Contracts

IFES is the prime holder of the Elections and Political Processes Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC), and is a partner in the General Democracy and Governance Analytical, Support, and Implementation Services IQC. IFES can also be accessed under the Women in Development IQC under the MSI-Futures Group consortium. Lastly, IFES has proven success in working through Office of Transition Initiatives OTI and is able to carry out work under the Support Which Implements Fast Transition (SWIFT) mechanism.

Cooperative Agreements

IFES is a joint-venture partner in the Consortium for Elections and Political Processes Strengthening (CEPPS)which has a leader and associate agreement to strengthen and support democratic electoral and political processes

IFES creates conditions conducive to free and fair elections. Working primarily – though not exclusively – in the international arena, IFES does the practical work of helping to establish independent electoral commissions, drafting new electoral codes, designing get-out-the-vote campaigns, training poll workers, procuring election materials, equipping polling stations and doing everything possible to put the essential mechanisms of democracy in place. Through this real and hands-on approach, IFES provides comprehensive assistance to governments, political parties and civil society organizations (CSOs).

• Voter Registration
• Election Administration
• Voter Education & Information
• Campaign Finance
• Transition Planning
• Global Election Administration Training

Elections and Political Processes Contract

In September 2005, IFES signed a five-year contract with USAID/Democracy Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance that builds on its 17 years of experience of cutting-edge programming in elections and political processes. This is the third generation of the Elections and Political Processes IQC mechanism. The first and second generations, 1995 – 1999 and 1999-2005 respectively, were also held by IFES. The purpose of the Elections and Political Processes IQC is to support the process by which citizens choose/elect their leaders and participate in all levels of political decision-making, particularly within emerging democracies.

• Caroline Sahley (csahley@usaid.gov, 202-712-0608) at USAID is the Cognizant Technical Officer for the IQC
• Michael Svetlik, Vice President Programs & Director (Acting), Americas (msvetlik@ifes.org, 202-350-6829) is point person at IFES on all general matters related to the IQC.

IFES’ partners include: AMIDEAST, Aristotle Inc., The Association of Former Members of the U.S. Congress, Blue Force/Blue Law, The Carter Center, Institute for Sustainable Communities, International Organization for Migration, InterParliamentary Union, IT Shows, PACT, Partners of the Americas and SUNY/Albany Center for International Development.

Consortium for Elections and Political Processes Strengthening (CEPPS) Agreement

CEPPS is composed of three equal partners: IFES, the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI). CEPPS allows IFES to carry out cost-effective global and regional programming to respond to new challenges in strengthening electoral and political processes towards the following objectives:

• Credible electoral administration
• Impartial electoral framework
• An informed and active citizenry
• Effective oversight of electoral processes
• Representative and competitive multiparty system
• Effective transfer of political power
• Effective governance by elected leaders and legislative bodies
• Increased political participation of women and historically disenfranchised groups

Andrei Calciu, Director of Contracts and Grants (acalciu@ifes.org, 202-350-6751) is the IFES/CEPPS coordinator.

Throughout the election cycle and into the post-election period, IFES works to maintain dialogue among governing coalitions, government officials, opposition groups, civilians and the military establishment, to ensure transparency, responsiveness and accountability in public institutions. Since its inception in 1987, IFES has promoted good governance by fostering dialogue among key actors such as government agencies, political parties and civil society organizations and coalitions. IFES’ good governance programs focus on building the management and administrative capacity and the independence and professionalism of public officials. Efforts range from providing public policy guidelines through research and publications to promoting responsive and accountable institutions at the national, regional and local levels. Through programs designed to increase public participation in the decision-making process and more effective delivery of services, IFES assists governing institutions to better serve their constituents.

• Civil Registration
• Decentralization
• Public Administration
• Institution-Building
• Anti-Corruption
• Community-Police relations

General Democracy & Governance Analytical, Support, and Implementation Services IQC

IFES serves as a subcontractor to both Democracy International (DI) and Management Systems International, LLC (MSI) on a USAID general democracy and governance analytical, support, and implementation services IQC. This IQC allows IFES to carry out:

• Core Analytical Services: general and sectoral assessments, generic strategy development, generic management for results, generic designs, generic evaluations, and results reporting.
• Complementary Core Support Services: information management and dissemination, USAID training and networking, and research and special studies.
• Implementation Services: institutional development, commodity procurement, program implementation.

Andrei Calciu, Director of Contracts and Grants (acalciu@ifes.org, 202-350-6751) is the IFES/CEPPS coordinator.

Global Civil Society Strengthening Leader with Associates (GCSS LWA)

IFES has partnered with Counterpart International on a five year Global Civil Society Strengthening Leader with Associates award (GCSS LWA) under USAID. The programs implemented through the LWA agreement focus on enhancing civic participation and empowering independent media. As an Associate to the award, IFES will implement civic education activities to promote effective citizen participation, the establishment of civic culture, financial sustainability, network building and policy dialogue with local and national governments. IFES will also assess and develop best practices and new approaches in program design.