RFP_SOL-674-15-000033_Amendment_1.pdf

Date Issued: July 1, 2015 Closing Date: August 5, 2015 Closing Time: 1:00 PM Local Pretoria Time Questions due date: July 15, 2015, 1:00 PM Local Pretoria Time

SUBJECT: Request for Proposals (RFP) No.: SOL-674-15-000033

REFERENCE: Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing technical assistance and services as described in the attached solicitation.

This procurement will be conducted through full and open competition, for which the procedures for “contracting by negotiation, trade-off process” as set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) Part 15 will govern. All types of organizations (large or small commercial [for profit] firms, educational institutions, non-profit organizations meeting USAID source and nationality geographic code 935 are eligible to compete.

USAID/Southern Africa intends to award a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) completion type contract for a period of five (5) years from the date of award with an estimated cost in the range of $80-86 million. Although an estimated range is provided, offerors should propose costs that they believe are realistic and reasonable for the work described in their proposal. The most effective approach for achieving the expected results is encouraged and the award will be made to the offeror whose proposal offers the best value to the Government considering technical and cost factors (see Section M) of the solicitation.

Offerors are encouraged to read the entire solicitation. Pay special attention to Section L – instructions to offerors and Section M – Evaluation Criteria. Any blanks in Sections B through J will be completed by the Contracting Officer before award. Offerors must comply with FAR Clause 52.204-7, System for Award Management and adhere to the requirements set forth in Section K – Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors.

Amendments to this solicitation will be made available through the Government homepage at http://www.fbo.gov. It is the offeror’s responsibility to check this site periodically for official updates and amendments to the solicitation. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal in response hereto. Furthermore the Government reserves the right to reject any and all offers, if such action is considered to be in the best interest of the Government.

By email only, please submit all questions and requests for clarifications about this RFP no later than the deadline above to proposals@usaid.gov and fhlatshwayo@usaid.gov; include the RFP number in the email subject line. Oral instructions, answers or guidance from any USAID source prior to the award of the contract shall not be binding.

P O Box 43, Groenkloof, 0027 Tel: (012) 452-2000 Fax: (012) 460-3177 Web: http://southafrica.usaid.gov

SOL-674-15-000033

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

SEALED BID (IFB)

5. DATE ISSUED

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED RATING PAGE OF PAGES

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C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

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B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)A. NAME

10. FOR

INFORMATION

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CAUTION: LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

(Date)(Hour) depository located in copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if hand carried, in the

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

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M SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

PACKAGING AND MARKING

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSESPART I - THE SCHEDULE

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18. OFFER DATE17. SIGNATURE

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

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16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER15A. NAME

DATEAMENDMENT NO.DATEAMENDMENT NO.

and related documents numbered and dated):

amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

CALENDAR DAYS (%)30 CALENDAR DAYS (%)20 CALENDAR DAYS (%)10 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232.8)

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _______180_______ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted

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

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

CODE 24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

41 U.S.C. 253 (c) ( 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION20. AMOUNT19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED

AWARD (To be completed by government)

CODE

REQ-674-15-00033407/01/2015

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USAID/SA RAAO

Regional Acquisition and Assistance USAID/Southern Africa 100 Totius Street P.O. Box 43 Groenkloof 0027 Pretoria, South Africa until 1300 LT local time 08/05/2015

Francinah Hlatshwayo +27 68 fhlatshwayo@usaid.gov

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PAGE(S)

Elizabeth Colarik

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

N/A

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

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CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

SOL-674-15-000033

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

0001 Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub (SATIH)

OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

NSN 7540-01-152-8067

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

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES/PRICES

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide assistance that will increase global competitiveness and intra-regional trade, and improve food security in Southern Africa. The contractor must pay particular attention to advancing regional trade and investment and supporting a regional integration agenda.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE AND SERVICES

One (1) Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Completion Type Contract, for a total period of performance of five years will be awarded under this solicitation. The Contractor shall perform the services detailed under Section C of this solicitation. It is expected that the contract will run until September 2020.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST AND FIXED FEE AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is: $TBD. The estimated fee is $TBD. The estimated cost plus fixed fee, if any, is

$TBD.

(b) USAID/Southern Africa intends to award one contract for a five years with the overall ceiling price of $TBD.

