CDP_ Annual Program Statement _7200AA23APS00002.pdf

Cooperative Development Program (CDP) Annual Program Statement (APS)

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U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Cooperative Development Program

ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT (APS)

January 20, 2023 - January 20, 2024 APS No: 7200AA23APS00002

CFDA #: 98.002-Cooperative Development Program (CDP)

APS Summary

Pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, the United States government as represented by the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation (DDI) Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnerships (LFT) Hub, welcomes Concept Papers from new and existing Cooperative Development Program (CDP) partners.

Eligibility is restricted to:

1. a U.S. cooperative or an organization with substantial membership and/or financial links to recognized U.S. cooperatives and/or their associations; and

2. a demonstrated track record of not less than five years in the planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation of overseas cooperative development programs.

New partners are encouraged to submit Concept Papers for 5-year awards that address the issues outlined in the Annual Program Statement (APS).

Existing partners are those Cooperative Development Organizations (CDOs) who received awards in the 2021 CDP funding cycle. Existing partners are encouraged to submit Concept Papers for 3-year awards that expand their current CDP programming, promote transitional partnerships, and/or address pandemic response through September 30, 2027.

Questions are due no later than 5:00 PM EST, February 3, 2023.

Concept Papers are due no later than 5:00 PM EST, February 17, 2023.

This APS, entitled Cooperative Development Program (CDP), is a mechanism through which USAID will maximize development impact and efficient resource use by mobilizing the creative capacity of CDOs.

CDOs and the principles of cooperatives maximize USAID’s development programs by bringing in non-traditional partners and innovative solutions, increasing peer-to-peer learning, building community, advancing diplomacy, and leveraging resources. Under the APS, USAID intends to support a variety of

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creative approaches towards the design and implementation of activities addressing USAID Operating Units’ (OU) development objectives.

This APS offers USAID OUs (Missions, Bureaus, or Independent Offices) an easy-to-use mechanism to facilitate access to CDOs across any sector while upholding U.S. foreign policy objectives of promoting national security, advancing American values, and supporting global prosperity. It is designed to support a process through which organizations can work with USAID to achieve development impact via:

1. Capacity of cooperatives strengthened

2. Cooperative enabling environments improved

3. Project learning applied in development community

The CDP APS is not a Request for Applications or a Request for Proposals. The CDP APS requests Concept Papers that incorporate appropriate activities which support the Intermediate Results listed above. USAID is also looking to support activities that align with an OU’s strategy, a Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy, a Bureau’s Regional Development Cooperation Strategy, or an Independent Office’s strategy. Based on those Concept Papers, DDI/LFT will determine whether to co-create an activity or set of activities with any applicant and then request a full application.

This APS is supported by congressionally-earmarked funds, up to an estimated $18.5 million annually within DDI/LFT. Additional funding for activities proposed under this APS can be requested from the specific USAID OU with which the applicant seeks to collaborate and to which the Concept Paper will be submitted.

Issuance of this notice does not constitute a binding commitment on the part of the Government to issue an award, nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of any concept papers, engagement, collaboration, co-creation, or full applications. Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant. USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted under this APS.

Concept Papers and questions about this APS must be submitted via email to cdp-aps@usaid.gov as identified in Section I.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, Roderick Watson Supervisory Agreement Officer, M/OAA

/s/ mailto:cdp-aps@usaid.go

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Table of Contents

APS Summary 1

Acronyms 4

Section I: Program Description 5

Section II: Federal Award Information 7

Section III: Organization Eligibility Information 9

Section IV: Application and Submission Information 10

Section V: Concept Paper and Full Application Review Criteria 13

Section VI: Federal Award and Administration Information 15

Attachment A: Concept Paper Format and Instructions 19

Attachment B: Full Application Format and Instructions 21

Attachment C: Cost Application Details and Links 23

Attachment D: USAID Assistance Award Standard Provisions, Key Websites, Applicable References and Regulations 27

Attachment E: Federal Award and Administration Information 31

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Acronyms

A&A Acquisition and Assistance ADS USAID Operational Policy Automated Directive System AIDW USAID Washington AO Agreement Officer AOR Agreement Officer’s Representative APS Annual Program Statement CA Cooperative Agreement CBO Community Based Organization CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CDO Cooperative Development Organization CDP Cooperative Development Program DDI Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation DEC Development Experience Clearinghouse DIS Development Innovation Systems DO Development Objective FAA Fixed Amount Award FY Fiscal Year IEE Initial Environmental Examination LFT Local, Faith-Based and Transformative Partnerships Hub LOE Level of Effort MEL Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning NGO Non-Governmental Organization OAA Office of Acquisition and Assistance OU Operating Unit PIRS Performance Indicator Reference Sheet POC Point of Contact PPR Performance Plan and Report SAM System for Award Management SO Strategic Objective USAID United States Agency for International Development USG United States Government

