Annex 1 - Answers to Questions IWGA.pdf

Annex 1 - Answers to Questions for NOFO: 72039125RFA00002

Questions

1. Welthungerhilfe is a German organization that has been operating in Pakistan since

2005. We work through a partnership approach, collaborating with local partners to implement project activities while providing essential technical support and guidance.

We are currently working with 16 local NGOs, implementing projects funded by BMZ, EU, FCDO, ECHO, GFFO, and NORAD. Moreover, we are legally registered with the

Ministry of the Interior (MoI) and have recently renewed our registration for another three years, valid until 2027. Considering our operational framework, we kindly seek your clarification on whether WHH, as a German non-profit organization working through local partners in Pakistan, qualifies to apply for this opportunity.

Answer: Any applicant must meet the definition of local organization given under

Section C.1 page 18 of the NOFO and also provided below. Any applicant must be able to provide documentation that substantiates and complies with the definition of local organization from a legal point of view. Applicants that do not meet the definition of local organization or local entity are not eligible to apply and will not be considered under this funding opportunity.

Local organization or local entity is defined as:

USAID defines a “local entity” as an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that:

(1) Is legally organized under the laws of; and

(2) Has as its principal place of business or operations in; and

(3) Is

(A) majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of; and

(B) managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the country receiving assistance.

For purposes of this definition, ‘majority owned’ and ‘managed by’ include, without limitation, beneficiary interests and the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exercisable, to control the election, appointment, or tenure of the organization's managers or a majority of the organization's governing body by any means.

Inclusive Water Governance Activity (IWGA), NOFO No.: 72039125RFA00002

Issue Date: December 06, 2024, Closing Date: February 06, 2025

2. Definition of Local Organizations/Entities:

Could you kindly clarify whether the term “local organizations” or “local entities” applies exclusively to organizations/entities registered and operating within Pakistan?

Alternatively, would international organizations with a local presence also be eligible?

Answer: See response to Question No.1.

3. Area Selection Approach:

Should the selected areas (rural, urban, and semi-urban) for inclusive water governance activities be geographically contiguous? Or could they be dispersed, such as a rural area in one district and an urban area in another? Are there specific priorities or considerations for area selection that applicants should take into account?

Answer: No. The selected areas/sites for the three interventions shall not be geographically contiguous. Partners may suggest sites for interventions based upon criteria mentioned in Section A (7): Geographic Focus of the NOFO for site selection.

4. Government Department Inclusion:

Will government departments be formally included as part of the consortium, or will their role be limited to providing support and coordination?

Answer: No, government departments are not eligible to apply under this funding opportunity. See response to Question 5 below regarding ‘consortium’. Nonetheless, the activity will work in close coordination with the relevant government departments, as described in the NOFO, to build their capacity, strengthen policy environment and build linkages with communities.

5. Consortium Participation:

Is participation in a consortium mandatory, or can a single entity apply independently for this opportunity?

Answer: A single entity may apply as the Prime applicant. However, for a consortium to be eligible under this NOFO, it must be registered as a separate entity with the

Government of Pakistan. The term ‘consortium’ must not be used vaguely. Instead of using the term ‘consortium’, use the model of prime applicants proposing an application with sub-recipients. USAID will have a relationship only with the prime applicant.

6. International Organization Participation:

Are international organizations permitted to participate in the consortium or standalone, or is the opportunity restricted solely to local entities?

Answer: This opportunity is restricted to local entities only.

7. Anticipated Solicitation Release Date:

The link of Climate Resilient Water Governance Activity | U.S. Agency for International

Development currently states an “Anticipated Solicitation Release Date” of December

30, 2024. Could you kindly confirm if this date is still accurate or if there have been any updates?

Answer: The date mentioned on the Business Forecast was an anticipated date and the said NOFO was already released on December 06, 2024.

8. In your evaluation criteria, will an applicant with exclusive teams or key personnel have an advantage over those whose key personnel are committed to multiple applicants?

