FAQs -- USAID_USDA - Understanding Global Insect Production.pdf

USAID/USDA

Understanding Global Insect Production

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We have received a number of frequently asked questions regarding the joint USAID and USDA Request for Information (RFI) - Understanding Global Insect Production, available at grants.gov and SAM.gov, and have compiled answers to these questions in one place for ease of reference. We will update this page, as needed, during the open submission period, which has been extended until 18 February 2022.

If you have a question specific to this RFI, please contact insect-protein@usaid.gov.

DEADLINE UPDATE: The Understanding Global Insect Production RFI has been extended through 18 February 2022, 5pm ET.

1. Do I need to respond to all of the questions listed in the RFI?

● No, it is not necessary to respond to all of the questions. Please respond to those questions that are relevant to your experience and insect-production knowledge.

We appreciate any information you can provide.

2. Will there be webinars to hear additional information and ask questions?

● Yes, at least two 30 min informational webinars will be held in early 2022 to discuss the Understanding Global Insect Production RFI and to answer questions from the public and potential applicants. The webinars will be held to comfortably accommodate two time zones, such as at 9:00-9:30 AM EST and 9:00-9:30 PM EST. Please continue to monitor these FAQs for more information regarding the dates.

3. What does it mean that “Information received as part of this RFI shall become the property of USAID. Therefore, proprietary information that cannot be shared should not be sent.”?

● This language is standard language typically included in solicitations that USAID publishes. The intent is to protect the information submitted by the responder, meaning that USAID will not directly share it with 3rd parties https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=7200AA22R00008 https://sam.gov/opp/07e818095a9545b78af5db9f62cba7ff/view mailto:insect-protein@usaid.gov

(this includes financial and business plan information submitted as part of the RFI response). USAID may, however, share high-level (aggregated) summary information of the RFI results in public presentations or documents.

● This does not prevent the respondent from using, or continuing to use any or all of the information submitted to USAID in their own work, or in future published materials.

4. Will you share information submitted to this RFI with NGOs or other actors that might undermine and compete directly with my research or business?

● No, we will not share your intellectual research or business information with NGOs or other parties. Our objective is to engage with private businesses, applied academic endeavors, and other relevant groups to foster growth in this exciting industry and to strengthen insect production’s contribution to development outcomes.

5. Is the focus of the RFI on insect production for animal consumption (animal feed) OR for direct human consumption?

● The focus of this RFI is primarily to learn more about rearing and processing insects as a protein source to include in animal feed for domestic animal production, including fish. We recognize, however, that the domestic animals fed by insect-based feed, will likely be ultimately consumed by humans.

● While we appreciate the importance of insect production for direct human consumption, for now USAID is primarily focused on insect production for animal feed. We would welcome and will review submissions that highlight insect production challenges and opportunities for direct human consumption for future consideration.