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REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

Funding Opportunity For Private sector in West Africa 

 

Name of Project:

USAID Africa Trade Investment Activity

USAID:

West Africa (WA) Regional Mission

Reference Number:

RFA-19-WEST AFRICA 

Date of Issue:

August 30, 2024

Questions Submission Date

Submit your inquiry to RFA Questions. No later than: September 12, 2024 
Bidders Conference (Q&A Webinar with Potential Grantees:
 

September 16, 2024 at 10.00AM GMT

- Bidders conference session recording Click here

- Presentation slides Click here

- Q&A responses will be shared in due course
Question Response Date

September 20, 2024

Closing Date for Receipt of Applications:

October 31, 2024 

 

OVERVIEW OF ATI

In partnership with Prosper Africa, Feed the Future, and other initiatives, the USAID Africa Bureau, Africa Regional Missions, and the Middle East Bureau have established the Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) Activity. The purpose of this Activity is to mobilize enterprise-driven solutions that increase trade and investment in Africa, including North and Sub-Saharan Africa. It aims to strengthen Africa’s markets by developing new trade and investment relationships, particularly between the U.S. and Africa, and achieve development outcomes across all sectors in line with USAID’s Private Sector Engagement Policy and the USG Prosper Africa initiative.

Driven by market demand, ATI embraces innovative approaches 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. It is designed to support the needs and opportunities that USAID missions and the private sector identify. ATI mobilizes private sector resources and expertise, in conjunction with other U.S. Government interagency partners, resulting in the increased capacity, competitiveness, and availability of businesses, investors, and intermediaries that will drive future trade and investment.

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The US Government seeks to enhance private sector engagement through the Prosper Africa initiative, with the aim of increasing two-way trade and investment between the United States and African countries. USAID/WA seeks to improve private sector competitiveness in West Africa with the focus on promoting the region’s international and regional trade, facilitating investments, expanding activities in agriculture, light manufacturing   (including textiles and apparel) and supporting services (packaging and labeling, logistics, financing, among others) where those partnerships cost-effectively achieve the targeted development focus and impact. The regional mission intends to utilize the ATI mechanism as the channel to build and advance a pipeline of private sector partnerships through a co-investment model that catalyzes investment, trade, employment, and income growth opportunities especially for women and youth with the goal of growing market development and generating sustainable development impact.

According to the African Development Bank’s 2023 West Africa Economic Outlook report, West Africa has experienced slower economic growth over the past few years because of many factors, key among them the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, Russia's War in Ukraine which have disrupted global trade flows and commodity markets and also spurred inflationary pressures on the cost of food, fuel and fertilizer in many countries in the region. In addition, increasingly tight monetary policy has heightened aversion to risk globally and increased exchange rate pressures across the region. Despite this, the region’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth outlook is positive and projected to pick up slightly from 3.9% in 2023 and 4.2% in 2024.

West African trade, like other African countries' exports, remains concentrated in a narrow range of commodities. Although West Africa is a globally important exporter in various commodities including cocoa, cashew, cotton, shea, and some tropical fruits, it is hampered by low levels of productivity on the production side and limited investment and export of value-added processed commodities.

Agri-production and processing is constrained by issues such as limited access to key inputs, lack of secure land rights, water access limitations under erratic weather and poor development of irrigation, weak production technologies, fragmentation of smallholder producers, limited credit, and technical constraints in processing. Market access obstacles faced by West African producers and processors further hampers their competitiveness. Contrary to this some imported food may flow more easily through corridors to reach main West African markets, moved by established importers/trading corporations providing fewer opportunities and incentives for existing private sector to develop and process products for regional and international markets. This is further compounded by limited access to finance and the capacity of firms to meet export market standards and requirements. Due to the challenges cited above, regional and international buyers and processors often have issues securing enough essential commodities of the right quality.

Vertical integration into farming to guarantee minimal supplies to keep processing facilities running, usually below capacity, is a common adaptation mechanism to supply chain challenges but is complicated by lack of secure land rights. The substantial number of smallholders and cooperatives in the agri-production space presents an opportunity for increased production. Strategic coordination, market linkages can provide regular cash flow, increasing incomes for smallholder farmers. The integration of smallholder farmers requires sizable investments and robust management to meet the quality, quantity and traceability requirements due to the disaggregated and uncoordinated nature of existing production systems which makes aggregation of sufficient quantities challenging and significantly increases the operational costs. It further complicates processing which requires a consistent throughput to run an operation in comparison to buying from commercial-scale farmers or aggregators.   