(c) Within the estimated cost plus fixed fee (if any) 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 hereunder is TBD.

(d) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through TBD.

(e) The Contractor shall not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount unless authorized by the Contracting Officer pursuant to the clause of this contract entitled "Limitation of Funds" (FAR 52.232.22).

B.4 INDIRECT COSTS

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

Description Period Rate Base

- Description or type of rate indicated as a percentage, e.g. G&A

- Period, e.g. CY 2013

- Base, e.g. Direct Labor for Labor Overhead

B.5 COST REIMBURSABLE

USAID will only reimburse the Contractor for allowable costs in accordance with FAR 52.216- 7, “Allowable Cost and Payment,” FAR 52.216-8, “Fixed Fee,” FAR 52.232-20, “Limitation of Cost,” and FAR 52-232-22, “Limitation of Funds,” if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003, “Documentation for Payment.”

B.6 MUTLI-YEAR CONTRACT

USAID/Southern Africa considers this contract non-severable. Therefore, as a multi-year contract as defined in FAR 17.103, the contract remains subject to the requirements contained in FAR 17.106. However, as a cost-reimbursement contract, USAID/Southern Africa will authorize the reimbursement for all allowable costs incurred by the Contractor pursuant to FAR 52.216-7, “Allowable Costs and Payment.” As a result, the Contractor will not incur any costs that require amortization over the contract’s period of performance in the event that the Contracting Officer cancels the contract pursuant to FAR 52.217-2. Thus, $0 will serve as the cancellation ceiling for each cancellation date. Accordingly, no requirement to include cancellation dates in the contract exists.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/PERFORMANCE WORK

STATEMENT

C.1 INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this contract is to provide assistance that will increase global competitiveness and intra-regional trade, and improve food security in Southern Africa. The contractor must pay particular attention to advancing regional trade and investment and supporting a regional integration agenda.

The delivery of targeted assistance under this contract will help the Southern Africa region, including Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Member States, the private sector, and civil society organizations to realize advantages of greater regional and global trade linkages and export-oriented business development and in so doing, create opportunities for SADC Member States to export to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

This contract covers the following SADC Members that are defined as Southern Africa by USAID. These are: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe1. In addition, agricultural activities shall prioritize the Feed the Future (FtF) focus countries (Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi) and their major trading partners. The Southern African Trade and Investment Hub will also work to increase the use and availability of financial products and services for trade and investment as well as promote the increased use and availability of trade-related ICT products.

In summary, USAID/Southern Africa seeks to help SADC Member States create a more integrated region for an improved quality of life (which includes increased sustainable economic growth and improved food security) for the people of SADC Member States. These objectives are underpinned by an improved regional trade and investment enabling environment coupled with increased agricultural value chain competitiveness supporting intra-regional trade.

This document is a performance work statement (PWS), the preferred method of the U.S.

Government (USG) for service contracts. The hallmark of a PWS is that it describes “what” results USAID is seeking and refrains from describing “how” the work will be done or “who” will do it. USAID does not describe in detail required activities or “illustrative tasks.”

C.2 BACKGROUND

The President’s U.S. Strategy toward Sub‐Saharan Africa balances expanded opportunities for African countries to access local and global markets while encouraging American companies to seize trade and investment opportunities in Africa, so that their skills, capital, and technology will further support the region’s economic expansion while helping to create jobs in America. It positions the U.S. to support African economic growth through investment and trade, while

1 However, at the time of this writing, USAID is restricted from working with the Government of Zimbabwe. As new restrictions are implemented or current restrictions removed, the contractor must adjust its focus accordingly.

building Africa’s capacity to take greater advantage of the open access to U.S. markets under AGOA. This approach is mutually beneficial; promoting aid for trade; building the ability of African countries to more fully participate in the world trading system; and promoting U.S.‐ African private sector partnerships.

In Dar es Salaam on July 1, 2013, the President announced the Trade Africa Initiative as a significant step to implement the Strategy toward sub‐Saharan Africa. The Initiative unites and expands USG engagement to increase internal and regional trade within Africa, and expand trade and economic ties between Africa, the United States, and other global markets, with an initial focus on the Southern African Community. It calls for spurring economic growth, trade, and investment by improving the region’s trade competitiveness, encouraging the diversification of exports beyond natural resources, and ensuring that the benefits from growth are broad‐based.

