Question and Answers Document.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Number: 72062124A00003

USAID Usalama wa Afya Duniani (Global Health Security) Project

Questions & Answers

NUMBER QUESTION ANSWER

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1 Where can find the APS for a call number

72062124RFA00003

No Annual Program Statement

(APS) has been issued. This is a

Request for Application (RFA) that has been posted on the grants.gov website.

2 Will the funds be disbursed in TZS, as this is restricted to local partners?

It is USAID Tanzania practice to disbursed funds to local implementing partners in the currency in which they incur costs.

For local Partners operating in

Tanzania, this is Tanzanian

Shillings.

SECTION A

3 The grant itself looks as if you are looking for a system or process to develop and adopt evidence-based and innovative solutions to prevent, rapidly detect, effectively respond to, and ultimately recover from emerging infectious disease

(EID) threats. Are you exclusively looking for processes that identify disease threats? I've been working on a related process that would identify potential risks to the supply chain where the agency would be able to identify where shortages may exist in the near future. While you are looking at diseases that may potentially make their way to Tanzania, my process would tell you in parallel if you have the stock, or potential stock, to treat the diseases.

Is this something this grant program would be interested in?

USAID Usalama wa Afya Duniani

(Global Health Security) will not be focusing on supply chain aspects of health response as USAID supports supply chain efforts through other projects.

4 Are there any prioritized geographical locations (regions or districts) which the project is expected to cover?

Specific geographies and supported facilities will be determined through stakeholder discussions and co-creation exercises. However, it is anticipated that there will be an emphasis on the priority One

Health regions. The applicant is encouraged to suggest geographic focus areas in its submission, but it is not required in Phase 1.

5 There is mention of the need to work with GoT, in the anticipated NOFO. Is a letter of support from GoT, expected as part of the application?

No, A letter of support from the

GoT is not a requirement as part of the Request for Application.

6 The NOFO mentioned that Usalama wa Afya Duniani will work in “supported health facilities” and “supported laboratories”. Is the applicant expected to establish the sites to support or will these be identified in the next phase?

through stakeholder discussions and co-creation exercises. However, it is anticipated that there will be an emphasis on the priority One

Health regions. The applicant is encouraged to suggest geographic focus areas in its submission, but it is not required in Phase 1.

7 The NOFO mentioned that the USAID GHS Program intends to support countries to achieve demonstrated capacity in at least five key GHS technical areas in at least 50 countries by the end of 2025. The anticipated start date for the project is

October 2024, leaving just over a year of implementation to the end of 2025. Please clarify if the project is expected to meet the milestone to achieve demonstrated capacity in at least five key GHS technical areas by 2025 in the country of

Tanzania.

The project will not be working in isolation, nor does it support all of the priority areas selected for focus by the U.S. government interagency to reach demonstrated capacity

(score of 4) by 2025. However, it is expected that the project will contribute to increasing JEE/SPAR scores in its areas of focus.

8 USAID had previous investments in some GHS technical areas involving some institutions in Tanzania, is the applicant for this NOFO required and expected to have direct collaboration with these institutions?

No, direct collaboration with these institutions is not required.

9 In comparing the technical approach in the concept note vs the technical approach in the full application, will USAID expect to see major differences between the two technical approaches, other than the greater detail and elaboration allowed by the increased page allocation of the full application?

The full application should provide an elaboration on the technical approach proposed in the concept paper stage. The proposed approach should not change.

10 The NOFO has not stated clearly if Zanzibar should be included in our response

Specific geographies and supported through stakeholder discussions and co-creation exercises. However, it is anticipated that there will be an emphasis on the priority One

Health regions. The applicant is encouraged to suggest geographic focus areas in its submission, but it is not required in Phase 1.

11 What specific regions or areas will be the geographical focus for implementing this USAID Activity

Specific geographies and supported facilities will be determined through stakeholder discussions and co-creation exercises. However, it is anticipated that there will be an emphasis on the priority One

Health regions. The applicant is encouraged to suggest geographic focus areas in its submission, but it is not required in Phase 1.

12 The NOFO indicates support for the Government of Tanzania, does this include both the mainland and Zanzibar islands?

Specific geographies and supported facilities will be determined through stakeholder discussions and co-creation exercises. However, it is anticipated that there will be an emphasis on the priority One

Health regions. The applicant is encouraged to suggest geographic focus areas in its submission, but it is not required in Phase 1.

