AIYA NOFO No. 72030624RFA00002 AMENDMENT No. 1_ Q&A.pdf

June 14, 2024

Reference: Notice of Funding Opportunity Number NOFO No. 72030624RFA00002;

Afghanistan Integrated Youth Activity (AIYA)

Subject: Amendment 01

Dear Interested Applicants:

The following Amendment 01 to Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 72030624RFA00002 provides responses to questions received. This Amendment does not revise the Notice of

Funding Opportunity. Please note that the Application closing date has not been extended.

Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant; all preparation and submission costs are at the applicant’s expense. Issuance of this Notice of Funding Opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the 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 USAID programs.

Sincerely, Margaret R. Benavente

Agreement Officer

USAID/Afghanistan

Amendment No. 01 NOFO No. 72030624RFA00002

Answers to Questions:

1. Question: The announcement states that only two attachments are required: a budget file and a form. However, I would like to confirm whether we should also include a proposal and a work plan along with these attachments. Does the "Request for Proposal" (RFP) intend to include these additional documents?

USAID Response: Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications in accordance with Section D of the NOFO. Please carefully review the NOFO requirements while preparing your application. Please also note that this funding opportunity is a Request for Application (RFA), not an RFP.

2. Question: Would you consider program delivery among the Afghan diaspora in Pakistan and other regional countries? Or do you expect delivery in Afghanistan?

USAID Response: This NOFO focuses on youth residing in Afghanistan, not members of the diaspora.

3. Question: Past Performance Information: Can USAID please allow applicants to submit three to five on-going or completed awards from the past three years for each of the Subpartners?

USAID Response: This NOFO does not require past performance information on sub awardees. It is the prime’s responsibility to choose capable partner(s) with relevant background and/or experience.

4. Question: Can USAID please clarify whether prime Applicants should submit Past Performance Information (page 13-14) for three projects total or three to five projects?

USAID Response: Applicants should submit past performance information for three projects/activities total. Applicants can utilize the same three activities for the requirements under the Cost Application for “History of Performance,” which requires “Reports and findings from any audits performed in the last two (2) years”. The number required for the Cost Application History of Performance will be set at three (3) as well as for the Past Performance under the Technical Application.

5. Question: Can USAID please clarify whether Applicants should submit one activity/award per page which includes references/contact info for each project included (as laid out in the PPI Annex)? Or should each Applicant include one additional page that lists references/contacts for all 3-5 projects included in the Annex?

USAID Response: Applicants should submit one award per page for PPI.

6. Question: “Target Populations: Young women and young men ages 15 -29 (at least 60 percent of participants should be young women).” Can USAID please clarify whether this includes indirect beneficiaries of AIYA’s programming?

USAID Response: The target population refers to direct beneficiaries.

7. Question: “Innovative and integrated approaches that take into consideration the anticipated funding allocations within the AIYA budget: basic education (42 percent), higher education (49 percent), agriculture (6 percent), and democracy (3 percent).” Can USAID please clarify if this means that applicants should allocate 42% of total project budget to proposed basic education activities, 49% of total budget to proposed higher education activities, 6% to agriculture, and 3% to democracy proposed activities?

USAID Response: Applicants should use the budget allocations of “basic education 42%, higher education 49%, agriculture 6%, and democracy 3%.

8. Question: “Innovative and integrated approaches that take into consideration the anticipated funding allocations within the AIYA budget: basic education (42 percent), higher education (49 percent), agriculture (6 percent), and democracy (3 percent).” Can USAID please clarify if the respective percentages are required or suggested budget allocations for activities under AIYA?

USAID Response: Please refer to question 7 above. These allocations are a requirement.

9. Question: “Curriculum Vitae (CV) of proposed Key Personnel, (maximum two (2) pages per CV).” May Applicants please request that the three references required of each Key Personnel be listed on a separate page, separate from the required two page CV?

USAID Response: Reference may be listed on a separate page from the 2-page CV, but should not exceed 1-page.

10. Question: Due to the 4th of July holiday, religious holidays (July 16-17, Eid Al Adha), and to allow maximum engagement with local organizations in a complex environment (including disruptions of internet service), can applicants please request an extension of submission date to July 19, 2024?

USAID Response: USAID is unable to extend the application deadline for AIYA.

11. Question: Given that the start date of this Activity begins in the new Fiscal Year (FY25), could organizations without a NICRA apply to use the de minimis rate of 15% as specified in the updated OMB guidance?