The U.S. seeks to accelerate inclusive economic growth, including through trade and investment, by promoting improved economic governance and regional integration; expanding African capacity to effectively access and benefit from global markets; and encouraging U.S. companies to trade with and invest in Africa.

SADC Member States recognize the importance of trade as a means of fostering regional integration. This is evidenced in the adoption of regional integration policies that include the SADC Trade Protocol. Despite these advances, the SADC Member States continue to record insignificant volumes and value of intra-regional trade amongst themselves. Constraints to increasing intra-regional trade amongst SADC Member States as well as globally include:

excessive post-harvest losses in staple food crops;2 cumbersome mandatory export/import procedures; the bureaucracy associated with exporting/importing; and the logistical bottlenecks at border posts. Further, some SADC Member States lack the capacity, expertise, and resources to establish trade systems and infrastructure as per commitments in international agreements.

The agriculture sector is a major source of exports in several SADC Member States. There is a great need for moving staple foods across borders in the region; yet, as World Bank studies show, problems with fragmented regional markets and lack of predictable trade policies deter much-needed private investment in raising productivity and incomes; input supply; seed multiplication; and food marketing.3 These are all essential to cross-border trade of staple foods.

Given that different micro-climates and rainfall patterns are not conveniently confined within national borders, and that variability in production is expected to increase with climate change, facilitating cross-border trade of agriculture inputs and outputs is crucial to provide farmers and traders the opportunities and incentives they need to meet Africa’s rapidly growing demand for

2 Post-harvest losses in Eastern and Southern Africa were estimated to be in the region of $1.6 billion per year, which translates to 13.5% of the total value of grain production ($11 billion).These losses reflect lost opportunities for trade as well as forgone.

For a detailed discussion on the impact of postharvest loses see World Bank, 2011., Missing Food: The Case of Postharvest Grain Losses in Sub-Saharan Africa, Report No. 60371-AFR available at http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTARD/Resources/MissingFoods10_web.pdf 3 World Bank (2012). De-Fragmenting Africa: Deepening Regional Trade Integration in Goods and Services, Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM), Africa Region, the World Bank, Washington DC and World Bank (2012a). Africa Can Help Feed Africa: Removing Barriers to Regional Trade in Food Strategic food commodities , Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM), Africa Region, The World Bank, Washington DC.

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTARD/Resources/MissingFoods10_web.pdf staple foods.4

Informal cross-border trade in the SADC region accounts for a significant share of intra-regional trade, and most informal traders are women.5 Women face logistical challenges and high costs in doing business specific to their gender yet they are rarely taken into account in trade improvement programs. USAID has been engaged in various regional integration and competitiveness efforts in Southern Africa for almost twenty years. USAID Southern Africa (USAID/SA) created a Southern Africa Trade Hub under contract which in its current form began work in 2004 and has been USAID’s primary mechanism for this work since that time.

The project has worked in a number of areas, including trade and integration policy; institutional capacity building and support; agricultural policies and standards; trade facilitation, including transport and trade corridors, customs, and other Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs); finance; energy investment and institutional support; competitiveness and business development; and export and investment promotion. Notable accomplishments by the Southern Africa Trade Hub have included: drafting—leading to adoption—of key annexes of the SADC Trade Protocol; drafting tariff phase-down schedules; monitoring implementation of the SADC Free Trade Agreement, resulting in Member State compliance with earlier commitments; assistance leading to the establishment of the Dar es Salaam Corridor Committee; piloting and facilitating the adoption of the Single Administrative Document 500 for customs in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa;

becoming the preferred provider in the region of World Customs Organization Time Release Studies and WTO Trade Facilitation Needs Assessments; generating about $70 million of exports from Southern African firms through technical support; the creation of a key annual business-to-business event; and facilitating participation of SADC Member State representatives in trade shows. Further information about the current operations of the Southern Africa Trade Hub can be found on the website: http://www.satradehub.org.

C.3 SCOPE

The scope of this contract is to continue the operations of the Southern Africa Trade Hub (see C.4) and improve trade in and between SADC Member States with a focus on agricultural trade, international competitiveness, intra-regional trade, global exports, and food security in SADC.

