DRAFT 2014 IFRP Product RFA DRAFT.pdf

FFP International Food Relief Partnership FY 2014 Draft RFA Page1

Issuance Date: TBD Closing Date: TBD Closing Time: 12:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time) CFDA Number: 98.008 Subject: Draft Request for Applications (RFA) for the production, packaging, and stockpiling of shelf-stable food commodities.

Title: Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Title II: International Food Relief Partnership (IFRP), Shelf-Stable Food Commodity Production, Packaging and Stockpiling.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications (proposals for funding) from U.S. non-profit organizations for the production, packaging, and stockpiling of shelf-stable, prepackaged commodities to be distributed under the International Food Relief Partnership (IFRP) program. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Description for a complete description.

For the purposes of this program, this RFA is being issued and consists of this cover letter and the following:

• Section I – Funding Opportunity Description

• Section II – Award Information

• Section III – Eligibility Information

• Section IV – Submission and Application Information

• Section V – Application Review Information

• Section VI – Award and Administration Information

• Section VII – Agency Contacts

• Section VIII – Other Information

To be eligible for award, the applicant must provide all required information in its application, including the requirements found in any attachments to this www.grants.gov opportunity. Any future amendments to this RFA can be downloaded from www.grants.gov. It is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it has received documents related to this RFA in its entirety from www.grants.gov.

Applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to submit separate applications for each commodity that has a different nutritional content. There are no limits to the number of applications an organization may submit.

Applicants should retain for their records one copy of all enclosures which accompany their application.

The Government may make an award resulting from this RFA to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) conforming to this RFA offers the greatest value. The Government may (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application (please refer to Section V – Application Review Information, 1) Evaluation Criteria), (d) accept alternate applications, and (e) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/

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The Government may make an award on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions. Therefore, each initial application must contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint.

Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of USAID, nor does it commit USAID to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application.

Further, USAID reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. In addition, final awards cannot be made until funds have been fully appropriated, apportioned, allocated, and committed. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for award. Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant, and all preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's expense.

In the event of any inconsistency between this RFA and the referenced documents in the RFA, or any inconsistency in the sections comprising this RFA, note that the RFA shall take precedence over any referenced documents, except statute, regulations and country specific information, and the inconsistency shall be resolved by the following order of precedence:

(1) Section V – Application Review Information

(2) Section IV – Submission and Application Information

(3) Section I – Funding Opportunity Description

(4) Cover Letter

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, /S/ Dina Esposito, Director, Office of Food for Peace

Draft FY 2014 RFA August. 2014

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SECTION I – FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1. General Description

USAID is seeking grant applications from eligible organizations for the production, packaging, and stockpiling of shelf-stable food commodities in the United States for eventual use by private voluntary organizations and/or public international organizations abroad under the IFRP program.

USAID anticipates awarding up to three grants under this RFA for a total of up to $6.5 million per year with a minimum award of $0. The grants may be awarded for up to three years each, with options to extend the grants up to two years beyond the initial three year award period, subject to the availability of funding and successful implementation of the award to date.

Applicants should propose an estimated funding level for the first year and out-years, though the final levels may vary each year depending on demand for the product by organizations distributing it.

Historically, approximately 3,000 metric tons of commodities, or approximately 220 million servings, have been provided each year under the program. However, there is no minimum or maximum tonnage required in each proposal.

USAID will accept proposals for any commodity type that meets the requirement above that may be appropriate for any beneficiary group in the developing world, to include, but not limited to, families, displaced persons, adults, school children, HIV/AIDS patients, and moderately malnourished children. Proposals do not need to be only for commodities used primarily for institutional feeding for children (e.g., in schools).

There are two types of grants under the IFRP process:

1. Commodity production, packaging, and stockpiling grants

2. Transport, delivery, and distribution grants

This solicitation is for the provision of IFRP commodity production, packaging and stockpiling only (# 1 of this paragraph above). Transport, delivery, and distribution grants are awarded under another, separate solicitation. All IFRP commodities produced, packaged, and stockpiled under a grant resulting from this solicitation will be provided in limited or governed amounts to organizations awarded IFRP transport, delivery, and distribution grants at a later date.