USAID Response: Revisions to the CFR will be in effect on October 1. USAID ADS still reflects the 10 percent de minimis at the time of the release of this NOFO. Applicants should prepare their budget for year 1 with the current 10 percent de minis, but can plan for 15 percent in years 2-5. The 10 percent for year 1 can be revised upon ADS updates.

12. Question: Can USAID advise on whether it is recommended for organizations without a NICRA to budget for Y1 of Activity under the current OMB guidance for using the de minimus rate of 10% and Ys 2-5 using the updated 15% rate?

USAID Response: Please see response to question 11.

13. Question: USAID requests 12 point Times New Roman font. Will USAID please consider allowing font size 11 Calibri for the application as Calibri is more accessible for visually-impaired persons?

USAID Response: Applications will be accepted in either 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri.

14. Question: USAID requests 12 point Times New Roman font for tables. Will USAID please consider allowing font size 10 for tables? This would especially be helpful as Indicators in the AMELP take up a lot of space.

USAID Response: USAID will accept font size 10 for tables

15. Question: Question: Can USAID please font size 10 for text boxes?

USAID Response: USAID will accept font size 10 for text boxes

16. Question: Can USAID please provide the names of the prime Implementing Partners and their respective consortia and any baseline, midline, and endline reports (either through an Amendment or uploaded to the DEC) for the following programs as described in the NOFO (pages 18-20): Afghanistan Value Chains Program (AVCP); Afghanistan Competitiveness of Export – Oriented Business Activity (ACEBA); Strengthening Rural Livelihoods and Food Security (SRL-FS); Women’s Scholarship Endowment (WSE); Young Women Lead (YWL);

Supporting Student Success in Afghanistan (SSSA); Accessible and Quality Basic Education (AQBE); Afghanistan Support Project (ASP) (Huquq); Information, Dialogue and Rights (IDR) (formerly Supporting Media Freedom and Access to Information in Afghanistan); Supporting Transformation for Afghanistan’s Recovery (STAR); and Enabling Essential Services for Afghan Women and Girls Activity?

USAID Response: USAID is unable to provide this information. Links to implementing partners and/or activity information pages have been provided where available within the NOFO. Applicants are encouraged to search the DEC for evaluations, annual reports, etc.

However, due to the current operating environment in Afghanistan, many of these documents are not publically available.

17. Question: “As conditions allow USAID plans to identify an independent external evaluator to evaluate this Activity.” Can USAID please clarify what phase or year of project they expect this evaluation to begin?

USAID Response: USAID anticipates that the external evaluation will begin with the award to determine a baseline in order to perform a mid-term and/or final evaluation.

18. Question: “The Recipient will cooperate and work in the following ways with the external evaluator: (1) at the evaluation design phase, to provide input into feasible and relevant research questions.” Can USAID please clarify whether Applicants should incorporate a research component in AIYA implementation and budget?

USAID Response: USAID does not anticipate the need for a research component, however, the successful applicant should plan accordingly for working with the external evaluation team in their AMLEP.

19. Question: Can USAID please provide an updated copy of the Local Compensation Plan

(LCP)?

USAID Response: We do not have a Local Compensation Plan (LCP) to share. Applicants are encouraged to adhere to the standard applicable USAID provisions, specifically 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 700.

20. Question: “History of Performance” Annex is listed under the cost/budget application section. Can USAID please clarify whether the “History of Performance” Annex belongs in the technical application or the budget application?

USAID Response: While similar to the “Past Performance” requirements of the technical application, the “History of Performance” section within the Budget (Cost) Application asks for similar information with the addition of audit information for the past awards. Applicants may submit the same activities as for the two individual requirements. Also see the response to question 4 for clarification on the number of examples required for the Budget (Cost) Application.

21. Question: Agency’s concurrence and approval should Recipient seek use of funds reserved for crisis adaptation and response described in the Program Description (PD).” Can USAID please clarify if additional funds are expected in the case of new crises or climate-related/weather disruptions?

USAID Response: No additional funds are expected for AIYA. Please see question 76 for guidance on planning for the crisis modifier within the budget.

22. Question: Would USAID consider extending the deadline by two weeks, since the proposal development timeframe falls during the Eid holiday and offices will be closed?

USAID Response: See response to question 10.

23. Question: How does USAID define a secondary degree equivalent, understanding that especially in recent years, young women have been constrained in their ability to pursue and receive secondary degrees?