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Section I: Program Description

The Cooperative Development Program’s vision is that cooperatives are self-managed and sustained, trusted local and democratic institutions that provide value to members and strengthen the social and economic development of communities. This APS aims to support activities that contribute to a larger goal to advance cooperatives in countries where USAID works so they have the improved capacity, enabling environment, and resources to meet the evolving needs of their members. This APS will fund three categories of cooperative development. Based on needs identified, Applicants can choose to address the categories with creativity and flexibility as activities can fall under more than one. These categories are interconnected and interdependent and include: cooperative capacity strengthened, improved cooperative enabling environment, and project learning applied in the development community.

Under the category of cooperative capacity strengthened, CDP objectives include:

● Cooperative governance, management, and leadership improved

● Member services improved

● Member equity and capitalization increased

● Market performance and organizational resilience improved

This APS will fund activities which improve cooperative capacity to provide value and services to their members and stay resilient in changing markets. Activities should not just address gaps, but also aim to expand on existing successes in the cooperative sector. This APS encourages initiatives that promote sustainable cooperatives and efficient, long-term market relationships.

Under the category of improved cooperative enabling environments, CDP objectives include:

● Cooperative networks strengthened

● Increased access to services and resources

● Law and regulation improved

This APS will fund activities which improve the existing networks that support cooperative businesses.

Activities should aim to enhance cooperative systems and improve enabling environments. Such examples include enhancing local financing that serve cooperative businesses and improving linkages and capacity of key local actors in a cooperative system which provide valuable services to cooperative businesses. Finally, this APS encourages activities which address legal and regulatory constraints to cooperative businesses.

Under the category of project learning applied in the development community, CDP objectives include:

● Increased access to cooperative development data and research

● Improved collaboration platforms

● Increased adoption of CDP-developed tools and resources

This APS will fund activities which improve how development actors are providing support to cooperatives. Activities should aim to improve collaboration for greater leverage and combined learning, research, and dissemination for knowledge management and thought leadership. This APS encourages

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improved coordination among partners and seeks activities for improved design and implementation of cooperative development programming. Proposed activities under this category should design, develop and disseminate useful tools and resources to external development actors who partner with cooperative businesses.

Understanding USAID priorities and objectives in the country where an applicant seeks to develop a Cooperative Development Program is one of the most important factors in being a successful applicant under the CDP APS.

Interested applicants should research the priorities, objectives, and strategies of the OU from which they would like support (a Mission, a Regional Bureau, or an Independent Office). Concept Papers must conform to the requirements outlined in Attachment A below, and be submitted via email to the cdp-aps@usaid.gov (and in the case of an addendum, the appropriate OU) in accordance with procedures outlined in Section IV below. DO NOT SUBMIT CONCEPT PAPERS VIA GRANTS.GOV AS

THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Each USAID OU that expresses willingness to consider a Concept Paper will review the submission and determine whether to collaborate with the applicant to co-create an activity or set of activities and request a detailed full application. The submission of a Concept Paper under this APS helps USAID determine whether there is potential substantive and resource support for the concept before the prospective applicant invests significant time and resources in the development of a full application. Please note that the determination of potential substantive and resource support DOES NOT constitute a commitment to fund a subsequently submitted full application. The OU-applicant co-creation process enables holistic activity design, drawing on the knowledge of the people who will carry out the activities, enabling USAID to be a more effective development organization.

While this APS serves as a general solicitation for Cooperative Development Program Concept Papers, OUs may issue addenda throughout the year to solicit CDP Concept Papers related to their specific priorities, objectives, and programs. These addenda, when added, can be found on Grants.gov under Operating Unit Addenda to the CDP APS.

Awards under this APS are subject to 2 CFR 700 and 2 CFR 200-Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Note: The term “program” as used in 2 CFR 200 and this NOFO is typically considered by USAID to be an Activity supporting one or more Project(s) pursuant to specific Development Objectives. Please see 2 CFR 700 for the USAID specific definitions of the terms “Activity” and “Project” as used in the USAID context for purposes of planning, design, and implementation of USAID development assistance.

[END OF SECTION I]

mailto:cdp-aps@usaid.gov

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Section II: Federal Award Information

Issuance of this APS does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application.

