Request for Information on Inclusive Education and Policy, Tajikistan

Description

Request for Information (RFI) Posting Date: 02/25/2022 Response Due Date: 03/24/2022 Reference Number: 72011922R00002 Point of Contact: Denis Arvanitidi, darvanitidi@usaid.gov Subject: Request for Information on Inclusive Education and Policy, Tajikistan Dear Partners: This is an Request for Information (RFI), not a Request for Proposals (RFP), and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government to issue any solicitation or ultimately award an agreement on the basis of this RFI, nor to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request, nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of any comments. Any funding proposals submitted in response to this request will not be considered. Responses to this notice must be received by no later than the due date and time stated in this notice. All information provided will become the property of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will not be returned, and will not be released publicly. USAID reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for USAID’s own purposes. Proprietary information must not be sent. Please note that release of this RFI in no way obligates USAID to release a solicitation for this proposed activity. FAR Clause 52.215-3 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR SOLICITATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES (OCT 1997) is attached and made part of this RFI. USAID is not responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this RFI. Thank you for your interest in USAID/Tajikistan programs and we look forward to your comments. Eyole Luma Contracting/Agreement Officer I. PURPOSE & BACKGROUND The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to collect written information about Inclusive Education and Policy in Tajikistan to potentially address issues related to Tajik Sign Language policy, Tajik Sign Language interpreter training, certification and employment, and faculty and instruction at the higher education level to support sign language education and training in Tajikistan. The information may be used to help identify issues in implementation of a Tajik Sign Language activity and improve future development outcomes and is published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 and FAR 15.201(e). If you are a small business, please specify your status and certification. II. POINTS & QUESTIONS USAID/Tajikistan is interested in responses to the following points and questions. Respondents do not need to respond to all. Responses should not exceed 10 pages. INCLUSIVE EDUCATION POLICY 1. What are considerations to take into account for education policy development for official recognition of Tajik Sign Language and content standards in Tajikistan?. TAJIK SIGN LANGUAGE 2. Please outline the characteristics of an activity focused on increasing the quality and number of Tajik Sign Language interpreters and teachers through higher education institutions[1] that would help USAID contribute to improving the quality of education, at the primary, general secondary, and/or higher education level. 3. What are barriers that might inhibit implementation of a Tajik Sign Language activity? 4. What are some fundamental components that would lead to a successful Tajik Sign Language activity? 5. How can USAID partner with the Ministry of Education and Science, the private sector, civil society, and Disabled Persons Organizations in this area of programming? HIGHER EDUCATION 6. Please recommend and describe higher education institutions USAID might consider partnering and coordinating with and why. Please note any geographical considerations related to these institutions. 7. Please recommend ways USAID might engage with higher education institutions to institute a Tajik Sign Language interpreter certification program along with subsequent workforce placement. 8. What are best practices related to linking student teaching practicum at higher education institutions with primary and general secondary schools for deaf and hard of hearing students? 9. What are best practices for including Tajik Sign Language in the language faculty/discipline in higher education institutions? 10. What are best practices related to higher education institution outreach and service delivery with deaf student communities? In addition to the above requested, you are welcome to outline general program recommendations, relevant context, existing capacities, or other information pertinent to the design of future USAID programming for students who are deaf or hard of hearing at the higher education level that you would like to share. This additional information is not part of the 10 page limit and should be provided as an annex or attachment. The annex or attachment is limited to 3 pages. III. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Individuals and organizations that wish to provide input to USAID must utilize the below template developed for this purpose. Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to address the questions in the RFI are invited to submit a response in the form of the attached template. All comments must be submitted electronically to darvanitidi@usaid.gov under the subject: 72011922R00002 USAID/Tajikistan Inclusive Education. Responses to this RFI will be accepted only through 03/24/2022, 10:00 am (Tajikistan Time). You will receive only an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response. You will not receive individualized feedback or suggestions. No basis for claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or from the U.S. Government’s use of such information. Specific questions about this RFI should be directed only to the email addresses identified above. This office will not respond to any telephone or other inquiries regarding this notice. Respondents are advised that USAID is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information, answer questions or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. Any information submitted in response to this RFI is voluntary. The submitted response must not exceed 10 pages. Annexes/attachments (if any) are not part of the 10 page limit but are limited to 3 pages. This optional information should be provided as a separate annex/attachment not exceeding 3 pages. In your email response please include the following information: Reference Number: Date: Affiliation/ Organization: Business Address: Representative Name / Email: Please note that USAID is not seeking technical or cost applications at this time. Do not submit any application in response to this RFI. Issuance of this notice does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of comments. Thank you for your interest in this RFI. [1] The 2018 USAID Education Policy defines a higher education institution as an organization that provides educational opportunities that build on secondary education, providing learning activities in specialized fields. It aims at learning at a high level of complexity and specialization. Higher/tertiary education includes what is commonly understood as academic education but also includes advanced vocational or professional education. This may include public or private universities, colleges, community colleges, academically affiliated research institutes, and training institutes, including teacher training institutes.

Eligibility

Grants.gov lists this opportunity under eligibility category code 99. These codes correspond to applicant types (state/local government, tribal organization, nonprofit, educational institution, individual, small business, etc.) defined in Grants.gov's own eligibility reference. See the current Grants.gov eligibility categories or check the official listing below for this opportunity's exact eligibility statement.

Agency Contact

Key Dates