Request for Proposals for English for Diplomacy Curriculum-USIP Retour vers les opportunités

United States Institute of Peace

Request for Proposals for English for Diplomacy Curriculum

Tunis, Tunisia / Remote

Release Date: January 25, 2024

RFP Due Date: 11:59 pm Eastern Time, 10/03/ 2024  

• Introduction and Background

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for the United States and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. For more information, please visit http://www.usip.org.

USIP has been active in Tunisia since 2016. In light of Tunisia’s ambition to play a larger role in promoting regional peace and stability, the government issued a decree in 2019 to expand its Diplomatic Academy’s mandate and carry out comprehensive reform and expansion of the training program. 

USIP has entered into a partnership with the IDAT under which it will support the development of a variety of new curriculum including a tailored English for Diplomacy curriculum that will help instructors equip students with the language proficiencies needed to conduct diplomacy on the international stage.

• Purpose of the RFP

USIP seeks proposals from experienced English language curriculum developers to create an engaging, comprehensive and customized English language for diplomacy curriculum for students with a minimum of B2 level English language, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).  The curriculum will prepare students with the linguistic skills necessary to effectively conduct modern diplomacy. 

• Scope of Work

1. Background

The contractor will be responsible for creating an English curriculum specifically designed for students enrolled in diplomacy studies. The curriculum should focus on enhancing language proficiency, communication skills, and cultural literacy essential for effective diplomatic engagement. The curriculum should be tailored to a 120-hour course. Students will attend 3 hours of lectures per week. Students of this course will have a minimum of CEFR B2 level English, which will be determined by a placement test. 

The proposal should include, but not be limited to, the following components:

1. Detailed outline of the curriculum structure, including modules, topics, and objectives.
2. An instructor’s guide with engaging teaching methodologies, materials, and resources that cater to diverse learning styles.
3. Assessment tools and evaluation criteria to measure students’ progress and language proficiency.
4. Incorporation of real-world diplomatic scenarios, case studies, and simulations to contextualize language learning within the realm of diplomacy.
5. Strategies for promoting cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural communication.

1. Project Goals and Objectives

The goal of this project is to equip the students of the IDAT with the necessary English language skills to effectively engage with other international counterparts on diplomacy conflict resolution efforts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). USIP endeavors to meet this goal by delivering a comprehensive and tailored English for Diplomacy curriculum and teaching guides for instructors.

1. Expected Contract Type

Firm Fixed Price

1. Scope

The project will require the contractor(s) to complete the following during the contract term: 

1. Meet with IDAT leadership and USIP’s project team to discuss the exact needs of the Academy in terms of English for Diplomacy. During this meeting, IDAT leadership will explain to the contractor how the English for Diplomacy course will fit into the student’s other academic priorities. During this meeting, IDAT will also clarify to the contractor the level of English proficiency that incoming students currently have. 
   1. Deliverable 1: Read-out of meeting with key action points 1 meeting day and 1 reporting day

1. Develop a full-fledged English for Diplomacy course tailored to IDAT needs, including:

• An overview and introduction to the curriculum
• Detailed breakdown of weekly topics or units
• Lesson plans
• Teaching materials, resources, and exercises
• Assessment methods and rubrics 
• Supplementary materials and references 
• Additional pages for appendices, glossaries, or resources

The length could be influenced by the level of detail, the inclusion of multimedia resources, case studies, assessments, and the teaching methodologies employed. It’s also common for these documents to include various components that contribute to their overall length.

1. Deliverable 2: First draft of curriculum presented to IDAT and USIP for review and comments

(50-200 pages)

1. Deliverable 3: Finalized curriculum incorporating the feedback of IDAT and USIP to ensure it is culturally and contextually appropriate. 

(50-200 pages)

1. Training for IDAT English Language Instructors. The contractor will train the IDAT instructors on the curriculum in order to ensure that they will be able to fully and effectively deliver the course to students. 
   1. Deliverable 4: Summary report of training (2-4 pages)5 training days and 1 reporting day

1. Other Requirements

The contractor should be available for periodic check-in meetings with USIP and IDAT staff in the event of a change in timeline or a potential request to add or remove certain aspects of the curriculum. The contractor can participate in any or all of the meetings and engagements with USIP and IDAT remotely or in-person if the contractor is based in Tunisia. Travel to Tunisia is not required.

