4. ASHA FY18 Request for Application 72ASHA18RFA00001 - Amendment One - 11.27.17.pdf

Issue Date: November 21, 2017

Deadline for Questions: January 23, 2018

Amended: November 27, 2017

Ladies/Gentlemen:

SUBJECT: American Schools and Hospitals Abroad Program Worldwide

ASHA Request for Application No. 72ASHA18RFA00001 for Fiscal Year 2018

The Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA), part of the Bureau for

Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance of the U.S. Agency for International

Development (USAID), seeks applications to support qualifying projects as described in this

Request for Application (RFA).

The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to disseminate information to prospective applicants so they may develop and submit applications for USAID funding. This RFA: (a) describes the types of activities for which applications will be considered; (b) describes the funding available and the process and requirements for submitting applications; (c) explains the criteria for reviewing applications; and (d) refers prospective applicants to relevant documentation available on the Internet.

Subject to the availability of funds, USAID intends to provide approximately US$23,000,000 in total USAID funding to support the program(s) or activity(ies) described in this RFA. USAID expects to make multiple awards as a result of this RFA. USAID reserves the right to fund multiple applications, to fund parts of applications, or not to make any awards at all.

Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S.

Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application.

Thank you for your interest in this USAID initiative.

Sincerely, Anne M. Dix

Agreement Officer

Section I: Program Description

Section II: Federal Award Information Section III: Eligibility Information Section IV: Application and Submission Information Section V: Format and Content of Concept Paper Submission Section VI: Full Proposal Format and Instructions

Section VII: Concept Paper and Full Application Submission Dates and Times Section VIII: Funding Restrictions Section IX: Concept Paper Review Criteria Section X: Full Application Review Criteria Section XI: Agency Contact

Section XII: Additional Information Required Subsequent to Application Section XIII: Federal Award and Administration Information

ANNEX 1: Solicitation Standard Provisions ANNEX 2: Concept Paper Template ANNEX 3: Environmental Requirements and FY15-FY19 P-IEE ANNEX 4: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Section I: Program Description

A. Funding Priorities and Programmatic Focus

ASHA provides assistance to overseas schools, libraries, and hospitals to highlight American ideas and practices, to provide concrete illustrations of the generosity of the American people, to further U.S. public diplomacy, and to catalyze collaboration between U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries.

ASHA supports partnerships between organizations founded or sponsored by United States citizens (“U.S. Organizations,” or “USOs”) and civil society institutions overseas (“Overseas

Institutions,” or “OSIs”). These partnerships enable OSIs to benefit from the expertise and experience of USOs while ensuring projects are locally owned and sustained. These partnerships also help mitigate investment and construction risk and allow for all parties to leverage investments to maximize the potential benefits of a project.

ASHA’s approach to meeting these public diplomacy goals and objectives is discussed in-depth in the program’s FY14-FY18 Strategic Plan. Specific objectives are to:

Support activities that highlight or showcase core American values and enhance the favorability of the US in the eyes of local communities. These core values include but are not limited to inclusion, tolerance, diversity, democratic participation, gender equality, and meritocracy.

Support institutions that employ the latest American technologies, pedagogies, approaches and practices in ways that provide a public diplomacy benefit for the

US. These include but are not limited to green and resilient construction techniques, climate risk reduction, accessible design, sustainable energy, entrepreneurialism, participatory learning, student government, and other innovations.

Support projects that engage strongly with and provide leadership to the local community and effectively communicate and disseminate the American values and practices used in their operations, such that there is a demonstrable public diplomacy impact achieved beyond the walls of the hospital or school that is the direct beneficiary of ASHA support.

Support projects that strengthen and contribute to the sustainability of the institutions such that they have a demonstrable development impact on the communities they serve, which will continue beyond the life of ASHA funding.

Support projects that meet a particular need for public diplomacy (i.e., is there an anti-American or anti-western sentiment that requires a counter narrative, which the proposed project helps address?)

This is a worldwide program. ASHA may make awards for projects in any country other than the

United States provided that USAID activities in that country are not otherwise restricted by statute, regulation, or Agency policy.

B. Authorizing Legislation

The ASHA program provides assistance to overseas schools, libraries, and hospitals founded or http://www.usaid.gov/documents/1866/office-american-schools-and-hospitals-abroad-2014-2018-strategic-plan sponsored by U.S. citizens as authorized in Section 214 of the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) of

1961, as amended. In fulfilling its legislative mandate, ASHA builds positive relationships abroad and supports progress in the fields of health and education worldwide. ASHA builds bridges of cooperation between the people of foreign nations and the people of the United States by providing funds to schools, hospitals, and libraries overseas that demonstrate the ideas, innovations, and best practices of the United States in health and education. The ASHA program directly contributes to U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy objectives by fostering partnerships and promoting the best in health and education.

ASHA awards are subject to requirements of 2 CFR 700 and 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative

Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, as well as other requirements set forth in Section XII: Federal Award and Administration Information.

C. Program History

The ASHA program began in 1947. Since its inception, ASHA has achieved a visible legacy by providing assistance to approximately 300 institutions globally and aiding in the development of innovative and state-of-the-art schools, hospitals, and libraries in more than 80 countries.

ASHA’s record of contributing to and building bridges with vibrant networks of civil society institutions extends through 25 U.S. Congresses and 18 presidential administrations. ASHA currently manages a worldwide portfolio of approximately 110 awards and is an invaluable complement to USAID’s wide-ranging development work.

D. Successful Projects

For summary project descriptions of successful ASHA awards, see previous annual reports and press releases on the ASHA website.

Section II: Federal Award Information

A. Anticipated Funding

ASHA expects that approximately $23,000,000 in Fiscal Year 2018 funds will be available for award funding. The maximum for an individual award is $2,000,000, and there is no minimum award amount. Individual funding levels will depend on the substance and quality of applications, the number of applications received, and availability of ASHA funding. Proposals requesting more than $2,000,000 will not be considered.

For FY 2018, ASHA plans a single award cycle, resulting in multiple awards, subject to the availability of funds. ASHA generally makes between 30 and 40 awards each year.

ASHA reserves the right to fund multiple applications, to fund parts of applications, or to not make any awards at all. Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application.

B. Award Timing and Performance Period http://legcounsel.house.gov/Comps/Foreign%20Assistance%20Act%20Of%201961.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/business-funding/grant-programs/american-schools-and-hospitals-abroad

ASHA expects to fund selected applications and make awards late in 2018. Awards for projects that include only durable commodities have a period of performance of two years from the date of award. Awards for projects that include construction or renovation have a period of performance of four years from the date of award.

C. Types of Awards and Substantial Involvement

ASHA awards both grants and cooperative agreements. A cooperative agreement allows for substantial involvement from ASHA in project implementation. “Substantial involvement” is further defined in Automated Directives System (ADS) 303.3.11.

ASHA will generally issue grants for projects that include only commodity procurement activities and cooperative agreements for projects that include any construction or renovation activities . The nature of ASHA’s substantial involvement varies based on the nature of the project and is spelled out for each award. In general, ASHA’s substantial involvement includes:

1. Annual review and approval of the recipient’s Implementation Plan, including construction documents, a construction or renovation schedule, cost estimate, signed drawings and specifications, timeline, and project milestones including those requiring mandatory ASHA approval;

2. Approval of Key Personnel for project implementation, such as the Project Manager and

Engineer of Record and/or Architect of Record if deemed necessary by ASHA;

3. Agency authority to immediately halt a construction activity if specifications identified in the cooperative agreement are not met; and

4. Agency and recipient collaboration or joint participation in certifying the legitimacy of design documents. ASHA construction awards require, among other things, ASHA review of sub-contracts prior to issuance; use of Architect and Engineering (A/E) firms that are qualified, duly registered in A/E services and in construction, respectively, and permitted by law to provide engineering and/or construction services in the country and location; sign-off on final construction documents by sub-contractors for both design and construction services; and conformance of project design and construction to relevant international, regional and/or local standards. All designs must meet local building code requirements and standards, however, if local requirements are not as stringent as international requirements, design firms must modify design to meet higher international standards.

Please note that certain items which may be thought of as commodities in and of themselves, may require installation which involves being structurally connected to an existing building or may require evaluation of the existing construction and its ability to support new total loads (such as dead loads, snow loads, winds, seismic stressors). In such cases, the project would be considered a construction project, not a commodities project. If such a project is submitted as a ‘commodities only’ project, it will not be considered for evaluation.

Examples of internationally recognized engineering standards and guidelines in design include, but are not limited to, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) standards, Global Task Force on Building Codes

(GTFBC), Uniform Building Code, International Seismic Code, American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM), American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and American Concrete Institute (ACI).

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303.pdf

Section III: Eligibility Information

Applications that do not meet the following eligibility criteria will not be reviewed. Eligibility determinations will be made solely on the basis of the information provided by applicants in response to the requirements below.

A. Eligible Applications

ASHA welcomes applications from all potential partners whose applications meet the following eligibility criteria. ASHA will not accept applications from individuals.

1. Applications must clearly identify only one USO (the applicant) and only one OSI partner

(the applicant’s sub-awardee). Applications cannot include more than one USO, or more than one OSI. Applications identifying multiple USOs, or multiple OSIs will be deemed ineligible. In addition, please note the following:

a. Each OSI may only submit one proposal under this RFA. In other words, multiple

USOs cannot submit separate applications for one OSI.

b. One USO application may request funds that benefit multiple organizational units within a single OSI.

c. One USO may submit separate applications for multiple OSIs.

d. In cases (including certain cases where the OSI conducts activities and is legally registered in the proposed place of performance), the USO and OSI may be the same legal entity. In such cases, the application must clearly state that the USO and OSI are the same legal entity and explain the relationship between the USO and OSI.

2. Per Section 214 of the FAA , OSIs must be founded or sponsored by U.S. citizens.

3. USOs must have a continuing and successful supportive formal relationship with OSIs that has lasted at least two years prior to the date of application. A continuing relationship may include financial and technical support, joint ventures, exchange programs, volunteer placement programs, faculty exchanges, fundraising or other arrangements and may include in-kind contributions.

4. USOs must be active and have no active exclusions or delinquent federal debt in the U.S.

Government’s System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting an application.

USOs must continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times while an application is under consideration.

Applicants must also provide a valid DUNS number in the application.

5. USOs and OSIs must submit independently audited financial statements for a recent operating year from 2016 or later. (See Pages 20-21for a complete discussion of the requirements concerning audits.)

Except those with an exception under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or with an exception approved by USAID under 2

CFR 25.110(d), Note: Your SAM and DUNS registrations must be accurate and up to date. Applications may be rejected as a result of missing, inaccurate or outdated DUNS numbers and SAM registrations.

6. The USO and OSI must not discriminate against any beneficiaries in the implementation of the award, including, but not limited to, by withholding, adversely impacting, or denying equitable access to the benefits provided through this award on the basis of any factor not expressly stated in the award. This includes, for example, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, and veteran’s status.

However, targeting assistance to certain populations as defined in the Project Description will not be construed as discrimination for purposes of this RFA. Faith-based organizations are eligible on the same basis as any other organization for ASHA funding, consistent with 22 CFR 205.1 and ADS 303.3.28.

7. OSIs must be located outside the United States.

8. OSIs must NOT be under the control or management of a foreign government or any of its agencies including local, regional, or national government. Control or management in this context indicates that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are government employees or appointees or that the recipient government owns a majority interest in the organization. The receipt of financial or other assistance from a government or government agency or the observance of national educational or medical standards does not indicate the institution is under the control or management of a foreign government.

9. OSIs that are:

a. Schools must provide English language instruction or use English as the language of instruction in at least one course. Schools must also provide post-secondary education or secondary education that serve students at the equivalent of a U.S.

sixth grade level or higher.

b. Libraries must demonstrate promotion of English language and literature.

c. Centers of Excellence must advance learning and understanding on issues of importance to the U.S. and demonstrate American best practices and values.

10. If the project involves construction or renovation activities, the USO or OSI must submit an official copy of a title, lease or similar official documentation recognized within the country where implementation will take place demonstrating a legal right to the land (to build, renovate, retrofit according to current building codes) ideally for a period of at least

20 years from the date of the application, as well as an English translation if the official copy is not in English. While applications involving a legal right to the land of 20 years

(or more) will be given a greater preference, USAID is willing to consider applications that include a title, lease or similar official documentation covering a shorter period of time, but such applications will be given a lower preference.

B. Limitations

Applications to support efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in countries where USAID has a Mission or other office will not be considered eligible given the availability of other international, national, and U.S. Government resources available to combat these diseases.

Per Agency policy, all ASHA awards are contingent on the concurrence of the USAID Mission for the country where the award will be implemented . Proposals that do not receive Mission concurrence will not be eligible for funding. Missions may withhold concurrence based on security risk (e.g., for projects in high-threat or non-permissive environments) or other factors.

See ADS 201.3.3.6.

For capital assistance projects (e.g.: construction) estimated to cost in excess of $1 million, USAID reburies.

Section IV: Application and Submission Information

The application process for this RFA will be different from that of years past. Each applicant must submit a Concept Paper using the Concept Paper Template found in Annex 2. Concept

Papers will be reviewed by a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) according to the criteria outlined in Section IX.

Concept Papers must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Time on February 23, 2018.

Applicants who submit Concept Papers receiving the highest ranking will be asked to provide

Full Proposals. Full Proposals will be due within two months of the date requested by the

Agreement Officer.

Section V: Format and Content of Concept Paper Submission

All information on how to apply for this funding opportunity is contained in this section. No separate application package should be requested. Any information beyond what is necessary for a complete and effective response to this RFA, including hyperlinks, will not be reviewed or evaluated.

A. Submission of Concept Paper

Applications must be submitted via email to ASHAapplications@usaid.gov. Email is the required method of submission for this RFA and applications submitted through www.grants.gov will not be accepted. The subject of the email should be “[Full Name of USO]

– [RFA Number]”.

Concept Papers must:

1. Be in English, single-spaced, in Times New Roman font size 10 or larger, with each page numbered consecutively, and with one inch page margins;

2. Be submitted either as Microsoft Word or searchable Portable Document Format (PDF) documents; and

3. Use the file name “[Full name of USO] Concept Paper”.

B. Concept Paper Outline (See Annex 2 – Concept Paper Template)

ASHA will request concurrence from Missions for apparently successful concept papers. Applicants should not request concurrence from USAID Missions. Feel free to contact us at ASHAInfo@usid.gov if you have questions concerning specific countries.

mailto:ASHAapplications@usaid.gov mailto:ASHAInfo@usid.gov

1. Cover Page (1page)

2. Eligibility statement (1 page)

3. Project Description (7 pages)

C. Concept Paper Content

1. Cover Page (1 page)

On one page, clearly indicate the following:

1. The date of submission or revised submission;

2. The solicitation number of this RFA;

3. The name of the applicant USO and its city and state;

4. The USO’s DUN and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number;

5. The USO’s Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN);

6. The name of the benefiting OSI, its city, state or province, and country;

7. The amount of federal funding requested;

8. The total project cost; and

9. A Summary Project Description of no more than 100 words which includes a statement of whether the project is for construction/renovation, durable commodities, or both, and whether the OSI is a school, hospital, or library. Applicants may also wish to include a photograph or sketch related to the project.

2. Eligibility (1 page)

Applicants must confirm compliance with all eligibility criteria identified in Section III:

Eligibility Information. Applicants must use Annex 2: Concept Paper Template - Eligibility

Checklist to complete this section.

1. Does the Application identify one USO and one OSI only?

2. Is the OSI founded or sponsored by United States citizens?

3. Does the USO have a continuing and supportive relationship with the OSI that has lasted at least two years prior to the date of application? (Note: A continuing relationship may include financial and technical support, joint ventures, exchange programs, volunteer placement programs, faculty exchanges, fundraising or other arrangements, including in-kind contributions.)

4. Is the USO active in SAM? Are there no active exclusions? Is it free from any delinquent Federal debt?

5. Do the USO and OSI have independently audited financial statements for a recent operating year from 2016 or later? If the USO and OSI are clearly identified in the proposal as the same entity, there is no need to submit independently audited financial statements for the OSI. If the USO and OSI are the same entity the applicant should make note of that fact in response to number 1 on the eligibility page of their application.

6. Will the USO and OSI comply with USAID’s policy requiring recipients not to discriminate against beneficiaries in the implementation of the award, including on the basis of factors such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, and veteran’s status? Note that targeting assistance to the needs of certain populations as defined in the Project Description will not be construed as discrimination for this RFA.

7. Is the OSI located outside the United States?

8. Is the OSI under the control or management of a foreign government or any of its agencies as defined in Section III: Eligibility Information?

9. If the OSI is a:

a. School, does it provide English language instruction or use English as the language of instruction in at least one course? Does it provide post-secondary education or secondary education that serve students at the equivalent of a U.S.

sixth grade level or higher? If a library, does it demonstrate promotion of English language and literature?

b. Center of Excellence, does it build new knowledge, foster collaboration and advance learning and understanding on issues of importance to the U.S. and demonstrate American best practices and values?

10. If the project involves construction or renovation activities, the USO or OSI must submit an official copy of a title, lease or similar official documentation recognized within the country where implementation will take place demonstrating a legal right to the land, ideally for a period of at least 20 years from the date of the application, as well as an English translation if the official copy is not in English. While applications involving a legal right to the land of 20 years (or more) will be given a greater preference, USAID is willing to consider applications that include a title, lease or similar official documentation covering a shorter period of time, but such applications will be given a lower preference.

3. Project Description (7 pages)

Provide a narrative description of the OSI, the USO, and the proposed project. This section should include brief discussions of the USO and OSI’s goals and objectives, the USO and the

OSI partnership, the specific durable commodities to be procured or facilities to be renovated or constructed, and an explanation of how the project, and by extension the OSI, will help

USAID/ASHA achieve its legislative and public diplomacy mandate. Explain how the project will be accomplished within the award period, how the project will improve the OSI, and how the project will enable the OSI to achieve the goals and objectives of the project and

USAID/ASHA. If relevant, include any innovative methods, new technologies, contributions to the advancement of women’s and girls’ education or leadership, and activities that promote stable and inclusive civil society.

