RFQ closing date:  1/31/25 at 5PM EST

Background:

Creative Associates International, Inc. 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 qualifications listed below and Creative’s Renewable Consultant Ordering Agreement (RCOA) Terms and Conditions available here. Creative intends to award one or more RCOA(s) for a one-year period, which may then be continuously renewed, under which work may be negotiated as needed using level of effort (LOE) or fixed-price performance-based work orders. Creative reserves the right to make multiple awards or no award as a result of this solicitation.

Instructions

1. Review this solicitation in full.
2. Complete the Application section of this solicitation and submit it to Creative. RFQ - SME EG Consultant - Consultant Application
3. Submit the following documentation with your application:

• Up-to-date CV
• Submit the Application
• Optional: Completed forms linked under the “Additional Information Section” below

Applicants will be evaluated and scored based on their qualifications and experience in comparison with the criteria listed under the Qualifications section below. Only applicants who can successfully demonstrate the Key Qualifications listed and, as a result, obtain the minimum required score may be considered for award.

Summary/General Capabilities:

Creative is looking for a consultant to support initiatives related to economic growth, including but not limited to specific expertise in the following areas: market systems, livelihoods, workforce development, agriculture, blended finance, and green economy, within the organization. Please see the inclusive but not exhaustive list below of desired areas of expertise. Specifically, the consultant may be utilized to support the technical implementation of existing programs as well as the development of proposals in need of the stated expertise. Creative furthermore is looking to identify consultants with experience in at least one of the following geographic regions: Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and/or Eurasia. 

Illustrative Tasks To Be Performed:

The tasks listed below are meant to cover the various types of work that may be negotiated with Creative for either programs or proposals with economic growth components:

• Providing country context through research and info-gathering on the program and/or proposal’s target geographic and/or technical areas
• Connecting Creative teams with potential partners and key stakeholders working in relevant geographic and/or technical areas for program implementation and/or proposal efforts
• Providing technical evaluations of programmatic activities
• Drafting of reports, findings, and recommendations to support the implementation and improvement of activities and/or proposal sections
• Developing and/or conducting trainings for staff and/or beneficiaries
• Traveling to countries to conduct or contribute to capture missions in support of proposals or implementation of program activities, supporting travel planning and logistics as needed
• Contributing to the technical development and written portions of proposals as requested by Creative
• Developing and/or reviewing programmatic technical tools and approaches
• Reviewing, evaluating, and providing feedback on programmatic or proposal documents
• Attending meetings related to developing technical implementation strategies related to programs or proposals
• Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant.

Illustrative Results and/or Deliverables:

Consultant may be responsible to complete or deliver the following items for either programs or proposals with economic growth components:

• Written drafts of technical evaluations
• Written analysis or feedback of programmatic reports, data, or technical strategies or approaches
• Written sections of or feedback on various proposal documents
• Written notes or recommendations that result from either program or proposal-related meetings
• Written notes or recommendations that result from requested technical research, info-gathering, and/or networking
• Trip reports for any travel conducted in relation to specific proposal or programmatic activities
• Complete trainings for staff and/or beneficiaries and submission of associated training materials
• Other similar results or deliverables to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant

An overarching Renewable Consultant Ordering Agreement (RCOA) will be issued based on the applicant’s qualifications that align with those listed below as well as those listed in the individual’s submitted CV. Work orders for specific Scopes of Work that require this experience may be negotiated and issued against the RCOA as needed and in accordance with the consultant’s availability.

Qualifications

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations or a field related to economics.
• 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. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in economic growth programming.
• Knowledge of economic growth programming and policy frameworks guiding USAID work.
• Experience and/or familiarity with programs and/or proposals in the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and/or Eurasia.
• Previous experience or familiarity with Creative business development.
• Strong research and communication skills.
• Ability to build productive institutional relationships.
• Professional proficiency in French, Spanish, or Arabic.

Other Matters

Reporting: The consultant will report to the Creative employee designated on their individual Work Orders.

Travel. Creative prefers to organize travel directly for consultants to ensure compliance with federal regulations and Creative policies and procedures. Please assume that all travel is coordinated by Creative staff unless otherwise negotiated at the Work Order level.

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.

Danger Pay. If applicable, Danger Pay is calculated in accordance with the Department of State’s published rates and paid on 80% of the consultant’s daily rate for days worked in danger pay-designated location unless otherwise negotiated at the Work Order level. Per diem rates are also based on those set by the Department of State.

Invoicing. Consultant may include incidental costs incurred while working on the assignment (e.g., printing). All proposed costs, if approved, will be reimbursable only upon submission and Creative acceptance of receipts/supporting documentation. Please send your invoice, invoice timesheet, and supporting documentation to the Creative employee designated on your Work Order.

Further management arrangements for the completion of specific assignments will be negotiated at the Work Order level.

Work Assignments:

Consultants with the requisite qualifications will be given a Renewable Consultant Ordering Agreement (RCOA) which contains Creative’s general terms and conditions and establishes a consultant’s rate for a one-year period, after which rate increases may be negotiated when this agreement renews.

Specific assignments will be negotiated and agreed upon via Work Orders, as needed in line with the consultant’s availability, with specific scopes of work that are in line with the capabilities, tasks, and deliverables outlined above. The consultant will be required to submit a budget which must be vetted and approved by Creative for any specific work that will be contracted out via 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.

Selection will be made on the basis of technical capability and rate reasonableness. Modifications to this solicitation, including closing date extensions, will be posted on the Creative website. Please check the website for updates. Please note that RCOAs 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 not to exceed ceiling price and number of work days which may not be exceeded without modification to the Work Order.

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