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FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JULY 21, 2006 FBO #1698
SOLICITATION NOTICE

R -- South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/E) Phase-II Program Evaluation

Notice Date

7/19/2006
 

Notice Type

Solicitation Notice
 

NAICS

541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
 

Contracting Office

Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, India USAID-New Delhi, Dept. of State, Washington, DC, 20521-9000
 

ZIP Code

20521-9000
 

Solicitation Number

386-06-019
 

Response Due

8/8/2006
 

Archive Date

8/30/2006
 

Description

USAID/India is seeking services as per the Statement of Work attached. USAID contemplates award of Purchase Order resulting from this Solicitation. The Contracting Officer will evaluate the quotations or offers received to determine which represents the Best Value to the Government. Government anticipates negotiated Purchase Order in which all factors other than price are considered relatively more important in selecting the awardee. The government may hold discussions, negotiations with offerors about their quote. STATEMENT OF WORK South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/Energy) Phase II Program Evaluation I. Introduction: USAID?s South Asia Initiative for Energy (SARI/Energy) is an eight country program that promotes energy security in the South Asian countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Begun in 2000, the SARI/Energy program focuses on approaches to meet South Asia's regional energy security needs through increased trade, investment and access to clean energy. The SARI/Energy Program was created in 2000 to encourage regional cooperation in energy development and trade in clean energy resources among South Asian countries. The program was developed jointly by USAID and the U.S. Department of State to improve regional stability and energy security. The lack of market-driven, commercial energy supplies in the region was identified as a fundamental constraint to increased energy security, economic growth and associated improvements in environmental quality, human health, and reduced emissions of greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector. Over the past five years the program has focused on building trust and confidence across borders, as well as advocacy for necessary reforms in the energy sector. The program is implemented through the following five partners 1. Nexant Inc. for technical assistance and training; 2. United States Energy Association for regional energy partnerships; 3. National Renewable Energy Laboratory for renewable energy; 4. Winrock International (Winrock) for community based small grants program and 5. U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCoC) for private sector coalitions. An evaluation of the Phase I SARI/E program was conducted in 2002 and the evaluation report is available with USAID?s SARI/E program office. Based on the recommendations of the evaluation the program was extended to Phase II and Nexant was awarded the prime contract under RFP process in October 2003 for implementing the technical assistance and training components of the program for a total funding of approx. $15 million until Sept. 2006 and Winrock International was awarded the Grant in May 2003 based on the RFA process for implementation of small grants program. USCoC continued its performance under cooperative agreement signed during April 2001. In Phase II there was a shift in the theme -- Phase I of SARI/E program focused on ?building confidence? and Phase II focus on building commitments across borders that will enhance energy cooperation and potential trade and also a shift from regional interconnection to regional energy security. II. Purpose of Evaluation: The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the appropriateness of the implementation strategy in reaching the program?s objectives; the cost-effectiveness and impact of activities implemented by Nexant, Winrock and USCoC in each of the SARI/Energy countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives) how far implementing partners have succeeded in achieving the shift of ?building confidence? in Phase I to building commitments across borders that will enhance energy cooperation and potential trade in Phase II. The principle objectives of SARI/Energy Phase II are listed below; (the contractor should also review the USAID?s contract with Nexant, USCoC cooperative agreement and Winrock grants agreement for additional detail to conduct the evaluation.) Increased capacity of regional training and research institutions to advocate and support regional energy cooperation Increased analytical coverage of opportunities for regional energy cooperation by regional media Increased understanding of the linkages between competitiveness, industrial growth and regional cooperation among regional industry leaders and associations Establishment of a regional framework to collaboratively address common energy issues such as power sector reforms, market for energy efficient appliances and access of electricity to undeserved population segments. III. Scope of Work In particular, the evaluation contractor will assess implementing partners? performance in the following areas: Regional Energy Security: to what extent has the implementing partners sought the opportunities to enhance energy security in the region through regional cooperation, and which activities had maximum impact on achieving this objective? Distribution reform with focus on rural energy supply: Impact of technical support provided by the implementing partners to selected organizations in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Pakistan for managing distribution reforms and rural energy supply Regulatory Reforms and re-structuring: how the implementing partners leveraged and worked with the existing USAID bilateral programs to ensure that SARI/E assistance strengthens the regional aspects of ongoing bilateral regulatory programs. Energy Efficiency: To what extent the implementing partners succeeded in evolving regional standards and labeling for appliance and lighting fixtures and increasing regional trade of energy efficient appliances with in South Asia. The contractor will evaluate each implementer against the following key parameters: 1. Quality assessment: quality of reports from the technical content, appropriateness, presentation and language standpoint (a sample of five reports prepared by implementing partners, grantees, and sub-contractors for SARI/Energy (the reports will be selected by USAID); 2. Resources utilization: Selection and utilization of appropriate resources for implementation of selected tasks, and use of local organizations for optimizing costs; 3. Market impact: Mapping of activities implemented by partners and impact of these activities on achieving program objectives based on feed back from various stakeholders; 4. Cost effectiveness of work: Evaluate the overall cost per event or deliverable of comparable quality or scope/size, for given results and deliverables and to accomplishing the program objectives; 5. Protocols: Internal protocol maintained by implementation partners for meeting with Government officials, Public sector officials and other stakeholders, and circulating meeting notes to in-country USAID offices and SARI/Energy office in New Delhi; 6. Sustainability: Evaluate sustainability aspect of activities that include creation of organizations and/or networks (for e.g. Regional Energy Training Network, Regional Energy Access Network, Training Institute Partners, South Asia Regional Energy Coalition etc) by the implementing partners; and 7. USAID Implementation Management: What aspect of USAID management has most contributed to program impact and/or constrained program impact, and to what extent has USAID emphasized the ?what? of the activity and allowed the implementing partners to creatively address the ?how?? The list of illustrative questionnaire for evaluating above listed parameters is attached in Annexure A IV. Illustrative Evaluation method(s) Contractor will use Rapid Evaluation method that may include the following activities o Map the major activities implemented by the SARI/Energy implementing partners and develop questionnaire for evaluating the impact of selected activities (Illustrative questionnaire attached in Annexure A). The questionnaire may be finalized in consultation with USAID SARI/Energy Program Office. o Interviews: Interactions with selected stakeholders, 10 to 15 from each country, in South Asia followed by broad evaluation of responses to questions by the stakeholders  SARI/Energy country coordinators will provide necessary assistance in setting up meetings with potential interviewees;  Interviews outside South Asia may be preferably conducted through telephone or video conferencing; o Reports / Studies Evaluation: Evaluation of selected reports and studies prepared by implementing partners to meet program objectives; and o Annual Reporting: Review of annual performance reports submitted by implementing partners. V. Deliverables 1. Draft Work Plan: The evaluation team will develop work plan in coordination with USAID. 2. Presentation: The evaluation team will provide a briefing of its findings to USAID Program Managers and their staff, and other USAID staff at the conclusion of the visits to the various SARI/Energy participating countries. The team will coordinate closely with the CCOs of the respective country for meeting with stakeholders in each country. 3. Draft Report: The evaluation team will present a draft report of its findings and recommendations to the SARI/Energy Regional Program Manager within five business days after they complete the field visits for comments from USAID and implementation partners. 4. Final Report: Three paper copies of the final report as well as an electronic version in Microsoft Word compatible document shall be submitted to the Regional Program Manager, SARI/Energy within five working days following receipt of comments from USAID and implementation partners. The final report shall include an executive summary of not more than 2 pages, a main report with conclusions not to exceed 10 pages, a copy of this scope of work, evaluation questionnaires used to collect information on each of the program components, and lists of persons and organizations contacted. VI. Payments: 1. 25% on submission and approval of Work Plan. 2. 10% upon completion of deliverable V.2 above. 3. 15% upon submission of Draft Report. 4. 50% upon submission and Acceptance of Final Report. VII. Relationships and Responsibilities: The contractor will work under the technical direction of USAID/India?s Regional Program Manager for SARI/Energy. VIII. Performance Period: Beginning On/about September 1, 2006 until no later than October 15, 2006. IX. Duty Post(s) USAID missions across six countries namely, New Delhi/India; Dhaka/Bangladesh; Kathmandu/Nepal; Colombo/Sri Lanka, Kabul/Afghanistan and Islamabad/Pakistan. In addition, contractor?s evaluation team may have to travel to Bhutan and Maldives. X. Logistic Support The contractor will be responsible for arranging all logistical support for performance of this SOW tasks. Implementing partners and USAID may provide assistance in arranging meetings with program beneficiaries, contractor staff, and other key stakeholders XI. Suggested Technical Qualifications and Experience Requirements for the Evaluation Team USAID requires a team with a minimum of two individuals who have direct professional experience working in the South Asia to carry out the requirement. Second, each team member must have knowledge of USAID?s objectives, approaches, and operations, and/or prior evaluation and assessment experience at another donor agency. Third, the two key individual team members positions stated below must have the technical qualifications identified. 1. South Asia Team Leader - Senior Program & Policy Analyst: The Team Leader will be responsible for coordinating evaluation activities and ensuring the production and completion of a quality report. In addition to proven ability to provide this leadership role he/she should have substantial and demonstrated expertise in evaluation techniques involving projects with technical assistance and training components. The Team Leader must have extensive experience in Energy sector policy, sector reform, and trade development. The Team Leader must have at least 10 years experience in managing energy sector trade and investment projects in developing countries preferred. The person should have direct experience in working with ministries, government and non-government institutions, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, and private sector stakeholders. The person should have formal education or training in engineering, public policy, and business management. 