Consulting Services

The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador seeks support to monitor and report on political and economic dynamics during an election year and amid significant changes in the country’s security, human rights landscape, and financial/regulatory environment. The analysis provided by the consultant will not be made public and will be used for internal planning, communications, and engagement development purposes only. Contractor shall provide IT equipment, office supplies, internet, and all the necessary resources for the service performance and deliverables.

Place of Performance: Quito, Ecuador – US Embassy Compound (occasionally)

Period of Performance: 12 months. Payment terms: 30-45 days from invoice submission date. 12 invoices after monthly service provision.

Technical Requirements for Assigned Staff: Minimum of four (4) years of progressive experience in government, academia, NGOs, or private sector performing political analysis, reporting or analytical duties is required. A bachelor’s degree in political science, Law, Communications, International Relations, Management or any related field is required. A thorough knowledge of Ecuador’s political institutions, historical development, social structure, political parties, political participation by civil society, and key political figures is required. Languages proficiency (may be tested):

English: Level 4 - Fluent; speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate.

Spanish: Level 4 - Fluent; speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate. Must be a strong writer in English and Spanish, including the awareness and flexibility to capture nuance in the U.S. and Ecuadorian context to formulate original political analysis. Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point including their online suites -- and conduct occasional online research via subscription services) Should be able to develop, organize, and analyze statistical data, determine political trends, and present such data in precise and accurate form, including forecasting probable future developments or trends.

Deliverables: The consultant will produce the following products, which are to be delivered electronically to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR): Digests of press reporting and contact work – daily Summaries of key human rights developments – weekly Reports on the status of key legislation and regulations – weekly Reports on foreign investment announcements – weekly Summaries of key judicial proceedings – weekly Offeror shall include the resume of the staff assigned to this project and supporting documentation.

Offeror shall be legal authorized to provide consulting services in Ecuador. Evidence shall be provided. The Government will run background checks on assigned staff. After award of the contract, the Contractor shall provide following information of the staff who will have access to the Embassy Compound.

Full Name Date of Birth Place of Birth Current Address Current Phone Number Nationality Identification number Police Record The Government intends to award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the lowest priced technically acceptable offeror who is a responsible contractor. The Government may award the contract based on the initial offer without discussion. The resultant contract will be a firm fixed-price type contract.

Direct any questions regarding this solicitation, by e-mail, to QuitoProcurement@state.gov , before 5:00 p.m., local time, on September 11, 2024. Your quote must be submitted, by e-mail, to the Contracting Officer, Deryl Van Coblijn, at QuitoProcurement@state.gov , before 5:00 p.m., local time, on September 19, 2024. No quotation will be accepted after this time. Each offer must consist of the following:

-List of clients over the past 5 years. -References Certificates (provide dates of contracts, places of performance, value of contracts, contact names, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses). Offerors are advised that the past performance information requested above may be discussed with the client’s contact person. In addition, the client’s contact person may be asked to comment on the offeror’s: Quality of services provided under the contract Compliance with contract terms and conditions.

Effectiveness of management. Willingness to cooperate with and assist the customer in routine matters, and when confronted by unexpected difficulties; and Business integrity / business conduct. Offerors shall be registered in the SAM (System for Award Management) database at https://www.sam.gov prior to submittal of their offer/proposal as prescribed under FAR 4.1102. Offeror shall contract a DBA Insurance (Defense Base Act) upon the work commencement. The DBA insurance may be obtained from any authorized DBA insurance broker, see Sub-Section I.12, FAR 52.228-3 WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEFENSE BASE ACT) (APR 1984).