Amendment 01 APS Addendum FEB 22 2021 signed.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development Embassy of United States of America, Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad

Tel: [+92-51) 208-0000 Fax: [+92-51) 287-0310 www.usaid.gov/pk

Amendment No: 01

Amendment No 01 issuance date: February 22, 2021

Closing Date of Concept Notes: March 15, 2021 at 16:30 PM (PST)

Opportunity Title: CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

Reference: Conflict Prevention & Recovery Program (CPRP), New Partnerships Initiative (NPI), Annual Program Statement (APS) No.:

7200AA20APS00012

Dear Applicants, The purpose of this amendment number 01 is to:

1. provide responses to the questions posed by the potential applicant(s); and,

2. extend the questions submission date until February 12, 2021.

Please note that USAID responses to these questions will not amend the base addendum. All other terms and conditions of the base Addendum issued on January 19, 2021 will remain the same.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, Robert Parnell Supervisory Agreement Officer USAID/Pakistan http://www.usaid.gov/pk

Amendment 00001 NPI APS 7200AA20APS00012 - Addendum

CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

Question and USAID Response:

1. Question: I'm new to the process, can you tell me more about it? I attached a .pdf outlining what I had in mind, but if USAID or the Pakistani government had something that it would like added, I'm open to suggestions. I'll follow up with you next week.

USAID Response: USAID/Pakistan encourages potential applicants to review the addendum posted at www.grants.gov for preparing and submission of concept note for this opportunity.

2. Question: Please guide us how to submit proposal and where.

USAID Response: Currently USAID Pakistan is seeking concept notes only, instead of proposal, against this opportunity. USAID/Pakistan encourages potential applicants to review the addendum posted at www.grants.gov for preparing and submission of concept note for this opportunity.

3. Question: Think this advertisement is for eliciting new ideas from individuals. sir, I want to know if I can apply for this, if yes then how

USAID Response: USAID Pakistan is seeking concept notes from eligible entities to implement the Citizen Engagement Program described in the Addendum. To be eligible, all implementing partners must be legally registered entities under applicable and relevant laws to receive funding from a foreign source. Please refer to addendum Section II “Eligible Organizations” for further information.

4. Question: We are facing difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please advise.

USAID Response: The announcement can be downloaded from www.grants.gov using the link https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=citizen%20engagement http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=citizen%20engagement

5. Question: APS Addendum 01 15 2021, Appendix A – Definitions, page 23 defines an “underutilized partner” as "An organization that has received less than $25 million in direct or indirect awards from USAID over the past five years." However, Attachment 2 page 12 defines underutilized partners as “organizations that have received less than $25 million in funding cumulatively from USAID.” Could USAID please further clarify the definition of an “underutilized partner”?

● Does the definition refer to the total estimated cost (TEC) of awards made to an organization during the last five years, irrespective of the amount of funds received during that time period?

● Does the definition refer to the total funds received from USAID over the last five years under several concurrent awards, where TEC could be more than $25 million?

For example, an organization might have received an award of $50 million in 2013 that continued till 2018 and received an award of $20 million in 2018 that completed in 2020.

This organization could be eligible as an “underutilized partner” since it only received one award of $20 million during the last five years. However, if the funds received under concurrent awards are counted, this organization received funds from USAID under the $50 million award as well as under the $25 million award during the last five years.

Would such an organization qualify as an “underutilized partner”?

USAID Response: An underutilized partner is a partner that has received less than $25M from USAID in the past 5 years irrespective of whether it’s through multiple awards coming from different years. Please refer to Appendix A Definitions in the Addendum.

6. Question: Could USAID please confirm that “Underutilized Local Entities” may propose to implement the program with sub-awardees, but do not need to provide details about these sub-awardees in the concept note, and that only Mentorship Award applicants are required to list sub-partners under point A-10 of the Concept Note Template?

USAID Response: We highly recommend including information about the sub-awardees in the Concept Note to allow USAID to adequately evaluate the concept. In attachment 1, page 19, USAID requests that concept notes include information on partner roles.

