You've likely heard the adage, "What a difference a DAY makes," but in this case, it's more like, "What a difference a MONTH makes!" Since our last newsletter, we've achieved remarkable milestones. We hosted a highly successful CIDC on the Hill, drawing over 80 staff and two members of Congress. Additionally, we launched our 2024 CIDC Compendium, engaged in a fruitful meeting with USAID regarding their new IT security regulations (details below), and held discussions with senior USAID officials to stay updated on developments in Ukraine. And let's not forget the outstanding PSC Annual Conference at The Greenbrier last week, which saw a remarkable turnout of 500 attendees. In addition, we released the PSC App, now available to download for both iPhone and Android phones.

This month’s meeting on Thursday, May 16 will be an all-virtual workshop with officials from USAID’s Digital Policy team as they seek to build of the agency’s earlier strategy. USAID now hopes to transition from that strategy to a Digital Policy that will govern the next ten years of digital development at USAID. The Digital Policy will allow the Agency to define an evergreen approach to USAID investments in digital technologies and technology-enabled programming by improving impact and mitigating risk. AID officials hope to have the new Digital Policy shaped by the priorities, experiences, and insights of the broader digital development community and look forward to hearing from CIDC digital experts.

Thanks to the incredible hard work of CIDC’s Procurement Taskforce, we will have two panels at an all-virtual Reverse Industry Day with USAID on May 23 – see below for details.

Our “From the Field” stories this month highlight the impact  of ICF and its efforts aimed at assessing the potential personal and environmental harm caused of chemically treated anti-mosquito bed nets re-purposed for use by fisherman in Malawi and how TetraTech has mobilized more that $126 million from the private sector for water sustainability projects.  

Please contact me to help us get the word out about the great work CIDC members are doing to make the world a better place.  

Paul Foldi
Vice President, International Development Affairs

Next Up:

Who:  USAID Digital Policy Team Workshop

When:  Thursday, May 16 | 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Where:  This will be an ALL VIRTUAL MEETING

From the Field

Assessing the Impacts of Mosquito Net Fishing in Malawi

By Paola Bernazzani, Kate Minden and Michael Tillotson

Malaria is one of the major sources of morbidity and mortality in Malawi across all age groups. Reducing this burden is both a human and economic development need, recognized by the government of Malawi, USAID, and donors. Universal use of long-lasting insecticidal bednets (LLINs) is a foundation of Malawi’s National Malaria Strategic Plan. To support an environmental assessment of continued long-lasting insecticidal LLINs distribution in Malawi, USAID tasked ICF with quantifying ecological impacts of mosquito net fishing in Lake Malawi and other sensitive water bodies. 

Water For the World: The Critical Role of Water Security for Sustainable Development 

By Jonathan Annis, Director of Water Security, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Tetra Tech

Water security underpins economic development, human health, food systems, ecosystem services, peace, and national security. Yet, across the world, freshwater resources and sustainable access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services (WASH) have never been more threatened. Recognizing the massive funding gap needed to achieve universal access to safe WASH services, Tetra Tech has developed partnerships to mobilize over $126 million in private sector, domestic and other non-USG investment in expanding and strengthening water and WASH service delivery systems.

PSC Matters

Berteau Broadcasts Concerns on Proposed FTC Changes to Noncompetes 
As those avid listeners to Federal News Radio know, PSC speaks with Morning Drive host Tom Temin every other Tuesday, and the transcript is duly posted on FNR’s website. Last week, however, PSC President & CEO David Berteau’s warnings that the FTC’s proposed changes that would ban noncompete agreements would have “deleterious consequences” for U.S contractors were also picked up by the Washington Times and as far away as the Denver Post.

Make Your Voice Heard
Speaking of proposed regulatory changes, PSC continues to seek member feedback regarding the following.  Please get your comments to Sebastian Herrick by the noted deadline:

• May 15 Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) Reporting Requirements
• June 21 Prohibition on Certain Semiconductor Products and Services

USAID Matters

M/OAA Briefing for CIDC on AIDAR Updates to Security and IT 
On April 23, USAID officials from M/OAA provided a detailed and fulsome presentation to CIDC attendees regarding the Final Rule impacting implementing partners.  Due to the technical nature and complexity of the issues involved, PSC requested, and USAID agreed, that we record the presentation which is available here, along with the related slide-deck.  (Note the recording is for PSC members only, please contact Paul Foldi if you do not have a log-in.)

USAID Webinar on DBA Insurance

On Tuesday, May 21, at 10 a.m., USAID will host its second webinar related to Defense Based Act (DBA) Insurance.  Joining USAID will be Starr Insurance to discuss administration and processing.  Organizations can register for the event here.  To get an overview of DBA insurance, USAID's first webinar is available here. Additional information is also available here.  USAID will share a recording of the event with PSC for those unable to make the meeting.

USAID/CIDC Reverse Industry Day

On Thursday, May 23, USAID will host two panels from CIDC’s Procurement Taskforce from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. for a Reverse Industry Day. While the intended audience will be USAID Contracting officials, CIDC members are welcome to attend and listen in as we present our viewpoints from companies of all sizes via this link, no pre-registration is required.

 
Panel One – Lessons Learned from Procurement Reform
Moderator – Jeremy Kanthor (DAI)
•    Natalia Buniewicz Foley (Chemonics)
•    Roula Attar (Ecodit)
•    Tijana Dabic (Making Cents)

Panel Two – Burdens Needing Busting
Moderator – Allyson Bear (Abt Global)
•    Jeff Singer (Cadmus)
•    Pushmeet Bhatia (Palladium)
•    Jennifer Brinkerhoff (Panagora Group)

Dept. of State Matters

14th Annual National Small Business Contracting Summit

This year’s event will be in Charleston, SC from June 11-12 and focuses on the Department of State, with five of the sessions devoted solely to their speakers.  USAID, NASA, GSA and the US Army Corps of Engineers will also be presenting. 

Member News

ACDI/VOCA was recently named a 2024 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence winner, receiving awards for Innovation, Work-Life Flexibility, Compensation & Benefits, Leadership, Purpose & Values.

Chemonics International has been designated a VETS Indexes 3-Star Employer, for their work hiring and retaining veterans, creating veteran-inclusive policies and culture, and supporting military spouses and families.

After many decades working supporting international development at both DAI, and currently as Chief of Staff at Creative, Tim Kernan is retiring.