USAID Response: For Afghanistan, this is the baccalauria or an equivalent from another country. With recent restrictions for young women to pursue secondary education, if a secondary degree or its equivalent has not been obtained, those participants should be considered under Objective 2.

24. Question: Under Objective 2, is USAID interested in seeing AIYA introduce new training opportunities, or exclusively strengthen existing training opportunities?

USAID Response: Applicants should propose an evidence-based approach that is best-suited to achieving the activity objectives. This may include strengthening existing and/or establishing new opportunities.

25. Question: Could USAID expand on the proposed funding allocations within the AIYA budget and potential for overlap? For example, if an applicant is proposing post-secondary training to strengthen agricultural livelihoods, would this fall under higher education or agriculture?

Or would applicants have flexibility in determining this?

USAID Response: USAID acknowledges that there will be needed flexibly, as there is likely to be overlap across funding streams. Applicants will need to determine, based on the intended outcome of the intervention depending on whether the focus of the intervention is on post-secondary learning outcome, agricultural livelihoods, or both.

26. Question: When USAID proposes that “at least 60 percent of participants should be young women”, does this percentage encompass both direct and indirect participants?

USAID Response: The 60 percent encompasses direct participants. Applicants are encouraged to provide direct and indirect target beneficiaries disaggregated by gender over the life of the project.

27. Question: Is there a recommended percentage of total direct costs that USAID advises should be set aside to deploy crisis response interventions, if needed?

USAID Response: USAID anticipates that Applicants could plan for up to 10 percent of the total budget as a crisis modifier. If the applicant believes that an additional amount would be required, they should provide an explanation as to why additional funds should be set aside.

28. Question: Under Objective 1, to what extent does USAID expect the project to focus on TVET and post-secondary education programs that specifically provide skill-building for the agricultural livelihoods sector, as opposed to other sectors (such as healthcare, ITC, or service sectors unrelated to agriculture)?

USAID Response: Per the Program Description, the overarching goal of AIYA is “Improve learning outcomes and livelihood opportunities for young women and men.” USAID is open to a broad interpretation of livelihoods, but expects applicants, per the NOFO, to focus on “climate-resilient livelihood sectors” which may include, but are not limited to agricultural livelihoods.

29. Question: Under Objective 2, to what extent does USAID expect the project to focus on alternative learning and training programs that specifically provide skill-building for the agricultural livelihoods sector, as opposed to other sectors (such as healthcare, ITC, or service sectors unrelated to agriculture)?

USAID Response: Please refer to the response to question 28.

30. Question: Can USAID share its definition of “innovative” approaches?- Page 11

USAID Response: USAID defines innovation as the pursuit of new approaches to improve how development challenges are addressed.

31. Question: Does USAID expect applicants to use the exact proposed objective and results wording?

USAID Response: Applicants may propose revised objectives and results wording, but should provide evidence-based reasoning within their technical application for doing so.

32. Question: Will applicants be scored higher for submitting their specific geographic focus and covering a large geographic area (although submitting a geographic focus is not required)?

USAID Response: All applicants will be evaluated per the Merit Review Criteria. Geographic focus is not included in the Merit Review Criteria.

33. Question: Pages 13-14 – Past Performance Annex: Please confirm the number or project references that should be provided. The NOFO first mentions three projects and then later notes three to five projects.

USAID Response: Please refer to the response to question 4.

34. Question: Page 14 – Proposed Partners/Sub-Awardees Annex: Please confirm that there is no page limit associated with the required “brief high-level summary” of each partner that is to accompany the 1-page letter of commitment. If there is a page limit for each summary, kindly provide those details.

USAID Response: The high level summary should not exceed a ½ page per partner.

35. Question: Page 16 – Cost Application: The NOFO states that applicants should “summarize the proposed budget of the Activity by Intermediate Results and year.” Please clarify if this summary should be provided as a separate worksheet within the Budget Excel or if it can be provided within the Budget Narrative.

USAID Response: This can be provided within the budget narrative and within the budget by activity year and interventions.

36. Question: Past Performance References – The NOFO requests past performance information on a specified number of projects for both the Technical Application (pages 13-

14) and Cost Application (page 20). Please confirm that applicants should submit two separate sets of past performance information or if only one set is required. If only one set, please confirm which instructions applicants should follow (Technical Application or Cost Application).

USAID Response: Please refer to the response to questions 4 and 20.

