Solicitation - Mid-Term Evaluation of Tayar Nepal_FINAL.pdf

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

G.P.O. Box 295

U.S. Embassy, Maharajgunj

Kathmandu, Nepal usaidnepal@usaid.gov | +977-1-423 4000

USAID.gov/nepal

Date: August 25, 2021

Solicitation Number: 72036721Q00003

Subject: Mid-Term Evaluation of Tayar Nepal-Improved Disaster Risk Management Project

Closing Date: September 17, 2021, 5:00 PM Nepal Time

USAID/Nepal is seeking Quotations from any firm/organization interested in providing the services to conduct Mid-Term Evaluation of Tayar Nepal-Improved Disaster Risk Management

Project. The detail description of work is provided under the “Statement of Work” Section A of this solicitation. In order to be an eligible service provider, the interested firm/organization may be a national or local level firm/organization that has not received more than $5 million from

USAID in the past five years as a prime awardee.

The Government intends to evaluate quotes and award one purchase order without discussions with quoter. Therefore, the quoter’s proposal should contain the best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint. The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the

Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary.

Only the successful quoter will be notified if it successfully submitted its quote. If awarded, the firm/organization will be required to complete and deliver the services contained in the purchase order. The total estimated price of this award must not exceed $55,000.

If interested, please submit your technical and cost quote via email to kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov at your earliest, but no later than the closing date mentioned above. Please refer any questions you may have regarding this announcement to kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov no later than COB September 2, 2021.

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) in no way obligates USAID/Nepal to award you

PO/Contract nor does it commit USAID/Nepal to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the quote. Do not incur any expense or begin work until notified that a contract has been awarded to you in writing by the Contracting Officer.

Sincerely

Robyn Bertholon

Contracting Officer mailto:usaidnepal@usaid.gov about:blank mailto:kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov mailto:kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov

Mid-Term Evaluation of Tayar Nepal-Improved Disaster Risk Management

A. STATEMENT OF WORK

1. Background Information

Tayar Nepal (“Prepared Nepal” in Nepali language) is USAID Nepal’s ongoing five-year project begun in August 2019 that aims to strengthen disaster management institutions and systems in

Nepal to enable more holistic and effective mitigation, preparation for, and response to disasters.

The project is designed in a way that is inclusive, making use of known best practices and technological intervention, and is adaptive to changing circumstances. The technical approach of the project is twofold: supporting improved governance of the disaster management cycle at the national level while also strengthening implementation of disaster risk management activities at the municipal level. At the local level the project engages with urban and semi-urban municipalities, fostering inclusive, sustainable, and risk-sensitive planning to minimize losses and reduce vulnerability to shocks.

Theory of Change: The overall development hypothesis supposes that if national institutions adopt an approach to disaster risk management that addresses multiple hazards and encompasses mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, while municipal level capacity is built to address disaster risk, the resilience of Nepalis to natural disasters will be strengthened and the country will be well positioned for sustainable development.

Tayar Nepal promotes enhanced disaster resilience through a Stronger Systems, Safer Settlements approach. Improved Disaster Risk Management (DRM) policies, procedures, and institutional capacities will contribute to stronger systems. Similarly, a multi-hazard risk integrated approach to DRM will contribute to a safer settlement improving overall DRM governance and making

Nepal resilient to recurring multiple disasters, increasingly self-reliant in its DRM, and a safer place to live.

The project is divided into three components as shown below:

Component 1: Improving National-Level Systems and Institutions

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2017 created the framework for a new DRM system, enabling Nepal to move beyond a focus on disaster response to a more systemic approach to the disaster management cycle. Tayar Nepal helps strengthen the systems and capacity of the relevant GoN (Government of Nepal) actors in implementing the Act and works primarily with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Ministry of

Federal Affairs & General Administration (MoFAGA), and Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA).

Component 1 uses a holistic, multi-hazard risk approach to DRM by fostering better linkages among local and federal government authorities. Technical assistance is provided directly to national government entities (e.g., NDRRMA, MOFAGA, etc.) and high impact grant schemes under this component are leveraged to innovate and pilot holistic approaches to DRM through civil society and private company implementation..

Component 2: Building Municipal-Level Capacity

Through direct capacity strengthening, municipalities are increasingly implementing their DRM roles and responsibilities. The project facilitates the development and implementation of Risk

Sensitive Land Use Plans (RSLUPs) and risk-informed infrastructure design across municipalities to reduce vulnerabilities, mitigate potential losses and damages, and increase urban resilience. In this process, the project assesses multiple hazards and analyzes associated potential risks. Tayar

Nepal also works with targeted municipalities to implement development activities that mitigate disaster risks and complement local economic development plans and other core functions of the municipality to enhance urban resilience. Local resources have been augmented with investments from the private sector in an effort to stem the harmful impacts of recurrent disasters on economic growth.

