REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 1.0 Description 1.1 The United States Agency for International Development in Colombia (USAID/Colombia) is seeking information on consulting firms that could provide financial services to the Mission which may include: pre-award assessments, limited scope pre-award assessments, financial reviews, pre-payment validation services, control environment and risk assessments (Stage II), and development of policies and procedures related to internal controls, among the most common services. Please see the attached Draft Statement of Work for Financial Services. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, USAID/Colombia is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website and the USAID/Colombia public website at https://www.usaid.gov/colombia/work-with-us/partnership-opportunities. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. 2.0 Background Since 2010, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has undertaken a series of reforms, collectively called USAID Forward. It is an ambitious reform effort to strengthen and improve the way USAID approaches development. Each reform area falls into one of three separate, but mutually reinforcing, principles: • Deliver results on a meaningful scale through a strengthened USAID; • Promote sustainable development through high-impact partnerships; and • Identify and scale up innovative, breakthrough solutions to intractable development problems. These reforms are aimed at meeting the most pressing development challenges and working more efficiently towards the Local Solutions main premise of country ownership of the development agenda. A key element of this reform agenda is an important shift in how USAID administers its assistance-from implementing programs through international organizations to increasing emphasis on providing funding directly to local organizations (partner-country government entities and local for-profit and nonprofit organizations). Initially called Implementation and Procurement Reform and now referred to as Local Solutions, this initiative reflects international consensus and U.S. policy regarding aid effectiveness of the international development community's effort to strengthen, deepen, and modernize aid. Local Solutions aims to achieve the following three goals: • Strengthen local capacity, • Enhance and promote country ownership, and • Increase sustainability. In order to build peace and governance in historically conflictive zones with limited or no government presence, the government's credibility will depend not just on the resources it employs, but on the extent to which it is willing to listen to, and share responsibility with, civil society organizations (CSOs). Therefore, it is expected that CSOs will play a critical role in the achievement of a durable, sustainable and inclusive peace, should a peace agreement be signed between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Government of Colombia. CSOs will be needed to inform and provide technical assistance to the government, provide advocacy for marginalized populations, and hold both national and local government accountable. 3.0 Responses We are seeking professional firms with experience with CSOs and public finance and with a strong knowledge of internal controls and expertise in local labor and tax laws. The firms should be able to travel in Colombia and have the capacity to provide reports in both Spanish and English. Interested auditing and consulting firms are requested to respond to this RFI by submitting information supporting their experience, expertise, and capabilities in undertaking similar work. The following information on adequacy and capability should be provided: • Name, address and email address, • A profile of the firm demonstrating a proven track record and ability to perform the work. Interested auditing or consulting firms who consider themselves qualified to perform the above-listed services are invited to submit a response to this Request for Information no later than 3:00 P.M. (local Colombia time), May 20, 2016. All responses under this Request for Information must be emailed to USAID/Colombia Office of Acquisition & Assistance at
[email protected]. Responses should be limited to three (3) pages. 4.0 Industry Discussions USAID representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential offerors. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements. 5.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify auditing and consulting firm sources that can provide assessment and financial review services to the Mission. All responses should be submitted no later than 3:00 P.M. (local Colombia time), May 20, 2016.