REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS USAID LOCAL ENTERPRISE SUPPORT PROGRAM (USAID LENS) Formalization of virtual offices Policy

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS USAID LOCAL ENTERPRISE SUPPORT PROGRAM (USAID LENS) Formalization of virtual offices Policy RFP Date of Issuance: April 30, 2018 Due Date for Questions: May 10, 2018 Submission of questions or requests for clarification in writing via to by 15:00 local time in Jordan Due Date for Proposals: May 20, 2018 Proposals (including technical proposal and budget) are due by 15:00 local time in Jordan via to Subject: Formalization of virtual offices Policy I. Background The USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project (USAID LENS) is a five-year project to encourage the long-term economic growth and development potential of underserved Jordanian communities, implemented by FHI 360. The project will help empower local communities to design and implement collaborative local economic development (LED) initiatives and will support the vitality and competitiveness of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) that are often at the heart of individual, family and community livelihood within vulnerable populations. USAID LENS core purpose is to support the vitality and competitiveness of micro and small enterprises, through building MSE capacity to enhance their productivity. The project works directly with MSEs in targeted sectors to identify market-based opportunities for growth and development. One of the main components of USAID LENS project is promoting an enabling policy environment to strengthen the overall policy environment by identifying and removing regulatory barriers to MSE growth and by ensuring that local officials have the mandate and administrative authority to carry out local economic development initiatives. International City County Management Association (ICMA) is a subcontractor supporting activities on LED and policy under the USAID LENS project, which includes a range of activities to support partner municipalities and MSEs growth and competitiveness in the project s target communities. II. Purpose The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals from prospective subcontractors to support ICMA s implementation of the USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Award No. AID-278-LA

2 ICMA is seeking proposals from firms and organizations registered in Jordan to perform an assessment to the regulatory and institutional framework on Virtual Offices within Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and devise actionable policy recommendation on the optimal Institutional and Regulatory Model for virtual offices in Jordan. This RFP is issued as a public notice to ensure that all interested, qualified, and eligible organizations based in Jordan have a fair opportunity to submit proposals for funding. The authorized USAID geographic code for this RFP and any resulting award is Code 937 (the United States, Jordan, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries [1]). III. Program Background In Jordan, there is no legal framework regulating Virtual Offices ; neither from the perspective of services providers nor from that of the recipients of this service. There are no legal limitations in leasing addresses and landlines to businesses, which allows for their operations to be virtual, however, they won t be recognized as a legal/formal business in Jordan. The lack of legal framework also allowed for the emergence of creative forms of services such as business lounges, co-working spaces and businessmen services; for example, Zain Innovative Campus (ZINC) and Orange Business Innovation Growth (BIG). Additionally, other companies managed to steer its way within the boundaries of the legal framework in Jordan to legally operate virtual offices services in compliance with the law. Companies such as Regus, Migrate Business Services, V Business Center, Hijazi Business Center, etc. While some of the companies mentioned above provide mere official address leasing and phone number, others provide physical office spaces, meeting rooms, secretarial services, etc... This created a Jordanian model of a mixture between virtual office services, a physical bricks and mortars offices; with the issue of Vocational License at its core. Current model of businesses in Jordan that include virtual offices services on its menu of services varies. However, businesses infiltrating this domain are facing tremendous challenges and obstacles to carry on with their business operations. Some utilize the financial Leasing Law no. 45 for the year 2008 that regulated subleasing activities, others own the premises they operate their business from while other companies provide only smaller packages of services: i.e. lounge-like co-working spaces, secretarial services, official address, ICT facilities and lease out meeting rooms by the hour. Regulatory and bureaucracy are shared hurdles for business startups and operations in different parts of the world. The World Bank s doing businesses report identifies that government administrative procedures are specific impediments to doing business in Jordan. USAID LENS research reveals that when including the informal sector, 99% of all private sector businesses in Jordan are micro or small (i.e. have between 0 and 49 employees). Considering 2015 government statistics that 60% of the workforce is hired by the private sector, it is safe to say that MSEs capture most workers in the Kingdom. Half of these businesses being single-person enterprises, and 5.2% are based primarily out of the owner s home. Special consideration of MSEs and their operating characteristics is [1] For USAID s list of developing countries, please see