Tayar Nepal partners with eight urban/semi-urban municipalities with the goal to replicate activities in other municipalities: Bhimeshwor, Birendranagar, Dullu, Godawari, Lamkichuha, Neelakantha, Rajapur Municipalities, as well as Tulsipur Sub-

Metropolitan City. Municipalities were selected using existing risk profiling and spatial analysis based on set criteria that included: disaster exposure (i.e. earthquake, flood, and landslide);

vulnerability (dependency ratio, disability, percentage of women and ethnic population, human development index, growth potential, gender empowerment measurement, and population density), need for recovery (i.e. 2015 earthquake-affected areas and 2017 flood affected areas);

and synergy with other USAID programs.

Tayar Nepal also builds capacity and provides support to the microinsurance market in Nepal to design and pilot new insurance products to cover a variety of risk exposures. The project assists private sector actors, urban municipalities, and other local governments to take a key step towards self-reliance by leveraging private capital in support of private insurance coverage. The microinsurance pilot task is assisting private entities (e.g., households, farmers, and/or businesses) to understand the risk exposure, develop risk transfer mechanisms (i.e., insurance), identify appropriate private sector partners, assist with pricing and marketing of risk transfer products, and raise awareness among consumers on the utility of insurance.

Component 3: Strengthening Disaster Preparedness and Response

This component strengthens Nepal’s ability to respond to the disasters quickly and effectively by engaging a rapid emergency response mechanism in the event of a disaster.

This “Rapid response” component will allow adaptability in the event of a natural disaster occurring in the project area during the life of the project, and enable USAID to strengthen the capacity of the GON and local institutions to respond during emergency.This component of the project has worked closely with the Government of Nepal and Nepali emergency responders to mobilize technical assistance, commodity support, small-scale infrastructure, and information management in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overall, Tayar Nepal expects to achieve the following results by the end of the project period:

● Functional and inclusive DRM systems, resources, and better prepared stakeholders for an efficient and coordinated response mechanism to save more lives and properties during disasters.

● A fully functional NDRRMA that is better able to address the disaster management cycle more holistically to reduce losses of lives, properties, and means of livelihood.

● Tayar supported municipalities are able to provide safer settlements and communities for citizens through RSLUPs, By laws, infrastructure standards, and local DRM plans that increase urban resilience.

● Tayar supported municipalities are invested in development of the more resilient infrastructures and services in safer locations, including increased DRM investments to reduce the losses and vulnerabilities.

● Private sector resources are mobilized, and innovations are supported, piloted, and scaled up, to enhance DRM capacity strengthening, systems, and approaches.

● More than 3,000,000 people have timely access to information and resources on multiple disasters and safety measures, including Nepal’s most vulnerable populations, to reduce the risks and vulnerabilities.

2. Purpose, Objectives and Scope of the mid-term assessment

2.1 Context to the mid-term assessment

The objective of the proposed mid-term assessment is to provide USAID with an external perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the Tayar Nepal approach, the progress in achieving the expected results, and make recommendations for adaptive management of the project.

This assessment will cover the Tayar Nepal implementation period from 01 August 2019 to 30

June 2021 and will cover all the outputs and outcomes of the project, with a focus on the theory of change of Components 1 and 2 (i.e., enhancement of national and municipal institutional capacity, respectively). The evaluation will take into consideration the ongoing process of decentralization under the federalist constitution of 2015.

USAID has broken down the total project duration of Tayar Nepal into two phases; 1) base period of 3 years, and two option years (years 4 and 5). The expectation is that Tayar Nepal activities will begin producing development results within the first three years of the contract. It is understood that delays may be encountered which may merit continuation of the contract to allow a full adoption of disaster risk management at both the national and local levels. The option years were added to allow for National and Municipal level systems and institutions to be not only operational, but scaled to their full potential. Before the end of the base period, USAID/Nepal is expected to determine whether to exercise the option years for continuing activities under Components 1 and

2.

2.2 Purpose of the mid-term evaluation

The purpose of this independent evaluation of Tayar Nepal Project is to assess the continued relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the various components and interventions of the project and the progress made to date towards achieving it’s planned results. The evaluation is expected to examine the project’s ‘Theory of Change’ and the external factors that are constraining or enabling progress toward the intended results. The results of this mid-term evaluation will provide an opportunity for USAID/Nepal to adapt the project as required to focus USG (United States

Government)-resources to areas with the greatest positive impact on DRM systems and outcomes and to decide whether to extend the project for the next two option years as outlined in the contract.

