SPECIAL NOTICE
R -- Transition of Local Self Government in the Kyrgyz Republic - RFI
- Notice Date
- 10/24/2014
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty, Dept. of State, Washington, District of Columbia, 20521-7030
- ZIP Code
- 20521-7030
- Solicitation Number
- RFI-176-15-000003
- Archive Date
- 12/1/2014
- Point of Contact
- Aliya Baioralova, Phone: 0077272507612
- E-Mail Address
-
abaioralova@usaid.gov
(abaioralova@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Competitive 8(a)
- Description
- Transition to Local Self Government in the Kyrgyz Republic This is а Request for Information (RFI) only as defined in FAR 15.201 (е). USAID/Kyrgyz Republic is soliciting comments on the attached concept paper, related to supporting effective and inclusive service delivery through the Kyrgyz Republic's implementation of the Law on Local Self Government. In addition to general comments on this concept, USAID/Kyrgyz Republic also invites responses to the following questions: •Considering the number and diversity of local self-government units in the Kyrgyz Republic, what methodologies have been successful in identifying municipal units and services with the most potential for improvement? •What lessons have been learned from similar efforts in countries at a similar stage of deconcentration, delegation, and devolution of service delivery? •In countries where new devolution legislation was enacted without a deliberate plan or dedicated resources to implement the transition, what have been the characteristics of successful interventions to advance devolved local services? •In countries where new devolution legislation was enacted without a deliberate plan or dedicated resources to implement the transition, what have been the characteristics of unsuccessful interventions to advance devolved local services? •How can the Kyrgyz Republic's culture, norms, and evolving governance structure be incorporated throughout the design and implementation of a transition to devolved services? •Current development literature suggests that the traditional approaches to the transfer of resources and knowledge may not be sufficient to create sustainable increases in local government competency and capacity. How can USAID's Localization approach (see attached Concept Paper) be incorporated in a transition support activity to address that concern? Please ensure that comments are clear, concise, and specifically address any or all of the above questions, while taking into consideration the information and approach presented in the attached Concept Paper. Issuance of this RFI does not constitute а Request for Proposals. Responses to this request for comments are not binding on the U. S. Government and do not obligate USAID to issue a Solicitation (RFP), nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of comments. This request for comments will be open from the date of release through November 17, 2014, 09:00 am Almaty time. Comments should be submitted electronically only to: AlmatyAASolicitations@usaid.gov. Concept Paper Transition to Local Self Government in the Kyrgyz Republic Background The Kyrgyz Republic is located in the heart of Central Asia. This small, landlocked, former Soviet country features a nascent democracy, with a vibrant and increasingly influential civil society. Continued U.S. Government development assistance will help the country consolidate its encouraging progress toward accountable, inclusive governance, and reap significant development outcomes such as increased economic opportunities and increased resilience. While improvements in democracy are vital for the future of the Kyrgyz Republic, USAID/Kyrgyz Republic believes that the success of this democratically elected government is fundamentally dependent on its ability to improve the lives of its citizens. This requires improvements in essential services that bring concrete, successful, sustainable outcomes. On paper, the Kyrgyz Republic has advanced decentralization further than any other Central Asian country, with political power, representation, and fiscal authorities devolved down to local self-government units. Unfortunately, decentralization in the Kyrgyz Republic remains only half-finished, which undermines long-term attempts to improve governance in the country. The current devolution program fails to delineate how Local Self Governments are to transition from their current service provision model to one enabled by the Kyrgyz Republic Law on Local Self Government (appended below). Kyrgyz Local Self Governments are diverse, as are their recently devolved services: •There are 453 Ayil Okhmotus (AOs) and 25 cities that are outside the national government structure •The population of the AOs is from 3,000 to 30,000 with a wide range of capacity, competency, economic vitality, and economic resources; the ten largest cities have populations from 30,000 to 800,000 people •The 23 areas of devolved services range from libraries, parks, and youth activities to public transportation, water, sewer, trash collection, and economic development Purpose USAID/Kyrgyz Republic seeks to assist Local Self Governments (LSGs) in their transition to devolved areas of responsibility by improving the administration and delivery of services, demonstrating the efficacy of USAID's Localization approach, and establishing an ongoing locally sustainable LSG support capability. Transition assistance goals: •Increase the fiscal discipline, allocative efficiency, and operational efficiency of Kyrgyz Local Self Governments •Identify devolved services that have the potential to demonstrate immediate, effective, and sustainable improved service delivery •Incentivize LSGs by fostering community responsiveness and accountability •Demonstrate the efficacy of collaboration between the Kyrgyz Government and Local Self Governments to improve service delivery; produce a replicable, locally sustainable methodology to advance devolution •Identify systems, procedures, staffing, and training needs for individual local entities to increase their productivity and capacity   USAID's Localization approach for effective development: •Engaging local systems to promote sustainability •Embracing process and iteration rather than a perspective of toolkits and frameworks •Recognizing the potential efficacy of having capacity development goals that may be less than ideal •Developing modest and incremental approaches tailored to individual communities and their government •Envisioning new approaches that are iterative, facilitative, and that demonstrate practical approaches in everyday circumstances Illustrative Activities Given the number and diversity of Kyrgyz Local Self Governments (LSGs), the assess methodologies that have been successful in identifying municipal units and services with the most potential for improvement from similar efforts in countries at a similar stage of deconcentration, delegation, and devolution. Incorporating USAID's Localization approach, design and implement interventions with LSGs identified as having the most potential for improvement. The activity will take into account the culture, norms, and evolving governance structure of each LSG. Develop methodologies to design and implement interventions tailored to an individual LSG's unique circumstances. In addition to basic government activities such as budgeting, revenue generation, and expenditure control, interventions may include areas as varied as community planning, public works operations, and economic growth initiatives. As Kyrgyz and international donor resources are limited identify, coordinate, and collaborate with complementary Kyrgyz government and Kyrgyz organizations transition efforts, as well as with international donor activities to avoid duplication and maximize support. Establish a locally sustainable LSG support capability to increase the likelihood of future LSG transition and capacity building initiatives. Outcomes and Results The outcomes of the activities will be: •Ongoing, iterative, customized support to LSGs with the potential for improving services •A replicable methodology for the analysis, selection, and support of local governments with the potential for improving service delivery •An increase in locally sustainable competency and capacity in the furtherance of improved local government service delivery in the Kyrgyz Republic The results of the activities will be: •Better administered, more transparent, financially improved, Kyrgyz Local Self Governments •Sustainable, responsive, and efficient improvements in the delivery of devolved services •Increased responsiveness and accountability to LSG's communities •Increased accountability to the Kyrgyz Government •Increased community trust in their LSG and, consequently, increased legitimacy of LSG nationwide Kyrgyz Republic Law on Local Self Government The 2010 Kyrgyz Republic Law on Local Self Government (amended 2012, 2014) enumerates 23 "issues of local significance" devolved to the 453 Ayil Okhmotus (AOs) and 25 cities that are outside the national government structure: 1.Ensuring the economic development of the respective territory 2.Managing municipal property 3.Forming, confirming and implementation of the local budget 4.Providing drinking water to the population 5.Ensuring the work of communal sewage systems and sewage treatment facilities 6.Ensuring the functioning of municipal roads 7.Organizing electrical lighting of communal places 8.Maintaining cemeteries and funeral services 9.Landscaping and public green spaces 10.Maintaining parks, sport and leisure places 11.Organization of collection, removal and recycling of waste 12.Ensuring the functioning of municipal transport and regulation of public transport work within the respective territory 13.Protection of cultural and historic heritage (sites of significance) 14.Ensuring and organizing the work of local libraries 15.Establishing the rules of land use and enforcement of the rules and regulations of city planning and architecture 16.Deciding on the placing of advertisements in accordance with law 17.Assistance in maintaining public order 18.Creating conditions for developing public arts and culture 19.Creating conditions for leisure activities 20.Organizing activities with children and youth 21.Ensuring conditions for developing physical culture and sport 22.Assistance in prevention and mitigating impact of emergency situations 23.Exercise authority in the sphere of subsoil use, within the jurisdiction of local government
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/ALM/RFI-176-15-000003/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Kyrgyz Republic, Kyrgyzstan
- Record
- SN03558491-W 20141026/141024234441-a484f3ade0759e1ac9a834ed2d2758dd (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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