USAID Protection and Inclusion ProgramSol72011424R00003.pdf

Issuance Date: November 13, 2023

Questions Due Date and Time: November 24, 2023 9:00 AM Tbilisi Time

Phase One Submission Deadline: December 8, 2023 9:00 AM Tbilisi Time

Subject: Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 72011424R00003 -

USAID Protection and Inclusion Program

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Agency for International Development in Georgia (USAID/Georgia) is seeking proposals from qualified companies and organizations interested in implementing the above-referenced program (which was previously referred to as the USAID Human Rights for Vulnerable Groups Program) to work in partnership with the Government of Georgia (GOG) and with non-governmental organizations, including civil society organizations (CSOs), to improve the lives and better protect the human rights of vulnerable groups, including but not limited to persons with disabilities; victims/survivors of gender based violence (GBV); vulnerable children;

and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community in Georgia.

USAID anticipates awarding one (1) stand-alone Cost-Reimbursement-Plus-Fixed Fee (CPFF) completion type contract with a period of performance of five (5) years. The maximum available funding is $8,000,000.

USAID invites all interested and responsible organizations to submit offers in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation. USAID will conduct this procurement as a full and open competition under which any type of organization may submit a proposal. The procedures set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15 will govern the procurement.

USAID intends to utilize a Phased Approach Voluntary Step-Down selection process. Details regarding this approach are located in Section L.

The principal geographic codes for this contract are 937 and 110; the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.

SOL #72011424R00003

Please note that the award of this contract and its period of performance is based on the Section 889 Modified Foreign Assistance (FA) Waiver USAID received from the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), which expires on September 30, 2028. Therefore, although this is anticipated to be a five year period of performance, the base period will be for four years and four months (e.g., 52 months) and an option period for an additional eight (8) months. If and when the Contractor submits the representation for FAR 52.204-24 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation, which may be submitted no later than March 31, 2028 that the Contractor represents that it does not use covered equipment and services, or there is a renewed or alternative waiver in place before that date, the Contracting Officer will provide written notice of its intent to exercise the option.

The selection process for this contract will involve a phased, voluntary step down methodology.

Please see Section L for more information. If your organization decides to submit a proposal in response to this solicitation, it must be submitted in accordance with Section L of this RFP.

Offerors must also carefully review Section M – Evaluation Factors. Proposals must be submitted to USAID/Georgia no later than the closing date and time stated above, to the email addresses designated in Section L for receipt of proposals. Directions pertaining to the closing date, time, and to whom proposals must be submitted for Phase 2 and Phase 3 will be provided in the future. If the proposal is received after the closing date and time, or if it is incomplete, it will neither be accepted nor considered unless authorized by the Contracting Officer pursuant to FAR 15.208.

Any questions regarding the RFP requirements must be submitted to A&A Specialist Ms.

Meagan Schronce via e-mail at mschronce@usaid.gov, with courtesy copy to RCOCaucasus@usaid.gov no later than the submission deadline set forth above.

Along with this RFP, any amendments to this solicitation will be issued and posted on the System for Award Management website (www.sam.gov). Offerors are encouraged to check the website periodically. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to ensure that solicitation or any amendments to it has been received from the Internet in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

This RFP in no way obligates the USAID to award a contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of your proposal. Thank you for your interest. We look forward to receiving and reviewing your proposals.

Sincerely, Alexis McGinness Supervisory Regional Contracting Officer USAID/Caucasus mailto:mschronce@usaid.gov mailto:RCOCaucasus@usaid.gov http://www.sam.gov/

Contents:

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES/PRICES 4

SECTION C - STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) 8

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING 21

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 24

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 25

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 45

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 50

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES 73

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 89

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS 90

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 117

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 145

Section B – Page 4

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES/PRICES

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide technical assistance and services described in detail in Section C, Statement of Work, for the implementation of the USAID Protection and Inclusion Program.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Cost-Reimbursement-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) completion type contract. For the consideration set forth in the contract, the Contractor must provide the deliverables or outputs described in Sections C and F and comply with all contract requirements.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

(a) The Total Estimated Cost of the base contract for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, is [ TBD ]. The Total Fixed Fee is [ TBD ].

The Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee, if any, is [ TBD ].

(b) The Total Estimated Cost for the performance of the work under the option period, if exercised, exclusive of fixed fee, is [ TBD ]. The Total Fixed Fee is [ TBD ]. The Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee, if any, is [ TBD ].