13 Upon reviewing the NOFO 72062124RFA0003 - USAID

Usalama wa Afya Duniani (Global Health Security), we noted that on page 11, the link associated with the project

PREVENT does not work. Can you please share an updated link to the FHI 360 project page for PREVENT?

NOFO has been amended to include the correct link to the

PREVENT project.

14 Does program implementation include both Tanzania

Mainland and Zanzibar or just Tanzania Mainland?

through stakeholder discussions and co-creation exercises. However, it is anticipated that there will be an emphasis on the priority One

Health regions. The applicant is encouraged to suggest geographic focus areas in its submission, but it is not required in Phase 1.

15 With a budget of $5 Million per year, it seems unlikely that the entire country would be a target area. Can you define a number of health facilities and laboratories that should be supported?

through stakeholder discussions and co-creation exercises. However, it is anticipated that there will be an emphasis on the priority One

Health regions. The applicant is encouraged to suggest geographic focus areas in its submission, but it is not required in Phase 1.

16 In terms of project scope, are we required to encompass all zonal/subnational health facilities in Tanzania, or are we permitted to selectively target facilities based on geographical location/region (e.g., focusing on selected zonal/regional facilities) and/or level within the healthcare system?

through stakeholder discussions and co-creation exercises. However, it is anticipated that there will be an emphasis on the priority One

Health regions. The applicant is encouraged to suggest geographic focus areas, and can reference specific facilities, in its submission but it is not required in Phase 1.

17 Additionally, if we have flexibility in selecting facilities, what proportion should be from the private sector compared to the public sector?

through stakeholder discussions and co-creation exercises. However, it is anticipated that there will be an emphasis on the priority One

Health regions. The applicant is encouraged to suggest geographic focus areas, and can reference specific facilities, in its submission but it is not required in Phase 1. In terms of public/private sector support, there is no prescribed proportion in terms of selected facilities.

18 Must our proposal address all four strategic objectives outlined in the project or is there flexibility to concentrate on some of the objectives?

All strategic objectives must be addressed by the Applicant in the submissions.

19 Could you please provide clarification on the criteria for eligible expenses covered by the funding? For example, are all expenses such as reagents, laboratory equipment, and transportation between sites included or excluded?

Reasonable, Allocable, and

Allowable expenses required to effectively implement the activity will be considered eligible.

20 This mechanism clearly supports multisectoral coordination systems at the subnational level and linkages between the national and subnational systems. However, it is also stated that this mechanism will participate in MCC and technical working groups at the central level. Will there be another mechanism funded to specifically support governance and capacity building for MCC and governance for AMR and IPC at the central level or is that a role this mechanism will also need to play?

This activity will also support coordination at the central level.

However, note that the aim is to provide the technical support, not the logistical support, for coordination.

21 What does USAID envisage in terms of the collaboration with the Panagora Technical Assistance?

The Localize Global Health

Security (implemented by a consortium under Panagora) project will provide organizational capacity building and some knowledge management support to the local partner implementing this activity.

22 Can you confirm that the applicant is required to address all illustrative result areas in their technical approach?

Addressing all of the illustrative result areas is not required, but

Applicants should note that

Government of Tanzania collaborators have concurred on these illustrative results.

23 As the results are indicated as illustrative, does the applicant have room to propose others?

Applicants should note that

Government of Tanzania collaborators have concurred on these illustrative results. However, additional illustrative results can be proposed for discussion during the co-creation process.

SECTION B

24 We would like to know the ceiling per application USAID anticipates awarding one

Cooperative Agreement from this

NOFO with a ceiling of $30

Million.

25 I would like to know if the principal awardee of the project is going to be one or more than one.

USAID anticipates awarding one

Cooperative Agreement from this

NOFO.

26 What criteria will determine the disbursement annual ceiling, and will the distribution be equitable each year from the allocated USD 25,000,000?

Disbursement/Obligation of funds for each year will be subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the USAID.

27 Is the total funding amount of $25 million intended to be distributed among all selected organizations, or is each successful organization will be awarded $25 million individually?

USAID anticipates selecting one application for award under this

NOFO.