Award Discretion: USAID reserves the right to make or not to make awards through this APS. The actual number of assistance awards, if any, under this APS is subject to the availability of funds and the interests and requirements of OUs as well as the viability of eventual full applications received. There is no predefined minimum or maximum number of awards USAID OUs will support through this APS.

Funding Sources and Award Amounts: Awards made under this APS will be funded by the cognizant OU and are not limited to a minimum or maximum dollar value. Performance periods will range from 12 to 60 months. Anticipated start dates and performance periods for new awards will be determined by the cognizant OU, conforming to policy outlined in USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS), Series 300.

Awards will be assistance in nature and may be limited to Cooperative Agreements (CA) and Grants that are either cost-reimbursable or Fixed Amount Awards (FAA). No Leader with Associates Cooperative Agreements will be awarded under this APS. The awarding OU, in consultation with the apparently successful applicant, will decide on the appropriate assistance mechanism. Subawards made under assistance mechanisms arising from this APS shall be in accordance with the guidance regarding subcontracts, sub-agreements and subgrants found in 2 CFR 200 & 700. Construction activities implemented under a CA shall be in accordance with ADS 303 and 303maw USAID Implementation of Construction Activities.

Should a cooperative agreement be chosen as the appropriate mechanism, USAID’s involvement during the award will be to assist the recipient in achieving the supported objectives of the agreement. USAID expects to be substantially involved in a cooperative agreement in the following ways: a) Approval of key personnel and any subsequent changes in the positions during the life of the award; b) Approval of the recipient’s annual work plans and monitoring and evaluation plan, and; c) Agency collaboration/participation, if any, as described in ADS 303.3.11(c). In addition, in keeping with 22 CFR 226.25, the recipient is required to obtain the Agreement Officer’s prior approval for the subaward, transfer, or contracting out of any work under an award.

Issuance Period: This 2023 CDP APS seeks concept papers through February 17, 2023 and if invited, full applications on an ongoing basis through January 20, 2024. If the USAID CDP program requests a full application in response to a concept paper submitted by February 17, 2023, it can choose to fund successful applicants with CDP funding or buy-in funds. In addition, USAID missions and operating units can issue addenda to this APS to request concepts in their specific geographic area or subject area at any time during the open period of this APS. Any addenda will clearly specify a deadline for submitting initial https://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/agency-policy/series-300 https://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/agency-policy/series-300 https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303maw https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303maw

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concept papers responsive to that addenda. USAID may thereafter request full applications based on a submitted concept for up to a full year after the concept was submitted. Concept papers and/or full applications received under this APS, but not negotiated and awarded prior to the end of the fiscal year in which they are received, may be considered for award within the following fiscal year. It is expected that the programs supported by a proposed concept will have a period of performance from 12 to 60 months.

[END OF SECTION II]

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Section III: Organization Eligibility Information

USAID welcomes concept papers from U.S. cooperatives or organizations with substantial membership and/or financial links to recognized U.S. cooperatives and/or their associations. Any cooperative or other organization submitting a concept paper must have a demonstrated track record of not less than five years in the planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation of overseas cooperative development programs.

USAID encourages applications from potential new partners. All applicants must be legally recognized organizational entities under applicable law. Individuals cannot apply.

There are no limits on the number of awards that may be made by USAID OUs under this APS to a single organization. Similarly, there are no limits on the number of concept papers an organization may submit under this APS to USAID OUs worldwide. That said, as described in Section I above, OUs that express a willingness to receive concept papers will review them. OUs who are not willing to review concept papers are not obligated to do so.

Cost-share Cost sharing is not required to be eligible; however, 20 percent leverage from other sources is highly encouraged and additional contributions of labor or resources, including private sector contributions, are very desirable.

[END OF SECTION III]

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Section IV: Application and Submission Information

Step 1: The applicant submits a concept paper via email to cdp-aps@usaid.gov (or in the case of addenda, the OU with a copy to cdp-aps@usaid.gov), following the format and instructions in Attachment A.

Applicants should ONLY submit the information and materials specified in the template. Concept papers submitted in any other format will not be accepted or reviewed. Applicants cannot submit any alternative document or narrative as a substitute for a concept paper. In addition, and as noted in the Concept Paper Format and Instructions in Attachment A, all concept papers MUST be in English.

The OU will respond within 20 business days and inform the applicant whether they have been chosen to co-create a full application (technical and cost) with the OU. Concept papers are reviewed based upon the criteria outlined in Section V below.

Step 2: The Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) will contact selected applicants to schedule a co-design session and provide a due date for the full application (technical application and cost application).

