Request for Information - Applied Innovation Research

Request for Information (RFI) USAID/U.S. Global Development Lab Subject: Approaches for Applied Innovation Background The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Global Development Lab (Development Lab) is researching ways to encourage contractors and implementing partners to propose and integrate innovation in their proposals/applications and activity implementation. This research topic has developed from discussions about compliance vs risk when USAID requests innovation in activities. There is not a specific Request for Proposal (RFP) or Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that will incorporate feedback from this RFI. Instead, the Development Lab plans to provide the feedback to Missions and Operating Units with the intent of identifying teams that want to test some of the feedback, track how it works, and report back to the larger USAID community. Our goal is to have some aspects of the feedback incorporated into some actual RFPs/NOFOs posted in the second or third quarter of fiscal year 2017. The Development Lab will consolidate the feedback and remove identifying information before it distributes the feedback to Missions and Operating Units. Information Requested We invite contractors and implementing partners to respond to the following questions: 1. What is a useful way to communicate about innovation and appetite for risk-taking in an RFP/NOFO? Is a general definition of innovation enough (for example: Innovation is "Any initiative (product, process, program, project, or platform) that challenges, and over time, contributes to changing the defining routines, resources, and authority flows or beliefs of the broader social system in which it is introduced.")? Would an evaluation factor about risk be a more tangible way to communicate appetite for innovation and risk? Please provide examples of RFPs/NOFOs from USAID or other agencies/sources that effectively communicate about innovation and risk. 2. Many sources recommend that the government emphasize results instead of prescribed activities but there is great variation in methods to define results. What are useful ways to define results in an RFP/NOFO? Is there a USAID sector that particularly lends itself (or not) to results-based activity design? Please provide examples of RFPs/NOFOs from USAID or other agencies/sources that effectively present results instead of prescribed activities. 3. It can be a challenge to evaluate cost realism of innovation and risk. What are useful approaches or assumptions in considering the relationship between innovation, risk and cost? The United Kingdom's Department for International Development uses a concept of Value For Money in evaluating cost. What are potential benefits of or problems with including this type of evaluation in an RFP/NOFO? 4. In current ongoing activities are there barriers to using innovative approaches or solutions? If so, what are they? Are there particular actions USAID could take to encourage and support implementers in finding and using innovative approaches and solutions? 5. Are there issues in USAID's RFP/NOFO and award management processes that you view as more important and potentially more impactful to address than innovation and risk? If so, what are they? How to Submit a Response Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically by 8:00 am October 18, 2016 to Ethan Takahashi at etakahashi@usaid.gov. Responses will be shared with Missions and Operating Units in a non-attributable format. The Development Lab encourages and appreciates responses from all interested parties. FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of: obtaining industry perspective on the research questions above. (End of provision)