Inactive

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: January 17, 2020 PERIOD OF PROPOSAL SUBMISSION ENDS: February 10, 2020 ABOUT PROPOSALS. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (hereafter “the Commission”) invit... REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: January 17, 2020 PERIOD OF PROPOSAL SUBMISSION ENDS: February 10, 2020 ABOUT PROPOSALS. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (hereafter “the Commission”) invites submission of proposals to provide a concise, one-time unclassified report on China’s economic interests in Africa and linkages between economic and security engagement. ABOUT THE COMMISSION. The Commission was established by Congress in 2000 to monitor and report to Congress on the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. Further details about the Commission are available on its website at: www.uscc.gov. The Commission solicits this research pursuant to its Congressional mandate (contained in P.L. 113-291, Section 1259B), which states, “The Commission … shall investigate and report … on…” “(C) The effects of the need for energy and natural resources in the People’s Republic of China on the foreign and military policies of the People’s Republic of China, the impact of the large and growing economy of the People’s Republic of China on world energy and natural resource supplies, prices, and the environment, and the role the United States can play (including through joint research and development efforts and technological assistance) in influencing the energy and natural resource policies of the People’s Republic of China….” “(E) The military plans, strategy and doctrine of the People’s Republic of China, the structure and organization of the People’s Republic of China military, the decision-making process of the People’s Republic of China military, the interaction between the civilian and military leadership in the People’s Republic of China, …, force modernization objectives and trends for the People’s Republic of China military, and the implications of such objectives and trends for the national security of the United States….” “(H) The drivers, nature, and implications of the growing economic, technological, political, cultural, people-to-people, and security relations of the People’s Republic of China’s with other countries, regions, and international and regional entities (including multilateral organizations)….” This report’s key research requirements are: 1. Assess China’s economic interests in Africa. a. What is the geographic (by country or region) and sectoral (by industry) breakdown of China’s economic engagement in Africa, including Chinese firms operating in Africa and controlling and non-controlling investments in African firms and assets? Why is China focusing on these countries and industries? Use relevant policy documents, including investment guidance to Chinese companies and financial institutions (e.g., the Export–Import Bank of China), to supplement analysis of China’s economic strategy on the continent. b. Create a series of original maps, infographics, or other visual representations depicting China’s economic engagement in Africa, for instance through icons showing the location and characteristics of Chinese operations and investments. The narrative portion of the report should provide context to these graphics. The proposal should include a brief description of recommended maps and other graphics. These may include regional or country views showing China’s involvement in particular industries or historical versus present day maps to show demonstrative changes in China’s presence over time. 2. Examine China’s interests in the development, mining, cultivation, and processing of minerals in Africa. In which mineral commodities is China investing most heavily, and in which countries? Quantify China’s investment along different phases of mining and production (e.g., mining, intermediary production, and refinery production) and provide additional maps or graphics to demonstrate these trends. To what extent is China gaining monopoly power over any part of the supply chain for particular commodities? Include a brief description of the primary end uses of each mineral commodity. For which mineral commodities does Chinese control of supply chains pose risks to U.S. commercial and security interests? 3. Examine China’s interest in the development of agriculture in Africa. In which agricultural products is China investing most significantly, and in which countries? What major Chinese firms are involved, and through what mechanisms are they investing (e.g., public-private partnerships, equity investments in African farms, technology demonstration centers)? Provide additional maps or graphics to demonstrate these trends. What are other vehicles through which China is strengthening ties to African agriculture, such as state-to-state agriculture assistance programs or expert exchange programs? 4. Assess the nexus between China’s security and economic engagement in Africa. Describe China’s current and potential security presence in African countries (including, but not limited to, peacekeeping operations, ports, and airfields) and assess its connection to China’s economic interests on the continent. To what extent is China’s security presence motivated by protecting its economic interests, and to what extent is China cultivating economic ties to foster a security relationship? Does China have plans to expand its presence either geographically (e.g., to other countries) or in scope (e.g., enlarge existing security facilities or convert a civilian asset to security purposes)? Using the graphics created for research requirement 1, depict the geographic relationship between China’s security presence and economic engagement in Africa. Provide case studies to illustrate the link between China’s economic interests and security presence in Africa. The proposal should include recommendations for at least two case studies to be used in the report, with an explanation of their relevance. The report should include an executive summary of the report’s key findings; a list of recommendations for Congress, including how the United States should adjust its strategy in Africa to safeguard its interests; a brief overview of the sources and analytic methodology used for the report; and a brief explanation of the scope and limitations of the report. Additional Requirements: 1. Prior to the award of any contract, the contractor must be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM). 