Step 3: The applicant collaborates with the OU and drafts the full application (technical and cost/budget), following the format in Attachment B. Applications must be submitted in two separate parts: (a) Technical Application, and (b) Cost/Budget Application.

Step 4: The applicant prepares a cost/budget application consisting of the U.S. Government Standard Form 424 series1, Parts 2-5 of ADS 303.3.8 USAID Assistance Award Certifications, Assurances, Other Statements of the Recipient, and an electronic copy of a cost/budget. The cost/budget application must be submitted under a separate cover from the technical application. The cost/budget application must be submitted as a separate electronic file through the same submission process as the technical application.

Attachment C contains cost/budget application details and links to the forms required. Awards under this APS will not allow the reimbursement of pre-award costs.

At this time, each applicant2 is required to:

● Be registered in SAM before submitting its full application. SAM is streamlining processes, eliminating the need to enter the same data multiple times, and consolidating hosting to make the process of doing business with the government more efficient. The applicant must sign and submit the cost application using the SF-424 series; and

● Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The registration process may take many weeks to complete. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to begin the process early. If an applicant has not fully complied with

2 Unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)

1 SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance; SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-construction Programs; SF424B, Assurances – Non-construction Programs mailto:cdp-aps@usaid.gov mailto:cdp-aps@usaid.gov https://grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 https://grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/agency-policy/303.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/agency-policy/303.pdf

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the requirements above by the time USAID is ready to make an award, USAID may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

To obtain information regarding the preceding, see the respective link:

https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.

USAID may not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

Step 5: The applicant submits the technical application and cost/budget application separately via email by the due date specified in Step 2. Should the applicant experience technical difficulties in the submission process, the applicant should consult the OU POC and AO for instructions.

Step 6: The technical application and cost/budget application are reviewed and evaluated per Section V below.

Step 7: The Agreement Officer will inform an applicant as to whether it is apparently successful and will convey all other pre-award requirements. Additional negotiations regarding the technical and cost applications may be necessary.

All first-time applicants for USAID funding that are deemed apparently successful are subject to a pre-award survey or fixed amount award entity eligibility checklist to verify that the applicant has proper procedures in place to receive USAID funding. Please see ADS 303.3.8 and ADS 303.3.9.

Step 8: The AO covering the award for the OU sends an email to the applicant containing the award document.

Step 9: The awardee’s legal representative signs the award and returns it to the AO for their signature.

Points of Contact For any questions regarding this APS, contact the CDP APS Support Team at cdp-aps@usaid.gov.

Questions regarding specific addenda, including concept notes, must be submitted to the contact listed in that addendum. The AO for this APS is Mr. Roderick Watson at rwatson@usaid.gov, in USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) in the Bureau for Management. If a full application is awarded, the AO will appoint an Agreement Officer’s Representative at that time to provide technical and administrative oversight of the specific award.

The USAID Agreement Officer (AO) is the only individual who may legally commit the U.S, Government to the expenditure of public funds. Applicants are prohibited from charging or incurring https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ mailto:rwatson@usaid.gov

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costs to the proposed award prior to receipt of either a fully executed award or a specific, written authorization from the AO. USAID will administer awards in accordance with Parts 700 and 200 of Title 2 of the CFR, and Standard Provisions for U.S./non-U.S. organizations.

[END OF SECTION IV]

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Section V: Concept Paper and Full Application Review Criteria

OVERVIEW

The criteria presented below have been tailored to the requirements of this particular APS. Applicants should note that these criteria serve to (a) identify the significant matters which Applicants should address in their concept papers and full applications (technical, cost/budget), and (b) set the standard against which all applications will be evaluated.

Concept papers will be evaluated in accordance with the Merit Review Criteria set forth below and any other criteria deemed appropriate by the cognizant OU. Thereafter, the cost application requested in conjunction with a full application will be evaluated for reasonableness, allowability, and allocability.

While technical criteria are paramount, cost considerations may also be a factor for award.

The concept paper must directly respond to the terms, conditions, guidelines, and provisions of this APS to qualify for consideration. Concept papers not conforming to this APS may be categorized as not meeting the minimum requirements of the Government, thereby eliminating them from further consideration.

Applicants are reminded that the U.S. Government is not obligated to make an award on the basis of lowest proposed cost or to the applicant with the highest technical evaluation score. The Agreement Officer will make an award to the applicants whose applications are judged to be the most advantageous in accomplishing USAID’s foreign assistance objectives. Programmatic diversity as well as other USG strategic and policy priorities will also be taken under consideration in making final award decisions.

COST/BUDGET EVALUATION CRITERIA

The cost/budget application must be in English and monetary figures in U.S. Dollars. Spreadsheets must be submitted in 2010 or earlier versions of Microsoft Excel. Cost/budget applications (which an applicant must be invited by an OU to submit) must include a budget and budget narrative that details the total costs for full implementation of the proposed program and explains all contemplated costs. The budget should clearly show how funds will be used to support the activities proposed in the application’s Technical Narrative. The budget should display unit costs (if applicable) and costs by year, and include sub-budgets for each component. Suggested line items include, but are not limited to: personnel; fringe benefits;

travel; equipment; supplies; contractual; construction; other direct costs; total direct costs; and indirect costs.

The budget and budget narrative will not be scored; however, they will be evaluated for cost effectiveness and realism. This will consist of a review of the cost portion of an application for the work to be performed to determine whether the costs reflect that the Applicant understands the requirements of the APS, and whether the costs are consistent with the technical application.

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MERIT REVIEW CRITERIA FOR CONCEPT PAPERS

The merit review criteria below will be used to review and evaluate concept papers and may be used by the cognizant OU to evaluate technical applications submitted under this APS. Criteria A is the most important, while criteria B and C are of equal weight but less important than Criteria A. Please note that addenda released by missions or other operating units may list merit review criteria that differ from the main APS.

A. Alignment with OU’s Strategic Objectives and Programming Priorities and Achievement of Development Impact The proposed activities must align with DDI/LFT or the targeted OU’s strategic plan (including Country Development Cooperation Strategies) and programming priorities. Applicants must address how the proposed approach and activities lead to the anticipated outputs, outcomes, results, and impacts.

Applicants must also describe the anticipated outputs, outcomes, results, and impacts from the activity or activities will clearly and significantly contribute to achieving USAID’s, DDI/LFT’s, or the OU’s development objectives, intermediate objectives, or goals. The proposed approach must integrate issues of youth, gender equality, and female empowerment through program design, implementation, and staffing.

Finally, submissions must describe how the applicant and partners’ experiences and successes in implementing similar interventions demonstrates a high probability of success under this APS.

B. Sustainability of Results This APS requests that applicants address how the outcomes, results, and impacts, as well as any activities that need to continue beyond the duration of a USAID award, will be sustainable, principally by local actors and institutions, without continued USAID funding or involvement after the award ends.

Applicants are encouraged to include a detailed exit strategy. Applicants must also address how activities and implementation/management processes promote local ownership, empowerment, and engagement and strengthening of the human and institutional capacity of local cooperative and resource partners (private, non-profit, public). This may also include leverage and resources from non-U.S. governmental development actors, especially in the private sector.

C. Innovation, Learning, and Dissemination Applicants are invited to describe how the proposed activity is new to the development community or different in a country context. Submissions must propose activities that build from previous CDP learning and indicate a plan to contribute to future technical leadership. To learn more about previous CDP work and learning, prospective applicants can refer to the Cooperative Development Program website. Finally, applicants should address how proposed activities can contribute to improved cooperative development design and programming on a global scale.

[END OF SECTION V]

https://www.usaid.gov/local-faith-and-transformative-partnerships/cooperative-development-program

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Section VI: Federal Award and Administration Information

Once an applicant’s full application (technical, cost/budget) is considered “apparently successful”, the cognizant AO will convey via email the next steps in the pre-award process. These next steps depend on the status of the applicant (e.g. new to USAID) and the type of award being considered. If at any time in the pre-award process the applicant is deemed unsuccessful, they will be notified via email and provided with the reasoning supporting the decision. Requests for additional information may be considered by the

AO.

Pre-Award Responsibility Determination and Risk Assessment Upon consideration of award or during the discussions leading to an award, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation deemed necessary for the Agreement Officer to make an affirmative or negative determination of responsibility.

IMPORTANT - Applicants should not submit the information below with their concept paper.

The information in this section is provided so that applicants may become familiar with additional documentation that may be requested by the Agreement Officer before award in order to make the responsibility determination.

These documents may include, but are not limited to:

1. Audited financial statements for the past three years that have been audited by a certified public accountant or other auditor satisfactory to USAID;

2. Bylaws, constitution, and articles of incorporation, if applicable;

3. Copies of organizational travel, procurement, financial management, accounting manual and personnel policies and procedures, especially regarding salary, promotion, leave, differentials, etc., and an indication whether such policies and procedures have been reviewed and approved by any agency of the Federal Government. If so, the Agreement Officer may request the name, address, and phone number of the cognizant reviewing official;

4. Other documentation, as required by the Agreement Officer, to substantiate that the applicant:

● Has adequate financial resources or the ability to obtain such resources as required during the performance of the Cooperative Agreement;

● Has the ability to comply with the award terms and conditions, taking into account all existing and currently prospective commitments of the applicant, non-governmental and governmental;

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● Has a satisfactory record of performance. Past relevant unsatisfactory performance is ordinarily sufficient to justify a finding of non-responsibility, unless there is clear evidence of subsequent satisfactory performance;

● Has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics; and,

● Is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive a Cooperative Agreement/Grant under applicable laws and regulations (e.g., Equal Employment Opportunity Laws).

An award may only be made by the cognizant AO upon his/her signature and only after she/he makes a positive responsibility determination that the apparently successful applicant possesses, or has the ability to obtain, the necessary management competence in planning and carrying out assistance programs, and specifically the proposed program, and that it will practice mutually agreed upon methods of accountability for funds and other assets provided by USAID.

For organizations that are new to working with USAID or for organizations with outstanding audit findings, or otherwise at USAID’s discretion, USAID may perform a pre-award survey to assess the Applicant’s management and financial capabilities. If notified by USAID that a pre-award survey is necessary, Applicants must prepare, in advance, the required information and documents. See ADS

303.3.9.1 for more information on pre-award surveys. Please note that a pre-award survey does not commit USAID to make any award.

Award Administration All awards under this APS will be administered by the cognizant AO for the OU under which the award will be made and the standard USAID assistance award provisions, listed in Attachment E, apply. For U.S. organizations, 2 CFR 700, 2 CFR 200, and ADS 303maa Standard Provisions for U.S.

Non-governmental Organizations are applicable. For non-U.S. organizations, ADS 303mab Standard Provisions for Non-U.S. Non-governmental Organizations will apply.

Reporting Award recipients will be required to submit a work plan inclusive of a monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan (MEL Plan), semiannual progress-to-date reports, quarterly financial reports, detailed annual reports, and a final end-of-project report. The work plan will be aligned with the goals of the recipient’s program description and clearly map to the anticipated results. Work plans should incorporate flexibility for adaptive management and scope shifts throughout the year. Recipients will have an option for co-redesigns following the first year of implementation.

The awardee will submit the required reports in accordance with the requirements set forth in the final obligating document via email to the cognizant AO, which shall include sex-disaggregated data for implementation and staffing. The timing, format, and other instructions will be codified in the award document and reviewed with the award recipient by the AO at the time of award.

https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303maa https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303maa https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303mab

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In addition, it is the award recipient’s responsibility to submit an electronic copy of final reports and evaluations to USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse. Awards under this APS will be required to contribute various content including materials, research and data, and relevant products to DDI/LFT to be aggregated centrally for knowledge curation and management.

Program Income Non-profit Organizations - If the successful applicant(s) is/are a non-profit organization, any program income generated under the award(s) will be added to USAID funding (and any cost-sharing that may be provided), and used for program purposes. Program income will be subject to 2 CFR 200.307 for U.S.

non-governmental organizations or the Standard Provision entitled “Program Income” for non-U.S.

non-governmental organizations.

For-profit Organizations - Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.307, if the successful applicant is a for-profit organization, any program income generated under the award(s) will be deducted from the total program cost to determine the amount of USAID funding. Program income will be subject to 2 CFR 200.307 for U.S. NGOs or the Standard Provision entitled “Program Income” for non-U.S. NGOs.

Environmental Protection and Compliance The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, Section 117 requires that the impact of USAID’s activities on the environment be considered and that USAID include environmental sustainability as a central consideration in designing and carrying out its development programs. This mandate is codified in Federal Regulations (22 CFR 216) and in USAID’s ADS Parts 201.5.10g and ADS 204, which, in part, require that the potential environmental impacts of USAID-financed activities are identified prior to a final decision to proceed and that appropriate environmental safeguards are adopted for all activities.

No activity funded hereunder will be implemented unless an environmental threshold determination, as defined ADS 204, has been reached for that activity, as documented in a Request for Categorical Exclusion, Initial Environmental Examination, or Environmental Assessment duly signed by the Mission Environment Officer and/or Bureau Environmental Officer. Subsequently, over the Life of the Activity, these environmental mitigation measures are to be a standard component of program management.

USAID will advise successful applicants regarding how to satisfy these requirements.

