Amendment 0007 to respond to questions for tech area urban economics.pdf

Amendment 0007 for the NOFO APS No: 95332418N0002

NOFO APS Name: “PARTNERSHIPS with MCC Program”

The purpose of Amendment 0007 is to respond to questions for the Technical Area #2 Urban Growth

Analysis and Urban Management”:

1) For technical area #2, does MCC have a preference on a set of countries or regions to be included in the work?

A - Any country-specific dimensions of work would be agreed between MCC and potential partners as part of discussions after review of Phase I concept papers and decision to move to Phase 2. MCC works in low income and lower middle income countries. Compact eligible countries historically are in the Africa region primarily, and Asia secondarily. MCC’s investments in Latin America have historically been limited as a share of total compacts awarded. Please visit MCC’s website for the countries’ list.

2) Page 14 states that “collaboration on development of technical documents/publications” is one of MCC‘s responsibilities. For technical area #2, can MCC confirm whether partner scholars would also be authors/co-authors of papers and reports, as well as help with dissemination through other channels (e.g., the media, partner platforms)?

A - Yes absolutely. Partners would be authors/co-authors of papers and reports, and would be encouraged to disseminate outputs of the partnership.

3) For technical area #2, Page 8 states that MCC would work with the partner to refine and to align the work plan and approach with “MCC’s portfolio or operational needs at the time of award” and there is a substantial involvement requirement in page 18. Could MCC provide additional detail on the level of substantial involvement it anticipates? For example, once the work plan and approach are approved, would the partner oversee the research agenda, content, product, outcomes, and publications?

A - The research agenda, content, product, outputs of the partnership and publications would be agreed as part of the partnership agreement and the associated annual work plan. Traditionally, CGM includes the following elements in the substantial involvements (see below), however, the specific substantial involvement will be included in each cooperative agreement based on the program description’s objectives and outcomes.

Sample of Substantial Involvement Clause:

1. Approval of the Recipient's Implementation Plans and Reports. MCC will approve the budgets, project monitoring and evaluation reports in accordance with 2 CFR 200.327, work plans, performance indicator data reports; monthly travel (domestic and international if needed); all other relevant outcomes/deliverables; and planned and actual expenditures under the award in accordance with 2 CFR

200.328.

2. Approval of Key Personnel.

3. Monthly or Quarterly Advance and Disbursement Requests. It is anticipated that the Recipient of the

Cooperative Agreement would be able to request monthly advances and disbursement requests for review and approval by MCC and to serve as funds needed in the implementation of the Project.

4. Approval of subawards and subcontracts. MCC will approve subawards manual with the main templates, process structure, mentoring capacity building plan – and will also approve proposed sub-grantees and subcontracts.

5. Agency and Recipient Collaboration or Joint Participation. All other aspects of the agreed-upon work plan, and notably:

a. Concurrence on the substantive provisions of the subgrants/subcontracts together with technical advisory.

b. Approval of the Recipient's monitoring and evaluation plans.

6. MCC authority to immediately halt a construction activity (if applicable).

4) For technical areas #2, Page 8 states partners could also contribute to the development of methodologies and tools to identify the outcomes….” Could MCC provide additional detail on who partners might work with on this activity? Are they urban experts or is the expectation that MCC would tell partners what they want and the partner would develop those tools?

A - Partners would work with MCC officials who are experts in urban-related themes as well as economics. Discussion and co-creation sessions following a decision to invite a potential partner to submit a Phase II complete application would define the program description and the tools that would be of greatest interest/value to both MCC and the partner.

Taylor Wolf Agreement Officer

End of Amendment 0007