The project should be directly linked to the objectives listed on the page 3 of the RFA.

Specifically, applicants are encouraged to discuss how the proposed project will address each of the considerations below. Concept Papers for projects that most effectively address the below considerations and fit the needs of the ASHA program will be given selection priority for advancing in the application process.

What is the public diplomacy need that the proposed project addresses? Are there anti-

American or anti-western narratives that the project helps address and, if so, how?

What are the public diplomacy activities that the beneficiary institution will undertake and how does the project contribute to or support these efforts? What public diplomacy outcomes will be achieved as a result of the project? How will you measure and demonstrate this?

Explain how ASHA funds will make a significant contribution to the OSI’s growth or sustainability.

Is there a clear development need that your project addresses? If so, what is the need and how does the project address it? How will this be measured?

What are the gender equity challenges that your project addresses? What activities will you undertake to address these challenges? How will you measure success in achieving greater gender equity? Discuss if and how the proposed project-level interventions will have larger societal impacts on gender equality. A gender analysis should be conducted in order to examine such differences as: Disparities in the status of women and men, their access to assets, resources, opportunities, and assets; influence of gender roles and norms on the division of time between paid employment and unpaid work; the influence of gender roles and norms on leadership and decision-making in families and larger communities; potential differential impacts of development policies and programs including unintended or negative consequences.

Does the OSI engage extensively with the community in which it operates? Who is the audience and what is the “reach” of the project in terms of public diplomacy gains and / or the dissemination of US values or approaches? How will the project visibly promote

American values, approaches and principles beyond the walls of your institution? How will your project shape public opinion and influence leaders to create a more positive view of

American values and approaches?

D. Concept Paper Review and Submission of Full Proposals

Concept Papers are due no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 23, 2018. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Concept Papers that are complete and eligible will be evaluated by a Selection Committee according to the criteria in Section IX: Concept Paper Review Criteria. Applicants who submit

Concept Papers that are deemed to be of the highest quality will be asked to submit Full

Proposals. If an applicant is requested to submit a Full Proposal based upon the successful review of a Concept Paper, the applicant will have 60 days from the date of the request to submit

Applicants should review ADS Chapter 205 for additional details.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1870/205.pdf the Full Proposal.

Applicants may be asked to revise their Concept Papers, address questions or concerns of the

Agreement Officer and provide additional information on their proposal.

However, the recommendation by the Selection Committee that a Concept Paper move to a

Full Proposal does not guarantee an award.

The Agreement Officer makes the final decision on the award and must be fully satisfied, based on a pre-award risk assessment, that the applicant possesses or has the ability to obtain the necessary management competence to plan and carry out the assistance program to be funded, and that the applicant will practice mutually agreed upon methods of accountability for funds and other assets provided by USAID.

More information on USAID’s rules and procedures for assistance competitions is available in

ADS 303.

Section VI: Full Proposal Format and Instructions

Applicants should only submit a Full Proposal at the request of the ASHA Agreement Officer.

Please note that all items below that were previously submitted as part of a Concept Paper submission should remain unchanged, unless the ASHA Agreement Officer requests revisions.

A. Full Proposal Outline

2. Table of Contents (1 page)

3. Eligibility – (1 page)

4. Project Description (up to 7 pages reinserted description from the Concept Paper

5. Additional Information (up to 5 pages)

5.1 Construction/Renovation Information (if applicable), including Implementation

Plan

5.2 Durable Commodities Information (if applicable), including Procurement Plan

5.3 Monitoring and Evaluation Capability

6. Organizational Capacity and History of Performance (3 pages)

7. Budget and Budget Narrative (up to 3 pages)

8. Attachments

B. Full Proposal Content

Please include the Cover Page from the Concept Paper with any revisions requested by the

Agreement Officer.

2. Table of Contents (1 page)

List all major sections of the application, including page numbers, and attachments. Provide the relevant file names for all attachments.

3. Eligibility (1 page) http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACR736.pdf

Please include the eligibility section from the Concept Paper with any revisions requested by the

Agreement Officer. Applicants should confirm compliance with all eligibility criteria identified in Section III: Eligibility Information.

4. Project Description (7 pages)

Please include the Project Description from the Concept Paper.

5. Additional Information (up to 5 pages)

5.1Project Construction/Renovation Information (if applicable)

If the proposed project includes construction or renovation, include the following:

Description

Provide a concise description of the facility to be constructed or renovated, including basic details such as the location, floors and rooms affected, ancillary structures affected such as water, sanitation, or energy systems, and the projected end result of the construction. Provide Global Positioning Systems (GPS) coordinates.