As such, the contractor must complete the breadth of the interventions listed below with specific, measurable targets and indicators. A list of required indicators and targets is included in Attachment 1.

As a regional program working across the SADC region, the contractor must:

1. Strengthen the technical and management capacities of the SADC Secretariat and other regional bodies that promote trade and address food security;

2. Reduce trade costs by harmonizing policies, enhancing regulatory efficiency, and

4 Keyser J. C., 2013. Opening Up the Markets for Seed Trade in Africa, Africa Trade Practice Working Paper Series Number 2.

The World Bank, Washington DC.

5 70% of informal cross border traders in the SADC region are women. The value of informal cross border trade in Southern Africa, conducted by women is estimated to be above US$7 billion. - See OXFAM Southern Africa Blog, http://www.oxfamblogs.org/southernafrica/?p=3255#sthash.xzCBiFT8.dpuf.

http://www.satradehub.org/ http://www.oxfamblogs.org/southernafrica/?p=3255%23sthash.xzCBiFT8.dpuf improving delivery in both the public and private service sectors (e.g., finance, customs, investment, Information and Communication Technology (ICT);

3. Develop regional information sharing and monitoring networks for market information and the sharing of “best practices,” which is an effective incentive for encouraging regulatory and policy reform;

4. Provide technical assistance and training on a demand-driven basis in support of the regional trade agenda while working to promote increased private sector competitiveness along specific value chains within the region, including but not limited to textiles and clothing, light manufacturing, and the agricultural value chains identified in the regional and Bilateral6 Feed the Future Multi-year strategies.. In particular, the Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub will focus on the harmonization of trade and agricultural standards such as Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) with international standards and the ability of private firms to understand and comply with regional and international market standards;

5. Catalyze and support public and private sector partnerships to foster greater private sector investment in agriculture. South Africa is a Strategic Partner in the Feed the Future Initiative given its “state of the art” agricultural sector and regional leadership in agricultural development. The Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub will leverage South Africa’s commercial agribusiness sector, agricultural research institutions and universities to catalyze food security and nutrition advances in FTF focus countries in Africa. The key objectives include, but are not limited to, improving regional agricultural competitiveness and intra-regional trade through increased investment in agricultural infrastructure, the introduction of improved technologies and their application, improved management practices and market access for key agricultural value chains identified in the regional and Bilateral7 Feed the Future Multi-year strategies;

6. Enhance the uptake of opportunities for exports to the US presented by AGOA as well as in the region through targeted country-level and firm-level initiatives. In addition, provided that funds are available, the Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub will seek to promote U.S. investment and exports into SADC Member States, including angel investment or venture capital for promoting SME start-ups and incubation. The Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub will also seek to foster the transfer of improved technologies, with the goal of addressing critical development challenges. With the potential renewal, or reissuance, of AGOA post-September 2015, the Trade and Investment Hub will retain flexibility to respond to potentially new elements included in the legislation;

7. Address the gender disparities of trade and investment with a focus on women’s economic empowerment across all interventions8;

8. Coordinate with the Trade Hubs in East and West Africa to support pan‐African sectors and trade associations, promote African businesses, and build linkages; and

9. Collaborate with the U.S. Commercial Service, OPIC, and other U.S. agencies to align and leverage U.S. investment in target sectors to expand exports and sustain diverse export growth.

6 See Section C.1. Introduction where the beneficiary counties are listed.

7 See Section C.1. Introduction where the beneficiary counties are listed.

8 See the EAT Policy brief on women and cross-border trade: http://eatproject.org/docs/USAID- EAT%20Policy%20Brief%20Women%20Cross%20Border%20Ag%20Trade.pdf http://eatproject.org/docs/USAID-EAT%20Policy%20Brief%20Women%20Cross%20Border%20Ag%20Trade.pdf http://eatproject.org/docs/USAID-EAT%20Policy%20Brief%20Women%20Cross%20Border%20Ag%20Trade.pdf

10. Coordinate with efforts to support Schedule C requests under the WTO Bali Agreement on Trade Facilitation.

C.4 RESULTS

In achieving the results under this contract, interventions should build upon the work completed and in-progress under the existing Southern Africa Trade Hub contract. These efforts include the development of National Single Window (NSW) systems in Malawi and Namibia and customs modernization work in Botswana; establishing and strengthening warehouse receipt systems, commodity exchanges, growers associations and grain grading, standards and testing systems;

and Textile and Apparel (T&A) activities.