(c) Within the estimated cost reimbursement plus fixed fee specified above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee) for performance hereunder is [ TBD ] . The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount, unless authorized by the contracting officer pursuant to the clause of this contract entitled “Limitation of Funds

(APR 1984)” FAR 52.232-22.

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

B.4 BUDGET

(a) The following itemized budget sets forth the estimates for reimbursement of dollar costs for cost categories and the fixed fee. [Values will be included at time of award]

Section B – Page 5

Base Contract (TBD, 2024 - TBD, 2028)

CLIN Item Total ($)

0001a Direct Costs TBD

0001b Grants under Contract TBD

0001d Indirect Costs TBD

0001e Fixed Fee TBD

Base (CLIN 0001) Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

TBD

Option Period (TBD, 2028 - TBD, 2029)

CLIN Item Total ($)

0002a Direct Costs TBD

0002b Grants under Contract TBD

0002d Indirect Costs TBD

0002e Fixed Fee TBD

Option(CLIN 0002) Total Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

TBD

[Note to Offerors: For purposes of offeror proposals, the Base Period will be a total of four years and four months (e.g., fifty-two months) and the Option Period will be for a total of eight months. The total period of performance of base plus option year must not exceed five

(5) years. Based on the award date, the dates for the Base Period and the Option Period will be established at time of award]

[Note: If the successful offeror represents that the Section 889 FA Waiver is not required, the final award may be altered to have a single CLIN combining the total amounts of the Base Period and Option Period.]

(b) The amounts in the above cost categories may not be adjusted without a written modification signed by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor must not bill any amounts against this contract in excess of the amounts specified for each line item.

Section B – Page 6

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS

The contract clause entitled “Allowable Cost and Payment (JUN 2013)”, FAR 52.216-7, specifies that the indirect cost rates must be established for each of the contractor’s accounting periods that apply to this contract. Pending establishment of 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 the appropriate bases pursuant to the Contractor’s current executed Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA):

Description Rate Base Type Period

TBD TBD% 1/ 1/ 1/

TBD TBD% 2/ 2/ 2/

1/ Base of Application: TBD Type of Rate: TBD Period: TBD 2/ Base of Application: TBD Type of Rate: TBD Period: TBD

B.6 ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING ON CEILING INDIRECT COST RATES AND FINAL

REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIRECT COSTS

(a) The Contractor must make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect costs without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer.

(b) Reimbursement for indirect costs must be at the lower of the negotiated final (or predetermined) rates or the following ceiling rates:

Description 2025 2026 2027 2028

TBD % % % %

(c) The Government will not be obligated to pay any additional amount should the final indirect cost rates exceed the negotiated ceiling rates. If the final indirect cost rates are less than the negotiated ceiling rates, the negotiated rates will be reduced to conform to the lower rates.

Section B – Page 7

(d) This advance understanding must not change any monetary ceiling, obligation, or specific cost allowance or disallowance. Any changes in classifying or allocating indirect costs require the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

USAID will pay a proportion of the Contractor’s fixed fee each month pursuant to FAR 52.216-8, “Fixed Fee,” upon the receipt of an invoice deemed proper by the USAID/Georgia Office of Financial Management. The paying office is USAID/Georgia, Office of Financial Management, as specified in Section G.7.

B.8 COST REIMBURSABLE

The U.S. dollar costs allowable will be limited to reasonable, allocable, and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 31 (Contract Cost Principles and Procedures), FAR 52.216-7 Allowable Cost and Payment, FAR 52.216-8 Fixed Fee, FAR 52.232-20 Limitation of Cost, FAR 52.232-22, Limitation of Funds, if applicable, and AIDAR 752.7003 Documentation for Payment.

B.9 KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT

Given the fluid nature of the geopolitical environment, USAID/Georgia must be able to adapt to changing circumstances on the ground. Adaptive management will be required from the Contractor in order to maintain, sustain, or expand development gains achieved through activity implementation.

The Contractor must anticipate the need to adapt to changing conditions on the ground either of a positive or negative nature in order to achieve the contract’s objectives. These objectives are defined in Section C. The changes must be within the general scope of this contract.

Implementation of these changes will be governed by FAR 52.243-2 (Alternate I) Changes - Cost Reimbursement.

The purpose of this section is to inform the Contractor of the geopolitical environment and the potential need to adapt to changing circumstances while still achieving the contract’s objectives. There may be other needs that require the use of the Changes clause.

