CDP APS_ 7200AA23APS00002 FY23 Amendment 1.pdf

Date of Q&A: February 7, 2023 Date APS Issued: January 20, 2023 Concepts Due Date/Time: February 17, 2023, 5:00 PM EDT

Subject: Amendment 1_ Annual Program Statement#: 7200AA23APS00002 Cooperative Development Program (CDP).

Dear Prospective Applicants:

The purpose of this Amendment One (1) to the CDP APS 7200AA23APS00002 is to answer the following questions:

Questions & Answers:

1. The APS requires that existing recipients propose a three-year program. But the wording is somewhat ambiguous and suggests that existing recipients are limited to an expansion of their current CDP program. Please confirm that existing recipients can propose a new three-year program.

Existing partners are those who received cooperative agreements in the FY21 funding cycle.

Existing partners are encouraged to propose a new 3-year program.

2. Do we need to include a Mission concurrent letter as part of the expansion program application?

A Mission Concurrence letter is not required during the concept phase. If the applicant is successful, a Mission Concurrence letter will be required during the full application phase.

Applicants are encouraged to seek alignment with Mission priorities prior to submitting concept notes.

3. Page 19, Attachment A: Concept Paper Format and Instructions: is an acronyms list required/recommended? If so, does this need to fall within the 5-page limit under Section I & II?

Given the page limit, an acronyms list is not recommended. Please keep acronyms to a minimum and spell them out the first time.

4. Page 19, Attachment A: Concept Paper Format and Instructions: is a cover letter required/recommended? If so, does this need to fall within the 5-page limit under Section I & II?

Given the page limit, a cover letter is not recommended.

5. Page 19, Attachment A: Concept Paper Format and Instructions: For tables and textbox, can we use a smaller size font?

Please use 12 pt Times New Roman font for all text.

6. Page 5, Section I: Program Description: “Based on needs identified, applicants can choose to address the categories with creativity and flexibility as activities can fall under more than one. “Can USAID kindly clarify if each objective must be included or may be included within the submitted concept note.

Concepts must include at least one CDP APS objective.

7. Page 14, Merit Review Criteria for Concept Papers: “The proposed approach must integrate issues of youth, gender equality, and female empowerment through program design, implementation, and staffing.” With the mention of the approach needing to integrate staffing within the Merit Review Criteria, please confirm that an organizational chart and/or description of the staffing approach is not required for the concept note phase.

An organizational chart is not required during the concept note phase. USAID welcomes a brief description of the staffing approach.

8. Page 9, “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.” Is USAID encouraging applicants to have 20 percent leverage or 20 percent cost share?

USAID is encouraging 20 percent leverage under this APS.

9. Page 13, “The budget should display unit costs (if applicable) and costs by year and include sub-budgets for each component.” Within the concept note and proposal description of the budget, it does not state that the budgets need to be broken down by component. Can you confirm that applicants will not be required to break the budget down by component for either the concept note or full proposal?

Please refer to cost categories on page 25 of the APS. USAID requests summary budgets be included in the concept phase.

10. If USAID allows us to have a cover page, can we put section I (summary information) on that cover page?

USAID does not recommend a cover page, but please include summary information in Section I.

11. Given that questions will be due on February 3rd and the concept note is currently due not later than February 17th, would USAID consider a one-week deadline extension to February 24 th at 5 PM EST to permit respondents to better adapt to new or revised information included in the Q&A response?

Concept notes are due no later than February 17th, 2023, 5:00 PM EDT.

12. On page 19 of the APS, USAID states, “the required supporting information, described in Section III below, must not exceed three pages.” On page 20, USAID lists “Proposed Estimated Cost Breakdown” and “Contact Information for Proposed Partners,” as the pieces making up Section III. Both of these pieces are limited to 1 page. In order to align the maximum length of these pieces with the Section III maximum, would USAID consider raising the maximum length of the “Contact Information for Proposed Partners” to 2 pages?

Section III may not exceed 3 pages. Applicants may use 2 pages for Contact Information for Proposed Partners.