37. Question: Page 9 – The NOFO notes that “each page must be numbered sequentially.”

Please clarify if this requirement also applies to the Cost Application, and if so, if required certifications and other annexes to the Cost Application must also be numbered sequentially.

USAID Response: The aspects of the cost application that are submitted in PDF or Word format should be numbered sequentially.

38. Question: Cover Page – The general cover page requirements for both the Technical and

Cost Applications provided on pages 8-9 are not the same as the Technical Application cover page requirements noted on page 11. Please confirm which set of instructions applicants should use for the Technical Application cover page.

USAID Response: Follow the cover pages instructions on pages 8-9.

39. Question: Page 12 – Environment: The NOFO asks that applicants “identify the potential environmental impacts of the proposed activity to be financed by USAID and plan to develop appropriate environmental safeguards to any issues identified in response to the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE).” Please provide a copy of the IEE for this opportunity.

Kindly also provide a corrected link for accessing USAID’s environmental procedures, as the link provided in the NOFO does not work (“page not found”).

USAID Response: The initial environmental examination is not yet available as a public document. The current link to ADS 204 can be found at https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/agency-policy/series-200/204. It may also be helpful to refer to the Environmental Procedures Hub at https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures

40. Question: Page 13 – Annexes: Please confirm that there is no page limit for the Inception Phase Work Plan required annex.

USAID Response: The inception phase work plan should not exceed 5-pages.

41. Question: Cost Application – Page 16 notes that applicants must provide a copy of their established written policies on personnel compensation and page 17 notes that applicants should provide the company travel policy if necessary. Please clarify if applicants with an established NICRA and current funding from USAID/Afghanistan must provide copies of these policies.

USAID Response: Yes, applicants are required to provide copies of their current policies on personnel compensation and travel, regardless of whether they have current funding from USAID/Afghanistan and an established NICRA. This requirement ensures that all necessary documentation is available for review, in line with the application guidelines.

42. Question: For Objective 1, Is it a requirement that all learning opportunities must lead to recognized certificates, certifications, diplomas, and/or degrees? Can USAID explain their understanding of what constitutes a recognized certificate or certification within the Afghanistan context?

USAID Response: Per page 8 of Section A: Program Description, USAID anticipates that learning opportunities under Objective 1 “this can include multiple learning modalities (in-person and distance) that lead to recognized certificates, certifications, diplomas, and/or degrees”. USAD/Afghanistan anticipates that a recognized certificate/certification within the current context may be difficult to define, however in the context of AIYA, it means that it is recognized by an employer and/or recognized in order to pursue additional education or certification.

43. Question: Can USAID provide more information about possible links to food security within the AIYA program?

https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/agency-policy/series-200/204 https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/agency-policy/series-200/204 https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures

USAID Response: Please refer to the AIYA Program description and its linkage with the Mission Strategic Framework Special Objective 4: enhance food security through climate resilient agriculture and AIYA Objective 2: youth complete market relevant secondary education equivalent training including food security.

44. Question: Objective 1 and 2 are different as their target different populations, however the expected results are quite similar as both aim to increase access to vocational training opportunities to prepare young women and men with market relevant skills for economic opportunities Are there other differences between these 2 objectives that can help the AIYA program be more aligned with USAID objectives and priorities?

USAID Response: In addition to the difference in target populations between the two objectives, the Program Description also notes that under Objective 1 that the learning opportunities should lead to “recognized certificates, certifications, diplomas, and/or degrees”, with no such requirement under objective 2. USAID also anticipates that the subject matter of education and training opportunities under the two objectives may differ, based on available opportunities, impact on livelihoods, and educational attainment levels.

45. Question: Has USAID identified any minority groups, within the Afghanistan context, that should be prioritized in AIYA?

USAID Response: Per page 12 of Section A: Program Description, “USAID seeks to support programs that take an intersectional perspective on support for marginalized youth -including, but not limited to: extremely poor youth, young LGBTQ+ individuals, rural youth, and youth with disability, as well as other dimensions of intersectionality of young people.”

46. Question: Can you provide more details on the criteria and process for finalizing the geographic focus post-award? How will USAID involve the awardee in this decision? Should geographies be identified in the proposal submission?

USAID Response: USAID anticipates that the finalization of the geographic focus will occur as part of the post-award inception phase. As stated on page 13 of the NOFO, the “Applicants should plan for a “pause and reflect” workshop in or around the Washington, DC area with USAID during the inception phase to refine interventions, identify key targets, define geographic focus, and provide input in the final activity road map plan or activity approach paper.” USAID expects this to be a collaborative effort between USAID/Afghanistan and the awardee. Please also see responses to questions 32, 60, and 75 regarding geographic focus.

