Request for Proposals
United States Institute of Peace
Policy Options to Advance Peaceful, Inclusive, and Democratic Transitions
Africa and United States
Release Date: March 15, 2024
RFP Due Date: 5:00 pm EST on April 1, 2024
Refer Questions to:
Submit Proposals to:
Shobit Manchanda
Shobit Manchanda
Smanchanda@usip.org
smanchanda@usip.org
Do not use the Apply Button on this page.
Pertinent responses will be made available to all offerors by e-mail. No inquiries will be accepted after specified time and date.
The response must be submitted by time and date listed above to be considered.
Introduction and Background
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for the United States and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. For more information, please visit http://www.usip.org.
The dramatic rise in the number of coups and coup attempts demands a focused, nuanced, and informed response. In countries impacted by coups, public opinion research indicates that citizens continue to express their preference for a democratic, accountable government. At the same time, citizens indicate a deep frustration and dissatisfaction that elected governments and current governance systems have failed to deliver. In the face of persistent and spreading violent extremism and growing economic hardship, there is an urgent need to restore security and chart a path towards a governing system that can be responsive and accountable to citizen priorities.
Engagement and assistance from international partners need to be tailored to the complexity of the political transition and the context that gave rise to it. At the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the U.S. government announced the African Democratic and Political Transitions (ADAPT) initiative, totaling $75 million over three years. ADAPT enables the U.S. Government to partner with regional bodies, governments, and civil society to support successful, stable, and sustainable democratic transitions. This initiative is just one tool of many that could be utilized to support democratic transitions in the region. Effective support will depend on a coherent approach by the U.S. government and genuine partnerships, including the activation of approaches from the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
USIP’s Africa Center is committed to strengthening local and regional networks of peacebuilders, including women and youth and working with political, security, and civic leaders, as well as their institutions, who can shape and redefine peace processes. Pursuant to these commitments, the Africa Center seeks to support peaceful, democratic political transitions. This goal will be achieved through 1) identifying policy options and approaches for international and regional partners that advance peaceful, democratic political transition and are anchored in the context and national priorities and aspirations and 2) providing timely, politically relevant assistance to key pillars of society to anchor a political transition that addresses citizen priorities, including security, and sequences elections, when ripe, among various transition processes and needs. Through this RFP, the Africa Center seeks to advance the first objective.
Purpose of the RFP
USIP is seeking organizations, think tanks, peace institutes, youth NGOs, practitioners, and leading U.S. and African researchers to develop actionable and practical policy option papers. The short papers will address pertinent themes, questions and policy dilemmas and engage reputed experts and practitioners [in the transitions space] into a Political Transitions Working Group (PTWG).
* Scope of Work
Background
The PTWG provides a forum to share practical, actionable approaches and options to address the key policy priorities, barriers, and challenges related to political transitions in Africa. The Group harnesses the expertise of those serving within the U.S. government while also drawing on recommendations from academic research and knowledge from leading researchers and practitioners, think tanks, peace institutions, youth NGOs, and organizations working on democracy, governance, and political transitions-related themes. Priority countries of attention include Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Mali, Gabon, and Sudan but lessons will be drawn for political transitions more broadly.
USIP intends to broaden its network of people to participate in the PTWG by inviting authors to join the working group. USIP will also identify individuals well-suited to provide timely options and advice to policy leaders in the United States and its partners, including the African Union, Regional Economic Communities (REC’s) and member states, related to political transitions and possibly consider them to join a bench of experts to substantively contribute to USIP publications, memos, white papers, program design and concept notes.
Project Goals and Objectives
The PTWG serves to analyze country-specific democratic transitions and complex and urgent questions facing the United States, its partners and allies, including the examples below. This project aims to address these complex and urgent questions through the production of policy option papers.
Priority Questions:
* Prevention: What indicators or trends signal that countries are on the verge of a successful coup or unconstitutional change of government?
* Reflecting on practice, research and policy: What are lessons learned from policymakers, both U.S. and otherwise, and academics that have engaged on political transitions in Africa in years past, considering missteps, missed opportunities, and best practices? Are there any successful political transitions that we can learn from?
* Proactive approaches: As some national leaders across the Africa continent age without definite succession plans, how can the United States prepare to support sustainable leadership transitions, and with whom should the United States proactively build relationships?
* Sequencing and long-term approaches: How can the United States support progress toward sustainable post-coup elections and institutions while advancing other core transition processes, tasks, and steps?
* Frozen transitions: What are the indicators that a transition has “frozen” and is no longer making progress towards its original targets? What are options for U.S. and regional policy engagements and approaches in the context of a frozen transition?