7. Question: May an Underutilized Local Entity submit a concept note that includes elements of a Mentorship Award? Some sub-awardees, after mentoring, could become eligible for direct USAID funding, while others could continue implementing under the prime award. Transitioning provisions could be used and areas of independent intervention identified.

USAID Response: Yes

8. Question: Addendum 01 15 2021, Section III describes Award Types on pages 9-11.

While a cost-reimbursement approach is envisaged for all Cooperative Agreement award types, would USAID be open to providing advances for sub-awards and grants? This is important because Local Partners and their Sub-awardees might need assistance with cash flow, especially after COVID-19 related hardships faced by smaller organizations.

USAID Response: At the time of award, USAID may authorize advance payments if the conditions for advance payments in ADS 636, Program Funded Advances and 2 CFR 200 Subpart D apply.

9. Question: Is the proposed project covered under Pakistan Enhanced Partnership

Agreement (PEPA - https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/154227) signed between GoPakistan and USG in 2010? If not, then is there any other legal framework signed between USG and Government of Pakistan which allows the USG to improve governance structures in NMDs and other terrorism prone areas of Pakistan by partnering with local private sector/ non-federal entities? Working in security prone areas to address issues of violent extremism without any such legal cover at the highest level may have risks for the local partners.

USAID Response: USAID has a Pakistan Enhanced Partnership Agreement (PEPA) with the Government of Pakistan (GoP) since 2010 that both parties keep amending from time to time. The current amendment is valid until September 2023 and all the projects that USAID is implementing in Pakistan are covered under it.

10. Question: Is it permissible that a bidder bids as Prime in one region and joins another prime as subcontractor in the second region? In case if it is permissible, then what if it wins both bids, one itself as Prime and second as subcontractor with another Prime? Can it work simultaneously in both projects?

USAID Response: USAID through this addendum does not preclude applicants from applying like this.

11. Question: Can public sector entities be made part of bids as subcontractors? For instance in governance reform functions to address structural reasons of the violent extremism.

● The Annual Program Statement/ Addendum/ EOI restricts using USG funds for providing service delivery functions of the Pakistani government. However it permits advocacy activities or activities that include a component for government advocacy.

USAID Response: Public sector entities cannot receive direct USAID funding.

12. Question: In situations where a Prime awardee directs sub-grants to new or underutilized partners, USAID states that it is not the role of the Prime to provide direct assistance to project beneficiaries. Could USAID please specify what sort of assistance or interaction it would prefer Prime mentor organizations to have with local partners? Is it intended that the Prime awardee simply assists with financial oversight?

USAID Response: Please see Section III: Eligibility Information on page 13 of the NPI:CPRP APS for details.

13. Question: In the Call for Concept Papers, the narrative notes that programming can focus on “specific districts of either Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) or South Punjab or in both regions.” Will concept notes that include programming in both regions be considered more competitive?

USAID Response: USAID/Pakistan will review all Concept Paper applications that comply with the Merit Review instructions in the Addendum. USAID will not consider any other element for review of the concept paper.

14. Question: Is it mandatory for the applicant to have an active SAM registration while submitting concept Paper as currently, we have DUNS & ENCAGE registrations, but our SAM registration is under process? Can USAID- Pakistan team extend help by guiding the subject?

USAID Response: For concept paper submission the instructions for eligible organization is provided in Section II of the Addendum which states “To be eligible, all implementing partners must be legally registered entities under applicable and relevant laws to receive funding from a foreign source”.

15. Question: Can an organization submit concept notes both independently and in consortium under this grant?

USAID Response: USAID does not preclude organizations from submitting concept papers like this.

16. Question: Can an organization apply only like one type of partner or can submit multiple concept papers as a different type of partners as per the definition of Types of partnership provided in the APS addendum 1?

USAID Response: USAID does not preclude organizations from submitting concept

17. Question: Please elaborate on the process of evergreening further? If a Concept Paper is selected for evergreening, then the said paper will not be considered further under this solicitation even as sub awardee as well?

USAID Response: If the Concept Paper is evergreened, it still could be considered for this (and any other) award. In this case, evergreened partners could be brought in during the co-creation phases which take place during design and implementation.

However, evergreening is only valid for a 12 month period.

