Iraq: RFP: Research on the Impact of Climate and Environmental Change on Conflict Dynamics in Iraq

Dec 24, 2022 | United States Institute of Peace
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The United States Institute of Peace represents the American people’s shared values and commitment to peace worldwide. We know that Peace is Security – it advances both U.S. and international security by preventing, managing, and mitigating violent conflict.

USIP is an independent, non-partisan institution and are actively engaged with peacebuilding efforts worldwide. Together we tackle the most challenging problems and hold fast to the possibility of a more peaceful world. To learn more about USIP programs and job openings, go to https://www.usip.org/about/careers.

Request for Proposals: Research on the Impact of Climate and Environmental Change on Conflict Dynamics in Iraq

Proposal Submission Deadline: 5:00 PM Eastern Standard time on January 16, 2023

Refer Questions and Proposals to:

• Yomnna Helmi: yhelmi@usip.org
• Osama Gharizi: ogharizi@usip.org

Pertinent responses will be made available to all offerors by e-mail. No inquiries will be accepted after specified time and date.

The response must be submitted by time and date listed above to be considered.

Proposal Submission Requirements:

Any proposal that does not contain all items listed in the Submission Requirements section below may be considered nonresponsive. This request for proposal (RFP) is open to research institutions, for-profit consulting firms, individuals, and a group of individuals. For more detail including corresponding evaluation criteria, please see “Evaluation Criteria and Submission Requirements” section below.

1. Technical/Narrative Proposal (5-7 pages)
2. Curriculum Vitae of Key Personnel and an Organizational Profile
3. Cost Proposal
4. Financial Management Assessment Form (see attached)
5. Certification Page (see attached)
6. Registration Certificate (must be registered to conduct business in the Republic of Iraq)

Introduction and Background

Iraq is at high risk of suffering the worst effects of the climate crisis, including soaring temperatures and acute water scarcity. As the agricultural sector shrinks and rural jobs disappear, Iraqis are moving to cities in search of work. This increases pressure on services, pushes up food prices, and exacerbates social tensions, leading to protests and even violence.

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is soliciting proposals for research on the impact of climate and environmental change on conflict dynamics in Iraq, including climate-induced migration, with the purpose of identifying actionable solutions to mitigate the impact of climate on conflict.

USIP has worked without interruption in Iraq since 2003 and maintains presence in Baghdad and Erbil. USIP’s initiatives on Iraq include (1) informing U.S. and Iraqi policy and the public through briefings, events, timely analysis and research, and media engagement; (2) supporting government institutions in Iraq and Iraqi civil society through sustained, long-term partnerships, in which USIP works alongside Iraqis and supports Iraqi-led conflict transformation; and (3) leading dialogues that prevent violence, foster community resilience, and enable the safe and voluntary return of IDPs.

Purpose of the RFP

USIP is seeking proposals from a research institution, for-profit consulting firm, individuals, or a group of individuals to conduct research on the impact of climate and environmental change on conflict dynamics in Iraq, including climate-induced migration, with the purpose of identifying actionable solutions to mitigate the impact of climate on conflict.

This process entails building on prior research on the topic using quantitative and qualitative data collection, producing thorough analysis, and supporting dissemination as needed to ensure up-to-date information and more robust knowledge-sharing among relevant stakeholders (e.g., academics, practitioners, or policymakers).

Scope of Work

USIP has developed a conceptual model outlining how climate and environmental impacts result in a risk of violent conflict and political instability.  As USIP explores how it can contribute to peacebuilding efforts in Iraq, it seeks to better understand some of the most important environment-conflict linkages, identify the most critical geographic hotspots for environmental conflict, and understand how these issues contribute to overall fragility within the country.

USIP expects to award one contract to perform background research and to conduct new research into the linkages between climate and environmental change and conflict in Iraq.  The final report from this research should propose opportunities to mitigate the risk of such conflict.  We invite researchers at universities or research institutions, as well as unaffiliated researchers, to submit proposals that address one of the issues outlined below. USIP will also consider proposals that identify important related topics that do not appear on this list.

