SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- HARNESSING LOCAL INNOVATIONS, EXPERTISE, AND PARTNERSHIPS TO SOLVE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES IN ASIA
- Notice Date
- 2/1/2017
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541720
— Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Washington D.C., USAID/Washington, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 7.10-006, Washington, District of Columbia, 20523, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20523
- Solicitation Number
- BAA-OAA-RM-2017
- Point of Contact
- Benjamin Duodu, Phone: 2025674799
- E-Mail Address
-
bduodu@usaid.gov
(bduodu@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- ISSUANCE DATE: February 1, 2017 OPEN PERIOD: February 1, 2017 - March 3, 2017 (5:00 PM EST) UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID) BUREAU FOR ASIA BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) NO. BAA-OAA-RM-2017 HARNESSING LOCAL INNOVATIONS, EXPERTISE, AND PARTNERSHIPS TO SOLVE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES IN ASIA OVERVIEW Introduction This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks opportunities to co-create, co-design, co-invest and collaborate in the research, development, piloting, testing, and scaling of innovative, practical and cost-effective interventions that address development challenges in Asia. The United States for International Development (USAID) invites interested parties to partner with USAID to identify leap frog or other new technologies, innovative solutions, and promising program approaches that can solve development problems in the Asia region. This BAA seeks to incorporate innovative ideas and unorthodox partnerships that can achieve sustainable results. B. Federal Agency Name The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), administered through the Asia Bureau. Opportunity Title HARNESSING LOCAL INNOVATIONS, EXPERTISE, AND PARTNERSHIPS TO SOLVE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES IN ASIA. Opportunity Number BAA-OAA-RM-2017 Announcement Type This BAA serves to inform the public of the opportunity for possible funding from USAID for innovative, applied research to address development challenges in Asia. This BAA is not a request to receive information from interested parties. USAID will issue periodic addenda to this BAA seeking sustainable solutions, scalability opportunities, feasibility studies and other research and development initiatives addressing specific development challenges in Asia. The terms of this BAA apply to each addendum. Each individual addendum may have specific instructions, requirements for evaluation criteria, and administrative information, such as the requirements for expressions of interest, concept papers, and response deadlines. This BAA is open through March 3, 2017 (5:00 PM EST) and any opportunities for funding and partnering will be issued separately as Addenda to this BAA. Authority This BAA is issued under Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 35.016 (c). This is not a FAR Part 15 procurement. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance Programs for Overseas COLLABORATION The intent of the BAA is to allow co-creation and co-design to the maximum extent possible to identify effective partnerships and innovative approaches to more rapidly solve development problems. Collaboration can include: Co-creation: Co-creation occurs after an Expression of Interest (EOI) is approved, but before the concept is developed. The potential partner(s), the Government (represented by the Activity Manager), and other stakeholders involved work together to write and/or revise the Concept Paper(s), and jointly present to USAID's Asia Bureau Review Board for consideration. Co-design/development: Co-design/development occurs after the Asia Bureau Review Board has reviewed the Concept Paper(s), recommends the project for further development, and the Contracting Officer or Agreement Officer has determined the proposer(s) to be an Apparently Successful Partner. At this point, the Contracting Officer or Agreement Officer may determine the general nature of the award type or specific award type, depending on the nature of the project, to facilitate project design. During co-design, the Apparently Successful Partner and the Activity Manager will design the technical approach, general resource requirements, and management control of the project under the guidance of the Contracting Officer/Agreement Officer. Co-investment: Co-investment refers to the US Government's strategic aim that the partnerships resulting from the individual BAA awards represent opportunities to achieve mutual or complementary development goals of the partner, USAID, and potentially other resource partners, and therefore embrace shared responsibility, shared risk, and shared resourcing. Shared resourcing may be accomplished through funding by both parties, either through cash resources or the exchange of resources, both tangible and intangible, such as in kind contributions, expertise, intellectual property, brand value, high-value coordination, and access to key people, places, and information. Co-investing does not require equally sharing resources (such as a 1:1 leverage), but rather resource contributions that are appropriate to the specific project's objectives, considering the comparative advantages brought by the participation of each party and the award type. SPECIFIC RIGHTS RESERVED FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT UNDER THIS BAA The U.S. Government reserves specific rights, in addition to rights described elsewhere in this document or by law or regulation, including: The right to make multiple awards, a single award, or no awards. If an award is made, funding is subject to availability. Some award types may not include any funding. The right to make awards without discussions, or to conduct discussions and/or negotiations, whichever is determined to be in the Government's interest. The right to accept proposals in their entirety or to select only portions of proposals for award or co-investment. The right to select for award an instrument type that is appropriate to the specific development context, partner relationship, and proposal selected for award. Instrument types include but are not limited to contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, Global Development Alliance agreements, Development Innovation Agreements, Inter-Agency Agreements, Government to Government Agreements, Donor to Donor Agreements, and Memorandums of Understanding. In addition, the Government may craft a new instrument type to meet the needs of a specific relationship. The right to co-create projects with one or more potential partners under this BAA, when it is in the best interest of the Government. The right to request any additional, necessary documentation upon initial review. Such additional information may include, but is not limited to, a further detailed proposal, budget, and representations and certifications. The right to fund or co-invest in proposals in phases, with options for continued work at the end of one or more of the phases. The right to award instruments that do not commit or exchange monetary resources. The right to remove proposers from award consideration should the parties fail to reach agreement on award terms, conditions, and/or cost/price within a reasonable time; the proposer fails to provide requested additional information in a timely manner; or the Government believes it is in its best interest to do so. IV. PROBLEM AND CHALLENGE STATEMENTS Problem Statement In recent decades, Asia's tremendous economic growth has lifted millions of people out of poverty, malnutrition, and disease at rates unprecedented in human history. Yet, Asia's growth model relies heavily on an unsustainable use of resources and has created growing inequalities that undermine the region's future economic growth and can threaten countries' stability. In addition, weak institutional frameworks and inequitable services for vulnerable populations across the region mean that many people do not participate fully in Asia's growth. Specific challenges include: Vulnerability of Natural Resources: Asia's growth in gross domestic product and consumption has come at great cost to the region's natural resources, the global climate, and ultimately the region's ability to sustain broad-based development over the long-term. Unplanned urban development and the expansion of cities and towns puts further pressure on resources and the communities that use them. The degradation of land, water, and other natural resources undermines long-term sustainable economic growth, food security, and water availability, as well as increases the risk of public health threats and disasters. In addition, global climate change will continue to strain the resiliency of vulnerable communities throughout the region. Projected greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the Asia region are alarmingly high. Rapidly increasing energy demand to fuel growing economies and cities across the Asia region is the principal driver behind increasing GHG emissions. Asia's energy demand is growing faster than any other region in the world. Climate change is shifting the fundamental rules of city planning and administration. The density of people, economic activity in the coastal areas, and increasing frequency and severity of weather events make cities especially vulnerable to climate change. The extreme weather events in the Asia region have caused extensive damage to human life and infrastructure, but have also generated significant economic disruptions. Cities and rural areas alike must learn to adapt to these changes and become more resilient. Once core vulnerabilities are identified, countries need to work with the development and business communities to better manage change and reduce overall risk levels. Inclusive Economic Growth: As Asia grows in population and economically, increasing disparities pose critical challenges to the region's inclusive and sustainable development. Income disparities within individual countries continue to widen throughout the region, which can dampen the poverty-reducing impacts of economic growth. Asia's Gini coefficient--a measure of income inequality--increased dramatically from 39 to 46 in less than 20 years, resulting in the conclusion that "Asia is getting less poor, but more unequal." As many Asian nations transition from largely rural economies, the importance of strong rural-urban linkages becomes pivotal in order to ensure connectivity between farmers and businesses in the rural community and the growing urban population in not just primary, but also secondary and tertiary cities. Efficient market systems and integration into global agricultural value chains are vital for the economic health of many Asian countries. As drivers of economic growth and innovation, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) often lack access to critical finance and other technical