13. On page 20 of the APS, USAID elaborates on the Proposed Estimated Cost Breakdown, stating, “This should include a proposed summary budget using suggested line items on page 21…” These suggested line items do not appear on page 21. Could USAID please direct us to the list of suggested cost items they wish to be used?

Suggested line items appear on page 25.

14. On pages 21-22 of the APS, USAID indicates that the Key Personnel section at the full proposal stage should not exceed 3 pages, composed of up to 3 one-page CVs and letters of commitment. As the letters of commitment would be submitted in addition to the CVs, could USAID please clarify that the letters of commitment do not count toward the page limit?

Letters of commitment will not count towards the page limit for the full application.

15. On page 17 of the APS, USAID notes, “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.” Can USAID clarify whether this is required of applicants selected for award under this APS or whether it is required as part of the Youth and Gender Integration Plan in the concept note? If the latter, can USAID please provide a link to the relevant OU analyses for USAID/Bureau for Democracy, Development, and Innovation?

Gender integration plans will be submitted in the full application stage. If a concept note is greenlit for co-creation, USAID will provide gender analyses from DDI’s Local, Faith and Transformative Partnerships Hub and relevant Mission-level analyses.

16. On page 19 of the APS, USAID states that offerors can use 12-point font for the concept note. Can USAID please confirm that offerors may use smaller font (such as 9 point) on graphics, textboxes, and tables so long as it is legible?

Please use 12 pt Times New Roman font for all text.

17. Can USAID please allow for the inclusion of an Acronyms List and cover page, outside of the page limit for the concept note?

Given the page limit, an acronyms list is not recommended. Please keep acronyms to a minimum and spell them out the first time.

18. The applicant respectfully requests confirmation that existing CDP partners should present only a budget summary of the additional funding requested.

Existing partners (i.e., those who received cooperative agreements in the FY21 funding cycle) should present a summary budget of additional funding requested for the proposed 3-year activity.

19. On Page 1, APS Summary, USAID states that “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.” a. Can USAID explain whether it expects new partners to submit concept papers focusing on these same areas? b. Can USAID provide additional details or explain its expectations further around applicants promoting transitional partnerships in their concept papers? What is USAID’s definition of a transitional partnership?

New partners are encouraged to align proposed activities with CDP APS objectives. The CDP APS aims to promote transitional partnerships to diversify its recipient base, and to build the capacity of Cooperative Development Organizations to become direct recipients of CDP funding. Applicants interested in pursuing transitional partnerships would identify and partner with a new, nontraditional entity (in this case, a U.S. cooperative or CDO) to prepare it for a direct USAID award.

Some examples of transitional partnerships include:

a) A traditional partner provides a large passthrough subaward to a new, nontraditional partner with significant emphasis on building their capacity and performance.

b) A traditional partner provides a subaward to a new, nontraditional partner that increases gradually each year, transferring key areas of implementation, award management and accountability to the new, nontraditional partner.

c) A new, nontraditional partner receives an award as a prime with the traditional partner providing capacity development assistance as a sub-awardee.

20. On Page 5, Section 1: Program Description, USAID states that applicants can choose to address categories with creativity and flexibility as activities can fall under more than one category. a. Do applicants have to clearly address all objectives listed under each category? Or can these be tailored and designed to focus on a subset of these based on needs?

Concepts must include at least one CDP APS objective.

21. On Page 6, Section I: Program Description, USAID states that “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.” a. Can USAID clarify if it expects applicants to submit proposals for a single country or multiple countries? Or if either scenario is permitted?

Applicants can submit concepts with a single country or multiple countries. USAID will only accept one concept from each Applicant.

22. On Page 20, A. Description of Proposed Activity, USAID requests applicants provide a description of “The roles and responsibilities of local partners.” a. Can USAID clarify its definition of local partners for this requirement? b. Specifically, does local partners refer only to local subcontractors, or all local partners expected to make meaningful contributions to the project, including resources partners and grantees?