1. Tentative Timeline 

A tentative timeline for the completion of deliverables is provided below. USIP will work with the selected proposer to finalize deliverables and deliverable due dates upon selection. 

• Submission Requirements

Any proposal that does not contain all items listed below may be considered nonresponsive. For more detail on the selection process, including corresponding evaluation criteria, please see Section V below. To be considered under this RFP, please submit the following:

1. Technical Narrative Proposal 

The technical narrative proposal should be no more than 15 pages and include the following sections:

• Prior Experience

Describe at least two projects of similar scope and complexity completed previously. Provide a point of contact with email addresses for each of the described projects. 

• Overall Approach and Methodology

Based on the information provided, describe the proposed approach to curriculum development and the delivery of the curriculum to IDAT instructors. 

• Key Personnel, Staffing, and Specific Expertise

Describe the key personnel, their role, their level of knowledge and how their experience is related and beneficial. 

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

For each of the key personnel, please provide a CV of no more than three pages. CVs will not count towards technical narrative proposal page limit.

1. Cost Proposal 

The cost proposal shall include a detailed budget and a budget narrative. Budget must be in US dollars and in a spreadsheet format (e.g., Excel). Please note that USIP allows nonprofit organizations to include up to 15% indirect cost recovery on total direct costs for contracts.

1. Financial Management Assessment Form  

Organizations must complete the Financial Management Assessment Form unless they have received Federal grants, contracts or cooperative agreements in the past two years and can provide their audited financial statement from their most recent fiscal year. Please reach out to mgallagher@usip.org to request a copy of the Financial Management Assessment Form if it is not attached to the solicitation.

1. Certification Page

Complete and sign the Certification Page below and submit with the proposal.

• Selection Process

1. Schedule 

USIP may adjust dates in the schedule or cancel this RFP at any time prior to contract award.

1. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the criteria below. For more detail on each submission requirement, see Section IV of this RFP. The USIP Selection Committee will review all proposals received on time using the evaluation criteria established below based on the best value offered to USIP. The Selection Committee reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, in whole or in part, to award multiple contracts, and/or to enter into negotiations with any party, in the best interests of the Institute. 

1. General Instructions and Terms 

1. Complete proposals must be submitted by email to  <lcsiebert@usip.org> & “Boukadida, Fatma” <fboukadida@usip.org> by 11:59 on 10/03/2024  .
2. The Institute is not liable for any costs incurred by offerors prior to issuance of an executed contract with the Institute. 
3. Submissions must be typed and submitted electronically and must include all submission requirements outlined in the Submission of Requirements section of this RFP. No changes or corrections to a response will be allowed after the deadline.
4. All submissions should be in English and US dollars. 
5. Any questions concerning this RFP should be directed to <lcsiebert@usip.org> & “Boukadida, Fatma” <fboukadida@usip.org>. Pertinent responses will be made available to all offerors by email. No inquiries will be accepted after specified time and date.
6. Any proposal not addressing all RFP requirements may be considered non-responsive. Late proposals may be rejected as non-responsive.
7. This RFP is not an offer to enter into an agreement with any party, but rather a request to receive proposals from offerors (organizations or persons) interested in providing the services outlined herein. Such proposals shall be considered and treated by USIP as offers to enter into a contract. 
8. USIP shall not be obligated for the payment of any sums whatsoever to any recipient of this RFP until and unless a written contract between the parties is executed.
9. Unless stated otherwise within this RFP, the selected Contractor shall be responsible for providing all equipment and/or supplies required to perform the services.
10. The selected Contractor shall not discriminate against any person in accordance with Federal, state, or local law.
11. The submission of any materials to USIP in response to this RFP will constitute (i) a representation that the Offeror owns or has unrestricted license to use and license such materials and all intellectual property expressed therein; and (ii) the grant of a non-exclusive license to USIP to use such materials and intellectual property for any purpose, including specifically the evaluation, negotiation, and documentation of a contract with any party.
12. Offeror will commit to adhering to the attached USIP Terms & Conditions, else risk removal from consideration. Exceptions to these terms must be clearly outlined in an annex to the Technical Narrative Proposal. Please reach out to <lcsiebert@usip.org> & “Boukadida, Fatma” <fboukadida@usip.org>  to request a copy of USIP Terms and Conditions if they are not attached to the solicitation.

RFP English for Diplomacy Updated 24 Jan Final Clean