SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Early Reading/Literacy Specialist in Burkina Faso - Package #1
- Notice Date
- 6/21/2018
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541611
— Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Millennium Challenge Corporation, MCC, Washington DC, 1099 Fourteenth St NW, Suite 700, Washington, District of Columbia, 20005, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20005
- Solicitation Number
- 95332418Q0114
- Archive Date
- 7/28/2018
- Point of Contact
- Cierra Washington, Phone: 2027726579, Taylor J. Wolf, Phone: 2025214078
- E-Mail Address
-
washingtoncd@mcc.gov, wolftj@mcc.gov
(washingtoncd@mcc.gov, wolftj@mcc.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Addendum 52.212-4 Statement of Work Request for Quotes Request for Quotes Early Reading/Literacy Specialist in Burkina Faso 18-DCO-0203 1.The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to provide assistance that will support economic growth and poverty reduction in carefully selected countries that demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. For more information on the MCC, please visit www.mcc.gov. 2.This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information including in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is 95332418Q0114 and is issued as a request for quotations (RFQ). This solicitation document incorporates all mandatory commercial item provisions and clauses that are in effect through the most recent Federal Acquisition Regulation amendments which can be found at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html. 3.This combined synopsis and solicitation notice is a request for competitive quotations. Therefore, all quotations received prior to the RFQ due date will be considered. 4.The North American Industrial Classification Systems (NAICS) code is 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services and the small business size standard is $15 million in total annual receipt. 5.FAR clauses 52.212-1 through 52.212-5 apply to this procurement. The exact text and wording of clauses and provisions may be obtained from the Internet at http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html. FAR clause 52.212-4 Alt. I Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items is attached. 6.The Government contemplates the award of a time-and-material (T&M) contract resulting from this solicitation. 7.The Government will award a BPA call to the responsible independent consultant ("awardee") whose quote, conforming to this notice, represents the best value in terms of technical criteria, past performance, and price. All non-price factors (technical criteria and past performance) are more important than price. If found advantageous, the Government reserves the right to make more than one award as a result of this solicitation. 8.This announcement is for an independent consultant and is not for individuals seeking employment directly with MCC. For information regarding independent contractors, please visit: http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Independent-Contractor-Defined. MCC will assist the awardee in coordinating with an independent contractor engagement services provider, who currently holds a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) with MCC, for payroll, travel, international travel insurance, etc.; therefore, a DUNS number and registration in System for Award Management (SAM) is not required. 9.Background. The Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC) mission is to provide grant assistance to support economic growth and poverty reduction in selected developing countries with a demonstrated commitment to just democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. MCC's partner countries enter into a five-year agreement (Compact) with MCC that includes a plan for achieving shared development objectives and responsibilities of each country in achieving those objectives. Our model is defined by core principles of selectivity, country ownerships, transparency and a focus on results. The mission of MCC's Human and Community Development (HCD) practice group is to enhance people's choices by expanding their capacities to lead healthy lives, be knowledgeable and productive, and be able to come together to address common problems. The HCD practice group is seeking a general education consultant to provide technical support and advice to the MCC Burkina Faso Country Team as they oversee the development of a project focused on general education quality improvement to enhancing the supply of skilled labor in Burkina Faso. These activities are to take place as part of a potential second MCC Compact with the Government of Burkina Faso (GoBF). Compact development is at an early phase, with the GoBF due to submit its project proposals in Mid-June 2018. 10.Country. Burkina Faso and other MCC eligible countries. 11.Description of Compact Projects. The Compact Development Process. To put the planned scope of services into context, a summary of the main activities conducted by both MCC and country counterparts during the compact development process is provided below. Country Activities MCC Activities Startup and Preliminary Analysis · Names Compact Development Coordinator · Establishes Core Team responsible for developing the Compact · Conducts analyses of: Ø Constraints to economic growth Ø Social and gender inequality Ø Investment Opportunity · Commences initial public consultations · Assists with and provides feedback on preliminary analyses · Provides guidance on public consultations and results-focused project design principles and tools Project Definition (almost completed) · Consults stakeholders on potential projects · Provides a Project Concept Note for each potential project · On the basis of MCC technical guidance, develops more detailed Concept Papers · Reviews Concept Notes, provides initial technical assessment · Conducts peer review of Concept Papers · Provides formal approval of Project Concept Papers, identifying suitable projects and needed studies · Supports project development Project Development and Appraisal · Prepares detailed project proposals · Consults stakeholders on project design and sustainability · Assists with feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, resettlement plans, preliminary designs, etc. · Conducts appraisal of developed projects · Provides recommendations to MCC senior management for projects for approval · Once agreed, MCC notifies Congress of its intent to enter into Compact negotiations Compact Negotiations and