18. Question: Can different applicants join together as consortiums in the co-creation phase if their concept notes are selected for this phase or can two different concept notes submitted by different entities be merged as well in this phase?

USAID Response: USAID does not preclude organizations from submitting concept

19. Question: The synopsis in grants.gov website states that the expected maximum number of awards is 03. Is this number fixed for the whole solicitation or at the type of partnership i.e. 03 awards per each type of partnership?

USAID Response: USAID may issue multiple awards under this Addendum.

20. Question: Can 02 different participants apply from the same organization to the virtual pre-concept note conference or the participation per organization is fixed?

USAID Response: More than one participant can join the virtual pre-concept note conference.

21. Question: What does the non-federal funding equal to or greater than the award value of this proposal mean in the attachment 5 (For Partners Applying as New/Underutilized Locally Established Partners) mean? Is this the 16 Million Dollar award ceiling limit or the value of the project that is proposed by an applicant under this NPI?

USAID Response: $16M is the ceiling of this award. The $25M reference in attachment 5 refers to the amount that a partner is allowed to have received in the previous 5 years in order to be considered an Underutilized Locally Established partner. Please refer to attachment 5.

22. Question: Organization/Partner or Consortium: The language of the addendum frequently refers to organization or partner in a singular form. Does it, in any way, preclude or discourage consortia of local Pakistani organizations from bidding as a group?

USAID Response: No

23. Question: Local entities and locally established organizations/ partners (LEPS): The language of the parent APS has clearly distinguished between local entities and locally established organizations/ partners (LEPs). How can we define LEPs and what type of organizations fall under LEPs? Do LEPs also include international entities registered locally in Pakistan?

USAID Response: Please refer to the definition in the Addendum on Appendix A, page 22 for locally established partners.

24. Question: Registered International Organizations: Are international entities, applying as a sub or for a mentorship award, required to have a registration in Pakistan prior to the application submission deadline or award? Does the requirement for registration also apply to the organizations that may be able to provide support to the awardee/s remotely, without needing to open its office in Pakistan?

USAID Response: To be eligible, all implementing partners must be legally registered entities under applicable and relevant laws to receive funding from a foreign source.

Registration in Pakistan is not a requirement for the concept note stage, however for the second phase it's a must.

25. Question: Type of Registration: Is it required for an international contractor (for profit organization), as technical or sub-partner, to be locally registered as a branch of parent organization? Or it can also be registered independently with representation of parent organization on board?

USAID Response: USAID through this addendum does not preclude applicants from applying like this. However, the organization submitting the concept paper must be registered with the host government and should be compliant to Section II of the addendum.

26. Question: Geographical Coverage: Can one organization/ partner or a consortium apply for program implementation in both priority regions of KP and Punjab and at the Federal level?

USAID Response: USAID does not preclude organizations from submitting concept papers as mentioned here.

27. Question: Objectives: Can an organization/ partner or a consortium apply for program implementation in relation to just one of the two objectives? Or, is it necessary that each application seeks to achieve both objectives?

USAID Response: Organizations must propose to meet both objectives in the Concept Note.

28. Question: Budget: Does allocation of US$16 million for this program cover all awards for five-year period of performance?

USAID Response: This understanding is correct that $16 Million is for all awards issued under this Addendum for performance period of five years.

29. Question: Budget: What is roughly the expected size of a grant/ award that an applicant should consider in the process of developing its concept note?

USAID Response: The funding of each award will be in conjunction with the Program Description.

30. Question: Would USAID Pakistan consider projects focusing on increasing cohesion between local communities and religious minorities in target areas?

USAID Response: The Concept Note must meet the merit review criteria as described in Section 6, page 17 and attachment 1 concept note template, page 19. As long as these activities help meet the overall goals of the Addendum, they can be included.

31. Question: We understand that agriculture plays a central role in the economy in the target areas. Would USAID Pakistan consider projects with an objective to increase social and economic mobility through agriculture?

USAID Response: The Concept Note must meet the merit review criteria as described in Section 6, page 17 and attachment 1 concept note template, page 19. As long as these activities help meet the overall goals of the Addendum, they can be included.

