FHM APS Questions and Answers.pdf

FRONTIER HEALTH MARKETS APS QUESTIONS

1. On page 15 of the APS, do the Illustrative set of indicators of market performance apply to both Result 1 and Result 2?

USAID Response: Yes, the Illustrative list of indicators apply to both Results.

2. How many rounds is USAID expecting to release this fiscal year under this APS?

USAID Response: The number of Rounds to be delivered under this APS hasn’t been determined, but they will be within the stated time frame.

3. Will they be all global or will there also be Mission rounds? What is the expected size and release date of these rounds?

USAID Response: USAID expects a combination of global and Mission rounds under this APS. USAID is expected to release one global round for up to $135 million in March. The number, size, and date of Mission rounds hasn’t been determined.

4. Would USAID clarify if this APS is intended to cover all four activities included in the Request for Information?

USAID Response: This APS is intended to cover Activity 1 from the RFI.

5. In the November Business Forecast Q&A, USAID noted that Activities 2, 3, and 4 would be acquisition awards. Would USAID confirm if this is still the case?

USAID Response: Yes, Activities 2-4 are anticipated to be a mix of assistance and acquisition awards.

6. Does USAID intend to use a small business set aside for FHM activities 2, 3, and 4?

USAID Response: This has not been decided. Please continue to monitor the business forecast for future updates.

7. Would USAID consider sharing additional information regarding the anticipated Rounds to maximize the industry’s preparation and ability to respond to this critical program:

a. How many Rounds does USAID anticipate releasing and what is the anticipated timing of their release?

USAID Response: The total number of Rounds to be released has not been determined at this time.

b. Does USAID anticipate aligning upcoming Rounds with the four activities outlined in the Request for Information released May 6, 2020?

USAID Response: No, only Activity 1 described in the last year’s RFI is covered under this APS.

c. Does USAID confirm that the suite of FHM activities will now be entirely assistance awards rather than a mix of assistance and acquisition awards?

USAID Response: As stated on the Business forecast USAID is planning to issue a mix of assistance and acquisition awards. Please continue to monitor the business forecast for future updates.

8. Will USAID consider providing the timing for any planned rounds and post this information on the Business Forecast?

USAID Response: Yes, USAID plans to provide additional information regarding future planned Rounds, on the business forecast. Please continue to monitor for updates.

9. Is USAID envisioning the 4 activities described in last year’s RFI as the first four rounds under this APS?

USAID Response: No, only Activity 1 described in the last year’s RFI is covered under this APS.

10. Is USAID still planning to issue the 4 activities as described in the RFI last year?

USAID Response: Yes, USAID anticipates issuing multiple solicitations and separate awards for each activity outlined in the RFI. We will update the business forecast, please continue to monitor for updates.

11. Would USAID consider changing the geographic code at the APS level to 935 to maximize potential partnerships?

USAID Response: The planned geographic code for this APS is currently 937.

USAID may revisit this designation for Mission rounds if needed. Should the awardee desire to seek expertise from partners in advanced developing countries, they may consult with the Agreement Officer.

12. Can USAID confirm that it may go straight to an award following the submission of concept papers without issuing an RFA?

USAID Response: As stated in Section IV of the APS, “USAID also reserves the right to make an award without discussions if determined to be in the Government’s best interest. Additionally, USAID may make an award on the basis of initial concept papers received, without scheduling a co-creation workshop.”

13. Section II F, pg. 20: The APS states that the authorized geocode for procurement of services and commodities is 937, (“the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source,” per ADS 310.3.1.1). Would USAID reconsider this geocode specification to source expertise from partners in advanced developing countries?

USAID Response: The planned geographic code for this APS is currently 937.

USAID may revisit this designation for Mission rounds if needed. Should the awardee desire to seek expertise or formal engagement from partners in advanced developing countries, they may consult with the Agreement Officer.

14. The Frontier Health Markets RFI issued on May 6, 2020, proposed four program elements: Private Sector Flagship, Private Sector Engagement Staff Support, Private Sector Capital Fund, and Business Support Facility. Should we expect Frontier Health Markets rounds to be similarly designed around these program elements?

USAID Response: This APS covers Activity 1 described in the RFI. The details of the program elements will be described in the round documents. As stated on the Business forecast, USAID is planning to issue a mix of assistance and acquisition awards.

15. In the 2021 Q1 Business Forecast Questions, USAID responded that they expected Activity 1 to be an assistance award(s) and Activities 2-4 to be acquisition awards. Can USAID confirm the change in procurement vehicle with all rounds resulting in cooperative agreements? Would USAID consider prioritizing acquisition mechanisms given the focus of FHM is on markets and the private sector in health?

USAID Response: As mentioned above, this APS covers Activity 1 described in the RFI. Activity 2-4 are expected to be a mix of assistance and acquisitions awards.

Please continue to monitor the business forecast for future updates.

16. Can USAID provide an estimate of when a global round is anticipated, and whether it will include all four components of the related RFI published in June 2020 (RFI-20-GH-FHM-01: Private Sector Flagship; Private Sector Engagement Staff Support; Private Sector Capital Fund; and Business Support Facility)?

USAID Response: The global round under this APS is expected to be released in March. Only Activity 1 as described in the RFI is covered by this APS.