2. Once the Commission selects a contractor for this project, and a contract is signed, public notice of this may be made on the Commission’s website. 3. The Commission’s goal is to have a report prepared for review in a timely fashion. In ordinary circumstances, once the Commission selects a contractor and a contract is signed, a draft report —not to exceed 40 pages of text— must be submitted to the Commission for review no later than 45 days from the date the contract is signed. The Commission will then endeavor to provide comments and requests for adjustments within 20 days; subsequently, the final report must be submitted within 20 days of formal receipt of the Commission’s comments. The Commission recognizes, under certain circumstances, a contractor may wish to have more time to prepare the first draft of the report under the contract. The contractor, in their contract proposal, should stipulate the time frame for submission of the draft report. It is to be understood; however, that time is of the essence in completing research contracts for the Commission. 4. As work on the report progresses, the Commission’s Research Coordinator shall act as the Commission’s representative in monitoring the progress, quality, and responsiveness of the report to the major issues of concern identified in this Request for Proposals (RFP). The Research Coordinator shall, on request to the contractor, be entitled to informal briefings on the status of the research work and to readings of the draft in progress. 5. The report shall be free of typographical errors and conform to the Chicago Manual of Style. Upon receipt of all drafts, the Commission will inspect the document for typographical errors and deviations from the Chicago Manual of Style guidelines. At the discretion of the Commission, if a draft contains excessive deficiencies, the Commission will return the draft to the contractor and request the contractor cure the draft of deficiencies within five (5) working days (not counting weekends and Federal holidays). Upon resubmission of the draft by the contractor to the Commission, should deficiencies remain, the Commission, at its discretion, will submit the draft to its copyeditor for correction, the cost of which ($41.00 per hour) will be deducted from the final cost of the contract. The contract shall be subject to termination if the Commission deems that the work is of unsatisfactory quality. 6. At the Commission’s discretion, the report procured via this RFP may be posted on the Commission’s website. 7. Each organization or individual responding to this request must warrant they will perform this work solely for the Commission, and the resulting report will not be shared with other parties without the prior written consent of the Commission. 8. The Commission expects contractors to identify all personnel working on the contract, and that there will not be any delegation of responsibilities to other parties without prior written approval of the Commission. 9. At the discretion and request of the Commission, the contractor shall, within a year after publication of the report, agree to participate in up for two (2) separate briefings, and up to one (1) public hearing, held by the Commission, of up to two (2) hours each in the Washington, DC area, supported by at least one (1) individual affiliated with the contractor identified as “key personnel.” This could include, but not necessarily be limited to, briefing the content of the research to Commissioners and Commission staff, appearing as witnesses at a public hearing held by the Commission, and briefing the content of the research to Members of Congress and/or their staff. No additional remuneration will be provided to the contractor for these briefings or a hearing. The Commission will make a good faith effort to schedule briefings and a hearing at times that are subject to mutual agreement. Primary Selection Criteria: 1. The Commission will determine which organization or individual responding to this request will be awarded the contract based on a comprehensive “best value” analysis of the proposals received, to include costs, technical value, and ability to complete the work satisfactorily and on time, and past performance with the Commission, if applicable. 2. The primary weighting criterion in selection shall be the assessed qualifications and ability of an organization or individual to address the fundamental research points enunciated above (“key research requirements”). 3. The cost and amount of time necessary to complete the report will also be considered as criteria in the selection process. 4. The Commission is a Legislative Branch agency not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Proposal submissions should include: 1. A statement of the applicant’s relevant qualifications to satisfy the terms of this RFP, to include curricula vitae for personnel intended for work on the project. 2. Identification of the principal researchers who will be responsible for the preparation of the report. It is understood that the designation of the researchers is a critical element of the proposal, and any changes regarding which individuals will be involved in the report’s preparation must be approved by the Commission in advance and in writing. 3. A description of the research methodology the applicant proposes to employ. In describing methodology, the submission should provide detailed descriptions of the sources and methods that will be used to research the report’s topic and the extent to which Chinese language sources, if any, and other primary materials will be used. 4. A list of any entities for whom you have conducted research or provided consulting services in the past. The Commission understands you may be limited in providing such information by confidentiality agreements. 5. An estimate of the time the applicant will need to complete the required work. 6. The price the applicant will charge to the Commission to complete the work set forth in this RFP. 7. The proposal shall not exceed seven (7) pages and may be shorter. Organizations and individuals wishing to submit a proposal in response to this RFP must ensure that the response arrives at the location noted below by 5:30 p.m. (EST) on February 10, 2020, or it will not be accepted or considered. Electronic submissions are acceptable. Email attachments should not exceed 5 MB. Proposals, as well as inquiries or any other correspondence related to this matter, should be directed to: Charles Horne Research Coordinator U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Hall of the States, Suite 602 444 North Capitol Street NW Washington, DC 20001 phone: 202-624-1447 email: chorne@uscc.gov