The USAID Regional Contracting Office in Budapest, Hungary intends to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for USAID/Albania to solicit proposals from organizations interested in implementing an Umbrella Anti-Trafficking Initiative in Albania for such activities which include awarding & administering small grants to other actors in anti-trafficking. Its main function will be that of coordination with the government, other donors, and the NGO partners who are currently working in anti-trafficking. At the same time, offerors shall propose how they would increase collaboration among USAID, the government, and other donors on anti-trafficking issues. Proposals must build flexibility, creativity, and periodic reassessments into their approach so that the ever-evolving nature of the problem and the responses by the traffickers are addressed. The approach that USAID requires is to leverage, mobilize, and focus the many positive efforts that are now working independently. Incentives need to be built into the grant program to be able to coalesce and focus energy and resources. The selected contractor to implement the specific activities in support of USAID’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative will provide coordination, and technical support at the national and regional level to leverage existing activities conducted in the sector by a variety of NGOs and Government of Albania Agencies. Some of the activities for the Anti-Trafficking Initiative will include 1.)Establishment of a qualified network of NGOs to determine areas of specialization to rationally divide tasks and activity areas; 2.) Coordination of all planning and implementation activities of USAID-funded Cooperating Agencies, national, and international agencies working in the sector; 3.) Coordination of a yearly “Lessons Learned” meeting with partners to review and assess how well the regional activities are being implemented and share achievements, model approaches, and results, 4.) The enabling of NGOs and others to improve their linkages to prosecutors and police; 5.) Providing assistance to NGOs and service providers towards the improvement of their management and skills capacities; and 6.) Ensuring technical support to approaches to prevention through public information and media and technical expertise in human and psychological support. Anticipated outcomes for this Initiative include the reduction of the successful recruit and trafficking of children, women, and girls and the successful reintegration of children, women, and girls in their respective families (where possible), in independent housing, and/or in foster care placements to avoid their returning to the trafficking situation they left. The period of performance will be 3 years with a total estimated cost of approximately $4.5 million. The RFP will be issued by May 15, 2003. Organizations may express in writing (e-mail or fax) interest in this contract competition either by fax or email (Email preferred) to the Contract Specialist, Ms. Riana Napitupulu at
[email protected] and to the Contracting Officer, Mr. Orion Yeandel at
[email protected] and Fax No. (36-1) 475-4991 or 475-4988.