28 We would like to get more clarity with respect to the statement in NOFO "Subject to the availability of funds and continued relevance of the activity to USAID’s programming", What is the likelihood of securing funding upon submission of a successful proposal?

Funds are not presently available for this project. The Government’s obligation/disbursement under this project is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for project purposes can be made.

USAID expects to select only one application for the award based on the selection criteria set forth under

Section D of the NOFO.

29 We understand you have shared the high-level budget template for populating the budget. We are seeking clarification on how to properly record crisis modifier funds to this table. Should it be included in the cumulative prime budget, or should we introduce a separate line item (prime recipient direct cost-crisis modifier fund)?

The Crisis Modifier fund of $5M should be included as a separate supplemental budget line item within the proposed award budget for the Prime Recipient. See provided budget template Annex.

SECTION C

30 Please specify what documents or information would constitute proof of meeting the “Local Partner” definition.

Also, is there a page limit to this Annex?

Section C of the NOFO provides a definition for a local entity.

Applicants are required to submit documents that provide evidence that it meets the specified local partner definition including registration documents. Annexes do not have page limitation for this

NOFO.

31 Although cost share is not required, can Offeror propose some as part of the concept note submission?

There is no cost share requirement under this NOFO, and applicants should not propose any as part of the concept paper submission.

SECTION D

32 Can a local organization partner/sub with an international

NGO for this bid?

Yes, USAID encourages applicants to jointly submit a concept paper in partnership with other like-minded organizations if feasible including

International Non-Governmental

Organizations.

33 Are foreign institutions like Universities from the USA welcome to apply as sub guarantees?

Yes, USAID encourages applicants to jointly submit a concept paper in partnership with other like-minded organizations if feasible including

International Non-Governmental

Organizations.

34 Can public/government institutions like National Public

Laboratory be a part of a consortium?

Yes, USAID encourages applicants to jointly submit a concept paper in partnership with other like-minded organizations, if feasible.

35 Are Table of Contents and Acronyms included in submission, however not counted in 5 pages limited?

Are we supposed to submit Partner Letters of Commitment at phase I?

Table of Contents and Acronyms are not counted in the 5 pages limit.

No. Letters of Commitment will be submitted during Phase II.

36 We would like to confirm if high level budget template will not count against the five-page max?

Budget estimate information counts as part of the 5-page limitation of the Concept Paper.

37 Could you please confirm whether or not the OHCD and other ministerial partners will be required to have a SAM status?

2 CFR 25.200 (b) (1); requires each applicant to be registered in the

System for Award Management

(SAM) prior to submitting an application or plan. Sub awardees

/Sub Partners are not required to obtain an active SAM registration but must obtain a Unique Entity

Identifier.

38 When developing the Concept paper, the NOFO instructs applicants to include a summary budget. Should the crisis

Applicants are supposed to budget for the Crisis Modifier as a lump sum for the five-year period when modifier $5,000,000 be included in a specified year or spread out across the 5 years in the summary budget?

submitting concept paper. See

Amended NOFO.

39 Please specify at what stage is the applicant and their sub-awardees expected to have completed registration into the

System for Award Management (SAM)?

2 CFR 25.200 (b) (1); requires each applicant to be registered in the

System for Award Management

(SAM) prior to submitting an application or plan. Sub awardees

/Sub Partners are not required to obtain an active SAM registration but must obtain a Unique Entity

Identifier.

40 We note that the concept note should be written in 12-point

Times New Roman, though graphs and charts can be in 10-point. Please confirm that text boxes can also be in 10-point.

A 10-point font can be used for graphs and charts. Tables, however, must comply with the 12-point

Times New Roman requirement.

41 The NOFO asks that the concept note include documentation demonstrating that the applicant meets the Local Partner definition. Please confirm that this documentation can be included as an annex and will not count against the page allocation

Yes, supporting documentation can be submitted as annex and will not count against the 5 pages limitation

For the resume of the Chief of Party, can additional years of experience substitute for a master’s degree?

No, Chief of Party (COP) resume must meet the minimum required qualifications included on the

NOFO.

If we are invited to Phase II, please confirm that we will be able to ask additional questions about the NOFO at that time.

Deadline for the submission of questions for this NOFO was April

18, 2024.

