Economic Diversification and Access to Finance in Bahrain Q&A v2.pdf

Economic Diversification and Access to Finance in Bahrain NOFO Questions Opportunity Number: SFOP0007727

1) The NOFO provides that “All Result Monitoring Plans (RMPs) should include the following objective, based on the proposed project:

Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) create jobs and contribute to a diversified, thriving private sector o Sub-objective: Increased opportunities for entrepreneurship and self-employment”

There seems to be a tension between the objective and sub-objective. The objective speaks to the program’s focus on accelerating / scaling-up growth-oriented SMEs and the job creation that would come with that. The sub-objective is geared more towards early-stage entrepreneurs, startups, and self-employment. These would seem to target different profiles of entrepreneurs, which would require different programmatic approaches. Could NEA clarify this apparent tension and the desired focus for the project?

ANSWER: The main objective and desired focus for this NOFO is that programming should be focused on accelerating/scaling-up growth-oriented SMEs. Please note that the NOFO has been revised to more accurately reflect the sub-objective we are seeking for this project.

2) In Section II of the NOFO, it is noted that, “successful applicants will work with the NEA/AC program and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) teams to create a plan based on the proposed logic model/theory of change to measure qualitative and quantitative indicators as part of the award negotiations process.” However, in Section VII part A, the Achievable Objectives state that, “M&E: The applicant explains how monitoring and evaluation activities will be carried out throughout the award’s period of performance and who will be responsible for them.”

Could NEA clarify what M&E plans and/or documents are required at time of submission?

ANSWER: Per section V., A.1. Required Documents on page 12 of the NOFO, applicants shall provide a logic model at time of application. Please refer to this section for specific information regarding the logic model.

Economic Diversification and Access to Finance in Bahrain NOFO Questions Version 2

3) Can we outsource some of our activities and partner with a US entity?

ANSWER: Applicants are required to have a local partner, per section IV. Eligibility Information, A.2. Local Partners, of the NOFO. In reviewing the requirements, an applicant can propose partners they believe are necessary for the project design to be successfully implemented.

4) Do we submit the projects documents in one or do they have to be separated? Would like to know more information about being eligible for funding opportunity number

(SFOP0007728).

ANSWER: Applicants will be required to submit each required item except for the SF- 424 forms as an individual attachment for that element of the application. To determine eligibility, refer to section IV. Eligibility Information, A.1. Eligible Applicants, of the

NOFO.

5) Can you provide any further details on any expectations the US Government has concerning the engagement of US companies and investors in the work. Are you seeking matching funds or another role for US companies in the desired outcomes?

ANSWER: The extent of details for engagement of U.S. companies and investors in the project can be found in section I. Funding Opportunity Description, B. Achievable Objectives and C. Project Design.

In addition, as detailed under section IV. Eligibility Information, C. Additional Eligibility Considerations, “There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition. However, NEA/AC encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs. Cost-sharing or matching is not an evaluation criteria of this NOFO.”

6) On page 18 (Section 7A: Application Evaluation Criteria / Budget & Budget Narrative) of

NOFO v3, the third bullet says: "The preponderance of the budget is spent on supporting the project participants/activities in country." Does "in-country" in that bullet mean that we need to focus on in-person activities on the ground in Bahrain? Or would virtual activities be OK since they are going to support project participants who are in-country?

ANSWER: Virtual activities could be acceptable depending on the project proposed.

7) On page 18 (Section 7B: Review and Selection Process) of NOFO v3, the final sentence says: "Final award decisions will be influenced by whether the application meets NEA/AC’s programmatic goals and objectives, how it supports the Department’s overarching foreign policy priorities, and the geographic distribution of the top-ranking applications." What does the "geographic distribution of the top-ranking applications" mean? Does that mean that applications led by in-country organizations or organizations based in the MENA region take priority?

ANSWER: Geographic distribution of the top-ranking applications is generally if there were to be more than one award issued from a NOFO. As NEA is planning to issue only one award, this specific element would not be relevant.

8) Under I. Funding Opportunity Description, it mentions that "the funding supports proposals that assist business in shifting from the startup stage to the intermediate and expansion stages...". Can this support include directly using parts of the funding to invest in particular operations of the company, such as improving the tech platform, marketing, etc? Or can funds from the grant be used to subsidize costs that help growth (such as office rent, employment, etc)?

ANSWER: Funds will be used to support the objectives stated in Section I.B.

Achievable Objectives of the NOFO. Proposals will need to include a budget and budget narrative that explains the breakdown of costs. The proposed programming and project design will determine allowability of costs.

9) Under C. Project Design, it mentions that "Support and technical assistance should focus on overcoming barriers to finance and supporting existing SMEs for scaling business...". Are there preferred methods of support that this program wishes to see or is it open to various ways of supporting SMEs?

ANSWER: For this objective, we are looking for innovative ways to support SMEs in overcoming barriers to finance and scaling up businesses, therefore, there is no preferred method.