Procurement Number: MENA2020T12o
Open Date: November 13, 2020
Questions Deadline: November 20, 2020
Closing Deadline: November 23, 2020
Geographical Area Restrictions: 937
Point of Contact: Sacha Gilles, sgilles@iri.org
Background
The International Republican Institute (IRI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, organization dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide. Since 1983, IRI has worked to develop democratic institutions and ideals, carrying out a variety of international programs to promote freedom, self-government and the rule of law worldwide. IRI provides technical assistance in the areas of political party strengthening, developing civic institutions and open elections, promoting democratic governance and advancing the rule of law.
Period of Performance
November 2020 – February 28, 2020
Statement of Work
IRI is seeking a consultant to draft a baseline evaluation report for its’ CEPPS-funded Tunisia Political Transitions Project. The evaluation will inform IRI’s work on supporting civil society, civic education initiatives, and political party development in Tunisia. To do so the consultant will:
- Participate in three meetings (in person or teleconference) with the data collection team
1) To receive background information and necessary context and provide feedback on the evaluation methodology and Scope of Work and finalize next steps and timeline to complete the work.
2) To provide an update to the data collection team on progress halfway through the coding and analysis work.
3) To review and discuss the suggested key findings with the data collection team.
- Review all data collected through interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions. The data includes transcripts, notes, and recordings from approximately 20-25 interviews.
- Clean and organize all data collected into easy to read and navigate format using either Microsoft Word or Excel.
- Work with the data collection team (based in DC) to develop codes for the initial data analysis process. The consultant will first provide a list of suggested codes, based on an initial review of the data. The consultant will then share the suggested codes with the data collection team and will engage in conversation about the codes, ultimately coming to a decision on the final codes that will guide the data analysis process.
- Conduct initial analysis of the data, suggest key findings based on that analysis and provide the suggested key findings in a written format to the data collection team. • Use and closely follow all templates and style guides provided by IRI. • Provide an outline of the final report.
- Draft a full evaluation report.
- Contact the data collection team and other program team members anytime questions arise.
Technical Proposals
All proposals submitted to IRI must include:
- Information addressing Bidder’s experience in providing each of the services identified in the above Statement of Work and Bidder’s proposed specific approach for providing those services to IRI under this contract, including sufficient information to determine a clear definition of services as it relates to other providers that may be involved.
- The name, address, and telephone and facsimile numbers of the Bidder (and electronic address if available). If the Bidder is a firm, name(s) should be provided for individuals authorized to conduct business on behalf of the firm.
- Bidders may provide a list of up to three references for work performed of a similar nature during the last three years, along with contact details. IRI may contact the references to evaluate past performance.
- If the Bidder is a U.S. organization/resident, or a foreign organization/resident which has income effectively connected with the conduct of activities in the U.S. or has an office or a place of business or a fiscal paying agent in the U.S., the information submitted must contain Bidder’s Taxpayer Identification Number.
- Proposals will not exceed 5 pages (not including cover page).
- Proposals must contain
- CV/resume
- Writing sample taken from a report demonstrating evaluation and data analysis experience
Price Proposals
Bidders must propose a firm-fixed Unit Price for each of the deliverables identified below and in the format of the table below. The Bidder’s pricing must be valid for at least 60 (sixty) calendar days after the due date for proposal submission. The proposed Unit Price should be fixed and inclusive of all costs to perform, including inspection services, transportation, taxes, import duties (if any), and other levies. To the extent that a Bidder proposed to include any pricing not reflected in the table below, such pricing must be fully described in the proposal. Proposals must be submitted in USD, payments under any resulting contract will be made in this currency.
Evaluation and Award Process
- IRI may contact any Bidder for clarification or additional information, but Bidders are advised that IRI intends to evaluate the offers based on the written proposals, without discussions, and reserves the right to make decisions based solely on the information provided with the initial proposals. IRI may but is not obligated to conduct additional negotiations with the most highly rated Bidders prior to award of a contract, and may at its sole discretion elect to issue contracts to one or more Bidders.
