2018 IFRP RFA - FINAL RFA FOR APPLICATIONS 1.pdf

RFA Number: 72DFFP18RFA00002 FFP International Food Relief Partnership FY 2018 RFA

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Issuance Date: April 6, 2018

Closing Date: May 9, 2018

Closing Time: 12:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time)

CFDA Number: 98.008

RFA Number: 72DFFP18RFA00002

Subject: Request for Applications (RFA) for the transportation, delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable food commodities.

Title: Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Title II: International Food Relief

Partnership (IFRP), Shelf-Stable Food Commodity

Transportation, Delivery, and Distribution.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications (proposals for funding) from U.S. private voluntary organizations and international organizations to support the transportation, delivery and distribution of shelf-stable, prepackaged commodities to be distributed under the International Food

Relief Partnership (IFRP) program. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity

Description for a complete description.

For the purposes of this program, this RFA is being issued and consists of this cover letter and the following:

● Section I – Funding Opportunity Description

● Section II – Award Information

● Section III – Eligibility Information

● Section IV – Submission and Application Information

● Section V – Application Review Information

● Section VI – Award and Administration Information

● Section VII – Agency Contacts

● Section VIII – Other Information

To be eligible for award, the applicant must provide all required information in its application, including the requirements found in any attachments to this www.grants.gov opportunity. Any future amendments to this RFA can be downloaded from www.grants.gov. It is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it has received documents related to this RFA in its entirety from www.grants.gov.

Applicants may submit up to three separate grant applications, with no more than two applications for any one product. Additionally, each grant application must propose only one product for one country.

http://www.grants.gov/

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USAID may make an award resulting from this RFA to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) conforming to this RFA offers the greatest value. The

Government may (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application, and (d) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

USAID may make an award on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions. Therefore, each initial application must contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint.

Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of USAID, nor does it commit USAID to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Final awards cannot be made until funds have been fully appropriated, apportioned, allocated, and committed. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for award. Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant, and all preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's expense.

In the event of any inconsistency between this RFA and the referenced documents in the RFA, or any inconsistency in the sections comprising this RFA, note that the RFA shall take precedence over any referenced documents, except statute, regulations and country specific information, and the inconsistencies shall be resolved by the following order of precedence:

Section V – Application Review Information

(1) Section IV – Submission and Application Information

(2) Section I – Funding Opportunity Description

(3) Cover Letter

All questions regarding this Draft RFA should be submitted to FFP, attention Benjamin

C. Vogler, IFRP Program Manager, at IFRP@usaid.gov.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, /S/

Matt Nims

Agreement Officer

Acting Director, Office of Food for Peace

SECTION I – FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1. General Description mailto:IFRP@usaid.gov

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USAID is seeking grant applications from eligible organizations for the transportation, delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable food commodities produced by U.S. non-profit organizations under the IFRP program. Any and all IFRP activities would entail the transfer of commodities to implementing organizations and then the transfer of these commodities by the implementing organizations to the designated recipients for any allowable purpose specified by the Food for

Peace Act, as referenced in Section I – General Description, 2) Authorizing Legislation.

There will be only one IFRP transport, delivery, and distribution grant review cycle during FY

2018, and the three products available for distribution are: Harvest Lentil Pro, Nutributter (SQ-

LNS), and, an LNS Medium Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement (LNS-MQ). Please see the detailed chart below regarding product specifications and details.

Product: Harvest Lentil Pro # 404 Enov’ Nutributter LNS-MQ

Producer:

Breedlove Foods, Inc.

Edesia

Edesia

Website:

breedlove.org https://www.edesianutrition.

org/ https://www.edesianutrition.

org/

Location: 1818 North Martin Luther

King Jr. Blvd

Lubbock, TX 79403

550 Romano Vineyard

Way

North Kingstown, RI 02852

550 Romano Vineyard Way

North Kingstown, RI 02852

Product

Intended

Purpose

To supplement daily diet of vulnerable groups

As a supplement to complementary foods for children 6-24 months of age to prevent stunting

As a supplement to complementary foods for children 6-36 months of age to prevent wasting

Product Use

& Primary

Beneficiary

Population:

General population supplement (e.g., maternal/child health, school feeding, hospital patients, orphans, clinics, emergency feeding, food for work, etc.) from primary & secondary school children to adults, & elderly.