2. South Asia Senior Energy Analyst: This person must be an energy expert having substantial experience in energy sector issues within South Asia countries. This person must have at least 8 years experience working with the private sector, NGOs and governments in South Asia energy sector. It is preferred that the person should have expertise in industry research and analysis for identifying key issues and challenges in regional energy trade and investment. Should have excellent inter-personal and networking skills, and be familiar with the public sector and business environment in South Asia. The person should have formal education or training in engineering or business management. Annexure A Illustrative questionnaire The contractor may use the following line items for evaluating the above and the questionnaire will be finalized by contractor in consultation with USAID: Providing Support for workshops, meetings and seminars o Evidence of impact of workshops, meetings and seminars on meeting the program objectives. Conducting analytical studies o Quality of analytical studies as compared to similar other professional reports. Sample professional reports will be provided by SARI/Energy. o Appropriateness of study with in the SARI/Energy program framework and impact of studies on meeting program objectives o Stakeholder feedback on analytical studies prepared by Implementers Project development and investment support o Quality of technical assistance services provided by Implementers for project development and investment support. The quality may be evaluated based on the stakeholder feedback and evaluation of documents prepared for enabling project development and investment support Capacity building of the training institution partners; other training; peer exchanges, networking platforms etc. o Evaluation of training related programs created by Nexant, for eg TIPS, RETN etc for sustainability. o Evaluation of SAREC created by USCoC for sustainability. Forum for influential academics and eminent persons o Ability to reach influential academics and eminent persons in the region, o Contributions made by the forum for meeting the program objectives Communication and outreach o Evaluation of user friendliness and ability to locate documents and up-to-date event and program information on website developed and maintained by Nexant for SARI/Energy program. Specific programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan o Stakeholder feedback for the technical assistance and grants provided by Implementers in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The TA includes LNG policy framework support to Pakistan, Industrial Survey in Afghanistan, Central Asia and Afghanistan power trade, capacity building in Afghanistan etc. Financial strengths o Use of local expertise (institutional and individual capacities) for optimizing costs without compromising quality of deliverables. o To what extent the activity financial and budgetary profile accurately inform USAID of activity performance in selected high cost activities. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS/TERMS AND CONDITIONS __________________________________________________________ A.1 NOTICE LISTING CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE The following clauses are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" contained in this document. FAR 52.252-2 contains the internet address for electronic access to the full text of a clause. NUMBER TITLE DATE FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1) 52.204-7 CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (OCT OCT 2003 2003) 52.222-42 STATEMENT OF EQUIVALENT RATES FOR MAY 1989 FEDERAL HIRES 52.222-47 SERVICE CONTRACTS ACT (SCA) MINIMUM MAY 1989 WAGES AND FRINGE BENEFITS 52.233-4 APPLICABLE LAW FOR BREACH OF OCT 2004 CONTRACT CLAIM 52.237-1 SITE VISIT APR 1984 52.237-2 PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, APR 1984 EQUIPMENT, AND VEGETATION 52.243-1 CHANGES--FIXED PRICE AUG 1987 ALTERNATE I (APR 1984) A.2 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2006) (a)(1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541990. (2) The small business size standard is _. (3) The small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, other than on a construction or service contract, but which proposes to furnish a product which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees. (b)(1) If the clause at 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration, is included in this solicitation, paragraph (c) of this provision applies. (2) If the clause at 52.204-7 is not included in this solicitation, and the offeror is currently registered in CCR, and has completed the ORCA electronically, the offeror may choose to use paragraph (c) of this provision instead of completing the corresponding individual representations and certifications in the solicitation. The offeror shall indicate which option applies by checking one of the following boxes: [ ] (i) Paragraph (c) applies. [ ] (ii) Paragraph (c) does not apply and the offeror has completed the individual representations and certifications in the solicitation. (c) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) website at http://orca.bpn.gov. After reviewing the ORCA database information, the offeror verifies by submission of the offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically have been entered or updated within the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201); except for the changes identified below [offeror to insert changes, identifying change by clause number, title, date]. These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FAR Clause # Title Date Change ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ ---------- ------ ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an update to the representations and certifications posted on ORCA. A.3 52.213-2 INVOICES (APR 1984) The Contractor's invoices must be submitted before payment can be made. The Contractor will be paid on the basis of the invoice, which must state (a) the starting and ending dates of the subscription delivery, and (b) either that orders have been placed in effect for the addressees required, or that the orders will be placed in effect upon receipt of payment. A.4 52.213-4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS - SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS (OTHER THAN COMMERCIAL ITEMS) (FEB 2006) The complete RFP is uploaded on the USAID/India website; see www.usaid.gov/in under "Working with us" dropdown menu in "Business and Grant Opportunity" section.
 

Place of Performance

Address: See Statement of Work

Country: INDIA
 

Record

SN01092282-W 20060721/060719220113 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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