Gender Analysis and Integration In accordance with USAID’s Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy, each activity must identify and address any gender gaps relevant to the implementation of the activity. Successful applicants submit proposed gender integration plans based upon existing gender analyses of the relevant OU, if available; if not available, or if preferred, applicants may utilize a preliminary gender analysis for purposes of application. Upon award, successful applicants must update the gender analysis for the specific development activities to be implemented, and update the gender integration plan. Applicants should seek to promote gender balance in their staffing plans and should ensure that volunteers have sufficient gender expertise to identify and address gender issues.

https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/laws-regulations-policies/22-cfr-216 http://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/agency-policy/series-200 https://www.usaid.gov/gender/genderpolicy

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Authorized Geographic Code Federal regulations place certain restrictions on the source and nationality of USAID-financed commodities. These rules only apply to USAID-financed procurements by USAID recipients and subrecipients and do not apply to any portion of cost-sharing or program income funds.

The anticipated geographic code to be included in the full application for all standard assistance awards is code 937, which includes the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source.

For more information on authorized geographic code, please see ADS 310.

Statutory and Regulatory Certifications Pursuant to ADS 303.3.8, an award recipient will be required to sign and provide to USAID an executed set of Certifications and Representations prior to award. The AO will request the requisite documentation from the successful Applicant at the time determined appropriate to do so. These required documents are located at ADS 303mav Certifications, Assurances, Other Statements of the Recipient and Solicitation Standard Provisions.

Branding and Marking Plan Applicants are requested to note in their full application that in accordance with 2 CFR 700.16, USAID requires the submission of a Branding Strategy and a Marking Plan prior to award. The Marking Plan may include a request for approval of one or more exceptions to the marking requirements in 2 CFR 700.16.

The AO will request the Branding Strategy and Marking Plan from the successful applicant at the time determined appropriate to do so. The AO evaluates the Branding Strategy and Marking Plan (including any requests for exceptions) for approval consistent with the regulations contained in 2 CFR 700.16, ADS 303 and ADS 320.

[END OF SECTION VI]

https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/310 https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303mav https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303mav https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/320

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Attachment A: Concept Paper Format and Instructions

The Concept Paper and supporting information must use the format described below. Applicants must submit Concept Papers responsive to this APS to cdp-aps@usaid.gov. If the Concept Paper is in response to an APS addendum, applicants should submit the materials to the POC indicated in the addendum with a copy to: cdp-aps@usaid.gov. No specific email naming convention is required.

USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes associated with electronic submissions.

The main body of the Concept Paper includes Sections I and II, must not exceed five single-spaced pages and must use standard margins and 12 pt Times New Roman font. The required supporting information, described in Section III below, must not exceed three pages, single-spaced with standard margins and 12 pt Times New Roman font. Applicants are advised not to include links to additional pages or information.

Applicants are advised not to include cost estimates within the main body of the concept paper. The cost estimated must be submitted separately as described in Section III. Only the concept paper and supporting documents in Section III will be reviewed.

After you have sent your concept paper electronically, immediately check your own email to confirm that the attachments you intended to send were indeed sent. If you discover an error in your transmission, please send the material again and note in the subject line of the email that it is a “corrected” submission.

Do not send the same email more than once unless there has been a change, and if so, please note that it is a “corrected” email.

SECTION I - SUMMARY INFORMATION

A. Name and Contact Information of Applicant B. Title of Proposed Activity C. Overall Objective of Activity (1-2 sentences) D. Name and Contact Information for Other Partner Organizations Collaborating on Award E. Name of the USAID OU to which this application is submitted F. Amount of Funding Requested from USAID

SECTION II – DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY

A. Description of Proposed Activity Clearly identify and describe the development problem or challenge to be addressed and provide a thorough description of:

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1. The project objectives;

2. The proposed approach and activities, including an implementation timeline and youth and gender integration plan;

3. The anticipated outcomes;

4. How the proposed activity will clearly and significantly contribute to achieving a USAID, Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office’s specific strategic objectives or priorities;

5. The roles and responsibilities of local partners. This must include a description of the role of each partner, and how the partner’s involvement, expertise, and resource contributions will support specific program activities and contribute to particular outcomes; and

6. How the outcomes, as well as any activities that need to continue beyond the duration of a USAID award, will be sustainable without continued USAID funding or involvement after the award ends - who and with what resources - your exit strategy.

B. Monitoring and Evaluation Approach (1-2 paragraphs) Provide a brief description of the monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes to be used to inform decision-making to adaptively manage activities, and to generate knowledge and resources to improve how your organization and development partners support cooperative systems. Describe how success will be defined and the availability of baseline data, as applicable.

SECTION III – SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A. Proposed Estimated Cost Breakdown (1-page maximum) This should include a proposed summary budget using suggested line items on page 21 and organized by fiscal year, in excel.