The specific objectives of this mid-term evaluation are to:

1. Assess the relevance of the project approach toward improving the institutional capacity of national systems and frameworks to respond to the evolving DRRM needs of Nepali local governments and citizens.

2. Examine the effectiveness of project interventions at improving capacity of local government units in preparing for, responding to, and reducing the risk of disasters, as outlined in their legal mandates.

3. Assess the sustainability of the results and the GoN national and municipal counterpart’s ownership of project-instituted activities and systems.

4. Provide a sense of the collective progress (preliminary outcomes) of project activities towards achieving intended project results also considering the impact of COVID-19 on

Tayar's implementation.

5. Identify internal and external barriers and success factors to effective programmatic implementation and achievement of results.

6. Examine operational strengths and weaknesses of the current implementation approaches

(i.e. partnership modalities, project institutional arrangement, and stakeholder coordination practices) at efficiently achieving project objectives and intended outcomes.

2.3 Key Evaluation Questions

The evaluator shall examine the following key issues:

S.N Area Questions

1. Relevance and Coherence

● In what ways is the project coherent with the

DRRM institutional capacities and frameworks of federal and local government stakeholders and needs of the vulnerable populations?

● What adjustments to the activity are required to continue achieving the project development outcome in the current context?

2. Efficiency and Effectiveness

● What progress has been made towards achieving the overall project objectives/outcomes (e.g. Capacity strengthening, system improvement)? Is it on track to meet the overall objectives of the project?

S.N Area Questions

● Have the project management and advisory structures been effective in coordinating with all key stakeholders to collaboratively plan and/or achieve project goals and outcomes?

● Have project resources (human, financial, physical) generally been allocated strategically to achieve the project’s objectives?

3. Sustainability ● To what extent have the NDRRMA, partner municipalities and private sector actors been capacitated to independently design and implement the DRRM mandates beyond project support?

2.4 Uses of Information

USAID will use evaluation findings and recommendations to make a decision on whether to exercise option years in Tayar project or not. This will also help USAID to determine whether the emphasis of the activities under component 1 & 2 need to shift to reflect changing priorities.

USAID and the project implementing partner will use evaluation findings, best practices, and lessons learned to guide the project implementation. USAID will also use the learnings from this evaluation to future similar types of projects.

2.5 Evaluation design and methodology

Given the current COVID-19 scenario, USAID/Nepal seeks approaches and interactions that are safe, inclusive and accessible to marginalized and vulnerable communities. Field trips and interviews visits by consultants and the team must consider safety, inclusivity and accessibility of the marginalized and vulnerable communities.

The evaluation will apply a mix methods approach, engaging with key stakeholders of the project at all levels for the qualitative data and analysing the secondary quantitative data. The evaluation team, in collaboration with USAID, will determine the final evaluation methodology and questions before fieldwork begins. USAID expects that, at a minimum, the evaluation team will:

● Review and analyse project documents including a review and analysis of existing performance information/data- reports;

● Pre-test the evaluation tools;

● Conduct interviews with NDRRMA, partner municipality, project staff, project beneficiaries (including women and disadvantaged), private sector partner, project subawardess and other stakeholders. In the case of beneficiaries it won’t be a house to house survey, telephone or in-person interviews with the vulnerable households of randomly selected municipalities will be conducted; and

● Interview relevant USAID staff and experts working in the sector.

2.6 Potential Data Collection Methods:

1. Desk review of documents and secondary data analysis: a thorough review of project documents including the MEL plan, theory of change, periodic reports, baseline data, federal and local policies/guidelines including DRRM act.

2. Primary data collection

● Focus group and key informant interviews: Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and

Key Informant Interviews (KII) will be conducted with various stakeholders such as project beneficiaries, NDRRMA officials, partner municipality officials, private sector actors, etc. Given the current context of COVID-19, the evaluation team is expected to be prepared to use virtual methods for data collection if in-person interactions are not feasible. This determination will be made in consultation with the USAID/Nepal team.

● Field observations: the evaluation team should make strategic observations of

Tayar project sites including meeting the field staff, beneficiaries, grantees, partner municipalities, private sector etc. to observe and validate qualitative data collected by the Tayar project. The observations can be done simultaneously with focus groups and key informant interviews.

The contractor will develop criteria for beneficiaries and stakeholder selection for the KII, FGD and in-depth field work. The contractor will also develop criteria for the geographic locations selection with the objective of getting a representative sample. The people level data and information should be collected, presented and analyzed with appropriate gender disaggregation.