support needed to operate their businesses as well as to grow and expand their market. The lack of regional connectivity and trade barriers between countries also severely limit MSMEs' growth potential and continue to plague the economic potential of South, Central, and Southeast Asia. Finally, empowering oft-neglected groups to fully participate in economic and financial systems remain a significant challenge in Asia. In particular, women, youth, and ethnic and religious minorities frequently cannot access financing and employment in certain industries due to onerous legal, regulatory, and cultural barriers. Without inclusive economic growth for all, poverty and inequality will continue to restrict the economic potential of Asia, which still houses over 770 million people living on below $1.25 per day. Rule of Law and Human Rights: Despite Asia's improving economic outlook, the progress of "rights-based" development, inclusion and service provision for vulnerable and marginalized populations is still lagging. Institutional and legal frameworks to protect and ensure their access to information and services are underdeveloped or not fully implemented. Considerable numbers of migrant workers and "modern day slaves", despite contributing to economic growth, suffer from prejudice and discrimination. They also face difficulty in accessing essential health and legal services in host countries, especially those who are undocumented and fear engaging with government institutions. Although sexual minorities, including gay, lesbian and transgender persons, are tolerated in some Asian countries, weak human rights context and stigma are important factors conditioning the HIV response and service uptake in mainstream services. Across the region, civil society organizations representing the voices of vulnerable groups are mostly in early developmental stages, although these initial efforts are essential for promoting resilient and inclusive democratic societies. Health related challenges: Countries in Asia have reached unprecedented levels of economic growth, yet a vast percentage of the population still struggles with poor health and difficulty accessing affordable, quality healthcare services. In some instances, the urban growth that has been fueled by economic development may have negative consequences for health status and health outcomes. Government spending on public health remains low and is often not focused on those who need it most. Maternal and child morbidity and mortality remain a great challenge with Asia, accounting for more than 41% of under-five deaths in the world, more than 44% of maternal deaths, more than 56% of newborn deaths, and approximately 60% of stunted rates for children under 5. In addition to serious health risks, an outbreak of pandemic proportions in Asia would have massive economic consequences. According to research "a future pandemic could lower Asia's growth rate to zero and reduce the global trade of goods and services by 14%". In addition, Asia is facing unprecedented challenges in terms of grappling with the rise of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, along with the communicable diseases that continue to impact the region including HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. This epidemiological transition, coupled with aging populations, will burden the health systems of the region unless a transition is considered now to support the adaptation of health systems. Education: The Asia Region benefits from high rates of primary school enrollment, averaging 90%. However, questions around the quality of education and dropout rates remain of serious concern. In addition enrollment rates at the secondary school level are much lower. Other challenges relate to a lack in adequate facilities, comprehensive policy, and weaknesses curricula and education service delivery. Opportunities Despite these challenges, a number of these aspects can be leveraged to increase the region's focus on sustainable growth and development. Asia's strong economic growths, with an active and engaged private sector both local and multinational corporations, including small and medium enterprises, can be a positive force for reducing poverty and creating sustainable change. Globally, Asia remains extremely strong in industries such as agriculture and manufacturing. There is local expertise and innovation in areas crucial to sustainable development, such as supply chain, natural resource management, and human capital. Asia has an increasing number of high net worth individuals who are responding to the global call for social investment and who can serve as potential resource for growth. Asia is rich in technology, innovation, and capital (both human and financial). It has the highest number of researchers and internet users worldwide, and offers platforms for innovation to help the many poor within its borders. Expanding access to information technologies can spur innovation and growth and enhance public service delivery. These technologies can also be harnessed to tackle unsustainable practices that undermine long-term prosperity for Asia and tap into burgeoning human and financial capital. Maximizing the growth of cities and strengthening urban-rural linkages in the region will be critically important in the near future. By 2025, nearly 2.5 billion Asians will live in cities, accounting for almost 54 percent of the world's urban population. This urban growth represents both an opportunity and a challenge as statistics for the past 20 years