The United States Government, represented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Republic of Ecuador, hereby publishes this RFI to solicit Capability Statements from local entities with the capacity of performing the work described in Section III - Statement of Work (SOW).The RFI is restricted to Local Entities as defined in ADS 303.6 Definitions. - Local entity means an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that (1) is legally organized under the laws of; (2) has as its principal place of business or operations in; and (3) is (A) majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of; and (B) managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the Republic of Ecuador.For purposes of this definition, majority-owned and -managed by include, without limitation, beneficiary interests and the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exercisable, to control the election, appointment, or tenure of the Organization. Ecuadorian universities, civil society organizations and firms are encouraged to respond to this request.This RFI is issued solely for gathering information and market research and does not constitute a Request for Proposals.