Preventative (LNS) supplement (This product is not for treatment and is not therapeutic/curative) for: 1) children 6-24 months of age at risk of chronic malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, poor diet, and: 2) also pregnant/lactating women in areas of stunting and/or vulnerable populations

Preventative (LNS) supplement (This product is not for treatment and is not therapeutic/curative) for children 6-36 months of age at risk of acute malnutrition during critical periods of food and nutrition insecurity

Maximum

Request Per

Application:

150.08 MTs – Up to

eight 40’ containers, which is equivalent to approximately 150.08

MTs, or precisely 10,720 boxes

60 MTs – Up to three 40’ containers and one 20’ container, which is equivalent to 60 MTs

17.28 MT/ 40’ Container

10.8 MT/ 20’ Container

108 MTs – Up to six 40’ containers each, which is equivalent to 108 MTs

12 MT / 20’ Container

18 MT / 40’ Container http://breedlove.org/ https://www.edesianutrition.org/ https://www.edesianutrition.org/ https://www.edesianutrition.org/ https://www.edesianutrition.org/

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Servings in

Maximum

Level:

7,504,000 – 20g servings 3,000,000 – 20g servings

(enough to supplement approximately 16,600 children for a six month period)

2,000,000 – 50g servings

(enough to supplement approximately 11,100 children for a six month period)

Suggested

Servings Per

Day:

One 20g serving rehydrates to one cup, 1-

3 per day, determined by program goals

One 20g sachet/day/child One 50g sachet/day/child

Contact information:

Michelle Logan michellelogan@breedlove.or g

(806) 741.0404, ext. 304

Jennifer Esterle jesterle@edesianutrition.

org

(401) 272-5521 ext. 1119

Jennifer Esterle jesterle@edesianutrition.

org

(401) 272-5521 ext. 1119

Please note: contact information has been provided for each commodity should applicants require further information on product use and logistics requirements.

Although not required, USAID recommends applicants not requesting the maximum commodity tonnage level to consider requesting the following lower tonnage levels for:

● Harvest Lentil Pro

○ 131.32 MTs=seven 40’ containers

○ 112.56 MTs=six 40’ containers

○ 93.80 MTs=five 40’ containers

○ 75.04 MTs=four 40’ containers

● Nutributter

○ 51.84 MTs=three 40’ containers

○ 34.56 MTs=two 40’ containers

○ 17.28 MTs=one 40’ container

● Medium Quantity LNS

○ 72 MTs=four 40’ containers

○ 54 MTs=three 40’ containers

○ 36MTs=two 40’ containers

○ 18 MTs=one 40’ container

Each applicant may request up to $150,000 of funding per application (excluding commodity value). It is not mandatory, however, that applicants request that level of funding or the maximum level of the product. Additionally, funding is available for costs directly associated mailto:michellelogan@breedlove.org mailto:michellelogan@breedlove.org mailto:jesterle@edesianutrition.org mailto:jesterle@edesianutrition.org mailto:jesterle@edesianutrition.org mailto:jesterle@edesianutrition.org

Page5 with the movement, management, and monitoring of IFRP products. Funding will not be considered for vehicle purchase, project materials, or office equipment.

1.(a) Product Descriptions And Their Appropriate Uses

LNS-MQ (aka Plumpy Doz):

LNS-MQ (aka Plumpy’Doz) is a ready-to-use, lipid based (supplementary) food intended to be a supplement to the diet of children 6-36 months of age. The product was formulated to aid children affected by household level food insecurity or children otherwise vulnerable to acute malnutrition (but not those currently diagnosed as acutely malnourished) in obtaining energy and nutrient needs that are typically insufficient and/or sub-optimal in diets found in poor and food insecure households fail to meet.* **

LNS-MQ, per the above, is provided as one (1) packet/sachet per day, to provide 50g of essential nutrients and complements a regular diet. LNS-MQ has a shelf-life of 24 months, especially when stored up to 30’ C at 75% relative humidity.

IMPORTANT: The LNS-MQ product is not/not a therapeutic food product, and is therefore not/not intended for treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), nor is LNS-

MQ intended for treatment of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). MQ-LNS is also not/not a breast milk replacement.

It is highly recommended and encouraged by USAID that all grant applicants understand the

LNS-MQ product and its appropriate uses as a dietary/nutritional supplement (preventative) for children, per all of the above information and inherent limitations as a supplement. Applications that propose this product for ‘therapeutic’ use or for ‘treatment’ of acute and/or moderate acute malnutrition may not be favorably considered for overall grant funding.

For additional information about this product, its overall ingredients/specifications and appropriate use, please refer to the following link: ~> https://www.edesianutrition.org/ . You may also contact Ms. Jennifer Esterle of Edesia Nutrition at the following email address:

jesterle@edesianutrition.org.

