R -- Integrated Education Program (IEP) for USAID/South Africa

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to implement USAID/South Africa's (USAID/SA) new Integrated Education Program (IEP) which is targeted to improve access to quality education for South Africa's historically disadvantaged population. The IEP will be implemented in the four target provinces - Eastern Cape (EC), Northern Cape (NC), KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Limpopo (LP). The Mission has developed parameters for a new primary education-focused activity that integrates and creates synergies with ongoing training and higher education activities, the IEP. The new IEP will build on the lessons learned and best practices developed over the course of the program, namely, (i) use of a holistic approach to school development, especially governance which must involve communities; (ii) emphasis on leadership development at both school and district levels; and (iii) provision of support to clusters of schools, rather than individual schools. Under the anticipated contract, the contractor will be expected to contribute to the achievement of the following key objectives in order to assist USAID/South Africa to attain the result of - improved quality of primary education, with a specific focus on improving the system's capacity to deliver quality math and science programs. Those objectives are: (i) enhanced capacity of teachers (targeted to the teaching of literacy, numeracy, mathematics and science; (ii) effective implementation of Curriculum 2005 (C2005), with a focus on literacy, numeracy, mathematics and science curriculum; and (iii) improved educational management and enhanced school governance. The stated objectives are consistent with the National Department of Education (NDoE) and those of other local and international development partners. USAID/South Africa anticipates awarding one performanced based contract for a three year period using full and open competition. The government estimate is $9m with an optional 4th year for an additional amount of $3m. The preferred method of distribution of USAID Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) information is via the Government-wide point of entry (GPE). This pre-solicitation notice can be viewed and downloaded using http://www.fedbizopps.gov. The solicitation, once issued, can be downloaded from the GPE. You are encouraged to access the solicitation via the Internet as this eliminates possible delays associated with mailing, in general, and particularly from overseas Missions. You must confirm in writing to the contact person noted above that you have received this solicitation document and you are responsible for ensuring that you have received it from the Internet in its entirety. USAID bears not responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Further, be aware that amendments to solicitations are occasionally issued and will be posted on http://www.fedbizops.gov.