The contractor must have interventions that are implemented in cost-effective ways to achieve the results and sub-results under this contract while working in harmony as a comprehensive contract effort and with the targeted beneficiaries.

The following is the results framework for the Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub contract. A verbal narrative for each result is listed below the diagram.

Source: RDCS 2012 The following results represent the minimum requirements of this contract. Interventions must create synergies across borders and follow a logical sequencing dependent upon the political will and needs of each country in the region, as well as the feasibility of the interventions in each case. Not every country will have an intervention corresponding to each result due to its unique development challenges, but the overall approach should cover each of these result areas.

Targets and baselines for the proposed activities will depend upon the nature of the activity. For example, if a continuation of an existing activity under the current Southern Africa Trade Hub (SATH), then targets and baselines will be based on SATH’s final Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (PMEP9). If a new activity, then the baselines and targets will be based on either the Trade Hub Management Council’s Harmonized PMEP (currently being finalized) or on relevant baselines collected by the Mission or initiated by the contractor (depending on the proposed intervention).

1.2.1 Increased value chain competitiveness

A key goal of this contract is to increase the competiveness of the entire value chain between and among SADC Member States. The activities envisaged to improve the competitiveness of the regional value chains include market linkages, seed trade, and the transfer of technologies. Sub-results under this result are identified below:

1.2.1.1 Intra-regional trade in seeds, other agricultural inputs and staple foods increased In achieving this result, the contractor must meet their proposed measurable, specific targets against the following objectives:

• Establish market access benefiting small agricultural firms and small-holder farmers

Developing access to markets creates a demand for investment in agriculture to increase agricultural productivity and competitiveness.

• Leverage private sector investment and the application of improved agricultural technologies and management practices, targeting Southern Africa’s Feed the Future (FtF) focus and aligned countries Agricultural productivity and competitiveness cannot be increased without increased investment and the application of science, technology and innovation.

• Increase regional seed trade, taking advantage of the SADC Harmonized Seed

Regulations Agreement.

Provide support to the development of a regional seed trade protocol.

• Develop warehouse receipt systems strengthening regional commodity exchanges to unlock finance, reduce post-harvest losses, and facilitate structured trade in FtF focus countries.10

• Establish sustainable, institutionalized regional grain standards, testing procedures, and grading Strengthen capacity of SADC, agricultural producer associations, and other key stakeholders to institutionalize regional standards

9 The current PMEP is available in Attachment 6.

10 This refers to the FtF countries that are within the listed beneficiary countries (see Section C.1. Introduction)

1.2.1.2 Global export competitiveness strengthened

against the following objectives:

• Increased trade in agricultural, textile, apparel and other light manufacturing, through the promotion of intra-regional trade, exports under AGOA, and other global trade.

• Increased capacity of national export agencies and/or industry associations to assist the private sector to benefit from AGOA in eligible countries11.

• Catalyze mutually beneficial linkages between U.S. and Southern African markets and firms by bringing technologies, resources, and expertise to bear on key development issues in Southern Africa through such means as U.S.

exports, investments, joint ventures, licensing, partnerships, and distribution agreements.

1.2.2 Regional trade and investment enabling environment improved The Contractor will research and establish relevant partnerships to leverage funding and in-kind support to achieve results under this initiative. The two sub-results under this result are identified below:

1.2.2.1 Trade and transport facilitation measures implemented against the following objectives:

• Strengthen SADC Secretariat and Member States’ ability to comply with requirements and recommendations of applicable regional and international trade agreements, including the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement

• Improve corridor management, including port management, border crossings, time and cost to trade information, etc.

1.2.2.2 Advance regional and multilateral trade and investment agreements and support institutions In achieving this result, the contractor must meet their proposed measurable, specific targets against the following objectives:

• Address non-tariff measures that pose barriers to trade

• Identify and address barriers to investment

C.5 COORDINATION WITH USAID, HOST COUNTRY, OTHER DONORS, AND

OTHER IMPLEMENTERS

11 See Section C.1. Introduction where the beneficiary counties are listed.

The contractor must coordinate with the development efforts of other donors in the region to achieve the desired development objectives in agriculture; food and nutrition security development; natural resource management; and intra-regional trade. in order. Specifically, the contractor must create synergies and minimize overlap with other donor activities. The contractor must coordinate and cooperate with SADC, SACU, the African Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO), World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), African Development Bank, and other donor projects involved in trade, investment and food security in Southern Africa. The contractor must follow the latest regulations, and ensure activities are in compliance and that the specified bodies agree with contractor interventions.

