R -- Democratic Development and Citizen Participation (DDCP)

Democratic Development and Citizen Participation Project (DDCP) RFP Pre-Solicitation Notice Description: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) intends to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to implement the program described below. The DDCP has been a joint effort between the Bolivian and U.S. governments since 1995. That year, USAID/Bolivia (USAID/B) authorized an eight year DDCP project to support democratic development in Bolivia including implementation of the 1994 Popular Participation Law (PPL). The PPL and 1995 Constitutional Reforms created for the first time in Bolivia a democratic political environment which not only enabled, but required citizens to participate fully in the decisions affecting their lives. The DDCP project is now at a point where further work is needed to strengthen and sustain the work accomplished over the past eight years. Emphasis will be on the replication of lessons learned thus far and further application of an already existing participatory municipal planning model and a parallel gender model. The new, five-year DDCP project's purpose is to: (a) strengthen citizen participation in municipal and national government; and (b) develop the ability of municipal governments, national and departmental electoral institutions and the National Congress to respond effectively to the demands resulting from increased and directed citizen participation. The contractor will continue to expand the participatory municipal planning in more urban areas in Bolivia. To include gender-sensitive planning model, using departmental associations and groups of associations known as mancomunidades, as well as, Government of Bolivia (GOB) entities, non-governmental organizations, and other interested partners. The contractor will maintain and expand the DDCP Popular Participation Grant Fund, for continued support to Bolivia's Federation of Municipalities (FAM) and other associations involved in the municipal decentralization process. The contractor will work with indigenous groups to address issues related to the current land tenure laws with the laws of decentralization and popular participation. The contractor will develop pilot activities to facilitate the participation of micro-enterprises and other municipal financing and revenue generation strategies. This will include technical assistance to FAM and other departmental associations and work with the GOB to improve local government financing and to provide institutional, financial and advisory support in an attempt to achieve sustainability. The contractor will work with the GOB and with other donor activities to promote the improvement of local revenue collections, and encourage the use of innovative forms of financing to engage the private sector. The contractor will implement one or more pilot activities to apply the participatory planning model to a regional infrastructure or service at an inter-governmental level. The contractor will work closely with other projects in the democracy sector such as the legislative strengthening project, to share information regarding the legislator's activities to date and to identify issues/problems where local officials may require assistance. The contractor will also work closely with other USAID/B Strategic Objective Teams (SOTs) such as the Alternative Development team to pursue the objectives of the DDCP. One Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract will be awarded for implementation of these activities. Implementation will occur over a five year period. USAID/B is planning to hold a Pre-Proposal conference late March. Further information about exact location and time will forthcoming. USAID/B encourages qualified offerors to submit thoughtful and innovative approaches that have a high potential for achievement of the project objectives. We anticipate issuing the RFP o/a February 24, 2003. Proposal due date will be April 24, 2003. Please correct Phone and Fax number for Maria Elena Burgos to read: Phone 591-2-2786445, Fax 591-2-2785689.