END OF SECTION B

Section C - Page 8

SECTION C-STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of the USAID Protection and Inclusion Program (Program) is to provide technical assistance to the Government of Georgia (GOG) and non-governmental organizations to build technical capacity to advance policies at the national and municipal levels, and improve delivery of public services, in order to improve the lives and better protect the rights of vulnerable groups. Vulnerable groups include but are not limited to persons with disabilities;

victims/survivors of gender based violence (GBV); vulnerable children; and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community in Georgia (collectively herein, “Vulnerable Groups”).

In order to achieve this purpose, three interrelated objectives will be pursued:

1. Strengthened public policies and improved government services that protect Vulnerable Groups;

2. Increased public awareness and support for the protection of Vulnerable Groups and their economic, social, and political inclusion; and

3. Strengthened civil society organizations’ capacity to effectively advocate for public policies that protect Vulnerable Groups, and to provide effective services.

C.2 BACKGROUND

C.2.1. General Background and Problem Analysis

While many positive steps have been taken to protect the rights of the most vulnerable since Georgia’s independence, much more can and should be done. To make effective change, international best practice shows that this normally requires policy and service integration since these are generally multifaceted social problems.

Comprehensive improvements to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable face the following challenges:

● Inadequate policy framework and systems to serve and protect Vulnerable Groups

This includes a lack of professionals with specialized capacity to address the needs of the vulnerable; weak case detection, monitoring, and feedback systems, a lack of standard operating procedures and streamlined databases, and a lack of engagement and outreach by central and local governments to Vulnerable Groups.

● Low level of public attention to the needs of Vulnerable Groups

The protection of Vulnerable Groups is often not prioritized sufficiently in Georgia. Public and

Section C - Page 9 political awareness needs to be raised regarding the challenges facing Vulnerable Groups.

According to a 2020 report funded by UNDP, nearly 50% of respondents are “less likely to accept people with mental or intellectual impairments as classmates of their children.” The UN Women’s National Study on Violence Against Women in Georgia in 2017 found that 50% of men believe that intimate partner violence is a private matter and that others should not intervene. Changing negative stereotypes is needed to build the political will and public support needed to bring about sustained, effective improvements in service provision and inclusion.

● Lack of civil society capacity for advocacy and service provision

The role of CSOs is particularly important for Vulnerable Groups, who often do not have the organizational capacity or social capital to represent their interests vis-a-vis government agencies and elected officials. Many CSOs also lack the capacity to reach Vulnerable Groups (especially outside of larger cities). Without greater social legitimacy through broad-based and vocal constituencies, civil society will struggle to effectively represent the voices and needs of disadvantaged groups.

Challenges that Vulnerable Groups face include:

● Persons with Disabilities

In 2020 the Georgian Parliament adopted the Law on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities.

The law is a milestone for the rights of persons with disabilities in Georgia and sets important obligations for state authorities, however persons with disabilities are still deprived of their basic rights and access to benefits and services due to the inability of the current disability assessment system to identify all persons with disabilities and grant them disability status. In 2021, the Social Services Agency (SSA) registered only 127,954 persons with a disability, which constitutes 3% of total population (SSA data), in contrast to approximately 16% of the world population who are considered to have disabilities (WHO data). The entitlements, benefits, and services include cash allowance, accessible education and health care services, social integration and rehabilitation services, right to employment, and reasonable accommodation.

● Victims/Survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV)

The view that violence is an internal family affair still prevails in many communities and segments of society. According to The UN Women’s National Study on Violence Against Women in Georgia in 2017, one in seven women aged 15-64 has experienced physical, sexual, and/or emotional violence by an intimate partner; one in five women has experienced at least one form of sexual harassment. Violence against children is also not widely recognized as a problem by society. Psycho-social and economic rehabilitation services for victims of violence are also inadequate or non-existent. Marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities and LGBTQI+ persons are at higher risk of experiencing GBV. The Public Defender’s Office (PDO) of Georgia has reported that violence, especially domestic violence, is a significant problem for persons https://georgia.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2018/03/national-study-on-violence-against-women-in-georgia-2017 https://georgia.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2018/03/national-study-on-violence-against-women-in-georgia-2017 https://georgia.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2018/03/national-study-on-violence-against-women-in-georgia-2017 https://georgia.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2018/03/national-study-on-violence-against-women-in-georgia-2017

Section C - Page 10 with disabilities. According to the PDO, a number of challenges remain regarding violence against persons with disabilities, including a lack of information about rights, low level of reporting by survivors, and a lack of awareness about violence against persons with disabilities.