Other Questions:
* Partnership approaches: How can the United States build on existing partnerships with regional organizations, the African Union, the U.N. and other partners to advance peaceful, democratic political transitions? What organizations and institutions hold the most influence concerning transitions across Sub-Saharan Africa?
* Investment analysis: How can the United States secure private-sector partnerships that are more influential in private sector economies that are tied to an unconstitutional change of government? Would greater foreign direct investment by the U.S. support a greater likelihood of peaceful, democratic transitions?
* Diplomatic strategies and tools: What are practical steps that policy makers can take to advance U.S. national security priorities and long-term peaceful, democratic transitions – considering both incentives (development and security assistance, and promotion of private investment, and others) and punitive measures or non-recognition of coup-installed governments? How is diplomacy most effectively conducted across these engagements?
* Information and disinformation: What role does disinformation, from internal or external sources, play in promoting instability and undermining credible actors and institutions – whether through social media or mainstream media — and how can the U.S. and partners promote alternative, fact-based discourse?
* Regional and global dynamics: How does the influence, resources, and presence of Russia, private military corporations, China, Gulf actors, and other regional powers impact the sustainability of democratic political transitions, and how can the U.S. best calibrate its diplomatic engagement and assistance approaches?
* Security and sequencing: In countries that are facing persistent threats from internal or external violence or violent extremism, what are options for U.S. and regional policy makers to stabilize the country and make progress towards a peaceful, democratic transition?
Expected Contract Type
Firm Fixed Price
Scope
The selected offeror(s) will draw on existing analyses and research to produce practical and actionable policy option papers based on the themes referenced above.
The project will require the researcher(s) to complete the following for each policy paper during the contract term:
* Submit an outline that includes initial data collection and sample bibliography for approval by USIP before commencing work. Hold a virtual kickoff meeting to discuss priorities and expectations.
* Deliverable #1: Outline and Kickoff Meeting (1-2 pages)
* Produce a draft policy option paper based on one of the themes/subjects referenced above. The paper should be practical with actionable policy options. It should include a brief executive summary that is maximum ½ to 1 page long.
+ Deliverable #2: Draft Policy Option Paper (5-8 pages)
* Submit a final policy option paper based on the feedback provided by USIP on the draft paper.
+ Deliverable #3: Final Policy Option Paper (5-8 pages)
* Collaborate with USIP on its web content by contributing to analysis and commentary, Q&As, or a vlog interview on USIP’s “The Latest.”
+ Deliverable #4: Contribute to USIP’s web content
* Closed door briefing with USIP, U.S. government, and other relevant stakeholders on findings of the policy option paper.
+ Deliverable #5: Final debrief
Tentative Timeline
A tentative timeline for the completion of deliverables is provided below. USIP will work with the selected proposer to finalize deliverables and deliverable due dates upon selection.
Deliverables
Estimated Due Date
1
Outline and Kickoff Meeting
1 week after signing the contract
2.
Draft Policy Option Paper
3 weeks after approval of Del. 1
3.
Final Policy Option Paper
2 weeks after approval of Del. 2
4.
Web Content
To be determined by USIP upon approval of Del. 3
5.
Debrief
To be determined by USIP upon awarding contract
Submission Requirements
USIP expects to make multiple awards, therefore, offerors are welcome to express interest in several of the themes noted in Section III B. Any proposal that does not contain all items listed below may be considered nonresponsive. For more detail on the selection process, including corresponding evaluation criteria, please see Section V below. To be considered under this RFP, please submit the following:
Technical Narrative Proposal
The technical narrative proposal should be no more than 5 pages and include the following sections:
Policy Research Question and Overall Approach and Methodology
Based on the information provided, identify the policy research question(s) and describe the proposed approach, data collection, data analysis, methodology, and development of conclusions. As noted above, the final methodology will be developed in consultation with USIP.
Prior Experience & References
Describe at least two projects of similar scope and complexity the offeror has worked on previously. Provide a point of contact with telephone number and email address for each of the described projects.
Key Personnel, Staffing Plan, and Specific Expertise
Describe the key personnel, their role, their level of knowledge, and how their experience is related and beneficial. Describe the overall staffing plan for the project.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
For each of the key personnel, please provide a CV of no more than three pages. CVs will not count towards technical narrative proposal page limit.
Cost Proposal
The cost proposal shall include a detailed budget and a budget narrative. Budget must be in US dollars and in a spreadsheet format (e.g., Excel). The budget ceiling per policy paper is $5,000. USIP expects to make multiple awards, therefore, offerors are welcome to express interest in several themes noted above.
