Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, governance, and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro DC area) Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Creative is soliciting offers for technical expertise in accordance with the Scope of Work below and Creative’s Renewable Consultant Agreement Terms and Conditions available here. Creative intends to award one or more Work Orders with accompanying Renewable Consultant Agreement(s) (RCA(s)) under which work may be negotiated and awarded as ad hoc level of effort (LOE) or one-time LOE or fixed-price performance-based activities. Creative reserves the right to make multiple awards or no award as a result of this solicitation.

Summary:

Creative is seeking a Consultant to serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on business development efforts.

RFQ closing date: September 30, 2024 at 5PM EST (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Reporting: Reporting is determined at each individual Work Order level.

Travel Anticipated? Possible.

If yes, travel to Danger Pay locations anticipated? Possible.

This RFQ is for a ___One-time Work Order _X__Ad Hoc Work Order

(check which one applies)

*One-off work orders constitute one-time assignments with a finite beginning and end.

*Ad hoc work orders constitute an arrangement in which work will be authorized as needed by Creative for a prolonged period of time not to exceed one year.

Tasks To Be Performed:

• Provide information on the proposal’s target geographic and/or technical areas via desk research, personal knowledge, networking, and other information gathering methods;
• Provide targeted intelligence on competitive environment; donor-funded project history, and development landscape;
• Provide technical inputs and/or reviews and feedback to the proposals’ technical design;
• Draft reports, assessments, narratives, etc. on relevant areas of expertise;
• Review iterative proposal drafts related to area of expertise;
• Provide recommendations for potential partners and key stakeholders working in the targeted technical and geographic areas;
• Participate in calls with the proposal development team as requested;
• Assist with other related logistical support related to capture and/or live phases of the proposal development process; and
• Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant.

Other Matters

Code Approver. The Code Approver will be determined at each individual Work Order.

Special Terms. Oversight of day-to-day activities will be determined at each individual Work Order. 

Travel. Work Orders may include travel costs, and meals and incidental costs (M&IE) budgeted in accordance with State Department Foreign Per Diem Rates for travel. All proposed costs, if approved, will be reimbursable only upon submission and Creative acceptance of receipts/supporting documentation. 

Invoicing. Consultant may include incidental costs incurred while working on the assignment (e.g., phone or internet credit). All proposed costs, if approved, will be reimbursable only upon submission and Creative acceptance of receipts/supporting documentation. 

An overarching Renewable Consultant Agreement will be issued based on the capabilities and qualifications listed below as well as those listed in the individual’s submitted CV.

General Capabilities

The SME Consultant will be expected to have the skills, qualifications, experience, education, and general expertise necessary to provide contextual, strategic geographic, and/or technical inputs to support the positioning of Creative Associate for anticipated opportunities (capture and proposal development).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, International Relations, Business Administration, or a field related to one or more of Creative’s priority sectors of Education, Economic Growth and Communities in Transition preferred;
• Demonstrated experience providing technical support for USAID and/or other international donor programs in relevant technical areas;
• At least five years of professional experience in a relevant technical field.
• Strong research and communication skills;
• Ability to build productive institutional relationships; and
• Written and spoken proficiency in English and [local language if relevant].

 Desired Areas of Expertise

• Expertise in one or more of the following (not an exhaustive list):
  • Conflict prevention
  • Early grade reading
  • Economic growth
  • Education programming and policy frameworks
  • Education-related training and capacity building
  • Education systems
  • Knowledge of conflict programming and policy frameworks guiding USAID work
  • Knowledge of economic growth programming and policy frameworks guiding USAID work
  • Peacebuilding
  • Stabilization
  • USAID/OTI
  • Workforce development
  • Youth programming

Work Assignment:

Consultants with the requisite qualifications will be given a work order with accompanying renewable consulting agreement (RCA) which contains Creative’s general terms and conditions and which establishes a consultant’s rate for a one-year period, after which rate increases may be negotiated when this agreement renews. Subsequent work orders may be issued under the RCA with consultants being required to compete against other similarly qualified consultants in order to receive additional work orders.

Additional Information:

Please click on the links to download the Terms and Conditions, Annex A (Reps, Certs and Consents form) and W-8; W-9; and Vendor Information form, as applicable. The forms are provided for your information at this stage in the solicitation process. Completed forms will be required only if you have been selected for the consulting opportunity. However, you may complete, sign, and submit the forms as part of your response to this request.

Application Requirements:

Consultant should submit:

• Their daily rate
• A budget inclusive of estimated LOE and all required Other Direct Costs, such as travel, materials, etc. A budget template can be downloaded here.
• Up-to-date CV
• Optional: Forms linked under the “Additional Information Section” above

 Selection will be made on the basis of technical capability and overall best value. Modifications to this solicitation, including closing date extensions, will be posted on the Creative website. Please check the website for updates. Please note that RCAs lock in a consultant’s rate for one full year and this rate may not be re-negotiated again until the point of renewal.

NOTE:

*LOE-based Work Orders utilize a ceiling price which may not be exceeded without negotiation.

*Fixed-price based Work Orders lock in a total price to be paid in portions upon completion of deliverables which may not be altered without negotiation. This type of WO may only be used for one-off opportunities.