Signing · Conduct negotiations on technical and legal content of Compact · MCC Board considers Compact for approval · If approved, MCC and country sign the Compact Pre-Entry Into Force · Establishes the Millennium Challenge Account Accountable Entity · Completes Implementing Entity Agreements · Completes annual budgets and implementation plans · Completes Terms of Reference and work plans for implementation and procurement · Pre-qualifies consultants and contractors for early procurements · Assists with and provides feedback on the process · Provides guidance on formation of accountable entity, staffing, budgets, and work plans · Reviews and approves Terms of Reference and pre-qualification documents 12.Description of GSI Objectives and Activities. The GoBF identified weak basic skills and low availability of technical skills in the work force in Burkina Faso as binding constraints to economic growth and poverty reduction, based on the following initial assessment: One of the primary root causes of weak basic skills is that the quality of education is low in Burkina Faso. Although some indicators of both investment and outcomes have improved dramatically over the past 10 years, rates of enrollment are still low and strikingly, indicators of education quality or achievement such as literacy, the ability to write and numeracy remain low even for those with some schooling; Another root cause of weak basic skills is continued inadequate access to secondary schooling in Burkina Faso. While investments in primary schooling, perhaps spurred by the Millennium Development Goals and including the construction of schools and classrooms, have led to large gains in primary schooling in the country over the past two decades, gains in secondary enrollment have been slower to materialize. Key contributing factors to low secondary access include the distance to schools and lack of infrastructure, high school fees and an ineffective planning framework, as well as a continued emphasis on tertiary education in the budgeting process. There are also intersecting issues with student preparedness, including a steep jump in the level of curriculum from primary to secondary school in the Burkinabe system, leading to high rates of repetition and dropout; An urban/rural divide in learning outcomes, with considerable disparities across income, education and training systems are also characterized by low quality of teaching and learning, inequalities and exclusion at all levels; overall, low learning achievement is attributable to inadequate and poorly qualified teachers, inappropriate curriculum, a poor learning environment and weak management at school levels. MCC/GoBF consultations with the Burkina Faso private sector and multiple surveys note a dearth of "soft skills" and/or "21st century skills" (e.g. communication, critical thinking, IT, as well as French language) An initial review of the institutional, economic, and socio-cultural drivers of persistent inequities with respect to women and girls' access to education, economic participation and opportunities (e.g. schooling, jobs, entrepreneurship), explains how this phenomenon impacts urban and rural populations, and also youth.. Burkina Faso's educational attainment statistics are disconcerting: as bad as the national statistics for literacy are, once disaggregated by sex, it becomes clear that girls and women experience a disproportionate lack of access to educational and training opportunities in the more remunerative fields. Failing to address this lack of access to decent/better paying jobs and professional training opportunities will only prolong girls' and women's exclusion from more lucrative employment opportunities. Deliverables. The consultant's assignments shall include the following: •Planning input and active participation in consultative for a with Burkinabe stakeholders on policy and institutional reform strategies for reading improvement; •Bi-weekly conference calls; •Progress reports; and •Ad hoc reports as required by COR/PM related to the scope. 13.Tasks. Specific tasks and/or technical directives will be defined by MCC on a regular basis, with the timing of travel and due dates for deliverables to be agreed upon with MCC periodically through tasking orders as needed to implement this Statement of Work. This work will include adult functional literacy sector analysis, reviewing proposed interventions submitted by the Burkina Faso Core Team, commenting on project development documents, and providing general advice to MCC on the due diligence and project design process. Later, tasks will include support to oversight of implementation. This may include, but is not limited to: 1.Review background documentation and materials. 2.Review and make recommendations for improvements on project logical frameworks, technical analyses, and institutional capacities. 3.Review of GoBF concept note, concept paper, and project design deliverables. 4.Assist MCC staff in drafting concept note summary, concept paper assessment memo, and investment memo. 5.Assess the current status of the ‘quality' of teachers across Burkina Faso and its teacher preparations programs. 6.Advise MCC on the state of the art and good practice for project design in general education. 7.Assist MCC in developing TORs for consultants and contractors. 8.Advise MCC on procurement matters. 9.Advise MCC on effective project management and budgeting issues. The consultant will carry out his/her tasks and activities in collaboration with the MCC Education Team, other MCC staff, UCFs or Core Teams, Project Directors and Project Implementation Units (PIUs), and staff of relevant GoBF agencies and others as necessary. The consultant is expected to work effectively with MCC staff, the Core Team, other consultants, and GoBF counterparts. 14.Period and Place of Performance. The intermittent contractor will be required to work for one year from the date of award though an additional four year period of performance for up to 550 hours per year (450 hours for Burkina Faso and 100 for other countries). The contract may end sooner if the projects are completed before the 24-month term or if the funds have been fully expended. The consultant shall perform the services and tasks generally identified above at the consultant's home facilities, at MCC headquarters, and in Burkina Faso or other countries as required. The consultant may be requested to mobilize on a short notice for in-country travel and will be expected to deliver high quality finished products in a timely manner. 