47. Question: Page 11 of the NOFO states that the Technical Approach should include, “Innovative and integrated approaches that take into consideration the anticipated funding allocations within the AIYA budget: basic education (42 percent), higher education (49 percent), agriculture (6 percent), and democracy (3 percent).” Page 12 of the Program

Description states that “USAID anticipates funding allocations within the AIYA budget: higher education (50 percent), basic education (40 percent), agriculture (6 percent), and democracy

(4 percent).” Can USAID confirm intended percentages?

USAID Response: Please refer to question 7.

48. Question: On Page 8 of the Program Description, USAID provides a broad definition of higher education to include multiple learning modalities that lead to recognized certificates, certifications, diplomas, and/or degrees. Can USAID specify what kind of certification it is looking for? Does this include informal and private TVET programs or community based TVET programs? Does it include training programs run by NGOs and civil society?

USAID Response: USAID is using the broad definition of higher education to allow for applicants to have a breadth of opportunities to support young people under objective 1, which is focused on young people who have received secondary degrees. USAID anticipates that interventions under Objective 1 will most likely focus on TVET or TVET-like learning opportunities, however, applicants should propose an evidence-based approach that allows AIYA to meet the overarching activity goal of improving learning outcomes and livelihoods for young people.

49. Question: The Program Description expected outcomes described on Page 1 mention agricultural value chains. Does USAID have specific value chains in mind or does USAID want applicants to designate specific value chains in the proposal? If USAID has specific value chains in mind, could USAID name them?

USAID Response: USAID does not have specific value chains in mind.

50. Question: Does USAID have in mind specific youth-led and youth-serving organizations to be strengthened through this program? If so, could USAID provide the names of these organizations?

USAID Response: USAID does not have specific youth-led or youth-serving organizations designated to receive support through AIYA.

51. Question: In the NOFO, section B, page 5, there is a section titled “2. Expected Performance

Indicators, Targets, Baseline Data, and Data Collection”, however, the paragraph following this discusses the authorization of the funding opportunity under the foreign assistance act

(FAA) of 1961. It does not discuss performance indicators, targets, baseline data, and data collection. Does the title of this section need to be revised?

USAID Response: USAID will not require programmatic progress reports that exceed reporting requirements in 2 CFR 200.239. Please refer to section F of the NOFO.

52. Question: In the program description, Section A, page 5, USAID states “This integrated youth activity will advance USAID/Afghanistan’s Strategic Framework overarching goal:

Advance the resilience of Afghan people, especially women and girls.” Could USAID provide a copy of USAID/Afghanistan’s Strategic Framework?

USAID Response: The USAID/Afghanistan Strategic Framework is not publically available at this time.

53. Question: On page 12 of the NOFO, USAID states that the technical approach should contain: “A brief and clear description of the overall Monitoring Evaluation and Learning

(MEL) approach, including approaches to programmatic and contextual risk analysis, management, and mitigation; and compliance with USG Office of Foreign Assets Control

(OFAC) sanctions.” Can USAID clarify if indicators and targets should be selected and proposed in this section, as well as a description of the proposed collaboration, learning and adapting (CLA) approach?

USAID Response: USAID is not requiring the submission of indicators and targets with the application for AIYA, but the NOFO does not preclude applicants from including such information as long as the requirements for the technical application are followed. USAID is requesting applicants to articulate a brief explanation within their technical approach on how they will address the areas identified on pages 21-25 of the program description. The successful applicant will be expected to develop a comprehensive AMELP which includes indicators and targets as part of activity start-up, in collaboration with USAID/Afghanistan.

Please see response to question 26 above for targets related to project beneficiaries.

54. Question: Page 13 of the NOFO indicates that an Inception Phase Work Plan should be included in the Annexes. Is there a page limit to this work plan?

USAID Response: Please see response to question 40.

55. Question: Objective 2 of the program description is “Youth complete market-relevant secondary equivalent education and training opportunities.” Can USAID provide a precise definition of “secondary equivalent” education and training opportunities? Are the types of support listed on page 10 considered “secondary equivalent” education modalities?

USAID Response: Please see response to question 23.

