This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation Number is RFP 521-07-015 and is issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 01-013. The USAID Haiti Mission requires the services of a highly qualified polling firm to conduct seven (7) public opinion polls in Haiti over the next four (4) years. The purpose of these statistically significant polls is to assess the trends of many socio-economic and political data; to gather information on specific events or programs that receive USAID or U.S. Government assistance (such as national and local elections); to provide a better understanding of whether USAID is reaching its target populations and target geographic areas; to facilitate USAID?s understanding of local perceptions and knowledge of U.S. Government assistance in Haiti; and to help USAID track program performance indicators. Background: The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. After an armed rebellion led to the departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004, an interim government took office to organize new elections under the auspices of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Continued violence and technical delays prompted repeated postponements, but Haiti finally did inaugurate a democratically elected president and parliament in May of 2006. The government of President Ren? Pr?val is faced with a daunting challenge to modernize the state, undertake needed fiscal and governance reforms, re-establish security and re-launch the economy. In July 2006, Haiti held a successful donors conference in which the international donor community pledged $750 million to support the government?s development priorities. According to the CIA World Fact Book, Haiti has an estimated 8.7 million residents. The country has 10 Administrative Departments and 140 Communes for decentralized administrative purposes. 80% of the Haitian population lives under the poverty line and 54% live in abject poverty. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agriculture sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and remain vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by the country's widespread deforestation. A macroeconomic program developed in 2005 with the help of the International Monetary Fund helped the economy grow 1.8% in 2006, the highest growth rate since 1999. Since 1999, USAID/Haiti has conducted opinion polls to measure Haitian citizens? beliefs and perceptions on various political and socio-economic topics related to civil rights and responsibilities, government performance, electoral participation and political parties. Description of Services: The contractor shall provide seven nation-wide statistically significant public opinion polls that include a representative sampling of the Haitian people. The polls will be conducted in Creole. Data from these polls must be disaggregated by gender (male/female) and geographic location of the respondents by Department and Commune. There are 10 Departments and 140 Communes. The polls will be completed according to the following delivery schedule, in consultation with USAID?s CTO and in accordance with actual events in Haiti (e.g., elections). CLIN: Delivery Date: 01 ? Public Opinion Poll #1 (baseline poll)TBD with USAID CTO at time of contract signing 02 ? Public Opinion Poll #2 TBD; usually 4-6 months since last poll 03 ? Public Opinion Poll #3 TBD; usually 4-6 months since last poll 04 ? Public Opinion Poll #4 TBD; usually 4-6 months since last poll 05 ? Public Opinion Poll #5 TBD; usually 4-6 months since last poll 06 ? Public Opinion Poll #6 TBD; usually 4-6 months since last poll 07 ? Public Opinion Poll #7 TBD; usually 4-6 months since last poll Polls under this RFP will cover a wider range of subjects, including governance and democracy issues; the perceived fairness of elections; perceptions of the security situation in Haiti; perceptions as to the effectiveness of MINUSTAH; perceptions of political leaders; perceptions of jobs and employment opportunities; actual financial situations of the respondents; overall knowledge and awareness of USAID as a donor; and perceptions of the effectiveness of USAID program activities and results. A list of illustrative questions, to be finalized by the successful bidder in coordination with USAID/Haiti, is included here: ? Taking everything into account, would you say that overall our country is heading in the right direction or the wrong direction? ? How is your family?s financial situation compared with that of a year ago? ? When you think about Haiti and its people over the next year, do you think we will be better off than we are now, the same as we are now or worse off than we are today? ? What would you say is the major problem facing Haiti today? ? In your community, what is the principal problem that you face? ? When thinking about the future of your family?s financial situation, how do you think you will be in the next year? ? Who would you say is in control of your local community? ? How safe do you feel in your neighborhood? ? Have you personally been a victim of crime in the last six months? ? How many times have you been a victim of crime in the last six months? ? What was the nature of the crime(s)? ? Did you report this crime to the authorities? ? After you went to the authorities, how satisfied were you with their investigation? ? If you did not report your crime to the authorities, why not? ? Have you had to pay any ?war tax/toll/protection money? to a gang or gang member in the past six months? ? What in your opinion is the main cause of crime in our country? ? Are gangs a problem in your neighborhood or community? Would you say gangs are a large problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem, or not a problem at all? ? What in your opinion is the main reason why kids join gangs? ? Do you think gangs provide any positive things to the communities in which they operate? ? What positive things do you think they provide? ? Has a gang tried to recruit you or someone close to you in the last six months? ? Would you say that the gangs in Haiti are a problem that is caused by Haiti?s own problems, or is it one that another country or countries have exported here? ? If exported from abroad, which country do you think has exported the gang problem to Haiti? ? In your opinion, what could be done to reduce crime and gang activity in our country? ? How effective would you say the Pr?val government has been at combating the problem of crime and gangs? ? How much have you heard or read about the government?s plan to disarm the gangs and combat crime through the ?CNDDR? (?DDR?)