REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR GRANTS IN KENYA

INNOVATIVE MARKET-LED APPROACHES TO ACCELERATE AND SCALE LAST MILE FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTION

The USAID Africa Trade and Investment Activity (ATI) is designed to bolster the U.S. Government’s ability to boost trade and investment to, from, and within the African continent. Implemented by DAI, the continent-wide activity is USAID’s flagship effort supporting the US Government’s Prosper Africa initiative, which seeks to expand and accelerate two-way trade and investment between African nations and the United States. 

Driven by market demand, ATI embraces innovative approaches taken by the private sector to achieve its goals. ATI is designed as a small, core set of centrally coordinated technical and institutional support activities, and a large, flexible performance-based subcontracting and grants-under-contract facility designed to support the needs and opportunities that USAID Missions and the private sector identify.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 sparked food, fuel, and fertilizer shortages around the world. On the African continent, decreasing access to key fertilizer imports from the warring nations has exacerbated the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate -related shocks, and ongoing internal conflicts. Given these impacts, USAID engaged ATI to facilitate private-sector partnerships that could rapidly scale access to and availability of fertilizer.

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s economy, with over 70 percent of the population residing in rural areas and approximately 75 percent of the workforce relying on agriculture for their livelihoods. The agricultural sector contributes significantly to Kenya's GDP at 30%. Kenya has the capacity to increase its production of staple cereals, horticulture, and livestock products for both local consumption and export. However, the sector faces challenges, such as limited productivity due to low adoption of fertilizer usage and reliance on fertilizer imports, exacerbated by a dependence on government subsidies primarily allocated to tea and other cash crops.

Kenya faces several challenges to increase the access to, and use of, the right types of fertilizer for last mile smallholder farmers, critical to increasing their agricultural productivity (yields), food security, and resilience. Kenya's fertilizer imports have remained consistent at around 750,000 MT per year. However, over the past five years, there has been a noticeable downward trend in fertilizer imports. Nevertheless, there has been an increased investment in fertilizer blending capacity for crop and soil specific fertilizer blends. The country's limited domestic fertilizer production requires the importation of significant volumes to maintain production and feed into the local fertilizer blending plants. Insufficient access to capital for agribusinesses to train farmers and distribute fertilizers at affordable prices is also a significant constraint.

For smallholder farmers in Kenya, access to affordable, high-quality fertilizer during the two crucial planting seasons is a significant challenge. Various factors contribute to this predicament, including accessing quality government subsidized fertilizer, and the crowding-out of local private sector actors who cannot compete with prices of subsidized fertilizers. In addition, transportation and distribution provide significant cost challenges, particularly in rural areas where they pose obstacles to efficient and profitable business operations and limit their growth potential.

If these challenges are not addressed, Kenyan farmers will continue to struggle accessing affordable optimal quantities of fertilizer in a manner conducive to maximizing agricultural productivity. Should this happen, the agricultural sector will continue to grapple with low agricultural productivity. The unavailability of affordable fertilizers—especially for smallholder farmers at last-mile sales centers—underscores a critical barrier that limits the potential for increased crop yields and adoption of sustainable and productive agricultural practices, further exacerbating food and nutrition insecurity in the country.

Given these challenges, USAID ATI seeks to identify transformative and catalytic private sector solutions that significantly expand Kenya fertilizer production capacity, increase Kenyan agribusinesses and farmers' access to capital and input credit, and strengthen last-mile distribution systems. By addressing the challenges related to financing and technical capacity, Kenya can further harness its agricultural potential and work towards achieving food security and increasing resilience.

USAID Kenya/ East Africa and ATI are committed to addressing the critical issue of food security by supporting private sector initiatives that offer inclusive and sustainable investment opportunities in the fertilizer sector. This funding opportunity will directly address constraints such as the availability, access, and affordability of fertilizer for smallholder farmers that limit agricultural productivity, especially for last mile distribution.

The theory of change for this opportunity is that by utilizing a market-based approach that enhances local (Kenyan) fertilizer production capacity, increases Kenyan agribusinesses and farmers access to capital, strengthens systems and practices oriented to last mile distribution, and promotes adoption of fertilizer utilization among smallholder farmers, ATI aims to      increase the availability and use of affordable fertilizer by smallholder farmers (including those at the last mile). This in turn is expected to boost agricultural productivity, raise smallholder farmer incomes, and improve resilience and wellbeing.

