Request for Information (RFI) Subject: USAID/Central Asia’s Turkmenistan New Generation Activity Reference: RFI NO. 72011520R00004 Issued: September 29, 2020 Due Date: October 14, 2020, 10:00 AM Almaty Time The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)/Central Asia, is seeking input from interested organizations, individuals and potential offerors who may provide comments, input, opinions and recommendations in response to the proposed questions outlined in this RFI. The purpose of this RFI is to provide an opportunity for industry and stakeholder professionals in the field of youth and workforce development to integrate their technical expertise and analysis into the USAID/Central Asia activity design. Responses to the RFI are not considered a proposal or application and will not be accepted or evaluated by USAID/Central Asia. USAID/Central Asia will review only responses related to the RFI. USAID/Central Asia may integrate responses received in the planning and design of the Turkmenistan New Generation Activity. The release of this RFI does not obligate the United States Government or USAID to release a funding opportunity or solicitation for this proposed activity. United States and USAID are not responsible for any costs incurred in preparing responses to this RFI. Sincerely, Joshua Schramm Contracting/Agreement Officer USAID/Central Asia Request for Information I. BACKGROUND: USAID/Central Asia is currently designing a follow-on activity to the Turkmenistan Enriching Youth for Tomorrow activity, which delivered life planning, economic knowledge, and business skills training to youth aged 15-25. The new design will continue to target young citizens of Turkmenistan aged 15-25 to ensure youth have the foundational coping skills, critical and logical thinking skills, and familiarity with information and digital technology to obtain gainful employment. The inability of the secondary and high education school systems to properly educate and train Turkmenstani youth for the employment needs of the Turkmenistan’s economy contributes to the persistent 8% youth unemployment.[1] Youth unemployment is further exacerbated due the lack of recognition and accreditation for international degrees. Consequently, students that complete their degrees outside of Turkmenistan are equally unable to obtain employment as their degrees are not recognized. The persistent high levels of youth unemployment and brain drain continue to cripple the country’s economy and the ability of the private sector to compete in the global market. Turkmenistan is a young country, with 40% of the population under 25. The youth of Turkmenistan could make great changes in the social and economic life of the country if opportunities to do so were available. However, this generational opportunity may be lost, if the Turkmenistan educational institutions, both public and private, fail to ensure youth possess the skills needed to be successful in the 21st century economy. II QUESTIONS: USAID/Central Asia is currently designing the follow-on to the Enriching Youth for Tomorrow activity to improve youth workforce development in Turkmenistan and would like to gather information on the following questions. The submitted information must not exceed four pages, including annexes and attachments. The submitted response should include the questions, response, and recommendations for considerations and improvements. Specifically, please consider the following questions in your response: Skills Development ➢ Please describe geographical considerations, geographical target areas and any constraints USAID/Central Asia should consider in designing this activity. ➢ What gaps in the provision of skills development in Turkmenistan should USAID/Central Asia consider investing in? If possible, please describe why there is a current disconnect between the skills currently being provided versus the skills the private sector requires in its employment needs. ➢ What employment opportunities exist in the short-term and mid-term? ➢ Please recommend and describe youth focused activities that have a track record for success in Turkmenistan or countries similar in developing IT and digital skills in youth aged 15-25. ➢ How should USAID/Central Asia implement short and/or long-term-term IT certification programs (such as CISCO, ORACLE or similar) in Turkmenistan so that secondary school graduates acquire internationally recognized credentials in IT? ➢ What current youth apprenticeship programs exist in Turkmenistan and can be leveraged or strengthened, in both the public and private sectors? What gaps exist in these programs? Are there other opportunities that USAID/Central Asia should consider? ➢ Please describe approaches to ensure marginalized and vulnerable youth are integrated into workforce development activities in a country similar to Turkmenistan. What challenges to inclusion exist in Turkmenistan and what marginalized groups should USAID/Central Asia consider? Please provide examples in Turkmenistan or countries with similar political-economic conditions. Partnership and Local Institutional Capacity Building ➢ Please recommend and describe national, regional and local institutions USAID/Central Asia should consider partnering and coordinating with and why? Please note any geographical considerations related to these institutions. ➢ How should USAID/Central Asia collaborate and partner with higher education institutions? Please describe skills development areas that USAID/Central Asia could develop in or with higher education institutions, aside from career guidance and growth centers? ➢ What approach should USAID/Central Asia consider to develop to building local rural, peri-urban and urban organizations and small businesses’ ability to provide skills training (including entrepreneurial skills) and mentorship to Turkmenistani youth? ➢ What Turkmenistani Unions should USAID/Central Asia consider partnering with in the workforce development sector (please note why USAID should partner with them as well), and what challenges would USAID face in that partnership? In addition to the specific questions, requested above, please outline below any general program recommendations, relevant context, existing capacities, or other information pertinent to the design of future USAID/Central Asia programming on youth workforce development in Turkmenistan that USAID should consider. Please do not copy information from publicly available reports but you are free to include citations or references. III How to submit a response Responses must be submitted electronically to
[email protected] with a copy to Dauren Akhmetov, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (
[email protected]) and Joshua Schramm, Contracting Officer (
[email protected]). All comments must be submitted electronically to
[email protected] under the title: RFI 72011520R00004, USAID/Central Asia Turkmenistan New Generation Activity. Responses to this RFI will be accepted through October 14, 2020, 10:00 am (Almaty time). USAID/Central Asia will provide an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response. USAID/Central Asia will not provide feedback or suggestions in response to the RFI and no applications or resumes will be accepted or considered. Responses will not be made public. No basis for claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or from the U.S. Government’s use of such information. Specific questions about this RFI should be directed only to the email addresses identified above. USAID/Central Asia will not respond to any telephone or other inquiries regarding this notice. Respondents do not need to respond to all the questions listed above. The submitted response must not exceed four pages, including annexes and attachments. Please include the following in all submission: Reference Number: USAID/Turkmenistan New Generation Activity Date: Affiliation/ Organization: Business Address: Representative Name / Email: A short technical narrative that includes responses to the Questions in the RFI Please note that USAID/Central Asia is not seeking technical or cost applications at this time. Do not submit any application in response to this RFI. Issuance of this notice does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of comments. Thank you for your interest in this RFI No. 72011520R00004 [1] World Bank Turkmenistan Youth Unemployment