Working capital requirements for processing industries where the supply of raw material must be purchased up front for year-round processing is particularly difficult for locally based firms who can’t compete with the lower cost of capital available to foreign operators. The cost and availability of energy is also relatively high in the region in comparison to competitor countries. The integration of small holders and firms into international and regional supply chains requires investments in upgrading and certification that are difficult to finance in much of the West African region.

Many financial institutions are reluctant to lend to the agriculture sector and the applicants often do not have adequate financial documentation, business plans, or credit history to qualify for commercial loans. International market regulatory and buyer requirements are also changing rapidly, requiring much greater levels of traceability in the food supply chain to ensure food safety. There are concerns that small-scale farmers and producers will not be well-positioned to either continue exporting or enter into developed country markets if their facilities and capacities are not upgraded. Opportunities exist to support the integration of small producers into regional and international supply chains by partnering and leveraging resources alongside major buyers and processors who have significant financial investments at stake. In addition, these same pressures make locally processed goods more attractive by shortening the supply chain, improving traceability, and reducing costs currently captured by traders and middlemen.

In the Textile and Apparel (T&A) sector, there is an immense opportunity to vertically integrate the T&A manufacturing value chain. The region produces around 1.5 million metric tons of cotton annually, which represents about 60% of Africa’s total output and 15% of global exports. The majority of this is exported unprocessed. Farming methods feature rain-fed irrigation with harvest done by handpicking, leading to 80% being labeled as preferred, sustainable cotton under Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) standards. The West Africa region’s geographical location means it offers a natural nearshore market to Europe and US markets – less than two weeks away from Europe by sea. Other advantages include an abundant trainable labor force, cost savings to manufacturers under favorable trade instruments like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) further supporting trade with the US. The west Africa region has been investing in the development of the T&A sector and additional investments in the factories through co-investment and buyer linkages will go a long way in supporting expansion and contribute towards verticality and competitiveness of firms in the West Africa Region.

Opportunities exist to support the integration of smallholder farmers, processors in the agriculture space, light manufacturing (including textiles and apparel firms), support services companies (packaging and labeling, logistics, financing, among others) into regional and international supply chains by partnering and leveraging resources alongside major buyers, processors and key channel distributors who have existing products and services, footprint, market knowledge, significant financial investments, distribution channels and market share. The US Government seeks to enhance private sector engagement through the Prosper Africa initiative, with the aim of increasing two-way trade and investment between the United States and African countries by working with the private sector to leverage on their resources and skills to achieve development impact, facilitate investments, promote market opportunities, and strengthen business and investment climates. This will result in job creation for both African and American workers and foster shared prosperity.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

To achieve USAID’s inclusive broad based economic growth advancement, as well as the West African-led advancement of social and economic well-being, ATI will manage private sector driven co-investment grants that build successful partnerships.

This activity seeks to engage private-sector partners, including buyers/aggregators, processors, manufacturers and investors, to co-invest in innovative activities designed to significantly increase two-way trade between the United States and West Africa, as well as intra-regional trade among West African economies. Also, the intervention seeks to expand access to private equity, venture capital funds, impact investing, and other non-bank financing for businesses including Agri-SMEs in West Africa.

ATI’s theory of change for this opportunity is that if the activity can build successful partnerships with leading buyers, processors, service providers, among others, that expand production and improve quality through upgrading of producers, then West Africa would increase its competitiveness and processing resulting in increased trade and investment and contribute to broad-based economic growth and resilience.

The proposed activity will leverage lessons learned from the almost two decades of work by the West Africa Trade and Investment Hubs, to significantly increase West African exports to regional and international markets, particularly to the U.S., as well as deepen U.S. corporate investment and sourcing arrangements in job-intensive sectors in West Africa.

Overarching Priorities:

  • West Africa’s trade and investment within the region, continent, and with the U.S. increased.
  • Access to finance created and/or expanded, particularly for youth and women.
  • Skills matching investment and market needs developed and cultivated,
  • Farmers access to productivity-enhancing technologies and inputs, increased.
  • Capacity of firms in manufacturing, and processing in West Africa increased.
  • Access to markets and capital expanded and deepened, resulting in significant growth in exports, sales, and investment.
  • Sustainable jobs for youth and women created.
  • Sustainable farmers’ incomes/economic freedom increased.
  • Access to education, essential health services and commodities, including access to water and sanitation services increased.