3 therefore fundamental to reviving the economy in Jordan and to mitigate the economic challenges in the country, such as poverty, unemployment, and economic participation. According to official statistics published after a national census conducted by the Department of Statistics in 2016, population in Jordan stands at 9.5 million; an increase of 2.6 million since Geo-political developments over the past years in the Middle East have had significant adverse impact on local economic growth in Jordan; with direct consequence to job creation: unemployment is 18% (and 31% among youth). Considering that the population in Jordan is predominantly young (more than 60% of the population are below the age of 29), the need to create jobs to absorb the more than 100,000 newcomers to the labor market every year. Additionally, socio-economic and political analysts anticipate considerable influx of Jordanian professionals from the Gulf States over the coming few years. While the return of economically active Jordanians will add pressure to employment market in the country, those already-experienced and exposed expertise will inevitably have positive impact on the economy. Many of those will seek establishing their own businesses too; a thing that then necessitates preparing the conducive environment for easy startup and operations to receive those expertise. Ever since 2010, governments have been trying to mitigate that impact or regional turmoil and improve economic growth. Various strategic plans were designed and is currently being implemented; including the National Employment Strategy , the 10-year economic blueprint ( ), the National Strategy for Human Resources Development (HRD) and finally the Jordan Economic Growth Plan At the executive level and in line with those strategies, the government is seeking innovative means to combat unemployment, reduce poverty, and facilitate innovation. Fundamental to that is incentivizing private sector growth operations through reduced costs and bureaucracy. IV. Objectives USAID LENS intends to subcontract to qualified firm or organization to develop the Final Institutional and Legal Model for virtual offices in Jordan; within GAM. The firm will perform an assessment to the regulatory and institutional framework on Virtual Offices within Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and devise actionable policy recommendation on the optimal Institutional and Regulatory Model for virtual offices in Jordan. V. Scope of Work The selected organization or firm is expected to integrate the following in their proposal: Phase 1: Project Initiation and Stakeholder s Engagement Task 1.1: Kick off Meeting

4 The firm in coordination with USAID LENS team should decide on strategic objectives and engage in the first cycle of the reform project. Topics Include: Defining the initial problems / solutions / objectives Define key stakeholders, main beneficiaries. Explore stakeholder expectations including private sector services providers, government and local authorities and beneficiaries. Develop the final project plan. Define expected obstacles. Task 1.2: Stakeholders Engagement Based on the official correspondent between USAID LENS program, GAM and MOITS, a policy coordinator should be assigned within GAM to follow up on the policy project with the consulting team. In addition, it is advised that GAM and MOITS to form a Policy Committee from all involved stakeholders, to be responsible to follow up and support the consulting team in their work, and work directly on providing information, attending meetings/sessions, validating data, and provide technical input. A meeting will be organized with the Policy Coordinator and the Policy committee to discuss the objectives, approach, and roles and responsibilities. Phase 2: Policy Research Task 2.1: Desk Review policy research To complement the initial research and initial set of policy objectives agreed on with USAID LENS team in phase 1; the firm is expected to complete a desk research including: interviews, request information, and hold focused group meeting with selected stakeholders in order to gather and validate the needed information. The desk review will be conducted taken into consideration the following aspects: 1. Best Practice Aspect: a comparative review on available virtual offices licensing models in selected countries. This will be the basis for a focus group discussion with key stakeholders to identify the optimal model for Jordan. 2. The Regulatory Aspect: gather and analyze all legal instruments that might be linked to / affect the virtual offices licensing; directly and indirectly; within other jurisdictions. The initial analysis should cover the following areas: The process utilized by the various businesses in Jordan to provide virtual offices services. Technical and legal requirements. Existence of a clear legal basis for virtual offices to be established in Jordan, if it doesn t exist, what would be the legislative entry point? What would be the regulatory and institutional obstacles related to virtual offices? 3. The Institutional Aspect: since this model will focus on GAM, the firm is expected to meet with GAM staff to gather and analyze all institutional processes in order map and understand the following:

5 The institutional steps needed to license a business that provides virtual offices services. The procedural aspects and bureaucracy that such as services would encounter; i.e inspection. Organizational structure and number of staff involved in the process (including inspectors). Technical requirements related to the venue of the business. The firm will review the institutional process to show the following: Are there any institutional considerations that should be taken into consideration? Is the current organizational structure suitable to provide this new service / license? 4. The policy economic impact: The firm is expected to perform a quick research to better understand the economic impacts related to small business in Jordan. This will include (but not limited to): Impact on business (operations and expansion) for existing companies, Market capacity to accommodate for additional services providers of virtual offices, Number of small businesses that would benefit from licensing virtual offices services. Number of vocational licenses expected to be issued within GAM. Task 2.2: Present the Research Findings to Stakeholder The firm will hold a meeting with USAID LENS, MOITS, GAM and related stakeholders in order to present the findings of the research report. A consultation session will be needed to gather more comments and feedback to be able to develop the final institutional and legal model. Phase 3: Policy Formulation Task 3.1: Developing the Final Institutional and Legal Model Based on the stakeholders meeting and consultation session results and focus groups discussions, and once USAID LENS, MOITS, GAM and stakeholders approve the policy recommendations, the firm is expected to submit the following documents: 1. The new virtual offices licensing model: based on the recommendations, the final and new model will be developed, which will clarify the new scope and requirements of virtual offices licensing. 2. The legislative model: all the needed legal changes will be done by the firm. This includes the possibility of amending existing laws and/or regulations, or drafting a new legal instrument to regulate the registration process. 3. The Institutional model: the main institutional model and main steps explaining the processes to manage the licensing by GAM will be developed.

6 4. Reform Action Plan: the action plan will help GAM in initiating the reform process. It will clarify the tasks, roles and responsibilities, and the timeframe needed to complete the reform. Task 3.2 Create Awareness for Stakeholder on the New Policy / Model The firm is expected to work with GAM to hold two awareness sessions to launch and explain the new policy and legal and institutional models. The two awareness sessions will target 100 participants from the public and private sector. Including GAM licensing officials and head of districts, business owners of lounges, co-working spaces and businessmen services as well as businesses operating at companies such as Regus, Migrate Business Services, V Business Center. VI. Deliverables The Firm will be responsible for preparing and submitting the following deliverables: Phase Deliverables Due dates Phase 1: Project Initiation and Stakeholder s Engagement Phase 2: Policy Research Phase 3: Policy Formulation *NOTES: 1- Kick of meeting 2- Final project work plan 3- Stakeholder s meeting 4- Stakeholder s policy team formed Develop the desk review on the policy issue: 1. Best Practices aspects 2. Economic impact assessment of formalizing virtual offices services after the passing of the regulations. Policy background paper Research Report 3. Legislative and institutional amendments /changes needed then we will be able to present an argument of a policy direction and way forward to boost virtual offices licensing. 4. Draft legislation to be adapted to the various forms of legal instruments 1. Develop the Institutional and legislative model 2. Reform action plan 3. Conduct 2 awareness sessions to participants from public and private sector 3 weeks after signing 7 weeks after signing 12 weeks after signing All written deliverables are to be submitted in English unless indicated otherwise. Final due dates will be negotiated with selected firm. Upon implementation all deliverables must be reviewed and approved by USAID LENS prior to payment. The selected firm will be informed of this process during the kick-off meeting.

7 VII. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS This section contains general and specific requirements for submitting the technical and cost proposals. Please ensure the following forms are completed and submitted with your proposal: Evidence of Responsibility and Independent Price Determination Copy of your legal registration. Failure to submit these forms may result in disqualification from consideration. 1. This RFP is open to all qualified, interested firms and organizations registered in Jordan. The lead staff involved in this activity and those communicating with USAID LENS must be fluent in both English and Arabic. The Offeror must also propose a Project Manager that serves as the primary Point of Contact (POC) for USAID LENS. This solicitation is open to all interested, qualified and eligible organizations. 2. The Offeror is requested to submit a proposal directly responsive to the tasks, terms, and conditions of this RFP. The overall proposal shall consist of two (2) physically separated parts: Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal. Technical Proposals shall not make reference to cost or pricing details. 3. Alternative proposals will not be considered. Proposals not conforming to this solicitation may be categorized as unacceptable and eliminated from further consideration. 4. Offerors are allowed to submit one proposal. If an Offeror participates in more than one proposal, all proposals involving the Offeror will be rejected. 5. Proposals shall be written in English. Cost proposals shall be presented in Jordan Dinar. 6. Proposals must remain valid for a minimum of sixty (60) days. The Offeror may submit its proposal by the following means: Electronically - Internet with up to two (2) attachments per compatible with MS WORD, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat in a MS Windows environment to: RFP@jordanLENS.org. All communications must include the solicitation title, Formalization of virtual offices Policy, in the subject line. 7. The person signing the Offeror s proposal must have the authority to commit the Offeror to all the provisions of the Offeror s proposal. 8. The Offeror shall submit its best proposal initially as ICMA intends to evaluate proposals and make an award without discussions. However, ICMA reserves the right to conduct discussions should ICMA deem it necessary. 9. Proposals must be clearly and concisely written and must describe and define the Offeror s understanding and compliance with the requirements contained in the SCOPE OF