Any products produced with non-Federal funds by the awardee in addition to those required as part of the grant agreement may be used by the awardee as they so choose, unless these additional products were included in the cost-share and/or in-kind contribution.

2. Authorizing Legislation

The Food for Peace Act authorizes the USAID Administrator to award grants to U.S. nonprofit organizations for the preparation of shelf-stable prepackaged foods requested by eligible organizations and the establishment and maintenance of stockpiles of the foods in the United

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States. This grant program is referred to as the International Food Relief Partnership (IFRP).

The commodities are to be used as food aid in the developing world.

Authority to carry out the program has been delegated to the Director, Office of Food for Peace (FFP). More information on the program can be found here: http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/agriculture-and-food-security/food-assistance/programs/nutritional-support-programs

3. Project Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this RFA, the application needs to include a food commodity meeting the following requirements:

1. Be shelf stable, defined as processed (not raw) and encountering no degradation of nutritional content over a minimum of eighteen (18) months;

2. Be pre-packaged in a manner compatible with containerized shipment capacities;

3. Not resemble milk or breast milk substitution commodities if reconstituted with water;

4. Not require refrigeration;

5. Contain no ingredients known to be widely unacceptable on ethnic or religious grounds that would limit the countries in which programs could be implemented;

and

6. Must be produced in the United States.

4. Award Administration

The Government may make an award resulting from this RFA to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) conforming to this RFA offers the greatest value. The Government may (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application (see Section B, Selection Criteria), (d) accept alternate applications, and (e) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

The Government may make an award on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions. Therefore, each initial application must contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. As part of its evaluation process, however, USAID may elect to discuss technical, cost or other pre-award issues with one or more applicants. Alternatively, USAID may proceed with award selection based on its evaluation of initial applications received and/or commence negotiations solely with one applicant. A written award mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful applicant(s) within the time for acceptance specified either in the application(s) or in this RFA (whichever is later) shall result in a binding grant without further action by either party. Before the application's specified expiration time, if any, the Government may accept an application, whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. Negotiations or discussions conducted after receipt of an application do not constitute a rejection or counteroffer by the Government. Neither financial data submitted with an application nor representations concerning facilities or financing, will form a part of the resulting grant unless explicitly stated otherwise in the agreement.

Awards will be made in accordance with the USAID Standard Provisions for awards to US http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/agriculture-and-food-security/food-assistance/programs/nutritional-support-programs http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/agriculture-and-food-security/food-assistance/programs/nutritional-support-programs

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NGOs, the USAID ADS 303, and other applicable U.S. Government regulations, which are available on the USAID website (http://www.usaid.gov/pubs/ads). The award will be administered under the 22C.F.R. 226, OMB Circulars and the USAID Standards Provisions.

The Agreement Officer is the only individual who may legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds. No costs chargeable to the proposed agreement may be incurred before receipt of either a fully executed Agreement or a specific written authorization from the Agreement Officer.

SECTION II – AWARD INFORMATION

1. Estimate of Funds Available

Subject to the availability of funds, under this Request for Assistance (RFA), USAID/DCHA/Office of Food for Peace (FFP) plans to enter into grant award(s) for a maximum of $6,500,000 each year for up to three years, i.e., total not to exceed $19,500,000 for three years. However, final amount may be less than this amount to ensure sufficient funds for a strong distribution program.

2. Anticipated Start Date and Performance Period

The anticipated award date is on or around September 2014, with production and availability to be required within six months of the award(s). USAID intends to award up to three grant awards under this RFA. The period of performance is three years, with up to two optional one-year extensions.

3. Assistance Awards

Pursuant to 22 C.F.R. 226.81, it is USAID policy not to award profit under assistance instruments. However, all reasonable, allocable and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the agreement program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (22 C.F.R. 226, 2 C.F.R. 230 [formerly known as OMB Circular A-122]), OMB Circular A-21 for universities, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31 for for-profit organizations, may be paid under the agreement.