The evaluation must operate in line with current USAID and Government of Nepal policy on the treatment of human subjects, when applicable. Successful offerorquoter is strongly encouraged to follow protocols for ensuring respondents are not harmed (i.e., “Do No Harm” principles -especially relevant if there are sensitive questions involved and/or in non-permissive environments), collection and safety of personally identifiable information (PII). (See USAID

Scientific Research Policy.)

2.7 Evaluation team

The evaluation team should comprise a range of skills directly relevant to the purpose of this evaluation:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/15396/USAID%20Scientific%20Research%20Policy%2012-3-14.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/15396/USAID%20Scientific%20Research%20Policy%2012-3-14.pdf

a. Team Leader/Evaluation Expert (one position): The team leader must have extensive experience working on or implementing disaster risk reduction and management activities.

Preference will be given to those who have experience in institutional capacity building of public institutions. S/he should have at least a postgraduate degree in public management, political science, or related field with at least 5 years of experience evaluating governance-related development projects for USAID or other development partners. S/he should have experience leading evaluations and assessments and have experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. This experience should include development of research questions, and critically examining the validity of results frameworks and theories of change within the context that projects are operating within. Experience in evaluation of projects contributing to systemic change and sustainability analysis is highly desirable.

The candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

b. Private Sector Expert (one position-partial LOE): The expert must have extensive experience working with the private sector, have knowledge working with governmental as well as nongovernmental organizations of Nepal that created opportunities for youth and women of Nepal. Fluent in Nepali language, the expert must have a minimum of Master’s

Degree in a relevant subject area, and at least 5 years’ of experience as a member of an evaluation team. The expert will work with the evaluation team to develop an evaluation methodology to assess how the private sector’s engagement is promoted in Tayar project.

The candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

c. Field Researchers: the evaluation team will include Nepali-speaking Field Researchers with a Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, preferably in disaster risk management, from a recognized national or international university with at least three years of experience working in the development sector, preferably with a focus on DRRM; or a

Bachelor’s degree with at least eight years of experience. They must have experience working with international organizations and stakeholders; excellent oral and written communication skills in English; and demonstrable skills utilizing software applications such as Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc. Contractor will have the flexibility to propose the number of field researchers required to achieve the objectives based on the agreed methodology.

d. Data Analyst (One position-partial LoE)

e. IT Officer (One position-partial LoE)

f. Research Assistant (one position)

g. GESI Expert (partial LoE)

2.8 Key project documents for review

1. Project proposal

2. Annual work plans

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning(MEL) plan

4. GESI action plan

5. Quarterly and annual progress reports

6. Baseline report

7. Monitoring data

8. DRRM Act, DRRM Policy and Strategic Plan of Action

2.9 Key stakeholders to be consulted

1) Project area residents

2) GON officials (NDRRMA, MoHA, MoFAGA, partner municipalities)

3) Implementing partners, sub-awardees

4) Other relevant development partners

5) Relevant NGOs and INGOs

6) MSMEs, private sector actors

7) USAID/Nepal staff

2.10 Timeline for the evaluation

It is anticipated that this evaluation will be completed over a 3-month period, following teh the execution of the Purchase Order. The following is a timeline template for the evaluation tasks. The quoter is required to submit a timeline based on the below table. the detailed timeline will be developed during the team planning meeting and as part of finalizing the evaluation design. The

Quoter has flexibility to propose their timeline, however, it needs to be approved by USAID to ensure that it is most useful to the mission in terms of taking timely decisions

Table 2.1: Evaluation Timeline

S.N Tasks Weeks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

1. Sign consulting agreement

2. Desk review/secondary data analysis

3. USAID and project briefing to the consultant and planning

4. Develop survey instruments (if needed)

5. Develop and submit assessment design and workplan

6. KII and or FGD with USAID staff, Tayar staff, NDRRMA, MoHA and MoFAGA at

Kathmandu

7. Field testing and adjustment of the survey instruments (if required)

8. Field survey - KII, FGD, Observations

9. Data analysis, sharing of preliminary findings and conclusions to USAID

10. Submit draft evaluation report to USAID for review and feedback

11. Finalization of the report

2.11 Deliverables

The following is a set of evaluation deliverables, with the expected timing of each adhering to the above Evaluation Timeline.

1. Evaluation Design including work plan: Following the discussions of plan and design with the Mission, the evaluation team will start working on the evaluation design. The evaluation team must submit an evaluation design that will include:

● Background and Activity Description including the Theory of Change;

● Describe the conceptual framework that will be used to undertake the evaluation;

● Set out in some detail the data required to answer the evaluation questions and data sources by specific evaluation questions. When working on data sources emphasize triangulation as much as possible.