Potential themes of interest for this work include:

• Pathways: What are the most important pathways through which climate and environmental change are leading to risks of conflict and/or migration?
• Risks of conflict in stranded communities: In areas under significant climate and environmental stress and where out-migration is already occurring, who is remaining behind and why?  What risks of conflict do they face, and how can we identify hotspots?
• Risks of conflict in communities receiving migrants: Where migration is already taking place, what is the level of support for IDPs and migrants in receiving communities, and what other issues are contributing to the risk of conflict in those communities?  How can we begin to identify hotspots of potential conflict in these communities, and how do they correlate with other fragility factors (such as urban fragility factors)?
• Risk of recruitment to extremist groups: Are migrants and/or communities facing severe climate and environmental impacts at greater risk of recruitment to armed or violent groups?
• Responses: Are there existing efforts to manage the risk of conflict emerging from climate and environmental impacts?  If so, what are the learnings that can be shared?  What other approaches might be applicable in Iraq?

Scope

The proposed methods and scope of work for this research fall into 3 stages: (1) mapping of existing research; (2) gap identification and new research planning; (3) data collection, analysis, and dissemination. They are detailed below.

Stage 1, Mapping of Existing Research:

• Report on existing research. This stage is undertaken at the beginning of the process and entails a desk review of existing research on the impact of climate and environmental change on conflict dynamics in Iraq, including but not limited to climate-induced migration. The contractor will submit a report up to 20 pages along with an executive summary to USIP summarizing findings.

 Stage 2, Gap Identification and New Research Planning:

• Concept note for new research. Based on the report on existing research and discussions with USIP, the contractor will develop a concept note to address research gaps on climate-induced migration and emerging sources of conflict linked to environment and climate change. The research concept should (1) lay out the questions to be addressed and explain how they will contribute to filling specific research gaps; (2) provide a detailed methodology; and (3) provide a workplan for data collection and analysis. This research may include key informant interviews and focus group discussions in key geographies identified by the background research, as well as analysis of geospatial data, climate and/or environmental trends, migrant records, and other relevant datasets. The research concept and methodology will be finalized and agreed upon with USIP. An IRB may also be required and should be factored in the workplan.

Stage 3, Research and Dissemination:

• Data collection (quantitative and qualitative fieldwork). This will include recruiting and training enumerator teams, overseeing fieldwork and reviewing data as it comes in for quality control. The exact timing of data collection will be determined in coordination with USIP and field teams to determine what is appropriate and safe (in light of security and public health context).
• Generate clean datasets and collaborate for holding validation sessions to highlight findings and key trends. Upon completion of the data collection, clean datasets will be handed to USIP in coordination with USIP in terms of format and shape. In parallel to that, the contractor will organize and conduct validation sessions on the data trends, with the participation of USIP partners as relevant, and the contractor’s enumerator leaders. The validation sessions will be an opportunity to discuss and document any discrepancies in findings where relevant.
• Develop the findings report. The contractor will analyze the data and produce a report for USIP that will consist of an executive summary and top-line findings as well as emerging and differing trends within and between locations and population groups. Either as an annex or as a section, the report will also include a detailed methodological note.
• Provide relevant additional analysis and support as needed to USIP within agreed upon timeframes. This will be determined based on discussions with USIP on an ongoing basis. In addition, the contractor will organize meetings and briefings with USIP to further discuss findings, use of data, and additional analysis and support needs.
• Present data and participate in events convened around the research. Upon request of USIP, the contractor will prepare material for the research to be presented in events and dissemination sessions for a local wider audience and stakeholders.

Anticipated Deliverables and Tentative Timeline

Expected Type of Contract: Time and materials

Qualifications and Experience

The below chart identifies the essential and desirable qualifications and experience level of the potential contractor.