SECTION III – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for an award, the following minimum eligibility requirements must be met, and the applicant MUST:

• Be a U.S. based non-profit entity as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code;

and http://www.usaid.gov/pubs/ads

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• Have or be able to obtain the ability and capacity to produce a minimum of $1 million worth of metric tonnage of commodity within the first six (6) months of the award.

All sub-awardees must meet the eligibility criteria above.

2. New Partners

USAID encourages applications from potential new partners.

3. Cost Share

The Food for Peace Act states that preference will be given to organizations that will provide non-federal funds in an amount equal to fifty (50) percent of the amount of funds received under the grant, an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to that percentage, or a combination of such funds. For more information, please review Sect V – Application Review Information, 1) Evaluation Criteria.

4. Minimal Qualification Requirements

USAID has no additional minimal qualification requirements.

SECTION IV – SUBMISSION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

1. Submission

The application submission deadline is (for this draft RFA: estimated to be September XX, 2014), 12:00pm, Eastern Daylight Time. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the electronic application is received by the due date and specified time.

This draft RFA and any future amendments can be downloaded from http://www.grants.gov.

It is the responsibility of the recipient of the application document to ensure that it has been received from Grants.gov in its entirety. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

Food for Peace is requesting that applicants use the Food for Peace Management Information System (FFPMIS) to apply for an IFRP grant under this RFA. FFPMIS can be accessed at https://usaid-ffp.entellitrak.com/. Users’ guides and additional FFPMIS resources can be found on the TOPS site, http://www.fsnnetwork.org/document/food-peace-management-information-system-ffpmis-resources.

FFPMIS submission will require a combination of data entry and document uploads. Applicants must complete both direct entry and document upload portions of the application in order to be considered for funding, and all documents should be completed in accordance with the format detailed in this RFA and adhere to the following:

• Written in English and in 12-point Times New Roman font;

http://www.grants.gov/ https://usaid-ffp.entellitrak.com/ http://www.fsnnetwork.org/document/food-peace-management-information-system-ffpmis-resources http://www.fsnnetwork.org/document/food-peace-management-information-system-ffpmis-resources

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• Text in tables or charts may be 10-point Times New Roman font;

• Narratives should be prepared in Microsoft Word with print areas set to 8.5 x 11 inch, letter-sized paper and one-inch margins, left justification and a footer on each page including page numbers, date of submission, and applicant name;

• Spreadsheets should be prepared in Microsoft Excel, with print areas set to 8.5 x 11 inch, letter-sized paper;

• Official (signed) documents, memoranda, and certifications may be submitted as Adobe PDF files; and

• Emailed, faxed and hard copy applications are not acceptable.

Applications must be received no later than the date and time indicated on the cover page of this RFA to the location stated above accompanying this RFA. Applications which are received late or are incomplete run the risk of not being considered in the review process. Such late or incomplete applications will be considered in USAID's sole discretion depending on the status of USAID's application review process as of the time of receipt and/or the quality of other applications received.

Applicants should retain for their records one copy of the full application and all attachments which accompany their application. To facilitate the competitive review of the applications, applications should conform to the format prescribed below.

Applicants are expected to review, understand, and comply with all aspects of this RFA. Failure to do so will be at the applicant's risk.

Each applicant shall furnish the information required by this RFA.

Applicants that include data they do not want disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the U.S. Government except for evaluation purposes should:

• Mark the title page with the following legend: "This application includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed - in whole or in part - for any purpose other than to evaluate this application. If, however, a grant is awarded to this applicant as a result of - or in connection with - the submission of this data, the U.S. Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting grant. This restriction does not limit the U.S. Government's right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in pages___."

• Mark each sheet of data it wishes to restrict with the following legend: "Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this application."

2. Point of Contact

All application inquiries should be submitted to the Office of Food for Peace, attention Benjamin C. Vogler, at IFRP@amexdc2.com.

Any questions concerning submission of applications or the FFPMIS should be submitted in writing to FFPMIS_support@devis.com. FFPMIS Service Desk hours are Monday – Friday, mailto:IFRP@amexdc2.com mailto:FFPMIS_support@devis.com

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9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you have difficulty registering or accessing the RFA, please contact the Grants.gov Helpdesk at support@grants.gov for technical assistance.

