Last Updated: March 8, 2023

METI CONSULTANT SOW

Region/Program Area: Latin America & the Caribbean
Parent Contract: 12318723D0002
Long-term Consultants
Mexico Normative Wood Guide Consultants

The US Forest Service International Programs (USFS/IP) requests METI secure the services of Mexico
Normative Wood Guide Consultants. The consultants will assist the USFS/IP in the planning and developing
guides outlining Mexican laws, policies and procedures that dictate timber harvest, timber traceability, and
wood sample collection in Mexico.

Background: With support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the USFS strengthens institutional and technical
capacity of Mexican institutions so that they may manage and restore forests and
prevent deforestation and degradation.

Location of Work: Positions may be located wherever the program manager and the consultants agree is
most beneficial for all parties, including the consultant’s homes/offices. Travel to and
within Mexico as the program requires may be necessary.

Qualifications Consultant 1/Category 1 should have the following skills:

• A minimum of five years of work in a natural resource, law, or environment
related field;
• Experience working on forest governance and management, and forestry
related programs in Mexico;
• Demonstrated ability to perform natural resource law and policy research,
especially in the area of forestry;
• Experience with writing and publishing;
• Proven ability to work well with multi-level stakeholders;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• The ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Experience working with government institutions (including land
management agencies), NGOs, universities, and research institutions in the
region; and,
• Spanish language fluency.
Consultant 2/Category 2 should have the following skills:
• A minimum of five years of work in a natural resource, law or environment
related field;
• Experience working on forest governance and management, and forestry
related programs in Mexico;
• Demonstrated ability to perform natural resource law and policy research,
especially in the area of forestry;
• Experience with writing and publishing;
• Proven ability to work well with multi-level stakeholders;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• The ability to work in a multi-cultural environment,
• Experience working with government institutions (including land
management agencies), NGOs, universities, and research institutions in the

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region; and,
• Spanish language fluency.

Duties
Consultant 1/Category 1 duties:
• Research current regulations and institutional procedures for the creation of
wood products, and clearly and concisely present the information in a report;
• Create a training manual and one-pager on timber traceability in Mexico;
• Provide follow-up and solicit feedback to assist in identification of priorities
and next steps to achieve program objectives;
• Submit a calendar of activities to USFS within two weeks of the start date;
• Participate in monthly check-ins with USFS; and,
• Provide USFS/IP program managers with brief monthly activity reports.
Consultant 2/Category 2 duties:
• Research current regulations and institutional procedures for the creation of
wood products, and clearly and concisely present the information in a report;
• Produce a guidebook and one-pager on forestry laws and policies in Mexico;
• Create a simple guide for measuring and calculating raw materials and forest
products;
• Provide follow-up and solicit feedback to assist in identification of priorities
and next steps to achieve program objectives;
• Submit a calendar of activities to USFS within two weeks of the start date;
• Participate in monthly check-ins with USFS; and,
• Provide USFS/IP program managers with brief monthly activity reports.

Oversight and The consultants will report to the USFS/IP Mexico Program Manager.
Reporting:

Communication: The consultant will keep the USFS/IP Mexico Program Manager fully informed of
his/her activities.

Cell Phone: The consultants may use their own cell phone and bill METI for minutes spent on
USFS related business.

Period of 5/8/2023 to 2/29/2024. The services may need to be extended through 4/30/2024. The
Performance: extension will be solely at the government's discretion. This order covers expenses
only for the initial period of performance.

Anticipated Work It is estimated that these activities will require 189 days.
Schedule:

Anticipated Travel: It is anticipated the consultants will need to make 2 trips within Mexico, requiring 2
domestic round trip airfares and approximately 10 days of per diem total.

Anticipated NA
Workshop(s):

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Anticipated The consultants may also need to purchase office supplies and equipment as necessary
Supplies and to support these activities, and specifically to cover the design and printing costs of a
Equipment: normative wood guide for Mexico.

Emergency This project will not require Emergency Evacuation Coverage.

Evacuation
Coverage

Training: NA

Anticipated Miscellaneous expenses such as local transportation and communications via cell
Miscellaneous phone and internet on USFS related business will be reimbursed.
Expenses:

Government The individuals will not require a government issued laptop and/or cell phone.
Furnished
Equipment:

USFS/IP Point of Rachel Sheridan, 202-492-7564

Contact & Phone: