CIDC Now - August 2022

August Updates from the Council of International Development Companies

Calendar of Events | PSC News | PSC Website

CIDC Now

August 11, 2022

With no meeting or CIDC Now newsletter in July, there are many things to catch up on, but not before we note that this month’s speaker will be USAID’s new head of Foreign Operations, Shirley Baldwin. She has worked with much of the CIDC community in the field during her time at the agency and is excited to engage with us in her new role. Please use the link below to register for this August 18 event. PSC continues to engage with new appointees to the Biden administration and is reaching out to the newly confirmed Assistant Administrator for Africa to hear from him about the White House’s just-released Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa – details below.

Speaking of recent arrivals, our June meeting with USAID’s new A/A for Legislative and Public Affairs - Jodi Herman continues to bear fruit, as our discussion with her has led to multiple exchanges with PSC on a variety of follow-up issues. One of these resulted in our meeting this Monday with AID officials guiding the new Localization policy. Some 75 CIDC members attended and heard glowing references to CIDC’s earlier paper on the topic – Perspectives on Localization (released a year ago this month) – and the fact that it continues to influence the discussion. Additionally, we have a separate meeting on Wednesday, August 17 on issues of concern regarding Facilities Clearances – please log in to your PSC account and register on the PSC Events page.

August marks the one-year anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. USAID has reached out to PSC to ask if CIDC members can work with them to help place many former Afghan staff. Please contact me if you can help. The crisis in Ukraine rages on, and while the White House has continued to send billions in arms and ammunition to fight the illegal Russian invasion – with another $1 Billion announced on Monday – PSC continues to remind Administration officials of the need to coordinate more effectively with its implementing partners regarding reconstruction and capacity building efforts for that shattered country, beyond demining efforts.

Hard to believe, but our CIDC annual Development Conference is fast approaching. PSC has already reached out to several key officials for possible keynote address opportunities, but we need to hear from you! Please send me your ideas and keep your eyes out for a CIDC Conference Committee announcement any day now.

Finally, our “From the Field” stories this month highlight DAI’s innovative work in Egypt with Green Bonds to raise capital for climate-related initiatives. IBI reports on its work ensuring East Timor’s trade policies and regulations comport to international standards and ensure a smooth-running port in Dili. 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

PSC

Next Up

When:

Thursday, August 18; from Noon – 1 p.m. ET

Speaker:

Shirley Baldwin

Deputy Director, Foreign Operations

Office of Acquisition and Assistance

USAID

Where:

Virtual - Please log in and register via PSC's events page

Click here to register

Thanks to our sponsor:

From the Field

Ahmed Kouchouk, Egypt’s Deputy Minister of Finance for Fiscal Policies, speaks at Egypt’s launch of the groundbreaking green bond, valued at $750 million. Photo: MESR for USAID.

Green Bonds Accelerate Investment in Climate-Smart Solutions in Egypt

By Gareth Davies, Jette Findsen, and David Hall

Egypt—one of the world’s hotspots for extreme climate vulnerability—is at increasing risk of sea-level rise, water scarcity, and extreme weather events, which could damage the country’s infrastructure, food security, human health, and ecosystems, threatening its macroeconomic stability and long-term competitiveness.


	Read more

Hannington (standing) mentors peers from local community service organizations in Uganda on financial compliance. Photo credit: Ann Katusiime

IBI Continues Supporting Trade Governance Reform in Timor-Leste

By Matthew Willis

In April of 2022, IBI was awarded a prime contract to implement the USAID/Timor-Leste Trade Governance Activity (TGA). This 40-month program will support the government of Timor-Leste as it develops trade systems that are more efficient, transparent, accountable, and compliant with international standards and obligations.

The primary objectives of the Activity are as follows:

Trade governance strengthened
Trade operations optimized to meet international standards
Trade facilitation and use of trade facilitation systems and instruments increased.


	Read more

PSC Matters

Fourth Annual Business Forecast Scorecard Released

On June 21, PSC released its fourth annual evaluation of the Business Forecasts prepared by more than 60 USG agencies. This annual exercise has led to several OMB discussions with PSC regarding what constitutes an effective forecast, as well as conversations with multiple agencies regarding how to improve theirs. While USAID lost its top perch, it scored among the best in the federal government. The Department of State’s forecast – following outreach and extensive conversations with PSC and CIDC in late December 2021 – moved up from Needs Improvement to Fair. Click on the graphic above to see the fifteen key attributes for an effective forecast and to view the full ratings and rankings. Click here to access the scorecard.

PSC Submits Comments to SEC on Proposed Cybersecurity Rule

Joining multiple organizations in a letter on the Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure proposed rule, PSC noted that “the SEC’s proposed rules neither recognize nor align with the evolving cybersecurity standards and disclosures required of these contractors,” such as the Department of Defense’s evolving Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. These comments encouraged the SEC to “consider the potentially contradictory, unnecessarily duplicative, or financially burdensome nature of its proposed rules when compared with the CMMC requirements” and discouraged the Commission from holding companies to a higher standard of cybersecurity than what is required of government agencies.

State/USAID Matters

Jason Gray – current Dep. of Education CIO, to become USAID CIO.
Roman Napoli – current Policy Director at Dep. of State Office of Foreign Assistance, to become new head of USAID’s Bureau of Resource Management.
Ramona Watts-Sutton is the Department of Sate’s new Director for the Office of Acquisition Management (AQM) and Head of Contracting Activity after serving at the U.S. Coast Guard, CBP and most recently U.S. Army Contracting Command.

State and AID Get High Marks from SBA:

Speaking of scorecards, the Department of State received an “A+” and USAID earned an “A” rating on the federal government’s annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard for FY21 that was released August 4. SBA annually negotiates agency-specific U.S. small business prime contract and subcontract goals, which aim to ensure the U.S. Federal Government awards at least 23 percent of contracting dollars to U.S. small businesses.