Request for Information

USAID/Philippines is contemplating an activity to strengthen the institutional capacity of Philippine universities and colleges to impact and sustain marine conservation. This planned activity will align with the goals of the Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) project in improving the management of important coastal and marine resources and associated ecosystems that support livelihoods and economies. It will contribute to the conservation of biological diversity, enhancement of ecosystem productivity and restoration of fisheries profitability in eight (8) marine key biodiversity areas (MKBAs) using ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management (EAFM) as a cornerstone of improved social, economic and environmental benefits. This activity will contribute to achieving Objective 3: Environmental Resilience Improved, particularly Intermediate Result 3.2 Natural and Environmental Resource Management Improved of the U.S. Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for the Philippines (2011-2016). The activity will also directly support USAID’s new Biodiversity Policy and will work towards achieving a vision of conserving biodiversity for sustainable long-term development. Under this new Policy, all activities funded with biodiversity funds must meet the following criteria: 1) Activities must have an explicit biodiversity objective and stated Theory of Change; 2) Activities must be based on an analysis of drivers and threats to biodiversity loss and the corresponding Theory of ChangE; 3) Site-based activities must have the intent to positively impact biodiversity in biologically significant areas; and, 4) Activities must monitor indicators associated with the stated Theory of Change for biodiversity conservation. USAID/Philippines has developed a draft Theory of Change for this Philippine University project for marine conservation (see Diagram 1) using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation (http://www.conservationmeasures.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/CMP-OS-V3-0-Final.pdf). Responses (comments, suggestions, and enhancements) to this RFI are due by 30th April 2014 1800hrs (Philippines time). Responders shall provide one (1) electronic copy of their response, in Microsoft Word or PDF formats only. Please e-mail responses to manila-roaa-rfa@usaid.gov with a copy to abcastillo@usaid.gov. Please reference the e-mail with the subject title “Response to RFI.”