REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
To: Offerors
From: Creative Associates International, Inc.
Subject Request for Proposal (RFP) No. RFP-JTAP-046 โ PSS-SEL Jordanian Framework Validation Expert(s)- Consultancy Services
Type of Award: Consultancy Agreement -Fixed Term award
Basis of Award: Best Value
RFP Issue Date: 18/04/2024
RFP Closing Date: 09/05/2024
RFP Closing Time: 4:00 PM โ Local Time, Amman, Jordan
Reference: USAID Contract No. 72027821C00005
Enclosed is a Request for Proposal (RFP). Creative invites Individuals to submit a proposal for the Jordan- Technical Assistance Program (TAP) under the referenced USAID 72027821C00005, After the evaluation, as described herein, resulting in selecting a winning proposal, the issuance of an award is subject to successful negotiation of the terms and conditions and receiving USAIDโs Contracting Officer consent, if required.
The requirements for this activity are described in the โStatement of Workโ in Attachment I. Creative encourages individual to indicate its interest in this procurement by submitting a proposal according to the instructions in Attachment II โInstructions to Offerorsโ. Proposals will be evaluated based on the โEvaluation Criteriaโ in Attachment III. Creative will make an award to the responsible Offeror(s) submitting an offer which provides best value to the project: technical merit and price will be both considered.
To be considered, Offerors should submit a complete proposal no later than the closing date and time indicated above. Offerors should ensure that the proposals are well-written in English, easy to read, follow the instructions provided and contain only requested information.
Any questions should be submitted via email to TapProcurement@crea-jtap.com no later than April 25, 2024. No questions will be entertained if they are received by means other than the specified email address, and any communications to alternate e-mail addresses will result in the disqualification of the bidder. The solicitation number (listed above) should be stated in the subject line. Answers will be compiled and distributed on April 29, 2024.
Proposals must be comprised of one electronic copy of the Technical Proposal and one electronic copy of the Cost/Business proposal, sent in separate e-mails, and labeled with the above-stated RFP number and title. Submissions shall be delivered to:
Creative Operations Department
TapProcurement@crea-jtap.com
Sincerely,
Creative Operations Department
Attachments:
Attachment I : Statement of Work
Attachment II : Instructions to Offerors
Attachment III : Evaluation Criteria
Attachment IV : Proposal Cover Letter
ATTACHMENT I: STATEMENT OF WORK
PSS-SEL Jordanian Framework Validation Expert(s)- Consultancy Services
- PROGRAM SUMMARY
The Technical Assistance Program (TAP), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is a five-year education and youth project that seeks to transform the organizational culture and improve the abilities within the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth to ensure officials can implement desired reforms. Creative and its partners will provide technical assistance in the development, roll-out, and tracking of policies and procedures to incorporate international best practices for public education and youth programming. Among the many activities in the Jordan Technical Assistance Program, it will support curriculum development, promote inclusive learning techniques, improve the skills of teachers and school managers, and other tangible activities that ultimately support changing the organizational culture within the two ministries and relevant agencies. The program will further support Jordanโs outreach and behavioral change communications initiatives that are aimed at creating a culture of reading, the inclusion of vulnerable children, and increased youth engagement.
2. Jordan PSS-SEL Framework Development Activity:
TAP is Supporting the Ministry of Education in developing a National Framework for Social Emotional Learning (โSEL National Frameworkโ) tailored to the Jordan. The aim of this framework is to unify and integrate efforts across decision-makers, policies, and stakeholders to enhance within Jordanโs education system critical elements of social-emotional learning (SEL), including life skills development, safe school environments, inclusive education, and improved student learning outcomes. The framework targets various stakeholders, including Ministry of Education (MOE) partners, implementers, and key personnel within public schools, and communities. It prioritizes equipping Jordanian students with essential contextualized PSS-SEL competencies, fostering holistic development that benefits individuals, families, schools, communities, and the nation. The framework is rooted in research and tailored to Jordan's context, ensuring alignment with local needs, and avoiding conflicting global frameworks.
3. Consultancy service Summary:
As part of the development of SEL National Framework, TAP has conducted focus group discussions and key informant interviews (KIIs) to assess the needs of the Jordanian context regarding psychosocial support (PSS) and SEL in public schools. These assessments have involved teachers and students from various grade levels, counselors, principals, and parents. TAP is assisting the MoE in analysis of the collected data and will support a validation process to check assumptions and engage MOE and education stakeholders in determining the suitability of the framework and materials for the Jordanian context. As part of its support to the validation process, TAP requires the expertise of PSS-SEL professionals to assist with key tasks, including data analysis and interpretation, in collaboration with a ministry-led committee of experts and TAP's own national and international SEL experts.
4. Scope of Work:
Tasks and Responsibilities of the PSS-SEL Jordanian Framework Validation Experts:
1.Reviewing analysis reports for the Parents and studentsโ groups/the principals, teachers, and counselorsโ groups, including:
- Need analysis based on conducted focus group discussions and Key Informative Interviews (KIIs). to identify SEL needs and priorities.