56. Question: There are several references to the certification/diplomas. Is the solicitation looking more at connecting training providers with existing certification mechanisms, developing new certification mechanisms for technical training, or connecting youth with informally acquired skills with existing certification mechanisms/new mechanisms?

to achieving the activity objectives in the context of Afghanistan.

57. Question: Is USAID anticipating the applicants to consider exclusively agriculture or can applicants consider other sectors with viable livelihood and training opportunities for youth?

USAID Response: Please see response to question 28.

58. Question: In the NOFO, Page 22, Merit Review Criteria #3: Management Approach and

Staffing, USAID states “The extent to which the Management Approach and Staffing are feasible, comprehensive, sustainable and capable of successfully achieving the intended results. This includes having knowledge of the local context and the adequacy, efficiency and the appropriateness of the proposed staff and the team to rapidly mobilize, successfully implement, and effectively manage the activity.” Can USAID elaborate more on “the appropriateness of the proposed staff”?

USAID Response: USAID recommends reviewing page 13 of the NOFO for information on Key Personnel. Applicants may propose three of the four key personnel positions. Therefore, applicants should propose appropriate staff based on their proposed positions. For example, if a Monitoring and Evaluation position is included as a member of the key personnel, then the proposed candidate should have appropriate experience for such a position.

59. Question: Does USAID anticipate the payment of incentives to non-formal training facilitators to be an allowable cost for this activity?

USAID Response: USAID anticipates that compensation in the form of wages and/or a stipend to training facilitators (i.e. an individual) will be an allowable cost for this activity.

60. Question: Page 12 of Section A states that “USAID/Afghanistan intends to finalize the geographic targeting post award with the successful applicant.” To ensure budget reasonableness, can USAID please confirm the expected overall geographic focus? Could

USAID confirm how many provinces this program will be implemented in?

USAID Response: Please see responses to questions 32, 60, and 75. Applicants should propose a budget that is reasonable based on their proposed approach.

61. Question: On page 12 of the Program Description, USAID states “USAID anticipates funding allocations within the AIYA budget: higher education (50 percent), basic education (40 percent), agriculture (6 percent), and democracy (4 percent). As a result, the AIYA program will need to effectively manage and account for these funds, including following applicable reporting and earmark guidance.” However, the NOFO Technical Application Format section, page 11 indicates basic education (42 percent), higher education (49 percent), agriculture (6 percent), and democracy (3 percent). Please clarify the percentage allocations as they are not the same in both documents except for the 6 percent for agriculture.

USAID Response: Please see the response to question 47.

62. Question: Does USAID expect to see how the budget line items have been allocated across programmatic areas of higher education, basic education, agriculture, and democracy to ensure monitoring and reporting within the defined earmarks?

USAID Response: Per the technical application instructions, USAID expects applicants to demonstrate how “they plan to effectively manage and account for these funds, including following applicable reporting and earmark guidance.” This could be carried through to the cost application, but is not required.

63. Question: Can USAID specify the Objectives, IRs, and activities in the Program Description that should be earmarked for the noted funding allocations for higher education, basic education, agriculture, and democracy?

USAID Response: Applicants should propose how they will meet these sector allocations based on their proposed approach and interventions. USAID intends for interventions under Objective 1 to primarily meet the higher education directive and for interventions under Objective 2 to meet the basic education directive. The agriculture and democracy directives are applicable across both/either objective, based on the evidence-based approach of the applicant(s).

64. Question: Would USAID/Afghanistan-Kabul consider extending the closing date/submission deadline from July 12, 2024, to July 19, 2024, considering that Eid will be from June 16-19, 2024. This will allow applicants to have a full 6 weeks of responding to the solicitation.

USAID Response: Please see response to question 10.

65. Question: Are there any restrictions for including public higher education institutions as partners?

USAID Response: Any engagement with public higher education institutions would require a rigorous risk assessment and screening process to ensure compliance with applicable sanctions and counter terrorism laws. Additional guidance on Afghanistan-related sanctions and licenses can be found on the website of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/afghanistan-related-sanctions).

https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/afghanistan-related-sanctions https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/afghanistan-related-sanctions

USAID and its implementing partners must also comply with statutory restrictions that prohibit assistance to the Taliban. Any engagement with public higher education institutions would be contingent on a legal and policy review by USAID.

66. Question: Does USAID have any specific policies and guidelines for engaging with the current administration in Afghanistan? a. What is the nature of engagement with the current administration? b. Does USAID facilitate registration in Afghanistan to serve as an

NGO?