Financial Management Assessment Form
Organizations must complete the Financial Management Assessment Form unless they have received Federal grants, contracts or cooperative agreements in the past two years and can provide their audited financial statement from their most recent fiscal year. Please reach out to Shobit Manchanda (smanchanda@usip.org) to request a copy of the Financial Management Assessment Form if it is not attached to the solicitation.
Certification Page
Complete and sign the Certification Page below and submit with the proposal.
- Selection Process
- Schedule
Date
Schedule
March 15, 2024
RFP issued
March 20, 2024
Intent to bid, specifying interest in priority questions and other questions, emailed to smanchanda@usip.org by 12:00pm Eastern Standard Time.
March 22, 2024
Questions concerning RFP and project emailed to smanchanda@usip.org no later than 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time.
March 26, 2024
Answers to questions will be made available to all offerors.
April 1, 2024
Proposals are due no later than 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Late submissions may not be accepted.
April 5, 2024
Notification to selected offeror
April 29, 2024
Estimated project commencement date
USIP may adjust dates in the schedule or cancel this RFP at any time prior to contract award.
Evaluation Criteria
The USIP Africa Center seeks innovative proposals that clearly articulate a desired outcome and approach towards the project goal and objectives. Proposals will be evaluated based on the criteria below. For more detail on each submission requirement, see Section IV of this RFP. The USIP Selection Committee will review all proposals received on time using the evaluation criteria established below based on the best value offered to USIP. The Selection Committee reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, in whole or in part, to award multiple contracts, and/or to enter into negotiations with any party, in the best interests of the Institute.
Evaluation Criteria
Weight
Technical Narrative Proposal
Policy Research Question & Overall Approach and Methodology
30%
Prior Experience &References
25%
Key Personnel, Staffing Plan, and Specific Expertise
15%
Cost Proposal
30%
- General Instructions and Terms
- Complete proposals must be submitted by email to smanchanda@usip.org by 5:00pm EST on April 1, 2024.
- The Institute is not liable for any costs incurred by offerors prior to issuance of an executed contract with the Institute.
- Submissions must be typed and submitted electronically and must include all submission requirements outlined in the Submission of Requirements section of this RFP. No changes or corrections to a response will be allowed after the deadline.
- All submissions should be in English and US dollars.
- Any questions concerning this RFP should be directed to Shobit Manchanda at smanchanda@usip.org. Pertinent responses will be made available to all offerors by email. No inquiries will be accepted after specified time and date.
- Any proposal not addressing all RFP requirements may be considered non-responsive. Late proposals may be rejected as non-responsive.
- This RFP is not an offer to enter into an agreement with any party, but rather a request to receive proposals from offerors (organizations or persons) interested in providing the services outlined herein. Such proposals shall be considered and treated by USIP as offers to enter into a contract.
- USIP shall not be obligated for the payment of any sums whatsoever to any recipient of this RFP until and unless a written contract between the parties is executed.
- Unless stated otherwise within this RFP, the selected Contractor shall be responsible for providing all equipment and/or supplies required to perform the services.
- The selected Contractor shall not discriminate against any person in accordance with Federal, state, or local law.
- The submission of any materials to USIP in response to this RFP will constitute (i) a representation that the Offeror owns or has unrestricted license to use and license such materials and all intellectual property expressed therein; and (ii) the grant of a non-exclusive license to USIP to use such materials and intellectual property for any purpose, including specifically the evaluation, negotiation, and documentation of a contract with any party.
- Offeror will commit to adhering to the attached USIP Terms & Conditions, else risk removal from consideration. Exceptions to these terms must be clearly outlined in an annex to the Technical Narrative Proposal. Please reach out to Shobit Manchanda at smanchanda@usip.org to request a copy of USIP Terms and Conditions if they are not attached to the solicitation.
Certification Page
(Please submit with the proposal)
A. The Offeror certifies that: (1) Prices in the offer have been arrived at independently without consultation, communication, or agreement with any other competitor; (2) Prices in the offer have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the offeror, directly or indirectly, to any other competitor before bid opening or contract award unless otherwise required by law; and (3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the offeror to induce any other competitor to/not to submit an offer for the purpose of restricting competition.
B. Has the offeror received funding from USIP? Yes/No
If yes, provide the grant or contract number and the offeror’s main point of contact at USIP:___________________________________________________________________________________
On Behalf of Offeror:
Name of Organization or Independent Contractor
Signature of Authorized Official
Printed Name of Authorized Official
Title
Date
How to apply
To apply for this position, please use the following URL:
https://ars2.equest.com/?response_id=c48249918396673d80ee88f95f963968