Political Economy Analysis and Governance Support to MCC Threshold Programs - Individual Consultant

Request for Quotation 95332419Q0085 Political Economy Analysis (PEA) and Governance Support to MCC Threshold Programs 1) 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 95332419Q0085 and is issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ). This solicitation document incorporates all mandatory commercial item provisions and clauses that are in effect through the most recent Federal Acquisition Regulation amendments which can be found at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html. 2) The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to provide assistance that will support economic growth and poverty reduction in carefully selected countries that demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. For more information on the MCC, please visit www.mcc.gov. 3) THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT AND IS NOT FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT DIRECT WITH MCC. PLEASE VISIT http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Independent-Contractor-Defined FOR INFORMATION REGARDING INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. Note: MCC will assist the consultant in coordinating with an Independent Contractor Engagement Services Provider for payroll, travel, international travel insurance, etc.; therefore, a DUNS number and registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not required. 4) Description of Services: The PEA individual consultant will conduct Political Economy Analyses (PEA) and governance-related work during the design and implementation phases of MCC Threshold Programs. 5) The North American Industrial Classification Systems (NAICS) code is 541618 (Other Management Consulting Services) and the small business size standard is $15.0 million. 6) FAR Clauses 52.212-1 through 52.212-5 apply to this procurement. The exact text and wording of clauses and provisions may be obtained from the Internet at http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html. The Government contemplates award of a time-and-materials order resulting from this solicitation. NOTE: An Addendum to FAR clause 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions -Commercial Items (Alt I) is attached. Please note that the FAR clauses referenced in this solicitation are provided for informational purposes only. The clauses will not apply directly to the independent consultant, but may apply indirectly by virtue of flow-down requirements from the "Independent Contractor Engagement Services Provider" referenced in Item 3, who is the prime contractor on a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with MCC for payroll and accounting services. 7) This combined synopsis and solicitation notice is a request for competitive quotations. Therefore, all quotations received prior to the RFQ close date/time will be considered. 8) The Government will award an order to the responsible independent consultant(s) whose quote conforming to this notice represents the best value in terms of technical criteria, past performance and price. All non-price factors (technical criteria and past performance) are more important than price. If options are included, quotes will be evaluated by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. This includes options under FAR clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, which applies to this solicitation. Evaluation of options under FAR 52.217-8 will be accomplished by using the price(s) offered for the last option period to determine the price for a 6-month option, which will be added to the base and other option periods to arrive at the total price. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). 9) Quote Submission. The Independent Consultant shall submit the following documents: a. Technical: i. Cover letter that addresses each of the evaluation factors listed in Section 10; and ii. Curriculum Vitae (25 page maximum). b. Past Performance: Three professional references, including contact information and a description of the work performed for/with the individual (NOTE: MCC reserves the right to contact references). References must be for relevant work performed within the past three (3) years. c. Price: Bio-Data Form which includes the independent consultant's proposed rate and salary history (See Attachment 2). NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT COMBINE YOUR SUBMISSION INTO ONE (1) DOCUMENT. DOCUMENTS (a), (b), AND (c) MUST BE SUBMITTED AS SEPARATE DOCUMENTS IN ONE (1) EMAIL. 10) Evaluation Factors. Only quotes which meet the mandatory technical evaluation criteria will be considered. a) Technical Qualifications of Consultant: The Consultant shall possess the following qualifications/experience: Mandatory Qualifications: - Experience conducting Political Economy Analyses; - Minimum 7 years of experience identifying and analyzing political and economic factors limiting sectoral reform around the world; - Experience analyzing political economy factors associated with sector reform which increases private sector participation; - Experience performing governance-related work; - Masters in Political Science, Political Economy or similar; - Fluency in English Preferred Qualifications: - Working knowledge of French; - PhD in Political Science, Political Economy or similar; - Experience working with CSOs, NGOs, and journalists; b) Past Performance: MCC will evaluate the relevance of the Consultant's professional references to the work to be performed under the resulting task order. c) Price: The government will examine the proposed rate for fairness and reasonableness. 11) Evaluation Methodology. The Government will perform a comparative analysis of quotes and will assess the advantages and disadvantages of each quote in relation to the Evaluation Factors (Section 10). Multiple awards may be made from this notice and all quotes will be retained and may be utilized for requirements for a period of 12 months after the RFQ deadline. 12) Question Deadline: Independent Consultants must submit their questions in response to this notice by 12:00 pm Eastern Time (ET) on Monday, July 01, 2019. Questions submitted in response to this notice shall include the solicitation number (95332419Q0085) and title in the subject line and must be submitted via email to contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov. 13) Quotation Submission Deadline. Independent Consultants must submit their quotations in response to this notice by 12:00 pm Eastern Time (ET) on Friday, July 19, 2019. Quotations submitted in response to this notice shall include the solicitation number (95332419Q0085) AND title in the subject line and must be submitted via email to contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov. The maximum file size is 10MB. 14) MCC does not accept responsibility for delays in transmission or receipt of any submission. Independent Consultants are responsible for submitting their package so as to reach the designated Government office by the closing date and time specified above. Submissions received after the closing date and time will not be considered, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was indeed received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in this announcement. Receipt of submissions in response to this announcement does not constitute an award commitment. The U.S. Government will not reimburse any costs incurred in the preparation of a submission. Any submission is at the sole risk and expense of the Independent Consultant. 15) MCC 52.213-70 Exclusion of Quotes and Pre-Award Communications with Offerors: At any time prior to award, including upon receipt of quotes, the Government may exclude a quote from further consideration for reasons such as (but not limited to): non-compliance with instructions related to this solicitation; the quote is not among the most highly rated; or the quote is not likely to be selected for award. The Government need not notify an offeror that its quote has been excluded from further consideration nor need it provide the offeror with a pre-award debriefing. However, the offeror will be provided post-award notification and if requested, a brief explanation of the basis of the award decision. After receipt of quotes, the Government will conduct an evaluation. The Government intends to evaluate quotes and issue a contract/ order without communications with offerors. However, during the evaluation process, the Government may, solely at its discretion, communicate with an offeror for any purpose, such as to gain a better understanding of the quote. As a result of such communication, the Government may allow offerors to submit quote revisions. If quote revisions are allowed, the Government may, solely at its discretion, impose non-common due dates for the revisions. In other words, the Government may elect to have a quote revision date for an offeror that is different than the quote revision date for another offeror(s). The Government need not conduct communications with all offerors. Rather, the Government may, at its discretion, conduct communications with one or only some offerors. Furthermore, the Government need not permit all offerors to submit quote revisions. Rather, the Government may, at its discretion, seek quote revisions from only one or only some offerors. 16) There are no additional contract requirement(s) necessary for this acquisition other than those consistent with customary commercial practices. 17) Attachments: i) Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-4, (Alt I) ii) MCC Bio-Data Form iii) Statement of Work