This Request for Information (RFI) which seeks industry input, approaches and best practices on the design and implementation of a proposed activity focused on Improving Learning for Ethiopia’s Primary Grade Students (ILEPGS). Context USAID/Ethiopia is responsible for one of the Agency’s largest and most innovative education programs and has demonstrated the potential for contributing meaningfully and significantly to USAID’s Global education targets. USAID has implemented reading interventions in Ethiopia in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE) since 2010, with most of the substantive work beginning with activities such as IQPEP and READ TA. Much more needs to be done in terms of curriculum development, teacher and administrator training, community engagement and outreach, and school-based implementation, as described in further below detail in Attachment A. ILEPGS’s overall objective is to improve reading proficiency of 15 million children by 2021. The estimated cost allocated for this project is between $79-$140 million. This proposed activity will commence for a period of five years starting on or before May 2017. 1. A draft project description (Attachment A) is attached for your review. We solicit your input on best practices, methodologies or innovative approaches necessary for implementing this activity considering the following areas; Overall feasibility of the proposed interventions, industry experience and how such experience may be relevant and applicable to the Ethiopian context; 2. Possible challenges associated with the proposed activities and outcomes; 3. Whether the illustrative activities and outcomes allow sufficient flexibility to achieve the stated results and suggestions as to what else may be needed; 4. Considerations in the use of Grants Under Cooperative Agreement (GUCAs) or direct government grants for trainings as realistic and appropriate for this context; 5. Potential bottlenecks which could impact the achievement of the proposed outcomes over a five-year period. Industry leaders and partners are requested to review the attached project description and submit a brief response (5-10 pages) addressing the above mentioned highlights areas as well as their capacity to implement the aforementioned activity. In addition please include a capabilities statement for your organization which identifies your organization type (US Small Business, Non-Governmental Organization, US For Profit Organization or International Organization) your business location, organizational structure and a list up to three projects of similar scope and magnitude you have performed as either a prime or sub awardee within the last three years. All comments/responses must be submitted electronically to
[email protected] with a copy to Ms. Mariamawit Girma at
[email protected] . Responses to this RFI will be accepted through Monday, June 20, 2016 at 17:00 (Addis Ababa time). You will receive only an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive individualized feedback. No basis for claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this request for information or from the US Government's use of such information. Specific questions about this RFI should be directed only to the email addresses identified above. USAID Ethiopia office will not respond to any telephone or other inquiries regarding this notice. The submitted response should include: Reference Number: RFl-663-16-05 Name Email Organization Address Date: Please attach any documents that support your response to this RFI. Please note that USAID is not seeking technical or cost proposals at this time. Do not submit any proposal/application at this time in response to this RFI. Only the information requested above will be considered. 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. Regards, Anthony E. Amerson Director, Office of Acquisition and Assistance