SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL PERFORMANCE CONSULTANTS
- Notice Date
- 3/22/2022 9:36:26 AM
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION Washington DC 20005 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20005
- Solicitation Number
- 95332422Q0029
- Response Due
- 4/18/2022 8:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 05/03/2022
- Point of Contact
- Anna Oberoi
- E-Mail Address
-
oberoia@mcc.gov
(oberoia@mcc.gov)
- Description
- STATEMENT OF WORK � ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL PERFORMANCE CONSULTANTS Introduction 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 developing 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. On January 23, 2003, the United States established the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an innovative foreign assistance program designed to reduce poverty by promoting sustainable economic growth. MCC, a U.S. government corporation, is based on the principle that aid is most effective in countries that promote good governance, economic freedom, and investments in people. Key MCC operating principles relating to the award of grants include emphasis on economic impact, reward for performance, partnership with recipient countries, and focus on results. Eligible countries are invited to develop and submit grant proposals to MCC for consideration. MCC will seek to enter into a Compact for assistance with those countries that submit quality proposals for poverty reduction through economic growth. All proposed projects and activities are subjected to MCC�s comprehensive project appraisal process prior to approval of a Compact, including the requirement for an environmental and social review. Once a Compact is signed and has entered into force, MCC continues to conduct reviews, analyses and assessments in consultation with the host country accountable entity and it�s implementing partners on an as-needed basis to carry out post-Compact oversight responsibilities. MCC recognizes that the pursuit of sustainable economic growth and a healthy environment are related. Economic growth that doesn�t adequately address the associated risks of environmental degradation can leave the poor particularly vulnerable.� MCC�s Environmental and Social Performance (ESP) Practice Group works with partner countries to integrate internationally-accepted principles of environmental and social sustainability into the design and implementation of compacts.� In collaboration with MCC, partner countries are striving to achieve sustainable economic development through their compact-funded activities while at the same time minimizing environmental and social risks and enhancing environmental and social benefits. MCC requires consultant services to support MCC�s ESP team to assess high-level environmental and social impacts, risks, and opportunities associated with the development, implementation, and closure of MCC-supported projects. MCC requires support from senior technical experts who have significant experience working with MCC and who have a solid understanding of MCC�s investment cycle. MCC expects to award one contract to a firm through this solicitation. The contract will include a period of performance of up to five (5) years. Scope The vendor shall support MCC�s ESP team members in their efforts to assess environmental and social impacts, risks, and opportunities associated with program development, implementation, and closure, as well as provide ad-hoc support to the Practice Group, as needed. MCC expects to award one contract to a firm through this solicitation. The contract may include a period of performance of up to five (5) years. Country Assignment ����������� MCC shall require consultant services in MCC eligible countries � both threshold and compact, as well as assignments in support of Practice Group corporate priorities and knowledge learning Tasks The Consultant may be asked to do any or all of the following tasks: Due Diligence: The Consultant shall identify major environmental and social risks and opportunities associated with the investments being considered by MCC. The Consultant shall propose mitigation measures for any environmental and social risks/impacts identified, along with recommendations for enhancing project design and/or benefit streams from an environmental and social perspective. The Consultant will be requested to conduct site visits to proposed project areas and carry out a review of existing documentation to identify the range of relevant environmental and social issues potentially associated with the project. The Consultant will be expected to advise MCC on any additional environmental and social studies that maybe required as a part of MCC�s due diligence and/or cost implications for assuming any of the Consultant�s proposed mitigation or enhancement measures. Program Oversight: The Consultant shall assist MCC in conducting oversight of project implementation and performance from an environmental and social perspective. The Consultant shall advise MCC by conducting periodic visits to project sites and carry out desk reviews to provide assurance that funding should be continued and that projects are on track to meet agreed-upon specifications, schedules, milestones, and budgets related.� Additionally, the Consultant shall assist in identifying potential unforeseen impacts of implementation and provide recommendations for resolution.� General Technical Advisory Support: In addition to above, the Consultant may be asked to provide general technical advisory support, including: Assist MCC in determining requirements and scope for Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS); Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs); other environmental analyses; and/or Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) under MCC Environmental Guidelines, MCC Gender Policy and international best practices; Review technical documents (e.g., preliminary design documents, feasibility and design studies, ESIAs, ESMPs, Health and Safety Plans, etc.) for compliance with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards and provide recommendations as necessary; Assess the coverage or consistency of local environmental laws and regulations as compared to MCC Environmental Guidelines and international best practices; Provide guidance and oversight to MCC country counterparts in environmental and social Program Management, QA/QC, construction works, FIDIC contracting and other similar topics; Provide appropriate guidance, tools, and assistance and, where necessary, help to strengthen institutional capacity and policies to integrate internationally accepted principles of environmental and social sustainability and social equity into the design and implementation of MCC-funded projects; Draft terms of reference (TOR) for ESIAs/ESMPs and other related studies, where such studies are required by MCC; Provide technical input and support (1) in the development of a stakeholder engagement process that ensures that project design and mitigation programs incorporate stakeholder priorities and concerns, and (2) that facilitates the development of a stakeholder engagement plan; Review implementation plans and work plans developed by Country Teams and related implementing entities as they pertain to environmental, social and resettlement activities, providing advice to MCC in terms of the appropriateness