32. Question: As stated on the Project Opportunity, the main areas of focus are KP and

South Punjab. Is there a possibility that in the future this will be extended to other regions in Pakistan facing similar issues?

USAID Response: At this stage, we are only accepting Concept Notes that address Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and South Punjab target areas.

33. Question: Will it be considered unfavorable if a local firm (as Prime) to take an international firm as a sub-contractor?

USAID Response: USAID does not preclude organizations from submitting concept papers as mentioned here.

34. Question: Will CEP be considered fully a demand-side (working with communities) interventions leading to the strengthening of citizen-state trust/social contract OR contractors may propose any supply-side (working with government directly) to serve the program objectives?

USAID Response: The Concept Note must meet the merit review criteria as described in Section 6, page 17 and attachment 1 concept note template, page 19. As long as these activities help meet the overall goals of the Addendum, they can be included.

35. Question: If CEP is a combination of demand and supply-side interventions, what will be the anticipated mix of them?

USAID Response: Partners will need to decide their own approaches and interventions.

USAID does not prescribe a particular approach.

36. Question: Page 5 of the APS notes that “USAID may allocate up to $16 million over the course of the next year to make an award to one or multiple applicants.” Can USAID clarify if this amount of funding is available for the first year of programming, and additional funding may be available for any awarded programs that operate for up to 5 years? Or is this amount the ceiling for all awards combined throughout the duration of programming, up to 5 years?

USAID Response: USAID has $16 Million is for all awards issued under this Addendum for a performance period of five years.

37. Question: I wonder if our institution, which is one of the public higher institutions in the U.S. and is a non-profit agency, can submit a concept note for this funding opportunity.

USAID Response: To be eligible, all implementing partners must be legally registered entities under applicable and relevant laws to receive funding from a foreign source.

Please refer to addendum Section II “Eligible Organizations” for further information.

38. Question: There are two objectives stated in the Addendum; one is to work with citizens and one with the government. Should the proposed concept paper/proposed project tackle both or either one of the stakeholders?

USAID Response: The Concept Note must meet the merit review criteria as described in Section 6, page 17 and attachment 1 concept note template, page 19. As long as these activities help meet the overall goals of the Addendum, the partner is free to propose any and all interventions.

39. Question: There are also two areas identified, KP and South Punjab, as focus of the programme. Should the proposed project be for either one or both the areas?

USAID Response: Each organization must submit only one concept paper based on their expertise for either of the geographic regions identified above.

40. Question: Lastly, can an organization apply individually in addition to applying as part of a consortium of organizations?

USAID Response: Yes

41. Question: We searched for the applicant’s package on the website but did not found, it is a kind request to you please share the complete package for the applicant organization.

USAID Response: The announcement can be downloaded from grants.gov easily by using the link https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=citizen%20engagement

42. Question: Dear sir kindly send me detail of question of projected rel[a]ted.

USAID Response: The answers to the questions will be posted on www.grants.gov through amendment to the addendum.

43. Question: Kindly let me know if the addendum with reference to the discussion that took place during the conference would be shared with the participants directly or uploaded on grants.gov website. I missed some part of the session and was very interested in some of https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=citizen%20engagement http://grants.gov/ the questions related to partnerships, consortiums and registrations that were being asked by the audience.

USAID Response: USAID/Pakistan will upload the amendment(s) and supporting document(s), if any, on www.grants.gov only. Please regularly monitor www.grants.gov for any updates on this addendum.

44. Question: Geographical focus is KP or South Punjab, mean an organization can apply only for one area, KP or south punjab

USAID Response: Each organization must submit only one concept paper based on their expertise for either of the geographic regions.

45. Question: There are also two areas identified, KP and South Punjab, as focus of the programme. Should the proposed project be for either one or both the areas? Lastly, can an organization apply individually in addition to applying as part of a consortium of organizations?

USAID Response: Each organization must submit only one concept paper based on their expertise for either of the geographic regions identified above. The addendum does not stop the applicant in applying in either way.

46. Question: followup question on the partnerships/ consortia...can we go for partnership with academia /university?

USAID Response: Yes as long as the eligibility criteria explained under Section III of the NPI: CPRP APS and Section II of the Addendum are met.

