The US Agency for International Development, Bureau for Democracy, Development, and Innovation has a requirement for the Energy IDIQ III project in the Environment and Global Climate Change sector.

The lack of sufficient, accessible, affordable, and reliable energy is a major impediment to achieving USAID’s core objective of poverty reduction. A modern energy sector underpins not only economic growth but also the expansion and improvement of services in all sectors of development, from food security and health to education. However, in some parts of the developing world, nearly two-thirds of the population does not have access to electricity. Even where there is access, much of this access is inequitably distributed, and the global energy demand is projected to rise by over 70 percent by 2040, with nearly 90 percent of that growth expected to come from developing countries. Because of its vital importance, the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity receives significant attention and resources from both governments and international development agencies. However, public sector funds alone will be unable to meet the billions of dollars of new investment that are required to address the scale of the global challenge, necessitating wider mobilization of the private sector.

Sustainably meeting the growing energy demands of developing countries in the coming years requires overcoming numerous obstacles, particularly those that constrain investment. The supply of energy services in many countries is of poor quality due to operational inefficiencies, difficulties in reaching dispersed and marginalized populations, and unsustainable pricing and tariff structures. These issues are compounded by the use of outdated energy technologies and practices, persistent application of ineffective energy sector policies, and limited, and inequitably accessible, technical capacity of sector personnel in governing ministries, regulatory agencies, and utilities. Governments often subsidize electricity prices as a means to spur industrial growth and address issues of social equity. However, such practices have proven unsustainable, as utilities are unable to get sufficient revenue to expand energy systems to meet increasing demand or to even properly maintain and repair existing facilities. With unreliable energy systems, countries are hindered in their ability to attract capital, including private investment, and are unable to sufficiently support social objectives such as improved health care and education. Due to these challenges, energy stakeholders are often unable to invest in the grid modernization, renewable energy, and energy efficiency needed to transform their energy sector.

• This Energy IDIQ III allows for the provision of technical assistance services, including consulting and engineering services, within the scope of work specified in this section, to implement USAID’s activities worldwide
• The Energy IDIQ III Contractors and their consortia members must consider social and cultural realities when developing Task Order proposals. Pursuant to Section F.10, “Ordering Procedures,” the USAID Task Order Contracting Officer (TOCO) will request Contractors to provide services through the issuance of Task Orders
• The TOCO may issue Task Orders specific to geographic regions or countries, function areas, and possibly for specific tasks or deliverables
• USAID may prioritize specific countries and regions based on US government foreign policy objectives and transaction opportunities
• As required for each Task Order, the Contractors will be capable of providing services in the following technical areas:
  • Additional support areas
  • Construction
  • Grant management
  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
  • Workforce and institutional development
  • Circular economy
  • Anti-corruption
  • Increasing affordable energy access
  • Resilient information technology (IT), digitalization, data, and cybersecurity
  • Private sector engagement
  • Energy stakeholder support and consumer engagement
  • Decarbonization in buildings, transport, and industry
  • Energy efficiency
  • Improving utility performance
  • Feasibility studies and environmental and social assessments
  • Legal and regulatory reforms
  • Finance and investments
  • Generation, transmission, and distribution projects
  • Energy sector planning
  • Diversification and security of energy supply