Are there any restrictions on engaging government agencies as sub-awardees as one of the project consortium members?

USAID encourages applicants to jointly submit a concept paper in partnership with other like-minded organizations, if feasible.

We recall USAID is reviewing the De minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) to 15%. If so, should we submit our budget through the current rate of 10% or the anticipated new rate of 15%?

The revised De minimis rate of

15% will be effective from October

01, 2024, applicants are required to use the existing De minimis rate of

10% for this NOFO.

Can you please clarify whether an organization serving as a sub-grantee can join two, separate prime applicants in their respective pursuits of this NOFO?

Yes, an organization can be proposed as a sub-grantee by more than one Prime Recipient.

Please confirm that the title page should include expected high level budget figures using the table format on NOFO

High-level budget estimates information counts as part of the 5-page limitation of the Concept

Paper.

Please confirm the content for the Cover Pages for both the

Technical Application and the Budget Application.

Section D of the NOFO indicates information needs to be included on the cover page for both Concept

Paper and full application submissions.

Is there a page limit to the Monitoring, Evaluation, and

Learning (MEL) Plan Annex to the Technical Approach?

Please confirm that this Annex is not included in the 20-page limit for the Technical Approach

There is no page limit for the

Monitoring, Evaluation, and

Learning (MEL) Plan Annex to the

Technical Approach and is not included in the 20-page limitation for the Technical Approach.

Is there a page limit to the Organizational Structure Annex to the Management Plan? Please confirm this Annex is not included in the four-page limit to the Management Plan

There is no page limit for the

Organizational Structure Annex to the Management Plan and is not included in the 4-page limitation to the Management Plan.

Is there a page limit to the Key Personnel Annex to the

Management Plan? Please confirm this Annex is not included in the four-page limit to the Management Plan.

There is no page limit for the Key

Personnel Annex to the

Management Plan and is not included in the 4-page limitation to the Management Plan.

When does USAID intend to share notification for the pass/fail of the concept notes? Given that the full application is due June 19, what is the timing for notification?

The “Pass” or “Fail” notification will be provided as soon as the

Phase I merit review process is completed.

Is there a page limit to Key Personnel CV? Key Personnel CVs should not exceed three pages. See Amended

NOFO.

Can USAID please advise if the Offeror is expected to take into account equipment purchases on behalf of the

Government of Tanzania? If so, would this equipment be part of the proposed project ceiling amount?

There is no expectation that applicants will purchase equipment on behalf of the Government of

Tanzania as such this should not be included as part of the proposed ceiling amount.

For the selected applicants for Phase II, will there be another opportunity to submit questions?

Deadline for the submission of questions for this NOFO was April

18, 2024

Please confirm if Crisis Modifier $5,000,000.00 is to be included as part of Prime Recipient Direct Costs in the budget summary template provided in pg29 of the NOFO.

Yes, the Crisis Modifier fund of

$5M should be included as a separate supplemental budget line item within the proposed award budget for the Prime Recipient.

Please confirm if instruction of up to 5 pages concept note in page 28 includes budget.

Yes, the 5-pages limit for the

Concept Paper includes High-level budget information.

Is the budget VAT inclusive or exclusive? No, the proposed budget under the

NOFO is Value Added Tax (VAT) exclusive. Therefore, applicants are not required to include VAT on the proposed budget.

History of performance “The applicant must provide information regarding its recent history of performance for all its cost-reimbursement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements involving similar or related programs, not to exceed {insert number of years or number of awards}, as follows:” – kindly provide us with the required number of years/awards.

Applicants must submit a list of three of the most recent (within the last three years) and relevant awards for efforts similar to the work in the subject NOFO.

We have noted you have used the word direct in the prime cost. Does it mean we should exclude the indirect cost during the development of this high-level budget table?

A separate budget line item has been added on the high level budget template.

Is there any restriction on procurement of lab equipment and consumables? We wish to understand this so that we appropriately tailor our procurement activities.

The primary purpose of this project is to build sustainable capacity, and all activities must reflect this aim.

SECTION E

How many applicants are anticipated to be invited to the second stage after the initial Concept Note stage?

All applicants with an overall rating of a “Pass” will be invited by the

Agreement Officer to submit a full application (Merit Review Phase II

– Full Application).