3. Budget Information

Applicants may submit budgets using Standard Form 424, 424A, and 424B, as appropriate, which can be downloaded from the USAID website. Alternatively, the forms are found on http://www.grants.gov/.

4. Pre-Award Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements of the Recipient

Apparently successful applicants must provide a signed copy of Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements of the Recipient and Solicitation Standard Provisions as described in ADS 303.3.8 on the USAID website in response to the issues letter.

Successful applicants will also be required to submit a branding strategy and marking plan.

Agency branding and marking guidance can be found at the following websites:

http://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/agency-policy (contains instructions on how to prepare the branding strategy and marking plan) and http://www.usaid.gov/branding/ (contains samples of the USAID logo in various formats).

USAID requires the recognition of the contributions of the American people extended under this Agreement. In this regard, Recipients are reminded of the requirements to acknowledge USAID funding of projects and programs as required by the Standard Provisions. In publications and media products, Recipients will apply, where appropriate, the Agency branding standards published in the Agency’s Graphics Standards Manual (available at www.usaid.gov/branding ).

Recipients should also note that the acknowledgement of the U.S. Agency for International Development as a funding source may be applied where texts are publicly published.

5. Application Format

Applications are comprised of two components: technical applications and cost proposals. Both technical applications and cost proposals should be specific, complete, and presented concisely.

A lengthy application does not in and of itself constitute a well thought-out proposal. Technical applications shall demonstrate the applicant's capabilities and expertise with respect to achieving the goals of this program, and the requirements can be found in Section V – Application Review Information, 1) Evaluation Criteria.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit separate applications for each commodity that has a different nutritional content. There are no limits to the number of applications an organization may submit.

The Application should be specific, complete, and presented concisely. Applications that do not substantially meet the requirements of this RFA will not be considered for award. The mailto:support@grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/agencies/aforms_repository_information.jsp http://www.grants.gov/agencies/aforms_repository_information.jsp http://www.grants.gov/ http://transition.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/303sad.pdf http://transition.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/303sad.pdf http://transition.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/303sad.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/agency-policy http://www.usaid.gov/branding/ http://www.usaid.gov/branding

Page9 application shall be divided into the following sections, with the maximum number of pages given per section as follows:

A. Application Narrative

1. Cover Page (1 page maximum)

2. Executive Summary (2 pages maximum)

B. Technical Narrative

1. Organizational Capabilities/Past Performance (5 pages maximum)

2. Commodity (5 pages maximum)

C. Budget

1. Budget Summary (no page limit)

2. Budget Narrative (no page limit)

D. Annexes (no page limit)

The above bullets correspond to the sections of the RFA described below and constitute the general application format.

A. Application Narrative

The Application Narrative should have the following:

Cover Page (1 page maximum)

• Should have the names of the organizations/institutions involved in the proposed application

• Proposed sub-awardees are to be listed separately, including a brief narrative describing the unique capacities/skills being brought to the program by each.

• The Cover Page should include information about a contact person for the prime Applicant, including this individual’s name (both typed and his/her signature), title or position with the organization/institution, address and telephone and fax numbers.

Applicants are to acknowledge whether the contact person is the person with authority to contract for the Applicant, and if not, that person should also be listed.

Executive Summary (2 pages maximum)

• Should summarize the key elements of the applicant’s capabilities, type of shelf-stable food commodity, and budget.

• Must be concise and accurate.

B. Technical Narrative

The Technical Narrative should have the following:

Organizational Capabilities/Past Performance (5 pages maximum)

• Applicants must provide evidence of their technical and managerial resources and expertise (or their ability to obtain such) to meet the program objectives. Information in this section should include (but is not limited to) the following:

o Brief description of organizational history/expertise;

• Instances of good performance;

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• Instances of poor performance;

• Significant achievements;

• Significant problems; and

• Any indications of excellent or exceptional performance in the most critical areas.

o Experience in the production, packaging, stockpiling and maintenance of shelf-stable food stocks;

o Overall estimate of the maximum amount of metric tonnage of the shelf-stable food commodity that can be produced, packaged, stockpiled and made readily available for distribution within the first six (6) months of award;

o Description of food processing facilities sufficient to demonstrate capacity to produce the above level of commodities; and o List of all applicable federal, state and local licenses and certifications with expiration dates, as well as quality control and inspection procedures (e.g., Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, ISO or other recognized systems). Prior to an award, the applicant will be required to submit appropriate documentation.

