DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES
Development Associates brings to the IRWM IQC 20 years of experience working for USAID in relevant areas related to water resource management, principally technical assistance training, monitoring and evaluation, and procurement.
Technical Assistance Training. Beginning with the USAID-funded El Salvador Public Services Improvement Project-PSIP and the Mexico NAFTA-related Training, continuing with the Oman Fisheries Development Project and the Jordan Water Quality Improvement and Conservation Project, the firm has built a reputation for administering WR training, both participant and in-country. Development Associates' portfolio of successful training includes a wide range of relevant subjects, including beach preservation and ecology and shellfish sanitation to management of coastal zones and pollution prevention. Hundreds were trained through these DA-administered courses.
Monitoring and Evaluation. DA is a major M&E firm for USAID, the Department of Labor, and other U.S. agencies. It has held the USAID Evaluation IQC for most of the past 30 years, successfully completing 203 assignments. Among them have been evaluations of USAID water resources projects. For example, recently a DA team conducted a highly commended and comprehensive assessment of all environment-related projects in the Philippines, including reviews of mission water and coastal management activities. The firm also is highly skilled in working with missions to establish results frameworks and indicators. Currently in Egypt, it is implementing a $11 million contract to provide M&E services for all projects in the economic growth SO.
Procurement. DA has significant background in procurement for USAID-funded water-related projects. Its staff was responsible for the procurement and shipping of $2 million in commodities for the Jordan Water Quality project, including water testing equipment and chemicals, heavy equipment and vehicles, computers, office furnishings and supplies. For El Salvador PSIP DA purchased and installed water testing laboratories, sanitary latrines and computers. The firm is fully cognizant of USAID regulations on procurement and follows them rigorously.
Illustrative water resource management global projects
Water and Sanitation. During 2004-2005, DA managed a major water and sanitation training program for USAID/San Salvador. The firm arranged in-country seminars and workshops on such subjects as decentralization of water systems, latrine maintenance, water systems operations, watershed organization, and solid waste management. Under DA auspices hundreds of Salvadorans in the public and private sectors received training.
Wildlife Water Provision. DA onsite staff provided technical assistance, training, and grants management services in Zimbabwe for six projects aimed at providing water sources for wildlife. This included rehabilitation of a section of canal, boreholes and pumps, and water reticulation systems. The water resources helped preserve wildlife stocks and to reduce human/animal conflicts that existed in some locales.
Water Quality Improvement and Conservation. DA was a major subcontractor on a multi-year project to improve water quality and conservation in Jordan. In addition to being responsible for all procurement, DA managed much of the training for Jordanian officials. A key element was a series of management training seminars for high-ranking authorities.
Sport and Commercial Fishing. Under USAID auspices, DA provided technical assistance, training, and grants management for a series of fishing related local projects in Zimbabwe. The activities included the construction of facilities for sport fishing and the establishment of commercial fishing camps in a number of locations to allow local fishing cooperatives to expand their operations and streamline their marketing to neighboring communities.
www.devassoc.com/