Answer: Key personnel are required to submit a letter of commitment. Exclusivity of key personnel is not mentioned in the merit review criteria.

9. Does the evaluation criteria prefer an applicant with exclusive sub-partners over those whose sub-partners are committed to multiple partners?

Answer: No. Please review the NOFO thoroughly. Please see the last sentence under

Section D.5(g)(3), on page 25, for partner letter of commitments, “These letters of commitment will not be considered as exclusivity agreements.”

10. While a prime applicant cannot submit more than one application, can a prime applicant also simultaneously serve as a sub-partner in other prime applications?

Answer: This depends on the specific situation and circumstances and is subject to a risk assessment conducted by USAID. Such a scenario could hinder the Prime organization’s capacity to achieve the objectives outlined in the Prime application.

11. In Section 5.1 on page 9, it states that “The Activity will…facilitate construction of low-cost green infrastructure to better prepare communities to manage floods and drought.” What does ‘facilitation’ mean in this context? Does it refer to the grant recipient building the infrastructure itself, or does it involve facilitating construction by other stakeholders such as communities, the private sector, or through public-private partnerships (PPPs)?

Answer: See Section 5.1.1 which clearly states that “The activity will provide technical and limited financial support (e.g., grants) to communities to mobilize local resources and additional financing from the private sector, for low-cost water management https://www.usaid.gov/node/530986 https://www.usaid.gov/node/530986 solutions.” The applicant may propose innovative and best practices to achieve the activity objectives.

12. What percentage of the project cost will be allocated to brick-and-mortar structures against the three Intermediate Results?

Answer: The percentage of project cost that is to be allocated to construction may not exceed 10% of the project cost.

13. In Section 7 on page 9, it states that the recipient will work in “one hill torrent basin,”

“one city including in peri-urban areas,” and “one selected rural area.” Can you define

“one hill torrent basin”? Can an applicant choose the above stated three locations in three different provinces or they have to be in one province?

Answer: See Section 5.1.1 for detailed description of a hill torrent intervention. In general terms, a hill torrent basin is a geographic area covered by a hill torrent including watershed, command area and drainage area. Applicants may suggest hill torrent based upon site selection criteria as given in Section A (7): Geographic Focus of the NOFO.

14. In Section 7 on page 9, it states “all the three interventions could be replicated in other areas, subject to time and funds availability.” Do we need to consider/include

'replication' of interventions while writing the technical proposal? Or does it (replication) fall outside of the ambit of this Call (NOFO)?

Answer: No. There is no need to consider/include 'replication' of interventions while writing the technical proposal.

15. It is mentioned in the NOFO that the activity will provide technical and limited financial support (e.g., grants) to communities to mobilize local resources and additional financing from the private sector, for low-cost water management solutions. Can USAID provide an estimated range of magnitude of grants to local communities under this award? For example, 10%-15% of Total Estimated Cost (TEC). In addition, can USAID clarify the modality of these grants?

Answer: The percentage of project cost that is to be allocated to small grants may not exceed 3% of the project cost.

16. It is mentioned in the NOFO that for the hill torrent intervention, the recipient will work initially in one hill torrent basin in either the Sulaiman or Kirther ranges. For urban water recharge, the recipient will initially work in one city including peri-urban areas. Similarly, for the rural water storage, the recipient will initially work in one selected rural area. All the three interventions could be replicated in other areas, subject to time and funds availability. Can USAID explain that funds availability refers to additional funding beyond the total estimated cost of the activity?

Answer: No. “Funds availability” is a standard United States Government (USG) term that means that all funding under this opportunity is subject to availability of funds. This term is used in all USG grants and contracts.

17. It is mentioned in the NOFO to see 2 CFR 200.331 for assistance in determining whether a sub-tier entity is a subrecipient or contractor. Is there any threshold for a sub-tier for-profit entity to perform as a contractor under this award?

Answer: There is no threshold for this.

18. We refer to the NOFO document outlining three key positions: Chief of Party, Water

Resource Management Specialist, and Governance & Community Engagement Specialist.

We kindly request clarification on whether applicants can propose additional key positions under the Management and Staffing Plan to enable Prime Organization to effectively engage and oversee the work.

Answer: Applicants can propose additional key positions but USAID will evaluate only the key personnel mentioned in the NOFO.

19. The NOFO states that “The activity will provide technical and limited financial support

(e.g., grants) to communities...” Can USAID confirm the expected amount in terms of these grants?

Answer: See response to Question 15.

20. Some of the links provided to Policies and Guiding documents have restricted access.

Can USAID provide accessible links to all the documents?

Answer: All these links are publicly available online and can be accessed from the internet (also given below). On Page 11 of the NOFO, please read the National Action

Plan 2023 as National Adaptation Plan 2023, and the Living Indus Initiative 2022 as the

Living Indus 2022.

● The U.S. Government Global Water Strategy (2022-27)

● USAID Climate Strategy (2022-30)

● National Adaptation Plan 2023

● Living Indus 2022 https://www.globalwaters.org/sites/default/files/us_global_water_strategy_2022.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2022-11/USAID-Climate-Strategy-2022-2030.pdf https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/National_Adaptation_Plan_Pakistan.pdf https://www.livingindus.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Living-Indus-Investing-in-Ecological-Restoration-Final-Version.pdf

21. Can USAID clarify where the Abbreviations page should be organized and that it does not count towards the 18-page limit?

Answer: Abbreviations pages do not count to the 18-page limit. Please see the first paragraph under Section D.5 that states, “The Technical Application must not exceed eighteen (18) A4 sized pages excluding Cover Page, Table of Contents, Executive

Summary, Abbreviations Page, and Annexes.”

22. Can USAID confirm if past performance can be included for any partners or only major partners? And if the latter, can USAID clarify the definition of a major partner?

Answer: Only prime and major sub recipients’ past performance is required. The type of sub-recipient that will be considered a major subrecipient will depend on the proposed program and technical approach submitted by the prime applicant.

23. Can USAID confirm that both the Resume and the Letter of commitment are required only for the COP, and no other key personnel?

Answer: No. Resume and letter of commitment are required for all three key personnel including Chief of Party, Water Resources Management Specialist, and Governance and

Community Engagement Specialist.

Section D.5(g)(3) of the NOFO is amended to state the same.

24. Can USAID clarify the definition of “major subrecipients” for the Partner Letters of commitment? Does this relate to the percentage share of delivery?

Answer: See response to Question 22.

25. Can USAID confirm that the History of performance should only be provided for the applicant and not any partners?

Answer: Yes. However, history of performance should not be confused with past experience under Merit Review Criteria #3.

26. The links provided to the SF 424 forms in the table are broken. Can USAID provide the correct links?

Answer: Yes. Updated links are provided in the amended NOFO.

27. The NOFO states "The Budget must be...broken out by project year, including itemization of the federal and non-federal (cost share) amount." However, on page 18, the NOFO states "Cost sharing is not a requirement under this NOFO." Can USAID clarify if the inclusion of cost share will affect the evaluation of the offeror's cost application?

Answer: Cost share is not a requirement. The budget template is standard. Applicants may input a cost share amount of $0. Applicants may propose cost share however, inclusion of cost share will not affect the evaluation or selection.

28. Can USAID confirm that the security plan should be submitted as part of the cost application?

Answer: The cost application must have the cost for the security plan.

29. Can USAID confirm if the “Approval of subawards” information should be provided as part of the technical or cost application?

Answer: This information must be provided in both technical and cost applications.

30. Can USAID confirm if the MEL plan should be submitted as an annex to the technical application?

Answer: The MEL should not be submitted with the technical application.

31. The “Instructions” tab refers to “6 tabs at the bottom of this workbook.” Subsequently numbers 1, 2 and 5 are mentioned. There are only 5 tabs in the workbook. Can USAID confirm that no section is missing from the template?