● Vulnerable children

A 2017 UNICEF Child Welfare Study in Georgia found that every fifth child lived in a household without basic needs and that many of these children face neglect, violence, bullying, restricted access to food, education, health, and protection. The PDO’s The Situation in Human Rights and Freedoms in Georgia 2021 Report states that among the challenges of the child protection system, the prevention of violence against children, lack of proper rehabilitation services and shortage of specialists working in child support systems are still alarming. Challenges relating to the prevention and timely detection of violence against children, as well as coordinated and effective response to the incidents, remain unchanged in the country, especially in the context of the pandemic, periodically introducing back and forth restrictions, isolation and distance learning. In this regard, violence against children still predominated among the cases examined by the PDO, accounting for 34.5% of the total number of cases.

● Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+)

LGBTQI+ persons are among the most marginalized groups in Georgian society and often fall victim to violence that goes unreported or is disregarded. According to the 2022 Department of State Annual Report on Human Rights Practices, crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting LGBTQI+ persons and activists remained a significant problem in Georgia in 2022.

Homophobic sentiments are prevalent, and there is limited space for these individuals to raise or address their grievances and challenges. The National Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan for 2022-2030 calls for the effective protection of LGBTQI+ rights. While equal rights for all are constitutionally protected, evidence suggests that there is a long way to go before LGBTQI+ persons can enjoy equal rights and protections. In 2022 the PDO published the Assessment of the Rights Situation of the LGBT+ Group in Georgia and noted some improvements in the legal status of the LGBTQI+ community in recent years. For example, the PDO assessment stated that, unlike in previous years, the government increased its cooperation with NGOs and community organizations, as evidenced by the inclusion of some LGBTQI+ needs in human rights actions plans, but the assessment noted a significant disconnect between the legal and formal environment and the legitimate concerns of the LGBTQI+ community. Attacks on LGBTQI+ individuals by radical groups are increasing and have a systematic character. Despite these significant violations, CSOs representing LGBTQI+ communities often struggle to build effective coalitions and to conduct outreach and advocacy campaigns.

https://ombudsman.ge/res/docs/2022070612391254904.pdf https://ombudsman.ge/res/docs/2022070612391254904.pdf https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/georgia/ https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/georgia/

Section C - Page 11

C.2.2. Alignment with Government of Georgia National Policies and Relationship with the USAID/Georgia Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS)

The purpose and objectives of this Program are fully aligned with Georgia’s national policies, strategies and action plans, such as the Law on Social Service, the Law on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities, the Code of Child Rights, Georgian National Strategy 2022-2030 on Protecting Human Rights as well as the priorities of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia (MIDPLHSA) and its Agency for State Care.

The Program aligns with the Mission’s 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy by consolidating democratic gains through enhanced citizen responsive governance (Development Objective 2) and increasing the accountability and accessibility of governance institutions, increasing access to justice, and enhancing the rule of law (Intermediate Results 2.2 and 2.3). The Program also contributes to USAID’s commitments to development that is inclusive of disadvantaged groups to ensure they have access to critical services and a strong voice within government institutions. The Program creates a more inclusive society in which Vulnerable Groups are empowered to contribute to the social, economic, and political development of Georgia, demonstrating that democracy delivers. Additionally, illustrating that Georgia is at its strongest when it empowers all of its citizens to contribute to the country’s success.

The Program aligns with the 2022 U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally by advancing equity and inclusivity, supporting comprehensive approaches for addressing GBV, scaling successes, and improving capacity to prevent and respond to GBV.

The Program also aligns with the 2023 USAID LGBTQI+ Inclusive Development Policy by supporting robust protection, inclusion, and Human Rights of all LGBTQI+ individuals;

supporting a world in which LGBTQI+ persons can live with dignity and free from all forms of violence, discrimination, stigma and criminalization; can participate fully in civic and democratic processes; and have access to sustainable livelihoods and resources.

C.2.3 Development Hypothesis

If the Government’s capacity to develop, implement and regulate policies and provide services to Vulnerable Groups is strengthened; and if public support to protect the rights of Vulnerable Groups is increased; and if Georgian civil society organizations are able to more effectively advocate for and provide effective services to Vulnerable Groups; then the human rights of Vulnerable Groups will be protected.

https://www.usaid.gov/georgia/cdcs https://www.state.gov/reports/united-states-strategy-to-prevent-and-respond-to-gender-based-violence-globally-2022/ https://www.state.gov/reports/united-states-strategy-to-prevent-and-respond-to-gender-based-violence-globally-2022/ https://www.usaid.gov/document/2023-lgbtqi-inclusive-development-policy#:%7E:text=USAID%20affirms%20and%20celebrates%20lesbian,integral%20parts%20of%20every%20society.