USAID requests that the Applicant includes roles and responsibilities of local partners who will make meaningful contributions to the project. The Agency defines a local partner as an individual or organization that:

a) Is legally organized under the laws of a country that is receiving assistance from

USAID;

b) Has its principal place of business or operations in a country receiving assistance from

USAID;

c) Is majority-owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of a country receiving assistance from USAID; and

d) Is managed by a governing body, the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the country receiving assistance from USAID.

23. On Page 20, B. Contact Information for Proposed Partners, USAID requests contact information and a brief description of partners’ work and experience. a. Does partners refer only to subawardees, or all partners expected to make meaningful contributions to the project, including resources partners and grantees?

USAID requests contact information for identified partners who will make meaningful contributions to the proposed activities.

24. On Page 21, Attachment B: Full Application Format and Instructions, USAID states that “The technical application cover page must conform to requirements stated in Attachment D of this APS.” Attachment D of this APS provides a list of the USAID Assistance Award Standard Provisions, Key Websites, Applicable References and Regulations. a. Can USAID please clarify where applicants can find cover page requirements for the Full Application in Attachment D?

Given the page limit, a cover letter is not recommended in the concept phase. If a concept is greenlit for co-creation, USAID will share additional information on cover page requirements.

25. On Page 21, USAID states the Full Application must include an Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Plan (limit two pages). However, the subsequent page describes the requirements for a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan. a. Can USAID clarify which type of plan applicants should submit? Should applicants utilize the instructions on Page 22?

If the Agency requests a full application, the Applicant is encouraged to reference page 22 of the APS for guidance on a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan.

26. On Page 7, USAID states “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.” Could USAID please clarify the anticipated start dates for winning proposals?

USAID anticipates the Period of Performance of new awards to begin on October 1, 2023.

27. On Pages 2 and 5, USAID states “project learning applied in development community” as one of the main three categories and mentions three objectives under it. Should this category be understood as mostly related to local cooperative development actors, or is the emphasis on international cooperative development organizations?

USAID intends this objective to be inclusive of local and international cooperative development learning.

28. On Pages 21-22 for Key Personnel, USAID states “the Full Application should clearly identify key persons (those 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.” Could USAID please clarify how and in what format applicants are to provide this information about quantified level of effort under activity areas?

USAID defines Key Personnel as individuals who are critical to the success of the implementation of the overall project. Applicants should indicate whether selected Key Personnel are deemed to provide full time or part time support to the proposed project.

29. We note that the Authorized Geographic Code for this activity is 937. This code might limit our ability to access expertise from more developed country sources and we request that USAID consider changing the Authorized Geographic Code to 935 to allow broader access to valuable resources. If this is not possible, would a waiver for a 935 source be considered should it be required?

USAID will not consider changing the Geographic Code at this time. Successful Applicants can request a waiver of the Geographic Code stated within their cooperative agreement, upon the need to procure goods or services that fall outside their approved code.

30. Alignment with OU Strategies: We note also that Section V: Concept Paper and Full Application Review Criteria, Subsection: Merit Review Criteria for Concept Papers, Point A: Alignment with OU’s Strategic Objectives and Programming Priorities and Achievement of Development Impact states "The proposed activities must align with DDI/LFT or the targeted OU’s strategic plan (including Country Development Cooperation Strategies) and programming priorities.” In order to be appropriately responsive, we would like to verify that we have sourced current, publicly available information about the OU's strategic objectives.

Applicants can reference DDI/LFT’s website here. Additionally, Applicants can reference USAID Mission strategy documents by searching for the respective country here.

31. Page 17 provides the link to USAID’s 2022 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy. Should we use the draft policy, released in September 2022, as guidance? Or kindly please share another acceptable framework we should use.

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

USAID recommends Applicants to reference the draft Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy. Gender integration plans will be submitted in the full application stage.

If a concept note is greenlit for co-creation, USAID will provide gender analyses from DDI’s Local, Faith and Transformative Partnerships Hub and relevant Mission-level analyses.

All other terms and conditions of the CDP APS remain unchanged.

Sincerely, /s/ Roderick Watson Agreement Officer

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