*Edesia Nutrition - https://www.edesianutrition.org/the-foods/

** Nutrition Cluster - http://nutritioncluster.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/10/Harmonization-of-lipid-based-products-UNICEF-WFP-USAID.pdf

Enov’ Nutributter:

Enov’ Nutributter is a small quantity, ready-to-use, lipid based supplementary food (LNS-SQ) intended to complement the diet of children 6-24 months of age. The product was formulated to aid children at risk of stunted growth & to obtain their nutrient needs that typical sub-optimal and/or insufficient diets found in poor and periodically food insecure households fail to meet.

https://www.edesianutrition.org/ mailto:jesterle@edesianutrition.org https://www.edesianutrition.org/the-foods/ http://nutritioncluster.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/10/Harmonization-of-lipid-based-products-UNICEF-WFP-USAID.pdf http://nutritioncluster.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/10/Harmonization-of-lipid-based-products-UNICEF-WFP-USAID.pdf

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Moreover, the product is intended to address nutrient gaps for children by aiming to promote growth and development and to prevent stunting within the first 1000 days of life.

Enov’ Nutributter, per the above, is a dietary supplement of one (1) packet/sachet per day, to provide 20 grams of essential nutrients to infants & young children (6-24 months). Enov’

Nutributter has a shelf life of 24 months, especially when stored up to 30’ C at 75% relative humidity.

IMPORTANT: The Enov’ Nutributter product is not/not a therapeutic food product, and is therefore not/not intended for treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), nor is

Enov’ Nutributter intended for treatment of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Enov’

Nutributter is also not/not a breast milk replacement.

It is highly recommended and encouraged by USAID that all grant applicants understand the

Enov’ Nutributter (LNS-SQ) product; appropriate uses as a dietary/nutritional supplement

(preventive) for infants and very young children (6-24 months), and inherent limitations.

Applications that propose this product for therapeutic use, or for treatment of acute and/or acute malnutrition may not be favorably considered for overall grant funding.

appropriate use, please refer to the following link: ~> https://www.edesianutrition.org/ . You may also contact Ms. Jennifer Esterle of Edesia Nutrition at the following email address:

jesterle@edesianutrition.org .

*Edesia Nutrition - https://www.edesianutrition.org/the-foods/

**Nutriset - https://www.nutriset.fr/products/en/enov-nutributter

*** Nutrition Cluster - http://nutritioncluster.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/10/Harmonization-of-lipid-based-products-UNICEF-WFP-USAID.pdf

Harvest Lentil Pro (Product Code # 404 – Unflavored):

The Harvest Lentil Pro (Product Code # 404 – Unflavored) soup mix is a dry/dehydrated blend comprised of lentils, soy, rice, carrots, potatoes, and vegetables and fortified with vitamins, minerals, and vegetable protein, including dietary fiber, iron, vitamin B complex, vitamin C and potassium, but is not limited to these micro-nutrient fortifications. The product has a shelf-life of up to 24 months (or two (2) years). The suggested serving size is 20g of dry/dehydrated mix.

After reconstitution, the serving provides a full cup serving.

The product offers essentially a complementary/supplemental nutritional intake of mineral and vitamins needed for a balanced diet and is primarily intended for institutional feeding venues, i.e. as a supplement to main meals to patients/school children/orphans/adults/ and the elderly at hospitals, schools, clinics, orphanages, civic centers, IDP/Refugee camps and other similar locales, most especially those with sufficient potable water for preparation. The product can also https://www.edesianutrition.org/ mailto:jesterle@edesianutrition.org https://www.edesianutrition.org/the-foods/ https://www.nutriset.fr/products/en/enov-nutributter http://nutritioncluster.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/10/Harmonization-of-lipid-based-products-UNICEF-WFP-USAID.pdf http://nutritioncluster.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/10/Harmonization-of-lipid-based-products-UNICEF-WFP-USAID.pdf

Page7 be distributed as a take home ration (to multi-children/single mother households) provided that preparation training and ration intake are available. In most cases, preparation is very consistent with local cooking and food preparation practices, permitting the product to be a base for local ingredients and seasoning. Cooking requires bringing the mix to a boil and simmering for 20-30 minutes to rehydrate the blend for ready consumption. Again, once prepared the product can be distributed/provided as a supplement for added supplemental, micro-nutrient nourishment to a wide-range of ‘at-risk’ and/or food insecure beneficiary groups, essentially from primary & secondary aged school children, to young adults, to adults and the elderly. *

IMPORTANT: The Harvest Lentil Pro product is for ‘general population’ feeding per the above, and is intended and appropriately used as a supplement to primary meals and dietary needs to alleviate hunger and address micro-nutrient and/or vitamin deficiencies among targeted populations, PLWA populations (those suffering from nutrient deficiencies from the affects of HIV/AIDS), along with enhancing overall capacities of institutions and associated locales. Once prepared, the product can be distributed/provided as a supplement for added nourishment to a wide-range of ‘at-risk’ and/or food insecure beneficiary groups, essentially from primary & secondary aged school children, to young adults, to adults and the elderly.

appropriate use, please refer to the following link: ~> http://www.breedlove.org/ . You may also contact Ms. Michelle Logan of Breedlove Foods at the following email address:

michellelogan@breedlove.org .

