Request for Information on Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Practices Within Existing Activities and Structures at USAID/Zambia

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Zambia seeks to promote DEIA) in all of our policies and programs. USAID's emphasis on DEIA reflects the core values of the United States Government; the belief that the United States is at its best when our workforce and programs include and reflect the communities they serve. As used in this RFI: The term - diversity means the practice of including the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and beliefs. The term - equity means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals. The term - inclusion means the recognition, appreciation, and use of the talents and skillsof people of all backgrounds. The term - accessibility means the design, construction, development, and maintenance of facilities, information and communication technology, programs, and services so that all people, including people with disabilities, can fully and independently use them. Accessibility includes the provision of accommodations and modifications to ensure equal access to employment and participation in activities for people with disabilities, the reduction or elimination of physical and attitudinal barriers to equitable opportunities, a commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities can independently access every outward-facing and internal activity or electronic space, and the pursuit of best practices such as universal design. Note: These definitions are informed and framed by the definitions in Executive Order 14035. These definitions are only used for the context of this RFI and do not represent approved USAID definitions. By issuing this Request for Information (RFI), USAID/Zambia aims to consult with the community of private sector actors, public institutions, development partners, non-governmental organizations, industry associations, think tanks and academia to learn more ways in which we may advance DEIA practices and inclusive development within its existing activities and structures. Purpose of this RFI USAID/Zambia is currently reviewing its activities to identify how to better incorporate DEIA principles into its existing structures and portfolio. USAID/Zambia invites input from all stakeholders, implementing partners, and interested parties, to obtain comments/suggestions on how to best advance and incorporate DEIA and inclusive development into USAID/Zambia's existing activities and structures. We are open to receiving any and all viable comments/suggestions, hence the very broad request. Response Requested Please send responses to this RFI via email to jhutton@usaid.gov and dmuleya@usaid.gov by 1500 Lusaka time on November 29, 2022 with the subject title - Request for Information (RFI): USAID/Zambia DEIA", no later than the date/time stated above. There is no page limit, but to expedite our review and also be considerate of your time, please focus on concise, issue-specific comments. Respondents will receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of their response, but will not receive individualized feedback on any contributions. Responses to this RFI are voluntary and responses will strictly be held confidential. Responses may be submitted anonymously. Proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should not be included in responses. The Government will use the information submitted in response to this RFI at its discretion. The Government reserves the right to use any submitted information in any possible resultant solicitation(s), grant(s), or cooperative agreement(s), or in the development of future funding opportunity announcements. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)/Request for Applications (RFA), an Annual Program Statement, a Request for Proposal, a Request for Quotation, an Invitation for Bids, a Solicitation, or an indication that USAID/Zambia will make an award from this RFI. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.