PEACE CORPS OVERSEAS REQUEST FOR QUOTE TEMPLATE

CONTRACTING OFFICER GUIDANCE Contracting Officers will use this template for all purchases greater than $10,000 shall use this template. The sections in RFQ correspond to the Elements of a Contract. Guidance to Contracting Officers for completing the Peace Corps RFQ Template has been followed. Instructions for each [Note to Contracting Officer] have been followed. [Notes to Contracting Officer] which are embedded in the template have been deleted before final printing, posting, or sending to OACM to review. Any blank rows or columns have been deleted. Contracting Officer has actually read RFQ prior to soliciting quotes.

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PEACE CORPS Overseas Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Supplies/Services/Equipment Date: January 11, 2013 Peace Corps intends to offer a firm-fixed price contract for an External Evaluator for the evaluation of the Volunteer for Environmental Governance (VEG) Project.

Background: In October 2004, the US Peace Corps in the Philippines began implementing the Volunteers in Environmental Governance (VEG) project, which aims to support activities that will promote good environmental governance in Local Government Units (LGUs) and other local institutions to sustainably manage forest, coastal-marine and water resources, and promote integrated solid waste management, in support of efforts to reduce environmental degradation and protect biodiversity. The VEG project operates under a Participating Agency Service Agreement (PASA) (Contract No. 492-P-00-04-00038-00) between the United States Peace Corps (USPC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Through this Agreement, USAID and Peace Corps/Philippines agreed to work together to accomplish the following: 1. Promote best practices of natural resource planning; 2. Increase understanding of CRM, forestry and water/sanitation issues through relevant community based environmental education; 3. Promote the adoption of best practices in solid waste management; 4. Promote environmental education/awareness, sustainable livelihood and the participation of youth in conservation activities particularly in biologically significant areas including coastal, marine, and terrestrial/upland areas; 5. Increase community ownership and improved management of forests, upland areas and marine resources, as well as develop indigenous leadership; 6. Support the introduction of renewable energy in remote communities not connected to any grid; and 7. Strengthen the institutional capacity of LGUs and other local institutions to improve their environmental management practices. The specific activities under this project include: A. Special Activities Fund (SAF) Volunteers and their communities were able to submit proposals for funding to carry out small projects that support the overall objectives of USAIDs environmental governance strategy.

B. Project Design and Management Workshops (PDM) In the PDM workshop, Volunteers and their counterparts learned how to involve the community members in the process of moving from their assessment of the community to planning and implementing projects that address environmental governance issues. In this Training of Trainers workshop, participants received materials that allowed them to replicate either all or part of the workshop in their community or regions. The general goals of the PDM workshop for the Peace Corps include:

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Reinforce the philosophy of assets-based community participation, and provide methodologies and techniques that involve community members in designing and implementing environmental governance and other community projects. Enhancing the professional working relationship between Filipinos engaged in community based environmental governance and Peace Corps Volunteers Building host country national community development skills and confidence through the introduction of assets-based and appreciative inquiry methodologies.

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A total of nine, five-day PDM workshops were offered during the life of the project, one in the first year and two each succeeding year. A volunteer and counterpart must have successfully completed a certified PDM prior to submitting a proposal for funding from the SAF. Volunteers and counterparts who have successfully completed a PDM workshop were also able to funds to organize and implement local PDM workshops.