To address this, ATI seeks to identify impactful interventions that meet the following criteria:

Technical Approach: Private sector-led interventions that can bring innovative solutions and address the urgent problem of lack of accessibility, availability, and affordability of fertilizer, clearly showing how they will overcome these obstacles in Kenya to benefit smallholder farmers. The private sectors’ approach must be anchored on the principles of proven experience, adaptability, and institutional strength. Applicants must provide robust and consistent approaches that would sustain momentum throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring timely delivery without compromising on quality or organizational integrity.

Organizational capacity, personnel, and past performance. Applicants must have demonstrated organization capacity, personnel, and experience (past performance) to propose and implement interventions to urgently address the lack of availability, accessibility, and affordability of fertilizer, especially for last- mile distribution to smallholder farmers.

Scalability: Interventions that will deliver significant impact at scale, with the potential to increase fertilizer production and distribution to the largest number of people while fostering resilient food systems will be prioritized. Applicants should clearly demonstrate that ATI grants will grow the demand for fertilizers by efficiently adapting, leveraging, and expanding resources and capacity to ensure access and affordability of fertilizers.

Impact: Interventions should demonstrate the capacity to increase access to fertilizer in a timely manner, focusing on empowering farmers and supporting improved livelihoods that can enhance food security and resilience throughout the country.

Inclusiveness: Interventions should deliberately include women and youth as participants in this activity given their potential and critical role in growth of the agricultural sector.

USAID additionality: Successful applicants should illustrate how USAID's support adds value by enabling a market-based approach that effectively achieves the intended outcomes including, but not limited to, increased fertilizer production capacity, distribution systems and practices, enhanced farmers' access to affordable fertilizers for inclusive economic growth, and resilient farming systems.

Applicants must demonstrate their experience working in the fertilizer value chain in Kenya—including last- mile distribution—by proposing sound ongoing approaches and outlining the expected impact of their proposed activities.

Illustrative activities include, but are not limited to:

• Expanding existing blended and other fertilizers production in their own facilities (note: ATI will not fund construction.)
• Enhancing fertilizers transportation and distribution practices (to the last mile).
• Using technologies for rapid soil testing (e.g., pH meters or available soil tests datasets) for evidence-based fertilizer application and other soil amendment recommendations that will increase application efficiency.
• Establishing formal agreements with distributors and their stockists, which outline the roles, responsibilities, pricing, and terms of business engagements.
• Promoting targeted farmers awareness–in coordination with existing USAID Kenya/East Africa Feed the Future activities–through media campaigns via radio, television, social media, and other networks to educate farmers—including women and youth—and disseminate information about the importance of fertilizers and best practices with their use.

Grant Size and Type: ATI will issue performance-based grants ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000 to establish partnerships with firms meeting the criteria as stated in the RFA funding opportunity section. Grant sizes of smaller or larger amounts may be considered, should the proposed activity meet the objectives of the RFA.

Performance-Based Grants: The grant will be a Fixed Amount Award (FAA) agreement under USAID rules (Chapter 303, ADS Rules version 2022). Payments under FAA grants are made upon accomplishment of predetermined results (milestones). Results are agreed upon between ATI and the partner prior to the grant being awarded.

Leverage: Applicants are expected to co-fund the proposed activities through a financial leverage at a matching ratio of at least 1:1 with higher ratios strongly preferred. The leverage from the applicant can be in the form of equity capital (internal or external) raised, and/or debt capital mobilized from financial providers. Competitive applicants are those with capability to achieve scale of impact and that leverage larger amounts of private capital into commercially sustainable solutions.

Capacity assessment of potential grantees: ATI will conduct a capacity assessment of all selected applicants. This assessment identifies weaknesses or deficiencies that call into question the applicant’s ability to manage the award, including technical capacity. ATI may elect to remove the applicant from consideration under this funding opportunity if the applicant does not show current and sufficient financial, administrative, and operational capacity. The applicant must agree to the metrics and verification methods of awards during the co-design process, giving latitude to the partner on how it will accomplish the agreed objectives. DAI reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.

