RFI - 72053824RFI00001.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

A. RFI TITLE: Regional Innovation through Locally Led Development Partnerships

B. RFI NUMBER: 72053824RFI00001

C. ISSUANCE DATE: May 20, 2024

D. RFI RESPONSE DUE DATE: June 28, 2024, 5:00 PM EST

The U. S. Government, represented by the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Regional Office in Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC), is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to solicit information and potential interest from organizations for strengthening regional programming and innovation through locally-led development and partnerships. USAID/ESC seeks to identify high capacity, credible organizations having demonstrable examples of success with working in more than one country in CARICOM, and at least two, preferably more, ESC countries (see section B.1 for full list of countries), in one or more sectors of interest (see next page) who may have the capacity and availability to partner with USAID on future projects.

This RFI is issued solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal, a

Request for Application, an Invitation for Bids, a Solicitation, or an indication that USAID/ESC will make an award from this RFI. Note that responding to this RFI will not give any advantage to any firm or organization if there is any subsequent procurement and will not lead to an organizational conflict of interest. Responses will strictly be held confidential. USAID will not provide answers to anything submitted in response to this request. USAID posts its competitive business opportunities on www.sam.gov or www.grants.gov. Responses to this RFI may be used by USAID without restriction or limitation.

Responses to this RFI must be submitted by email to Ms. Ana Diaz, andiaz@usaid.gov, and Farah Canaan, fcanaanlachapelle@usaid.gov, no later than the date and time shown above. Please include RFI Number

72053824RFI00001 in the subject line. All inquiries concerning this RFI must be directed only to the email addresses identified above. Hard copy submissions will not be accepted nor will phone inquiries be entertained.

Thank you for your assistance and interest in USAID/ESC programming.

Sincerely, Javier Castano

Supervisory Contracting & Agreement Officer

USAID/Dominican Republic

Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance mailto:andiaz@usaid.gov mailto:fcanaanlachapelle@usaid.gov

USAID/ESC Request for Information No. 72053824RFI00001

Regional Innovation through Locally Led Development and Partnerships

RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS:

When preparing your response to the following criteria, please ensure comments are concise and specific to the questions asked. Please do not submit requests for funding or proposals/applications in response to this request as they will not receive a response.

Response Format:

A. Cover Page

A cover page not to exceed one (1) page, that includes:

● Organization name and address, including point of contact name and contact information, including address, telephone, website, and mailing address;

● Organization type (e.g., private sector businesses and organizations, foundations, philanthropic organizations, religious organizations, nonprofit organizations, higher education or academic institutions, think-tanks, etc.).

B. Criteria for submission

USAID/ESC is seeking to identify Caribbean organizations who may have the capacity, technical competency, and potential availability to partner with USAID in the future. See USAID/ESC’s Regional Cooperation Development Strategy to see the program areas USAID/ESC is currently working in. To reiterate, this RFI does not signify or suggest future partnership or engagement; this RFI is for informational purposes only.

1. Locally established. Registered in a CARICOM country. At least 50 percent governance or ownership by CARICOM residents or entities (CARICOM member countries and five associate members).

● CARICOM countries include: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Monserrate, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands.

2. Multi-country experience. Demonstrate successful experience establishing and managing efforts and operating in two or more ESC countries simultaneously, preferably more than two.

● ESC countries include: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.

3. Definition of success.

● Required: Financial and managerial capability. Equivalent of audited or CPA certified financial statements. (NUPAS) Self-sustaining: income covers expenses plus.

i. Incorporation status

ii. Organization structure

● Required: Developing collaborative partnerships and consortia with host governments and other organizations to address a given effort or transaction across more than one country.

● Required: History of increasingly complex and multi-country activities.

https://www.usaid.gov/document/regional-development-cooperation-strategy-rdcs-eastern-and-southern-caribbean https://www.usaid.gov/document/regional-development-cooperation-strategy-rdcs-eastern-and-southern-caribbean

USAID/ESC Request for Information No. 72053824RFI00001

Regional Innovation through Locally Led Development and Partnerships

● Required: Evidence of impact as a result of the organization’s interventions.

● Optional: “Catalytic Programming” - How have your programs catalyzed activities or investments by other organizations.

4. Sectors of interest (including, but not limited to)

● Communications and media

● Monitoring and evaluation

● Finance and investment

● Climate and adaptation

● Disaster resilience

● Natural resource management and biodiversity.

● Food security and agriculture

● Market supply chain

● Economic growth - business climate

● Small, medium enterprise development

● Renewable energy

● Private sector engagement

● Water and sanitation

● Mining

● Health and pandemic preparedness

● Education - primary, secondary

● Workforce development skills training

● Higher education

● Juvenile justice

● Human trafficking

● Youth development

● Gender equality

● Women’s empowerment

● LGBTI

● Digital development and cybersecurity

● Governance

● Policy development and legislative environment

If your organization meets these criteria and would like to present themselves to USAID/ESC for prospective partnerships, please provide information as outlined below. Note: this RFI does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it indicate that any solicitation will result from this RFI. USAID does not commit to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of the responses.

C. Template

Please limit your submission to no more than 7 pages. Submissions should include:

● Capacity statement (See section 4 above

● Location of current or previous activity(ies) and benefiting countries

● Scope and size of activity(ies)

● Partnerships or consortia, resources leveraged with other organizations, and/or

● Results and impact of activity(ies).