Irrigation Activity RFI ver 1-7-2024 - fully executed.pdf

Notice Type: Request for Information (RFI)

Date of Issuance: January 7, 2025

Deadline to Submit Responses: January 22, 2025, 17:00 hrs Guatemala local time

Subject: RFI on Sustainable Agricultural Water Management in

Guatemala Activity

Dear prospective Applicants a/o Offerors, The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), seeks input and feedback regarding the feasibility of supporting the Government of Guatemala’s National Irrigation Policy (2024-2033). The information, including comments and feedback received in response to this Request for Information (RFI), will be used to enhance the understanding of government requirements for designing a potential activity. Therefore, you are encouraged to comment on the attached document.

Please note the following:

● This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) or a commitment from USAID. Responses to this RFI are voluntary and will be used solely for informational purposes.

● Responding to this RFI will neither confer an advantage nor preclude any organization or individual from participating in any subsequent RFA/RFP/RFTOP. All comments received will be strictly for information-gathering and planning purposes.

● Responses to this RFI are non-binding on the parties involved.

● Submission of information in response to this RFI is voluntary, and the U.S. Government will not compensate any respondent for the cost incurred in providing information.

All responses must be submitted electronically via email to igonzalez@usaid.gov by the specified due date and time. Hard copy submissions, phone calls, or meeting requests will not be accepted.

We appreciate your interest in this request for information. For any inquiries, please contact Ms.Indyra Gonzalez, A&A Specialist, at igonzalez@usaid.gov.

Sincerely, Anthony R. Raneses Supervisory Contracting Officer https://www.maga.gob.gt/sitios/uip/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/politica-nacional-de-reigo-2024-2033.pdf https://www.maga.gob.gt/sitios/uip/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/politica-nacional-de-reigo-2024-2033.pdf mailto:igonzalez@usaid.gov mailto:igonzalez@usaid.gov

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): USAID/Guatemala - Sustainable Water Management Activity

1. Purpose of RFI

USAID/Guatemala seeks information to support the feasibility assessment and design of the Sustainable Water Management (SWM) activity. This RFI is intended to gather insights from organizations experienced in agricultural and multiple-use water resource management, climate adaptation, and infrastructure development, specifically those with relevant expertise in Guatemala or similar regions.

Responses will inform USAID in developing a detailed plan to address irrigation and water resource limitations affecting smallholder farmers, especially in the Western Highlands and the departments of Alta and Baja Verapaz.

2. Background

The SWM activity aims to improve water retention and management, watershed management, water source protection, and sustainable irrigation in Guatemala, targeting increased agricultural productivity and resilience of communities and/or secondary cities to climate change. The activity aligns with the Government of Guatemala's priority municipalities of Mano a Mano and the Feed the Future zone of influence, focusing on supporting Guatemala’s National Irrigation Policy (2024-2033) and enhancing technical and financial capacities for sustainable water management practices and infrastructure.

The activity’s goals include:

● Increased water availability through community-based watershed management programs.

● Enhanced institutional capacity within MAGA to execute and sustain irrigation and soil conservation projects.

● Improved agricultural productivity and income for smallholder farmers through sustainable year-round irrigation.

● Strengthened partnerships with local communities, private sector actors, and international donors to ensure the scalability and sustainability of interventions.

3. Objectives of This RFI

USAID seeks responses that will help to:

● Assess the technical, operational, and financial feasibility of proposed water management and irrigation interventions in targeted regions.

● Identify successful approaches for municipality-based and community-based water resource management and climate-resilient agriculture.

● Evaluate potential implementation challenges related to infrastructure development, capacity building, and financial mechanisms both at the municipal and local levels.

https://portal.sesan.gob.gt/2024/04/30/mano-a-mano-iniciativa-intersectorial-del-gobierno-de-guatemala-para-combatir-la-pobreza-y-la-malnutricion/

● Gather recommendations and feedback at the user level on the practical ways to meet their water-related needs, their capacity of payment, and the cultural pertinence of feasible propositions.

● Gather recommendations on integrating Indigenous communities, women, and youth in activity design and implementation.

4. Key Areas for Input

Respondents are encouraged to provide feedback on any or all of the following aspects of the SWM activity:

● Watershed Management and Conservation Approaches: Effective approaches to implement watershed management activities in Guatemala, including nature-based solutions such as reforestation, soil conservation, recharge zones, and riparian buffer zones.

● Institutional Capacity Building: Strategies for strengthening national and local technical capacity and extension services to support watershed management practices and irrigation/multi-use water infrastructure.

● Community-Based Adaptation: Best practices for promoting local ownership and involvement of local communities in water management and watershed conservation activities.

● Financial Models and Accessibility: Recommendations for creating accessible financing options for municipalities, organized civil society, cooperatives, and smallholder farmers, including public-private partnerships, to finance irrigation and multi-use water infrastructure at various scales.

● Inclusion of Indigenous Communities and Vulnerable Groups: Effective ways to increase access and integrate Indigenous communities, women, and youth in planning and implementing irrigation and multi-use water infrastructure activities, enhancing the “Do No Harm” approach.

● Sustainability and Local Ownership: Mechanisms for ensuring long-term sustainability and transitioning water management infrastructure and operational responsibilities to local communities and producer groups through culturally appropriate means.

● Localization: Mechanisms for ensuring long-term sustainability and transitioning water management infrastructure and operational responsibilities to local communities and producer groups through culturally appropriate means.

● NGO Experience: Successful examples of international or local NGOs working in Guatemala in the area of rural water infrastructure development and/or watershed management.

5. Submission Requirements

Interested organizations should submit the following:

● Organizational Information: A brief description of your organization’s relevant experience in water resource management, municipal development and organization, agricultural development, and/or climate resilience.

● Technical Input: Detailed responses to the key areas above, providing insights, potential risks, and suggestions for each.

● Case Studies or Examples: Similar projects implemented in Guatemala or similar environments.

● Contact Information: Primary point of contact’s name, title, email, and phone number.