● The evaluation team is encouraged to propose an amendment to the key questions and develop sub-questions to define/clarify the key questions;

● Elaborate the methodology proposed in the TOR with changes as required (including data collection methods, sampling, and data analysis). Guide to FGD and KII

● A detailed evaluation design matrix that links the Evaluation Questions to data sources, methods, and the data analysis plan;

● Draft relevant data collection instruments or their main features;

● The list of potential informants/respondents and sites to be visited and proposed selection criteria and/or sampling plan (must include calculations and/or a justification of sample size, plans as to how the sampling frame will be developed, and the sampling methodology, where applicable);

● Evaluation work plan including the anticipated schedule and logistical arrangements and a list of the members of the evaluation team, delineated by roles and responsibilities;

● Known limitations to the evaluation design; and

● A dissemination plan.

The evaluation team must obtain approval from USAID/Nepal on the evaluation design and the work plan before they can proceed with the evaluation work.

2. Discussion of plan and design: An in-briefing with USAID/Nepal for introductions and to discuss the team’s understanding of the scope of evaluation, initial assumptions, evaluation questions, methodology, and work plan, and/or to adjust the Statement of Work (SOW), and the evaluation design, if necessary.

3. Presentation of Initial findings to the Mission and IP: At the end of the field work the evaluation team is expected to present their initial findings to the Mission and IP separately. This presentation will provide an opportunity for the Mission and IP to validate any factual inaccuracies, obtain additional information, and develop better ownership of the outcomes of the evaluation later. The presentation should also provide an overview to the likely recommendations that seem to be emerging based on the team’s reflection of data collection work.

5. Draft Evaluation Report: The contractor will submit a draft evaluation report of not more than

25 pages in length, single-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point font, excluding annexes, with an executive summary of not more than 3-5 pages in length, within 14 days of presentation of initial findings to the Mission.

6. Final Presentation and Analysis Workshop: The evaluation team is expected to hold a final presentation to discuss the summary of findings and recommendations to USAID. This presentation will be scheduled as agreed upon during the in-briefing or in the work plan.

7. Final Evaluation Report and Presentation: The Contractor will submit a final evaluation report, with the same specifications as listed for the draft report, within 10 working days of receipt of consolidated comments in electronic format from USAID. A Comments Matrix should also be included with a list of comments from USAID and responses from the evaluation team addressing each comment. All the summary of the qualitative data collected as part of this evaluation must be submitted as an annex to the final report, with PII removed.

2.12 Evaluation report criteria

1. Final report format: The evaluation final report should include:

● Executive summary: 3–5 pages in length

● Evaluation purpose and main evaluation questions: Summarize the purpose, main evaluation questions

● Methodologies: The evaluation methodology shall be explained in the report in detail.

● Limitations to the evaluation: Limitations to the evaluation shall be disclosed in the report, with attention to the limitations associated with the evaluation methodology (e.g.,selection bias, recall bias, unobservable differences between comparator groups, etc.)

● Findings,

● Conclusions, and

● Recommendations

● Lessons Learned

● Annexes: The annexes to the report shall include:

● Statement of Work (SOW)

● All data collection and analysis tools used in conducting the evaluation, such as questionnaires, checklists, and discussion guides;

● All sources of information, properly identified and listed; and

● Signed disclosure of conflict of interest forms for all evaluation team members, either attesting to a lack of conflicts of interest or describing existing conflicts of interest.

● Any “statements of difference” regarding significant unresolved differences of opinion by funders, implementers, and/or members of the evaluation team.

● Summary information about evaluation team members, including qualifications, experience, and role on the team.

For more detail, see “How-To Note: Preparing Evaluation Reports” and USAID automated

Directive System (ADS) 201mah, USAID Evaluation Report Requirements. An optional evaluation report template is available in the Evaluation Toolkit.

In accordance with ADS 201, the contractor will make the final evaluation reports publicly available through the Development Experience Clearinghouse within three months of the evaluation’s conclusion and before the final payment from USAID can be made.

2.13 Criteria to ensure the quality of the evaluation report

Per ADS 201maa, Criteria to Ensure the Quality of the Evaluation Report, draft and final evaluation reports will be evaluated against the following criteria to ensure the quality of the evaluation report.

● Evaluation reports should represent a thoughtful, well-researched, and well-organized effort to objectively evaluate the strategy, project, or activity.

● Evaluation reports should be readily understood and should identify key points clearly, distinctly, and succinctly.

● The Executive Summary of an evaluation report should present a concise and accurate statement of the most critical elements of the report.

● Evaluation reports should adequately address all evaluation questions included in the

SOW, or the evaluation questions subsequently revised and documented in consultation and agreement with USAID.