Answer: This is to confirm that the template is complete with regards to Assistance

Instrument.

32. Can USAID confirm that both the Excel narrative tab and a separate Word/PDF narrative are required for the budget?

Answer: The budget must be submitted in Excel format while the budget narrative should be submitted separately in the word file.

33. Can USAID share the most recent Local Compensation Plan for Pakistan?

Answer: This is an assistance instrument. Local Compensation Plans are not required to be shared.

34. Can USAID confirm whether it is allowable to have more than one major partner in a consortium?

Answer: For a consortium to be eligible under this NOFO, it must be registered as a separate entity with the Government of Pakistan. The term ‘consortium’ must not be used vaguely. Instead of using the term ‘consortium’, use the model of prime applicants proposing an application with sub-recipients. USAID will have a relationship only with the prime applicant including payments, monitoring and reporting. USAID will have no relationship with the sub-recipients. In order for the ‘consortium’ model to work, the

‘consortium’ must be one legal entity with a SAM registration and must be able to provide documentation that this legal entity has all the procurement and policies in place to successfully pass the pre-award survey assessments.

35. The NOFO states that "Eligibility for this NOFO is restricted to local organizations or local entities". Can an international organization be included as a sub-contractor?

Answer: This opportunity is restricted to local entities, however, an International

Organization can be a sub-awardee to a local Prime applicant.

36. Please confirm if Past Experience evidence/ History of Performance can be provided from nominated consortium sub-partners or if just the prime applicant can submit past experience evidence?

Answer: Please see responses to Questions 34 and 5. Please also see responses to

Questions 22 and 25.

37. Please confirm if USAID employees can be considered as referees / references for Key

Expert CVs?

Answer: Yes, under an official capacity, USAID employees can be considered as referees for key personnel.

38. Please confirm if USAID employees can be considered as references for organizational

History of Performance?

Answer: See response to Question 37.

39. Please confirm that a Letter of Commitment is only required for the nominated COP and not other nominated key personnel?

Answer: Please see response to Question 23.

40. Please indicate if nominated sub-partners are required to submit requested

Certifications and Assurances, or just the Prime Applicant?

Answer: Only the prime applicant is required to submit the requested certifications and assurances.

41. Please confirm if USAID has an estimated budget allocation for community infrastructure/ construction activities?

Answer: See response to Question 12.

42. Is the Applicant expected to recommend implementation sites based on the nominated

Provinces for each Immediate Result?

Answer: Geographic scope and site selection criteria is given in Section A (7) of the

NOFO.

43. History of Performance - The Applicant must provide information regarding its recent history of performance for no more than five (5) projects performed within the past five

(5) years involving approaches similar to what is proposed under the application. (NOFO

Page #25, Point # 4) Query on above Para: In order to present the best practices, you are requested to extend the period at least to 15-20 years.

Answer: History of performance does not mean best practices.

44. “Resume and Letter of Commitment of the key personnel (COP only). Each resume must include a minimum of three (3) references with current email and telephone number contact information. It should be noted that USAID reserves the right to solicit references beyond those submitted.” (NOFO Page #25, Point # 2) Query on above Para:

There is a discrepancy in the statements, it is stated that” Resume and Letter of

Commitment of the key personnel (COP only).” COP only, on the next line it is written, “Each resume”. Can you please elaborate on whether the resumes, letters of commitment and agreement to the compensation level of the following key experts will be included in the Technical proposal or only the COP's resume and letters will be submitted?

● Chief of Party

● Water Resources Management Specialist

● Governance and Community Engagement Specialist

Answer: See response to Question 23.

45. Merit review criteria: In the NOFO, the marking criteria do not appear. Could you please provide it?

Answer: There is no marking criteria. As stated in Section E.1 of the NOFO, adjectival rating method will be used. As stated under Section E.2(a), “The review of technical applications will be limited to the following three main factors: Proposed Program/Technical Approach, Management and Staffing Plan, and Past Experience and Institutional Capacity. The three main factors are in descending order of importance.”

