Monthly Progress Report: A-E Services to Support Infrastructure Related Programming in Solomon Islands

The strategy focuses on improving the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders through sustainable economic growth and improved service delivery. SCALE's purpose is to develop local economies in Malaita at a community level to support further growth at the provincial and national levels and drive expansion of market access and supporting infrastructure. The SCALE-A&E contract is designed to acquire qualified architectural and engineering services in support of SCALE, particularly objective b, which aims to strengthen and expand the agribusiness sector. The contract will complete analyses, feasibility studies, design, and construction oversight of small-scale infrastructure at approximately 10-20 sites. The interventions under SCALE will support the following objectives: a) Enabling environment for trade and investment improved, b) Agribusiness sector strengthened and expanded, and c) Improved natural resource governance with a focus on the forestry sector. Task 1.1, Prioritized List, has made significant progress, with a draft master project list developed based on readily available project concepts identified in national and provincial plans. Design of screening and prioritization criteria is in progress, and the next step is to finalize the draft master list and engage stakeholders in a real or virtual workshop. Task 1.2, Transportation Infrastructure Conditions Assessment, has outlined the scope and is collecting data, while Task 1.3, Food/Energy/Water Nexus Infrastructure Conditions Assessment, has also outlined the scope and is collecting data. The recruitment process for the SCALE-A&E team is ongoing, with a Country Operations Manager (COP) approved by USAID and actively working with SCALE A&E. An Administrative Assistant based in Honiara has been recruited and will begin work on July 1, 2021. In-country recruitment for four positions is underway, including an Accounting and Finance Officer, an Administration Support Assistant, a Community and Government Liaison, and a GIS Specialist. The Development Control Officer (DCOP) has been submitted as a candidate to USAID. Local consultant teams have been engaged to gather background information, and stakeholder contacts have been developed. Electronic questionnaires have been distributed to assist with prioritizing projects, and input from private and governmental sectors is being incorporated into the analysis. Information has been received regarding the Mermaid program to be implemented on Malaita by World Vision New Zealand, and possible future coordination opportunities. Proposed cold storage project information has been received from the Malaita Fisheries Office, and data has been received regarding Rural Training Centers in Malaita province. A list of potential projects from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) strategic plan has been received and is under evaluation for potential projects. The SCALE-A&E team has made significant progress in preparing for future stakeholder meetings in Malaita, and regular online meetings are being scheduled with implementing partners to maintain effective coordination and communication. The team will review draft versions of four baseline sectoral analyses regarding transportation, construction, and the food/energy/water nexus in SI (and Malaita in particular) before final copies are submitted as deliverables. A draft final list of potential projects will be prepared and subject to screening/prioritization to generate lists of large-scale and small-scale projects for final evaluations.