have shown that urbanization corresponds to reduced poverty and inequality. Urban centers, or secondary cities, can become hubs for nearby rural communities by becoming "Smart Cities." While fulfilling the energy, transportation, healthcare, building, infrastructure, and governance needs of the population, such Smart Cities also represent a market for goods and services valued at over US $1.5 trillion annually providing employment opportunities for surrounding areas. The economic benefits of supporting these Smart Cities are widespread and are a critical driver of poverty reduction. Asia has become more connected economically, politically, and socially, and there is growing support for transnational cooperation. Regional institutions, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), offer platforms for broader regional economic integration which have the potential to disseminate sustainable, equitable social, economic and non-economic gains including employment and business opportunities as well as greater choices of quality goods and services. B. Challenge Statement To develop and test innovative solutions that will accelerate progress towards sustainable development in Asia. All areas described in the Problem Statement above are amenable to such new solutions. Specific challenge statements to address one or more sectors described in the Problem Statement will be issued separately through Addenda to this BAA. General criteria for consideration Each individual BAA addendum will specify the criteria for selection. Submissions are not evaluated against other submissions but solely against the evaluation criteria from the BAA and applicable BAA addendum. Please review the criteria below carefully as all points will need to be addressed in order to be considered. How does the proposed idea/approach advance one or more of USAID's areas of interest as articulated in Section IV? How does the proposed idea/approach introduce a fresh perspective, and/or non-traditional solution for achieving one of USAID's areas of interests? How does the proposed idea/approach demonstrate the potential for significant impact? How does the proposed idea/approach include ideas for collaborative financing/cost-sharing, including local financing? How is the proposed idea/approach technically sound and grounded in evidence and analysis? Is the proposed idea/approach feasible? Is the context in for which the proposed idea/approach will be piloted and scaled clear and realistic? The reputations of organizations, their past performance, and the managerial and technical ability of the person or team engaged in the endeavor are significant considerations in assessing the potential and the risks associated with each award. VI. Award Stages The amount of resources potentially available under this BAA will depend on the concepts received and the availability of funds. Some award types may not include any funding. The award process under this BAA has the following steps: Stage 1 Expressions of Interest (EOI). EOI must indicate the research or development idea which will work towards discovering potential solutions the Problem and Challenge Statement(s) by increasing knowledge and understanding of potential solutions, exploiting scientific discoveries or improvements in technology, materials, processes, methods, devices, or techniques, advancing the state of the art, or using scientific and technical knowledge in the design, development, testing, or evaluation of a potential new product or service (or of an improvement in an existing product or service). All potential partners may not move forward to Stage 2. Due to the large number of expected EOI submissions, USAID is unable to provide detailed information of non-selection to those not selected to advance to Stage 2. Stage 2 Development of the Concept Paper. For Expressions of Interest which are deemed to have merit by USAID and pass criteria/eligibility stated within the BAA and/or specific addenda, USAID will issue an invitation to collaborate to the potential partner(s).* Note that due to the large number of Expressions of Interest, USAID is unable to provide detailed information to those EOIs that are not selected to move forward. Working together, USAID and the potential partner(s) will collaborate on a Concept Paper(s). It is during this phase of co-creation or co-design that the parties will begin to determine additional partners and resources to complement the project. The Concept Paper, generally 5-10 pages in length, will further detail and explain the project as initially provided in the Expression of Interest. Additional Partners/Resources. During the project co-creation and co-design, both the Apparently Successful Partner and USAID will identify additional partners and resources, and whether additional resources are necessary to implement the project. *An invitation is sent to a potential partner to participate in a co-creation workshop, conference, meeting, or the method designated by USAID to work together with all invitees to further develop the idea presented in the expression of interest. All potential partners may not move forward to Stage 3. Stage 3 Review by the Asia Bureau Review Board. Concept Papers developed during Stage 2 will be reviewed by the Asia Bureau Review Board, comprised of experts from USAID and possibly outside parties. The Asia Bureau Review Board will review Concept Papers and recommend which applicants should be considered Apparently Successful Partners. Using its technical expertise, the Asia Bureau