Presolicitation notice for Advancing the Agenda of Gender Equality (ADVANTAGE) IDIQ

The purpose of this notice published by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is to synopsize a proposed contract action pursuant to FAR 5.201. Please note that solicitation No. SOL-OAA-11-000035 replaces solicitation No. M-OAA-EGAT-WID-2010. Synopsis: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) anticipates approximately seven awards with several small businesses set aside Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts anticipated to provide technical assistance and training relating to gender, gender-based violence (GBV) and trafficking in persons (TIP). USAID anticipates that the maximum ordering limitation of the contracts resulting from this RFP will be $74,000,000 over the five-year ordering period. The maximum aggregate dollar value of task orders awarded to all contractors cannot exceed this contract ceiling. This ceiling is not being subdivided among the number of awardees nor is it being multiplied by the number of awardees. There is no guarantee on the number of task orders that the successful contractors will receive or the amount of money beyond the minimum order guarantee set forth in the RFP. The Government may subsequently issue task orders (TO) that are either Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee (CPFF) or Firm Fixed Price. The place of performance for task orders will be predominately overseas. Funds are not presently available for these IDIQ awards. The Government's obligation under these IDIQ awards is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. The IDIQ is designed to meet USAID's need for cost-effective short- and long-term technical assistance and training by offering operating units the flexibility to procure customized services and the ability to operate rapidly in addressing development needs. Gender problems cut across all technical sectors (e.g., education, economic growth, global climate change, agriculture, etc.) and in all developing and transitional countries. Advancing the Agenda of Gender Equality (ADVANTAGE) IDIQ will expand on successes of the Women in Development (WID) IQC. ADVANTAGE will be managed by the Office of Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GenDev). AVANTAGE IDIQ objectives are to support the GenDev Office, Missions and Bureaus by providing as needed: Technical Assistance is a primary focus of the GenDev Office and is critical in providing support to USAID operating units and other actors (host governments, NGOs, other USAID partners, etc.). Training overseas and in the U.S. on a variety of gender and trafficking in persons issues is a focus. Training carried out under this contract may be in conjunction with other USAID-sponsored technical or sector programs that complement gender, trafficking in persons or any related issues, e.g., sector- and regional-specific workshops, new entry orientation , or may stand alone. Communications and Outreach (including Conference/Workshop Planning and Implementation) to increase the level of knowledge among USAID staff, USAID's partner organizations, and the larger development community of gender or trafficking in persons-related issues. USAID's efforts in gender integration or combating trafficking in persons under this contract are made known both inside and outside the Agency. Research to support Agency work in advancing gender equality or combatting trafficking in persons. GenDev's efforts must be backed by evidence including statistics, studies carried out by gender or trafficking in persons experts, and knowledge of the efforts and experience of other development agencies and actors. Grant Solicitation, Negotiation, and Award; and Post-Award Grant Administration. With a focus on supporting local NGOs' efforts, grants are effective in broadening the participation of women and sexual minorities in a variety of social sectors The NAICS Code for this procurement is 541990. The solicitation will be posted on the FEDBIZOPPS web page (i.e., www.fedbizopps.gov) not less than fifteen (15) days after this notice is issued. In accordance with FAR 5.102(d), availability of the solicitation is limited to this electronic medium only. Requests for other copies of the solicitation will be disregarded without notice to the requestor. No phone requests will be accepted, no solicitation will be available for pick-up, and no walk-ins will be allowed. Questions must be directed to Michele Maximilien, Contract Specialist, U.S. Agency for International Development, M/OAA/EGAT/DHWA, SA-44, Room 562-H, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20523, Phone: 202-567-5073, email: mmaximilien@usaid.gov.