NPI GH APS (7200AA19APS00013) Questions and Answers.pdf

NPI GH APS (7200AA19APS00013)

Questions and Answers

1. Would you consider extending the deadline for questions by a few days to allow some extra time to review the NPI: GH APS and its Rounds? Thank you for considering this request.

Due to the timeline that the APS and Rounds 1 and 2 is adhering to, this was not possible. The Questions & Answers for Rounds 1 and 2 have been posted on Grants.gov under the “Related Documents” tab.

2. Is it necessary for the USAID Mission in [XYZ country] to issue a Round under this APS in order to establish a NPI GH requirement in [XYZ country]?

USAID Missions are welcome to issue their own award(s) under the NPI APS; to do this, they must issue their own Round calling for concept papers. A USAID Mission can also buy into the award(s) resulting from Rounds 1 and 2 currently posted with a discrete scope of work with funding if it fits under the resulting award(s) program description.

3. Do the USAID operating Units who issue Rounds include the USAID country missions?

They could include USAID Missions if the Mission wanted to issue its own Round.

4. Does USAID anticipate any rounds for Modality 1 and/or Modality 2 for one of the USAID GH priority countries, in our case [XYZ country]?

The NPI is an Agency priority, however, future Rounds cannot be guaranteed at this time; this will depend on need and funding availability.

5. Are there or will there be only Round 1 or Round 2?

Please see the response to the previous question.

6. Are there any advantages/disadvantages for applying for a partnership under Modality 1:

as new and underutilized local organizations or Modality 2: as a new and underutilized organizations that are locally established partners (LEPs) in [XYZ country]?

No, this is up to the discretion of the applicant. Please note that as of July 30, 2019 there is not currently a Round accepting concept papers that specifically requires Modality 1.

7. Do we meet the Locally Established Partner based on having worked through locally-led operations in the [XYZ region] with more than three (3) different local partner for eight

(8) years under project agreements with the local and federal government for the same programme?

Please use the definition of locally established partner both in the APS and under Round 1 to determine if your organization is eligible. USAID will not make this determination for applicants prior to receiving concept papers.:

A U.S. or international organization that works through locally-led operations and programming models. LEPs:

● Have maintained continuous operations in-country for at least five years and materially demonstrate a long-term presence in a country through adherence or alignment to the following:

○ Local staff should comprise at least 50% of office personnel;

○ Maintenance of a dedicated local office;

○ Registration with the appropriate local authorities;

○ A local bank account; and

○ A portfolio of locally-implemented programs.

● Have demonstrated links to the local community, including:

○ If the organization has a governing body or board of directors, then it must include a majority of local citizens;

○ A letter of support from a local organization to attest to its work; and

○ Other criteria that an organization proposes to demonstrate its local roots. (ADS 201, 303)

8. We would like to get on the partnership program but we did not see something related to sickle cell disease. We have had activities in Africa especially [XYZ country] since 2008.

We would like to know if we are eligible for the program.

Please see Section III: Eligibility Information in the Round documents under the “Related Documents” tab to see if your organization meets the eligibility criteria.

Please see Section I: Funding Opportunity Description in both the APS and Round documents for the technical focus areas for USAID’s work in the health sector.

9. Can you provide us an eligibility determination for participation in Round 1 - Community Health Networks (CHN), as a new and underutilized organization that is a locally established partners (LEPs) based on our registration in [a non-US country] or as a U.S.-based or international partner that meets the definition of a LEP?

Please see the responses to the previous questions. Certifications of incorporation will be reviewed during the concept paper review process. For Round 1, in terms of registration information, applicants must provide information related to its own organization’s headquarters’ office at the concept paper stage. If an organization receives a request for full application, registrations for in country offices will also need to be provided.

10. Is it required that a new and underutilized local organizations or locally established partners (LEPs) be able to implement an NPI Global Health project country level wide, or is it acceptable to implement at the zone and community level?

