Assessment Report on Food for Peace Program

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) for market research purposes. The USDA is seeking information and feedback on a potential acquisition of support services to research and draft a report assessing the implications of reassigning the Food for Peace program from USAID to USDA. This RFI does not constitute a commitment by the government and is not a solicitation or request for offers.

The government is interested in understanding the process and agency needs to support the relocation of the Food for Peace program. Specifically, the report should assess:

• USDA's capacity needs pre- and post-relocation (e.g., space, IT infrastructure, staffing levels and expertise).
• How the relocation supports efficient operations.
• A comparison to the program's operation at USAID in fiscal year 2024.
• Potential qualified facility size classifications relevant to NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services).

Respondents are requested to reply to all prompts. A response is requested by 2:00 PM EST on Friday, February 13. Late responses may be reviewed as resources permit, but the deadline will not be extended.

A draft Statement of Work (SOW) is attached for reference. The government may choose to review late responses as resources permit but will not extend the deadline.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for a contractor to conduct research and prepare a report assessing the implications of reassigning the Food for Peace Program from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Report and Presentation: The contractor will produce a detailed report and accompanying presentation analyzing the process and agency needs for a potential relocation of the Food for Peace program to USDA.

• Key Areas of Assessment: The report must address:

  • Justification for relocation, including benefits and drawbacks.
  • A comprehensive cost analysis of relocation expenses.
  • Necessary statutory or legislative changes for USDA.
  • Impact on USDA's day-to-day operations and service delivery.
  • USDA's space and IT infrastructure requirements.
  • Staffing levels and expertise transfer from USAID.
  • Employee support during relocation.
  • Operational planning for humanitarian responses.
  • Appropriate contractual approaches for providing assistance.
  • Stakeholder perspectives.

• Public Report: A derivative report omitting sensitive information suitable for public release.

• Progress Reports: Bi-weekly progress reports.

• The report must cover all points addressed in the PWS and demonstrate a comprehensive study.

• Deliverables must be free of grammatical or formatting errors that materially impede reading.

• Specific performance metrics are detailed for draft report, final report, presentation, public report, and progress reports, including penalties for late delivery or failure to meet specifications.

• The majority of work will be performed at the contractor's site.

• Travel to Washington, DC, is required for the final presentation (approximately three consecutive business days in August or September 2026).

• Key Personnel: Contractor must propose personnel with relevant knowledge and experience in international agriculture programs and stakeholder engagement.

• Security: All work is unclassified, but contractor employees require a Public Trust (Moderate Risk) background investigation.

• Data Rights: Data and products delivered are the property of the U.S. Government.

• Section 508 Compliance: The report must be accessible to persons with disabilities, including users of screen readers.