8 WORK/TASKS/ACTIVITIES. All pages must be sequentially numbered and identified with the name of the Offeror. PART A: TECHNICAL PROPOSAL The Technical Proposal shall be straightforward and concise describing how the Offeror intends to carry out and satisfy the TASKS/ACTIVITIES described above. No cost or pricing information is to be included in the technical proposal. Technical proposals are limited to 15 pages in total, not including: Organizational Information, CVs of proposed personnel, and examples of previous relevant work to be included in an Annex described in the paragraph below. Pages in the Technical Proposal in excess of 15 pages will not be read or evaluated. Items such as graphs, charts, tables may be used as appropriate but will be considered part of the page limitation. Key personnel resumes, dividers, and past performance report forms are not included in the page limitation. Offerors are encouraged to provide an Annex, or portfolio of samples demonstrating past experience performing similar activities. This Annex can include copies of photographs, other visual representations, and media/social media clippings. This Annex should not exceed 10 pages. The technical proposal shall be formatted using the following sections: 1. Organizational Information (not part of page limit): Organization s legal name Contact name and position or title Organization s address, physical address and telephone number Evidence of Responsibility and Independent Price Certification Form (includes confirmation that firm is a USAID-designated Geo Code 937 country meaning Jordan, the US, and other developing countries) Copy of legal registration authorizing organization to do business in Jordan 2. Technical Approach Narrative not to exceed five (7) pages. The Offeror shall demonstrate its understanding, ability and overall approach to performing the requirements described in the Scope of Work/Tasks/Activities. The Offeror shall clearly explain how it proposes to structure, design, manage and execute the work required to organize a highly visible, creative and appealing campaign that meets USAID Jordan LENS objectives of easing the business registration and licensing process among business owners and potential entrepreneurs. The Offeror shall describe in detail and provide plan to develop the Final Institutional and Legal Model for virtual offices in Jordan; within GAM. Proposals will become property of ICMA. The Technical Approach must include a timeline or Gantt chart of the deliverables required to execute this project. 3. Capability Statement - Narrative not to exceed two (2) pages. The Offeror shall demonstrate its specialized competence with regards to the requirements of the tasks/activities. The Offeror shall demonstrate it has the necessary personnel to successfully comply

9 with the contract requirements and accomplish the deliverables. Do not reference past performance examples. Instead provide an overview of the firm s capabilities to perform this work. 4. Past Performance Narrative not to exceed five (3) pages. The Offeror shall provide at least three (3) examples of past performance of implementing similar projects in Jordan or the region as being requested in this RFP. The past performance examples must be within the last three (3) years and shall be similar in terms of the scale, and relevance. The Offeror must provide references for each example, including the name, title, phone number and address of the reference so we may can contact. Please use the Past Performance Reference Form template (Attachment E). 5. Personnel/Staffing A narrative not to exceed three (3) pages. A summary describing the proposed staff for project including up to three team leaders. The summary shall include names, relevant qualifications of similar experience and the proposed role for each individual. A Project Manager must be identified with a minimum of five years experience in related project management The Offeror must also include the CVs of key staff members involved in the Project, including the Project Manager and up to 3 Team Leaders. Each CV should not exceed three (3) pages. Note: Again, CVs do not count towards the 15-page proposal limitation. PART B: COST PROPOSAL The Offeror shall propose realistic and reasonable costs for this work in accordance with the Offeror s technical approach. The Offeror shall provide a complete budget based on cost elements described below using Attachment A - Budget Template. The detailed cost proposal for implementing the work shall include the following: a. Proposed unloaded staff, rates, number of days needed to accomplish the work. b. Fringe rates for which the organization or firm has an established, written policy. If the Offeror proposes a fringe benefit rate on salaries, it must be supported by an established written policy. Please provide a detailed explanation in the budget narrative. c. Costs of local travel, detailed with # of trips, estimated mileage d. If per diem is budgeted, it shall be based on the organization s internal written policy and in compliance with USAID and USG Per Diem policy. e. Cost of supplies and other direct costs not captured above. f. Costs of printing of the material and other campaign collateral, management and set up g. Vendors and costs for equipment and supplies h. Fee: The Offer may propose a profit fee that is justifiable, reasonable and consistent with the market rates. i. No Indirect Costs will be accepted. The Offeror must propose all indirect costs as direct costs. A concise description and justifications for each line item must be included in the Budget Narrative (Attachment -B)