Please see individual Round documents under the “Related Documents” tab to note if a project has a specific geographic focus and/or requires the ability to work in multiple countries, or the country as a whole.

11. Does NPI GH APS support locally generated solutions being implemented in only one

(1) Zone, especially if they could be scaled up and rolled out to other zones and other regions in [XYZ country]?

Please see response to the previous question.

12. Would we be considered as part of the “non-public health sector” on the basis that we are delivering essential medical and healthcare services, especially reproductive, maternal, neo-natal and child (RMNC) healthcare services directly to 347,000 people living in some of the most disadvantaged, underserved and vulnerable populations in [XYZ country] in close cooperation with the local health services?

Applicants should review the eligibility requirements (Section III) for Rounds under the APS to determine whether they are eligible for a particular Round. References to the non-public sector include entities that are outside the host country government health sector. Per the USAID Private Sector Engagement Strategy, the strategy defines private sector (ie non-public sector) as the following: “For-profit, commercial entities and their affiliated foundations; Financial institutions, investors and intermediaries; Business associations and cooperatives; Micro, small, medium, and large enterprises that operate in the formal and informal sectors; American, local, regional, and multi-national businesses; and For-profit approaches that generate sustainable income (e.g., a venture fund run by an NGO or a social enterprise). Note, this policy calls for engaging more with for-profit actors, and/or using for-profit and market-based approaches. Therefore, the policy’s definition of ‘private sector’ is more focused than the definition included in the GDA APS, which also includes grant-making foundations.” This strategy can be found here:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/usaid_psepolicy_final.pdf

13. Should we coordinate directly with the USAID Mission in [XYZ country] to define the development problems in our local area [XYZ area] and how we propose to solve those problems? How is this supposed to be initiated?

For the currently posted Rounds (1 and 2), this is not expected, prior to submitting a concept paper. USAID Mission Rounds may require differently.

14. What are USAID’s criteria for being considered as a potential prime or sub-partner for either Round 1 or Round 2?

Please see Section III: Eligibility Information for what eligibility criteria an organization must meet to be a prime applicant; sub-partners’ requirements vary based on the Modality in the Round.

15. How can we obtain a copy of the Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) or Strategic Framework for [XYZ country]?

For Rounds 1 and 2, access to a Mission’s CDCS will not be necessary until award implementation, as it is not guaranteed which country the award(s) will work in. If a Mission issues a Round, they will be in a better position to provide this.

16. Can we submit our 4-year project agreement with the [XYZ country’s] Ministry of Health that aligns with the NPI-GH requirements with our application?

Concept papers must include all requested elements in Section IV of the relevant Round document; the technical approach proposed is up to the applicant’s discretion, although it must relate to the Round’s focus. Pertaining to Rounds 1 and 2, other than any required certification documentation, additional annexes with supplemental information beyond the required five page concept paper limit will not be reviewed.

17. Does USAID anticipate issuing any awards under Round 1 to LEPs that are new and underutilized, that only work in one of the USAID GH priority countries, in our case [XYZ country]?

Per the language on page 2 of the Round 1 document: “USAID anticipates issuing up to three (3) awards under Round 1 to LEPs that are new and underutilized, that https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/usaid_psepolicy_final.pdf have the capacity to work in multiple countries (two or more USAID GH priority countries, please see Annex B for this complete list) including the host country(ies) they are applying in. The award recipient(s) programmatic approach must be reflective of the country(ies) context and consistent with the Agency’s Global Health (GH) priorities.”

18. Is your funding extended to Australia as a country in terms of the Rounds?

Australia is not one of the countries listed in Annex B to the Umbrella APS as a GH priority country; however, if the question relates to an organization registered in Australia, the proposed work would need to be in these GH priority countries.

Please note that the NPI GH APS states the following on page 13: “The authorized geographic code for the procurement of services and commodities is 937. If a Round wants to utilize geographic code 935, a waiver in compliance with 22 CFR 228 must be approved prior to the Round document being released.” Per ADS 310.3.1.1, geographic code 937 includes “the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source.”

