USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support (LENS) Project
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
RESEARCH SERVICES
GOVERNORATE/MUNICIPAL ECONOMIC PROFILES IN JORDAN
RFP Date of Issuance:
Deadline for Applications:
1.
February 6, 2014
February 14, 2014
Program Background
The USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project (LENS) aims to support the development of an
inclusive enabling environment for economic development in selected municipalities, and to assist
existing micro and small enterprises (MSEs), and new entrepreneurs, to benefit from it. Support to
MSEs, particularly among underserved populations and municipalities, will promote their ability to
identify and capitalize on business opportunities, through improved ability to recognize and meet
product and service market demands. Increased clarity in the institutional, legal and financial aspects
of municipal governance and improved capacity to promote economic growth will enable municipal
leaders to effectively pursue development plans.
2.
Objective of Assignment
The USAID LENS Project will support municipalities to develop and implement economic growth
strategies and support MSE development in target sectors within those geographic regions. The
design of specific LENS activities must be based on a thorough understanding of the current
conditions and future needs for private sector development in target regions. This research will
result in detailed municipal profiles, including baseline analysis and economic needs assessment that
provide detailed information on the challenges to, and opportunities for, private sector growth.
3.
Tasks
Illustrative tasks are listed below. These will be conducted under the direction of the MSE Lead, the
LED Lead, and the Technical Advisor:
(a)
Design approach for governorate/municipal economic profiles for East Amman, Irbid, Zarqa,
Aqaba, and Tafileh, including the following components:
(i)
Audit of economic activities by governorate/municipality and sector, highlighting
current and potential for future growth.
(ii)
Finalize criteria for selection of municipalities.
(iii)
Sector selection for priority sectors to be supported by LENS
(iv)
Audit of existing skill sets, training opportunities and tracking of graduates by
municipality within identified sectors.
(v)
Audit of municipal structures, operations and functions of LDUs and other local
government institutions. Address and research the structure, fiscal transfers, intergovernmental arrangements (governorate vs. municipal engagement between LDUs and
MOI and MOMA), etc.
T: +962 6 5933116 | F: +962 6 5934554 | www.fhi360.org
38 Sulieman al Hadidi Street Amman Jordan | PO Box 1252 Amman 11821 Jordan
USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support (LENS) Project
(b) Collect secondary data as available from the Jordan Bureau of Statistics, local consulting firms,
projects and other sources. Data by governorate/municipalities will include but not be limited
to the most recent economic establishments census, demographics, etc.
(c)
Conduct primary research on sector challenges and potential by municipality through
interviews with key informants, engagement with LDUs, municipal councils, and other
stakeholders, to determine what municipalities and the private sector are currently doing and
how they view their needs.
(d) Engage a survey firm (under a separate scope of work) to design and implement a household
survey to determine economic activity, level of engagement with municipalities, perceptions of
municipal capacity and service provision.
4.
Deliverables
The firm shall be responsible for preparing and submitting the following deliverables:
Deliverables
Due Date
(i)
Finalize criteria and select target municipalities (3-5 per governorate)
March 1
(ii)
Audit of economic activities by municipality and sector for one or more
municipalities, highlighting current and potential for future growth. Incorporate
and build on the findings of the Financial Market Assessment produced by LENS
staff.
March 20
Assessment of sector-specific data and recommendations for priority sectors
March 20
Audit of existing skill sets, training opportunities, and graduates within
identified sectors for one or more municipalities
TBD
Audit of municipal structures. Following the research design developed by the
LENS LED team, map the structure, operations and functions of LDUs and other
local government institutions for one or more municipalities.
TBD
Draft Municipal Economic Profiles for one or more municipalities
TBD
5.
Duration and Location
The work will be carried out in Jordan. The total duration of the assignment is expected to be
approximately 2 months, beginning on or about February 20, 2014 until April 20, 2014.
6.
Application Process
6.1
Submissions
Submissions must be prepared in English and delivered electronically by “Due Date of Application”,
to the following address: bmillis@fhi360.org
Emailed submissions must contain the subject line “USAID LENS – Economic Profiles.”
T: +962 6 5933116 | F: +962 6 5934554 | www.fhi360.org
38 Sulieman al Hadidi Street Amman Jordan | PO Box 1252 Amman 11821 Jordan
USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support (LENS) Project
All submissions should include:
1) A summary (max. 3 pages) of the applicant’s approach to developing municipal
economic profiles.
2) CVs for proposed personnel (max. 5 pages).