10 Please note that no international travel will be funded through this award so all Offerors must propose staff based in Jordan. The budget narrative shall be presented in such a way to succinctly and sufficiently explain each cost from the proposed budget so ICMA may review the proposed budget for reasonableness, allocability and allowability. (Please use Attachment B Budget Narrative Template.) Biodata forms (use Attachment D) must be completed for proposed personnel. All projected costs must be in accordance with the organization s standard practices and policies. Offers including budget information determined to be unreasonable, incomplete, unnecessary for the completion of the proposed project or based on a methodology that is not adequately supported, may be deemed unacceptable. Additional Guidelines: 1. Cost proposals shall be presented in Jordan Dinar. 2. Offer must indicate the exclusion of any applicable taxes such as VAT. Please note that USAID LENS is exempt from VAT. 3. Staff rates should be in hourly or daily rates 4. Other Direct Costs Itemize and provide complete details of other direct costs, including unit prices that may be incurred as aligned to the categories noted above. VIII. EVALUATION CRITERIA This solicitation is open to Jordanian firms and international firms registered in Jordan specializing in research and policy reform. Proposed key staff, including the Project Manager, must be fluent in English and Arabic. The selected Contractor will be responsible for designing and executing all activities outlined in this Request for Proposal in cooperation with USAID Jordan LENS. Proposals will be evaluated based on a Trade-Off Methodology assessing non-cost and cost factors. In order for proposals to be evaluated for technical merit, proposals must meet the mandatory requirements as follows: Be legally registered in Jordan; Submitted the Evidence of Responsibility and Independent Price Determination Proposals meeting the mandatory requirements will be then evaluated for technical merit based on criteria in the below chart. Those proposals scoring 65 points or higher (out of 80 points) will be considered for cost effectiveness. The Cost Evaluation, worth 20 points, will include a cost comparison to other offerors, cost reasonableness (noting that low offers may be deemed unrealistic or unreasonable to accomplish the intended results of this RFP), and sufficient explanation of budget items and notes.

11 Section Technical Approach Capability Statement Description - Proposed structure, design, and management approach to execute the work required to develop the legal framework, and proposed design and implementation plan. (20 points) - Timeline or Gantt chart of the activities required for execution. (10 points) - Gender sensitive approach (5 points) - Demonstration of the necessary organizational systems, vendors, and personnel to successfully comply with the contract requirements and accomplish the expected results. (15 points) Maximum Points Past Performance Personnel/Staffing Technical Evaluation Threshold Cost Evaluation - Inclusion of at least 3 relevant past performance examples of similar projects in Jordan or the region. (10 points) - References provided by past clients for these examples and their evaluation of the Offeror s ability to deliver on time and within quality and budget expectations. (5 points) - Qualifications and past relevant experience of the Project Manager and up to 3 team leaders proposed to perform the requirements of this scope of work. (15 points) Only offers that receive a technical evaluation score of 65 and above points (out of 80) will be considered for cost evaluation. - Details and clarity of the actual costs proposed. (5 points) - Comparison of the Offeror s cost to other Offerors for Cost Evaluation. (5 points) - Cost Realism to consider whether the proposed costs and human and other resources are sufficient to effectively carry out the stated tasks. (10 points) Please use the attached Cost Template to prepare the budget Total Points 100

