The US Agency for International Development hereby provides notice of its intent to issue a modification, which increases the Total Estimated Cost of the Knowledge-Driven Microenterprise Development 8a competitive, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to The QED Group, LLC, 1250 I St., NW, Suite 1100, Washington DC 20005. USAID plans to increase the Total Estimated Cost by $10 million. Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition has been prepared. The period of performance remains 60 months from May 14, 2008. The contract supports the work of EGAT/PR/MD and to a number of other USAID units through buy-ins that support some critical Agency priorities. Activities capture and share knowledge, promote learning, and refine knowledge generation. Methods include document repositories and interactive forums hosted on the microLINKS and PovertyFrontiers websites, among others; blended/continuous learning for new hires and technical backstops in private enterprise and agriculture; communications products and engagement strategies; Activities supported through the core program continue to become more complex as new social media and other technologies develop, and new ways of using them are found; and with a higher-than-expected utilization of the grant mechanism by the core program and the learning networks associated with those grants. The Knowledge-Driven International Development (KDID) web platform will soon launch but will take significant time and resources to mature in terms of content, use, and integration across activities. And the blended learning approach, which reflects and operationalizes the principles incorporated into the Corporate Training Strategy (commissioned by USAID/M/OHR), and thus will prove an important model throughout USAID, will also take time to mature. The web portal is in the late stages of development, with some sites in beta testing phase and others due to enter that phase in the coming year. Following the beta launch, each site will entail implementation of a stakeholder engagement strategy to train users in new features and capabilities. The blended learning for economic growth is in development, with the first phase of rollout for some courses, and with a second phase across at least six courses scheduled for the remaining contract period. Consultation is underway for EGAT/AG training, and a curriculum is being developed. Implementation guidance for the Feed the Future initiative is in the early stages of development. A community of practice is in formation in Jamaica, with actual stakeholder engagement just beginning. The services required to continue the work initiated through the KDMD contract to a point of stability and maturity are highly specialized. USAID believes that adhering to the initial contract ceiling would seriously impair the work currently underway. Ending the contract early and competing a follow-on contract at this time would result in unacceptable delays and interruptions to work that supports critical Agency priorities. A full and open competition for a follow-on contract to begin at the end of the KDMD contract period is anticipated. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. All responsible sources may submit an offer; however, only services meeting USAID's requirements will be considered for award. USAID will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice of intent. Only written responses will be considered. All responses from responsible sources will be fully considered. As a result of analyzing responses to this notice of intent, the Government shall determine that a solicitation will be issued. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) in order to be eligible for award. Information concerning CCR registered requirements may be viewed via the Internet at http://www.ccr.gov or by calling the CCR Registration Center at 1-888-227 -2423. Interested parties are encouraged to furnish information. All documents submitted will not be returned. All interested parties shall submit clear and convincing documentation demonstrating their capabilities to satisfy the requirements listed above to David Lavine by email at
[email protected]. The capability documentation should include general information and technical background describing in detail the prospective contractor's capabilities and experience that will demonstrate the ability to support these requirements.