Better preparing Lower Mekong youth for the 21st century workforce | 72048618RFI00013

FAQs: USAID/RDMA RFI on Preparing Lower Mekong Youth for the 21st Century Workforce (72048618RFI00013)

1) What is this opportunity?

This notice is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA). It is an information-gathering request focused on how to improve higher education and post-secondary training so graduates in the Lower Mekong region are better prepared for modern workforce demands.

2) Is this a grant competition or a request for proposals (RFP)?

No. USAID states that this is not a grant competition and not a request for proposals. It is not asking for technical proposals or cost applications at this stage.

3) What is USAID trying to learn from this RFI?

USAID is seeking ideas and practical recommendations on how universities, vocational colleges, and other post-secondary training programs can better equip students with employer-relevant skills, especially as technology and labor markets change quickly.

4) What is the main problem this RFI is trying to address?

The RFI is aimed at closing the gap between what students learn in universities and vocational colleges and what employers actually need. USAID highlights that fast-changing economies require both advanced technical skills and strong soft skills.

5) Which skills does the RFI emphasize?

USAID emphasizes both technical and soft skills. The soft skills described include adapting to new tools and work environments, analyzing information, learning quickly, solving problems, and collaborating effectively across different cultures and professional settings.

6) What does USAID mean by "employability" in this RFI?

In this RFI, employability is framed broadly: helping graduates become job-ready, resilient, and able to grow with evolving industries, rather than being trained only for narrow, short-term tasks.

7) What region and countries are covered?

The RFI focuses on the Lower Mekong region and covers five countries: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

8) What sectors are of interest?

USAID references modern workforce demands in technology-driven and high-growth sectors, with an emphasis on aligning higher education outcomes to real labor market needs.

9) How does this RFI connect to USAID's existing work?

USAID places this RFI within its work under the Lower Mekong Initiative. Since 2014, USAID has partnered with U.S. companies and universities to introduce newer educational approaches and technologies, and has supported a network of universities and vocational colleges across the five countries to modernize education systems and embed 21st century skills.

10) What is the reference number for this RFI?

The reference number is 72048618RFI00013.

11) When was the RFI released and when were responses due?

The RFI was released on September 28, 2018. Responses were due by October 24, 2018.

12) What should a response include?

USAID requested concise written responses (no more than five pages) that provide recommendations on better preparing post-secondary students with employer-relevant skills. Respondents may also include background information about themselves or their organization, relevant experience, partnerships, and capacity to work in this area.

13) What is the maximum length for submissions?

Responses were requested to be no more than five pages.

14) Who is allowed to respond?

The notice indicates that interested organizations or individuals may submit responses.

15) Is responding to the RFI required to participate in any future USAID opportunity?

The notice describes the RFI as voluntary and an information-gathering step. It does not state that responding is required for any future solicitation.

16) Will respondents be paid for submitting ideas?

No. Submissions are described as voluntary and unpaid.

17) Does submitting a response create any commitment by the U.S. Government?

No. USAID explicitly notes that submissions do not create any commitment by the U.S. Government.

18) Can an RFI response be treated as an offer for a contract or assistance award?

No. USAID states that responses cannot be accepted as offers to form a binding contract or assistance award.

19) Is USAID asking for budgets or pricing information?

No. USAID states it is not requesting cost applications at this stage.

20) How were responses supposed to be submitted?

Respondents were instructed to email their RFI response.

21) What email addresses were provided for submission?

Responses were to be emailed to Karittha Jenchiewchan at kjenchiewchan@usaid.gov and copied to Nalinee Wichetthumsak at nwichetthumsak@usaid.gov.

22) What subject line was required for the email submission?

The subject line specified was: RFI 72048618R00013 Better preparing Lower Mekong youth for the 21st century workforce.

23) Will USAID provide feedback on the ideas submitted?

USAID noted that respondents would receive only an electronic confirmation of receipt and should not expect individualized feedback on the content of their suggestions.

24) What might happen after USAID reviews the RFI responses?

USAID indicated that the input may inform the design of a future project to strengthen higher education and workforce readiness in the region. If USAID decides to move forward with a formal solicitation later, it would be announced on federal posting sites such as FedBizOpps (as noted in the notice) or Grants.gov.

25) Where would a future formal solicitation be posted?

USAID noted that future announcements could appear on federal posting sites such as FedBizOpps (as referenced in the notice) or Grants.gov.

26) What is the overall intent of USAID in issuing this RFI?

The overall intent is to collect insights from experienced stakeholders to help refine what a next phase of programming should look like for regional education and workforce development, with strong emphasis on aligning education outcomes to labor market needs and balancing technical training with adaptable soft skills.