47. Question: Page 9 of the addendum gives different types of partnerships, I am interested to know if any international company can bid under options #3

USAID Response: Yes they can as long as they fulfil the eligibility criteria explained under Section III of the NPI: CPRP APS. Currently USAID is seeking concept notes and partnership may be discussed during coocreation phase.

48. Question: How will organizations from partnership type 1 (New & underutilized local entities) be able to compete in the review process with organizations from type 2,3,&4( as those categories are far stronger in management and financial expertise and experience)?

USAID Response: USAID will review all concept notes based on the Merit Review Criteria on page 17 of the addendum.

49. Question: Is it necessary for an applicant to get registration on www.grants.gov to apply for a grant on USAID Citizen Engagement Program?

USAID Response: No

50. Question: How many awards does USAID expect to issue under this opportunity? Opp reflects $16M that could be issued under one or multiple awards up to five years in duration?

USAID Response: USAID expects to issue multiple awards upto 5 years of performance under this opportunity and $16million is allocated for the whole program.

51. Question: Page 5 of the APS mentions that the applicant can apply for KP, South Punjab or both, has that changed?

USAID Response: Each organization must submit only one concept paper based on their expertise for either of the geographic regions.

52. Question: Is there any budget ceiling of single grant and any budget template?

USAID Response: No

53. Question: Is a private limited company eligible to apply as it comes under the definition of NGO but not NPO?

USAID Response: All organizations can apply which comes under the criteria mentioned in the section II of addendum “Eligible Organization”.

54. Question: There are certain requirements by institutions here on the use of certain terminologies mentioned in the addendum. Such as Conflict prevention, Peace etc. Can the concept note be designed in a way that these terms are not included?

USAID Response: The Concept Note is only required to meet the merit review criteria as described in Section 6, page 17 and attachment 1 concept note template, page 19.

55. Question: Is the concept paper should be directly in-line with the USAID CDCS 2018- 2023.

USAID Response: The Concept Note is required to meet the merit review criteria as described in Section 6, page 17 and attachment 1 concept note template, page 19 of the Addendum. The Citizen Engagement Program will support USAID/Pakistan’s Country Development and Cooperation strategy (CDCS) [See Attachment 4].

56. Question: Page 8, talks about operating at National, Provincial and local levels... Can you explain if the project will have to implement activities at the national level?

USAID Response: This will depend on the design proposed by the applicant if it requires interventions at the federal level.

57. Question: What type of a legal arrangement consortium should have ? Whether a consent letter of the partners suffice? or Consortium should be registered under a formal mechanism like Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan ?

USAID Response: USAID will consider accepting concept papers from the registered eligible organizations details are mentioned in the Section II of the addendum. In order to answer this question and in compliance to addendum, the consoria should be a legal registered entity.

58. Question: I'm very surprised to hear that an applicant can only apply for one geographical area. The addendum says on page 5: "either Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) or South Punjab or in both regions". Is this incorrect?

USAID Response: Each organization must submit only one concept paper based on their expertise for either of the geographic regions identified above. However, USAID/Pakistan may decide to make multiple awards in both regions.

59. Question: secondly is an organization had not implemented any project due to unavailability of funds they can also apply or not?

USAID Response: All organizations can apply which comes under the criteria mentioned in the section II of addendum “Eligible Organization”.

60. Question: Can a newly established (one year old) organization can apply?

USAID Response: All organizations can apply which comes under the criteria mentioned in the section II of addendum “Eligible Organization”.

61. Question: Can you please explain the attachment 5 of the addendum (Eligibility Certification Form)? Many thanks.

USAID Response: Attachment 5 is the CERTIFICATION FORM and each organization has to check the appropriate box to certify eligibility for the type of partner that applies.

62. Question: Can the applicant go with an integrated approach? i.e. one district multiple themes (livelihood, Health & Education)

USAID Response: The Concept Note must meet the merit review criteria as described in Section 6, page 17 and attachment 1 concept note template, page 19. As long as the proposed interventions help meet the overall goal and objectives of the Addendum, the partner is free to propose any and all interventions.