Performance Period: The performance period of grants will be no more than 18 months from the date of signing. In response to this solicitation, potential grantees may propose their own alternate timelines, work plans, and level of effort associated with the various components of the activity in line with their proposed approach and experience.

• Place of Performance: The place of performance is Kenya, with preference to cover the USAID Feed the Future Zone of Influence including Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Makueni, Migori, Siaya, Vihiga, Kitui and Taita Taveta counties. Consideration will be given to organizations domiciled in Nairobi and other regions that may also include work within the Zone of Influence.

Potential grantees should provide details on their ​justification for targeting and ​approach to working in relevant areas of the country as the activity requires. The selected firm(s) will report to the ATI team based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Applications submitted in response to this RFA must include the following information in line with ATI Objectives via the application form:  

1. Project Description:

Through​ direct grants to​ the private sector, ATI will support transformative and innovative solutions that increase domestic fertilizer production and last-mile distribution to      support Kenya’s agricultural sector. Promoting creative and efficient strategies to enhance the fertilizer value chain (accessibility, availability, and affordability) in Kenya is encouraged, encompassing aspects such as production, packaging, distribution, and storage where applicable. Prioritizing outreach to various regions of Kenya that benefit underprivileged and vulnerable communities, with a focus on women and youth, is of utmost importance.

Given the limited timeframe for proposed interventions, applicants should have a proven track record in the geographical and technical area of their proposed technical approach and implementation activities. The applicant should be ready to quickly start up activities that build on their experience, and not proposed pilot or start-up activities.

The applicant must provide a detailed description of the project, specifying its goal, activities, and results. These should be in line with the overall objective of the grant. Sections should follow the provide template by ATI and be structured as follows:

1. Detailed description of purpose/summary
2. Background
3. Project goals and objectives
4. Detailed description of anticipated activities/outcomes.

2. Monitoring (Results and Benchmarks):

ATI will work closely with the selected private sector partner to develop a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) plan following existing ATI and USAID requirements for this grant. ATI will also work with the partner to use USAID’s Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation (CLA) approach to address implementation of activities and to measure results. The partners will be required to maintain all relevant data and report results on a quarterly basis as agreed with ATI. ATI will conduct data quality assessments (DQA), as necessary. The private sector partners must be willing to share results for at least a six-month period following the completion of their grant implementation for ATI and USAID to evaluate the results of this intervention.

Applicants ​are​​ ​required to demonstrate how their interventions will contribute to achieving the objective​s​ of this activity, including the goal of increasing food security and resilience in the country.​            

The applicant should define, to the maximum extent possible at the application stage, results, and benchmarks for monitoring the performance towards attainment of program objectives.

Applicants should clearly explain how his/her organization will monitor the implementation and performance of the project and indicate additional indicators per activity that will be used to assess the progress and performance of the project, and the achievement of the expected results​.​

3. Sustainability: The applicant should describe how project benefits will continue after grant funding ends. Sustainable practices should be economically viable (capable of continuing on a commercial basis) in the long term. This involves promoting business growth that is inclusive, efficient, and involves adopting business practices that prioritize long-term benefits over short-term gains.

4. Inclusivity: The applicant should explain how the project will prioritize and maintain inclusivity, both in its implementation and in the sustained benefits beyond the grant funding period. The proposal should detail specific measures and strategies to prioritize inclusivity, focusing on the active participation and equitable representation of a diverse range of stakeholders, including women and youth. Inclusive practices should go beyond basic accessibility to create an environment where people from different backgrounds can actively engage with and benefit from the project's outcomes over the long term.      
5. Organizational Capability: The application shall include information that demonstrates the applicant's expertise and ability to meet or exceed the goals of this program.

Organizational capacity should include information on sound management systems, with regards to financial, administration, internal policies and procedures and controls that safeguard against fraud, abuse, and waste.

6. Personnel: The applicant should propose up to three key personnel and give a description of their roles and responsibilities. Each applicant demonstrates the key personnel’s ability to perform the duties outlined in the program description/statement of work and in accordance with the applicant’s approach. ATI will evaluate the CV to determine the individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Key personnel are those critical of implementation only and do not include administrative or support staff.

7. Past Performance: Applicants must present evidence of their experience in undertaking similar activities. Applicants may include descriptions of two projects or other similar initiatives. ATI will request references that should include clients’ names and telephone numbers.