USAID West Africa is seeking potential partnerships that will:    

  • Contribute to large-scale sustainable jobs (especially for women and youth), exports and investment, particularly with strong demonstrated or potential links to U.S. companies, investors, or suppliers.
  • Engage large numbers of smallholders and/or out growers in regional agricultural supply chains to increase access to inputs and markets.
  • Promote better nutrition options to the population, promoting crop diversification for better access to protein and vitamin rich ones.
  • Expand manufacturing or value addition in West Africa of products and increase access and availability of essential services in non-agricultural sectors such as textiles and apparel, health, renewable energy, water and sanitation, among others with business models and activities capable of enhancing existing business networks and services.
  • Promote women and youth empowerment.
  • Mobilize additional private investment and increase access to finance and/or de-risk for transaction opportunities in key sectors including agriculture, textile & apparel, and expanding access to finance for women and youth. USAID will offer risk mitigation grants (first loss) to financial institutions to expand the availability of working capital for SMEs.
  • Introduce innovations to modernize business networks to improve productivity and quality.
  • Invest in climate smart production to reduce the risk and impact of Climate Change which has already created climate disturbances which reduce yields and food security.
  • Invest in value addition and manufacturing for export.

Other priorities

A limited amount of funding is dedicated to:

  • Activities in the northern regions of the five Coastal West African countries (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Togo) which will create sustainable jobs for the youth.
  • Activities in the agribusiness sector to support food and nutrition security in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo

To address these priorities, ATI seeks to identify impactful interventions that meet the following criteria.

  1. Technical approach: The interventions should be driven by the private sector, bringing innovative solutions, and addressing the obstacles to increasing trade and accessing financial products and services. The interventions must clearly show how they will overcome these obstacles in the identified West African Countries, thus benefit MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), and specifically, women and youth... The private sectors’ approach must be anchored on the principles of adaptability and institutional strength. The applicant should aim to sustain momentum throughout the project life cycle, ensuring timely delivery without compromising on quality or organizational integrity.
  2. Scalability: The proposal should promote replicability in sectors that will support economic growth and empowerment including agriculture and agribusiness, healthcare and in the textile and apparel sectors.
  3. Impact: Interventions that support job creation, particularly among women and youth with a high number of people able to improve their livelihoods and increasing food security and resilience across the country.
  4. Inclusivity: Interventions should deliberately include women, youth and other marginalized groups as participants in this activity given their potential and critical role in the growth of the agricultural, health, ICT, finance, sectors, among others.
  5. USAID additionality: Prospective applicants should demonstrate how USAID's assistance contributes to a market-driven strategy, effectively realizing desired results on expanded access to financial products and insurance. This encompasses bolstering financial product availability, optimizing distribution channels and methodologies, and ensuring inclusive economic growth and resilient financial systems.

The applicants are required to demonstrate their experience in working in the West African Sub region. This should involve presenting effective ongoing strategies and detailing the anticipated impact of their proposed initiatives. This grant will not fund pilots and/or start-ups. 

Illustrative activities that could be eligible include but not limited to the following:       

  1. A maize aggregator selling large quantities to major processors wants to partner to reduce the level of aflatoxin in maize purchased from smallholder farmers by introducing improved planting and post-harvest techniques.
  2. A U.S. apparel buyer would like assistance to expand an existing local apparel company to increase production for export to the U.S. that would create an additional 500 or more jobs for women.
  3. An investor interested in making debt and equity investments wants to partner with USAID on providing technical assistance to potential firms to unlock their financing.
  4. An established company interested in establishing a new processing or export investment wants to partner with USAID to train and hire new employees and to establish local sourcing operations.
  5. A company wants to partner with USAID as part of a plan to scale-up existing production and/or sourcing through activities such as increasing certified production or expanding sourcing operations to new places.
  6. A hardware company is looking to introduce its products as new technology to lower cost and improve the quality of latrine construction in regions where USAID has already increased access to sanitation and created new jobs.
  7. An impact fund intending to use a USAID grant to blend capital, resulting in more affordable loans for key mini-champion SMEs in agriculture and logistics.
  8. A West Africa based investment firm co-investing private capital at a 5:1 ratio in export-oriented SMEs, preserving over 2,000 jobs, of which more than 1,500 are women.

AWARD INFORMATION

Grant Size & Type: ATI will issue performance-based grants ranging from US$500,000 to $1,000,000 to establish partnerships with firms meeting objectives as stated in the RFA (Request For Application). Grant sizes of smaller or larger amounts may be considered and will be analyzed on a case by case basis, should the proposed activity meet the objectives of this RFA.