All awardees will be subject to the requirements of ADS 310 as applicable.

19. My charity is registered in France, however the base of our activities is [XYZ country in Africa]. I was wondering if the fact that we are a French registered charity impedes on our application for a new partnership with USAID regarding Global health.

USAID welcomes applicants that meet the eligibility requirements stated in the APS and any pursuant Rounds.

20. We understand that an underutilized partner is defined by the Agency as an organization that has “received less than $25 million in direct or indirect awards from USAID over the past five years.” And we understand that “the five years is relative to when the organization is applying to a USAID procurement/funding opportunity.” We assume that USAID will consider the “last five years” based on the organizations official financial statements up to end of 2018 (e.g., 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), and not including the current, still-open year of 2019. Is that correct?

This may vary by Round, so please review the Round document your organization may be applying to. For the currently open Rounds (Round 1- Community Health Networks and Round 2 - Expanding Health Partnerships), this assumption is correct - it would be the last five full years (2014-2018).

21. We understand that “underutilized partners” planning to submit a Concept Note as a primary recipient for an NPI award must have “received less than $25 million in direct or indirect awards from USAID over the past five years.” Does that $25 million dollar amount include money that the potential NPI applicant organization received from USAID but then distributed to sub-recipients (i.e. CBOs or the government)?

Yes, the USAID funding includes all funding allocated to a prime recipient, including those resources distributed to sub-recipients.

22. What is the possible timeline for phase 2 and 3, Co-Design/Full Application, of the APS process, once the concept note has been approved?

Because a timeline cannot be guaranteed at this time, it cannot be provided.

23. Will there be any funding available for implementing agencies including new and underutilized partners for the co-design and/or full application process phase or is it expected that each organization will individually fund this stage of the proposal process?

Page 17 of the APS states: “Issuance of this APS does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of the USG, nor does it commit the USG to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a concept paper or an application.

Applicants submit Concept Paper applications at their own risk and all preparation and submission costs are at the applicant’s expense.” This would also include any costs incurred during co-creation phase.

24. Are consortiums allowable under the APS within all of the eligibility track categories 1- 4?

Yes, if they meet the eligibility criteria for that particular Modality and Round.

Please note that Modality 1 focuses on direct awards to new and underutilized local partners, so there should not be subawards to other partners in excessive amounts.

For Modality 2, the focus is on direct awards to new or underutilized LEPs and work is envisioned to be through that organization’s locally registered offices.

Modality 3 requires a prime to flow 50-75% of funding to subawards to local partners and LEPs that are new and underutilized; the prime can consist of a consortium of organizations and subawards could be part of a consortium but since countries are not always known prior to implementation, it may not be possible to agree to such subawards prior to award. Modality 4 may include a consortium but may also simply be one organization as a prime recipient that focuses on leveraging non-USAID funding for the program.

25. In cases where direct awards are made to new and underutilized partners, are partners not fitting into USAID’s definition of new and underutilized partners, such as international organizations, eligible to be subrecipients?

Yes. However, this depends on the Modality being utilized. Please see the previous response as the focus of NPI is on new and underutilized local and locally established partners overall.

26. Does the prime awardee need to be locally registered in the country of implementation to apply as a Prime Partner Award (eligibility track category 3)?

Under Modality 3, no; however post-award, in country registration will depend on each host country government’s requirements.

27. Will Global Health / select missions be accepting unsolicited concept notes for Leverage Awards?

All concept papers should be submitted per the Round documents with the calls for concept papers. Any unsolicited concept papers must follow the procedures at the following link:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/30354s1.pdf

28. As this APS and addendums servs to establish demonstration projects, will USAID consider investing funds for implementation science and documentation? This would be particularly relevant for Limited Mentorship Awards to confirm feasibility, determine best practices, and capture lessons learned in supporting local partners to transition to direct awards.