* Breedlove Foods – http://www.breedlove.org/ http://www.breedlove.org/ mailto:michellelogan@breedlove.org

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Authorizing Legislation

The Food for Peace Act, authorizes the USAID Administrator to award grants to private voluntary organizations and international organizations for the rapid transportation, delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable prepackaged foods requested by eligible organizations to needy individuals in foreign countries. 7 U.S.C. § 1726b.

Authority to carry out the program has been delegated to the Director, Office of Food for Peace

(FFP), as Agreement Officer. More information on the program can be found here:

https://www.usaid.gov/food-assistance/what-we-do/nutritional-support-activities

2. Project Eligibility Requirements

To ensure the best opportunity, the proposed grant goals, objectives, and activities, along with the receipt/loading, rapid transportation, and delivery of the product in-country, must be achievable within 18 months of the initial date of the award.

3. Award Administration

USAID may make an award resulting from this RFA to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) conforming to this RFA offers the greatest value. The Government may (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application (see Section B, Selection Criteria), (d) accept alternate applications, and (e) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

USAID may make an award on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions.

Therefore, each initial application must contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. As part of its evaluation process, however, USAID may elect to discuss technical, cost or other pre-award issues with one or more applicants. Alternatively, USAID may proceed with award selection based on its evaluation of initial applications received and/or commence negotiations solely with one applicant. A written award signed by the Agreement

Officer and mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful applicant(s) within the time for acceptance specified either in the application(s) or in this RFA (whichever is later) shall result in a binding grant without further action by either party. Before the application's specified expiration time, if any, USAID may accept an application, whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. Negotiations or discussions conducted after receipt of an application do not constitute a rejection or counter-offer by USAID. Neither financial data submitted with an application nor representations concerning facilities or financing will form a part of the resulting grant unless explicitly stated otherwise in the agreement.

Awards will be made in accordance with the USAID Standard Provisions for awards to U.S.

non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or for awards to non-US international organizations, the USAID ADS 303 and ADS 308 respectively, and other applicable U.S. Government regulations, which are available on the USAID website (http://www.usaid.gov/pubs/ads). The award will be administered under 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 700, and the USAID Standard Provisions, https://www.usaid.gov/food-assistance/what-we-do/nutritional-support-activities http://www.usaid.gov/pubs/ads

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The Agreement Officer is the only individual who may legally commit the USAID to the expenditure of public funds. No costs chargeable to the proposed agreement may be incurred before receipt of either a fully executed Agreement or a specific written authorization from the

Agreement Officer.

SECTION II – AWARD INFORMATION

1. Estimate of Funds Available

Subject to the availability of funds, under this RFA, USAID/DCHA/FFP plans to enter into grant award(s) for a maximum of $150,000 each.

2. Anticipated Start Date and Performance Period

The anticipated award date is on (or around) September 30, 2018, with a performance period of

18 months for all awards.

3. Assistance Awards

Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.400 it is USAID policy not to award profit under assistance instruments.

However, all reasonable, allocable, and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the agreement program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (2 CFR

200).

SECTION III – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

To be considered for a Title II funded award, applicants must meet one of the following minimum eligibility requirements:

● A U.S. based private voluntary organization (PVO) as defined in 22 CFR 203.2 that is exempt from Federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;

● An organization designated by USAID as a Public International Organization (PIO) such as the UN World Food Program. This also includes U.S. and non-U.S. nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as defined in the Food for Peace Act as described on the USAID website under PVO Registration.

USAID encourages applications from potential new partners.

Additionally, all applications must include a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) Number

Page10 and System for Award Management (SAM) Registration. Applicants are encouraged to apply for a DUNS number and must be registered with the SAM in order to facilitate the eligibility for a federal grant award. The SAM website can be found here: www.sam.gov. Applicants should do this well in advance of the application submission and review period, as it may take several weeks to obtain the number online. Further information about the DUNS Number and SAM registration can be found in Section IV – Application and Submission Information, 3) Data

Universal Number System (DUNS) Number and System for Award Management (SAM).

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Although cost sharing is not mandatory, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide non-federal funds, an in-kind contribution, or a combination of such funds.

3. Minimal Qualification Requirements

USAID has no additional minimal qualification requirements.

SECTION IV – SUBMISSION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

1. Point of Contact

Benjamin C. Vogler

IFRP Program Manager

U.S. Agency for International Development

Office of Food for Peace (DCHA/FFP)

1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Washington, D.C. 20523

This draft RFA and any future amendments can be downloaded from http://www.grants.gov. It is the responsibility of the recipient of the application document to ensure that it has been received from grants.gov in its entirety. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

If you have difficulty registering or accessing the RFA, please contact the grants.gov helpdesk at support@grants.gov for technical assistance.