C. Environmental Networking/Exchange Opportunities This activity created opportunities for environmental organizations, government agencies, USAID partners and communities to come together to network, exchange information, materials and share environmentally sound best practices. Expected Project Results and Indicators In accordance with USAID/Philippines Strategic Objective #4 (SO4) indicators, impacts will be measured according to the following performance indicators: 1.) Hectares of forests maintained under improved management. Improved management of forests will be measured according to one or more of the following: Stakeholders consensus on land allocation and sub-watershed prioritization; forest land use plans by local government, communities and other concerned stakeholders, including budget earmarked for implementation; formation of multi-sectoral forest protection group; documented adaptive management capability to identify and address threats to forests and forest lands; implementation of agro-forestry and other related livelihood that supports the proper management of forest resources; and increased use of renewable sources of energy in support of livelihood projects Hectares of coastal-marine resources under improved management and number of marine sanctuaries established or strengthened. Improved management of coastalmarine resources may include one or more of the following measures: best coastal-marine management practices being implemented such as CRM plans drafted/adopted, fisheries and coastal management ordinances developed/implemented, marine sanctuaries established, enforcement of marine sanctuaries strengthened, mangroves under community-based fishery management agreements, among others; implementation of livelihood activities that supports the proper management of coastal-marine resources; increased use of renewable sources of energy in support of livelihood projects; and formation of multi-sectoral marine sanctuaries protection group.

2.)

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3.)

Percentage of waste diverted to recycling/composting by participating LGUs or communities. Measuring this indicator will include comparing baseline data on current recycling and composting practices of LGUs and/or communities prior to project implementation with changes in recycling and composting practices across time. Other performance milestones may also include: number of solid waste management facilities established (Materials Recovery Facility for recycling/composting, controlled dumpsites, sanitary landfill); sites for SWM facilities selected and approved; LGUs/communities with policies for household garbage fees adopted; marketing strategy for specific recyclables product developed (e.g., PET, paper) and implemented; incentives developed to increase recycling/composting; and junkshops, informal collectors and recyclers organized in participating LGUs and communities. Number of LGUs or communities with investments in potable water supply and sanitation facilities. Project performance will be measured based on actual or planned investments in potable water supply and sanitation facilities by participating LGUs and communities. Other indicators may include one or more of the following: strategic action plans, both short and medium-term, developed by LGUs and the communities to improve supply of potable water and access to sanitation facilities; project design that include pre-feasibility analysis, financing plan for implementing priority potable water supply and sanitation/waste water management facilities developed; local ordinances on potable water supply and water quality management enacted by city/municipal council; increased involvement of communities and/or the private sector in financing potable water supply and sanitation infrastructure; and increased use of renewable sources of energy in providing potable water supply and sanitation facilities to communities.

4.)

Interested vendors should submit a quote for the services/supplies as described in this RFQ. Quotes are due by the following address by 4:00 p.m. not later than 1 February 2013 to ssanjose@ph.peacecorps.gov with an email subject noted as: Volunteer for Environmental Governance (VEG) Project Evaluator. Any questions regarding the RFQ may be addressed to the same person. No phone inquiries will be accepted. Offers received after the closing date will not be accepted. Name: Shiela San Jose th Address: 6 Floor PNB Financial Centre Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City Email: ssanjose@peacecorps.gov

A.

Price/Period of Performance:

Indicate in your proposal your professional fee and a detailed budget for costs such as travel to Luzon and Visayas areas, community and stakeholder meetings/interviews, validation activities and etc. The total project cost should not exceed US$ 15,000.

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This is a project for 45 man days from 11 February - 27March 2013. Contractors quotes shall be a Firm Fixed-Price, and inclusive of any administrative or overhead costs B. Statement of Work/Specifications Contractors Qualifications Education requirement: Minimum Bachelors Degree with a strong preference for a post graduate candidate degree in environmental studies, natural resource management, conservation, community development or a degree in a related field At least 5 years of progressive experience with an emphasis on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of environmental, conservation, and/or coastal resource management projects Good understanding of program management Strong interviewing, analytical and participatory skills Strong leadership and management skills Excellent English writing and communication skills Work experience with international organizations/ and local government units Familiar with Peace Corps and Coastal Resource Management (CRM) small grants projects a preference Kindly show your suitability for this consultancy by submitting a proposal including a work plan on how you would approach the external evaluation as described on this RFP.