USAID Response: Please see section A.17.15 of Attachment 3. USAID does not facilitate registration in Afghanistan to serve as an NGO.

67. Question: What is the nature of transferring funding to the field?

USAID Response: It is recommended to use the banking system for money transfers, as it has branches throughout the country. Most of our implementing partners (IPs) use Afghanistan International Bank (AIB), while some instances utilize Mobile Money (M-Paisa, etc). If there is no banking capability available, other options must be approved by the Agreement Officer.

68. Question: How flexible are the grant objectives if we integrate social-emotional support such as mental health training for (10-29-year-old) female youth in the project in addition to workforce development?

USAID Response: Applicants should propose an evidence-based approach that is best-suited to achieving the activity objectives. USAID/Afghanistan is amenable to psychosocial and mental health support being included as part of the AIYA approach.

69. Question: Can USAID please provide instructions for electronic submission of documents by a sub-recipient who is submitting a sealed price application directly to USAID due to confidentiality of proprietary information?

USAID Response: All aspects of the application should be submitted by the prime applicant.

Please see section H of the NOFO for information on submitting Proprietary Data.

70. Question: Can USAID please clarify the percentage earmarks for objectives? There are conflicting references in the Program Description and the NOFO.

a. Page 11 of the NOFO lists basic education (42 percent), higher education (49 percent), agriculture (6 percent), and democracy (3 percent).

b. Page 12 of Attachment 1 lists basic education (40 percent), higher education (50 percent), agriculture (6 percent), and democracy (4 percent).

71. Question: Section D of the NOFO specifies that 10-point Times New Roman font may be used for graphs and charts. Could USAID confirm that this also applies to textboxes?

USAID Response: Please refer to question 15.

72. Question: Could USAID allow the use of 10-point Times New Roman in tables as well for readability?

USAID Response: Please refer to question 14.

73. Question: Page 26 of the NOFO references, 'The Recipient must comply with

USAID/Afghanistan’s Mission Order 201.06.' Could USAID confirm if we will need to vet participants?

USAID Response: Please refer to Appendix A, Section 1.c of the Mission Order for requirements for vetting participants.

74. Question: The NOFO states on page 11 point (e) Technical Approach that the division of funding allocations should be as follows: “basic education 42%, higher education 49%, agriculture 6%, and democracy 3%.” While in the Program Description document on page 12

Programmatic Approach, the budget division is listed as follows: “higher education 50%, basic education 40%, agriculture 6%, and democracy 4%.” Can USAID clarify which budget allocations should be used in the submission?

75. Question: On page 12 of the Program Description document, under Geographic Focus, USAID intends to finalize the geographic targeting post-award. Are there any geographic areas that USAID might or would be opposed to working in?

USAID Response: USAID has no geographic priorities and currently no restricted geographic areas for AIYA. As stated on page 18 of Attachment 1, program description, USAID is seeking opportunities to “support interventions [that] can be layered or sequenced with interventions supported by other activities”. Where available, geographic locations of other relevant USAID activities that might be considered for this layered/sequencing approach are included in the Coordination and Complementarity section. Per the NOFO, USAID will refine the final geographic targeting post award with the successful applicant.

76. Question: On page 17 of the Program Description document, under Crisis Response

Approach, it stated that “USAID anticipates the Recipient to set aside a realistic portion of planned funds to be able to deploy crisis response interventions in a timely manner.” Can the recipient include a contingency line, and if so, can USAID provide a percentage range that may be acceptable to set as contingency for the project? What justification would

USAID require the Recipient to provide in order to justify the allocation of the contingency amount?

USAID Response: Please see question 27.

77. Question: How does USAID expect the budget division across the three scenarios?

USAID Response: Applicants should submit a budget based on the current scenario/situation. If the situation changes, budget amendments will be requested as necessary.

78. Question: On page 13 of the NOFO, under Annexes Past Performance, it is stated that information for 3 assistance and/or contracts of similar size and scope per activity/award are required. Does USAID require this past performance information from the Prime or should the application also include past performance information of the sub awardees?

USAID Response: Past performance information is only required from the prime applicant.

79. Question: Can USAID provide an editable Word version of Attachment 4 for Past

Performance?

USAID Response: An editable Word version of Attachment 4 will be uploaded as part of this amendment to the NOFO.

80. Question: Can USAID confirm if 10-point font can be used for footnotes?

USAID Response: A 10-point font is acceptable for footnotes.

