IQCs

With expertise in a wide range of fields, ISC often joins with other partners to provide support to USAID on specific topics around the world. These consortia are called indefinite quantity contracts, or IQCs. Below is a list of the consortia of which ISC is a member:

ENGAGE (Encouraging Global Anticorruption and Good Governance)

Corruption forms a barrier between the public and the institutions that are supposed to be accountable to it. The growing recognition of the harmful effects of corruption, both grand and petty, on international development efforts has culminated in the Encouraging Global Anticorruption and Good Governance Efforts IQC, which supports innovative anticorruption measures, transparency, integrity, and accountability around the world.  ENGAGE is designed to help USAID missions and other agencies working through USAID rapidly procure short- and long-term technical assistance and other resources necessary to help partner countries to curb corruption in economic, political, and social service sectors.  ISC is a member of primary IQC holder Chemonics’ consortium, providing technical assistance in mobilizing communities in the pursuit of fair practice systems that marginalize corruption and promote good governance. Through 2013.

SWIFT III (Support Which Implements Fast Transition)

The Support Which Implements Fast Transition (SWIFT III) IQC provides the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) with the means to support U.S. foreign policy objectives by helping local partners advance peace and democracy in priority countries in crisis. ISC works with IRG and other consortium members to establish, staff, manage, operate, and support flexible quick-response mechanisms capable of administering and implementing targeted activities that: nurture peace processes; promote reconciliation; support independent media; develop strategic communications capacities for nascent democratic governments; and foster peace and democracy through innovative programming. In countries undergoing a transition from authoritarianism to democracy, violent conflict to peace, or other pivotal political events, OTI programs seize windows of opportunity and seek to act as a catalyst for positive political change. Through 2014.

EPP (Elections and Political Processes)

In September 2005, ISC became a subcontractor to IFES’ Elections and Political Processes (EPP) consortium.  The five-year EPP IQC provides cutting-edge programming in elections and political processes, supporting the process by which citizens choose/elect their leaders and participate in all levels of political decision-making, particularly within emerging democracies.  ISC provides technical support to the consortium in the areas of constituent mobilization, voter education, and civil society participation in the electoral process.  Projects have included support for citizen engagement in the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Georgia in 2007 and 2008. Through 2010.

Environmental Health

In 2004, ISC joined Abt Associates’ consortium for the five-year Environmental Health IQC.  This IQC targets reductions in environmentally related mortality and health in both urban and rural settings, including community water supply and sanitation, pollution and toxics reduction, healthcare provision, and global climate change.  Through this IQC, ISC has worked in Kyrgyzstan to train Village Health Councils in grassroots organizing, service provision, and reform advocacy.  ISC may also provide community mobilization training to water and sanitation experts under the Pakistan Clean Drinking Water Initiative. Through 2009.

BRDG (Building Recovery and Reform Through Democratic Governance)

States that are fragile or failed and those that are transitioning to democracy not only disserve their citizens, but also they pose a threat to international security. States functioning poorly or not at all provide space for various illicit activities. Building Recovery and Reform Through Democratic Governance (BRDG) IQC holder Chemonics added ISC to its consortium in 2007, following ISC’s acquisition of the Advocacy Institute.  Chemonics recognizes that any effort to rehabilitate failed or failing states must begin with improved governance and better democracy. Only then can states effectively tackle development challenges such as poor economic growth, disease, and environmental degradation. BRDG promote state legitimacy, public management and administration, and policy and institutional reform — building blocks for a better future. Through 2010.

The Democracy Initiatives Program

The Democracy Initiatives Program, an initiative of USAID's Office of Middle East Partnerships (MEPI), aims to expand public spaces where democratic voices can be heard in the political process. As a pre-qualified Democracy Initiatives Program implementer in the area of civil society reform advocacy, ISC is eligible for limited competition awards to conduct programs in the areas of legal and regulatory reform; building civil society networks for political advocacy; citizen mobilization; political participation of labor and civil society organizations; oversight of public agencies and institutions; and public access to information. The DIP also supports trainings and technical exchanges in civic activism for youth, community leaders, and government officials.

For more information, please contact Barbara McAndrew, Director of Business Development.