RFI 72038824RFI00001 Sylhet Ag Development signed.pdf

Request for Information (RFI)

RFI Number: 72038824RFI00001

Posting Date: April 09, 2024

Submission Due Date from Interested Partners: May 06, 2024, 8:00am (Dhaka time)

The United States Agency for International Development, Bangladesh is in the process of gathering information to support anticipated activity design for the USAID/Bangladesh’s Feed the

Future Sylhet Agricultural Development Project.

Through this RFI USAID is seeking recommendations from outside organizations to design the project for an inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth project in the Sylhet

Division of Bangladesh.

USAID is seeking responses to the questions of this RFI outlined below, USAID is not seeking technical or cost applications / proposals at this time. Responses to this RFI are voluntary.

Respondents are free to address any or all of the below items, as well as provide additional information that they think is relevant to issues related to agriculture and food security in Sylhet.

USAID will not pay respondents for any information provided in response to this RFI. Any future solicitations of funding opportunities related to the Feed the Future Sylhet Agricultural

Development Project will be announced on the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.sam.gov or at www.grants.gov at a later date.

Please note that issuance of this RFI does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of comments.

Thank you for your assistance and interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, Solomon Chang

Contracting / Agreement Officer

USAID/Bangladesh

USAID/Bangladesh’s Feed the Future Sylhet Agricultural Development Project

1. BACKGROUND

USAID’s Feed the Future (FTF) program accelerates agriculture sector growth to supplement the

Government of Bangladesh’s food security and economic growth initiatives. The FTF program in

Bangladesh focuses on agricultural research, extension, value chain development, climate resilient agriculture, mechanization, agricultural infrastructure, trade, and private sector competitiveness, agriculture-sensitive nutrition, and responding to communities impacted by the

Rohingya refugee crisis. Since its inception in 2010, FTF Bangladesh investments have focused on 23 districts in southwest and southeast Bangladesh. Over the past decade, the program has made remarkable progress in terms of developing nutrition-sensitive value chains related to dairy and fish production, equipping millions of farmers with new skills and knowledge, strengthening women’s empowerment, and partnering with the private sector to expand access to high-quality agricultural inputs and services. Under the new Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS)

Bangladesh Country Plan, USAID’s FTF program will extend its reach into the Sylhet Division due to the region’s food security needs and potential for agriculture-driven development, and to address the region’s susceptibility to climate change and high poverty and malnutrition rates.

2. INFORMATION REQUESTED

All organizations and firms (large and small businesses) are strongly encouraged to provide information and comments by the closing date and time noted in the cover page. Responses should not be no more than a 10-page limitation. USAID is interested to gain insights from relevant stakeholders on the challenges and opportunities for agriculture-led economic growth in all four districts of the Sylhet Division, with a special focus on the following questions:

1. What are the major development challenges related to agriculture and agri food systems in the Sylhet region? Briefly describe these issues and share some ideas and solutions for each of the challenges you mentioned. In your response, you may want to address issues with a) farm-level production; b) post-harvest handling, storage, processing, and marketing; and 3) at the retail and consumer level.

2. Describe the livestock system in the region. What major constraints need to be addressed to stimulate further livestock sector growth in this region? Please provide ideas for solutions.

3. What are the prospects and challenges for the fisheries sub-sector? What measures need to be taken to take advantage of those opportunities while addressing the challenges?

4. How would you go about helping to diversify crops and diets in this region?

5. How does climate change affect the agri-food system in this region? What are the possible solutions to combat the climatic threats? Please share examples, if possible.

6. What components would you advise USAID to include in a larger, more integrated, multisectoral agriculture development project in Sylhet?

USAID/Bangladesh’s Feed the Future Sylhet Agricultural Development Project

3. RESPONSE SUBMISSION GUIDELINE

All comments and recommendations must be submitted electronically with the title, “72038824RFI00001 USAID/Bangladesh’s Feed the Future Sylhet Agricultural Development Project” to the Contracting/Agreement Officer, Mr. Jerome Robinson (jerrobinson@usaid.gov), with a copy to Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, Mr. Ahsan Rahman (marahman@usaid.gov), Responses to this RFI will be accepted through the date and time indicated above.

You will only receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive individualized feedback on any suggestions. No basis for the claims against the U.S.

Government shall arise as a result of a response to his request for information or from the Government’s use of such information.

The submitted response should include:

Reference number: RFI No.72038824RFI00001 USAID/Bangladesh’s Feed the Future Sylhet Agricultural Development Project [Date] Name/Email Affiliation/Organization Address Attachments: Please attach any documents that support your comments to the above questions.

Respondents may also include self/organization information including past experiences working on this subject area, experience working with other stakeholders, or capacity information.

[END OF THE RFI]

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mailto:jerrobinson@usaid.gov mailto:marahman@usaid.gov