R -- Areas for Municipal Level - Alternative Development Program

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) intends to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an anticipated three year cost plus fixed-fee award with two one year option periods. This effort that is to be evaluated based on - Best Value is a USAID/Colombia, Agriculture and Alternative Development Office, Areas for Municipal-level Alternative Development (ADAM) Program. The ceiling level of USAID funding for the anticipated five year term of this effort is currently being determined and will depend on availability of funding. The Government of Colombia (GOC) has undertaken an integrated effort that has substantially driven the illegal armed groups out of the more populated parts of Colombia, and has extended at least a minimal level of state presence into every municipality, perhaps for the first time in history. The National Development Plan implemented by President Uribe's administration aims to consolidate state presence in all municipalities in the country. The three main objectives of the Plan are to: 1) provide democratic security; 2) improve public administration; and 3) promote social and economic reactivation. However, an integrated program is needed to consolidate this state presence and create economic opportunities in key rural municipalities, in order to assure that this progress is sustainable. The challenge now is to determine the most cost effective way to expand this initiative to achieve the Mission goal of sustainable reduction in the production of illicit drugs and the promotion of peace in Colombia. While area planted has been reduced dramatically in some zones, it has expanded in others. In addition, coca crops have shifted from large scale production in extensive areas to small production units co-located in more populous areas with traditional crops, and into protected national park land. Aerial spraying of herbicides has had the greatest impact on eradication, both in terms of direct eradication and of encouraging farmers to seek alternative development assistance. However, upfront voluntary eradication techniques (but not utilizing USAID resources) are also a key tool in the campaign to suppress illicit crops, particularly as production shifts from large-scale monoculture to smaller scale plantings interspersed with legitimate crops. USAID's strategy is now to work within groups of contiguous municipalities, some of which have illicit crops and some do not. The emphasis will be on creating sustainable economic activities throughout the groups of municipalities, at the same time that efforts are undertaken to eradicate illicit crops within the area. By emphasizing promotion of licit crops and economic activities throughout the area, the program will discourage a simple shift of production location as eradication progresses. Similarly, USAID/Colombia has made a major investment in improving municipal government capacity and performance in selected municipalities in Colombia as part of an integrated approach to reduce illicit crop production. These activities have supported the following components: municipal management; development planning; public services; finance and revenue; public information; public policy; and the social infrastructure fund (SIF) projects. The activities have placed emphasis on training of mayor's, the municipality's staff, the community and municipal council members. USAID's strategy, as will be described further below, is to approach the strengthening of municipal governments and the creation of economic opportunities among groups of contiguous municipalities in an integrated manner, in order to support eradication of illicit crops and prevent their spread or relocation. In addition, this integrated approach will allow more effective linkage to activities supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups. And promotion of licit crop activities will be coordinated with private sector-led investment initiatives, and assistance to the specialty coffee sector, to be assisted under separate USAID supported activities. Finally, these initiatives will also link to USAID investments to improve the administration and access to justice, protection of human rights, and efforts to reduce corruption. USAID's strategy is also aligned with the GOC's International Cooperation strategy which aims to strengthen the international coalition already working for peace in Colombia; the strengthening of both the State and civil society; and working towards the solution of the structural problems that the country is facing. The principal constraints to a more effective alternative development program at the municipal level can be summarized as: - Insecurity caused by continued violent activity of illegal armed groups, despite - increased initiatives by the Colombian armed forces. - Need to focus efforts on zones with demonstrated economic potential in order to develop sustainable, licit economic activities. There is limited knowledge among producers of production technology and marketing channels for more profitable licit crops and other economic activities. - Weak municipal governments that fail to provide needed services, so that citizens feel isolated from the State. - Local authorities and community leaders need to take a more proactive stance in discouraging production of illicit crops. - Poor economic infrastructure, due to ineffective municipal services, which discourages investment and economic activity. - Effective partnerships between private sector investors and producers in the target regions are needed in order to assure long term viability of economic activities. USAID/Colombia has decided to combine the alternative development and local government strengthening programs into a single, integrated activity, to be implemented by a single contractor (with sub-contractors, as needed) or consortium of firms. The Mission's intention is that these previous efforts now be fully integrated under a single contract mechanism, rather than managed as separate activities. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this procurement is 541990. The RFP may be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FEDBIZOPPS) web page (www.fedbizopps.gov) fifteen (15) days after this notice is issued. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 5.102, Availability of Solicitations, Paragraph (d), - AVAILABILITY OF THE RFP IS LIMITED TO THIS ELECTRONIC MEDIUM ONLY. Please direct related questions to Ms. Yvette Feurtado, Contracting Officer, USAID/Columbia at 571 423-6880x107/voice or via electronic mail at yvfeurtado@usaid.gov and nfarfan@usaid.gov.