USG Lobbying 2026 RFQ: Bidding Template for Pre-Qualification

Request for Quotations (RFQ): Strategic services and counsel from a lobbying firm to help GiveDirectly advocate for cash transfers in U.S. foreign assistance.

1. Introduction & General Conditions

GiveDirectly (GD) invites competent and reputable companies to submit their quotations for the provision of goods/services as described in this Request for Quotations (RFQ).

About GiveDirectly:

GiveDirectly is a nonprofit that lets donors send money directly to the world's poorest, with no strings attached. As part of our program activities, we require the purchase of various items/services to be used during implementation.

Purpose of this Bidding Template:

The purpose of this Bidding Template is to solicit competitive quotations with a unit price per item/service, inclusive of all applicable taxes, to ensure Best Value for Money for GiveDirectly.

Guiding Principles:

All procurements at GiveDirectly are conducted fairly, transparently, with strong competition, and clear segregation of duties, prioritizing Best Value for Money (BVM). BVM considers competitive price, quality, timeliness, safety, sustainability, and compliance with donor requirements.

2. Scope of Work / Description of Items

Please provide your quotation for the following goods/services. Detailed specifications and requirements are provided below. For items requiring samples or specific spare parts availability, please ensure these are noted in the 'Detailed Specifications / Requirements' column.

Description of Services: 12-month retainer for strategic services and counsel from a U.S lobbying firm to help GiveDirectly advocate for cash transfers in U.S. foreign assistance.

3. Quotation Submission Instructions & Requirements

Please submit your quotation via email to [email protected] by February 6, 2026 11:59 PM US Eastern time  

Your quotation must include the following:

1. Completed Price Schedule: Fill in all requested pricing details.

Please provide your best unit price and total price for each item/service listed below, inclusive of all taxes (e.g., VAT, etc.), delivery costs, and any other associated fees. Please specify the currency (e.g., UGX, RWF, KES, USD).

Validity of Offer: This offer is valid for _______ calendar days from the deadline for quotes.

1. Description of Services: Please submit a brief (1-3 page) description of the types of lobbying and advocacy services your firm can provide for GiveDirectly. Please include information on: 
   
   
   
   • Team background, including experience in the the U.S. legislative and executive branches;
   
   
   • Examples of clients and successful advocacy efforts in the U.S. foreign aid space; 
   
   
   • Congressional offices and executive branch agencies that you engage with; 
   
   
   • What your typical client engagement looks like i.e., number and frequency of meetings, types of strategic advisory services provided, etc.; 
   
   
   • Why your firm is the right fit for advocating for the use of cash transfers in foreign assistance, and how you would leverage your expertise and relationships to do so. 
   
   
   
   


2. Company Information:
   
   
   
   • Legal Name of Company:
   
   
   • Physical Address:
   
   
   • Contact Person Name:
   
   
   • Contact Person Email:
   
   
   • Contact Person Phone Number:
   
   
   • Website (if any):
   
   
   
   


3. Required Documents:
   
   
   
   • Copy of Certificate of Registration/Incorporation (valid and active; i.e., LD-1 Lobbying Registration form and/or LD-2 Disclosure forms).
   
   
   • Evidence of at least 2 similar contracts or ongoing services completed within the last 3 years for reputable organizations in the United States. Evidence can be copies of signed contracts, Letters of Notification of Award, or Certificates of Completion.
   
   
   
   


4. Acceptance of Terms:
   
   
   
   • Confirmation of agreement to bank transfer as mode of payment.
   
   
   • Confirmation of acceptance of GD's credit terms (payment within 30 days).
   
   
   • Confirmation that your offer will remain valid for not less than sixty (60) calendar days after the quote deadline.
   
   
   
   

Important Notes:

• Quotations must be duly signed and stamped by the authorized representative of your organization, certifying that the information provided in this quotation is accurate and complete, and that your organization agrees to all terms and conditions stated in this Request for Quotations.


• All communications regarding this RFQ must be directed to the Point of Contact email provided above. Do not contact individual GD staff members directly.


• GiveDirectly reserves the right to accept or reject any quotation, and to cancel the RFQ process at any time, without incurring any liability to the affected bidder(s).


• GiveDirectly conducts business under the strictest ethical standards. We do not tolerate corruption, bribery, collusion, or conflicts of interest. Any requests for payment or favors by GD employees should be reported immediately to [email protected].

4. Evaluation Criteria

Bidders will be evaluated primarily on the following:

• Financial Comparison: To establish the most competitive price (Best Value for Money).


• Compliance with Specifications: Ability to meet all detailed requirements for the goods/services.


• Qualifying Conditions: Adherence to all submission requirements (e.g., valid registration, tax clearance, payment terms).


• Past Performance/Experience: Demonstrated ability to complete similar contracts successfully.


• Compliance with laws, regulations and ethical standards regarding the sourcing or origin of goods.

Specifications Writing: A Guide for Requestors & OPMs

This guide is designed to help you write high-quality specifications for any procurement. Using this guide ensures your specifications are clear, objective, and align with GiveDirectly's Best Value for Money principles.

Section 1: The Basics of a Good Specification

A good specification is a complete and objective description of what you need. It should be written so that:

• A vendor can tell if they can meet all your requirements.


• The Procurement Committee can easily evaluate and compare different proposals.


• The final product can be verified and accepted with confidence.

Section 2: The Specifications Checklist

Use this checklist to make sure you've covered all the necessary details when writing your specifications.

Technical & Performance Requirements

• Performance: What is the good/service required to do? (e.g., "The software must track 5,000 data points daily").


• Size/Dimensions: What are the exact measurements? (e.g., "Laptops must have a 14-inch screen," "T-shirts must be available in sizes S-XXL"). Always include units.


• Material/Composition: What is it made of? (e.g., "High-quality cotton fabric," "Durable plastic housing").


• Required Certifications: Are there any mandatory standards? (e.g., "ISO 27001 certification for data hosting," "Government-approved electrical certification").


• Compatibility: Does it need to work with existing systems or equipment? (e.g., "Must be compatible with Microsoft Office 365," "Must connect to our existing network infrastructure").

Quality & Support Requirements

• Quality Standard: What level of quality is expected? (e.g., "HD Video production," "Commercial-grade printer").


• Warranty: What are the minimum warranty terms? (e.g., "Minimum 2-year warranty on all parts and labor").


• After-Sales Support: What kind of support is needed? (e.g., "Local service center support," "24/7 technical support hotline").


• Spare Parts: What is the required availability of spare parts? (e.g., "Spare parts must be available for a minimum of 5 years").

Logistics & Delivery Requirements

• Timeline: What is the required delivery or service completion date?


• Packaging: Are there specific packaging requirements? (e.g., "Each item must be individually wrapped in sealed packaging").


• Delivery Location: Where must the goods be delivered, or the services performed?


• Insurance: Is specific in-transit insurance required?

Section 3: Special Considerations

• Avoid Single-Source Language: Do not write specifications so narrowly that only one brand or model qualifies, unless it's for a documented reason like compatibility. Use the phrase "brand or equal" whenever possible to encourage competition.


• IT & Data Security: For all IT-related procurements, you must consult with the IT team. Your specifications must include GD's minimum technical standards and any required security assessments, as outlined in the manual.

Quantity: Quantities are not a specification. They are a separate line item to be listed in the RFQ or Procurement Request Form.

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