Conceptual/Architectural Design

Provide a conceptual/architectural design of the proposed project as an attachment. These drawings should be 30% conceptual design drawings, which generally include architectural, mechanical, electrical, and structural drawings as appropriate. This is in addition to a basic picture of what the proposed project will look like, understandable by both engineers and non-engineers. (See Part 8 of this Section: Attachments on pages 17-

20 for details and instructions on how to name and submit attachments.)

Issues and Compliance

Identify any existing engineering, construction, and environmental issues at the site for the proposed construction/renovation due to natural or man-made events irrespective of the nature of ASHA award, i.e., for renovation, construction or commodity(ies). The applicant must state if the OSI is in compliance with applicable local, provincial, and national laws and regulations concerning land use, building operations and maintenance, construction, and environmental management. If the OSI is not in compliance (for example, if this project is intended to support efforts towards larger overall facility compliance), the application must discuss the steps taken to address these gaps and what steps will be necessary in the future.

Implementation Plan Provide a timeline for project completion which includes milestones such as ASHA approvals, the local permits required, the duration of the design phase, the duration of the construction phase, and the project completion date. The implementation plan should extend at least until the facilities supported by ASHA begin to serve intended beneficiaries. This information should be provided as Attachment MA3.

Innovation and Best Practices

Construction projects should ideally support the resilience of institutions to disasters and climatic change by employing American technologies in social and hard infrastructure such as resilient construction techniques, system redundancies, upholding strict adherence to building codes and engineering excellence, strong siting choices, and other innovations that insure that continuity of services of our partners.

They should support innovation in green building design such as energy efficiency for multi-decadal cost savings, procurement of safer and less-toxic materials, waste to energy conversion, innovative medical waste disposal technologies, integrated pest management, and access to water for vulnerable patients.

USAID requires appropriate quality control/quality assurance protocols for all construction projects. Please be sure to explain how Architect and Engineering (A&E) Services and

Construction Management Services will be procured. Please be advised that USAID requires the

A&E firm to sign all technical studies and drawings, the Construction Management firm to certify that the final construction has been done according to ASHA-approved plans and specifications, and the Operations and Maintenance Manual has been approved by ASHA when appropriate.

Recipients of awards must comply with the source and nationality requirements described in

Section 5.2. Please note that, per ADS 310.3.5, USAID funds must not be used for procurement of construction or engineering services from advanced developing countries (see ADS 310.3.1.3), "which have attained a competitive capability in international markets for construction services or engineering services," unless a waiver is approved under Subpart D of 22 CFR Section 228 and ADS 310.3.4.

5.2 Durable Commodities Information (if applicable)

If the proposed project includes durable commodities, include the following information in an attachment as an Excel spreadsheet:

Description of Commodity Units Unit Cost Total Cost USAID Request Funding from other Sources

Total

Recipients of awards must comply with ADS 310, Source and Nationality Requirements for

Procurement of Commodities and Services Financed by USAID, and ADS 312, Eligibility of

Commodities. Only eligible durable commodities may be funded by ASHA. For awards resulting from this RFA of greater than or equal to $250,000, the authorized geographic code is Code 937. This code authorizes goods with source and nationality in the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source. (A list of prohibited sources is available in

ADS 310.) For awards resulting from this RFA of less than $250,000, the authorized geographic code is Code 935. This code authorizes goods with source and nationality in any area or country including the recipient country, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source.

5.3 Project Monitoring and Evaluation

U.S. foreign assistance is categorized using a specific system known as the Standardized http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/310 http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/312

Program Structure and Definitions (SPSD ) Likewise, the majority of the Standard Foreign

Assistance Indicators (standard indicators) are organized in accordance with the SPSD categories. On a quarterly basis, ASHA tracks progress among its awardees using both the

Standard Indicators and ASHA Custom Indicators.

There are a variety of different SPSD categories of standard indicators. The SPSD categories most applicable to the ASHA portfolio are the standard indicators for Health, Secondary

Education, Higher Education, and Science, Technology and Innovation/Research (STIR).

These indicators allow USAID to aggregate and report on agency-wide results and enable

ASHA to summarize overall results and communicate program-wide impact to external stakeholders.

Explain how you plan to monitor and evaluate OSI performance based on the selected standard indicators. Reporting on all of the standard indicators is not required and is not typical. However, applicants are required to identify, at a minimum, one standard indicator that is applicable to the OSI based on its function and/or activities, in order to best “tell the story.” Additionally, applicants are required to identify at least one standard indicator from the Gender (GNDR) category; and at least one standard indicator in the Science, Technology and Innovation/Research (STIR) if the activity is related to STIR.