? ? Since the government started the ?DDR?, would you say crime and gang activity has decreased a great deal, decreased somewhat, increased somewhat, or increased a great deal? ? Is there an armed presence besides the police in your town or community? ? If yes, do you think this armed group has more or less power than the police in your community? ? Do you think the police are doing a good job? ? How much confidence do you have in the police to provide security? ? How much confidence do you have in the judiciary to provide justice? ? How much confidence do you have in the Conseil Electoral Provisoire (CEP) to carry out free, fair and just elections? ? Are you in favor of a Conseil Electoral Permanente? Why? ? How much confidence do you have in mayors or local administrations to take care of local issues? ? How much confidence do you have in the Executive branch to lead the country in the right direction? ? How much confidence do you have in journalists to accurately portray the news? ? How much confidence do you have in the business sector providing leadership? ? How much confidence do you have in political parties offering solutions to lead the country out of its problems? ? How much confidence do you have in the Parliament to pass laws? ? How much confidence do you have in the armed forces to provide national security? ? Do you have enough to eat every day? ? How many times, on average, do you eat every day? ? Are you able to financially send your children to school on a regular and consistent basis? ? Is there a school within a reasonable distance so that the children can get to school consistently? ? Is there a clinic within a reasonable distance so that you can access regularly health care services for you and your family? ? Is the clinic open on a regular basis with health care providers providing health care services routinely? ? Are you able to afford basic health care for your family? ? How would you rate the performance of MINUSTAH to assist Haiti? ? How proud are you to be Haitian? ? Would you immigrate to another country if you could? Why? ? In your opinion, how effective are democracies in running the economy? ? How effective are democracies in keeping order? ? How effective are democracies in providing justice? ? How effective are democracies in providing you opportunities to improve your life? ? How much do you agree with the following statement: ?Democracy may have problems, but it is still better than any other form of government?? ? When thinking about the last six months, do you think that the cost of living in Haiti has risen? ? Which country would you say helps Haiti the most? ? Why do you consider that country to be the one that helps Haiti the most? ? When thinking about people you trust in Haiti today, who would you say is the national leader or individual in Haiti that you trust most? ? And here in your community, who is the person you most respect? ? Do you believe that security has improved since Pr?val assumed the presidency? ? How would you rate Rene Pr?val?s job performance as President? Why do you hold this opinion? ? How would you rate Jacques Edouard Alexis?s job performance as Prime Minister? Why do you hold this opinion? ? Would you say the central government is meeting the needs of the people? ? Do you think Pr?val will leave the country better off, worse off, or about the same when he finishes his term as president? ? Are you in favor of reestablishing the FADH Haitian National Army? ? In your opinion, does Haiti need another security force? The above list of questions may be added to or altered. It is not intended to be a complete and final list of the actual survey questions. Likewise, the following list includes information that USAID requires, but the questions may be altered or added to: ? Percent of people who believe there is a reduction in the number of reported kidnappings. ? Percent of people who have been victims of crimes in the last six months. ? Percent of people who state they had job opportunities in the last six months. ? Percent of people who indicate the financial situation of their family is ?better than? or the ?same? as last year. ? Percent of families who indicate that they have enough to eat every day. ? Percent of families who are able to financially send their children to school on a regular and consistent basis. ? Percent of families whose children consistently attend school at a ?reasonable? distance from their home. ? Percent of families who are able to successfully access basic health care services (access meaning that they can afford it, the clinic is within reachable distance, and the clinic is open and providing services on a regular basis). ? Percentage of citizens who believe they receive fair, non-arbitrary treatment by the State. ? Percentage of citizens who, after they were victimized, reported the crime to judicial authorities. ? Percentage of citizens more aware of their rights, responsibilities and key public issues as a result of civic education or improved media coverage. ? Percent of people aware of USAID activities. ? Percent of people aware of USAID accomplishments. ? Percent of people who associate improvements in their daily life to USAID activities. ? Percent of people convinced that USAID assistance addresses the priorities expressed by their community. ? Percent of people who believe that USAID assistance is beneficial to the development of their community. ? Percent of people who believe that USAID assistance benefits the neediest people in Haiti. ? Percent of people who believe that USAID assistance is promoting stability in Haiti. ? Percent of people who believe that USAID assistance is essential to the development of the country. ? Percent of people who recognize the US Government as the lead international donor in Haiti. ? Percent of people who know that USAID is a US Government Agency. ? Percent of people familiar with the USAID logo. ? Percent of people who believe that USAID