All application inquiries should be submitted to FFP, attention Benjamin C. Vogler, IFRP

Program Manager, at IFRP@usaid.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

FFP requires that applicants use FFPMIS to apply for an IFRP ‘Transport” activity under this

RFA. FFPMIS can be accessed at https://usaid-ffp.entellitrak.com/.

http://www.sam.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:IFRP@usaid.gov https://usaid-ffp.entellitrak.com/ https://usaid-ffp.entellitrak.com/

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● To request access or for technical questions, please contact the FFPMIS helpdesk:

FFPMIS_Support@devis.com.

● The FFPMIS helpdesk is staffed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday through

Friday, except holidays.

● Potential applicants are encouraged to start the submission process early, as new account creation and answers to technical questions may take more than one business day.

● User guides and additional FFPMIS resources can be found on the Technical and

Operational Performance Support (TOPS) site.

Any questions concerning submission of applications must be submitted in writing to

FACG@usaid.gov.

FFPMIS submission will require a combination of data entry and document uploads. Applicants must complete both direct entry and document upload portions of the application in order to be considered for funding, and all documents should be completed in accordance with the format detailed in this RFA and adhere to the following:

● Written in English and in 12-point Times New Roman font;

● Text in tables or charts may be 10-point Times New Roman font;

● Narratives should be prepared in Microsoft Word with print areas set to 8.5 x 11 inch, letter-sized paper and one-inch margins, left justification and a footer on each page including page numbers, date of submission, and applicant name;

● Spreadsheets should be prepared in Microsoft Excel, with print areas set to 8.5 x 11 inch, letter-sized paper;

● Official (signed) documents, memoranda, and certifications may be submitted as

Adobe PDF files; and

● Emailed, faxed and hard copy applications are not acceptable.

Applicants must submit budgets using Standard Form 424, 424A, and 424B, as appropriate, which can be downloaded from the USAID website; and a Detailed Budget, a Summary Budget and a Budget Narrative. Alternatively, the Standard Forms are found on http://www.grants.gov/.

Applicants should retain for their records one copy of the full application and all attachments which accompany their application. To facilitate the competitive review of the applications, applications should conform to the format prescribed below.

Applicants are expected to review, understand, and comply with all aspects of this RFA. Failure to do so will be at the applicant's risk.

Each applicant shall furnish the information required by this RFA.

Applicants that include data they do not want disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the USAID except for evaluation purposes should:

● Mark the title page with the following legend: "This application includes data that shall not be disclosed outside USAID and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed - in whole or in part - for any purpose other than to evaluate this application. If, however, a grant is http://www.fsnnetwork.org/document/development-application http://www.fsnnetwork.org/food-peace-management-information-system-ffpmis-resources http://www.fsnnetwork.org/food-peace-management-information-system-ffpmis-resources http://www.fsnnetwork.org/food-peace-management-information-system-ffpmis-resources

Page12 awarded to this applicant as a result of - or in connection with - the submission of this data, the USAID shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting grant. This restriction does not limit the USAID’s right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction.

The data subject to this restriction are contained in page(s) X."

● Mark each sheet of data it wishes to restrict with the following legend: "Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this application."

Applications are comprised of two components: technical applications and cost proposals. Both technical applications and cost proposals should be specific, complete, and presented concisely.

A lengthy application does not in and of itself constitute a well thought-out proposal. Technical applications shall demonstrate the applicant's capabilities and expertise with respect to achieving the goals of this program, and the requirements can be found in Section V – Application Review

Information, 1) Evaluation Criteria.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit separate applications for different countries. An organization may only submit three applications in response to this RFA, with no more than two applications for any one product.

The application should be specific, complete, and presented concisely. Applications that do not substantially meet the requirements of this RFA will not be considered for award. The application shall be divided into the following sections, with the maximum number of pages given per section as follows:

A. Application Narrative

1. Cover Page (1 page maximum)

2. Executive Summary (2 pages maximum)

B. Technical Narrative (10 pages maximum)

1. Organizational Capabilities

2. Situation Analysis

3. Program Objectives/Strategy

4. Implementation Plan

C. Budget

1. Detailed Budget (no page limit)

2. Summary Budget (no page limit)

3. Budget Narrative (no page limit)

D. Annexes (no page limit)

The above bullets correspond to the sections of the RFA, as described below, and constitute the general application format.

A. Application Narrative

The Application Narrative should have the following:

Cover Page (1 page maximum)

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● The names of the organizations/institutions involved in the proposed application.

● Proposed sub-awardees are to be listed separately, including a brief narrative describing the unique capacities/skills being brought to the program by each.

● Include information about a contact person for the prime applicant, including this individual’s name (both typed and his/her signature), title or position with the organization/institution, address, and telephone and fax numbers. Applicants are to acknowledge whether the contact person is the person with authority to contract for the Applicant, and if not, that person should also be listed.

