Idrees Raheem

Idrees Raheem serves as an Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) Specialist at USAID/Afghanistan, where he plays a critical role in executing technical procurement strategies aligned with the agency’s mission of sustainable development and institutional capacity building. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of acquisitions—from needs assessment and market research to contract award and performance monitoring—he specializes in engineering and infrastructure-related assistance instruments, particularly those supporting energy resilience and renewable energy deployment. His work directly enables USAID’s strategic objectives in power sector modernization and climate-adaptive infrastructure, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and U.S. foreign assistance policy. Idrees collaborates with a diverse range of contractors specializing in renewable energy systems, grid modernization, and technical advisory services. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages firms with proven expertise in solar energy design, installation, and maintenance, as well as those capable of delivering localized training and institutional support. His procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and local capacity transfer, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in accountability and measurable impact. Idrees’s contracting activity reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of his acquisitions classified as “No Set-Aside.” This indicates a focus on selecting the most technically qualified offerors regardless of socioeconomic status, prioritizing capability and delivery over set-aside categories such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB. While small business participation is not formally targeted, his process remains transparent and inclusive, allowing all eligible firms to compete on merit. His primary procurement focus is centered on NAICS 221114 (Solar Electric Power Generation), reflecting deep expertise in photovoltaic system procurement, energy storage integration, and grid-connected renewable infrastructure. He routinely acquires turnkey solar solutions, engineering services, and technical training packages designed to enhance Afghanistan’s energy security and institutional resilience in off-grid and rural communities.