Pages_from_RFP_SOL-674-15-000033_Amendment_3.pdf

Request for Proposal (RFP) SOL-674-15-000033 Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub

Section 1: Technical Proposal

1) Executive Summary (Page Limitation: 1 page) In this section, the offeror must introduce its proposal and summarize highlights of its approach.

2) Technical Approach (Page Limitation: 15 pages) [See Section M.2, Factor 1]

In this section, the offeror must describe its proposed technical methodology and approach for achieving the results and meeting the requirements of the PWS. Where USAID has required offeror input to complete the PWS (i.e., tailoring of USAID illustrative indicators, creating additional custom indicators, identification of targets, etc.), the offeror must address these items in this section. At a minimum, offerors should demonstrate and describe the following within the technical approach of the proposal:

1. An evidence-based vision and strategy for the contract, with a logically-sequenced plan, which illustrates thorough understanding of the development challenges in Southern Africa;

2. A plan for long-term sustainability via partnerships with local organizations;

3. A logical framework with feasible activities which have a demonstrably causal relationship to the results outlined in USAID’s Strategic Documents ( i.e.

RDCS, CDCS, etc.);

4. Activities that leverage the efforts of other donors and other USAID projects in the region, while the relationship to key host country counterparts focuses on capacity building and sustainability; and

5. Clear illustration of how the project interventions will support cross cutting goals related to gender.

3) Management and Staffing Plan and Key Personnel (Page Limitation: 4 pages) [See Section M.2, Factor 2]

The offeror must submit a staffing plan including the four required key personnel positions described in C.6. The staffing plan should include brief position descriptions and a rationale for positions proposed. Proposed subcontractors should be integrated into the plan. If a large business, the offeror must propose a technical narrative of the small business subcontracting plan that describes meaningful opportunities for small business participation during performance of the contract.

The contractor’s management staff mix must have:

• Experience in trade policy and international trade law with a robust understanding of Southern African regional trade subtleties.

• Experience in customs and trade facilitation.

• Experience in regional agricultural development, agricultural economics, food security, and commodity trade.

• Expert knowledge of the AGOA, as well as the regional textile and apparel sectors with the regional economic communities that SADC countries are party to.

• Demonstrated understanding of SADC institutional architecture and SADC Member States in terms of agricultural development issues, regional trade, socio-economic realities, and regional and national trade policies, and their relationship to relevant continental economic and governance institutions (e.g.

AU, COMESA).

• A strong understanding of the enabling environment issues that countries face in the Southern Africa region.

4) Performance Management Approach (Page Limitation: 7 pages)[See Section M.2, Factor 3] The offeror must describe how it will self-monitor and manage their performance against contract terms. The offeror must also describe an illustrative project management and evaluation plan (PMEP, Annex C) that has clear and measurable indicators that align with the offeror’s approach for achievement of results (e.g.

assigned personnel [linking back to staffing plan], automated tools, policies, procedures and expertise to conduct monitoring and evaluation (M&E). The additional or tailored indicators as well as the targets proposed in the Technical Approach must be integrated into the discussion of the M&E system in this section.

5) Organizational Capacity (Page Limitation: 2 pages) [See Section M.2, Factor 4] The offeror must describe its demonstrated capacity to manage a project of this nature.

The offeror must also identify organizational structures (e.g., people, systems, policies, procedures) that support its ability to launch and support this project and the offeror's technical approach. The proposal must display the offeror’s breadth of experience in the specific technical areas identified in the PWS. The proposal must also reflect the offeror’s expertise in relation to the M&E resources.

6) Past Performance Narrative (Page Limitation: 1 page) [See Section M.2, Factor 5] The offeror must provide a summary narrative of its overall Past Performance including use of small business concerns in accordance with the instructions detailed for Annex F below.

Section 2: Annexes

Annex A – Mobilization Plan (NTE 4 pages) The offeror must provide a detailed mobilization plan covering the first 90 days of the contract period. The plan must include details on how the contractor will ensure a rapid start, including logistical arrangements and having the appropriate staff and technical assistance recruited, in position and ready to start work, a list of key activities to be accomplished, responsible personnel, and a timeline for proposed activities in preparation for activities covered in the Year 1 work plan.

Annex B – Outline of Year 1 Work Plan (NTE 4 pages)

The offeror must provide an outline of first year activities/milestones/deliverables by quarter, identifying responsible personnel. While the offeror does not have list all first year activities, it does have to include critical path items. Critical path means critical to the success of project launch and success over the life of the contract. The Outline of Year 1 Work Plan must logically support or show appropriate linkages to other sections of the proposal. Start date for activities described under the Year 1Work Plan is 90 days after award (i.e., it picks up where the mobilization plan leaves off)

Annex C – Draft Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (PMEP) (NTE 5 pages) The draft PMEP must describe how the offeror will monitor contract performance, including a discussion of the causal model that informs the proposed set of indicators that will accurately measure contract outputs, intermediate results, and outcomes as well as annual targets. The offeror may draw upon relevant USAID standard indicators and develop additional custom indicators, as required. For each indicator, the draft PMEP must clearly identify data sources, frequency of data collection, collection methods, and the party responsible for data collection.

Annex D – CVs of Key Personnel (NTE 5 CVs at a limit of 2 pages each ,a reference page NTE 1 page each, and a letter of commitment NTE 1 page each) The offeror may use any format for CVs provided it does not exceed 2 pages and complies with text formatting requirements for the technical proposal. The offeror should provide references on the CV.

Annex E – Organizational Chart(s) The offeror must provide project-related organization chart that supports an integrated management approach, regardless of whether subcontractors are proposed or not.

Annex F – Contractor Performance Information The offeror must identify recent and relevant past performance of the organization and subcontractors (if proposed). USAID defines recent as the last three years. USAID defines relevant as projects of similar size and scope, in sub-Saharan Africa.

(a) The Offeror (including all partners of a joint venture) must provide performance information for itself and each major subcontractor (one whose proposed cost exceeds 10% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost) in accordance with the following:

1. List up to three of the most recent and relevant contracts for similar projects.

The most relevant indicators of performance are contracts of similar contract type, type of work, scope of work, complexity/diversity of tasks, and mix of skills/expertise required, including how recently they were performed.

Relevant past performance information should demonstrate the offeror’s capability to:

• Implement trade, investment, and agricultural policy development in sub-

Saharan Africa, including consistently meeting objectives and targets;