17. Can USAID provide an estimate of how many, and which missions, have expressed interest in conducting their own FHM Round, and how many and for what missions are anticipated for buy-ins to a global/multi-country round under the FHM

APS?

USAID Response: At this time the information regarding which missions have expressed interest in their own FHM Round is not for public dissemination.

18. Page 23 states, “Concept papers received under FHM APS rounds will be reviewed based on full and open competition and under the procedures and criteria identified in Section V and any additional criteria identified in each specific Round documentation.” a. Are Applicants anticipated to submit budgets alongside concept notes for mission-issued rounds?

USAID Response: Budgets are not requested and not to be submitted with concept papers. Applicants with successful concept papers will have a chance to submit an application in response to the RFA, in which both technical and cost information will be requested and required.

19. Regarding the Funding Opportunity Title: Frontier Health Markets (FHM), Annual Program Statement (APS), Funding Opportunity Number:

7200AA21APS00005; I would like to ask if there will subsequently be a call for the submission of a concept paper.

USAID Response: Yes. USAID is expected to release one global round for up to $135 million in March. Please continue to monitor the business forecast for future updates.

20. Does the Frontier Health Market (FMH) APS have a ceiling award amount?

USAID Response: The FHM APS has a planned total estimated ceiling of up to $425 million, of which up to $175 million is estimated for global rounds and up to $250 million is estimated for mission rounds.

21. Are there any private sector activities that would be considered “off limits” for FMH; for example, subsidy of essential health products (medications, insecticides etc.).

USAID Response: USAID anticipates that a combination of contextual and program variables will determine the nature of private sector activities.

22. Will USAID prioritize the inclusion of Faith Based Organizations?

USAID Response: USAID anticipates inclusion of a variety of local, private sector, small business, and other partner organizations, including Faith Based Organizations, as necessary to meet the objectives of the stated program.

23. Will FMH become the principal vehicle through which USAID moves resources that aim to increase private sector involvement in health?

USAID Response: As described in the APS, FHM will be one of the USAID mechanisms for private sector programming for health.

24. Is there an anticipated periodicity for the upcoming rounds?

USAID Response: This has not been determined. Please continue to monitor the business forecast for future updates.

25. Would USAID entertain proposals that include host country governments as consortium partners?

USAID Response: USAID anticipates inclusion of a variety of partner organizations as necessary to meet the objectives of the stated program. Mission rounds can determine whether inclusion of host country governments would be feasible on a case-by-case basis.

26. Does USAID still envision FHM to include four distinct activities as per the RFI released in May 2020? If so, what is the anticipated ceiling of each activity?

USAID Response: Yes, USAID anticipates a separate award for each of the four activities described in the RFI. Please continue to monitor the business forecast for future updates.

27. What is the anticipated ceiling for the umbrella APS?

USAID Response: Please see above.

28. How will the suite of awards be coordinated and managed within the Office of Population and Reproductive Health (PRH) and across the Bureau for Global Health

(GH)?

USAID Response: This will be described in the specific Round documents.

29. On page 15, under Section I: Funding Opportunity Description, USAID provides an illustrative set of indicators for Result 2. Can USAID also provide a list of illustrative indicators for Result 1?

USAID Response: The illustrative list of indicators provided on page 15 are for both results.

30. What is the timing for USAID to start releasing rounds under the APS and which order will they be released?

USAID Response: Round 1 is expected to be released in March. Please continue to monitor the business forecast for future updates.

31. Are the rounds referred to in the APS equivalent to the “Activities” which were referred to in the RFI from May 2020?

USAID Response: No. This APS covers Activity 1 as described in the RFI.

32. Will there be single or multiple awards under each round?

USAID Response: This will depend on the specific round. Round 1 to be released in March anticipates issuing one award.

33. As indicated in the FY 2021 1st Quarter Business Forecast Responses to Questions, does USAID still anticipate a mix of acquisitions and assistance for FHM?

USAID Response: At this time, it is anticipated that FHM will be a mix of acquisition and assistance awards.

34. What is the total value of the APS as well as the value of each round?

USAID Response: The FHM APS has a planned total estimated ceiling of up to $425 million, of which up to $175 million is estimated for global rounds and up to $250 million is estimated for mission rounds. The total amount anticipated for each round hasn’t been determined at this point.

35. We found a funding opportunity titled Frontier Health Markets, funding opportunity number 7200AA21APS00005, on grants.gov and I was a bit confused as to what is the deadline for submission of concept papers. I see the closing date is listed for February 2028, but I couldn't find the information for the concept paper submission deadline.

USAID Response: Details regarding concept paper submissions will be provided in the specific Round documents. Please continue to monitor grants.gov for the release.

36. I didn't see any statement of limitations on the total number of concept paper that can be submitted by an eligible applicant. Could you please confirm?

USAID Response: Details regarding concept paper submissions will be provided in the specific Round documents. Please continue to monitor grants.gov for the release.

37. What is the deadline to apply for 7200AA21APS00005

Frontier Health Markets APS Agency for International Development?

USAID Response: Details regarding the deadline for the concept paper submissions will be provided in the specific Round documents. Please continue to monitor grants.gov for the release.

38. Would like to ask you if Rwandan organizations are eligible to apply for "Frontier Health Markets".

USAID Response: Please refer to Section III of the APS, for the eligibility requirements, and each Round document.

http://grants.gov/