● The date of registration in SAM.

Executive Summary (2 pages maximum)

● Should summarize the key elements of the application:

o The applicant’s capabilities;

o The nature of the food security and nutritional situation in the proposed country;

o The proposed program for the population targeted;

o The type and amount of product requested*; and o The funding requested.

● Must be concise and accurate.

IMPORTANT: See appropriate purpose and use of the available LNS supplemental products per the above information (pages 5-7)

B. Technical Narrative (10 pages maximum)

The Technical Narrative should have the following:

Organizational Capabilities

● Applicants must provide evidence of their technical and managerial resources and expertise (or their ability to obtain such) to meet the program objectives. Information in this section should include a brief description of all the organization’s (and any other donor organization’s) history/expertise in the proposed country of operation and any previous experience with the distribution of food aid commodities. This may include previous IFRP activities and should include the following:

• Instances of good performance;

• Instances of poor performance;

• Significant achievements;

• Significant problems; and

• Any indications of excellent or exceptional performance in the most critical areas.

● If the applicant is proposing to make a sub-award(s), all of the information above should be provided with regard to that organization(s).

● No information is required on key personnel.

Situation Analysis

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● Applicants must include a concise description of the food security in the proposed areas of operation and the proposed beneficiaries.

● Applications must thoroughly explain why these proposed locations have been selected.

● Applications must provide a detailed description of the proposed beneficiaries, specifically focusing on the applicant’s rationale for targeting them, the number of them, and an explanation of the criteria used to select them.

● Relevant statistics and/or assessment data helping to further explain the need for the proposed program are also important to include.

Program Objectives/Strategy

● Applications must provide the proposed program’s overall goals and objectives.

● A detailed description of the proposed food distribution activities is necessary.

● Applicants should discuss how an IFRP grant would contribute to addressing the problem of food insecurity among the targeted population and how the IFRP activities enhance, or are integrated, into any ongoing program.

● Applications should provide a monitoring and evaluation plan outlining how progress against objectives and overall program impact can be tracked.

● Applicants must include a monitoring and reporting schedule and any plans for internal or external program evaluations.

Implementation Plan

● There are 2 important factors that are also required to be addressed:

o Activities must include detailed planning for the management of product-related solid waste packaging, in particular individual product wrapping/containers/boxes/bags/sachets. Grantees must notify USAID in advance of complementary activities, such as rehabilitation of infrastructure, provision of medical supplies, vaccination campaigns, and home gardening, that may negatively impact or harm the environment, per USAID environmental compliance procedures (22 CFR 216). Please refer to the following link for additional information on this requirement:

http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/environment/compliance/22cfr216.

o In order to avoid potential interference and/or duplication of other programs in the same country/region(s), applicants must demonstrate that they have coordinated with host country government(s) and/or the USAID Mission, FFP funded activities, and also other donors operating in-country. USAID strongly emphasizes that applicants describe in sufficient detail their overall knowledge and awareness of other food security activities being implemented in their proposed country/region(s) by either:

▪ Any host country government and/or local governance activities and

▪ Any/all other organizations, such as the World Food Program (WFP), http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/environment/compliance/22cfr216

Page15 and/or any other public international organizations (PIOs), private voluntary organizations (PVOs), and NGOs operating in the region/country.

● Applicants must provide the following information for the proposed program:

o A concise explanation of how program activities will be executed;

o A delivery and distribution schedule and a list of proposed distribution sites;

o An explanation of why the product requested is appropriate for the proposed target population;

o A description of the ration size per beneficiary;

o A description of the proposed distribution procedures;

o Any relevant information pertaining to coordination with the host government, other organizations, or other program activities that complement or facilitate the use of IFRP products; and o An outline of logistical arrangements pertaining to the following:

▪ Assessing, loading and shipping, storing, handling, and distribution of the product; and

▪ A solid waste management plan.

C. Budget

Certain documents are required to be submitted by an applicant in order for the Agreement

Officer to make a determination of responsibility. The following sections describe the documentation that applicants for Assistance awards must submit to USAID prior to award.

While there is no page limit for the cost proposal, applicants are encouraged to be as concise as possible while still providing the necessary detail to address the items discussed herein.

Summary Budget

● Applicants must include the following line items in the Summary Budget:

o Cost of headquarters and field personnel;

o Cost of transport, storage, and handling;

o Cost of local travel;

o Direct costs; and o Indirect costs, if applicable.

● If applicable, applicants must include any non-federal cost-share, including the total amount and the description.

● If an application contains indirect costs, applicants must include substantiating documentation.

In accordance with 2 CFR 200.414, eligible applicants may choose to apply a ten percent de minimis rate. Please note this is only for those applicants which have never received a

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

Budget Narrative

● Applicants must submit an accompanying budget narrative detailing the following:

o The total proposed costs for implementation of the proposed program; and

Page16 o Discussion and complete description of the components of each SF-424 budget element.