All proposed technical approaches must be responsive to the Funding Opportunity Description and Concept Paper Submission Instructions in that specific Round document.

29. What resources exist currently to assist new and underutilized partners to determine what risks are associated with a fixed amount award? What resources exist currently to assist new and underutilized partners to manage fixed amount awards?

Applicants would work directly with the Mission or the USAID/Washington Bureau issuing the awards to answer questions about risk. More information on FAAs can be found in ADS 303.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/30354s1.pdf

30. One evaluation criterion for concept notes is alignment with the five NPI principles.

Could USAID provide more guidance to design teams to ensure alignment? This is especially true for “Support solutions to near- and long-term Administration priorities that will advance the President’s National Security Strategy and support the Foreign Assistance Realignment” and “Create incentives for expanding and diversifying USAID’s partner base so that we help to equip and fund more local and locally established partners to support country-level progress.”

Additional information on the New Partnerships’ Initiative information can be found here: https://www.usaid.gov/npi

31. Could USAID provide more information about how leverage funds will be tracked?

Rounds requesting Modality 4 should specify how these funds will be tracked; this might include requesting applicants to provide information on leveraged funds at the time of submission of a full request for applications. A process for USAID tracking should be shared at that point and may be similar to the matching funding processes that USAID currently supports.

32. Can funds from multilateral donors, with USG contributions (e.g., The Global Fund or Gavi) be counted as leverage funds?

Yes.

33. Will operating unit new partnership plans (or elements of them) be publicly available?

Will established partners be further engaged as partnership plans are developed?

USAID Operating Units do not have new partnership plans; the New Partnerships’ Initiative information can be found here: https://www.usaid.gov/npi

34. Can we sent the concept note in September 2019? I’m not clear on when to send the concept note, because the deadline is September 30, 2025. Please give me information on the concept note.

Rounds can be issued during the duration of the APS, which is currently through September 30, 2025. This umbrella APS includes the overall goal and purpose of, and results to be achieved by, NPI GH, but does not include any funding, and September 30, 2025 is not a deadline for concept papers. Each Round document will have its own range of funding, anticipated number of awards, concept paper submission deadline, instructions and evaluation criteria, and will be posted under https://www.usaid.gov/npi https://www.usaid.gov/npi the original APS funding opportunity on Grants.gov under the “Related Documents” tab.

35. Where do I submit the concept paper and to which address?

Please see the response to the previous question. Each Round has a separate point of contact.

36. When is the deadline for the concept paper?

Please see the responses to the previous questions.

37. In the document, the closing date for concept paper is 30 September 2025 instead of 2019, right? Queries and questions can be asked by 22 July, 2019 right?

Please see responses to the previous questions. Yes, questions on the APS were due on July 22, 2019 at 10:00 am ET. Any questions received late were not included in this document.

38. When do the funding rounds open? (i.e. when can we apply)

Please see the responses to the previous questions, especially Question #34.

39. How much can we apply for?

Each Round document will have its own range of funding. Applicants can propose the total cost of their proposed program in the concept paper.

40. Will applicant face screening after submission of concept paper to qualify for the fully application?

As stated on page 14 of the APS: “USAID strongly encourages applications from potential new partners who meet the eligibility requirements and are willing to be subjected to a Pre-Award Survey.” More information on this survey - and the pre-award risk assessment overall - can be found in ADS 303 (https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303.pdf).

41. What is the web page to commence the full application?

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303.pdf

All full applications will be submitted directly to USAID; these instructions will be provided to those concept paper applicants that are successful at the co-creation or concept paper stage (if there is not co-creation).

42. Our NGO is applying for round 1 only; if we don’t apply for round 2 are we going to be disqualified?

No, please note on pages 18-19 of the APS, it states: “if an organization does not submit a successful concept paper and is not invited to attend the co-creation workshop/submit a full application in a specific Round then that organization may still submit another concept paper in a future Round(s), if one occurs.”