Consultant Services For Final Evaluation

Request for Proposals

Title: Consultant Services For Final Evaluation

Date Solicitation is Issued: July 27, 2023

Solicitation Number: 268.07.27.2023.EVAL

Closing Date: August 9, 2023

Closing Time: 6:00 PM EDT (UTC – 04:00)

Entitles That May Apply: Both firms and individual consultants

Contractual Mechanism: Fixed Price

1. BACKGROUND

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunity, for all. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger— more healthy, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities, investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner with and enable civil society, governments, and the private sector for the greater good of the region.

With 60 years of experience across Latin America and the Caribbean and strong partnerships with local communities, civil society, and public and private sectors, we have an impeccable track record of success with extensive in-country networks and sound financial controls. We are uniquely positioned to develop and implement adaptable programs across multiple technical areas, quickly deploy to any country in Latin America and the Caribbean and activate existing local networks, measure, and evaluate our impact and performance comprehensive indicators, and communicate our progress through integrated communications strategies.

Under the thematic area, Advancing Rights and Justice, since 2020, PADF, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has implemented the project “New Institution Building with Diverse Organizations” (UNIDOS). The program prioritizes the interconnectedness between civil society, private sector, and public sector to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth. Through capacity building programs, job facilitation, and entrepreneurship support, all with an environmental focus, PADF promotes the strengthening of capacity of civil society organizations and their impact in public policy. Additionally, PADF has worked towards inclusive and accountable governance systems and democratic processes, collaborating with civil society organizations, public sector officials, academics, and institutions to establish an enabling environment that protects human rights, upholds the rule of law, and ensures access to justice.

2. PROJECT OVERVIEW

UNIDOS is a 36-month project funded by USAID, aimed at enhancing the quality, quantity, and diversity of Ecuadorian civil society and its influence in public policymaking. The project entails two key objectives. Firstly, it aims to bolster the organizational and advocacy capacity of emerging and grassroots civil society organizations (CSOs) across Ecuador, with a specific focus on geographic areas outside of Quito and Guayaquil. Secondly, it seeks to assist the Government of Ecuador (GOE) in advancing transparency initiatives by fostering international partnerships among government officials and various stakeholders. The theory of change, activities, and intermediate results can be seen in Annex II.

3. PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION

The final performance evaluation of UNIDOS seeks to address descriptive and normative questions, using systematic data collection and analysis of information about the activities performed relative to their intended theory of change, and their linkages with the outcomes obtained throughout the project. Participatory evaluation designs, involving the engagement of local stakeholders, are strongly encouraged.

The evaluation will be a valuable input for PADF and USAID for organizational learning and adaptive management. This evaluation also intends to capture emerging results to inform decisions about current and future programming. Knowledge and learning derived from the evaluation will be documented and disseminated with local organizations and communities to help spread effective practices widely for improved development.

The main question that the evaluation would address is: “were the intended outcomes of the project achieved?” Specific evaluation questions, that can be refined by the evaluation team, would be:

1. How effective has PADF and its partner organizations’ approach been in increasing the organizational and advocacy capacity of emerging and grassroots CSO and helping the Government of Ecuador advance transparency initiatives?
2. What are the main factors contributing to the achievement of the expected outcomes by PADF and their partner organizations? What are the external and internal constraints encountered?
3. Have the civil society organizations (CSOs) and/or partner organizations applied the training received on improving their participation in public policymaking?
4. Are the CSO and partner organizations satisfied with the activities carried out? (For training, this includes contents and methodology). What approaches and tools were particularly effective? Which ones can be improved?
5. Was the multi-stakeholder coalition organized as planned and effective at addressing corruption issues?
6. Were youth and other vulnerable groups successfully included in the activities of the project (training, workshops, etc.)?
7. What were the top concrete and tangible results the project achieved for CSOs and/or partner organizations to increase organizational and advocacy capacity of emerging and grassroots CSOs throughout Ecuador?
8. What were the top concrete and tangible results the project achieved that helped the Government of Ecuador advance transparency initiatives?

4. Relevant information

The evaluation team will have access to the following documents and resources available:

• Project work plan
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan
• Quarterly aggregated progress reports
• Partner reports
• Project / partners websites
• Workshops and trainings’ attendance sheets

The evaluation team is encouraged to gather primary data through site visits, interviews, surveys, focus groups, etc. depending on the proposed methodology.

5. LOCATION(S) OF ASSIGNMENT

Ecuador

6. TERMS OF REFERENCE, DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE (All applicable Taxes, Fees, and other costs should be included in the price proposal.)

1. Estimated Completion Date: September 26, 2023

Milestone: Methodology and Work Plan

Deliverable Description: A methodology and workplan includes the consultant’s qualitative and quantitative approach to understanding the project’s impact and obtaining information, conducting data analysis, and proposing a timeline for drafting and finalizing the final evaluation report.