Submission Requirements

To be considered under this RFP, please submit the following:

1. Technical/Narrative Proposal (5-7 pages) The narrative proposal should include the following sections:
2. Past Experience: Describe at least two projects of similar scope and complexity the offeror has worked on previously. Provide a point of contact with telephone number and email address for each of the described projects to serve as references. Also, include whether the offeror and/or essential personnel have received funding from USIP in the past and if so, include a short description of the project, the name of the USIP main point of contact, and the grant or contract number, as applicable.
3. Overall Approach and Methodology: Based on the information provided above, describe the plan to develop a methodology and approach for the different stages of the research, including an implementation timeline. Offerors should demonstrate their ability to collect data in Iraq, specifying which provinces, and outline a prospective methodology for researching climate-induced migration and/or emerging sources of conflict linked to the environment
4. Organizational Capacity to Fulfill Scope of Work Process and Duties. Offerors should detail their organizational and thematic capabilities to undertake and fulfill the roles and responsibilities mentioned in the Scope of Work. For example, the offeror should demonstrate their ability to collect data in Iraq (specifying which provinces), and the process for establishing enumerator teams
5. Key Personnel, Specific Expertise, Staffing, and Organizational Profile: Offerors should detail the key personnel and specific expertise as related to the Scope of Work. See Section IV “Qualifications and Experience Required.” Please note that staff may be non-US citizens and do not require a security clearance.
6. Curriculum Vitae Key Personnel and an Organizational Profile For each of the key personnel, please provide a CV of no more than three pages. CVs will not count toward the page limit of the technical proposal.
7. Cost Proposal The cost proposal shall include a detailed budget and a budget narrative. Budget must be in US dollars and in a spreadsheet format (e.g., Excel). USIP allows organizations to include up to 15% indirect cost recovery on total direct costs for contracts.
8. Financial Management Assessment Form Organizations must complete the Financial Management Assessment Form (see attached) unless they have received Federal grants, contracts or cooperative agreements in the past two years and can provide their audited financial statement from their most recent fiscal year.  Please reach out to Yomnna Helmi yhelmi@usip.org to request a copy of the Financial Management Assessment Form if it is not attached to the solicitation.
9. Registration Certificate (must be registered to conduct business in the Republic of Iraq)
10. Certification Page Complete and sign the attached Certification Page and submit with the proposal. Please reach out to Yomnna Helmi yhelmi@usip.org to request a copy of Certification Page if it is not attached to the solicitation.

Selection Process

Proposed Schedule

The USIP Selection Committee will review all proposals received on time using the selection criteria established in this RFP 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. The Institute may cancel this RFP at any time prior to contract award.

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated as follows. For more detail on each submission requirement, see the Submission Requirements section of this RFP.

General Instructions and Terms

1. Complete proposals must be submitted by email to Yomnna Helmi yhelmi@usip.org and Osama Gharizi ogharizi@usip.org by 5:00 PM on January 16, 2022.
2. The Institute is not liable for any costs incurred by offerors prior to issuance of an executed contract with the Institute.
3. 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.
4. All submissions should be in English and US dollars.
5.  Any questions concerning this RFP should be directed to Yomnna Helmi yhelmi@usip.org and Osama Gharizi ogharizi@usip.org.
6. Pertinent responses will be made available to all offerors by email. No inquiries will be accepted after specified time and date.
7. Any proposal not addressing all RPF requirements may be considered non-responsive. Late proposals may be rejected as non-responsive.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Unless stated otherwise within this RFP, the selected Contractor shall be responsible for providing all equipment and/or supplies required to perform the services.
11. The selected Contractor shall not discriminate against any person in accordance with Federal, state, or local law.
12. 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.
13. 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 Yomnna Helmi yhelmi@usip.org to request a copy of USIP Terms and Conditions if they are not attached to the solicitation.