46. The study area outlined in the SOW/TOR encompasses multiple basins across all four provinces. Further, the marked area does not include complete Kirthar range. We understand that the area marked is a provisional boundary and all potential torrents in the Kirthar and Suleiman ranges can be considered for this project. Please confirm

Answer: Yes, all hill torrents in Kirther and Sulaiman range can be considered, based upon the guidelines given in Section A (7) Geographic Focus and Section A (5) Activity

Interventions of the NOFO for site selection.

47. What level of detail is required in the design of proposed interventions and structures?

Would it include hydrological assessment, detailed engineering design, drawings, estimates and technical specifications?

Answer: See Section A (Program Description) and Section E (2)(a) Merit Review Criteria which clearly define the requirements to achieve the activity objective.

48. Refer to the Heading "Activity Interventions" page # 9, 10 & 11 it is stated that recipient will provide limited financial support and facilitate the construction of recharge wells etc. could you please elaborate the extent/ nature of support from the recipient in these activities.

Answer: See response to Question 12 and Section A (5) of the NOFO.

49. Can US-based and/or international non-profit/for-profit organizations partner with

Pakistan-based lead firms as sub-awardees and/or designated contractors?

Answer: An International Organization can be a sub-awardee to a local Prime applicant.

● Assuming international organizations (for/non-profit) can partner with local

Prime organizations, the repatriation of USD ($) to international players may need further clarification. Will USAID Pakistan facilitate direct USD transfers to

US-based entities as part of the cooperative agreement? Or will Pak entities be required to rely on State bank procedures for PKR/USD conversions?

Answer: USAID will not facilitate direct USD transfers to international sub-recipients. The Prime applicant will be responsible for such transfers.

● Would USAID consider “US-based and/or other international” for-profit firms providing services, a sub-recipient or a contractor?

Answer: Yes

● Will tax exemption be provided to the “US/international” sub-recipients and/or contractors working on this cooperative agreement?

Answer: The tax exemption or allowability will be provided as per the USAID

Pakistan’s tax guidance.

50. What are the expectations for the scale and scope of “demonstration green infrastructure” for interventions?

Answer: Same response to Question 12 and Section A (5).

51. What is the scale and scope of hill torrent water management, considering that more than 200 hill torrents originate from the Suleman Range, spanning the command area of

DG Khan, Rajanpur Districts, and Kachhi Plains in Balochistan Province?

Answer: Same response as Question 13.

52. Is there a cap on the funding that can be allocated to specific interventions or regions?

Answer: No.

53. Are there specific metrics for determining the selection criteria of ‘local need and popular demand from local community’ to assess which urban areas to work in?

Answer: There are no specific metrics. See Section A (5) and A (7) of the NOFO for site selection criteria.

54. Could you clarify the expectations for private sector engagement, including:

Answer: See complete Program Description in Section A of the NOFO.

55. Whether USAID has specific sectors or companies/organisations in mind for partnerships?

Answer: No.

56. Whether USAID will facilitate introductions or collaborations with private sector actors?

Answer: No.

57. Whether a private sector engagement plan must be included in the technical proposal?

Answer: Yes

58. Regarding private sector engagement, are there any pre-identified stakeholders or local organisations with whom collaboration is required or preferred?

Answer: No.

59. As the scope of work involves inter-provincial coordination, will USAID assist in providing access to federal and provincial stakeholders and relevant records/data?

Answer: No.

60. Are there specific government departments or agencies with which the recipient must collaborate at federal, provincial, or district levels?

Answer: No. See complete Program Description in Section A of the NOFO.

61. Are there existing partnerships with local governments that the selected applicant will need to work with?

Answer: No.

62. Are there specific guidelines for working with marginalized groups, including women, minorities, and youth, beyond general inclusivity?

Answer: See Section A (8) for relevant guidelines.

63. What does USAID mean by "limited bridge financing" for demonstration projects, and are there specific funding limits or guidelines for its use?

Answer: Same response as Question 12.

64. Are there any specific sectors or areas of expertise that are preferred for local entities?

Answer: No.

65. Are there predefined cost ceilings for specific activities or budget categories?

Answer: See responses to Question 12 and 15. No other ceilings.

66. What criteria will be used to select the hill torrent basin, urban area, and rural area for implementation?

Answer: Same response as Question 13.

67. Are there baseline metrics for outcomes such as resilience improvement, flood risk reduction, or economic opportunities to guide project design?

Answer: No, baseline data is the applicant’s responsibility to collect and validate.

68. Is there a preferred framework or model for conducting gender analysis and climate risk management?

Answer: See Section A (8) for relevant guidelines.

69. Are there any predefined training or knowledge-sharing tools that USAID prefers?

Answer: No.

70. Will USAID provide baseline data, or is it the applicant’s responsibility to collect and validate it?

Answer: No. See response as question 67.

71. Will USAID provide access to any existing data, such as hydrological studies, water usage statistics, or vulnerability assessments, to support implementation?

Answer: No.

72. How is the evaluation criteria weighted?

Answer: See response to Question 45.

73. On MEL, will there be specific indicators that need to be reported on, and how frequently?

Answer: See response to Question 30.

74. What specific and measurable outcomes are expected from the capacity-building activities for local stakeholders, the private sector, and local governments?

Answer: See complete Program Description in Section A of the NOFO.

75. Will USAID provide any technical assistance or support to the selected applicant during the implementation phase?

Answer: No.

76. Are there any specific frameworks or guidelines for ensuring gender considerations are integrated into the proposal (aside from general USAID guidelines)?

Answer: See Section A (8) for relevant guidelines.

77. Can you confirm how the $14 million budget is divided between local and international entities, if applicable.

Answer: The prime applicant must be a local entity as defined in the NOFO. See answer to Question 1. The division of budget, if any, must be finalized by the prime applicant in accordance with the proposed technical approach.

78. Please confirm whether USAID requires a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan to be submitted as part of the Technical Application. While the application requirements listed out on page 23 of the NOFO do not include an MEL plan, the

Performance Reporting requirements on page 43 do require an illustrative MEL plan and a Performance Indicator Reference Sheet to be submitted as part of the application.

Answer: Same response as question 30.

79. Please confirm if a Letter of Commitment is required only for the Chief of Party or for all

Key Personnel.

Answer: Please see response to Question 23.

80. Keeping in consideration USAID’s prior investments in other sectors in Sindh and Punjab, should applicants limit their focus to the Sulaiman-Kirther (Punjab) range specifically, and would it be advised for applicants to take into consideration areas in Balochistan or

KP as well?

Answer: Geographic scope and site selection criteria is given in Section A (7) of the

NOFO.

81. Taking into account the award ceiling is 14 million USD, as well as the usage of the keyword ‘initially’ in the NOFO, is it recommended for applicants to prioritise allocation of the award to the initially selected basin/urban area/rural area only?

Answer: Same response as question 14.

82. Taking into account the usage of the keyword ‘initially’ in the NOFO, is there consideration by USAID to further scale up the groundwork laid by IWGA in the initially selected areas after 5 years?

Answer: Same response as question 14.

83. It is mentioned in the NOFO that grants for construction may be allocated for demonstration purposes only, does USAID have any guidelines/recommendations for applicants pertaining to the amount to allocate to demonstration/construction activities?

Answer: Same response as question 12 and 15.

84. Will USAID prefer to have an exclusive commitment from a proposed Chief of Party of a bidding organisation?

Answer: See response to Question 8.

85. If an entity has a valid SAM registration on the date of application submission but the registration is scheduled to expire few days afterwards, then can that applicant get a fresh SAM registration now (while the earlier registration is still valid till mid Feb. 2025)?

Answer: The entity can apply against the NOFO with a valid SAM registration. The entity must seek renewal of SAM registration as soon as possible and contact SAM helpdesk for any information related to the renewal. The sooner the better.

86. Are consortium members required to also have SAM registration?

Answer: The consortium must be registered separately and must have an active SAM registration. Also see responses to Questions 5 and 34 regarding the term ‘consortium’.

87. The applicant has to select urban centers from this list?

Answer: See Section A (7) of the NOFO for site selection criteria.

88. Any specific city(ies) of Balochistan which is in the priority list?

Answer: No.

89. Selection and prioritization of hill torrent should be done in close coordination with the provincial government and development partners who are also planning to work in hill torrents areas. We would appreciate additional clarity in this regard. Is there any ongoing initiative of the provincial governments with the help of USAID on hill torrent management?

Answer: See Section A of the NOFO. The applicant is expected to conduct market research for this question.

90. The activity will provide technical and limited financial support (e.g., grants) to communities to mobilize local resources and additional financing from the private sector, for low-cost water management solutions.

a. Any indicative number and estimated ceiling of these grants?

b. Will these be awarded to organized informal community groups or formally registered local CBOs/CSOs having proper bylaws, bank accounts and internal controls?

Answer: Same response to Question 15 and detailed Program Description in Section A of the NOFO.

91. Can recipients choose one hill torrent, one urban center and one rural area on their own

OR USAID has any preference?

Answer: See question 13.

92. What does ‘initially’ mean? This is a five-year project. Will this be implemented in the areas selected at the start for full five years or these areas will be expanded to other parts within five years?

Answer: Same response as question 14.

93. Can a local prime propose more than one international partners? Or this can negatively impact the evaluation?

Answer: The local prime applicant can propose multiple international partners.

94. Since the prime has to select only one of the two hill torrent areas in its application, can it also become sub-partner to another prime going for a different hill torrent and urban area?

Answer: Please see response to Q.9.

95. The applicant must explain how their organization and potential partners possess the relevant experience and institutional capacity to successfully implement this activity. Can a public sector entity be included as an implementing partner’s consortium, like PDMAs or PCRWR etc.?

Answer: No.

96. Resume and Letter of Commitment of the key personnel (COP only). What about the CVs of other two key personnel as explained on page 24?

Answer: Please see response to Question 23.

97. Can sharing additional CVs (just to demonstrate the capacity) have any positive/negative impact on evaluation?

Answer: No.

98. Whether all consortium partners, other than prime, are also required to share their respective history of performance?

Answer: See responses to Questions 5 and 34 regarding the term ‘consortium’. Also see response to Question 25 regarding history of performance.

99. The Business (Cost) Application must be submitted separately from the Technical

Application. Does this mean that the technical application and cost application should be submitted through separate emails with supporting documents?

Answer: The business/cost application can be submitted along with the technical application in one email.

100. Initial Application Requirements: If the applicant has a current NICRA, submit your approved NICRA and the associated disclosed practices. NRSP implemented USAID funded US$ 50 Million Small Grants and Ambassador’s Fund Programme from 2010 to

2018. NRSP conducted its NICRA audit in 2011 for this project and it was accordingly used by USAID for NICRA/Indirect cost. This is the latest NICRA audit that NRSP has. Will this be OK for the IWGA or a fresh NICRA audit is needed now?

Answer: No, a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) is generally not directly applicable to non-U.S organizations, as it is a document specifically negotiated between a U.S. federal agency and a U.S.-based organization to determine the rate at which indirect costs can be charged on federal grants and contracts.

101. Can we include the hill torrents with the same topographic characteristics and additional vulnerabilities in the upper (north eastern) part of the map given in the

NOFO, as add up and not as exclusion of the prioritized area of this NOFO ?

Answer: Yes.

102. Will a proposal be judged unfavorably due to lack of past performance?

Answer: Please see the merit review criteria.

103. Can you share a list of interested parties with whom we can form a teaming agreement?

Answer: No. Prime applicants must make their own teaming arrangements.

— End of Annex 1 —