3) Descriptions of three relevant past experiences (max. 2 pages for all)
4) Detailed budget by task in local Currency (JOD) using the budget template in Appendix A
5) A brief narrative explanation and justification for each line item and include data to
support actual costs and/or methodologies to support cost estimates. Budget notes
serve as justification for each cost included in a budget; they should be presented in
such a way as to be easily referenced from the budget; and they should provide
sufficient information so that FHI 360 may sufficiently review a proposed budget for
reasonableness. All projected costs must be in accordance with the organization’s
standard practices and policies. The budget narrative template is in Appendix B.
6.2
Evaluation Criteria
All applications received by the stated closing date will be evaluated and ranked according to the
selection criteria below:
Criterion
Weight
Technical approach to developing municipal economic profiles
Past experience developing municipal profiles or similar research products and
operating in municipalities
Experience working with USAID in Jordan and experience of proposed personnel
Reasonableness of price
40%
Total
100%
30%
20%
10%
Following completion of the technical review, a Selection Committee of 3-5 FHI 360 employees will
evaluate the applications.
6.3
Timing
Applications must be received no later than the “Due Date for Applications”. It is not anticipated that
late applications will be reviewed; however, FHI 360 reserves the right to consider any late
applications for review, at its sole discretion. It is anticipated that the successful applicant will be
contacted on or about two weeks after the “Due Date for Applications”.
6.4
Contract Mechanism & Terms of Payment
FHI 360 anticipates issuing a cost reimbursable subcontract to one or more offeror.
T: +962 6 5933116 | F: +962 6 5934554 | www.fhi360.org
38 Sulieman al Hadidi Street Amman Jordan | PO Box 1252 Amman 11821 Jordan
USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support (LENS) Project
7.
Disclaimers and FHI 360 Protection Clauses
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
FHI 360 may cancel solicitation and not award
FHI 360 may reject any or all responses received
Issuance of solicitation does not constitute award commitment by FHI 360
FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on offeror failure to follow
solicitation instructions
FHI 360 will not compensate offerors for response to solicitation
FHI 360 reserves the right to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers
without further discussion
FHI 360 may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation, or issue
multiple awards based on the solicitation activities.
FHI 360 reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be
corrected prior to award determination to promote competition.
FHI 360 will be contacting offerors to confirm contact person, address and that bid
was submitted for this solicitation.
Certification of Independent Price Determination
The offeror certifies that—
(1) The prices in this offer have been arrived at independently, without, for the purpose of
restricting competition, any consultation, communication, or agreement with any other
offeror, including but not limited to subsidiaries or other entities in which offeror has any
ownership or other interests, or any competitor relating to (i) those prices, (ii) the intention to
submit an offer, or (iii) the methods or factors used to calculate the prices offered;
(2) The prices in this offer have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the offeror,
directly or indirectly, to any other offeror, including but not limited to subsidiaries or other
entities in which offeror has any ownership or other interests, or any competitor before bid
opening (in the case of a sealed bid solicitation) or contract award (in the case of a negotiated
or competitive solicitation) unless otherwise required by law; and
(3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the offeror to induce any other concern or
individual to submit or not to submit an offer for the purpose of restricting competition or
influencing the competitive environment.
(a) Each signature on the offer is considered to be a certification by the signatory that the
signatory—
(1) Is the person in the offeror's organization responsible for determining the prices being offered
in this bid or proposal, and that the signatory has not participated and will not participate in
any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above; or
(2) (i) Has been authorized, in writing, to act as agent for the principals of the offeror in certifying
that those principals have not participated, and will not participate in any action contrary to
subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above;
(ii) As an authorized agent, does certify that the principals of the offeror have not participated,
and will not participate, in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above;
and
(iii) As an agent, has not personally participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary
to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above.
(b) Offeror understands and agrees that -(1) violation of this certification will result in immediate disqualification from this solicitation
without recourse and may result in disqualification from future solicitations; and
(2) discovery of any violation after award to the offeror will result in the termination of the award
for default.
T: +962 6 5933116 | F: +962 6 5934554 | www.fhi360.org
38 Sulieman al Hadidi Street Amman Jordan | PO Box 1252 Amman 11821 Jordan
USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support (LENS) Project
LATE SUBMISSIONS, MODIFICATIONS, AND WITHDRAWALS OF PROPOSALS
At the discretion of FHI 360, any proposal received at the office designated in the solicitation after
the exact date and time specified for the receipt may not be considered unless it is received before
award is made and it was determined by FHI 360 that the late receipt was due solely to mishandling
by FHI 360 after receipt at its offices.
Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice via email received at any time before award.
FALSE STATEMENT IN OFFER
Vendors must provide full, accurate and complete information as required by this solicitation and its
attachments.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Budget Template
Attachment B – Budget Narrative Template
– END OF RFP –
T: +962 6 5933116 | F: +962 6 5934554 | www.fhi360.org
38 Sulieman al Hadidi Street Amman Jordan | PO Box 1252 Amman 11821 Jordan