Call for Independent Contractor(s)
United States Institute of Peace
Independent Contractor: Research Analyst,
Task Force on Accountability in an Era of Strategic Rivalry
Washington, DC (or remote)
Release Date: December 8, 2023
RFP Due Date: 5:00pm EST on December 18, 2023
Submit Response to:
Lauren Baillie
lbaillie@usip.org
The response must be submitted by time and date listed above to be considered.
Introduction and Background
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. For more information, please visit http://www.usip.org.
USIP’s Center for Thematic Excellence is built on the premise that there are common tools and approaches to peacebuilding that are adaptive, but applicable to peacebuilding globally. We serve as the hub of the Institute’s common resources for governments, organizations, and individuals seeking to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict worldwide. USIP’s Governance, Justice & Security team helps states and members of society work together to strengthen the rule of law through justice reform and efforts to hold actors liable from mass atrocities accountable. USIP develops innovative models to foster and shepherd sustainable and locally supported reforms, trains rule-of-law practitioners, conducts research and holds forums to share knowledge.
Purpose of the RFP
USIP is seeking an independent contractor to serve as a Research Analyst within the Center for Thematic Excellence, Governance, Justice & Security team. He/she will support the work of the Task Force on Accountability in an Era of Strategic Rivalry by producing 4 research memoranda on topics to be determined. The Research Analyst will have a PhD, J.D., or S.J.D (or be in the final stages of a doctoral program) and 1-2 years of demonstrated experience in research, with particular focus on research related to questions of international Law.
Background and Scope of Work
USIP’s Task Force on Accountability in an Era of Strategic Rivalry considers the impact of strategic rivalry on international accountability and develops recommendations for how the U.S. and likeminded actors may shore up and/or strengthen the global commitment to international accountability.
The Research Analyst for the Task Force on Accountability in an Era of Strategic Rivalry will work with the Executive Secretariat of the Task Force, which includes the Co-chair(s), Principal Investigator, Director for Governance, Justice & Security and Senior Program Officer for Atrocity Prevention. The Research Analyst will conduct research in support of developing the Task Force’s mandate and may conduct research as part of the Task Force work plan. The timeframe for this commitment is January 15, 2024, through May 15, 2024.
During the contract period, the Research Analyst will prepare 4 research memoranda of 15-20 pages, roughly one per month, based on topics determined in partnership with the Executive Secretariat related to international law, accountability, and strategic rivalry. Research memoranda may include: (1) preliminary surveys of available literature to support the Task Force in refining a particular research question; (2) research digests cataloguing available articles or resources addressing Task Force research questions; (3) questions of international law; (4) case studies on major issues in accountability; and (5) consideration of how multilateral bodies have addressed issues of strategic rivalry.
In fulfilling Task Force research requests, Contractor will work closely with Executive Secretariat of the Task Force, and may be asked to review, revise, or deepen research product to support the Executive Secretariat’s understanding of the issues addressed.
Tentative Timeline
A tentative timeline for the completion of deliverables is provided below. USIP will work with the selected proposer to finalize deliverables and deliverable due dates upon selection.
Deliverable
Estimated Due Date
Research Memorandum 1
February 15, 2024
Research Memorandum 2
March 15, 2024
Research Memorandum 3
April 15, 2024
Research Memorandum 4
May 15, 2024
Level of Effort
Research is anticipated to take roughly 15-20 hours per week.
Expected Type of Contract: Firm Fixed Price
Submission Requirements
Any proposal that does not contain all items listed below may be considered nonresponsive. For more detail on the selection process, including corresponding evaluation criteria, please see Section V below. To be considered under this RFP, please submit the following:
Technical Requirements
To be considered, please submit a cover letter of no more than 4 pages with the following information:
* Summarize your interest in this RFP, including your academic and professional interests in issues of accountability;
* Describe your previous experience with a project of similar scope and complexity, including two concrete examples;
* Specify your approach or methodology to research of a similar nature.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Please provide a CV of no more than 5 pages. CVs will not count towards technical narrative proposal page limit.
Cost Proposal
Provide a budget specifying hourly or daily rate and any other costs and a budget narrative. Budget must be in US dollars.
References
Provide the name and contact information for two references, preferably those that have experience supervising you or working with you on a similar project.
Certification Page
Complete and sign the Certification Page below and submit with the proposal.
- Selection Process
- Schedule
Date
Schedule
December 8, 2023
RFP issued
December 18, 2023
Proposals are due no later than 5pm Eastern Standard Time. Late submissions may not be accepted.
January 5, 2024
Notification to selected offeror
January 15, 2024
Estimated project commencement date
USIP may adjust dates in the schedule or cancel this RFP at any time prior to contract award.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the criteria below. For more detail on each submission requirement, see Section IV of this RFP. The USIP Selection Committee will review all proposals received on time using the evaluation criteria established below based on the best value offered to USIP. The Selection Committee reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, in whole or in part, to award multiple contracts, and/or to enter into negotiations with any party, in the best interests of the Institute.
Evaluation Criteria
Weight
Technical Requirements
40%
CVs
10%
Cost Proposal
30%
References
20%
General Instructions and Terms
- Complete proposals must be submitted by email to lbaillie@usip.org by 5pm on December 18, 2023.
- The Institute is not liable for any costs incurred by offerors prior to issuance of an executed contract with the Institute.
- Submissions must be typed and submitted electronically and must include all submission requirements outlined in the Submission of Requirements section of this RFP. No changes or corrections to a response will be allowed after the deadline.
- All submissions should be in English and US dollars.
- Any proposal not addressing all RFP requirements may be considered non-responsive. Late proposals may be rejected as non-responsive.
- This RFP is not an offer to enter into an agreement with any party, but rather a request to receive proposals from offerors (organizations or persons) interested in providing the services outlined herein. Such proposals shall be considered and treated by USIP as offers to enter into a contract.
- USIP shall not be obligated for the payment of any sums whatsoever to any recipient of this RFP until and unless a written contract between the parties is executed.
- Unless stated otherwise within this RFP, the selected Contractor shall be responsible for providing all equipment and/or supplies required to perform the services.
- The selected Contractor shall not discriminate against any person in accordance with Federal, state, or local law.
- The submission of any materials to USIP in response to this RFP will constitute (i) a representation that the Offeror owns or has unrestricted license to use and license such materials and all intellectual property expressed therein; and (ii) the grant of a non-exclusive license to USIP to use such materials and intellectual property for any purpose, including specifically the evaluation, negotiation, and documentation of a contract with any party.
- Offeror will commit to adhering to the attached USIP Terms & Conditions, else risk removal from consideration. Exceptions to these terms must be clearly outlined in an annex to the Technical Proposal. Please reach out to Lauren Baillie (lbaillie@usip.org) to request a copy of USIP Terms and Conditions if they are not attached to the solicitation.
Certification Page
(Please submit with the proposal)
A. The Offeror certifies that: (1) Prices in the offer have been arrived at independently without consultation, communication, or agreement with any other competitor; (2) Prices in the offer have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the offeror, directly or indirectly, to any other competitor before bid opening or contract award unless otherwise required by law; and (3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the offeror to induce any other competitor to/not to submit an offer for the purpose of restricting competition.
B. Has the offeror received funding from USIP? Yes/NO
If yes, provide the grant or contract number and the offeror’s main point of contact at USIP:___________________________________________________________________________________
On Behalf of Offeror:
Name of Organization or Independent Contractor
Signature of Authorized Official
Printed Name of Authorized Official
Title
Date
How to apply
To apply for this position, please use the following URL:
