Attachment 1 - Response to Questions.pdf

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INITIATIVES FOR DEMOCRACY

Notice of Funding Opportunity 72049219APS00001

ATTACHMENT 1

Responses to Questions

Question 1: In introducing the Initiatives for Democracy Annual Program Statement (APS), the

Agreement Officer refers to the Philippine’s pledge to Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal #16 “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” Does this also indicate a high level of priority for the SDG that reflects the Initiative’s “Gender” guiding principle, i.e., Goal #5 “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.”?

Response 1: Yes, the gender guiding principle of the APS indicates a high level of priority for SDG

Goal #5.

Question 2: Per the guidance, it seems that there is not a 1:1 funding requirement for this APS.

However, please advise if external contributions from other parties have any affect on the proposal evaluation?

Response 2: If “external contribution” refers to cost share, then it will not affect the evaluation of concept notes or full applications. As specified in section C.4 of the Initiatives for Democracy APS, cost sharing or cost matching is not a requirement. However, please see the APS discussion on Guiding Principles (Section A.5), specifically on Partnering with local organizations and non‐traditional partners, Sustainability and self‐reliance and Private Sector engagement, which encourage innovative ways to draw external support to meet the APS objectives. Adherence of the applications to the Guiding Principles, especially full applications, is part of the evaluation criteria.

Question 3: Would you please clarify if the indicative timeline on page 24 of the solicitation is illustrative or representative of the expected dates for which applicants should adhere for consideration?

Response 3: The timeline shown on page 24 is illustrative. The Mission has estimated that it will take more or less 21 weeks, or 5.25 months, from the time an Addendum is issued to the time an award is made. Specific dates will be listed in each Addendum.

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Question 4: Is there a predetermined number or percentage of proposals that will advance from concept paper to full application development for each Addendum?

Response 4: There is no predetermined number or percentage of applications that will advance from concept paper to full application for each Addendum.

Question 5: Are there any instances where USAID will request submitted concept papers to be revised? Or are the only possible outcomes: a) Advance to Full Proposal and b) Rejection?

Response 5: USAID will not request applicants for revised concept papers. Qualified concept papers will advance to full application. Concept papers that do not qualify will be rejected and the applicants will be informed soon after the review.

Question 6: Should APS proposed solutions for any particular Addendum address all of the subcategories to be considered for advancement?

Response 6: USAID envisions each Addendum to have core integrated objectives or components to be successful. If an Applicant strongly believes that achieving the desired results of an Addendum will require more or less objectives/components, the idea can be presented in the concept note with a compelling rationale.

Question 7: Is there a limit to the number of partners which are proposed for any specific consortium?

Response 7: There is no limit on the number of partners proposed for a consortium.

Question 8: For new USAID applicants and recently developed for‐profit entities, will USAID accept the organizational experience of the firm's senior members to assess its standing as a "responsible entity"?

Response 8: USAID encourages applications from potential new partners. If an organization that has not previously partnered with USAID is selected as the Apparently Successful Applicant (ASA), then the organization will be subjected to a pre‐award risk assessment in accordance with policies established by both USAID and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This exercise is part of due diligence to determine if the Applicant is a responsible entity. This assessment will include a review of financial stability, quality of management systems, organizational past performance, etc. (See 2 CFR 200.2051). The review covers experience of the firm's senior members among other factors.

1 Visit https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR‐2018‐title2‐vol1/pdf/CFR‐2018‐title2‐vol1‐sec200‐205.pdf for more details.

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Question 9: When is the deadline for concept papers?

Response 9: The deadlines for receipt of concept papers are specified in each Addendum.

Question 10: Is USAID funding fully available at the outset of the project or is it disbursed over the timeline established for the project?

Response 10: All USAID projects are subject to the availability of funds. Funding for each Addendums is expected to be disbursed incrementally over the period of performance.

Question 11: For US‐based organizations intending to submit a proposal, are there any requirements regarding the presence of a locally‐registered office before submitting a proposal?

Response 11: The presence of locally‐registered office is not a requirement to submit a concept paper.

However, USAID expects the recipient of an award to establish a local presence that is adequate for ensuring a quick start‐up and the efficient management of program activities in‐country.

Question 12: Can an applicant submit a proposal covering all programming areas of the initiatives for democracy?

Response 12: Concept papers must be submitted in response to a specific Addendum. An Applicant can submit concept papers separately for more than one or all Addendums.

Question 13: Can the applicant submit multiple proposals to cover each project addendum?

Response 13: See response to Question 12.

Question 14: Does USAID require working with PH Government counterpart agencies in the implementation of the project?

Response 14: See Capacity‐building guiding principle of the APS.

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Question 15: Would intergovernmental organisations be eligible consortium partners to apply under this funding opportunity?

Response15: Public international organizations (PIOs) including intergovernmental organizations are eligible to apply. See ADS Chapter 3082 for more guidance on USAID agreements with PIOs.

Question 16: Would USAID allow the Applicant to use a smaller font size for “graphics, charts, exhibits and tables” contained in the body of the Concept Paper submission?

Response 16: Yes. Section D.3 a Phase 1 ‐ Concept Paper, page 24 of the APS, has been amended to reflect this clarification (see APS Amendment #1, page 23).

Question 17: Can USAID please clarify which documents should be included as additional annexes to the Concept Note submission?

Response 17: A 1‐page graphic representation of results framework can be submitted as an annex and not be counted as part of the 10‐page limit of the concept note. Section D.3 a Phase 1 ‐ Concept Paper, page 24 of the APS, has been amended to reflect this clarification (see APS Amendment #1, page 25).

Nothing follows.

2 Visit https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/308 for more details.