- Analysis of previous and current PSS-SEL programs endorsed by MOE and implemented in Jordanian public schools.
2. Delivering a thorough feedback and recommendations report that clearly outlines priorities and recommendations for improving the clarity, coherence, and comprehensiveness of the mapping analysis regarding SEL needs and programs.
3. Ensuring alignment with international SEL frameworks and best practices during the development of the SEL National Framework.
4. Collaborating with TAPโs experts and the MoEโs committee of experts to engage in discussions regarding recommendations and progress in the development of the framework.
5. Adhering to established timelines and deliverables while maintaining open communication with the project team to ensure the timely completion of the framework.
6. Providing insights into the specific needs of the Jordanian educational system regarding SEL, and how these needs can be addressed within the SEL National Framework.
7. Collaborating with the second PSS-SEL Jordanian Framework Validation Experts in presenting the validated SEL framework to MOE and NCCD decision-makers for endorsement, ensuring that it adequately addresses the SEL needs and priorities of Jordanian students and schools.
RESULTS AND/OR DELIVERABLE/MILESTONE SCHEDULE:
The performance benchmark will be based on the following task:
- Expected report for the Parents and students FDGs and KIIs / principals, teachers, and counselors FDGs and KIIs includes:
- Demonstrating an examination of the alignment between the proposed SEL National Framework with the international SEL frameworks of the mapping frameworks and best practices, with specific references and justifications for Parentsโ and studentsโ data analysis.
- Recommendations document outlining actionable steps to improve the clarity, coherence, and comprehensiveness of the mapping analysis for Parentsโ and studentsโ data analysis.
- Detailed feedback highlighting strengths and weaknesses of the mapping analysis for SEL needs and programs.
- Insights highlighting key findings regarding the specific SEL needs for Parentsโ and studentsโ data / the principalsโ, teachersโ, and counselorsโ data within the Jordanian educational system and community.
- Recommendations suggesting how these needs can be effectively addressed within the SEL national framework.
- Present the validation report to the MoE and NCCD decision makers, highlighting the key aspects of the validation report.
Deliverable table for Expert 1:
Task # 1
Performance Benchmarks /Deliverables #1:
Analysis Report including all the above points for Parentsโ and studentsโ data analysis.
Estimated LOE: 6 days
Estimated Timeline: 20th of June
Task # 2
Performance Benchmarks /Deliverables #2:
Presentation of the validation report to the MoE and NCCD decision makers
Estimated LOE: 2 days
Estimated Timeline: 25th of June
Task # 3
Performance Benchmarks /Deliverables #3:
Meetings with TAP team
Estimated LOE: 1 day
Estimated Timeline: 30th June
TOTAL Estimated LOE: 9 days
Deliverable table for Expert 2:
Task # 1
Performance Benchmarks /Deliverables 1:
Analysis Report including all the above points the principalsโ, teachersโ, and counselorsโ data analysis.
Estimated LOE : 6 days
Estimated Timeline: 20th of June
Task # 2
Performance Benchmarks /Deliverables 2:
Presentation of the validation report to the MoE and NCCD decision makers
Estimated LOE : 2 days
Estimated Timeline: 25th of June
Task # 3
Performance Benchmarks /Deliverables 3:
Meetings with TAP team
Estimated LOE : 1 day
Estimated Timeline: 30th June
TOTAL Estimated LOE: 9 Days
5. Required Qualifications:
PSS-SEL Jordanian Framework Validation expert should be able to demonstrate the following qualifications.
- Hold Minimum bachelorโs degree in psychology or any related field.
- Extensive professional experience in education policy development for at least 10 years,
- Recent experience working on the design, development, and/or implementation of SEL within an education system (including but not limited to life skills development, safe school environments, inclusive education, and improved student learning outcomes).
- Experience leading or contributing to the development of SEL PSS-SEL frameworks or policies.
- Knowledge of international education standards, preferably as related to PSS-SEL.
- Experience in Jordan or similar contexts with diverse stakeholders.
- Proficiency in English and Arabic.
6. ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE and LEVEL OF EFFORT (LOE)
- ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 3 Months.
* Creative anticipates issuing a Consultancy Agreement (CA) valid for a Period of Performance for approximately 3 Months for each consultant.
- LEVEL OF EFFORT (LOE): 9 Days for each consultant.
7. Ordering Procedure
Purchases may only be made by Creative via written Fixed Price Level of Effort (LOE) Consultant Agreement.
Daily rates are based on an 8-hour working day. Any hours worked in excess of 8 hours will not be paid. Working days consisting of less than 8 hours shall be prorated accordingly.
8. Key Working Relationships:
โข The consultants will administratively report to the Operations and Security Manager and technically report to SEL activity lead in TAP.
9. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE Amman โ Jordan
The above LOE/Working days are tentative and subject to decrease depending on program needs.
Confidentiality Requirements:
The Consultant acknowledges the sensitive nature of the information they may encounter during this engagement and agrees to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all proprietary or confidential information disclosed by the Client. This includes, but is not limited to, any data, reports, documents, or discussions related to the project.