Percent of Total: 25% of total

Total Payment From PADF: USD$ 2,125.00

2. Estimated Completion Date: October 17, 2023

Milestone: First Draft of Final Evaluation Report

Deliverable Description: The first draft of the final evaluation report must address the description and questions outlined in section III “Purpose of the evaluation.” It must include, at least, an executive summary, an introduction, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Percent of Total: 25% of total

Total Payment From PADF: USD$ 2,125.00

3. Estimated Completion Date: November 7, 2023

Milestone: Final Evaluation Report

Deliverable Description: The final evaluation report must build from the first draft of the final evaluation report incorporating all feedback and suggestions made by the PADF team.

Percent of Total: 50% of total

Total Payment From PADF: USD$ 4,250.00

Final Total Payment From PADF: USD$ 8,500.00

7. EVALUATION CRITERIA

1. Criteria: Technical approach/methodology

Score (out of 100): 30

2. Criteria: Consultant’s Relevant Experience

Score (out of 100): 30

3. Criteria: Cost

Score (out of 100): 30

4. Criteria: Proposed Timeline

Score (out of 100): 10

8. SUBMISSION DETAILS

1. Deadline. Proposals must be received no later than August 9, 2023, 6:00 PM EDT (UTC– 04:00). Late submissions will not be accepted. Proposals must be submitted via email to jvallejo@padf.org. All proposals are to be submitted following the guidelines listed in this RFP.
2. Validity of bid. 120 days from the submission deadline.
3. Clarifications. Questions may be submitted to jvallejo@padf.org by the specified date and time in the timeline below. The subject of the email must contain the RFP number and title of the RFP. PADF will respond in writing to submitted clarifications by the date specified in the timeline below. Responses to questions that may be of common interest to all bidders will be posted to the PADF website and/or communicated via email.
4. Amendments. At any time prior to the deadline for submission of proposals, PADF may, for any reason, modify the RFP documents by amendment which will be posted to the PADF website and/or communicated via email.
5. Timeline of Events

• Request for Proposals Issued: July 27, 2023
• Questions submitted to PADF: August 2, 2023
• Q&A document disseminated among known bidders: August 4, 2023
• Complete Proposals Due: August 9, 2023, 6:00 PM EDT (UTC – 04:00)
• Interviews for selected bidders: August 14, 2023 – August 18, 2023

9. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1. Qualification: Consultant has at least five years of experience in international development or similar field, including prior experience in ex-post evaluations.

Degree of Importance: Preference will be given to consultants who can meet this qualification.

2. Qualification: Consultant is fluent in Spanish and has excellent writing skills in English.

Degree of Importance: Consultant must meet this qualification.

3. Qualification: Consultant demonstrates knowledge in relevant topics such as human rights, democracy, civil society initiatives, transparency, accountability, empowerment of women, youth, and other vulnerable groups, and sustainable livelihoods.

Degree of Importance: Preference will be given to consultants who can meet this qualification.

4. Qualification: Consultant can adhere to the required timeframe.

Degree of Importance: Consultant must meet this qualification.

10. PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS TO INCLUDE

1. Signed cover page on bidder’s letterhead with the bidder’s contact information.
2. Technical Proposal.
   1. Corporate capabilities, experience, past performance, and three client references. Please include descriptions of similar projects or assignments.
   2. Qualifications of Key Personnel. Please attach CVs that demonstrate how the team proposed meets the minimum requirements listed in section IX (Minimum Requirements).
   3. Technical Approach, methodology, and detailed work plan. The Technical Proposal should describe in detail how the bidder intends to carry out the requirements described in the Terms of Reference.
   4. Please included completed Budget Template Provided with this RFP.

11. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Resulting Award

This RFP does not obligate PADF to execute a contract, nor does it commit PADF to pay any costs incurred in the preparation or submission of the proposals. Furthermore, PADF reserves the right to reject any and all offers, if such action is considered to be in the best interest of PADF. PADF will, in its sole discretion, select the winning proposal and is not obligated to share individual evaluation results.

Confidentiality

All proprietary information provided by the bidder shall be treated as confidential and will not be shared with potential or actual applicants during the solicitation process. This includes but is not limited to price quotations, cost proposals and technical proposals. PADF may, but is not obliged to, post procurement awards on its public website after the solicitation process has concluded, and the contract has been awarded. PADF’s evaluation results are confidential and applicant scoring will not be shared among bidders.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

As part of the contractor’s internal controls and standards of employee conduct, the contractor must ensure that its employees adhere to these standards of conduct in a manner consistent with the standards for United Nations (UN) employees in Section 3 of the UN Secretary-General’s Bulletin – Special measures protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (ST/SGB/2003/13).

Contracting with Small, Minority, and Women’s Businesses

PADF will take all necessary steps to assure that minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible.

Debarment and Suspension

Entities that appear on any exclusion lists, System for Award Management (SAM), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), UN Sanctions List, and other watchlists, will not have their bid evaluated and will not be eligible to receive any subaward that may result from this Request for Proposals.