of same, from a technical perspective. This advice will provide MCC with the information needed to make a decision on whether or not to approve the implementation plans for their subsequent execution; Review draft tender documents and contracts for consistency with MCC Environmental Guidelines and international best practices; Review proposal evaluation reports from technical panel and procurement agent; Review proposed implementing entity arrangements and cooperation agreements between the Core Team and other entities as they pertain to the projects; Review health and safety design features, recommend areas where the program could improve health and safety elements; Review qualifications of key Core Team technical staff prior to their engagement; Provide general technical advice and assistance to MCC related to the proposed program; Perform evaluations on capacity of the Core Team, its implementing entities, and other stakeholders involved in program implementation and provide recommendations for capacity building and improvements where applicable; Provide general technical advice and assistance on the development and implementation of training programs on environmental and social management and IFC Performance Standards for the Core Team, implementing entities, and others as necessary; and Other requirements specific to environment and social activities of the MCC funded program as necessary. Deliverables The Consultant shall assist MCC in conducting project due diligence, appraisal and implementation oversight activities in MCC eligible countries and Washington, DC, as needed. The consultant shall provide services to MCC on a regular but intermittent basis, as required. Acceptance Criteria Deliverables will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Thoroughness and timeliness in complying with all of the elements in the tasks specified. Quality and clarity of analyses and work produced. Timeliness and efficacy of communications with relevant counterparts at MCC, MCA, and other relevant organizations. All reports are to be submitted in English in hard and electronic copy (in MS Word), with tables, data and calculations in MS Excel. Period and Place of Performance All work shall be completed between the dates of the award through a one-year base period of performance, with four additional one-year options. The estimated level of effort is estimated at up to 3,480 hours per year for the first year and 2,300 hours per year for the option years with an estimated 15 trips per year. MCC anticipates this level of effort but does not guarantee this level of effort as it may increase or decrease. The Consultant shall perform the tasks under this contract at his/her own facilities with occasional travel to MCC offices in Washington DC and eligible countries as requested. Technical Directive To support MCC in the flexible and timely manner needed to meet the evolving needs of program development and implementation, tasks under this statement of work will be communicated in writing to the Consultant by the Contracting Officer�s Representative and/or Project Monitor (COR/PM) each time the consultant�s services are needed over the course of this contract. The technical directive will, in one paragraph to two pages, provide clear and concise instructions on tasks and deliverables requested of the consultant, as well as expected level of effort. Should the Consultant be expected to travel to an MCC partner country, a detailed scope of work will be provided at least two weeks prior to travel and include specified deliverables. The Consultant shall acknowledge acceptance of the technical directive in writing (email is acceptable) to the COR/PM. The consultant shall not conduct any specific work under this contract unless such a technical directive is issued and acknowledged in writing. The consultant will notify the PM/COR if the tasks appear to fall outside the scope given herein. The consultant is expected to submit electronic copies of all written deliverables in English and to brief MCC staff verbally upon request. No technical directive shall imply any additional costs to the United States Government (USG) beyond the amount allowed for in the initial statement of work; however, this statement of work may be amended to reflect additional costs associated with appraisal and/or oversight requirements in additional countries. Subcontracting The expert is authorized to subcontract data collection, data preparation, social and gender analysis, and related services as needed.� The overall costs for subcontracting shall not exceed 25% of the expert�s total negotiated unloaded direct labor cost. Evaluation Factors The Consultant shall have a background appropriate to the tasks and output set out above should at least have: Mandatory: Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience managing environmental and social risks and impacts in large infrastructure projects, specifically in the Energy, Transport and Water sectors. Demonstrated knowledge of MCC Environmental Guidelines and MCC�s Compact and Threshold development and implementation cycles. Previous experience working with MCC on environmental and social risks during project development and implementation. Demonstrated expertise applying the International Finance Corporation�s Performance Standards on Environmental and Social sustainability in MCC partner countries. Proven experience identifying major environmental and social impacts, risks, and opportunities associated with large infrastructure projects during project development/design and proposing mitigation measures as necessary. Proven experience providing recommendations for enhancing project design and/or benefit streams from an environmental and social perspective. Proven experience carrying out site visits to project areas to provide oversight to projects under implementation, ensuring that investments are in compliance with the International Finance Corporation�s Performance Standards on Environmental and Social sustainability and on track to meet agreed-upon specifications, schedules, milestones, and budgets related. Proven experience developing approaches/options to enhance sustainability and resiliency of project designs within an integrated project management framework, and translating those into scopes of work. Experience providing training and developing guidance on environmental and social management systems, labor and working conditions, and health and safety issues. Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills required. Minimum qualifications: Bachelor�s Degree in an environmental and/or social field. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Preferred: Excellent oral and written communication skills in other languages relevant to MCC�s portfolio such as Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Demonstrated experience collaborating among multi-disciplinary teams including engineers, environmental specialists and resettlement specialists. 5+ years working on multiple MCC funded programs across sectors and regions. J. Other requirements: International travel is required. The Consultant may be requested to mobilize on a short notice and will be expected to deliver high quality finished products in a timely manner.
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- SN06274821-F 20220324/220322230106 (samdaily.us)
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