B. Contact Information for Proposed Partners (1-page maximum) Provide contact information for all partners (private, public, civil society, university, etc.). Include name, title, email, and phone numbers and a brief description of each prospective partner’s previous work and experience, including any experience with youth and gender issues.

[END OF ATTACHMENT A]

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Attachment B: Full Application Format and Instructions

NOTE: THIS ATTACHMENT IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE INVITED BY USAID TO

SUBMIT A FULL APPLICATION

The following standard technical application may be used for the majority of assistance awards made under this APS but alternative formats may be used at the discretion of the cognizant AO should another mechanism be chosen as the appropriate mechanism/instrument.

A full application will have the following sections, which expand on the information provided in the concept paper, and must conform to the following page limits:

● Cover Pages (limit two pages);

● Program Description (limit five pages);

● Management Plan (limit one page);

● Résumés of up to three key personnel (limit one page each);

● Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Plan (limit two pages);

● Branding and Marking Plan;

● Past Performance Information;

● Mission Concurrence(s); and

● Letter(s) of Commitment from partners.

TECHNICAL APPLICATION COVER PAGE (LIMIT 2 PAGES)

The technical application cover page must conform to requirements stated in Attachment D of this APS.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION (LIMIT 5 PAGES)

This section must address the requested information specified in the concept paper but should include more detailed information about program participants, specific geographic location, time frames of program implementation, and more comprehensive description of program activities.

In addition, applications should address USAID’s policies related to youth and gender equality and female empowerment.

MANAGEMENT PLAN (one page): In addition to the information requested for the Concept Paper (Attachment A), the Management Plan for the Full Application should clearly present the Applicant’s management and administrative arrangements to oversee execution of the proposed activities;

organizational structure; logistical support; gender balance, functions, and responsibilities of key personnel and other staff, including any sub-awards; and management and evaluation of USAID award compliance. The Management Plan should also include a brief description of the organizational history and experience of the Applicant and proposed sub-partner organization(s) (if applicable).

KEY PERSONNEL (up to three pages): In addition to the information requested for the concept paper (Attachment A), the Key Personnel for the Full Application should clearly identify key persons (those

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whose participation in the proposed activities is considered essential) by name and position, and quantified according to the level of effort planned under each activity area presented in the application.

Résumés for each key person must not exceed one page in length, and must be in chronological order starting with the most recent experience. Each résumé must be accompanied by a SIGNED letter of a commitment from each individual indicating his/her (a) availability to serve in the stated position and for the stated term of service; and (b) agreement to the compensation levels as set forth in the Cost application.

MONITORING, EVALUATION & LEARNING PLAN (limit two pages) As part of the Full Application, the Applicant must provide a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning plan that outlines proposed activities and timelines for the program, with increased detail provided for the first year. The plan must explain how activities will be sequenced, monitored, and subsequently evaluated, and how they will address youth and gender gaps. The plan should identify activity outputs (with indicators and targets) and outcomes (with indicators and targets) that correspond to the overall program level impact. Outputs and outcomes should include gender targets and indicators; all person-level indicators should be disaggregated by sex and age, as applicable. For each indicator, Applicants must describe data collection methods, data quality assurances (if applicable), and indicator reporting timelines. MEL plans should incorporate qualitative approaches to monitoring that more fully capture program progress and outcomes, including from the perspectives of those being served. Preliminary evaluation questions will be developed during the co-design process. Applicants must also incorporate in the MEL plan how learning over the course of the program will be used to support adaptation, and dissemination of new knowledge and practices.

BRANDING STRATEGY AND MARKING PLAN

Applicants are requested to note that in accordance with 2 CFR 700.16, USAID requires the submission of a Branding Strategy and a Marking Plan by the “apparently successful applicant.” The apparently successful Applicant’s proposed Marking Plan may include a request for approval of one or more exceptions to the marking requirements in 2 CFR 700.16. The AO evaluates the apparently successful applicant’s Branding Strategy and Marking Plan (including any requests for exceptions) for approval consistent with the regulations contained in AAPD 05-11, 2 CFR 700.16, and ADS 320.

[END OF ATTACHMENT B]

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Attachment C: Cost Application Details and Links

The cost/budget application should detail all direct costs associated with the implementation and completion of activities, as well as any indirect costs and program costs such as those related to any sub-agreements and/or contracts as detailed below. Successful applicants may be asked to scale back portions of their programs to accommodate funding constraints.

Applications, and all budgets submitted therein, should identify all critical sources of support for the program, including private and public…