In addition to the standard indicators, as part of the award agreement, successful applicants will be required to report results on ASHA Custom Indicators for Public Diplomacy. The custom indicators will be provided by ASHA at the time of award.

Applicants must explain how they intend to obtain, track and provide the data necessary to report on standard indicators. If the applicant foresees any difficulty being able to report on the standard indicators, this explanation must be included in this section.

Standard Indicator SPSD Categories (See link above.)

● Health. OSIs managing a health facility must report on at least one of the standard indicators from the Health (HL) Category.

● Basic Education. OSIs managing an education facility providing secondary education

(grades 7-12) must report on at least one of the standard indicators in this category.

● Higher Education. OSIs managing tertiary education (college-level education) facilities must report on at least one of the standard indicators in this category.

● Gender (GNDR). All applicants need to choose at least one indicator under this SPSD category.

● Science, Technology and Innovation/Research (STIR). OSIs managing research facilities, such as a research institute, laboratory or other facility dedicated to scientific, technological, or medical research or other applicable types of research that would directly benefit from an ASHA award must report on at least one of the STIR standard indicators.

6. Organizational Capacity, Sustainability and History of Performance (3 pages) https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/260455.xlsx

Discuss whether or not the USO is a nonprofit organization or accredited university or college.

Summarize the ability of the OSI to remain financially and operationally sustainable independent of funding from ASHA. This may include a discussion of the organization’s history, if the discussion illustrates the organization’s ability to continue providing high quality services over the long term. Include a discussion of the organization's ability to leverage financial, material, and human resources to sustain ongoing operational activities and capital investments beyond a potential ASHA award. “Leveraging” in this context should demonstrate the comprehensive financial, operational, and management capability of the OSI beyond the amount of funding that applicants plan to commit to the specific project from other sources. It includes the applicant’s ability to secure and sustain all the resources necessary for continued operation at a level of excellence, including but not limited to private sources of funding, program income, investments, volunteer arrangements, and in-kind partnerships.

Provide an analysis of how the USO and OSI will fund maintenance of the structures and/or commodities purchased through ASHA. Please detail how the grantee is securing funding in long term to provide operations and maintenance of facilities and/or commodities for the foreseeable life of the infrastructure and / or commodity(ies). If the applicant has received funding from ASHA or the USG in the past, please provide an accounting of how existing equipment and facilities are being maintained and current systems that are in place to ensure funding has been set aside and actions are being taken to provide adequate operations and maintenance.

7. Budget Narrative (3 pages)

Applicants must submit a detailed budget narrative that is strategically tied to the Project

Description and ASHA goals and objectives as well as a summary of the projected range of beneficiaries that will be positively impacted by the project. The budget narrative must identify all project costs, including amounts and quantities, and clearly outline those to be funded by

ASHA and those to be funded by the applicant. It must also provide a description of each budget line item requested and justification for these items. Cost share is not required.

The budget narrative is in addition to completed copies of the relevant forms from the SF-424 series. The budget narrative may refer to the SF-424 forms but should provide additional detail not included in the standard forms. ASHA collects the SF-424 primarily to document basic identifying information about the applicant and project.

8. Attachments

In addition to the Project Description, applicants must submit the following documents as separate email attachments to ASHAapplications@usaid.gov. Attachments should not be embedded into the SF-424. All attachments must follow the naming conventions specified.

Attachments that are embedded into the SF-424 or incorrectly named will not be reviewed.

Mandatory Attachments: These attachments are required for all applicants.

● M1 - SF-424 Series

Applications must include Forms SF-424, SF-424A and SF-424B for non-construction projects, or SF-424, SF-424C and SF-424D for construction projects that do not include the purchase of durable commodities. Applications that include both construction and the mailto:ASHAapplications@usaid.gov purchase of durable commodities must complete and submit SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-424C, and SF-424D. These forms are available on the solicitation page for this opportunity on www.grants.gov on the “Forms” tab and select SF-424 Family (link).