- Mathematical errors will be corrected in the following manner: If a discrepancy exists between the total price proposed and the total price resulting from multiplying the unit price by the corresponding amounts, then the unit price will prevail and the total price will be corrected. If there is a discrepancy between the numbers written out in words and the amounts in numbers, then the amount expressed in words will prevail. If the Bidder does not accept the correction, the offer will be rejected.
- IRI may determine that a proposal is unacceptable if the prices proposed are materially unbalanced between line items or sub-line items. Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, the price of one or more contract line items is significantly overstated or understated as indicated by the application of cost or price analysis techniques. A proposal may be rejected if IRI determines that the lack of balance poses an unacceptable risk.
- IRI will conduct a source selection based as follows:
Best value:
IRI intends to make an award to the responsible Bidder based on the following evaluation factors:
- a) Technical evaluation, (including technical capabilities, proposed technical approach, and personnel qualifications) – 80 percent
- Writing skills in English (based on evaluation of writing sample) – 40 percent
- Experience performing similar projects – 40 percent
- b) Price – 20 percent
IRI intends to evaluate Bidders’ proposals in accordance with these factors and make an award to the responsible Bidder whose proposal is most advantageous to the program.
- If a cost realism analysis is performed, cost realism may be considered in evaluating performance or price.
Submission Instructions
Bids must be submitted via email to Sacha Gilles, at sgilles@iri.org with the subject line “MENA2020T12o” by the deadline listed above.
RFP Terms and Conditions
- Prospective Bidders are requested to review clauses incorporated by reference in the section “Notice Listing Contract Clauses Incorporated by Reference”.
- IRI may reject any or all proposals if such is within IRI’s interest.
- Proof of costs incurred, such as but not limited to receipts, pictures and financial documents, may be requested during and for up to three years after the end of the contract period.
- The Bidder’s initial proposal should contain the Bidder’s best offer. 5. Payment will be made upon receipt of invoices and deliverables/services. 6. Discussions with Bidders following the receipt of a proposal do not constitute a rejection or counteroffer by IRI.
- IRI will hold all submissions as confidential and submissions shall not be disclosed to third parties. IRI reserves the right to share proposals internally, across divisions, for the purposes of evaluating the proposals.
- For any currency conversion, the exchange rate to US Dollars listed on oanda.com on the closing date of this solicitation shall be used.
- Every contract will contain provisions governing termination for cause and termination for convenience.
- By submitting a proposal, offeror agrees to comply with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and agreement to the services identified above, and will specifically identify any disagreement with or exceptions to the terms, conditions, and provisions.
- Offerors confirm that the prices in the proposal/proposal/application/quote have been arrived at independently, without any consultation, communication, or agreement with any other Bidder or competitor for the purpose of restricting competition.
- By applying to this RFP, applicant is certifying that if it is awarded a contract, none of funds payable under the resulting contract will be used to (1) procure or obtain, extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain; (2) enter into a contract (or extend or renew a contract) to procure; or (3) obtain the equipment, services, or systems
that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system in compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act. Covered telecommunications equipment and services mean any of the following:
- Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).
- For the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology
Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).
iii. Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment.
- Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of the National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country. (2 CFR 200.216).
- Bidders agree to disclose as part of the proposal submission:
o Any close, familial, or financial relationships with IRI staff and agents. For example, the Bidder must disclose if a Bidder’s mother conducts volunteer trainings for IRI.
o Any family or financial relationship with other Bidders submitting proposals. For example, if the Bidder’s father owns a company that is submitting another proposal, the Bidder must state this.
o Any other action that might be interpreted as potential conflict of interest.
Notice Listing Contract Clauses Incorporated by Reference
IRI is required to make the contractor subject to certain flowdown clauses of the prime award. This awarded contract will incorporate one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Where “flow-down” to the contractor is applicable, references to “USAID/Department of State” shall be interpreted to mean “IRI”, “Recipient” to mean “Contractor”, and “Subrecipient” to mean “lower-tier subcontractor.” Included by reference are the applicable provisions contained in Appendix II to 2 CFR Part 200 and USAID Standard Provisions for Non-US Non-governmental Organizations/US Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions.
IRI Obligations
Issuance of this RFP does not constitute an award commitment on the part of IRI, nor does it commit IRI to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal or quotation.