NPI GH Round 1 Questions & Answers Final.pdf

NPI GH APS (7200AA19APS00013) Round 1:

Community Health Networks (Modality 2)

Questions and Answers

1. Are underutilized INGOs available to provide subgrants to LEPs?

This Round is using Modality 2 of the APS that indicates USAID is seeking direct award(s) with entities that are locally established partners (LEPs) that are new or underutilized by USAID. If an [International] Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) applicant meets the definition of Modality 2 then that INGO is eligible to apply. USAID does not direct the LEP as to how it will work with its own internal procurement policies, and requirements for its organization’s office, branch or affiliate at the country level.

2. We are aware of the definition of locally established partners (LEP) on page 10 of the round 1 call. We are also aware that applicants must be “operating” in at least two USAID GH priority countries. Our question: is an applicant required to fully meet the LEP definition in all of its target countries? Or only meet the LEP definition in one country? [Related Question - An organization that is active in multiple countries, we only meet the definition of locally established partners (LEP) in a single country. Could we partner with another organization who fully meets the LEP definition in a second country, thereby meeting the requirement to be operating in at least two USAID GH priority countries?]

Per the eligibility information in Round 1, under Modality 2, the applicant must meet the locally established partners (LEPs) criteria in the host country(ies) in which they are applying. No, a ‘partnership’ or ‘joint-venture’ organization created to specifically apply for Round 1 does not meet the eligibility of LEP.

3. In the document, it asks for 5 years of performance in partner country, which does not make sense for a new organization to fulfill. Will USAID consider the following:

a. our concept paper?

b. our newness?

c. Not having a bank account yet?

d. No financial record in partner country? but in US?

e. No paid employees, only volunteers

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements as specified in Round 1, page 10.

Round 1 is seeking organizations that are new to USAID while meeting the LEP definition or are an underutilized organization that meets the LEP definition.

4. Does USAID have a Concept Paper template available? If so, can you please share it in a Microsoft Word template?

The concept paper template is found in Annex A, beginning on page 14 of the Round 1 document.

5. Can we submit our concept paper while waiting for authorization letter from Mali Ministry of Administration? What else do we need to qualify for this award?

No, the organization will be ineligible to submit a concept paper for Round 1. Please refer to Round 1 documentation for the remaining eligibility requirements for this award.

6. Could you please kindly help us with the following query regarding eligibility under Modality 2? We are an organization with locally established operational/registered offices in multiple USAID Global Health (GH) priority countries. Does the $25 million cumulative funding eligibility criteria apply to our USAID funding received as an entire organization portfolio for the past 5 years or is it based on the cumulative total of funding received from USAID in the countries we intend to apply for under Round 1?

Does the $25 million also include funds that have been dispersed to partners where we are prime?

Per the definition of a new or underutilized partner in Round 1documentation (see p.10), an eligible organization must have received less than $25 million cumulatively in USAID funding over the previous five (5) years to date. Yes, the $25 million refers to all USAID funding dispersed to sub-partners.

7. We want to apply as a lead organization and registered in the host country aiming to implement activities without other partners. Can we implement the project on our own as we do have the capacity and experience in the health sector or is it necessary to engage other partners for Round 1?

Applicants are not required to engage with other partners for Round 1.

8. Do new fully registered NGOs qualify for this kind of funding?

All applicants must meet eligibility requirements as specified in Round 1 (see p. 10).

9. Do we need to have physical presence in the Second Proposed County we intend to work under this project?

Yes, an applicant must have a physical presence in two or more countries in which they propose to work.

10. Do you have a minimum or maximum amount of funds for which an organization can apply for?

Subject to the availability of funds, USAID anticipates making up to three (3) awards, which will not exceed a cumulative ceiling of $75,000,000 over the course of the next five (5) years. There is no minimum amount of funds for which an organization can apply.

11. Do we need to submit the application together with the budget?

The concept paper stage only requires an estimated funding request level and not a full budget. If an applicant passes the concept paper stage and is invited to submit a full Request for Application (RFA) a full budget will be required as part of that process.

12. Page 10 of the Round 1 document provides the following definition of locally established partners (LEP): A U.S. or international organization that works through locally-led operations and programming models. LEPs:

a. 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:

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

ii. Maintenance of a dedicated local office;

iii. Registration with the appropriate local authorities;

iv. A local bank account; and

v. A portfolio of locally-implemented programs.

b. Have demonstrated links to the local community, including:

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

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

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

Will USAID consider allowing organizations who do not have a Board of Directors consisting of majority local citizens to apply as a LEP, if all other conditions outlined above are met? In this case, while the organizational Board of Directors does not consist of a majority of local citizens, the organization has a local Board of Advisors which demonstrates a strong link to the local community.

