Request for Information (RFI) for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) services, particularly in the development of 1) Performance Management Plans; 2) Evaluation Plans, including impact evaluations; and 3) M&E based data collection in developing coun

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD) on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) has an anticipated acquisition for monitoring and evaluation services. Purpose and Background The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather information from qualified organizations which can show a demonstrated capacity to provide monitoring and evaluation (M&E) services, particularly in the development of 1) Performance Management Plans; 2) Evaluation Plans, including impact evaluations; and 3) M&E based data collection in developing countries around the world, including fragile market economies such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Haiti and Iraq. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), Office of Capacity Building and Development (OCBD) has, over the past two years, worked to build a results oriented management (ROM) approach within its international capacity building programs. Using this approach, FAS programs seek to improve program planning, measuring, monitoring and reporting by focusing on intended outcomes or results and not just implementation of activities. ROM will help to ensure management decisions are based on strong evidence and improve accountability, transparency and learning of FAS programs. As part of the development of ROM, FAS projects will be required to develop a strong M&E system including a performance management and evaluation plans. FAS interventions are varied and include capacity building of national and local governments, farmers, communities, schools and teachers; direct service provision including for example school meals and take home rations, microfinance, and health interventions; awareness raising; infrastructure development; and research. Grants are awarded to a variety of organizations that implement these interventions, including foreign governments, NGOs, universities, International Organizations, local organizations and private for profits. FAS programs are implemented in developing countries around the world including in fragile market economies such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Haiti and Iraq. FAS/OCBD is requesting cost estimates from experienced vendors that provide monitoring and evaluation data collection services. A general description of what the monitoring and evaluation data collection services will likely entail is described below. FAS/OCBD foresees two types of M&E data collection to be carried out by its programs. The first is data collection related to identified and agreed upon indicators (either qualitative or quantitative) on outcomes for measuring key results of the project. The second form of data collection FAS/OCBD anticipates collecting is related to the conduct of outcome and impact evaluations. Monitoring Indicator Data Collection FAS/OCBD foresees the collection of data for approximately 9-15 standard indicators and approximately 5-10 project specific indicators. These indicators will be used to track, throughout the duration of the project, whether the project is achieving the specified desired results and whether their performance is on target. Work may also entail the development and conduct of surveys and assessments, including baseline data collection, beneficiary assessments, market surveys, and knowledge, attitudes and behavior surveys (KABS) or other assessments. The data collection process will require the development of tools for the collection of monitoring information including methodological plans, terms of references (TOR), questionnaires, interviewer protocols, data collection handbooks/guidelines for implementing partners, and analysis plans. FAS/OCBD also expects it will require the development of an electronic data collection and reporting system, possibly web-based, that will be used to collect, store, and retrieve data and information and be used by the grantee and USDA as an analytical tool for meeting regular reporting requirements, learning, and making informed project management decisions. This will help build the capacity of the grantee to ensure continued and effective monitoring and evaluation without the assistance of a Contractor. Evaluation Data Collection FAS anticipates the conduct of outcome and impact evaluations which will be used to identify the short and long-term impact of its interventions. The purpose of FAS evaluations is to ensure accountability of the organization's efforts and improve learning to identify not only what works but why it works. Evaluation methodologies will vary but may include experimental and quasi-experimental designs that include an intervention and control group, including randomized evaluations. The work will require expertise in managing the evaluation and data collection (including baseline data), in the field, working directly with USDA's grantees, verifying data quality and preparing clean data sets, for analysis and public consumption. FAS anticipates evaluation data collection will include the need for a TOR to be developed for the evaluation, an evaluation methodological plan, timing of evaluation data collection, conduct baseline data collection and one follow-up data collection, an analysis plan, and final report after each data collection. Pricing FAS is seeking maximum and minimum pricing information on the activities proposed above by region and for specific countries within a region. For a list countries by region see: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm#ftna. FAS is seeking the following pricing information: Monitoring Indicator Data Collection Region/Country Maximum Minimum Latin America & Caribbean $ $Bolivia $ $Haiti $ $El Salvador $ $Africa $ $Uganda $ $Burkina Faso $ $Tanzania $ $Asia $ $Afghanistan $ $Bangladesh $ $Pakistan $ $India $ $Philippines $ $Iraq $ $ Evaluation Data Collection Region/Country Maximum Minimum Latin America & Caribbean $ $Bolivia $ $Haiti $ $El Salvador $ $Africa $ $Uganda $ $Burkina Faso $ $Tanzania $ $Asia $ $ Afghanistan $ $Bangladesh $ $Pakistan $ $India $ $Philippines $ $Iraq $ $ Disclaimer This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the result of the review. Based on the written results of this RFI, if funding is available, the government may submit a follow-on announcement in FEDBIZOPPS requesting formal proposals. Submissions Responses to this RFI should include maximum and minimum pricing information by region and country based on experience in conducting a) monitoring data collection and b) evaluation data collection. There are no page limits for this response. Responses may also include a more detailed cost proposal which outlines the costs of specific activities for a) and b) above, as supplementary information.Technical questions, suggestions and responses to this RFI shall be submitted electronically, by no later than 4PM EST on April 27, 2011. Questions may be submitted to: Michael McGuire at [email protected].