Section C - Page 12

C.3 SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor must address the protection of the rights of Vulnerable Groups in Georgia.

The Contractor must foster the deliberate inclusion of affected populations in policy formation, advocacy, and implementation. The Contractor must include the provision of direct technical assistance to the government and CSOs, including through grants under the contract, to organizations that represent and serve these Vulnerable Groups. The Contractor must intentionally facilitate formation of locally-led, long-term, non-partisan CSO coalitions and public-private partnerships for the improvement of social services and protection of rights of Vulnerable Groups.

The three components of the Program, as described below, are expected to be integrated and mutually reinforcing in order to maximize results. The Program should take an integrated approach to address the aforementioned challenges and objectives. In doing so, the Program is expected to recognize, leverage, and strengthen existing and growing national and local expertise and to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders. Specific interventions for each of the Vulnerable Groups will vary and the level of effort and resources dedicated to improving protection must be tailored to best fit the needs of each group. At the same time, the Contractor must seek to develop complementary, inclusive, and intersectional activities across the three components that cover multiple Vulnerable Groups when and where it makes sense to do so. The Contractor must allocate a minimum of 10% of total program funds to support the rights of the LGBTQI+ community in Georgia.

The Contractor must implement interventions that are sustainable beyond the life of the Program by strengthening the capacity and commitment of local partners to address the needs of Vulnerable Groups and build public support for the rights of Vulnerable Groups. The Contractor must use a political economy lens to align programming with existing incentives to strengthen capacity and commitment.

C.3.1. Component 1: Build Government Capacity To Address the Needs of Vulnerable Groups

Under Component 1, the Contractor must provide technical assistance to the Government of Georgia to improve the Government’s technical capacity to develop, implement and regulate policies at the national and municipal levels, and provide services that address the needs of Vulnerable Groups.

The Contractor must support key institutions in the Government of Georgia. The Contractor must prioritize technical assistance to the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons, Labor, Health and Social Affairs (MIDPLHSA), including its Agency for State Care, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI), and the Public Defender's Office (PDO). Other recipients of technical assistance under this component will be determined during the initial inception phase and/or during work planning.

Section C - Page 13

The Contractor must identify and address gaps where government capacity can be built that impacts multiple target groups. Interventions can address capacity building at all levels of government, from central to local. The Contractor must seek opportunities to develop synergies between public sector and private sector organizations and approaches, and explore opportunities to institutionalize the engagement of non-government actors in policy development, implementation, and regulation.

The Contractor must explore opportunities to strengthen the government’s capacity on effective public outreach and communication regarding policy and legislative reforms as well as how to access social protection services, including strategic communication and outreach to Vulnerable Groups. This must be at both the national and municipal levels.

The Contractor must, at a minimum, conduct the following tasks:

● Provide technical assistance to the Government of Georgia to ensure the successful implementation of the bio-psycho-social model of disability assessment, including the development and implementation of the functional assessment tool, critically important for shifting from the limiting “medical” model to a more inclusive bio-psycho-social model.

● Provide technical assistance to identify gaps in the design and delivery of publicly-funded services to targeted Vulnerable Groups, including access to shelters and crisis centers, health care services, psycho-social rehabilitation, social work, and social benefits.

● Provide technical assistance to improve policies at the national and municipal level that address identified gaps and respond to the needs of Vulnerable Groups. Policy work could include improved legislation, regulations, procedures and/or guidelines for identifying Vulnerable Groups in need of services; providing and accessing protection services, both at the national and municipal level; supporting the piloting and testing of new services; and ensuring effective budgetary allocations and disbursement.

● Provide technical assistance to improve the delivery of public services to Vulnerable Groups. This may include the design and implementation of quality management and customer feedback instruments; the design and implementation of management information systems; and continuous professional development of relevant staff.

● Provide technical assistance to build the capacity of the GOG to effectively engage the private sector in setting up models for economic empowerment of Vulnerable Groups.

Additional and specific services, tasks and activities required to achieve the Component 1 outcome and results will be developed through a collaborative work planning process incorporated into work plans.

Under this Component 1, the Contractor may issue grants to nongovernmental organizations in furtherance of the objectives under this component, which may include oversight of the implementation of state policies.

Section C - Page 14

The expected outcome under Component 1 is improved central and local government services and policies that more effectively protect Vulnerable Groups. The Contractor is expected to achieve the following results under Component 1:

● Increased number of Vulnerable Group persons receiving social services from the government and/or civil society

● Improved quality of services offered by the government to Vulnerable Group persons

● Increased types of services offered by the government to Vulnerable Group persons

C.3.2. Component 2: Build Public Awareness and Support for the Rights of Vulnerable Groups

Under Component 2, the Contractor must build public awareness and support for the rights of Vulnerable Groups. This will include interventions that aim to enhance tolerance and acceptance of Vulnerable Groups, and motivate public involvement in policy making and improved service provision for Vulnerable Groups.