• If the applicant is proposing to make a sub-award(s), all of the information above should be provided with regard to that organization(s).

• No information is required on key personnel.

Commodity (5 pages maximum) Applicants must provide the following information for the proposed commodity:

• Description of the shelf-stable food commodity, including serving size (in grams), list of ingredients and components, specifications, sources and origins of ingredients and components by country, and any changes after reconstitution (if applicable);

• Technical nutritional information (per proposed serving in grams) to include, but not limited to: vitamins, micronutrients, and macronutrients (Note: A Certificate of Analysis should be included in the Annex of the application);

• Intended beneficiary group(s): children 6-23 months, children 6-59 months, moderately malnourished children 6-59 months (or subset thereof such as 6-23 months and 24-59 months), school children, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, the institutionalized, people living with HIV, displaced persons and refugees, and general population including moderately malnourished adults and destitute families;

• Proportion of the daily macro and micronutrient requirements for the beneficiary group to be met per serving size in grams and per 100 grams of product;

• Preparation and cooking times (if applicable), human resources in terms of training or knowledge required of those providing the commodity, equipment, fuel and other inputs needed;

• Expected shelf-life under normal storage conditions and adverse conditions that might be expected in developing countries (i.e., specificity about the types of storage conditions required, such as temperature limitations);

• Proposed commodity packaging, demonstrating that the commodity will be packaged in a manner compatible with containerized shipment capacities and harsh environments with extreme heat and/or humidity; and

• Lists of places, beneficiary groups to whom the commodity has been provided, and

Page11 commodity use and degree of success both inside and outside the United States.

C. Budget

Certain documents are required to be submitted by an applicant in order for the Agreement Officer to make a determination of responsibility. However, it is USAID policy not to burden applicants with undue reporting requirements if that information is readily available through other sources. The following sections describe the documentation that applicants for Assistance award must submit to USAID prior to award. While there is no page limit for the cost proposal, applicants are encouraged to be as concise as possible, but still provide the necessary detail to address the items discussed herein.

Budget Summary

• Applicants must include the following:

o Cost per 100 grams of the commodity (to include production, packaging and stockpiling);

o Cost per serving of the commodity (to include production, packaging and stockpiling);

o Cost per metric ton of the commodity (to include production, packaging and stockpiling);

• Applicants may submit budgets using Standard Form 424, 424A, and 424B, as appropriate, which can be downloaded from the USAID website. Alternatively, the forms are found on grants.gov.

Budget Narrative

• Applicants must submit an accompanying budget narrative which details the total proposed costs for implementation of the proposed program. The budget shall discuss and support the components of each SF-424 budget element, such as:

o A breakdown of all direct costs to include cost elements (communications, office supplies, printer, vehicle, office rent, etc.), unit of measure (monthly estimate, cost per unit), number of units, basis of the estimate and programmatic need for the expenditure;

o A breakdown of costs by inputs, production, packaging, and storage; and o The breakdown of all costs according to each partner organization (e.g., sub-awardee) in the format described herein.

• Applicants may submit budgets using Standard Form 424, 424A, and 424B, as appropriate, which can be downloaded from the USAID website. Alternatively, the forms are found on grants.gov.

There is no specific maximum dollar amount allowed for administrative and management costs. All proposed costs will be evaluated in accordance with applicable cost principles.

The awardee will only be required to produce, package, and stockpile the commodities at the awardee’s facility. All costs for rapid transportation, delivery, and distribution of the commodity shall be covered separately by transport, delivery, and distribution grants.

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Applicants proposing a cost share should include the same form and a breakdown that shows which costs would be covered by USAID funds and which by the grantee. If the cost share is an in-kind contribution, the budget should show the value of that contribution.

