USAID requires the services of a Contractor to provide Specialists to support USAID's programmatic objectives in Colombia. The programmatic objectives focus primarily on supporting the political, economic, and security conditions necessary for a stable, prosperous, and democratic Colombia. Programmatic work is subject to change given the changing needs and demands of the Mission. Specialists may be needed in any or more of the following areas: Private sector development, agricultural development, land reform, conflict mitigation, democracy and governance, human rights, capacity building, infrastructure development, humanitarian assistance, rural development, financial management, information management, information technology, or office administration. Specialists provided under this contract may also be deployed to any of the areas outside of Bogot where USAID is engaged. Current Programmatic objectives are as follows: ? Consolidation and Livelihoods Starting in 2010, USAID's Licit Livelihoods interventions support the U.S. Government's Colombia Strategic Development Initiative (CSDI) and the Colombian Government's National Consolidation Plan. Interventions under CSDI will be integrated and regionally focused in areas affected by the illegal economy and conflict. Activities seek to strengthen state presence with short-term interventions to meet urgent economic and social needs in previously ungoverned areas. As the regions become more consolidated, the programs focus on support for longer term interventions such as sustainable economic opportunities, the stabilization and reintegration or return of conflict-affected populations, improved governance, and increased access to justice. In these more consolidated areas, interventions will continue to facilitate the provision of basic services, increase licit livelihoods, and strengthen local institutions. ? Environment For vulnerable communities that live in and around Colombia's ethnic territories, national parks, protected areas, or other biologically or climate-sensitive ecosystems, natural resource-based livelihoods are a way of life. Conservation of these livelihoods, ecosystems, and the valuable environmental services they provide are threatened by deforestation, habitat conversion, invasive species, climate change, illicit crops, armed conflict, and weak state presence. In partnership with the GOC, USAID's environmental programs use a "threatsbased approach" to reduce or mitigate the negative impacts of these hazards on Colombia's rich biodiversity and ecosystems. The overall goals of USAID's environment program include strengthening environmental governance for the conservation of protected areas and ethnic territories along with preserving, re-storing, or improving ecosystem services. Programs also work to ensure the sustainability of natural resource-based livelihoods, as well as mitigating, adapting to and/or reducing vulnerability to the long-term impacts of global climate change and promoting the use of renewable and clean energy. ? Democracy and Human Rights USAID assists the GOC as it combines broader and fairer justice with more representative and responsive governance, particularly to address the needs of traditionally underserved regions and populations. USAID supports victims, civil society, and the GOC to prevent and protect human rights violations, as well as promote a culture of human rights. In remote and conflict-affected areas, USAID works with the government and civil society to expand access to justice services and alternative dispute resolution, support the effective implementation of the new criminal accusatory justice system, strengthen governance, improve health and education services, and promote citizen participation and oversight. ? Vulnerable Populations USAID provides social and economic development opportunities to Colombians who have been affected by the conflict. USAID is addressing both the causes and consequences of conflict. USAID supports GOC efforts to institutionalize state presence in parts of the country that have experienced significant conflict, but have been recently recovered. In addition, USAID assists with the demobilization and peaceful reintegration of ex-combatants, reconciliation and reparation of victims, and prevention of child recruitment by illegal armed groups. Assistance to vulnerable populations is primarily focused on providing adequate housing and income generation opportunities, as well as expanding access to social services (i.e. health care, education, social infrastructure, and community-level institution building) and preventing displacement. Many of these initiatives target Afro-Colombians and indigenous, who are especially vulnerable. *This IDIQ was awarded to an Native Alaskan 8(a) Small Business. Therefore, this award was not competed.