No, USAID is seeking only those entities that meet the requirements of a locally established partner as outlined above, which includes having a majority of the board of directors being local citizens.

13. Do I need to send you our concept paper before posting it to USAID Business Forecast?

Who will post? What are you looking for in the concept paper?

Applicants do not post on the USAID Business Forecast. For Round 1, interested applicants should submit a concept paper via email to USAID at GHNPI_APS@usaid.gov.

14. We understand that a “locally established partner (LEP)” is defined by the Agency as “a U.S. or international organization that works through locally-led operations and programming models” and that LEPs have maintained continuous operations in-country for at least five years, have local staff comprising at least 50% of office personnel, maintain a dedicated local office, are registered with the appropriate local authorities, etc. We are a locally registered [XYZ country in Africa] organization with 95%+ of staff who are [local], with decades of experience in implementing health and other programs in the country. We have also implemented regional health projects and managed sub recipients on such projects from multiple countries in the region, including [XYZ countries in Africa]. Are we eligible to apply – or is Round 1 meant for only a U.S. or international organization that meets all the criteria’s as described on page 10?

mailto:GHNPI_APS@usaid.gov

Please review the eligibility information to see if your organization meets the required criteria on page 10, Modality 2 in Round 1 .

15. Is Paraguay an eligible country?

Paraguay is not one of the USAID Priority Health Countries.

16. What are the minimum and maximum amounts that could be requested under the call?

Subject to the availability of funds, USAID anticipates making up to three (3) awards, which will not exceed a cumulative ceiling of $75,000,000 over the course of the next five (5) years. There is no minimum amount of funds for which an organization can apply.

17. Can the same organization submit concept papers for both rounds?

If an organization meets the eligibility requirements of each round, they could apply for both rounds.

18. For an underutilized partner, the document states that “An organization that has received less than $25 million in direct or indirect awards from the USAID over the past five (5) years”

a. Does “received” mean specifically obligated amounts or does it mean total estimated amounts for awards issued in the last five years? Many USAID awards are multi-year and obligated at varying stages.

“Received” refers to funds that were obligated to (received by) the organization.

b. Does USAID awards as stated above include awards from OFDA?

Yes, the awards from Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is included.

c. Can an organization exclude independent subsidiaries?

To clarify, the question being asked is to determine whether or not an applicant can exclude its independent subsidiaries’ funding received from USAID such that the applicant’s total funding received from USAID (excluding its independent subsidiaries) falls below the $25 million threshold. Please consider what normal business practices are applicable to your type of organization under the laws of where your organization is headquartered.

d. What is the definition of “over the past five years”? Last five, closed fiscal years?

Or 60 months back from today or time of submission.

As stated in the APS, the five years is relative to when the organization is applying to a USAID funding opportunity, which in this case is this Round 1, therefore it would be as of the date of the concept paper submission.

19. We work with refugees in many of the countries listed. Are refugees included in target population?

USAID generally works with host country public health systems and programs for the host country population. USAID does not generally work with refugees or internally displaced persons as part of the health portfolios around the world unless these populations are integrated within a country’s public health system.

20. We are a locally registered organization in Angola that meets the criteria for an “underutilized” and “locally engaged partner” partner. We have also implemented regional health projects and managed sub recipients on such projects internationally in the region. But USAID’s priorities for Angola do not include MCH of FP, which are the focus areas for the Round 1 NPI APS. Given this situation, does USAID recommend that an organization that meets the eligibility requirements, but is based in Angola (where MCH/FP are not a USAID priority) should still consider applying for the NPI under Round 1?

Angola is a priority country for HIV/AIDS and malaria for USAID. Round 1 is focused on addressing maternal and child morbidity and mortality. USAID welcomes concept papers that address the drivers of maternal and child morbidity and mortality relevant to the epidemiology and context in two or more countries.

21. For NPI R1 (Community Health Networks), the APS lists some of the approaches that may be included in a Concept Paper (page 8, final paragraph). That section does not specifically mention government structures for community health work. For NPI R1 Concept Papers, does USAID envision that it would be appropriate to include approaches that build on and/or improve the quality/reach of government community health work structures/networks, or is the focus meant to be non-government community health networks?