There is no specific maximum dollar amount allowed for administrative and management costs. All proposed costs will be reviewed in accordance with applicable cost principles.

The awardee will only be required to provide rapid transportation, delivery, and distribution of the proposed commodity; production, packaging, and stockpiling of the commodities shall be covered by separate grants.

Applicants proposing a cost share should show clearly in their Detailed and Summary

Budgets which costs would be covered by USAID funds and which by the grantee. If the cost share is an in-kind contribution, the budget should show the value of that contribution.

D. Annexes

Annexes are suggested and/or required to have the following:

● The applicant may include additional information if deemed necessary; however, as stated above, technical applications should be specific, complete, and concise. A lengthy application does not in and of itself constitute a well thought out proposal. Therefore, applicants must avoid unnecessary documentation.

● All applicants are required to complete an analysis of risks as it relates to the proposed modalities and relevant mitigation measures. Specifically, the assessment should examine potential risk related to fraud, corruption and mismanagement. Applicants should demonstrate that due consideration has been given to ensuring the security and protection of all participants, especially with respect to: timing and location of distributions; amount of food or cash transfers or value of food vouchers of which participants will take possession; person(s) responsible for pickup; distance to distribution sites, etc. A sample risk matrix can be found at The Remote Cash Project website. Additionally, the USAID

Office of Inspector General has a reference handbook found here.

● Important: If applicants are proposing an indirect cost rate percentage, then each applicant must include a copy of its organization’s most recent Negotiated Indirect

Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) issued by its organization’s audit agency (USAID or another agency of the U.S. Government). If applicants are proposing an indirect cost rate percentage but do not have an established NICRA, they must then submit supporting financial/auditing information to support any of the proposed indirect costs as recovered by a percentage method.

● Certain documents are required to be submitted by the applicant in order for the

Agreement Officer to make a determination of financial responsibility. Applicants shall submit any additional evidence of responsibility to support this determination. The information submitted should substantiate that the applicant:

o Has adequate financial, management, and personnel resources and systems, or the ability to obtain such resources, as required during the performance of the award;

Page17 o Has the ability to comply with the award conditions, taking into account all existing and currently prospective commitments of the applicant, non-governmental and governmental;

o For Apparent Successful Applicants only, past performance supporting documentation, including the Past Performance Reference Questionnaire which will be sent to Apparent Successful Applicants only;

o Has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics; and o Is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive a grant under applicable laws and regulations (e.g., EEO).

● Applicants that have never received a grant, cooperative agreement or contract from the

USAID are required to submit a copy of their accounting manual, personnel policies, travel policies, and procurement policies, and audits received for the past three years. If this material has already been submitted to the USAID, the applicant should advise which

Federal Agency has a copy.

3. Data Universal Number System (DUNS) Number and System for Award Management

(SAM)

Each applicant is required to:

● Be registered in SAM before submitting an application;

● Provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and

● Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by

USAID.

USAID may not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time USAID is ready to make an award, USAID may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Additional information and details for obtaining a DUNS number and registering in SAM can be found at www.grants.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times

The application submission deadline is May 9, 2018, 12:00pm, Washington, D.C. time, i.e.

Eastern Standard Time (EST), and all applications must be received no later than this date and time. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the electronic application is received by the due date and specified time.

Applications which are received late or are incomplete run the risk of not being considered in the review process. Such late or incomplete applications will be considered in USAID's sole discretion depending on the status of USAID's application review process as of the time of receipt and/or the quality of other applications received.

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5. Funding Restrictions

USAID anticipates awarding several grants under this RFA for a total of up to $150,000 per award, with a minimum award of $0. For more information, please review Section I – Funding

Opportunity Description, 1) General Description.

6. Pre-Award Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements of the Recipient and

Solicitation Standard Provisions

Apparently successful applicants must provide the following:

● A signed copy of Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements of the Recipient and

Solicitation Standard Provisions as described in ADS 303.3.8 on the USAID website.

● A branding strategy and marking plan per the solicitation standard provisions noted below. Agency branding and marking guidance can be found at the following websites:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/320.pdf (contains instructions on how to prepare the branding strategy and marking plan) and http://www.usaid.gov/branding/ (contains samples of the USAID logo in various formats).

● A statement by the applicant assuring that the product can be imported duty-free, along with any information and associated documentation that supports the statement. Such documentation can include, but is not limited to, written certification by the USAID

Mission or Diplomatic Post or a Host Country Agreement.

USAID requires the recognition of the contributions of the American people extended under this agreement. In this regard, recipients are reminded of the requirements to acknowledge USAID funding of projects and programs as required by the Standard Provisions. In publications and media products, recipients will apply, where appropriate, the Agency branding standards published in the Agency’s Graphics Standards Manual (available at www.usaid.gov/branding).