Submit these forms as a single PDF file, named “M1 - SF-424 Series”. Please do not embed other attachments into the SF-424, but submit them as separate attachments in an email. Please note that financial data you provide on forms SF-424A and SF-424C should only reflect funds requested for the proposed project and not provide a financial summary of your entire organization. These forms must be completed and attached for your application to be considered eligible. Applications missing the requisite SF-424 series forms, or submitting incomplete forms will be deemed ineligible. For further clarity on which forms you should submit, please see the table below:

Required SF-424 Series Documents for Projects involving Commodities Only

Required SF-424 Series Documents for Projects involving Construction Only

Required SF-424 Series Documents for Projects involving Both Construction and Commodities

● SF-424

● SF-424A

● SF-424B

● SF-424

● SF-424C

● SF-424D

● SF-424

● SF-424A

● SF-424B

● SF-424C

● SF-424D

● M2 - USO Audited Financial Statements

Applicants must include an attachment containing the most recent independently audited financial statements of the USO. The audited financial statements must be from 2016 or later and in English. ASHA will only accept independently audited financial statements of the USO. ASHA will not accept a financial review, compilation, tax return, independent accountant’s review or other materials in lieu of independently audited financial statements. The audited financial statements provided must be complete and cannot be missing the auditor’s opinion, auditor’s signature, commentary, or other components included in the original document provided by the independent auditing institution.

ASHA will not accept drafts of audited financial statements. The audited financial statements may not be provided with supplemental attachments intended to provide information that should be included in the original audited financial statements such as excel sheets documenting the financial figures being reviewed in the audited financial statements (i.e. providing independent audited financial statements without the monetary figures, and instead providing them as a separate attachment). All financial figures, commentary and facts contained within the audited financial statements should be presented in their original form, unedited without additional attachments to supplement information that should be present, but is otherwise missing. Audited financial statements with missing information, figures, or supplemental attachments (other than translations) will render the application ineligible. This information must be submitted as a separate attachment named “M2 - USO Audited Financial Statements”.

● M3 - OSI Audited Financial Statements http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1

Applicants must include an attachment containing the most recent independently audited financial statements of the OSI. The audited financial statements must be from 2016 or later. If originally completed in a language other than English, applicants must provide the English translation of the audited financial statements. If originally completed using a currency other than the U.S. dollar, applicants must provide a version that converts local currency to U.S. dollars. ASHA will only accept independently audited financial statements of the OSI in English or with English translation provided, and in US Dollars, or with USD conversion provided. ASHA will not accept unaudited financial statements, OSI financial statements in a language other than English, or financial statements in a currency other than the U.S. Dollar. ASHA will not accept a financial review, compilation, tax return, independent accountant’s review or other materials in lieu of independently audited financial statements. The audited financial statements provided must be complete and cannot be missing the auditor’s opinion, auditor’s signature, commentary, or other components. ASHA will not accept drafts of audited financial statements. The audited financial statements may not be provided with supplemental attachments such as excel sheets documenting the financial figures being reviewed in the audited financial statements (other than USD conversion). All financial figures, commentary and facts contained within the audited financial statements should be presented in their original form, unedited without additional attachments to supplement information that should be present, but is otherwise missing. Audited financial statements with missing information, figures, or supplemental attachments (other than translations or conversions to USD) will render the application ineligible. This information must be submitted as a separate attachment named “M3 - OSI Audited Financial Statements”. If the USO and OSI are the same entity there is no need to submit independently audited financial statements for the OSI. If the USO and OSI are the same entity the applicant should make note of that fact in response to number 1 on the eligibility page of their application.

● M4 - USO Project Manager

Applicants must submit resume(s) or CV(s) of the Project Manager(s) who will be responsible for managing this project at the USO. Information detailing licensure, certification and professional society memberships must be included. This information must be submitted as a separate attachment named “M4 - USO Project Manager”.

● M5 - OSI Project Manager

Applicants must submit resume(s) or CV(s) of the Project Manager(s) who will be responsible for managing this project at the OSI. Information detailing licensure, certification and professional society memberships must be included. This information must be submitted as a separate attachment named “M5 - OSI Project Manager”. If the

USO and OSI are the same legal entity there is no need to submit a project manager for the OSI. If the USO and OSI are the same legal entity the applicant should make note of that fact in response to number 1 of the eligibility page of their application.

● M6 - USO Board of Directors

Applicants must submit a table showing the members of the USO’s Board of Directors, with columns for names, titles, and employers. This information must be submitted as a separate attachment named “M6 - USO Boards of Directors”.

● M7 - OSI Board of Directors

Applicants must submit a table showing the members of the OSI’s Boards of Directors, with columns for names, titles, employers, and an indication for every board member stating whether they are appointed by the host country government. ASHA will not accept applications that fail to include in the M7 attachment statements indicating whether or not each member of the OSI board of directors is appointed by the host country government. This information must be submitted as a separate attachment named

“M7 - OSI Board of Directors”. If the USO and OSI are the same legal entity there is no need to submit a board of directors for the OSI as they would be the same. If the USO and

OSI are the same legal entity the applicant should make note of that fact in response to number 1 of the eligibility page of their application.

● M8 -…