● Evaluation methodology should be explained in detail and sources of information properly identified.

● Limitations to the evaluation should be adequately disclosed in the report, with particular attention to the limitations associated with the evaluation methodology (selection bias, recall bias, unobservable differences between comparator groups, etc.).

● Evaluation findings should be presented as analyzed facts, evidence, and data and not based on anecdotes, hearsay, or simply the compilation of people’s opinions.

● Findings and conclusions should be specific, concise, and supported by strong quantitative or qualitative evidence.

● If evaluation findings assess person-level outcomes or impact, they should also be separately assessed for both males and females.

● If recommendations are included, they should be supported by a specific set of findings and should be action-oriented, practical, and specific.

B. INSTRUCTION TO QUOTERS

1. Technical Quote Specifications:

a. Paper Size:

i. Letter (i.e., 8.5 by 11.0 inches); or A4 (i.e., 8.27 inches × 11.7 inches).

ii. Type Size: 12-point font; however, quoters may use 9-point for text boxes or tables.

iii. Font Style: Times New Roman or similar typeface

iv. Margins: 1-inch (25.4 mm) top, bottom, left, and right

b. Front Pages (do not count against the page limitation):

i. Cover Page ;

ii. Acronym List; and

iii. Executive Summary (no more than 1 full page).

c. Technical Quote Content

i. Technical Approach and Understanding (no more than 3 full pages);

ii. Preliminary evaluation design in response to the SOW (no more than 10 pages).

(The finalized evaluation design will be approved by USAID prior to the actual assessment). The evaluation design must contain at the minimum:

o Overall methodology, sampling strategy, limitation of methods o Types of data, stakeholders to consult to answer evaluation questions o Data quality assurance plan o Data analysis and reporting o Evaluation timeline: The quoter must submit an evaluation timeline based on Table 2.1: Evaluation Timeline provided in the SOW. Please add rows if necessary.

iii. Past experience/performance with similar assignments (2 page summary of experience including its relevance to this evaluation). Details of experience can be included as an annex which will not count against the page limitation.

iv. Annexes: The following contents of the quote will not be counted in page limitation.

(1) Writing samples of the proposed Team Leader from recent evaluations or reports and three professional references

(2) Writing samples of the proposed private sector expert and three professional references

(3) COVID-19 risk mitigation plan to be used during the evaluation process.

2. Cost Quote

The Quoter must submit a Cost Quote in Nepali rupees and US dollars in MS Excel format with sufficient breakdown along with a Budget Narrative explaining all proposed expenses.

3. Contractor Registration

All prospective U.S. Government contractors are required to obtain a DUNS number and to complete the System for Award Management (SAM) registration before a contract may be awarded. To learn more and to begin the registration process, please visit the following websites:

DUNS number: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

SAM registration: http://www beta.sam.gov

Quotes may be submitted under this solicitation without a DUNS number or SAM registration. However, the successful awardee will be required to obtain both of them and submit evidence of registration to USAID before an award is made. The registration process may take many weeks to complete. Therefore, quoters are encouraged to obtain them early so that, if selected, the award will not be delayed.

Completion of an early registration does not constitute any commitment on the part of the

U.S. Government to make an award.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.sam.gov/

C. EVALUATION FACTORS

1. Technical Quote

The technical quote will be scored by a technical evaluation committee using the criteria shown in this section. The criteria below are presented by major category, in descending order of importance, so that quoters will know which areas require emphasis in the preparation of quotes. Quoters should note that these factors: (1) serve as the standard against which all quotes will be evaluated and (2) serve to identify the significant matters which quoters should address in their quotes.

a. Technical Approach

The extent to which the technical approach in the Quoter's quote convincingly presents a comprehensive, clear, and realistic strategy for how the Quoter will achieve or exceed the SOW. This includes the extent to which the information presented in the Quote demonstrates a clear understanding of the SOW, especially the context and objectives.

The Quoter will be evaluated based upon technical soundness in the overall strategy and approach in collecting, analyzing data and answering the evaluation questions.

b. Past similar experience

Past experience and performance information will be used for evaluating the quote.

USAID may use performance information obtained from sources other than the sources identified by the Quoter.

c. Staffing Plan

Demonstrated ability and effectiveness of the team leader and members to address the tasks outlined in the SOW; clearly defined roles and responsibilities to complete the evaluation

2. Cost Quote

No rating is assigned to the cost quote evaluation. While the technical evaluation criteria are significantly more important than cost, cost will be the determining factor if ratings of the technical quotes are equal or nearly equal.

