72049220-OEDGRFI-00001, Amendment 2: Request for Information (RFI) - Feedback on USAID/Philippines' Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) Project

This USAID/Philippines Request for Information (RFI) Amendment 1 is issued for the purpose of providing stakeholders an opportunity to review, comment, suggest, and enhance areas in the attached draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) for a new USAID/Philippines Project, namely Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON).  This activity’s primary goal is to promote better access and connectivity in the Philippines by (a) improving the quality of its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure; and (b) improving trade logistics performance.  The major results that the Project will achieve are found in the SOO.  Subject to availability of funds, USAID anticipates that this activity or activities will be implemented over a period of five (5) years. 

By issuing this RFI Amendment and revised SOO for comment, USAID/Philippines aims to consult with a broad community of public and private sector actors in the promotion of better access and connectivity in the Philippines.

USAID will hold an Industry Day on February 6, 2020 (Thursday) at the Chancery Ballroom, U.S. Embassy Compound located at Roxas Blvd., Manila, from 9:00am to 11:00am (Manila time). An organization may send only one (1) participant to the activity. The purpose of the industry day is to: a) inform organizations about USAID/Philippines’ programmatic requirements to address  access and connectivity in the country; b) gain insight from organizations regarding their best practices and standards to assist with the requirements development; c) serve as venue for organizations to meet one another, collaborate, and create potential partnerships; and d) present to organizations how to do business with USAID. 

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal. Responses to this RFI shall not be portrayed as proposals and will not be accepted by the U.S. Government (USG) to form a binding agreement.  Responses are voluntary and responders are solely accountable for all expenses associated with commenting on this RFI. 

It should be noted that responding to or providing comment on this RFI will not give any advantage to any organization in any subsequent Request for Proposal.  USAID/Philippines does not intend to publish the results of the responses on this RFI but an acknowledgment will be given upon receipt of a response.

Please provide your comments no later than the due date and time specified at the top of this RFI via email to the Contracting Officer at the email address indicated on the top of this RFI with the subject line, “Response to RFI No. 72049220-OEDG/RFI-00001, Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) Project”. While there is no limit on the length of submissions, we value concise, issue-specific comments with reference to page and section numbers in the accompanying revised draft SOO (Attachment A)

If your organization intends to participate in the Industry Day, please inform us by giving the name (organization and participant) and contact information of the participant by email to Janine Krizzia Dator <jdator@usaid.gov>.  If your organization intends to participate in person, please send the participant information no later than 1:00pm (Manila time) on February 3, 2020, to give time for arranging for security clearance into the Embassy compound. If your organization intends to participate via phone call-in, please provide the participant information no later than 1:00pm (Manila time) on February 4, 2020 and Ms. Dator shall promptly respond to provide the appropriate call-in numbers.

Shortly after the Industry Day, USAID shall post the materials/outputs during the activity in a subsequent amendment to the RFI.

Should questions/comments or additional feedback still be derived after the Industry Day, please respond to the RFI on or before the end date for responses as indicated at the top of this letter. Responses received will be used to develop a design document that ensures clarity, maximum development impact, coordination with existing and planned USAID and other development partner programs, and alignment with USAID’s and the Government of the Philippines’ priorities. 

Thank you for your assistance and interest in USAID/Philippines programming.

This USAID/Philippines Request for Information (RFI) is issued for the purpose of providing stakeholders an opportunity to review, comment, suggest, and enhance areas in the attached draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) for a new USAID/Philippines Project, namely Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON).  This activity’s primary goal is to promote better access and connectivity in the Philippines by (a) improving the quality of its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure; and (b) improving the quality and capacity of its transport and logistics infrastructure.  The major results that the Project will achieve are found in the SOO.  Subject to availability of funds, USAID anticipates that this activity or activities will be implemented over a period of five (5) years.

Responses received will be used to develop a design document that ensures clarity, maximum development impact, coordination with existing and planned USAID and other development partner programs, and alignment with USAID’s and the Government of the Philippines’ priorities.  USAID/Philippines may also consider stakeholder consultations in further revising the BEACON Project design.

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal. Responses to this RFI shall not be portrayed as proposals and will not be accepted by the U.S. Government (USG) to form a binding agreement.  Responses are voluntary and responders are solely accountable for all expenses associated with commenting on this RFI.

