Advancing Digital Democracy

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development is seeking proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing the services as described in this solicitation. USAID invites all interested and responsible organizations to submit offers in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation.

USAID anticipates the award of a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee, Term-Type Contract for a five (5) year period of performance as a result of this RFP. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this solicitation is 541990.

The procurement will be conducted through full and open competition, under which any type of organization (large or small commercial [for profit] firms, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations) is eligible to compete. The procedures set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15 apply.

USAID encourages, to the maximum extent practicable, teaming agreements, joint ventures and subcontracting with U.S. Small Businesses. The Offeror shall identify the utilization of U.S. Small Business Concerns and non-U.S. businesses/organizations by filling out and submitting the attached forms located in the Excel Template (J.7) as part of Phase Two submissions.

The Government intends to conduct the evaluation and selection process in two phases. This is a voluntary down-select process as described in the solicitation. All Offeror’s responding to Phase One are eligible to continue to Phase Two although Offeror’s will be advised after evaluation of Phase One proposals on whether they are considered viable and encouraged to continue. Please refer to Section L for detailed information regarding the Offeror's submission of proposals in Phase One and Phase Two.

Failure to comply with the submission dates and times indicated above may result in a submission being deemed late, as such it will not be reviewed or evaluated. Faxed proposals are not acceptable, nor will they be reviewed or evaluated. Section M states the factors and criteria by which proposals will be evaluated for both Phase One and Phase Two.

Please note, the Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract without discussions with Offerors (except clarifications as described in FAR 15.306(a)). However, if the Contracting Officer deems discussions necessary, then discussions will be held with Offerors in the competitive range.

The proposals must be prepared in accordance with instructions included in Section L and will be evaluated based on the evaluation factors and criteria contained in Section M of this RFP.

If changes are made to the submission closing date and time, as well as other aspects of the RFP, this solicitation will be amended. Amendments will be issued and posted on https://sam.gov/content/home. Offerors are encouraged to monitor this website periodically for such postings. All questions and requests for clarification must be submitted electronically no later than the deadline noted above to drg-add@usaid.gov.

Issuance of this solicitation does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation or submission of a proposal. Furthermore, the U.S. Government reserves the right to reject any offer, if such action is in the best interest of the U.S. Government.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely,

Mir Ershadullah

Contracting Officer