The contractor must partner with local implementing organizations and build local institutions that can continue to provide needed goods and services in the various Member States after contract completion.

In addition, USAID/Washington will provide strategic coordination to USAID Project Managers in the field to achieve greater synergies; define common goals and targets; and harmonize monitoring and evaluation metrics among the regional Trade and Investment Hubs. It will also enable USAID/Washington, other USG agencies, and USAID’s Trade and Investment Hubs to better achieve Africa Competitiveness and Trade Expansion initiatives as well as Trade Africa’s Africa‐wide objectives.

C.6 KEY PERSONNEL

The contractor’s Key Personnel must include, at minimum, the following:

a. Chief of Party (COP): A full-time, COP is required. For the duration of the contract the

COP must be based in South Africa. The COP must have:

• a successful record leading contracts of similar size and complexity;

• at least 10 years of experience, preferably some of which was in the SADC region, in international trade policy and skills in at least one contract technical area (i.e., trade facilitation, agricultural development, business enabling environment reforms);

• demonstrated ability to establish productive relationships with senior government officials, the business community, civil society, and international donors;

• fluency in English to include excellent written and oral communications skills; and

• a graduate degree in a relevant discipline such as business, economics, or law is preferred, although additional relevant experience (beyond the 10 years listed above) in the listed fields will be considered.

b. Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP): A full-time, DCOP is required. For the duration of the contract the DCOP must be based in South Africa. The DCOP must have:

• a record of successful performance in at least one contract technical area that, ideally, is complementary to, not duplicative of, the COP’s area of expertise;

• at least 5 years management experience;

• fluency in English to include excellent written and oral communications skills; and

• a graduate degree in a relevant discipline such as business, economics, or law preferred, although additional relevant experience (beyond the 5 years listed above) in the listed fields will be considered.

The senior management structure (COP and DCOP) must be a combination of a single expatriate and a SADC citizen.

c. Director of Strategic Communications (DSC): A full-time, DSC is required. The DSC must have:

• at least five years of work experience in a related field;

• proven experience contributing to the design and/or implementation of a (local or national) government strategic communication strategy; and

• a graduate degree in a relevant discipline such as public relations, mass communications, public policy, or journalism.

d. Financial Management and Operations Director: The minimum qualifications for this position are:

• Master’s degree in financial management, Business Administration Finance, Accounting or other relevant field, or a Bachelor’s or certified accounting degree with 15 years of experience;

• ten years of the above experience to be in accounting, operations, and financial management of large-scale, complex, international development assistance programs;

• familiarity with USG financial reporting and compliance requirements will be an advantage; and

• demonstrated experience and skills in developing and managing large budgets.

C.7 MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The contractor must have performance standards designed to measure the contractor’s specific interventions and the results of these interventions. Mandatory USAID indicators and targets are included in Attachment 1, including those under the USAID/AFR/Sustainable Development Team’s harmonized Monitoring and Evaluation plan for all three Trade and Investment Hubs.

The contractor’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan must include these as a minimum and must add indicators/standards, acceptable quality level and monitoring methods for each discrete intervention proposed (See Section F).

Depending on the types of interventions proposed by the contractor to achieve desired results, baseline data may need to be collected. Some baseline information may exist from current/previous activities or secondary data sources12.

[END OF SECTION C]

12 The current project PMEP is located in Attachment 6 however an updated version may be available at the time of award, as well as the Trade Hub Management Council’s Harmonized PMEP (currently in development).

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 752.7009 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 technical office 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 POLICY

The Contractor shall comply with the requirements of the policy directives and required procedures outlined in USAID ADS 320.3.2 “Branding and Marking in USAID Direct Contracting” (version from May 5, 2009) at http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/320.pdf; and USAID "Graphic Standards Manual" available at www.usaid.gov/branding, or any successor branding policy.