It should be noted that responding to or providing comment on this RFI will not give any advantage to any organization in any subsequent Request for Proposal.  USAID/Philippines does not intend to publish the results of the responses on this RFI but an acknowledgment will be given upon receipt of a response.

Please provide your comments no later than the due date and time specified at the top of this RFI via email to the Contracting Officer at the email address indicated on the top of this RFI with the subject line, “Response to RFI No. 72049220-OEDG/RFI-00001, Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) Project. Phone calls or hard copy delivery will not be accepted.  While there is no limit on the length of submissions, we value concise, issue-specific comments with reference to page and section numbers in the accompanying draft SOO (Attachment A) together with feedback to the following questions:

1. Please provide comments on the theory of change, the activity overall goal, sub-objectives and expected outcomes. Is the results framework logical and consistent with the intended outcomes? 

1. Please comment on the activity’s overall purpose and strategic approach.  Is the SOO responsive to your understanding of the aims of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, particularly for the Infrastructure Transaction and Assistance Network (ITAN) and the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP)?

1. Please comment on the compatibility of the two sub-objectives; i.e. on transport and logistics and on ICT/digital connectivity.  Should these two be better implemented as separate stand-alone activities or under one mechanism?

1. Please comment on the scope of the two objectives and sub-objectives.  Does the discussion cover the full range of outstanding issues in the sector? Are there significant technical areas not covered by the SOO? What other objectives should be incorporated in each sector?

1. What are the opportunities for private sector engagement in these areas? How can this activity better support private sector investment in transport and ICT infrastructure?

Thank you for your assistance and interest in USAID/Philippines programming.

This USAID/Philippines Request for Information (RFI) is issued for the purpose of providing stakeholders an opportunity to review, comment, suggest, and enhance areas in the attached draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) for a new USAID/Philippines Project, namely Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON).  This activity’s primary goal is to promote better access and connectivity in the Philippines by (a) improving the quality of its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure; and (b) improving the quality and capacity of its transport and logistics infrastructure.  The major results that the Project will achieve are found in the SOO.  Subject to availability of funds, USAID anticipates that this activity or activities will be implemented over a period of five (5) years.

Responses received will be used to develop a design document that ensures clarity, maximum development impact, coordination with existing and planned USAID and other development partner programs, and alignment with USAID’s and the Government of the Philippines’ priorities.  USAID/Philippines may also consider stakeholder consultations in further revising the BEACON Project design.

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal. Responses to this RFI shall not be portrayed as proposals and will not be accepted by the U.S. Government (USG) to form a binding agreement.  Responses are voluntary and responders are solely accountable for all expenses associated with commenting on this RFI.

It should be noted that responding to or providing comment on this RFI will not give any advantage to any organization in any subsequent Request for Proposal.  USAID/Philippines does not intend to publish the results of the responses on this RFI but an acknowledgment will be given upon receipt of a response.

Please provide your comments no later than the due date and time specified at the top of this RFI via email to the Contracting Officer at the email address indicated on the top of this RFI with the subject line, “Response to RFI No. 72049220-OEDG/RFI-00001, Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) Project. Phone calls or hard copy delivery will not be accepted.  While there is no limit on the length of submissions, we value concise, issue-specific comments with reference to page and section numbers in the accompanying draft SOO (Attachment A) together with feedback to the following questions:

1. Please provide comments on the theory of change, the activity overall goal, sub-objectives and expected outcomes. Is the results framework logical and consistent with the intended outcomes? 

1. Please comment on the activity’s overall purpose and strategic approach.  Is the SOO responsive to your understanding of the aims of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, particularly for the Infrastructure Transaction and Assistance Network (ITAN) and the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP)?

1. Please comment on the compatibility of the two sub-objectives; i.e. on transport and logistics and on ICT/digital connectivity.  Should these two be better implemented as separate stand-alone activities or under one mechanism?

1. Please comment on the scope of the two objectives and sub-objectives.  Does the discussion cover the full range of outstanding issues in the sector? Are there significant technical areas not covered by the SOO? What other objectives should be incorporated in each sector?

1. What are the opportunities for private sector engagement in these areas? How can this activity better support private sector investment in transport and ICT infrastructure?

Thank you for your assistance and interest in USAID/Philippines programming.