C. Location of Work Contractors own work place and field work at various Peace Corps Volunteers site D. Delivery Schedule

Date
11 February 2013

Activity
Provide an overview on the Volunteer for Environmental Governance (VEG) Project Provision of VEG documents and reports Review project documents, including the scope of work, project proposal, VEG volunteer reports, and other relevant materials. Develop the evaluation methodology and instruments for review and approval by the Project staff. Develop a detailed logistics plan for the duration of the evaluation, including travel to various sites and all field work.

Person responsible
Concerned Peace Corps staff Evaluator

11-15 February

Evaluator Evaluator

16 February -9 March 2013

Field work to various sites Fielding of survey forms

Evaluator

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11 March 2013 10-14 March 2013 14 March 2013 20 March 2013 22March 2013 27 March 2013

Debriefing on the field visits with Peace Corps Report Preparation Submission of first draft Submission of Final draft report Send feedback on evaluation report Submit final report

Evaluator Evaluator Evaluator Evaluator Peace Corps and USAID Evaluator

Delivery Location: POC Name: Maria Josella Pangilinan th Mailing Address: 6 Floor PNB Financial Centre, Macapagal Avenue Phone Number: 833-6420 local 3888

E. Acceptance Criteria Meet the objectives of the Evaluation Assess the performance of the project in achieving its objectives and targets and identify areas of success and challenges in the implementation Identify and document the outcomes, strengths and challenges of VEG implementation from the perspective of the Peace Corps volunteers, local government and community partners. To draw conclusions and make recommendations for future strategy and improvements in the implementation

Proposed evaluation framework The evaluation shall use the framework as shown in Figure 1 below: Figure 1: VEG evaluation framework Input The resources that the project has used and the activities implemented. Output Direct results of project activities, including changes in knowledge, skills and attitudes (that are related to CRM/Fisheries) that may have not been demonstrated in behavior yet Outcome Changes in behavior (persons) and practices (organizations) - that are related to CRM/Fisheries - as a result of project activities Impact Changes in the lives of the target group

The framework aims to identify the outputs, outcomes and impact of the project. But its main concern is how the outputs led to outcomes and later to impacts, if they did; and how and why these chain of results were achieved or not and what lessons can be gained from the experience. Outputs of the Evaluation The outputs of the evaluation shall be the following: 1) Design of evaluation instruments: survey forms, guide questions, etc

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2) Final evaluation report: A report in English between 10 to 25 pages (single space, not more than 12 points, 1 inch margin on all sides of A4 paper) excluding Appendices. The report should cover the major findings and recommendations of the evaluation and should contain an executive summary.

F. Contract Terms and Conditions The evaluation will last 45 working days, beginning with the date of signature of the contract by the last party and ending no later than with the acceptance of the final report.

G. Peace Corps Payment Schedule and Terms Contractor will receive payment in approximately 30 days after acceptance of all deliverables and receipt of valid/accurate invoice through Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) H. Evaluation Factors: Award will be made after consideration of the following factors as marked below: _X_ Price ___ Delivery Timeframe ___ Payment Terms ___ Warranties _X__ Past Performance/Reference Checks ___ Other (Specify) Award may be made to other than the low priced quote. The award will be made to the total quote that offers the best value in accordance with the above evaluation factors. I. Instructions to Vendors: a. Please read RFQ in its entirety including factors that will be considered in making award in Section VI. b. Return completed RFQ by due date as follows: 1) Fill in prices in Section II and in Section III (if applicable). 2) Unless delivery date(s) are provided, provide delivery date(s) in Section IV. 3) List/state any other terms or items in Section VIII not requested in the RFQ that is believed would benefit Peace Corps and would improve consideration for selection. These terms/items must not increase the prices quoted in Section B. 4) Sign and return RFQ by required due date. J. Other Terms/Items Offered at No Additional Cost:

SUPPLIER AUTHORIZED REPSENTATIVE Name: _________________________ Signature: ______________________ Phone: ________________________ Position/Title: __________________________ Date: _______________________________ Email: _______________________________

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