63. Question: In our MoU we are not allowed by EAD to work on peace programs, it is case for most of NGOs, what do you suggest in this regard

USAID Response: All applicants must follow the terms and conditions agreed with relevant government authorities and must take these into account while submitting their concept notes.

64. Question: Under the award type section, what will be the minimum reimbursement amounts/cycle?

USAID Response: This depends on activity to activity and this will be decided before making any award in the second round.

65. Question: Do ideally the concept note be focusing on both objectives or can go with single one. can partnership be with government institutions ?

USAID Response: The Concept Note must meet the merit review criteria as described in Section 6, page 17 and attachment 1 concept note template, page 19. As long as the proposed interventions help meet the overall goal and objectives of the Addendum, the partner is free to propose any and all interventions. While government institutions can be partners, they cannot receive direct USAID funds. Please see section C: Restrictions in Funding on page 12 of the Addendum.

66. Question: If an organisation had not implemented any project due to unavailability of funds should they apply for the grant also?

USAID Response: All organizations can apply which comes under the criteria mentioned in the section II of addendum “Eligible Organization”.

67. Question: Is there a minimal duration of the project as well, or it can be of any duration below 5 years?

USAID Response: As long as the concept note achieves the objectives this can be done.

68. Question: during co-creation stage will USAID will also engage NACTA people in final design as they are key stakeholders for this kind of activity. Also CPRP is a bit sensitive programme and what kind of role USAID is looking for itself to facilitate partners to seek approvals from concerned authorities to im

USAID Response: The Citizen Engagement Program will be designed to complement existing government of Pakistan efforts. NACTA is an important stakeholder. Depending on the proposed design, consultations with relevant public institutions including NACTA can be carried out. USAID will do it's best to facilitate NOCs with the GoP but it's ultimately the responsibility of the partner to obtain NOC from the Host Government.

69. Question: So the APS Addendum clearly mentions that professional and business associations and private businesses and individuals can apply. Do we still wait for the addendum on Feb 18, to be sure that Private Limited firms can apply or not?

USAID Response: All organizations can apply which comes under the criteria mentioned in the section II of addendum “Eligible Organization”.

70. Question: In the Addendum, in regard to Private Limited companies, could you clarify whether both “For Profit” and “not-for-profit” companies will be eligible to apply?

Secondly, could the Addendum also provide details on provision of mark-ups, indirect costs, fees, etc.?

USAID Response: All organizations can apply which comes under the criteria mentioned in the section II of addendum “Eligible Organization”. Currently addendum is seeking concept notes only.

71. Question: Please guide what is the difference between conditional acceptance and evergreening.

USAID Response: All concept notes receiving ‘Conditional acceptance’ will proceed to Phase 2 and will be invited to participate in the co-creation process. If the Concept Paper is evergreened, it will not proceed to the next phase. However, depending on the availability of funds, evergreened partners could be brought in during the co-creation phases which take place during design and implementation. Evergreened concept notes can potentially be considered for this (and any other) award. Please note that evergreening is only valid for a 12 month period. Please see Section C: Application Process on page 14 of the Addendum for further information.

72. Question: Page 8, last line of para 3 stats, "USAID seeks means to support Pakistan's Counter Violence extremism". This means an organization with prior CVE experience will be preferred over others. Please clarify.

USAID Response: USAID/Pakistan will review all Concept Paper applications that comply with the Merit Review instructions in the Addendum. USAID will not consider any other element for review of the concept paper.

73. Question: should an Organization apply for whole region like south Punjab, or can apply for separate district ?

USAID Response: The Concept Note must meet the merit review criteria as described in Section 6, page 17 and attachment 1 concept note template, page 19. As long as the proposed interventions help meet the overall goal and objectives of the Addendum, the partner is free to propose any number of districts in either South Punjab or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

74. Question: In situations where a Prime awardee directs sub-grants to new or underutilized partners, USAID states that it is not the role of the Prime to provide direct assistance to project beneficiaries.

USAID Response: Please see Section III: Eligibility Information page 13 of the NPI:CPRP APS for further details.

75. Question: Clarification request: On APS Addendum 01, Page 21, the eligibility certification states $25M from USG whereas the definitions on page 23 state $25M from USAID for the partners.

