Overview of PLACE Technical Services

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Overall IQC ceiling:                 $300 million

Number of Consortia:              4 Large Business and one Small Business Set-aside

Contract Period:                      September 29, 2006 to September 28, 2011. 

Activities for Task Orders issued in that period can continue up to September 2014.

PLACE supports Natural Resources Management & Biodiversity Conservation activities consistent the new U.S. Framework for Foreign Assistance (http://www.state.gov/f/direction).  Within this context, PLACE addresses biophysical, economic growth and governance issues related to effective management and conservation of critical resources.  It can address multi-dimensional landscape scale activities as well as more targeted interventions, analyses and assessments.  PLACE also provides USAID Missions and Operating Units technical assistance in carrying out activities that meet USAID’s Biodiversity Conservation Code.  All PLACE contractors are well versed in USAID Biodiversity Attribution requirements, the evolving Foreign Assistance Framework, and the unique development needs of rebuilding, developing and transforming countries.

PLACE can provide a broad range of technical assistance to address complex development needs.  These components can be divided into four categories and corresponding technical areas shown below.

Overarching Themes

1.         Promoting Transformational Development

2.         Integrated Landscape Management

3.         Scaling-up & Sustaining Impact

Primary Natural Resource Management Categories

1.         Biodiversity Conservation(terrestrial, freshwater and marine)

2.         Sustainable Forestry

3.         Sustainable Tourism

4.         Ecologically Sustainable Agriculture

5.         Provision of Ecosystem Services

Cross-cutting Natural Resource Management & Biodiversity Conservation Approaches

1.     Natural Resource Governance and Policy Reform

2.     Resource & Property Rights

3.     Capacity Building & Institutional Strengthening & Capacity Building

4.     Enterprise Development

5.     Sustainable Finance

6.     Conflict Mitigation & Management

7.     Gender & Strengthening Disadvantaged Groups

Additional IQC Services 

1.     Information Management & Geospatial Technologies

2.     Assessment, Analysis and Knowledge Management

3.     Cross-Sectoral and Strategic Planning

4.     Program Development and Implementation

5.     Performance Monitoring & Evaluation

6.     Communication, Outreach & Behavior Change

7.     Environmental Monitoring & Compliance

8.     Alliances, Partnerships and Volunteer Programs

9.     Small Grants Management

10.  Commodity Procurement

In the IQC Solicitation, emphasis was placed on ensuring that primes carefully selected a limited number of sub-contractors that bring specific skills and value-added that will be frequently utilized under the IQC.  A heavy emphasis was put on inclusion of strong small-business partners that can play a significant technical role within PLACE while helping meet USAID Small Business utilization targets.  The result is a broad range of technical expertise that includes Large, Small and Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Non-Governmental Organizations, US Universities, and International Research Centers.  The PLACE implementing partners include:

1) Prime Contractor: Associates in Rural Development (ARD) (http://www.ardinc.com)

Sub-contractors: 

ACDI/VOCA (http://www.acdivoca.org/)

Conservation International (http://www.conservation.org)

Virginia Tech (http://www.oired.vt.edu/)

The Cadmus Group (http://www.cadmusgroup.com/)

Hardner & Gullison Associates (http://www.hg-llc.com/)

Links Media (http://www.linksmedia.net/)

Rural Development Institute (RDI) (http://www.rdiland.org/HOME/HomeOne.html)

Tourism Development International (

The Woodrow Wilson Center (http://www.wilsoncenter.org/)

World Resources Institute (www.wri.org)

2) Prime Contractor: Chemonics International (http://www.chemonics.com)

Sub-contractors:

Rainforest Alliance (http://www.rainforest-alliance.org)

Winrock International (http://www.winrock.org)

Wildlife Conservation Society (http://www.wcs.org

Pact Inc.(http://www.pactworld.org)

University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center (http://www.crc.uri.edu)

Colorado State University, Warner College of Natural Resources (http://www.warnercnr.colostate.edu)

AIS Development (http://ais-development.com/)

International Land Systems (http://www.landsystems.com

International Projects Consultancy, Inc. (IPC)

Solimar International (http://www.solimarinternational.com)

3) Prime Contractor: Development Alternatives, Inc (DAI) (http://www.dai.com)

Sub-contractors:

The Nature Conservancy (http://www.nature.org)

Academy for Educational Development (http://www.aed.org)

Enterprise Works/Vita  (http://www.enterpriseworks.org)

Forest Stewardship Council (http://www.fscus.org)

Michigan State University Office of International Development (http://www.oid.msu.edu)

Training Resources Group TRG (http://www.trg-inc.com/

Innovative Resource Management (IRM) (http://www.irmgt.com/html/home.php)

SW Associates (http://www.sw-associates.net/)

Co2OL-USA (http://www.co2ol-usa.com/index.html)

Metropolitan Consulting Corp. (MCC) (http://www.mcchq.com/)

4) Prime Contractor: International Resources Group (IRG)

Sub-contractors

World Wildlife Fund (http://www.worldwildlife.org/)

World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) (http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/)

DevTech (http://www.devtechsys.com/)

Environmental Law Institute (ELI)  (http://www.eli.org)

Management Systems International (MSI) (http://www.msiworldwide.com/)

J.E. Austin Associates (JAA)(http://www.jeaustin.com/)

Development & Training Services (DTS) (http://www.onlineDTS.com)

EnDyna, Inc. (http://www.endyna.com/)

EplerWood International (http://www.eplerwood.com/)

Sun Mountain International (http://www.sunmountainintl.org/)

5) Prime Contractor (Small Business Set Aside): ECODIT (http://www.ecodit.com/ecodit.htm)

Sub-contractors

South East Consortium for International Development (SECID) (http://www.secid.org/)

Academy for Educational Development (http://www.aed.org)

Agland Investment Services (http://www.aglandinvest.com/)

Citizens Development Corps (CDC) (http://www.cdc.org/)

Computer Assisted Development (CADI)(http://www.cadi-usa.com/)

Coral Reef Alliance (http://www.coralreefalliance.org/)

Development & Training Services (DTS) (http://www.onlineDTS.com)

The Mitchell Group (http://www.the-mitchellgroup.com/pages/our_work.html)

The Services Group (TSG) (http://www.tsginc.com/ )

Missions should direct Emails to placeiqc@usaid.gov , which forwards messages to the PLACE Management Team (this address is available on the USAID Outlook directory).