Leverage: Grantees must supply a minimum of one-to-one leverage ratio. Consequently, the minimum leverage proposed must be $500,000. Nevertheless, priority will be given to projects offering leverage ratios of three-to-one or more.

Leverage can be a combination of cash, rate discounts, services, material or third-party contributions, such as equity investors, loans from financial institutions, or a combination thereof. Examples of in-kind contributions that may be counted include: commodities; value of salaries for staff dedicated to a project; technology, communications and capital assets purchased for the project, etc.

Note:

- Other US government funding sources and sources from other international development agencies and organizations are not accepted for leverage requirements.

- Leverage contributions and resources must be private in nature and origin. They must come from private for-profit entities.    

- The resources must be new and different than what the entity would have done in the absence of anticipated or actual engagement with ATI.

Performance-Based Grants: The type of performance-based grant preferred under this RFA will be a Fixed Amount Award (FAA) under USAID rules. Payment under FAAs (Fixed Amount Awards) shall be made upon accomplishments of predetermined results, referred to as milestones. Milestones are agreed between ATI and the partner prior to the grant being awarded.

Although the FAA is the preferred grant mechanism under this RFA, ATI will conduct capacity assessments to determine the applicant’s technical, financial, and administrative capabilities to implement this grant. If the assessments identify weaknesses or deficiencies that call into question the applicant’s ability to manage the award, ATI may elect to remove the applicant from consideration under this funding opportunity or select a mechanism that is more appropriate for the applicant’s prevailing financial, administrative, and operational capacity. The applicant will agree to the metrics and verification methods of awards during the development of the full application, giving latitude to the partner on how it will accomplish the agreed objectives.

ATI 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, subject to availability of funds; although you may propose your own alternate timelines, work plans, and level of effort associated with the various components of the activity in line with their proposed approach.

Place of Performance: This activity will be managed from West Africa in the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo, as well as Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Mauritania, São Tomé, and Príncipe.

Support will be provided through a combination of remote support with in-person activities possible, where relevant. The selected firm(s) will report to the ATI team based in Accra in collaboration with other ATI team members in other West African Countries. in coordination with the USAID West Africa Regional Mission

EVALUATION CRITERIA

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

  1. Project description: This RFA seeks innovative private sector partnerships in a variety of sectors including but not limited to Agriculture, Textile and Apparel, Health and other allied/ tangential sectors with the capability of increasing trade and creating income generating and employment opportunities especially for women and youth in the West Africa region. 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 be structured as follows:

    Detailed description of purpose/summary, Background, Project goals and objectives, Detailed description of anticipated activities/outcomes.

  1. Monitoring (results and benchmarks): ATI will work closely with the selected partners 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 quarterly as agreed with ATI. ATI will conduct data quality assessments, as necessary. Partners must be willing to share results for a two-year 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 objectives of this activity including the goal of increasing food security and resilience in the country where applicable. 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. Please explain how your 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.
  1. Sustainability: The applicant should describe how the project, or its benefits will continue after grant funding ends. Sustainable practices should be economically viable 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. What measures are being put in place to ensure sustainability?
  1. 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, regarding financial, administration, internal policies and procedures and controls that safeguard against fraud, abuse, and waste.
  1. 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 their profiles 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.
  1. Past performance: Applicants must present evidence of their experience in undertaking similar activities particularly those that align with or build upon the enterprise's core business operations.. Applicants may include descriptions of two (projects or other similar activities). ATI will request references that should include clients’ names and telephone numbers.
  1. Budget: All proposals must include a completed budget in US dollars following the ATI Budget Template.
  1. Milestones: The application must contain a table with milestones based on achievable results that the partners and ATI will track during the implementation of this program. ATI does not provide advance funding for activities. Awards will be made based on the ranking of applications by a 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 an award. Award will be made to responsible applicants whose applications offer the best value.

The applications will be evaluated according to the evaluation criteria set forth below. 

  • The use of sustainable, market-based approaches to achieve significant socioeconomic results as measured by the key indicators listed above.
  • A sustainable business model in terms of the company continually generating revenues and sustaining/expanding the co-created activities once USAID funding is complete.
  • Substantial funding leverage of at least a 1:1 ratio and a minimum cost share/leverage of $500,000 (3:1 and higher leverage will be prioritized).
  • Opportunities that promote U.S. businesses and investments in West Africa.
  • Activities that follow a phased results-based execution.
  • Ability to engage youth and women for expanded economic opportunities.
  • Ability of the grantee to attract additional external sources of funding (debt/equity).
 

