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 qualified and experienced technical consultants to support an upcoming governance opportunity in Guatemala.  

RFQ closing date: May 10, 2024, at 5pm PM EST (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Estimated period of performance: May 10, 2024 – September 30, 2024

Estimated Level of Effort: not to exceed 15 days of LOE  

Reporting: The consultant will report to the Technical Lead Writer of new business opportunity identifies in Work Order.  

Travel Anticipated? No. 

If yes, travel to Danger Pay locations anticipated? No. 

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:

The Consultant will conduct in-country research and capture information to inform the anticipated Activity by leveraging their understanding of operating in Guatemala. The consultant will be reaching out to key local and national government stakeholders, CSOs, NGOs, and other critical actors, and scheduling meetings if needed to obtain current information and context. The consultant will also help to identify other relevant stakeholders and provide contextual, operational, and technical knowledge as needed by the proposal team. The Consultant will assist in answering several research questions as formulated by the proposal team. 

Country context  

• Provide information on the overall structure and relationships between central and local governments and among municipalities;
• Identify key subnational government priorities; and private sector and civil society priorities at subnational level;
• Describe barriers and opportunities to work with municipalities, private sector, and civil society;
• Identify unique localized challenges faced by municipalities particularly in the Western Highlands, as well as highlight successful municipalities or departments and why they have been successful; 
• Describe USAID and other international donor programming in these municipalities;
• Describe central, departmental and local government responsibilities, type of services they provide, challenges to service delivery;
• Describe the Local Development Planning process – both for municipalities and development councils -- and citizen engagement throughout this process;
• Provide insights into how the current political climate and new national government administration is affecting local governance and development.
• Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant.

Stakeholders and local public accountability mechanisms mapping   

• Provide recommendations and detailed information on potential partners and key stakeholders and relationships related to governance, development, and revenue resources; including relationships between governors and development councils , Departmental Technical Units (UTD), and municipalities;  
• Information on municipal finance and budgeting processes and key players involved, and related revenues;  
• (Once geographic focus on bid is determined) map local CSOs and CBOs working with priority local governments; 
• Identify specific needs of CSOs related to social accountability; their role in advocacy and communication campaigns and addressing disinformation;
• Identify existing public (formal and informal) accountability and transparency mechanisms, citizens -to- government participation mechanisms/communication channels or other platforms for citizen engagement in local governance e. via the system of Development Councils, Competitiveness Tables, Accountability Tables, Municipal Commissions;
• Any processes related to public information/transparency of municipal budgets and related spending.  
• Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant.

Coordination & Logistics   

• Coordinate with Creative's proposal development team(s), through regular correspondence and participation in calls as requested.
• Support capture trip(s) of Creative’s proposal development team by coordinating appointments with key stakeholders, potential partners, and local experts.
• Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant.

Results and/or Deliverables:

Consultant may be responsible for:

• Reports on the local governance and financial status in municipalities through desk research, personal knowledge, interviews, or outreach (format TBD with proposal team). 
• Recommendations and detailed information on potential partners, key stakeholders, and potential personnel.
• Detailed trip plans and meeting schedules for proposal team trip(s).
• Notes and key takeaways from meetings and interviews with local government actors, including pre-determined questions by Creative, key takeaways, opportunities, and proposed actions.  
• Report on existing public (formal and informal) accountability and transparency mechanisms, citizens -to- government communication channels or other platforms for citizen engagement in the local governance. 

Other Matters

Code Approver. The Code Approver 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. Timesheets and invoice templates will be provided to the Consultant for reference and use.  

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

Consultant will be expected to have the skills, qualifications, experience, education, and general expertise necessary to support the technical components of the capture and proposal development phases of a new business opportunity.  

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in a field related to Governance. Master’s degree preferred;
2. Knowledge of local governance programming and policy frameworks guiding USAID work;
3. At least five (5) years of professional, progressively responsible work experience in international development in the LAC region, e.g., experience in project implementation;
4. Experience working on conducting capture reconnaissance for USAID proposals in the LAC region; and;
5. Experience contributing to USAID and/or other international donor proposals and proposal development processes.

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.