8. Budget: All proposals must include a completed budget in local currency following the ATI Budget Template.

9. Milestones: the application must contain a table with proposed milestones based on achievable results that the private sector partner and ATI will track during the implementation of this program. ATI does not provide advance funding for activities.

USAID will make awards based on the ranking of applications by a USAID and ATI review panel according to the evaluation criteria and scoring system identified below.

To the extent necessary (if the award is not made based on initial applications), negotiations may be conducted with each applicant whose application, after discussion and negotiation, has a reasonable chance of being selected for award. Award will be made to responsible applicants whose applications offer the best value.

Who Can Apply for the grant?

Eligible applicants:

Applicants must demonstrate that they fall into one of the grantee categories below:

• • Private Sector Companies – local (within Kenya) and international firms (outside of Kenya). International firms must demonstrate a clear understanding of Kenya’s local context and must demonstrate existing relationships with relevant local stakeholders. Kenyan firms will be given preference in the selection process.
  • Foreign Organizations (referred to as non-U.S. NGOs): either nonprofit or for-profit organizations that meet the definition in 2 CFR 200.47. 
  • Non-profit Organizations: organizations that meet the definition of 2 CFR 200.70.
  • In addition, an applicant must be organized under the laws of the country in which it has its principal place of business or operation.

Ineligible applicants:

• Any organization not legally organized under the laws of the country in which it has its principal place of business or operations in;
• Any entity listed in the U.S. government Excluded Parties List;
• Any entity unable to obtain a Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI);
• Any entity excluded in the US Government System for Award Management;
• Any Government Entity;
• Any Public International Organization (PIO);
• Any entity affiliated with DAI or ATI directors, officers, or employees;
• Any projects involving involuntary resettlement, child labor, or significant environmental impacts;
• Any military organization;
• Any political party organization;
• Any entity focused solely on religious activities;
• Any labor unions; and,
• Any individuals.

 Application Submission Instructions & Deadline

Application  

• Application documents must include the following:

• Complete Annex A. Application Form. This annex asks for information on the project description, applicant leverage (as applicable), monitoring and results, and other activity information. Responses should be specific, complete, and presented concisely.

• Complete Annex B. Work Plan. The implementation plan should be detailed and include tasks, outputs, partners, and responsible persons.  Monitoring and evaluation efforts must also be included. 

• Complete Annex C. Budget and Budget Notes. In the budget, request and explain the key cost items required for the support. Note: Grant funds cannot be used for construction, purchase of vehicles, or restricted goods. Full instructions on budgeting are found in the annex to the first tab called Budget Instructions. You must submit cost verification documents for each budget line item to demonstrate that the amount you budgeted is based on actual cost or market price. Please note the Payment and Use of Funds, section b. Important USAID Compliance Information

• Complete Annex D. Milestone Table. The Activity recommends a fixed amount award (FAA) as the best grant mechanism per the anticipated program description. This means you will be paid an agreed-upon amount for completed milestones. This annex asks you to propose those milestones, means of verification, due dates, and amount per milestone.

• Applications must be submitted in English. Applicants can use any translation tool or service of their preference. 

• Page Limitation: Applications should be specific, complete, presented concisely and shall not exceed 10 pages (exclusive of annexes).

• In accordance with ADS303.6, DAI is required to establish the applicant organization’s nationality to determine its eligibility to receive the requested grant. Complete Appendix A. Grantee Nationality Self Certification Form.

Submission Instructions:

To apply for funding interested applicants must submit all applications (including all annexes) via the RFA-15-Kenya (Application Submission) on or before May 24, 2024. The application should be submitted using the templates provided in the link above labeled annex A,B, C and D.

Late Applications 

All applications received by the deadline will be reviewed for responsiveness and programmatic merit according to the specifications outlined in these guidelines and the application format. Due to the number of applications, only applicants moving to the next stage will receive communication of the next steps. Applications which are submitted late or are incomplete will not be considered in the review process.

