Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safe Use Action Plan (PERSUAP)

Proposed dates:

Estimated 2 months beginning in June 2022. Actual dates and number of days to be determined with the consultant.

I. PURPOSE

To assist USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (BHA) awardee Catholic Relief Services (CRS) develop a new Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safe Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) for activities under the BHA funded program Prosperamos being implemented in Honduras. The PERSUAP will ensure that CRS remain compliant with USAID’s 22 CFR 216 (Environmental Regulations) for pesticide procedures and identify alternative and mitigating measures to reduce any potential risks related to environmental and/or human health.

II. BACKGROUND

The Prosperamos project implements integrated emergency recovery and resilience strengthening activities related to seed and food security; improved agricultural production and income generation; and improved community capacity to manage shocks with a particular focus on natural resource management. CRS is a USAID/BHA implementing partner and is required to ensure that all activities are conducted in compliance with 22 CFR 216 Environmental Procedures. The PERSUAP finalized under this consultancy is expected to be applicable to other CRS/Honduras projects that may be directly involved with pesticide promotion as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, or providing farmers with access to pesticide containing materials, specifically seed treated with pesticides currently available in the agricultural input markets in Honduras.

Risks are inevitably present with the use of pesticides and similar chemicals used for agricultural production, whether directly or as a result of using products in the market containing pesticides, such as treated seed. In addition to required compliance, the PERSUAP provides project implementers with the most common risks likely to be encountered. It contains or references recommended mitigation measures and international best practices to reduce each risk. Beyond compliance, this document offers best practices and helps ensure that projects reduce the chances for errors and liability. Before errors (such as human poisonings) occur, it is the responsibility of USAID project implementers to put these mitigation recommendations into action. Implementers will then monitor changes in risks, impacts and mitigation success using EMMPs (Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans—for every activity subject to this PERSUAP, CRS must submit a completed SUAP Tracker to the activity AOR/COR The tracker satisfies the requirement for an Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) for pesticide support action.)

The PERSUAP evaluates background and risks across the inputs sectors in Hondurasincluding treatment of seed, seedlings, trees, field crops, spraying services as well as processing. It promotes the use of preventive and curative Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs). It analyzes pesticide active ingredients registered for use in Hondurasand recommends against use of pesticides containing active ingredients that are: not EPA registered, Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs), Class I, Known Carcinogens, and Known Water Pollutants.

III. OBJECTIVES

To develop a high quality approved Pesticide Evaluation Report (PER) and project specific Safe Use Action Plan (SUAP) that:

• Complies with 22 CFR 216 and the project implementation requirements of Prosperamos Factors to be considered in such a pesticide study shall include, but not be limited to the following factors listed under 22 CFR 216.3(b)(1)(i):
• (a) The USEPA registration status of the requested pesticide;
• (b) The basis for selection of the requested pesticide;
• (c) The extent to which the proposed pesticide use is part of an integrated pest management program;
• (d) The proposed method or methods of application, including availability of appropriate application and safety equipment;
• (e) Any acute and long-term toxicological hazards, either human or environmental, associated with the proposed use and measures available to minimize such hazards;
• (f) The effectiveness of the requested pesticide for the proposed use;
• (g) Compatibility of the proposed pesticide with target and non-target ecosystems;
• (h) The conditions under which the pesticide is to be used, including climate, flora, fauna, geography, hydrology, and soils;
• (i) The availability and effectiveness of other pesticides or nonchemical control methods;
• (j) The requesting country’s ability to regulate or control the distribution, storage, use and disposal of the requested pesticide;
• (k) The provisions made for training of users and applicators; and
• (l) The provisions made for monitoring the use and effectiveness of the pesticide.
• Complies with recommendations provided by USAID mission and bureau environmental officers.
• Complies with applicable laws and regulations for the purchase, use, handling, promotion and/or provision of pesticides or pesticide treated materials in Honduras.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under this Scope of Work the consultant will complete a PERSUAP that is compliant with USAID’s Pest Management Guidelines and that provides a detailed plan for safe and responsible project implementation.

