Creative Associates International
Overview
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, governance, and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro DC area) Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Creative is soliciting offers for technical expertise in accordance with the Scope of Work below and Creative’s Renewable Consultant Agreement Terms and Conditions available here. Creative intends to award one or more Renewable Consultant Agreement(s) (RCA(s)) under which work may be negotiated and awarded as fixed price or level of effort performance-based activities. Creative reserves the right to make multiple awards or no award as a result of this solicitation.
Summary:
The Start-up Consultant will provide in-country start-up support for Creative, including identification of office space, set up of procurement, grants and HR systems, and daily coordination with the HQ Field Operations Manager in overseeing the start-up process.
RFQ closing date: March 31, 2023 at 5PM EST
Estimated period of performance: February 15, 2023 – February 14, 2024
Estimated Level of Effort: not to exceed 180 days of LOE
Reporting: The consultant will report to Creative’s HQ Field Operations Department.
Travel Anticipated? Yes. T****ravel to Danger Pay locations anticipated? TBD
Responsibilities
Tasks To Be Performed:
- Identify prospective properties for field office(s) and personal residences in accordance with specifications provided by HQ Field Operations and project leadership; conduct property evaluations in collaboration with HQ field Operations and HQ Security using the provided Office Space Assessment Checklist.
- Negotiate lease terms with landlord(s) in coordination with HQ Field Operations and facilitate lease execution.
- Initiate field procurements by liaising with local vendors, establishing preferred vendor lists, collecting quotations, etc.
- Support staff recruitment by facilitating local advertisements/newspaper postings, scheduling and/or participating in interviews, or other recruitment tasks as required.
- Provide guidance on banking institutions and account-opening policies and procedures.
- Coordinate transportation logistics for project leadership as requested.
- Arrange meetings for project stakeholders as requested.
- Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant.
Results and/or Deliverables:
Consultant may be responsible for:
- Attending weekly start-up calls and providing updates.
- Providing daily updates to the HQ Field Operations Manager.
- Setting up the project SharePoint filing system and developing the document management plan.
- Developing Blanket Purchase Agreements with vendors for commonly procured items.
- Training new staff on USG rules and regulations and Creative’s Field Manual.
- Submitting a detailed handover report with outstanding action items, challenges faced, and recommendations for future start-ups.
Qualifications
- Work experience with international development organization(s);specific experience with project start-up/logistics strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated negotiation skills.
- Proven ability to lead teams, organize tasks, and communicate effectively.
- Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations.
- Ability to be flexible per changing demands and priorities.
- Ability to travel on short notice for up to 6 weeks.
- Fluency in oral and written communication skills in English required; working proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Arabic is a plus.
Work Assignment:
Consultants with the requisite qualifications will be given a renewable consulting agreement under which specific work assignments will be ordered on an ad hoc basis, subject to consultant’s availability. Consultants may be required to compete against other similarly qualified consultants, though generally work will be assigned and negotiated directly with the consultant.
Additional information:
Please click on the links to download the Terms and Conditions, Annex A (Reps, Certs and Consents form) and W-8; W-9; and Vendor Information form, as applicable. The forms are provided for your information at this stage in the solicitation process. Completed forms will be required only if you have been selected for the consulting opportunity. However, you may complete, sign, and submit the forms as part of your response to this request.
If a budget is required for Other Direct Costs, including travel, a budget template can be downloaded here.
Selection will be made on the basis of technical capability and overall best value. Modifications to this solicitation, including closing date extensions, will be posted on the . Please check the website for updates.
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