USAID Response: Definition of UNDERUTILIZED PARTNER: An organization that has received less than $25 million in direct or indirect awards from USAID over the past five years

76. Question: Could you please specify what sort of assistance or interaction it would prefer Prime mentor organizations to have with local partners? Is it intended that the Prime awardee simply assists with financial oversight?

USAID Response: Please see Section III: Eligibility Information page 13 of the NPI:CPRP APS for further details.

77. Question: What does the non-federal funding equal to or greater than the award value of this proposal mean in the attachment 5 (For Partners Applying as New/Underutilized Locally Established Partners) mean? Is this the $16m award ceiling limit or the value of the project that is proposed by an applicant?

USAID Response: $16M is the ceiling of this award. The $25M reference in attachment 5 refers to the amount that a partner is allowed to have received in the previous 5 years in order to be considered an Underutilized Locally Established partner. The non-federal funding should be equal to or greater than the value of the proposed award by the applicant.

78. Question: Will USAID facilitate partners in seeking approvals for this project. You have seen many projects of such nature are not being awarded NOCs

USAID Response: Applicants are expected to seek NOCs from relevant government departments. Consultations with relevant government agencies as part of Phase II of the selection process can be used to bring them on board and seek their approval. USAID will do it's best to facilitate NOCs with the GoP but it's ultimately the responsibility of the partner.

79. Question: The synopsis in grants.gov website states that the expected maximum number of awards is 03. Is this number fixed for the whole solicitation or at the type of partnership i.e. 03 awards per each type of partnership?

USAID Response: USAID expects to issue multiple awards upto 5 years of performance under this opportunity and $16million is allocated for the whole program.

80. Question: Mostly government encourage NGO's to work on Hard component and to avoid soft projects in KPK particularly. If anyone would go with development concept.

would it not be overlap with USAID former implemented projects?

USAID Response: The Citizen Engagement Program must coordinate and complement other relevant interventions by development partners for maximum effectiveness, and most specifically activities implemented by USAID/Pakistan.

81. Question: Would it be correct to say that, if funds are available and you have good concepts/ proposals, your preference would be to ward 3 awards?

USAID Response: USAID reserves the right to make or not to make awards through this APS Addendum. The actual number of assistance awards, if any, under this APS Addendum is subject to the availability of funds, the interests and requirements of USAID, and the viability of applications received. There is no pre-defined minimum or maximum number of partners or partnerships USAID will support through this APS Addendum.

82. Question: Attachment 1, point 4, requires to provide the total program amount along with the concept note submission. Can you clarify as you mentioned detailed budget are not asked for at this stage. Thanks

USAID Response: this understanding is correct that detailed budget is not required at this point.

83. Question: Kindly share minutes of meeting of the Pre-Concept Note Applicant Conference held on February 09, 2021 for consideration.

USAID Response: USAID will provide all answers to the questions which were received against Citizen Engagement Addendum through an amendment on www.grants.gov.

84. Question: I would really appreciate if you can guide me through the entire application process for this US Grant.

USAID Response: Please see section V: Information on Application and Submission, page 13 of the APS Addendum.

85. Question: Can an organization apply only like one type of partner or can submit multiple concept papers as a different type of partners as per the definition of Types of partnership provided in the APS addendum 1?

USAID Response: The Concept Note must meet the merit review criteria as described in Section 6, page 17 and attachment 1 concept note template, page 19 in addition to the criteria mentioned in section II of the addendum “Eligible Organizations”. Each prime applicant can submit one concept note.

86. Question: If one partner is currently implementing grant with USAID in target district and partner organization successfully qualifies for the evergreening, can u link the proposed intervention with already implementing grant having an almost same theme like peace promotion.

USAID Response: It is technically possible however this determination will be made after reviewing other factors and USAID priorities.

87. Question: Can different applicants join together as consortiums in the co-creation phase if their concept notes are selected for this phase or can two different concept notes submitted by different entities be merged as well in this phase?

USAID Response: This will depend on the applicants and their willingness to share their intellectual property rights with other organizations.

