act),” at the USAID authorized rate…