Objective 1

• Review relevant project documents and procedures, including the list of products requested by CRS and partners for evaluation.
• Market assessment for other relevant products and active ingredients used in the treatment of seed during storage.
• Conduct research to address the 12 informational elements of USAID’s Pesticide Procedures (A through L listed above).
• Complete Pesticide Evaluation Report (PER).

Objective 2

The SUAP must:

• Define and recommend safe use practices, considering the scale and scope of the program, as well as the involvement of independent, public and private-sector retailers in the treatment of inputs with pesticides, such as commercial seed.
• Advise on accessibility of protective clothing and equipment needed.
• Emphasize monitoring & evaluation
• Identify Roles and Responsibilities for SUAP
• Integrate Mitigation Measures
• Present guidelines for safe agrochemical or treated material storage
• Outline disposal provisions for used pesticide containers

Deliverables.

The substance of, findings, and recommendations with respect to the above-mentioned tasks shall be delivered by the consultant in a written deliverable:

• An outline and calendar for preparation of the PERSUAP
• Draft PERSUAP for USAID review and comment
• Final PERSUAP for USAID approval

Qualifications

The required qualifications for the expert are the following:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in one or more of the following: agronomy/horticulture, entomology, integrated pest management/integrated crop management agricultural economics, soil science, or related; PhD preferred
• Minimum of ten years working experience in IPM
• Experience leading and developing PERSUAP reports for USG programs
• Deep knowledge of environmental and social safeguard policies and a good knowledge of Honduras’ related laws and regulations
• Spanish Proficiency.
• Experience working in Central America.
• Experience working with USAID and other donors;
• Excellent written and oral communications skills; and
• Capacity to interact effectively with people from different cultures and work with governments and donor agencies.

Application instructions:

To apply to this consultancy, please submit the following documentation:

• Letter of presentation of the offer
• Technical proposal: detailing a proposal of the macro activities to be carried out with proposed due dates.
• Financial proposal: use macro activities with respective costs in USD
• CV of the Consultant and the team (if applicable), including the experience, previously achieved work/reports, and three references
• In case of participating as a legal entity, legal documents of the company.
• If it is a natural person, send a copy of the identification documents
• The presentation of the technical-financial proposal must be sent to the email [email protected] and [email protected] with the email header “Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) Specialist – HN”
• Applications must be submitted by June 17th, 2022, any applications after the submission deadline will not be considered. No telephone inquiries, please. CRS will contact finalists.

Evaluation and selection criteria:

The selection process will involve an international evaluation team from CRS Honduras and key advisors from the Region. The criteria to be evaluated is:

• Experience – 20%
• References – 15%
• Technical Proposal – 35%
• Financial Proposal – 20%

The Consultant must submit a financial proposal including all costs, including transportation, per diem, travel, and any other cost relevant to the execution of the consultancy.

Based on the evaluation results, CRS will contact the Consultant to ensure CRS fully understands the Technical Proposal as expressed by the Consultant. Once the proposal is selected, it will be officially communicated to the Consultant.

CRS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

Payment considerations:

Based on the execution plan, the payment for the services provided will be made as follows:

• 40% upon delivery and approval of the work plan
• 30% upon delivery and approval of the draft report
• 30% upon delivery and approval of the final report

The consultant should consider the following:

1. All payments will require the approval by those responsible for CRS of the product delivered by the Consultant. 2
2. The consultancy will be contracted in either of the 2 countries (Honduras or the United States), depending on the winning proposal and legal registration of the Consultant.
3. Payments will be made in accordance with the regulations established by each country, applying discounts as appropriate and the privileges that CRS has in the contracting country. In case, the consultant is hired in Honduras, payments will be made in Lempiras and 12.5% ​​income tax will be withheld from each payment. The consultant must be registered in the new billing system and share respective receipts for each payment.

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need