Draft Solicitation Export Led Growth in Kosovo

THIS IS NOT A FINAL RFP. The overall goal of USAID’s new trade and market linkages activity is to boost exports by enhancing the competitiveness of key sectors and promoting greater integration with European and global markets, thus generating private sector employment in Kosovo. This activity will take a market systems approach to improve private sector performance to meet the standards of the international market, thus boosting exports and employment. Expected results across selected sectors include: 1) Market systems strengthened to increase sector competitiveness. 2) Market actors within those market systems are more productive and competitive. Achievements will be measured through indicators of both: 1) tangible economic benefits, and 2) market systems that are growing more competitive, resilient, and inclusive. The Activity must incorporate the following interrelated steps and parameters: 1- Sector Selection (completed at the time of contract award based on successful offeror's proposal, anticipated are three sectors), 2- Market System and Constraints Analysis, 3- Baseline Assessments, Target Results, and Action Plans, 4- Activity Implementation, 5- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, and 6- Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting. Steps 2 and 3 will constitute an initial Inception Phase during which the required rigorous analysis will be carried out, and specific priority interventions can be considered and recommended based on those findings.