ANNEX I, VENDOR INFORMATION

Please Annex the following information in your submitted proposal:

VENDOR INFORMATION FORM:

1. Vendor Type (Please indicate if a Firm or Individual Consultant):
2. Registration Status (Please indicate Employer Identification Number, Social Security Number, or other registration number):
3. Vendor’s Legal Name:
4. Company Contact Full Name:
5. Email Address:
6. Full Business Address (Including city, country, and postal code, if applicable):
7. Category (Not-For-Profit, For-Profit, Other):
8. Based in U.S.? (Yes or No):
9. Phone Number:
10. Government Owned Business? (Yes or No):
11. Signed and Printed Name:
12. Date:

ANNEX II, PROJECT INFORMATION

a. Summarized Theory of Change

IF PADF and its partners replicate proven strategies to identify, strengthen, and promote citizen participation by emerging CSOs outside Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil; AND they receive technical assistance to successfully engage stakeholders from the private and public sectors; AND Chilean experts from civil society, academia, and government with experience promoting transparency and accountability share their expertise with their Ecuadorian counterparts; THEN Ecuador will have a more transparent and accountable public sector, a more responsible and engaged private sector; and increased respect for democratic values, environmental sustainability, and human rights.

b. Main activities

Objective 1: Increase organizational and advocacy capacity of emerging and grassroots CSO throughout Ecuador with a focus outside of Quito and Guayaquil.

Intermediate result (IR 1.1) Grassroots and emerging CSOs strengthened.

• Provide training to civil society organizations (CSO) and/or partner organizations on institutional capacities (fundraising; project design and implementation; and monitoring and evaluation, among others) and/or participation in public policymaking (advocacy and awareness raising strategies; and human rights, among others).
• Support CSOs advocacy initiatives to reform or pass new laws, regulations, ordinances, or policies.

IR 1.2. Multi-stakeholder coalitions against corruption promoted.

• Carry out training and technical activities with leaders from civil society, private sector and/or government in anticipation of the establishment of the coalition against corruption.
• Support a multi-stakeholder coalition against corruption integrated by different actors such as civil society organizations, private sector and/or public institutions to address corruption issues.

IR 1.3 Youths and other vulnerable groups empowered.

• Support development projects to increase opportunities for Ecuadorian youths and vulnerable groups.
• Organize workshops for youths, women’s civil society organizations and/or individuals from priority groups on digital literacy knowledge, introduction to data management, circular economy, WASH, and sustainable agriculture, among other topics related to economic empowerment.
• Promote access to more sustainable and environmentally friendly livelihoods.
• Cross-cutting: Carry out social media campaigns focusing on the role of CSOs and the importance of their work in current issues like circular economy, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), green agriculture and sustainable projects, among other topics.

Objective 2: Help the Government of Ecuador advance transparency initiatives through international partnerships among government officials and other stakeholders.

IR 2.1 Capacity of GOE officials on anti-corruption, transparency, and environmental sustainability enhanced.

• Provide technical assistance from Chilean experts and/or public officials to Ecuadorian public sector (including training, workshops, seminars, among other assistance) related to open government, transparency, and/or anti-corruption best practices.
• Strengthen public institutions on new accountability or transparency mechanisms or practices.

IR 2.2 Networks of international experts created.

• Promote the participation of think tanks and/or academic institutions from Chile and/or Ecuador in a community of practice focusing on transparency and accountability.
• Produce research publications by the community of practice, containing recommendations for stakeholders from the private and/or public sectors to increase transparency and accountability. Implement and/or actively promote actionable recommendations contained in the research publications.
• Organize webinars on transparency and accountability.

ANNEX III, PADF CODE OF CONDUCT

PADF has an intrinsic set of values which can be categorized by H.E.A.R.T, which are categorized as:

Honesty: We work and express ourselves in an open, transparent, and clear manner.

Excellence: We strive for the highest results and standards, and work with clear and transparent processes deliverables, evidence and rigor. We are committed to those we serve, giving our time, energy and dedication to what we believe in.

Accountability: We pride ourselves on our integrity. We accept responsibility for our actions. We rigorously manage our results, our deliverables, our documentation, and our knowledge.

Respect: We value diversity and other points of view. We are inclusive and empathetic. We foster cooperation, collegiality and teamwork, working together toward the same ends. We seek to create a work environment of decency, working fairness, sincerity and trustworthiness.

Teamwork: We work as ONE PADF committing to our common goals and objectives. We foster cooperation, collegiality and teamwork. We make high-quality decisions as a team. We proactively and openly share knowledge, materials, and expertise. We foster and embrace innovation, creativity and diverse points of view. We are one team.

Offerors and their agents shall at all times act with integrity. Offerors and their agents shall not:

• Offer gifts, employment, and other benefits to Pan American Development Foundation employees and others who are in a position to influence the award of a contract.
• Attempt to seek confidential information in respect to tendering and contract formation processes associated with this RFP from Pan American Development Foundation employees and others who have access to confidential information.

All Offerors are expected to exercise the highest standards of conduct in preparing, submitting and if selected, eventually carrying out the specified work in accordance with PADF’s H.E.A.R.T. values.

Any violation of the Code of Conduct, as well as concerns regarding the integrity of the procurement process and documents should be reported to PADF via its Ethics Hotline at www.safecall.co.uk/report

ANNEX IV, FLOW DOWN PROVISIONS

USAID Fixed Price Subawards

USAID Standard Provisions

The complete list on all the Standard Provisions for FAA may be found at the link below:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/303mat_1.pdf