The following criteria will be scored:

Criteria

Score %

Technical approach: The interventions should be driven by the private sector, bringing innovative solutions and addressing the obstacles to increasing trade and accessing financial products and services. The interventions must clearly show how they will overcome these obstacles in the identified West African Countries thus benefit the firms and specifically, women and youth in the identified sector. The private sectors’ approach must be anchored on the principles of adaptability and institutional strength. The applicant should aim to sustain momentum throughout and beyond the project life cycle, ensuring timely delivery without compromising on quality or organizational integrity.

20%

Impact: Interventions aimed at achieving results in increased volume and value of trade and/or investment in the mentioned sectors and that create employment and income generation opportunities along the value chains of focus.

20%

Gender and Youth Inclusion: Creation of jobs especially for women and youth, additional opportunities for growth and cross learning including in male dominated sectors. Reduces gender disparities in access to, control over and benefit from resources, wealth, opportunities, and services – economic, social, political, and cultural;

20%

Scalability: The application should promote replicability in sectors that will support economic growth and empowerments including agriculture and agribusiness, healthcare, nutrition, textile and apparel sectors, among others.

20%

Additionality: Interventions that demonstrate the value of USAID support in enabling market-based approaches that achieve and catalyze intended outcomes.

15%

Leverage Ratio: Applications that demonstrate commitment to the interventions by providing own contribution to ensure a successful implementation. Applicants are to provide at least 1:1 match, with 3:1 preferred.

5%
 
 
Note: the ability to produce financial statements of the last 2 years will be weighted favorably.

APPLICATION PROCESS

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 (i.e. registered to operate in any West African country and international firms (outside above-named countries). International firms must be legally registered business in West Africa, demonstrate a clear understanding of local context and must demonstrate existing relationships with relevant local stakeholders including private sector actors. Local firms will be given preference in the selection process.   
    • Foreign organizations (referred to as non-U.S. NGOs (non-governmental organizations)): either non-profit or for-profit organizations that meet the definition in 2 CFR 200.47. 

In addition, an applicant must be organized under the laws of the country in which it has its principal place of business or operations in.

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

1) Application documents must include the following:

  • Complete Annex B. 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 C. Work Plan. The implementation plan should be detailed and include tasks, outputs, partners, and responsible persons. It may be no more than 18 months, nor extend past March 2026. Monitoring and evaluation efforts must also be included.
  • Complete Annex D. Budget and Budget Notes. In the budget, request and explain the key cost items required for the support. 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 for is based on actual cost or market price.
  • Complete Annex E. 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.
2) Application can be submitted in English or French Language.
 
3) Page Limitation: Applications should be specific, complete, presented concisely and shall not exceed 10 pages (exclusive of annexes B, C, and D).
 
4) In accordance with USAID ADS 303.6, ATI is required to establish the applicant organization’s nationality to determine its eligibility to receive the requested grant. Complete Appendix D. Grantee Nationality Self Certification Form.(Appendix D Grantee Nationality Self Certification Form Template )

 

Submission Instructions:

 To apply for funding interested applicants must submit all applications (including all annexes) via RFA-19- USAID West Africa Grant Support to Private Sector.  on or before October 31, 2024.  The application should be submitted using the templates provided in the link above labeled Annexes B, C, D and E.

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.

Evaluation of applications and next steps:

The applications received will be screened to confirm their alignment with the RFA and compliant ones will be subjected to an evaluation process using the criteria enumerated in the section above titled “Evaluation criteria”. The evaluation committee may recommend one or more of the applications for consideration of next steps (or none).

The applicants recommended for the next steps will be contacted by the ATI team and guided on the next steps which may entail seeking further clarifications on the application, subject them to due diligence and if successful, proceed to negotiations and co-creation of the proposed award. This process may entail virtual or physical meetings between ATI, USAID and the applicant. It may also entail requesting additional documentation from the applicant all geared towards better understanding the applicant and proposed project.

Subject to successful completion of the pre-award process including getting approval of the grant from USAID, the successful applicant will be issued with a grant agreement enumerating the award, period of performance, reporting requirements plus other grant terms and conditions. A grant kick-off meeting will be held upon full execution of the grant agreement after which implementation will commence.

AWARD AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Award Determination
 
ATI reserves the right to reject any or all applications at any point during the co-design and pre-award
risk assessment phase. USAID may also approve or reject applications submitted to them for review and
approval.
 
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. Applications are
submitted at the risk and the cost of the applicant.
 
2. Award and Administration Information

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:

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

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.