Please note that while the Grants Team will explain rules and requirements to each awardee, the
following award requirements will apply:

a) Administration of Award

Awards to U.S. organizations will be administered in accordance with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E, ADS 303 and
USAID Standard Provisions for U.S. non-governmental organizations. For non-U.S. organizations, USAID
Standard Provisions for non-U.S. non-governmental organizations apply. Applicants may obtain copies of
the referenced material at the following websites:

• 2 CFR 200 - https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0a5b7fee6378930cce72564449dd8bb7&mc=true&node=sp2.1.200.d&rgn=div6
• Standard Provisions for US Nongovernmental Recipients - https://www.globalhealthlearning.org/sites/default/files/page-files/french-PLGHA-Standard-Provisions-US-Nongovernment-Organizations.pdf
• Standard Provisions for Non-US Nongovernmental Recipients -                https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/303mab.pdf

b) Important USAID Compliance Information

• Certifications, Assurances, Other Statements of the Recipient and Solicitation Standard Provisions - In accordance with ADS 303.3.8, ATI will require awarded grant partners to submit signed copies of required certifications and assurances. ADS 303 may be found at the following website: https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/agency-policy/series-300/references-chapter/303mav
• Unique Entity ID (SAM) - Effective April 4, 2022, entities doing business with the federal government will use the Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) created in (sam.gov). The Unique Entity ID (SAM) is a 12-character alphanumeric value managed, granted, and owned by the U.S. government. This allows the government to streamline the entity identification and validation process, making it easier and less burdensome for entities to do business with the federal government. All foreign organizations which receive a grant with a value of USD 25,000 and above and all U.S. organizations which receive a grant of any value are required to obtain a Unique Entity ID (SAM) and complete full www.sam.gov registration. Organizations are exempt from this requirement if the gross income received from all sources in the previous tax year was under USD 300,000. DAI requires that grant applicants sign the self-certification statement if the applicant claims exemption for this reason.
• Branding and Marking - All USAID-sponsored assistance awards are required to adhere to branding and marking requirements in accordance with ADS 320. ADS 320 may be found at the following website: https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/agency-policy/series-300/320. ATI’s Branding and Marking Plan allows for co-branding with the grantee and USAID. The Activity must approve all communications materials produced under this grant before printing or publication. Grantees must follow the guidelines set forth in the USAID Graphic Standards Manual and accompanying Prosper Africa Graphic Standards Manual: USAID Graphic Standards Manual and Partner Co-Branding Guide | Branding | U.S. Agency for International Development and Prosper Africa Graphic Standards Manual | Prosper Africa | U.S. Agency for International Development (usaid.gov)
• Environmental Procedures - The impact of USAID’s activities on the environment and environmental sustainability must be a central consideration when designing and implementing an activity. Potential environmental impacts of the grant must be identified prior to a final decision to proceed and appropriate environmental safeguards must be adopted for all activities The grantee must comply with host country environmental regulations unless otherwise directed in writing by USAID. In case of conflict between the host country and USAID regulations, the latter will govern. No activity funded under this grant will be implemented unless an environmental threshold determination, as defined by 22 CFR 216, has been reached for the grant, is properly documented, and signed by the Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO). ADS 200 may be found at the following website: https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/laws-regulations-policies/22-cfr-216
• Reporting Requirements - Project implementation reporting will be determined based on the planned activities and the delineation of roles and responsibilities. There will be milestone reporting, quarterly progress reports, environmental reporting, and a final grant report. A Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan with indicators and targets will also be agreed upon. Grant recipients will be expected to facilitate monitoring during and beyond the life of the grant through June 2026 by making relevant information available to ATI staff.
• Payments and Use of Funds - The Activity will make grant payments in local currency. The grant recipient must use the funds provided exclusively for activities specified in the Program Description. Diversion of grant funds to other uses will result in the cancellation of award and retrieval of funds disbursed to the grant recipient.ATI funds will not support construction. All construction activities will be resourced through grantee leverage. Under Chapter 12, Section 5.3g of USAID’s Automatic Directives System (ADS) on Eligibility of Commodities 2010, “With the exception of local procurement of fertilizer in the cooperating country: 1) Procurement of fertilizer is restricted to U.S. sources, unless there are, or are expected to be, significant U.S./offshore price differentials or any adverse impact on domestic availability or price; and 2) All contract awards for fertilizer and the related transportation must be approved by the Office of Procurement (M/OP), in consultation with GC/CCM and the appropriate geographic bureau”. 
