USAID_Georgia - Human Rights Program - RFI_signed.pdf

SUBJECT: Request for Information: USAID Human Rights Program

ISSUANCE DATE: April 28, 2023

CLOSING DATE: May 19, 2023

CLOSING TIME: 10 AM Tbilisi Time

DOCUMENT NUMBER: 72011423RFI00001 – USAID Human Rights Program

TO: General Public

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking comments and expressions of interest from interested parties to questions regarding a potential new activity as described in Attachment 1. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to conduct market research, determine the interest of capable organizations to provide USAID/Georgia with technical and advisory services, and request comments and recommendations from stakeholders to identify ways we can work together to improve the human rights of vulnerable populations in Georgia.

This is an RFI, not a Solicitation or Request for Proposals or Applications. It is not a commitment by the US Government to issue any solicitation or ultimately award a contract, grant or cooperative agreement on the basis of this RFI nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation or submission of any comments.

Any funding proposals submitted in response to this request will not be considered. Responses to this notice must be received no later than the closing date and time stated above in this notice. All materials submitted will become the property of USAID and will not be returned. USAID reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for USAID’s own purposes. While it is not the intention to make public any response to this RFI, proprietary and sensitive information should not be sent.

Further, please note that responding to this RFI will not give any advantage to any organization in any subsequent procurement.

Sincerely, Deborah Perlman Contracting and Agreement Officer, USAID/Caucasus

Attachment 1: Background/Problem Statement

Attachment 2: Instructions and Questions

29 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi 0131, Georgia Tel: (995 32) 254 4000 Fax: (995 32) 254 4145 www.usaid.gov/Georgia

Attachment 1 - Background/Problem Statement

Preliminary Goal and Objectives/Theory of Change

The goal of the USAID Human Rights Program is to address vulnerable groups' human rights needs by supporting responsive government policies and services, raising public awareness, and strengthening civil society organizations for effective advocacy and monitoring.

Vulnerable groups in Georgia (including, but not limited to, persons with disability, LGBTQI+ persons, and women and children victims of violence) are deprived of access to basic benefits and services.

While these groups have distinct needs, face different barriers in their daily lives, and are subjected to specific forms of discrimination and abuse, we envision one program to oversee support for at least the four initially identified target groups. The program is expected to have a budget of $6-8 million over five years.

The main areas of support to meet the challenges are the following:

● Supporting responsive government policies and services through the provision of technical assistance, informing and educating communities about ongoing reforms, and providing technical solutions to improve access to and quality of services.

● Raising public awareness through the provision of grants to CSOs and activists to implement activities/campaigns.

● Strengthening civil society organizations’ capacity for effective advocacy, monitoring, and strategic communications through provision of technical assistance.

Examples of challenges to be addressed for the target groups include (but are not limited to) the following:

● Persons with disabilities - Transition from a medical assessment model for determining disability to a bio-psycho-social assessment model, in order to become entitled to the government provided services and benefits.

● LGBTQI+ - Lack of access to basic rights and justice, discrimination, anti-LGBTQI+ propaganda, influence of hate groups, and hate crimes.

● Vulnerable women and children victims of violence - High burden and incidence of gender based violence (GBV) and violence against children, as well as lack of responsive, quality services for the victims.

29 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi 0131, Georgia Tel: (995 32) 254 4000

Attachment 2 - Instructions and Questions

USAID is seeking to identify parties that would be interested in implementing this activity and to solicit feedback on any or all of the following questions below. Other comments are also welcome.

USAID will not be providing responses.

1. The program identified persons with disabilities, LGBTQI+ persons, and women and children victims of violence as priority groups. Are there other groups you would suggest including?

What should be taken into consideration in the design of this program in order to effectively address the distinct needs of target groups within one program?

2. Do you agree that the examples of key challenges described in Attachment 1 are the most important issues facing these groups? What do you consider to be other key human rights issues faced by vulnerable groups in Georgia (groups identified and other groups not listed above) that the program should address?

3. Do you have any comments on the planned length (five years) or dollar value ($6-8 million) of the program?

4. Are the initial proposed support areas sufficient/and or realistic to achieve the program goals?

If not, why? Please be specific. Are there additional objectives or results that you believe would make this activity more effective in achieving the stated purpose?

All responses to this notice must be in English and should include the following:

1. Cover page not to exceed one (1) page including:

a. Organization name and address;

b. Point of contact name, telephone number and e-mail address;

c. Organization Business type and status – US-based, International, Local (Georgian);

For-Profit/Not-For-Profit; Small, Medium, Large; etc.

2. Optional: capabilities statement (no more than 2 pages)

a. Organizations may submit capabilities statements without also submitting substantive information. This is for the purpose of helping USAID conduct market research to understand the types of organizations that are interested in and capable of implementing this program.

b. Capabilities statement should be no more than 2 pages and should focus specifically on the topics described in Attachment 1.

3. Optional: Responses to questions/other comments and suggestions (no more than 5 pages)

a. Organizations are invited to respond to any/all questions listed above and provide any other comments or suggestions they may have pertaining to the information included in this notice.

Organizations are not required to respond to these questions.

29 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi 0131, Georgia Tel: (995 32) 254 4000

Any other suggestions you may wish to offer that will improve program design and implementation are welcome.

Additional Notes/ Instructions

Responses to this RFI may be provided in Word or PDF format via email to: RCOcaucasus@usaid.gov no later than May 19, 2023, 10 AM Tbilisi Time.

29 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi 0131, Georgia Tel: (995 32) 254 4000 Fax: (995 32) 254 4145 www.usaid.gov/Georgia mailto:RCOcaucasus@usaid.gov