15.Subcontracting. The awardee is authorized to subcontract data collection, data preparation, economic analysis, social and gender analysis, and related services as needed. The overall costs for subcontracting shall not exceed 25% of the total negotiated unloaded direct labor cost. The consultant will obtain approval from MCC before proceeding with sub-contracting. 16.Contracting Officer Representative (COR) / Project Monitor (PM). The COR/PM shall have technical responsibility over the Consultant. Any change in the terms of the contract must be made in writing and approved by the Contracting Officer. No representation of the COR/PM shall serve as a basis for an alteration in the general scope of this Contract or of the terms and conditions of the Contract unless confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer. The Consultant must communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters that pertain to the Contract terms. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment for that work. 17.Evaluation Factors. Only quotes which meet the mandatory technical evaluation criteria will be considered. Candidates with preferred qualifications will be given additional consideration. I. Technical Evaluation Criteria: All mandatory qualifications described below in the Qualifications section must be clearly addressed in a resume. I.1. Mandatory Qualifications: I.1.a.The consultant should have an M.A. (Ph.D. preferred) in education, social science, or a related field I.1.b.Demonstrated expertise in adult literacy programs in developing countries I.1.c.10 years of experience in assessing and designing adult literacy programs in developing countries I.1.d.Experience of working in Francophone West Africa I.1.e.Demonstrated experienced conducting desk reviews and providing documentation on issues relevant to adult literacy I.1.f.Developing and reviewing Scopes of Work and Terms of Reference for adult literacy programs. I.1.g.Writing high-quality analytical papers and reports on deadline I.1.h.Ability to work constructively in a team. I.1.i.Proficiency in French required. MCC reserves the right to interview the candidates. II. Past Performance: Three to five (3-5) professional references for relevant work performed during the past three years. III. Price: The Government will examine the proposed rate for reasonableness. 18.Evaluation Methodology. The Government will perform a comparative analysis of quotes and will assess the advantages and disadvantages of each quote as related to the Evaluation Factors. Multiple awards may be made from this notice and all quotes will be retained and may be utilized for additional requirements for a period of 12 months. 19.Quote Deadline. Interested offerors are invited to submit their quotations in response to this notice by no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Time (ET) on 13 July 2018. Late submissions will not be considered for award. Quotations submitted in response to this notice should include the solicitation number "95332418Q0114" and the description "Early Reading/Literacy Specialist in Burkina Faso" in the subject line and be signed, dated, and submitted via email to washingtoncd@mcc.gov. The maximum file size for the submission is 10MB. Any request for additional information must be emailed to washingtoncd@mcc.gov by 2:00 pm ET on 05 July 2018. The Government intends to address all requests by 10 July 2018. 20.Exclusion of Quotes and Communications. At any time prior to award, including upon receipt of quotes, the Government may exclude a quote from further consideration for reasons, including, but not limited to, the quote being noncompliant with submission requirements instructed in this solicitation; the offer being not among the most highly qualified; or the offer being unlikely to be selected for award. The Government need not notify the offeror that its quote has been excluded from further consideration or provide the offeror with a pre-award debriefing. However, the offeror will be provided post-award notification and, if requested, a brief explanation of the basis of the award decision. Upon the receipt of quotes, the Government will conduct an evaluation. The Government intends to evaluate quotes and issue a contract without communications with offerors. However, during the evaluation process, the Government at its sole discretion may communicate with any number of offerors for any purpose, including, but not limited to, requesting additional information about an offer, speaking directly with the offeror(s) about the quote and capabilities, and to request revised quotes. For quote revisions, the Government at its sole discretion may impose non-common due dates. This means the Government may designate a quote revision due date that varies for different offerors. 21.Quote Submission. Interested individuals must submit the following in English language: a.Technical: (1) Cover letter that addresses all technical criteria as listed in this solicitation, and (2) Curriculum Vitae in chronological order starting with the most recent position (10 pages maximum; must clearly demonstrate the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to the Qualification/Evaluation elements listed above), Microsoft Word format. b.Past Performance: Three to five professional references with contact phone and email information, Microsoft Word format. c.Price: Complete the attached Bio-Data form [see attached] to include the applicant's proposed rate and salary history. Do not combine your submission into a single document. Documents (a), (b), and (c), listed above must be submitted as separate documents. 22.FAR 52.212.3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items will be required from the selected offeror, prior to the award. 23.The following clauses will apply to the resulting contract: a.52.249-70 Termination Clause b.52.232-72 Limitation of Funds-Incrementally Funded Contracts 24.There are no additional contract requirements(s) necessary for this acquisition other than those consistent with customary commercial practices. 25.See attached documents, (a) Addendum to FAR clause 52.212-4 Alt. I, (b) MCC Bio-Data Form, and (c) Statement of Work.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/MCC/MCCMCC/MCCMCC01/95332418Q0114/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 1099 14th St. NW, Washington, DC, District of Columbia, 20005, United States
- Zip Code: 20005
- Zip Code: 20005
- Record
- SN04962934-W 20180623/180621230937-2bf5adc244f1029c6b74be593cc1b075 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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