• Permitted Uses of Program Income - The grantee will be expected to account for program income in accordance with 2 CFR 200.307. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.307 (e)(2), program income earned under this award will be added to funds committed by ATI and the recipient to the project or program and used to further eligible project or program objectives. Additionally, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.307(e)(3), program income may be used to finance the non-Federal share of the project or objectives.
• ATI funds will not support construction. All construction activities will be resourced through grantee leverage.
• Prohibited Countries - The US Government does not do business with, i.e., purchase goods or services from, prohibited source, nationality, and country of origin. The current list of countries under comprehensive sanctions include Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria.
• Ineligible Goods, Restrictions, and Unallowable Costs - The grant funds provided under the terms of this agreement must not be used to finance any of the following:
  • Goods or services which are to be used primarily to meet military requirements or to support police or other law enforcement activities,
  • Surveillance equipment,
  • Equipment, research and/or services related to involuntary sterilization or the performance of abortion as a method of family planning,
  • Gambling equipment, supplies for gambling facilities or any hotels, casinos or accommodations in which gambling facilities are or are planned to be located,
  • Activities which significantly degrade national parks or similar protected areas or introduce exotic plants or animals into such areas, or
  • Establishment or development of any export processing zone or designated area where the labor, environmental, tax, tariff, and/or safety laws of the country in which such activity takes place would not apply.
  • Pharmaceuticals or pesticides (may be allowable with written approval)
  • Logging equipment,
  • Luxury goods (including alcoholic beverages and jewelry),
  • Establishing or expanding any enterprise that will export raw materials that are likely to be in surplus in world markets at the time such production becomes effective and that are likely to cause substantial injury to U.S. producers,
  • Activities which would result in the loss of forest lands due to livestock rearing, road construction or maintenance, colonization of forest lands or construction of dams or other water control structures,
  • Activities which are likely to have a significant adverse effect on the environment, including any of the following (to the extent such activities are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment):
    • Activities which may lead to degrading the quality or renewability of natural resources;
    • Activities which may lead to degrading the presence or health of threatened ecosystems or biodiversity;
    • Activities which may lead to degrading long-term viability of agricultural or forestry production (including through use of pesticides);
    • Activities which may lead to degrading community and social systems, including potable water supply, land administration, community health and well-being or social harmony.
  • Activities which are likely to involve the loss of jobs in the United States due to the relocation or expansion outside of the United States of an enterprise located in the United States, or
  • Activities which the Grantee is aware are reasonably likely to contribute to the violation of internationally or locally recognized rights of workers,
  • Bad debts
  • Contributions or donations
  • Deferred Research and Development Costs
  • Entertainment costs or lobbying costs
  • Fines or penalties
  • Goodwill
  • Interest (Interest on taxes, issuing stock rights, Cost of financing or refinancing capital)
  • Public Relations and Advertising Costs
  • Company holiday parties or picnics
  • Taxes (such as income/profit tax) and PROFIT
  • Bribes
  • Goods or services from vendors or individuals with active exclusions on SAM.gov
  • Goods or services with source, origin, transported through, or nationality from a Prohibited Country – currently Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Cuba.
  • Costs that are being paid for by another donor or funding source, including other US government funding, (i.e., disproportion allocation of costs amongst multiple donors)
  • Costs purchased from vendors, employees, or other sources with Conflicts of Interest.
  • Payments to government officials

Restricted commodities: In line with USAID regulations (ADS Chapter 312: “Eligibility of Commodities”), Special restrictions apply to USAID-financed purchases of agricultural commodities, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, contraceptive products, pesticides, used equipment and fertilizer.

• As far as this RFA is concerned, the intended awards will not support direct procurement of fertilizers but rather facilitative activities such as logistics and machinery support. Grant activities in relation to fertilizers will be reviewed on case-by-case basis from environment compliance perspective and ATI will seek approvals from USAID as may be applicable prior to awards.
• This RFA does not also anticipate awarding grants that will do construction works thus construction activities will be considered ineligible under the grants. However, the project may have construction activities but be catered for by the applicant’s leverage budget.

Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of ATI, nor does it commit ATI to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application.  Further, ATI reserves the right to reject any or all applications received.  Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant.  All preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's expense.