88. Question: Sub contracting/ sub granting is allowed under the grant or not?

USAID Response: USAID through this addendum does not preclude applicants from applying like this.

89. Question: More clarity is needed on whether an applicant can apply for KP, South Punjab as well as for engagement at the Federal level?

USAID Response: Each organization must submit only one concept paper based on their expertise for either of the geographic regions identified above. Some engagement at the federal level may be incorporated if relevant for the design and proposed approach.

90. Question: There are difficulties in accessing districts within the geographical zones KP and South Punjab as directed under EAD MoUs. Organizations are barred from working in certain sensitive areas within these districts. What is the criteria to select districts within these regions?

USAID Response: All applicants must follow the terms and conditions agreed with relevant government authorities and must take these into account while submitting their concept notes. The choice of districts must be feasible and enable USAID to meet the objectives of the Addendum.

91. Question: Is USAID has an MOU or signed agreement with Government of Pakistan for this project/program, conflict prevention and recovery program (CPRP).

USAID Response: The New Partnership Initiative: Conflict Prevention and Recovery Program is a global APS. The Citizen Engagement Program, the addendum to the APS, will support the implementation of USAID/Pakistan’s Country Development and Cooperation strategy (CDCS) [See Attachment 4], which has been agreed with the Government of Pakistan. Further consultations can be undertaken with relevant government departments during Phase II (co-creation) of the selection process.

92. Question: Can one organization/consortium submit multiple proposals as long as it remains within the objectives and criteria?

USAID Response: Each organization must submit only one concept paper based on their expertise for either of the geographic regions.

93. Question: You mentioned choosing one geographic area, is that a limitation/requirement or can we propose activities for both KP and Punjab?

USAID Response: Each organization must submit only one concept paper based on their expertise for either of the geographic regions.

94. Question: Is it correct to say that even a consortium, including organizations from KP and South Punjab, can not apply for both region? A linked question is: can one applicant submit two applications for different regions?

USAID Response: Each organization must submit only one concept paper based on their expertise for either of the geographic regions.

95. Question: Can you tell please in percentage how much the element of "innovative idea" will help to win an organization an award?

USAID Response: USAID/Pakistan will review all Concept Paper applications that comply with the Merit Review instructions in the Addendum. USAID will not consider any other element for review of the concept paper.

96. Question: is there a limit to how many organizations to form a consortium?

USAID Response: No there is no limit and USAID through this addendum does not preclude applicants from applying like this. However, the organization submitting the concept paper must be registered and should be compliant to Section II of the addendum.

97. Question: Hi, are there any activities/ interventions USAID is likely to discourage in the project design?

USAID Response: Please see section C: Restrictions in Funding, page 12 of the Addendum.

98. Question: which districts are considered to be in South Punjab? Can this be considered to be the same as included in the current Saraikistan Secretariat?

USAID Response: USAID/Pakistan has not identified districts in South Punjab.

USAID/Pakistan will focus on districts with a history of conflict, where there is a commitment to advance peace and address relevant grievances by both civil society and government actors. USAID/Pakistan does not have any information about the Saraikistan Secretariat and it’s districts.

99. Question: Can INGOs with registration underprocess at MoI eligible to apply?

USAID Response: USAID Pakistan is seeking concept notes from eligible entities to implement the Citizen Engagement Program described in the Addendum. To be eligible, all implementing partners must be legally registered entities under applicable and relevant laws to receive funding from a foreign source. Please refer to addendum Section II “Eligible Organizations” for further information.

100. Question: Does the same go for local NGOs and EAD MOUs?

USAID Response: USAID Pakistan is seeking concept notes from eligible entities to implement the Citizen Engagement Program described in the Addendum. To be eligible, all implementing partners must be legally registered entities under applicable and relevant laws to receive funding from a foreign source. Please refer to addendum Section II “Eligible Organizations” for further information.

101. Question: Is cost share or leveraging required for this award?

USAID Response: There is no requirement for cost-sharing or matching in this funding opportunity. Please see section ‘Direct awards to partners to leverage private/non-U.S.

Government funding’ on page 13 of the NPI APS for information on leveraging.

[End of Amendment 01]