Cost evaluation will consist of a review of the Quoter’s cost portion of their quote in order to determine if the overall costs proposed are realistic for the work to be performed, reflect the Quoter’s understanding of the requirements, and are consistent with the Technical

Quote.

D. SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PROCUREMENT OF

COMMODITIES AND SERVICES FINANCED BY USAID:

As authorized under Section 7077 of Public Law 112-74, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (P.L. 112-74), “Local Competition Authority,” USAID/Nepal limits this competition to local entities.

Local entity means an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that:

1) Is legally organized under the laws of Nepal.

2) Has as its principal place of business or operations in Nepal; and

3) Either is:

a. Majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Nepal; or

b. Managed by a governing body the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Nepal.

"Majority owned" and "managed by" include, without limitation, beneficiary interests and the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exerciser, to control the election, appointment, or tenure of the organization's managers or a majority of the organization's governing body by any means. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel must be expended for employees of the prime/local entity.

E. PURCHASE ORDER CLAUSES:

52.213-4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS-SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS (OTHER THAN

COMMERCIAL ITEMS) (JAN 2020).

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses that are incorporated by reference:

(1) The clauses listed below implement provisions of law or Executive order:

(i) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(ii) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services

Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(iii) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and

Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Aug 2019) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-

232).

(iv) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) (E.O.11755).

(v) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

(vi) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sept 2016) (E.O.11246).

(vii) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008) (E.O.s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the

Department of the Treasury).

(viii) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C.3553).

(ix) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Pub.L.108-

77, 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(2) Listed below are additional clauses that apply:

(i) 52.232-1, Payments (Apr 1984).

(ii) 52.232-8, Discounts for Prompt Payment (Feb 2002).

(iii) 52.232-11, Extras (Apr 1984).

(iv) 52.232-25, Prompt Payment (Jan 2017).

(v) 52.232-39, Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations (Jun 2013).

(vi) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors

(Dec 2013)

(vii) 52.233-1, Disputes (May 2014).

(viii) 52.244-6, Subcontracts for Commercial Items (Aug 2019).

(ix) 52.253-1, Computer Generated Forms (Jan 1991).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the following FAR clauses, incorporated by reference, unless the circumstances do not apply:

(1) The clauses listed below implement provisions of law or Executive order:

(i) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract

Awards (Oct 2018)(Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note) (Applies to contracts valued at

$30,000 or more).

(ii) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and

Remedies (Jan 2020) (E.O.13126) (Applies to contracts for supplies exceeding the micro-purchase threshold.)

https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52203-19-prohibition-requiring-certain-internal-confidentiality-agreements-or-statements#i52_203-19 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52204-23-prohibition-contracting-hardware-software-and-services-developed-or-provided-kaspersky-lab-and-other-covered-entities#id189A70O0P1N https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52204-25-prohibition-contracting-certain-telecommunications-and-video-surveillance-services-or-equipment#id1989I600I4C https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-3-convict-labor#i1055332 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-21-prohibition-segregated-facilities#i1055713 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-26-equal-opportunity#i1055793 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52225-13-restrictions-certain-foreign-purchases#i1054249 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52233-3-protest-after-award#i1048661 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52233-4-applicable-law-breach-contract-claim#i1048698 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52232-1-payments#i1049385 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52232-8-discounts-prompt-payment#i1049559 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52232-11-extras#i1049598 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52232-25-prompt-payment#i1050125 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52232-39-unenforceability-unauthorized-obligations#i1050840 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52232-40-providing-accelerated-payments-small-business-subcontractors#i1050853 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52233-1-disputes#i1048610 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52244-6-subcontracts-commercial-items#i1048410 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52253-1-computer-generated-forms#i1045361 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52204-10-reporting-executive-compensation-and-first-tier-subcontract-awards#i1064087 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title31-section6101&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-19-child-labor-cooperation-authorities-and-remedies#i1055664

(iii) 52.222-20, Contracts for Materials, Supplies, Articles, and Equipment

Exceeding $15,000 (May 2014) (41 U.S.C.chapter 65) (Applies to supply contracts over $15,000 in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands).

(iv) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C.4212) (applies to contracts of $150,000 or more).

(v) 52.222-36, Equal Employment for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29

U.S.C.793) (Applies to contracts over $15,000, unless the work is to be performed outside the

United States by employees recruited outside the United States.) (For purposes of this clause, “United States” includes the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern

Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Wake Island.)

(vi) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Feb 2016) (38 U.S.C.4212)

(Applies to contracts of $150,000 or more).

(vii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C.chapter 67)

(Applies to service contracts over $2,500 that are subject to the Service Contract Labor

Standards statute and will be performed in the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Johnston Island, Wake Island, or the outer Continental Shelf).