Recipients should also note that the acknowledgement of USAID as a funding source may be applied where texts are publicly published.

The following Standard Provisions for solicitations are applicable to this RFA and may be found at: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303mav.pdf

● Branding Strategy – Assistance

● Marking Plan – Assistance

● Prohibition on Providing Federal Assistance to Entities that Require Certain Internal

Confidentiality Agreements - Representation

7. Other Submission Requirements

Certain documents may be required to be submitted by the applicant in order for the Agreement

Officer to make a determination of financial responsibility. Applicants shall submit any additional evidence of responsibility, as requested, to support the determination pertaining to adequate financial, management, and personnel resources and systems; ability to comply with the award conditions; satisfactory record of performance, integrity and business ethics; along with https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303mav.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303mav.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/320.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/branding/ http://www.usaid.gov/branding https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303mav.pdf

Page19 qualifications and eligibility to receive a grant under applicable laws and regulations.

SECTION V – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Merit Review Criteria

Technical applications and cost proposals of each proposal will be reviewed separately. The technical application will be evaluated in accordance with the Merit Review Criteria set forth below. Thereafter, the cost proposal of all applicants submitting a technically acceptable application will be reviewed for general reasonableness, allowability, and allocability. To the extent that they are necessary (if award is not made based on initial applications), negotiations and/or interviews will then be conducted with all applicants whose application, after discussion and negotiation, has a reasonable chance of being selected for award. Awards will be made to responsible applicants whose applications offer the greatest value, cost-effectiveness, and other factors considered.

After it is determined that the minimum eligibility requirements have been met, a Selection

Committee (SC) will evaluate proposals according to criteria described below. Moreover, there will be a separate SC for each product.

Merit Review Criteria Maximum Possible Points

A. Organizational Capabilities 15

B. Situation Analysis 20

C. Program Objectives/Strategy 25

D. Implementation Plan 30

E. Cost Effectiveness/Realism 10

Total Possible Points 100

A. Organizational Capabilities

● Factors under this criterion include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

o Quality of service, including consistency in meeting goals and targets;

o Timeliness of performance, including adherence to agreement schedules; and o Support from other donors.

● Institutional capacity to accomplish the range of programmatic activities described in this

RFA, including the ability to manage relationships with government officials and institutions.

B. Situation Analysis

Factors under this criterion include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

● Demonstrated understanding of the food security and nutrition situation in the country and target area; and

● Thorough description of the target population’s nutrition status, the number of beneficiaries, and the targeting criteria used to select them.

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C. Program Objectives/Strategy

● Identification of realistic goals/objectives, describing program activities, specifically food distributions, in sufficient detail. Such details should include how, when, where, and by whom the food will be distributed;

● Identification of an M&E schedule, providing indicators/benchmarks and measurement tools that will enable them to track progress towards objectives and program impact; and

● Overall technical merit of program strategy.

● Appropriate M&E plans may include activities such as tracking the quantity of product distributed and the number of beneficiaries targeted and supplemented; the number of beneficiaries reached through nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive program activities;

and growth monitoring.

D. Implementation Plan

● Adequacy and feasibility of comprehensive logistics plan detailing:

o Shipping;

o Internal transport;

o Warehousing/commodity storage;

o Delivery schedule;

o Distribution schedules; and o List of distribution sites.

● Appropriateness of plan for management/disposal of product-related solid waste;

● Suitability and ration size(s) for the target population(s);

● Coordination with other food security activities being implemented in the target area by the host government and/or other organizations (i.e., WFP, PVOs and NGOs); and

● Demonstrated awareness of other food security programs operating in the country.

E. Cost Effectiveness/Realism

Factors under this criterion must include the following: The applicant should provide sufficient resources (human capital and financial) for the transport, delivery and distribution of the commodities as well as related program activities including monitoring and evaluation.

2. Review of Cost Proposal

The cost proposal of all applicants submitting a technically acceptable application will be reviewed to determine if costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. If an application is recommended for award following the technical review, USAID may at its option conduct cost

Page21 negotiations.

Costs will be reviewed for cost reasonableness, allowability, allocability, adequacy of budget detail, and financial feasibility. If applicable, the applicant's cost share contribution will be reviewed using the same criteria as well as 2 CFR 200.306 requirements regarding cost share.

3. Review and Selection Process

After initial selection, the apparent successful applicant will be asked to provide additional information pertaining to any application concerns. This information will be used to make a determination before a grant is provided. The Agreement Officer shall make the final selection.

SECTION VI – AWARD AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

USAID may make an award resulting from this RFA to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) conforming to this RFA offer(s) the greatest value. USAID may (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application, and (d) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

An award signed by the Agreement Officer is the…