USAID/Armenia Grant for Promoting Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Armenia

REFERENCE:                                              72011124RFI00001

SUBJECT:                                                      Sources Sought Notice

PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY TITLE:                 Promoting Human Rights in Armenia Activity

ISSUANCE DATE:                                       November 21, 2023

CLOSING DATE AND TIME:                      December 8, 2023, 15:00, Yerevan Time

 To All Interested Parties:

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission to Armenia is designing an activity with the preliminary title of “Promoting Human Rights in Armenia” that aims to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in Armenia by preventing, responding to human rights violations, and enhancing rights protection, as further described in Attachment 1 “Draft Activity Outline.”

The purpose of the Sources Sought Notice (SSN) is to conduct market research and determine the level of interest of capable organizations to support USAID/Armenia with the implementation of the Promoting Human Rights in Armenia activity. A NOFO or solicitation is expected to be released in April 2024.

The Sources Sought Notice is open for U.S. or non-U.S. organizations. No final decision regarding limiting eligibility/competition and the instrument type (acquisition or assistance) has been made. Therefore, this SSN is being posted on both grants.gov and www.sam.gov.

This SSN is not an actual application, bid, or proposal solicitation or funding opportunity. Instead, it is a solicitation of interest issued solely for USAID’s information and planning purposes. Do not submit applications/proposals at this time. Only the information that is requested in Attachment 2, “Sources Sought Notice Response Form” will be reviewed.

Responses will be treated as confidential. USAID is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of any information, answer questions, provide feedback to respondents, or revise the structure and concept of the activity. Any information submitted in response to this notice is voluntary. Not responding to this SSN does not preclude participation in any future solicitation or funding opportunity. Similarly, responding to this SSN will not give any added weight to an organization responding to a future solicitation or funding opportunity.

Please note that release of this SSN is not construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. USAID is not responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this SSN. Responses received may be used for planning and design purposes.

All comments and submissions must be in English and must be submitted electronically to the following email addresses: yerevanaidaao@usaid.gov and copied to nsarkisian@usaid.gov with the subject “Sources Sought Notice: No. 72011124RFI00001, Promoting Human Rights in Armenia Activity” no later than the date and time stated above.

Thank you for your interest in USAID/Armenia’s programs and we look forward to your responses.

Sincerely,

Sascha Kemper

Regional Contracting/Agreement Officer

Attachments:

1. Draft Activity Outline

2. Sources Sought Notice Response Form

Attachment 1 – Draft Activity Outline

Preliminary Activity Title:                         Promoting Human Rights in Armenia

Activity Purpose:                                      Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in Armenia by preventing, responding to human rights violations, and enhancing rights protection.

Period of Performance:                            TBD – up to five years

Anticipated Funding:                                USD 10 million

Instrument Type:                                       To be determined

Anticipated Number of Awards:            One award

Background and Problem Statement:

According to the State Department’s 2022 Human Rights Report, significant human rights issues remain in Armenia. Most common rights violations in the country include credible reports of torture by the members of law enforcement bodies; crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting LGBTQI+ persons; violations of workers’ rights; child labor; trafficking in persons; and gender-based violence.

According to the assessment of civil society organizations and human rights defenders, the legal and regulatory environment for human rights protection is imperfect in Armenia with gaps remaining in legislation and many relevant laws lacking mechanisms for application and enforcement. The monitoring, identification, and protection mechanisms that should uphold human rights are further considered to fall short of being effective and comprehensive.

Simultaneously, marginalized groups have limited access to human rights protection due to the low public awareness and support for human rights as well as incoherent adherence to human rights norms and legislation. Human rights protection bodies further require bolstered technical capacities, systems, and practices to be able to effectively safeguard the protection of human rights.

USAID/Armenia is currently designing a stand alone human rights program to address these development challenges.

Relationship to USAID/Armenia Strategy and Government of Armenia Priorities: The Activity will contribute to USAID/Armenia’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy Objective 1: Democratic Transition Advanced. The Activity aligns with the Government of Armenia priorities as stated in the 2021-2026 government program and the draft 2023-2025 National Human Rights Action Plan.

Theory of Change: IF the legal and regulatory environment for human rights protection is improved; and IF the human rights institutions and oversight mechanisms are strengthened; and IF the public demand and access to rights protection are improved; THEN human rights will be better protected and rights violations will be better prevented and remedied.

Goals, Components, and Expected Results:

Goal: Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in Armenia by preventing, responding to human rights violations, and enhancing rights protection.

Activity Components and Expected Results:

Component 1: Legal and regulatory frameworks for human rights protection improved.

Expected result:

●       The legal and regulatory environment for human rights protection, including for labor rights protection and anti-discrimination, is improved.

Component 2: Human rights institutions and oversight mechanisms strengthened.

Expected results:

●       Human Rights Defender’s Office’s (HRDO) technical capacities, systems, and processes to promote and protect human rights are improved

●       Institutional capacities of select rights enforcement bodies are strengthened

●       Monitoring, prevention, and response mechanisms to human rights violations, including torture, trafficking in persons, child labor, and gross violations for human rights; are enhanced.

Component 3: Public demand and access to human rights protection improved.

Expected results:

●       Human rights defenders’ advocacy for rights protection is bolstered

●       Adherence to human rights norms and legislation is improved through strategic litigation and advocacy efforts

●       Platforms/mechanisms for evidence-based civic oversight of human rights protection bodies, including HRDO, are strengthened

●       Public awareness and support for human rights is enhanced.

Attachment 2 – Sources Sought Notice Response Form

I.           General Information (not to exceed 1 page):

Name of Organization: _______________________________________________

UEI Number (if any): _________________________________________

Type of Organization:

____ US Organization, Large Business, For Profit

____ US Organization, Small Business, For Profit

____ US Organization, Not-for-Profit

____ Armenian Organization, For Profit

____ Armenian Organization, Not-for-Profit

____ Other – Please indicate: _________________________________

Do you have an active SAM registration? _____________________

Contact Person:

Name: _______________________________________________

Position Title: _______________________________________________

Email Address: _______________________________________________

II.           Organization’s Interest, Capacity, Capability, and Past Performance (not to exceed 2 pages):

1.      Provide a brief statement of interest indicating the role your organization envisions in a potential USAID activity to support implementation of the Promoting Human Rights in Armenia activity.

2.      Describe your organization’s capacity, knowledge, and experience to perform the aspects of the activity described above. If it does not include all aspects, which focus areas does your organization possess capability to perform?

3.      Describe your organizations’ capacity, experience, and methods demonstrating capability to achieve the expected results and activity goals.

4.      Provide up to 3 past performance information with brief descriptions from projects your organization has implemented that had the same or similar focus as the planned activity, particularly focusing on components 2 and 1.