(viii)

(A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Jan 2019) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O

13627) (Applies to all solicitations and contracts).

(B) Alternate I (Mar 2015) (Applies if the Contracting Officer has filled in the following information with regard to applicable directives or notices: Document title(s), source for obtaining document(s), and contract performance location outside the United States to which the document applies).

(ix) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2015)

(Applies when 52.222-6 or 52.222-41 are in the contract and performance in whole or in part is in the United States (the 50 States and the District of Columbia)).

(x) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2017) (E.O.

13706) (Applies when 52.222-6 or 52.222-41 are in the contract and performance in whole or in part is in the United States (the 50 States and the District of Columbia.)

(xi) 52.223-5, Pollution Prevention and Right-to-Know Information (May 2011)

(E.O. 13423) (Applies to services performed on Federal facilities).

(xii) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential

Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693)(applies to contracts for products as prescribed at

FAR 23.804(a)(1)).

(xiii) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration

Equipment and Air Conditioners (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693) (Applies to maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of refrigeration equipment and air conditioners).

(xiv) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (Dec 2007) (42

U.S.C. 8259b) (Unless exempt pursuant to 23.204, applies to contracts when energy-consuming products listed in the ENERGY STAR® Program or Federal Energy Management Program

(FEMP)) will be-

(A) Delivered;

(B) Acquired by the Contractor for use in performing services at a Federally-controlled facility;

(C) Furnished by the Contractor for use by the Government; or https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-20-contracts-materials-supplies-articles-and-equipment-exceeding-15000#i1055699 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-35-equal-opportunity-veterans#i1056230 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-36-equal-opportunity-workers-disabilities#i1056250 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-37-employment-reports-veterans#i1056265 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-41-service-contract-labor-standards#i52_222_41 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-chapter67-front&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-50-combating-trafficking-persons#i1056535 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-55-minimum-wages-under-executive-order-13658#i1056818 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-62-paid-sick-leave-under-executive-order-13706#i52_222_6 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-41-service-contract-labor-standards#i52_222_41 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-62-paid-sick-leave-under-executive-order-13706#i52_222_62 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-62-paid-sick-leave-under-executive-order-13706#i52_222_6 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52222-41-service-contract-labor-standards#i52_222_41 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52223-5-pollution-prevention-and-right-know-information#i1053050 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52223-11-ozone-depleting-substances-and-high-global-warming-potential-hydrofluorocarbons#i1053180 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/23804-contract-provision-and-clauses#i1094309 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52223-12-maintenance-service-repair-or-disposal-refrigeration-equipment-and-air-conditioners#i1053196 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52223-15-energy-efficiency-energy-consuming-products#i1053246 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/23204-procurement-exemptions#i1094902

(D) Specified in the design of a building or work, or incorporated during its construction, renovation, or maintenance).

(xv) 52.223-20, Aerosols (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693) (Applies to contracts for products that may contain high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons as a propellant or as a solvent; or contracts for maintenance or repair of electronic or mechanical devices).

(xvi) 52.223-21, Foams (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693) (Applies to contracts for products that may contain high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons or refrigerant blends containing hydrofluorocarbons as a foam blowing agent; or contracts for construction of buildings or facilities.

(xvii) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (May 2014) (41 U.S.C.chapter 67) (Applies to contracts for supplies, and to contracts for services involving the furnishing of supplies, for use in the United States or its outlying areas, if the value of the supply contract or supply portion of a service contract exceeds the micro-purchase threshold and the acquisition-

(A)Is set aside for small business concerns; or

(B) Cannot be set aside for small business concerns (see 19.502-2), and does not exceed $25,000).

(xviii) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations

(May 2014) (42 U.S.C. 1792) (Applies to contracts greater than $25,000 that provide for the provision, the service, or the sale of food in the United States).

(xix) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award

Management (Oct 2013)(Applies when the payment will be made by electronic funds transfer

(EFT) and the payment office uses the System for Award Management (SAM) as its source of

EFT information).

(xx) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than System for

Award Management (Jul 2013) (Applies when the payment will be made by EFT and the payment office does not use the SAM database as its source of EFT information).

(xxi) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels

(Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C.App.1241) (Applies to supplies transported by ocean vessels (except for the types of subcontracts listed at 47.504(d)).

(2) Listed below are additional clauses that may apply:

(i) 52.204-21, Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (Jun

2016) (Applies to contracts when the contractor or a subcontractor at any tier may have Federal contract information residing in or transiting through its information system.

(ii) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with

Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Oct 2015) (Applies to contracts over $35,000).

(iii) 52.211-17,…