81. Question: Can USAID provide recommendations for page limits under each suggested content within the “Technical Approach (maximum of 25 pages)” as described on pages 11-

12 of the NOFO?

USAID Response: USAID does not have recommended page limits for the sections within the technical approach. Applicants should use the 25-page limit to address the requirements of the technical application and consider how that information will be evaluated per the evaluation criteria.

82. Question: Can USAID provide relevant documents or hyperlinks for applicants to consider for USAID’s “Plan for advancing USAID’s localization initiative in Afghanistan” as described under Technical Approach on page 12?

USAID Response: USAID’s approach to advancing localization efforts in Afghanistan is consistent with USAID’s overarching approach to localization (https://www.usaid.gov/localization) and the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy (https://www.usaid.gov/policy/local-capacity-strengthening).

83. Question: On page 12 of the NOFO under the Technical Approach section, USAID states: “A brief and clear description of the overall Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) approach, including approaches to programmatic and contextual risk analysis, management, and mitigation; and compliance with USG Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions.”

Can USAID confirm whether the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan

(AMELP) will be included in this section as described on pages 21-25 of the Program

Description document?

USAID Response: USAID is not requiring the submission of an AMELP with the application for AIYA. USAID is requesting applicants to articulate a brief explanation within their technical approach on how they will address the areas identified on pages 21-25 of the program description. The successful applicant will be expected to develop a comprehensive AMELP as part of activity start-up, in collaboration with USAID/Afghanistan.

84. Question: Can USAID provide the Initial Environmental Examination conducted for applicants as indicated on page 12

USAID Response: Please see response to question 39

85. Question: Can USAID confirm that the following is the most recent version of ADS 204: ADS

Chapter 204 - Environmental Procedures (usaid.gov)? Unfortunately, the link provided on page 12 does not successfully open.

USAID Response: Please see response to question 39.

86. Question: Can USAID confirm if the Organizational Chart/Organogram annex (as described on page 13) can be submitted as either Word or PDF form? Can USAID confirm whether there is a page limit for the Organizational Chart/Organogram annex?

USAID Response: The organizational chart may be submitted in either Microsoft Word or PDF formats. Per page 14 of the NOFO, the organizational chart should be limited to 1 page.

https://www.usaid.gov/localization https://www.usaid.gov/policy/local-capacity-strengthening https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/204.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/204.pdf

87. Question: Under “History of Performance” section on page 20 within the Budget (Cost)

Application, can USAID confirm that this is separate from the “Past Performance” annex described on page 13?

USAID Response: Please see responses to questions 4 and 20.

88. Question: Given the sensitive nature of textbook provision, does USAID expect the addition of textbook provision within this activity if there is little to no secondary school access, especially for girls (i.e. ban on secondary school)?

to achieving the activity objectives.

89. Question: Is this activity expected to only work in the “equivalent non-school based setting”?

USAID Response: AIYA is expected to meet youth where they are, which may include both formal school or educational settings and non-school or informal education settings. As secondary school and higher education access for young women is currently banned, it is anticipated that AIYA interventions may work in non-school based settings and/or through online/hybrid modalities.

90. Question: Considering that the majority of Afghans mainly youth do not possess passports or other vital civil documents it has become even harder to obtain identification and civil registration documents due to rising costs, office closures, staff shortages, and confusing procedures. Is supporting youth to access such a result USAID is considering?

91. Question: P6, table 1, 2.3 assumes there are adequate existing alternative education providers by which to improve quality. Should this also include establishing new education opportunities/providers where appropriate?

92. Question: Will USAID acknowledge the fact that we identify secondary education opportunities in Afghanistan for women, but the certificates or diplomas they receive are not recognized by the de facto authority?

USAID Response: Objective 2 has no requirements for recognized diplomas, certificates, etc.,

93. Question: Is it acceptable to USAID that we offer online learning opportunities to young women under the proposed initiative, and they receive only an online certificate?

USAID Response: As stated in the Program Description, USAID recognizes that “online education and skill development implemented by increasing internet accessibility could be promising solutions, particularly for young women”. Also see the response to question 92.

94. Question: As an alternative, is it acceptable if we would propose that the female participants receive training without receiving a diploma or certificate.

USAID Response: Under Objective 1, USAID anticipates that “this can include multiple learning modalities (in-person and distance) that lead to recognized certificates, certifications, diplomas, and/or degrees”. Objective 2 has no requirements for recognized diplomas, certificates, etc.

[End of Amendment 01]