12 COMPETITIVE RANGE If ICMA determines that discussions are necessary, ICMA may establish a Competitive Range composed of only the most highly rated proposals. ICMA may exclude an offer from the competitive range if it is so deficient that it does not meet the requirements of this RFP, and/or if the price is so unreasonable that the Offeror would not be able to complete the work for that price. ICMA may exclude an offer that would require extensive discussions, a complete re-write, or major revisions such as to allow an Offeror unfair advantage over those more competitive offers. Oral presentations: Following the technical and cost evaluation, the selection committee reserves the right to require shortlisted applicants to present key parts of their submitted applications to the committee. Based on those presentations, the selection committee will make the final decision. The Offer that scores the highest will be determined the most responsive to the RFP and the project needs. ICMA reserves the right to award one or more contracts under this RFP on the basis of initial offers without discussions or without establishing a competitive range. NOTE: ICMA will not compensate the company for its presentation of response to this RFP nor is the issuing of this RFP a guarantee that ICMA will award a subcontract. IX. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. Any proposal received in response to this solicitation will be reviewed strictly as submitted and in accordance with Section IX, Evaluation Criteria. 2. EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORIST FINANCING Offerors are informed that ICMA complies with U.S. Sanctions and Embargo Laws and Regulations including Executive Order on Terrorist Financing, which effectively prohibit transactions with persons or entities that commit, threaten to commit or support terrorism. Any person or entity that participates in this bidding process, either as a prime or sub to the prime, must certify as part of the bid that he or it is not on the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List and is eligible to participate. ICMA shall disqualify any bid received from a person or entity that is found to be on the List or otherwise ineligible. Firms or individuals that are included on the Excluded Parties List System ( shall not be eligible for financing and shall not be used to provide any commodities or services contemplated by this RFP. 3. CONTRACT MECHANISM ICMA anticipates awarding a fixed price Purchase Order to the Offeror whose proposal will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria described previously. 4. WITHDRAWALS OF PROPOSALS Offerors may withdraw proposals by written notice via received at any time before award. Proposals may be withdrawn in person by an Offeror or his/her authorized representative if the representative s identity is made known and if the representative signs a receipt for the proposal before award.

13 5. RIGHT TO SELECT/REJECT ICMA reserves the right to select and negotiate with those firms it determines, in its sole discretion, to be qualified for competitive proposals and to terminate negotiations without incurring any liability. ICMA also reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received without explanation. 6. DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS Any selected firm will be required to complete a Financial Pre-Award Assessment in order for ICMA to ascertain that the organization has the capacity to perform successfully under the terms and conditions of the proposed award. As part of the Pre-Award Assessment process, the firm will also be requested to submit a financial audit report from the previous fiscal year. In addition, payroll records and other financial information may be requested to support budgeted costs. 7. CLIENT PRIOR APPROVAL The selected Offeror will be subject to funding agency approval before a subcontract can be awarded. Therefore, organizations are reminded that there may be delays for this process to be completed. In addition, should such approval not be given, this subcontract cannot be awarded. 8. DISCLAIMER This RFP represents only a definition of requirements. It is merely an invitation for submission of proposals and does not legally obligate ICMA to accept any of the submitted proposals in whole or in part, nor is ICMA obligated to select the lowest priced proposal. ICMA reserves the right to negotiate with any or all firms, but with respect to price, costs and/or scope of services. ICMA has no contractual obligations with any firms based upon issuance of this RFP. It is not an offer to contract. Only the execution of a written contract shall obligate ICMA in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in such contract. 9. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FIRM GUARANTEE All information submitted in connection with this RFP will be valid for 60 (Sixty) days from the RFP due date. This includes, but is not limited to, cost, pricing, terms and conditions, service levels, and all other information. If your firm is awarded the contract, all information in the RFP and negotiation process is contractually binding. 10. OFFER VERIFICATION ICMA may contact Offerors to confirm contact person, address, bid amount and that the bid was submitted for this solicitation. 11. FALSE STATEMENTS IN OFFER Offerors must provide full, accurate and complete information as required by this solicitation and its attachments. 12. CONFLICT OF INTEREST Offerors must provide disclosure of any past, present or future relationships with any parties associated with the issuance, review or management of this solicitation and anticipated award in or outside of Jordan. Failure to provide full and open disclosure may result in ICMA having to reevaluate selection of a potential Offeror. 13. RESERVED RIGHTS All RFP responses become the property of ICMA, and ICMA reserves the right in its sole discretion to: To disqualify any offer based on offeror failure to follow solicitation instructions.

14 ICMA reserves the right to waive any deviations by Offerors from the requirements of this solicitation that in ICMA s opinion are considered not to be material defects requiring rejection or disqualification, or where such a waiver will promote increased competition. Extend the time for submission of all RFP responses after notification to all Offerors. Terminate or modify the RFP process at any time and reissue the RFP to whomever ICMA deems appropriate. ICMA reserves the right to issue an award based on the initial evaluation of offerors without discussion. ICMA will not compensate offerors for preparation of their response to this RFP. Issuing this RFP is not a guarantee that ICMA will award a subcontract. ICMA may choose to award a subcontract to more than one offeror for specific parts of the activities in the RFP. X. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Budget Template Attachment B: Budget Narrative Template Attachment C: Evidence of Responsibility and Independent Price Determination Form Attachment D: Biodata Form Attachment E: Past Performance Reference Form template [END OF RFP]