The Contractor must work to address negative stereotypes of persons with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and in relation to gender. The Contractor must prioritize interventions that aim to change attitudes and norms that condone violence across all Vulnerable Groups, including children, and in particular regarding gender based violence. Public outreach must also build awareness about prevention and protection services offered by the government and CSOs.

The Contractor must, at a minimum, conduct the following tasks:

● Provide technical assistance to build capacity for more effective strategic communication and/or outreach campaigns (governmental and/or non-governmental) that seek to counter negative gender, persons with disabilities, and sexual orientation related stereotypes, and change prevailing attitudes and norms that condone violence.

● Provide technical assistance to build capacity for more effective governmental and/or non-governmental public awareness and/or outreach campaigns that increase awareness of and access to services provided to Vulnerable Groups.

● Provide grants to local non-governmental organizations for the implementation of awareness raising/strategic communication/outreach efforts together with governmental and/or other non-governmental partners that transform negative stereotypes of Vulnerable Groups and change attitudes and norms that condone violence. The Contractor must explore opportunities to support public-private partnerships that implement awareness raising campaigns.

● Collect and analyze data measuring attitudinal changes resulting from awareness raising campaigns and implement evidence-based adjustments to ongoing and new outreach efforts based on this data.

Section C - Page 15

Additional and specific services, tasks and activities required to achieve the Component 2 incorporated into work plans.

The Contractor may issue grants in furtherance of the objectives under this component.

Utilizing the technical assistance provided by the Contractor, NGOs may receive grants to support awareness raising and other outreach efforts, including campaigns transforming negative gender stereotypes and change attitudes and norms as well as raise awareness of services available through the government or civil society.

The expected outcome under Component 2 is to build public support for, and awareness of, policies and services that protect the rights of Vulnerable Groups. The Contractor is expected to achieve the following results under Component 2:

● Increased public awareness of government and/or non-governmental services and how to access those services

● Increased public support for protection and equal rights of Vulnerable Groups

C.3.3. Component 3: Build Capacity of Civil Society to Effectively Represent the Interests of Vulnerable Groups and Provide Services

Under Component 3, the Contractor must build the capacity of civil society to represent the interests of targeted Vulnerable Groups and to advocate for and provide services to Vulnerable Groups.

The focus of capacity building must be adapted to the specific obstacles that CSOs face in achieving greater protection, including in the areas of communication, outreach, advocacy and monitoring, fundraising, social entrepreneurship, management, financial management and accounting, service provision, accessibility, digital literacy, and digital-security.

The Contractor must facilitate and improve service delivery to targeted Vulnerable Groups. The Contractor must consider the priorities of the MIDPLHSA and its plans to outsource delivery of some services to vulnerable groups to CSOs, and build the capacity of CSOs to provide these services. The Contractor must promote the protection and inclusion of LGBTQI+ people in social services. This may include but is not limited to support for shelters or accessing shelters, job training, technical assistance, advocacy, research, communications messaging and information campaigns, and legal aid.

The Contractor must support response and protection services and efforts for victims/survivors of gender based violence and vulnerable children. This may include but is not limited to strengthening of referral pathways, training of service providers, support for shelters, provision and connection to social services, and psychological support.

Section C - Page 16

The Contractor must advance efforts to include and empower persons with disabilities. This may include but is not limited to training, technical assistance, advocacy, small scale refurbishments to improve the accessibility of people with disabilities, policy reform work including assistive technology reform, support for independent living centers, and public-private partnerships for sustained results.

The Contractor must, at a minimum, conduct the following tasks:

● Provide technical assistance to CSOs, enabling them to conduct and maintain more effective constituency and coalition building.

● Provide technical assistance to CSOs, enabling them to more effectively identify and advocate for the needs and rights of Vulnerable Groups.

● Provide technical assistance to CSOs, enabling them to improve service delivery to targeted Vulnerable Groups, including the provision of shelters and crisis centers, health care services, legal aid, mental health services, consultations on rights and access to services, and social work.

Additional and specific services, tasks and activities required to achieve the Component 3 incorporated into work plans.