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY

In accordance with ADS 320.3.2.1, Contractor must prepare a Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP) to address the Branding Strategy described under Attachment 2, and the matrix affixed thereto. This is to ensure that the successful offeror‘s Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan under this contract are in compliance with the USAID Graphics Standard Manual available at http://www.usaid.gov/branding and any successor branding policy, as detailed in ADS Chapter 320.

USAID policy is to require exclusive branding and marking in USAID direct acquisitions.

“Exclusive Branding” means that the project is positioned as USAID’s, as showcased by the project name (e.g., Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub). “Exclusive marking” means contractors may only mark USAID-funded programs, projects, activities, public communications, and commodities with the USAID Standard Graphic Identity and, where applicable, the host-country government or ministry symbol or logo. It is USAID‘s policy that contractor‘s and sub-contractors corporate identities or logos may not be used on USAID-funded program and communications materials.

Objective: To provide prospective contractors with areas to be addressed in the development of the Branding Implementation Plan and the Marking Plan to deliver the message that the assistance is from the American People.

Project Name: “Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub” or until a final name is agreed to with the Contractor.

Positioning: The purpose of this contract is to provide assistance that will increase global competitiveness and intra-regional trade, and improve food security in Southern Africa. The contractor must pay particular attention to advancing regional trade and investment and supporting a regional integration agenda. The delivery of targeted assistance under this contract will help the Southern Africa region, including Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member states, the private sector, and civil society organizations to realize advantages of greater regional and global trade linkages and export-oriented business development and in so doing, create opportunities for SADC member states to export to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Contractor will have the responsibility to position USAID’s name in each activity to be supported to ensure that people recognize and identify that those activities are developed by the generous contribution of the US government and the American people.

Level of visibility: The project will ensure a high level of USAID visibility in most of their activities, at both the national and sub-national levels. Due to the nature of policy and institutional reforms which usually is developed with high level of political will, in the cases where the themes appear as sensitive, low profile will be used. When a sensitive situation needs to be considered, the IE will strictly follow USAID recommendations.

Anticipated elements of marking plan: Deliverables to be marked, include products, equipment and inputs delivered; places where project activities are carried out; external public communications, studies, reports, publications and informative and promotional products; and workshops, conferences, fairs, media related activities and any such events. Publications authored by contractors or other non-USAID employees must include the following disclaimer on the title page:

“The author‘s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.”

Threats and restrictions to the security of the project need to be identified and assessed in order to request any necessary exception from the marking requirement in accordance with ADS 320.3.2.

D.4 MARKING

1. Description of public communications and program materials to be produced as part of the activity that will visibly bear the USAID Identity:

Standard USAID Identity:

Standard USAID Identity:

2. “This project was made possible by the United States Agency for International Development and the generous support of the American People.”

[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 http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html for electronic access to the full text of a FAR clause.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1)

52.246-5 INSPECTION OF SERVICES—COST-REIMBURSEMENT APR 1984

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

USAID inspection and acceptance of all services, reports and other required deliverables or outputs under this proposed contract must take place at the principle place of performance or at any other location where the services are performed and reports and deliverables or outputs are produced or submitted. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) listed in Section G has been delegated the authority to inspect and accept all services, reports, and required deliverables or outputs.

E.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN/M&E PLAN

The COR will monitor and evaluate the progress, success, and impact of the Contractor’s performance under this contract as a part of the overall activity results using agreed-upon indicators. For the purposes of this contract, the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (PMEP ) will serve as the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. The COR will utilize the PMEP to assess the impact of the activity and whether it achieves the stated objectives or if the parties should make performance-based adjustments. The PMEP exists as a “living” document reviewed and updated on an annual basis as specified in Section F.6.b. The PMEP sets forth the specific performance goals for the contract. The COR can modify the PMEP at any time to reflect changing priorities and circumstances. USAID may also conduct management reviews of work progress during the contract’s period of performance. USAID will conduct Data Quality Assessment (“DQAs”) for selected indicators periodically to ensure that the Contractor collects quality data.

[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.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1)

52.242-15 STOP-WORK ORDER AUG 1989

52.242-15 STOP-WORK ORDER (ALTERNATE I) APR 1984

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance five years from the effective date of this contract.