assistance is helping to provide basic services, such as health, education and food security. ? Percent of people who believe that USAID assistance is promoting a more just and democratic Government of Haiti at both the national and local levels. Responsibilities of the Contractor: Contractor shall meet the following USAID requirements: 1. Prepare an implementation schedule for each public opinion poll to permit adequate time for the following steps to occur: a. submission to the CTO of the proposed questionnaire in English within 10 days of contract signature; b. 3 working days for the contractor to incorporate Mission comments and submit a revised English questionnaire; c. 5 working days for the contractor to translate a USAID-approved English questionnaire into Creole; d. 2 working days for the contractor to incorporate Mission comments on the Creole translation and submit a revised Creole questionnaire; e. 5 working days for the Contractor to train poll takers and pre-test the questionnaire; and f. 5 work days to confer with USAID on the results of the pre-test and to modify the questionnaire as indicated by these results. 2. All survey questions and final public opinion polls must be approved by the USAID Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO). Proposal?s implementation plan should allow for full participation of USAID staff in finalizing survey questions. 3. USAID reserves the right to approve local staff contracted for training and polling to ensure professionalism and objectivity due to the political sensitivity of some of the questions. 4. As part of its quality assurance plan, USAID may observe training of poll takers. 5. Upon completion of each poll, the contractor shall present the results to USAID. A preliminary English report of the results is due to USAID within ten working days of polling completion. 6. The Chief of Party shall present all final reports for each poll to USAID in person. Instructions to Bidders: Proposals must address how poll results will be textually and graphically presented to USAID/Haiti and other interested parties, including the other major donors (UNDP, European Union, World Bank, the InterAmerican Development Bank, the Canadian International Development Agency, among others) and the Government of Haiti (the President and Prime Minister?s Office, the Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, and other line ministers). The final report will contain a table of contents that delineates major segments of the report as well as major polling topics. Each CLIN must be priced separately and should include the costs for the poll and the results report. Deliverables: CLIN: Delivery Date: 01 ? Results of Public Opinion Poll #1 (baseline poll) A draft report of each separate poll is due within 10 days of completion of that poll. The draft report should be in English. A final English report is due within 3 days of receiving USAID approval of the English draft. A final French report is due 5 days after the final English report is delivered. 02 ? Results of Public Opinion Poll #2 03 ? Results of Public Opinion Poll #3 04 ? Results of Public Opinion Poll #4 05 ? Results of Public Opinion Poll #5 06 ? Results of Public Opinion Poll #6 07 ? Results of Public Opinion Poll #7 At a minimum, the successful bidder must present polling results in a textually and graphic format that are easily understandable to a lay reader. A lay reader is defined as someone without technical knowledge of statistical polling methodology. Results must be presented in their final form in both English and French. The following additional information applies: FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb. 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at these addresses: http://www.acqnet.gov/far/index.html http://www.usaid.gov/business/regulations/ FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders ? Commercial Items (APR 2003). AIDAR 752.7009 Marking (Jan 1993) Marking Requirements for Commodities are applicable to this solicitation. See the following site: www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/320.doc AIDAR 752.225-70 Source, Origin and Nationality Requirements (FEB 1997) FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items (JAN 1999) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror(s) whose conforming offer to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors will be used to evaluate offers: Offers will be evaluated on the basis of Quality, Past Performance, and Price. Past Performance: Possible offerors shall provide 3 company names, contact persons and telephone numbers as references of similar contracts within the last three years. Offerors need to include a complete copy of the following FAR provision: FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items,(NOV 2006) The following FAR provisions apply to this solicitation: FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (FEB 2007) FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (NOV 2006). The authorized geographic code for procurement of goods and services under this RFP is 000 United States only. This RFP does not commit the US Government to pay any costs incurred in the submission of any quotation or in making necessary studies or designs for the preparation thereof or to acquire or contract for any services. In addition, please provide the following information: If you are a large or small business A women owned business A Profit or non-profit Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) DUNS Number Any questions regarding this RFP should be sent to the following email address:
[email protected] to the attention of Aracely Taracena. The deadline for submission of questions is August 20, 2007. The subject line for all communications must read: RFP-521-015. Proposals will be due on August 30, 2007 at 3:00 p.m Haiti local time. E-mail or written proposals will be accepted. Any modification or revision to this RFP will be made only on the Internet at http://www.fbo.gov/. Proposals may be emailed to the following email address:
[email protected]. The subject line for all communication must read: RFP-521-015 Proposals may be sent by express courier to: Office of Acquisition and Assistance USAID/Haiti 17 Boulevard Harry Truman Port-au-Prince, Haiti