Note: When considering packaging and costs, please note that all packaging must conform to USAID’s Branding and Marking requirements, which can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/ffp/branding_annex_f.pdf)

D. Annexes

Annexes are suggested and/or required to have the following:

• A Certificate of Analysis issued by the producer/processor or another entity for the nutritional components of the commodity.

• Applicants shall include certifications and representations, as referenced in Section VIII –

Other Information.

• If the applicant proposes any sub-awards, applicants shall include signed “letters of commitment” from sub-awardees in this section. The applicant may include additional information if deemed necessary, however, as stated above technical applications should be specific, complete and presented concisely. A lengthy application does not in and of itself constitute a well thought out proposal. Therefore, applicants must avoid unnecessary documentation.

• Each applicant should include a copy of its organization’s most recent Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) issued by its organization’s cognizant audit agency (USAID or another agency of the U.S. federal government) or information to support any non-direct costs recovered by a percentage method. Applicants who do not currently have a NICRA from their cognizant audit agency but request funding for indirect costs shall also submit the following information:

o Copies of the applicant's financial reports for the previous 3-year period, which have been audited by a certified public accountant or other auditor satisfactory to USAID;

o Projected budget, cash flow, and organizational chart;

o A copy of the organization's accounting manual.

• Certain documents are required to be submitted by the applicant in order for the Agreement Officer to make a determination of financial responsibility. Applicants shall submit any additional evidence of responsibility to support this determination. The information submitted should substantiate that the applicant:

o Has adequate financial, management, and personnel resources and systems, or the ability to obtain such resources as required during the performance of the award.

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

o 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.

o Has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics; and http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/ffp/branding_annex_f.pdf

Page13 o Is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive a grant under applicable laws and regulations (e.g., EEO).

• Applicants that have never received a grant, cooperative agreement or contract from the U.S. Government are required to submit a copy of their accounting manual, personnel policies, travel policies, and procurement policies, and audits received for the past three years. If this material has already been submitted to the U.S. Government, the applicant should advise which Federal Agency has a copy.

• Applicants should submit a copy of its Certificate of Compliance if its organization's systems have been certified by the USAID/Washington's Office of Acquisition and Assistance (M/OAA).

6. Funding Restrictions

USAID anticipates awarding up to three grants under this RFA for a total of up to $6.5 million per year with a minimum award of $0. For more information, please review Section I – Funding Opportunity Description, 1) General Description.

7. Pre-Award Costs

No pre-award costs are required.

8. Other Submission Requirements

Certain documents may be required to be submitted by the applicant in order for the Agreement Officer to make a determination of financial responsibility. Applicants shall submit any additional evidence of responsibility, as requested, to support the determination pertaining to adequate financial, management and personnel resources and systems; ability to comply with the award conditions; satisfactory record of performance, integrity and business ethics; along with qualifications and eligibility to receive a grant under applicable laws and regulations.

SECTION V – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Evaluation Criteria

Technical applications and cost proposals of each proposal will be evaluated separately.

The technical application will be evaluated in accordance with the Technical Evaluation Criteria set forth below. Thereafter, the cost proposal of all applicants submitting a technically acceptable application will be evaluated for general reasonableness, allowability, and allocability. To the extent that they are necessary (if award is not made based on initial applications), negotiations and/or interviews will then be conducted with all applicants whose application, after discussion and negotiation, has a reasonable chance of being selected for award. Awards will be made to responsible applicants whose applications offer the greatest value, cost-effectiveness, and other factors considered.

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After it is determined that the minimum eligibility requirements have been met, a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will evaluate proposals according to criteria described below.

Technical Evaluation Criteria Maximum Possible Points A. Past Performance/Organizational Capability 25

B. Commodity: Nutritional Content 40 C. Commodity: Ease of Use 25 D. Cost Share 10 Total Possible Points 100

A. Past Performance/Organizational Capability

Past performance and organization capability will be evaluated by the following:

• Past successful project management experience.

o Quality of service, including consistency in meeting goals and targets.

o Timeliness of performance, including adherence to agreement schedules.