USAID is open to community health programs and approaches that support and/or expand the public and non-governmental community health structures and networks.

22. We are a US-based organization that meets the criteria of an “underutilized” partner.

We work through a network of strong local NGOs (mostly in Africa) that are locally registered in their respective countries and have been implementing health projects for three decades or more. We are not registered in these countries, but work through our network partners, who are locally registered. Are we eligible to apply for NPI – Round 1?

The eligibility requirements for Round 1 are focused on new or underutilized partners that are locally established partners as described in Round 1 documentation.

23. Would USAID please clarify if concept paper applicants may include subs and if these subs need to meet the same eligibility criteria under modality 2?

Round 1 states on page 1, that USAID will provide direct awards to new and underutilized organizations that are locally established partners in the host country(ies) in which they are applying. USAID does not direct the LEP as to how it will work with its own internal procurement policies, and requirements for its organization’s office, branch or affiliate at the country level.

24. What is the estimated amount of core funding available for Round 1?

Subject to the availability of funds, USAID anticipates making up to three (3) awards, which will not exceed a cumulative ceiling of $75,000,000 over the course of the next five (5) years. USAID has not determined the amount of core funding for Round 1.

25. What does USAID expect organizations to submit for their certificate of incorporation?

May the certificate of organization exceed the two-page page limit?

In the United States, the required "certificate of incorporation" (or, for a Limited Liability Company, articles of organization, which some states call a certificate of organization or certificate of formation) is often just one or two pages. If, instead of issuing a one or two page certificate, the state (or foreign government, if applicable) issued a longer document, the applicant may submit it with the concept paper.

26. Will there be a co-creation phase in Washington, DC or will co-creation take place in the implementation country at the Mission buy-in stage?

If there is a co-creation opportunity for Round 1, USAID will notify selected applicants as to the format, time and location.

27. When is the co-creation process anticipated to take place?

If there is a co-creation opportunity for Round 1, USAID will notify selected applicants as to the format, time and location. Any co-creation opportunity would have to take place after the initial review of the concept papers that are due on August 2.

28. Are partners not fitting into USAID’s definition of new and underutilized partners, such as international organizations, eligible to be subrecipients?

This Round is using Modality 2 of the APS that indicates USAID is seeking direct award(s) with entities that are locally established partners (LEPs) that are new or underutilized by USAID. USAID does not direct the LEP as to how it will work with its own internal procurement policies, and requirements for its organization’s office, branch or affiliate at the country level.

29. My institution, [XYZ organization] is partnering with [XYZ university in Africa] to develop and deliver an international nursing and health communication program. As partners developing global health initiatives we would like to apply for this grant. It seems we would fit within all the criteria as our goal is to leverage intercultural health communication research to influence the women of the community to train in nursing as well as share their health knowledge with others who still believe and practice tribal and mystical medicine. Would two established universities trying to partner be appropriate for this round of the grant?

USAID welcomes applications from all organizations that meet the eligibility criteria as specified under Round 1 documentation. Additionally, please reference question 2.

30. If we are not accepted in the first round can we submit for future rounds as they become applicable?

Any organization is welcome to respond to future Rounds if and when they become available regardless of earlier submissions, whether successful or unsuccessful, so long as the organization meets the eligibility criteria for the Round to which they intend on applying.

31. Regarding these two requirements (1. “received less than $25 million in direct or indirect awards from USAID over the past five years”, and 2. “currently have additional, non-USAID funding streams that exceed total funding received worldwide from the USAID”), what precise documentation will be acceptable to demonstrate that the organization has met these criteria?

In Annex A of Round 1 (page 14) the concept paper cover page includes a statement that organizations must sign to certify that they meet the requirements as outlined in Round 1.

Further information and verification may be requested if the applicant proceeds to the next phase to submit a full Request for Application.

32. We have noticed that the geographic code for this opportunity is stated as 937 under Section E. Authorized Geographic Code of the main APS document. We however also noticed that South Africa is listed on the table provided in Annex B of the Round 1 Call for Concept Papers. We would therefore appreciate clarification on whether the listing of South Africa in the table means it is being treated as a possible “recipient country” and therefore whether South African registered organizations are eligible to submit concept papers under this opportunity.

Yes, we welcome concept papers from those priority countries located in Annex B of Round 1, but will be subject to the requirements in ADS 310, as applicable.