F.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall perform the services described in Section C in the Southern Africa region.

F.4 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Evaluation of the Contractor’s overall performance shall be conducted jointly by the COR and the Contracting Officer, and shall form the basis of the Contractor's permanent performance record with regard to this contract.

F.5 KEY PERSONNEL

A. Key personnel are defined as those personnel directly responsible for management of the contract, or those personnel whose professional and technical skills are certified by the requiring office as being essential for the successful implementation of the contract activity.

The offeror must identify the positions which it considers to be key personnel for this activity, provide detailed position descriptions for each position, and propose individuals for these positions.

The key personnel whom the Contractor shall furnish for the performance of this contract shall include at a minimum the following:

Chief of Party Deputy Chief of Party Director of Strategic Communications

Financial Management and Operations Director

B. The personnel specified as key are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder. Prior to replacing any of the specified individuals, the Contractor shall immediately notify both the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) reasonably in advance and shall submit written justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the program. No replacement of personnel shall be made by the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer.

C. Unless failure to provide the designated key personnel as specified above is beyond the control, and without the fault or negligence, of the Contractor (e.g., non-acceptance or termination of employment by the individual, illness or death of the individual), failure to provide such key personnel as specified above may be considered nonperformance by the Contractor.

D. If the Contractor, at any time, is unable to comply with these requirements, the Contractor shall simultaneously notify, in writing, the Contracting Officer and the COR reasonably in advance of the individual's departure or non-acceptance of employment and shall submit written justification and explanation in sufficient detail (including implications for the CPFF total contract) to permit evaluation of the impact on the program.

E. No replacement of key personnel shall be made by the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer; provided, that the CO may ratify in writing such replacement and such ratification shall constitute the consent of the CO required by this clause.

F. Proposed substitutions must be submitted simultaneously to the CO and the COR not later than 30 days after the departure of, or non-acceptance of employment by, any of the approved individuals, and the proposed substitute personnel must have at least the same qualifications as the applicable key personnel specified above. Failure to do so may be considered nonperformance by the Contractor.

G. The listing of key personnel may, with the consent of the contracting parties, be amended from time to time during the course of this contract to either add, change, or delete personnel and positions, as appropriate.

F.6 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES

Report/Deliverable Draft Due

Date* Final Due Date

Submission requirements

Content

First Annual Work plan

Due 90 days after contract effective date

10 days after receipt of comments

Submit electronically to the USAID COR with a copy to the USAID CO& Activity

Per F.6.a from

USAID

COR

Managers.

Subsequent Annual Work plans

Due 30 days before end of current work plan period

10 days after receipt of comments from

USAID

COR

Submit electronically to the USAID COR with a copy to the USAID CO& Activity Managers.

Per F.6.a

Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

(PMEP)

Due 90 days after contract effective date;

updated plan submission required when changes to the M&E plan are proposed by the contractor

10 days after receipt of comments from

USAID

COR

Submit electronically to the USAID COR with a copy to the USAID CO& Activity Managers.

Per F.6.b

Weekly Updates (key results and accomplishments during the week)

N/A Friday Opening of Business

Submit electronically to the USAID COR & Activity Managers.

Bullet points and brief narrative

Quarterly Progress Reports

N/A Due 30 days after the end of each quarter of performance (i.e., the first one is due 120 days after contract award)

Submit electronically to the USAID COR with a copy to the USAID CO & Activity Managers.

Per F.6.c

Quarterly Financial Reports and Accruals

Due 30 days after the completion of each quarter.

Per F.6.d

Annual Report Due 45 days after the end of each full year of performance.

15 days after receipt of comments from the

USAID

Submit electronically to the USAID COR with a copy to the USAID CO & Activity Managers.

Per F.6.e

COR

Success Stories and “One Pager” documents

Submitted Quarterly

15 days after receipt of comments from the

USAID

COR

Submit electronically to the USAID COR with a copy to the USAID CO & Activity Managers.

Per F.6.f

Trip Reports Due within one work week after the completion of the specific trip.

Submit electronically to the USAID COR with a copy to the USAID CO & Activity Managers.

Per F.6.g

*Note: All days refer to calendar days.

F.6.a Annual Work plans

The contractor’s annual work plan must delineate the work to be accomplished for the year.