• Demonstrated institutional capacity to accomplish the range of programmatic activities described in this RFA, including the capacity of the applicant to manage relationships with government officials and institutions.

B. Commodity: Nutritional Content

The nutritional content evaluation will be based on the proportion of the daily macro and micronutrient needs to be met per serving size in grams and per 100 grams of product with regard to the following beneficiary groups:

• Intended beneficiary group(s): children 6-23 months, children 6-59 months, moderately malnourished children, school children, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, the institutionalized, people living with HIV, displaced persons and refugees, and general population including adults and destitute families. Guidance on dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for macro and micronutrients may be found in the Dietary Reference Intakes:

Recommendations for Individuals, http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/dietary-guidance/dietary-reference-intakes/dri-tables

Moderate malnutrition:

• Supplementary foods for the management of moderate acute malnutrition in infants and children 6-59 months of age Technical note

• http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/moderate_malnutrition/9789241504423/en

• WHO: Moderate Malnutrition:

• http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/moderate_malnutrition/en/; and

• WHO Nutrition and HIV:

• http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/hivaids/en/

• http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2003/9241591196.pdf http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/dietary-guidance/dietary-reference-intakes/dri-tables http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/dietary-guidance/dietary-reference-intakes/dri-tables http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/moderate_malnutrition/9789241504423/en http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/moderate_malnutrition/en/ http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/hivaids/en/ http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2003/9241591196.pdf

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C. Commodity: Ease of Use

The ease of use evaluation will be based on the number and level of inputs required to transform the commodity into a food to be eaten to include, but not limited to, time, human resources, equipment, and fuel. (Note: per above, the product must be shelf stable and pre-packaged in a manner compatible with containerized shipment capacities to be considered.)

D. Cost Share

Cost share and/or in-kind contribution is highly encouraged. The Food for Peace Act states that preference will be given to organizations that will provide non-federal funds in an amount equal to fifty (50) percent of the amount of funds received under the grant, an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to that percentage, or a combination of such funds. The cost share/in-kind contribution evaluation will be based on the extent to which this cost share/in-kind contribution is met. A total of 10 points will be given to applicants meeting fifty percent cost share/in-kind contribution, with all lesser cost share/in-kind contribution values being divided by 5 to achieve the allotted point value out of a maximum score of 10. For instance, an applicant proposing a cost share/in-kind contribution of 47% would receive 9.4 points under this criterion.

2. Review of Cost Proposal

The cost proposal of all applicants submitting a technically acceptable technical application will be evaluated to determine if costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. If an application is recommended for award following the technical review, USAID may at its option conduct cost negotiations.

Cost will be evaluated for cost reasonableness, allowability, allocability, cost effectiveness and realism, adequacy of budget detail, financial feasibility, and cost sharing. Cost per 100 grams, cost per serving in grams, and other measures that allow for price analysis will also be evaluated.

The applicant's cost share contribution will be reviewed for cost-effectiveness and realism and to verify that the applicant meets the standards set in 22 C.F.R. 226.23.

3. Review and Selection Process

After initial selection, the apparent successful applicant will be asked to provide information pertaining to past performance of similar programs and commodities. This information will be used to make a responsibility determination before a grant is provided.

SECTION VI – AWARD AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

USAID may make an award resulting from this RFA to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) conforming to this RFA offer(s) the greatest value. USAID may (a) reject

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Awards will be made in accordance with the USAID Standard Provisions and other applicable U.S. Government regulations, which are available on the USAID web site.

The Agreement Officer is the only individual who may legally commit the U.S. Government to the expenditure of public funds. No costs chargeable to the proposed agreement may be incurred before the start date of a fully executed Agreement. (In extreme cases, a specific written authorization from the Agreement Officer may be necessary and completed.)

SECTION VII - AGENCY CONTACTS

Agency contacts may be found in Section IV – Submission and Application Information, 2) Point of Contact.

SECTION VIII – OTHER INFORMATION

Please access the current Certifications and Assurances at the following link for all applicable forms: http://www.usaid.gov/documents/1866/certifications-and-assurances http://www.usaid.gov/ http://www.usaid.gov/documents/1866/certifications-and-assurances