The Contractor may issue grants to the local non-governmental organizations in furtherance of the objectives under this component. The Contractor will provide technical assistance to CSOs to build their capacity to effectively represent the interests of vulnerable groups. Utilizing this technical assistance, NGOs may receive grants in order to implement communication, outreach, advocacy and monitoring, service provision, digital literacy, and digital-security activities that advance the NGO’s grassroot efforts/ mandates toward the protection, inclusion and advocacy for Vulnerable Groups.

The expected outcome under Component 3 is improved civil society advocacy and service provision that better protects Vulnerable Groups. The Contractor is expected to achieve the following results under Component 3:

● Vulnerable Groups are more actively involved in policy and decision making at the national and local levels

● As a result of civil society advocacy, the number and quality of services for Vulnerable Groups is increased

● As a result of civil society advocacy, human rights of Vulnerable Groups are protected, including freedom from violence and freedom of assembly

C.4. Stakeholder Engagement

The Contractor must maintain robust engagement with national and municipal level government institutions. At minimum this must include the Ministry of Internally Displaced

Section C - Page 17

Persons, Labor, Health and Social Affairs (MIDPLHSA), including its Agency for State Care, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI), the Public Defender's Office (PDO), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (MoESD), and Parliament.

CSO activity must be driven by the demands and active participation of Vulnerable Groups and a broader coalition of Georgian citizens. The Contractor must ensure that the interests of Vulnerable Groups are effectively and organically represented by CSOs. In order to effectively advocate for Vulnerable Groups, CSOs have to build political and social legitimacy that is derived from their representation of local constituencies. Their outreach, fundraising, and programmatic approach needs to be driven by Georgian constituencies, and must include accountability, first and foremost, to vulnerable beneficiaries and to a broader coalition of Georgian citizens.

C.5. Coordination with Other USG and Donor Activities

A wide variety of donors are also engaged in this sector. The Contractor must leverage these investments by identifying synergies, building upon past achievements, and incorporating lessons learned.

Where possible, the Contractor must collaborate and work with ongoing USG programs, including the USAID Rule of Law Program, USAID Information Integrity Program, USAID Local Governance Program, USAID National Governance Program, USAID Civil Society Engagement Program, USAID Civic Education Program, USAID Unity Through Diversity Program, USAID Transform Activity in Georgia, USAID Bridging the Gap program, USAID Industry-Led Skills Development program, USAID Resilient Communities Program, and others.

C.6. Adaptive Management

Given the fluid nature of the operational context, USAID/Georgia is constantly adapting to changing circumstances on the ground. The Contractor must ensure that the Program remains responsive to new information, emerging needs, and contextual changes and regularly recommend appropriate adjustments to partners, approaches, and programming. This includes consultations with USAID, the GOG, local government partners, and other stakeholders as well as the effective use of iterative Political Economy Analyses (PEA) and key data points from monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA) efforts. The Contractor’s approach to adaptive management must also examine how to best take advantage of the flexibility of this mechanism to respond to targeted technical needs or other unanticipated requests as they may arise.

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C.6.1 Joint Collaborative Work Plan Development

The Contractor must jointly develop annual Work Plans with USAID, and as determined, in consultation with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), additional other stakeholders.

This will ensure an adaptive management and decision-making approach to capitalize on emerging windows of opportunity and constraints.

C.6.2. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning/Collaborating, Learning and Adapting

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) will be a key component of the Program’s approach to adaptive management and its Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) agenda. The Contractor must develop a systematic method for collecting and analyzing performance data and other information to track progress toward planned results, ensure effective management and oversight, and enable data-based decision-making. The Contractor must guarantee that sufficient human and financial resources are allocated for MEL and CLA. A critical element will also be the development and launch/release of outreach materials, including videos, to promote the Program’s accomplishments and the replication of success across Georgia.

National and subnational counterparts must be involved in the development of the MEL approach, to cultivate ownership over results and utilize the process to build their own MEL capacity. Performance indicators (including baselines, targets, outputs, and outcomes) must consider existing government indicators where appropriate or feasible.

Methodologies must address data collection, quality, and analysis and follow USAID standards of validity, integrity, precision, reliability, and timeliness. All data must be disaggregated by sex and other key demographics, as appropriate: location, key approaches, such as innovation, sustainability, private sector engagement, gender equality, and social inclusion, must also be captured.

The required indicators for this program include:

● Number of people reached by a USG funded intervention providing GBV services (e.g., health, legal, psycho-social counseling, shelters, hotlines, other).

● Number of legal instruments drafted, proposed or adopted with USG assistance designed to promote gender equality or non-discrimination against women or girls at the national or sub-national level.