Review Board will recommend whether to move forward with the project including revisions/additions to the project, and potential partners and resources. All Apparently Successful Partners may not move forward to Stage 4. Stage 4 Contracting/Agreement Officer Determination. The Contracting/Agreement Officer will review the Asia Bureau Review Board's recommendations and consider other information, such as resource availability, preliminary partner responsibility assessment, and Agency priorities, and will make a determination that the respondent is an Apparently Successful Partner(s). The Contracting/Agreement Officer may also determine or narrow down the anticipated instrument type to facilitate project design. Request for Additional Information. USAID will work with partners identified by the Asia Bureau Review Board, and co-design the project and assist the partner to provide additional information with respect to the proposer's technical approach, capacity, management and organization, past performance, and budget, as well as representations and certifications, as needed. Final Review and Negotiation. The USAID Contract/ Agreement Officer will engage in final review, negotiation, and determination of instrument type, responsibility, cost reasonableness, etc., and will craft an award instrument with the Apparently Successful Partner(s). If the Apparently Successful Partner(s) and USAID cannot arrive at a mutually agreeable arrangement, the Contract/ Agreement Officer will cancel the project at no cost to the Government. Award. Where USAID determines that the award of an instrument is appropriate, the USAID Contract/ Agreement Officer will award the instrument. VII. Award Information If awards are made, the number of awards could vary and may not mirror the number of expressions of interests or invitees to co-creation. However, the following will be applied in the event an award is made: Awards under this BAA will be made to Apparently Successful Partners on the basis of their ability to further USAID's goal of improving the impact of its policies and programs of Asia's poor. USAID is seeking new applications of science, innovations, and partnerships that provide the best value to the Government and have the potential to substantially contribute to these goals. B Proposals identified for negotiation may result in a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, Global Development Alliance agreement, Development Innovation Agreement, Inter-Agency Agreement, Government to Government Agreement, Donor to Donor Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding or alternative agreement type, depending upon the nature of the work proposed, the required degree of Government involvement, and other factors. The Government Contracting/Agreement Officer will determine award instrument type and negotiate instrument terms and conditions with selectees. USAID may select the award instruments it deems appropriate. C Eligibility Information. Public, private, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations, as well as institutions of higher education, public international organizations, non-governmental organizations, U.S. and non-U.S. governmental organizations, multilateral and international donor organizations are eligible under this BAA. All organizations must be determined to be responsible to perform or participate in the final award type. D Standard Clauses and Provisions of Award. The standard clauses or provisions for awards are generally prescribed by law and regulation and will vary considerably by award type. Information regarding clauses and provisions will be offered to the proposer when the award type is identified. E. Cost Sharing or Leveraging. Organizations are encouraged to consider providing reasonable cost sharing, leverage, or other exchange of resource arrangements, and are encouraged to suggest creative approaches to resourcing projects. Whether cost share and/or leverage are required will be determined by the individual BAA Addendum, final award type, and/or the mutual agreement of the parties. Nothing in this BAA precludes reasonable cost sharing, leveraging, or other exchange of resource arrangements. VIII. Information Protection USAID's goal is to facilitate research and development that will lead to innovative, and potentially commercially viable, solutions. Understanding the sensitive nature of submitters' information, USAID will work with organizations to protect intellectual property. EOIs should be free of any intellectual property that the submitter wishes to protect, as the EOIs may be shared with USAID partners as part of the selection process. However, once submitters have been invited to engage in further discussions, submitters will work with USAID to identify proprietary information that requires protection. Therefore, organizations making submissions under this BAA grant to USAID a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to use, disclose, reproduce, and prepare derivative works, and to have or permit others to do so to any information contained in the expressions of interest submitted under the BAA. If USAID engages with the organization regarding its submission, the parties can negotiate further intellectual property protection for the organization's intellectual property. Organizations must ensure that any submissions under this BAA are free of any third party proprietary data rights that would impact the license granted to USAID herein. [END OF BAA]
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