● Number of USG-assisted organizations and/or service delivery systems that serve vulnerable persons strengthened

● Number of service providers trained who serve vulnerable persons

● Number of vulnerable persons benefiting from USG-supported social services

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● Number of implemented standalone and/or integrated human rights interventions that either prevent human rights abuses, protect human rights defenders, and/or respond to human rights abuses, including those with special focus on the most marginalized

Additional sets of custom indicators for the program will be developed during the joint work-planning sessions.

USAID will commission external mid-term and final evaluations of the program. The contractor must fully participate in this process.

As part of the MEL Plan, the Contractor must develop a CLA plan that explains the Program’s use of monitoring and evaluation findings; establishes the Program’s analytic agenda; defines learning agenda questions; provides a platform for constructive failure; and describes how the Program will collaborate with partners to enable adaptation. In addition to iterative PEA, this may include joint work-planning sessions, scenario planning, risk analysis, reflection opportunities, learning events, and other efforts that check assumptions, review challenges and successes, and revalidate or refine the Program approach. The CLA plan must include attention to gender equality and social inclusion, private sector engagement, and local ownership. The CLA plan must include a specific learning event with USAID and local partners following the mid-term evaluation and a dedicated focus on knowledge capture at Program close out.

C.7 Sustainability

Sustainability is a core part of the U.S. global development policy. USAID seeks to advance the ability of a country, working across sectors, including government, civil society, citizens, and the private sector, to solve development challenges. The Contractor must build the technical capacity of the Government of Georgia, in particular the MIDPLHSA and its Agency for State Care, and nongovernmental organizations to advance policies at the national and municipal levels, and improve delivery of public services, so that the Government and other stakeholders continue to effectively pursue these objectives beyond the end of the USAID Protection and Inclusion Program.

C.8 Grants Under Contracts (GUC)

The Contractor must administer and manage grants issued under this contract. Up to $1 million can be used for grants. The Contractor is expected to issue between 20-30 grants to non-governmental organizations, utilizing mostly a competitive selection process or as set forth in the approved Grants Manual. No grants will be issued to U.S. organizations. The Contractor must provide institutional strengthening support to grantees, as needed.

As set forth in the Grants Manual, the Contractor is responsible for conducting a risk assessment as part of its award selection process and must provide USAID with the results of such assessment as part of its request for grant approval.

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USAID will work with the Contractor to formalize grant selection criteria and other appropriate grant review and approval processes, which will be documented in a Grants Manual approved by the Contracting Officer. In addition, the Contracting Officer's Representative will review the grant solicitation documentation and participate as an observer at the selection committee meetings. USAID must provide final approval for each grant.

C.9 Organizational Capabilities and Contact Management

The Contractor must have the necessary mix of staff and requisite levels of professional expertise, adapted as needed, to implement the Program and must identify, recruit, hire, and support appropriate candidates for the key personnel positions.

The Contractor’s successful track record must demonstrate that it can ensure the sustainability of intervention outcomes, including proven methodologies for cultivating local ownership, effectively engaging with both the public and private sectors, replicating and scaling models, promoting knowledge management, pursuing creative approaches, and institutionalizing reform.

The Contractor must have a combination of core staff to manage regularly scheduled work and deliverables as well as short-term advisors, experts, and specialists to conduct periodic or one-off tasks, in accordance with all components. The team collectively must possess a deep cadre of high-level specialists to implement the Program.

Consistent with the Agency Policy of Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, USAID/Georgia promotes social equity and inclusion in its hiring and management practices.

The Contractor must demonstrate institutional commitment to gender equality and social inclusion and must consider equitable balance in staffing and staff requirements; personnel systems, hiring, and management; and capacity development principles and approaches. It is critical for the sustainability of the activities to be initiated under this Program that the Contractor engages local experts. When qualified personnel are available, the Contractor must utilize local personnel with appropriate prior experience and expertise. USAID/Georgia prefers a local Chief of Party to manage this Program.

Professional-level skills and management practices are required in the performance of this contract. Accordingly, the Contractor must establish an effective quality control program to assure that deliverables and other products meet professional standards and comply with requirements.

END OF SECTION C

Section D - Page 21

SECTION D PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

(a) It is USAID policy that USAID-financed commodities and shipping containers, and program construction sites and other program 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 program construction sites and other program 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 program 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 COMPLIANCE WITH BRANDING STRATEGY AND BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION &

MARKING PLANS

(a) The Contractor must comply with the approved Branding Implementation Plan (BIP) and Marking Plan (MP)

(b) The Activity BIP/MP will be incorporated as a…