Opportunity Information: Apply for APS OAA 14 000001
Apply for APS OAA 14 000001
- The Agency for International Development in the agriculture community development disaster prevention and relief education employment, labor and training energy environment food and nutrition health housing humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2014 2015 GDA APS" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 21, 2014 and posted on Feb 20, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 18, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The 2014-2015 GDA APS (Funding Opportunity Number APS-OAA-14-000001) is an Annual Program Statement from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) aimed at building Global Development Alliances (GDAs) with the private sector. The core idea is to encourage partnerships where private companies and other organizations work alongside USAID to pursue shared objectives: advancing USAID development priorities while also addressing real business interests, with an emphasis on sustainable outcomes, measurable results, and lasting impact. Rather than funding a single predefined project, the APS serves as a standing invitation for partners to propose alliance concepts that can be shaped and implemented with the relevant USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office.
A key point of this opportunity is that it is not a traditional competitive solicitation like a Request for Applications (RFA) or Request for Proposals (RFP). USAID is not asking for full proposals upfront. Instead, it requests submission of GDA Concept Papers. USAID uses these concept submissions to decide whether it wants to invite a full application from an appropriate partner (or set of partners) for a specific proposed alliance. In practice, this makes the process more collaborative and iterative than many grant competitions, since partners are expected to coordinate early with the USAID entity they want to work with and align the idea with that office's development strategies and operational priorities.
Another major feature is that the APS is not backed by a dedicated pot of money. The listing shows an award ceiling and floor of 0, which signals that there is no pre-committed funding attached to the APS itself. Any eventual funding for an alliance would need to be identified and requested through the particular USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office reviewing the concept. This structure pushes applicants to focus not just on the strength of an idea, but also on fit with the specific USAID operating unit's objectives and available resources, and on the overall feasibility of assembling a partnership that brings meaningful contributions beyond USAID funding.
The program is broad in thematic scope, reflecting the many sectors where USAID operates and where public-private collaboration can accelerate development outcomes. The eligible activity categories listed include agriculture, community development, disaster prevention and relief, education, employment and labor, energy, environment, food and nutrition, health, housing, natural resources, regional development, transportation, and science and technology/research and development, among others. This wide range indicates the APS is intended to be flexible, allowing alliances to address diverse development challenges as long as they connect credibly to both USAID priorities and private sector value.
The eligible applicant pool is also intentionally wide, reinforcing the partnership nature of GDAs. Eligible applicants include small businesses and other for-profit organizations, nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), private and public institutions of higher education, public and Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). This breadth supports alliance models where a private company might partner with an NGO, a university, and local implementers, for example, combining technical expertise, market access, community trust, and operational capacity.
Cost sharing or matching is required, which is consistent with the GDA model. While the APS text provided does not specify the exact matching formula, GDAs generally emphasize that partners bring tangible resources to the table, such as cash, in-kind contributions, technical staff time, technology, distribution networks, data, facilities, or other assets that strengthen the alliance and increase the likelihood of sustainability beyond the grant period. The presence of a cost share requirement signals USAID is looking for shared risk and shared investment rather than fully donor-funded activities.
Timeline-wise, the opportunity was posted on February 20, 2014, with an original and current closing date of November 18, 2015. That means the APS operated as an open window during that period for concept paper submissions and relationship-building with USAID operating units. The funding instrument types associated with the APS include cooperative agreements, grants, and "other," suggesting USAID expected that alliances could be structured under different assistance mechanisms depending on the nature of the partnership, the level of anticipated USAID involvement, and the needs of the proposed activity.
For organizations considering participation, the practical first step is not simply drafting a proposal in isolation, but reading the APS fully and then contacting the USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office they want to collaborate with. The APS explicitly directs interested parties to engage the relevant USAID unit early, since that unit would be the destination for the concept paper and the source of any eventual funding. The contact name provided for assistance accessing the announcement is Ken Lee, indicating USAID also offered a point of contact for administrative or access-related issues.
Overall, this APS functions as a partnership-building framework rather than a one-time grant competition. It invites the private sector and other organizations to bring forward development ideas that also make business sense, assemble alliances that contribute meaningful matching resources, and work with the appropriate USAID office to refine concepts into full applications when USAID determines there is a strong strategic fit and a viable path to funding and implementation under the GDA model.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the 2014-2015 GDA APS (APS-OAA-14-000001)?
The 2014-2015 GDA APS is an Annual Program Statement (APS) from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) designed to build Global Development Alliances (GDAs) with the private sector and other partners. It serves as a standing invitation for organizations to propose alliance concepts that advance USAID development priorities while also addressing real business interests, with an emphasis on sustainable outcomes, measurable results, and lasting impact.
What is a Global Development Alliance (GDA) in this context?
In this APS, a GDA is a partnership model where private companies and other organizations work alongside USAID toward shared objectives. The alliance is expected to combine USAID development goals with partner resources and capabilities (such as technology, staff time, market access, or other assets) to drive sustainable, measurable development outcomes.
Is this APS a traditional competitive grant solicitation like an RFA or RFP?
No. This APS is explicitly described as not being a traditional competitive solicitation like a Request for Applications (RFA) or Request for Proposals (RFP). USAID is not requesting full proposals upfront.
What does USAID want applicants to submit first?
USAID requests submission of GDA Concept Papers rather than full applications at the outset. Concept papers are used to determine whether USAID wants to invite a full application for a specific proposed alliance.
Does submitting a concept paper guarantee an award?
No. Based on the information provided, USAID uses concept submissions to decide whether to invite a full application. An invitation to submit a full application would depend on USAID interest, strategic fit, and feasibility.
How is the process different from typical grant competitions?
The process is described as more collaborative and iterative than many grant competitions. Partners are expected to coordinate early with the USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office they want to work with, and align the alliance idea with that office's development strategies and operational priorities.
Is there a dedicated funding pool attached to this APS?
No. The listing shows an award ceiling and floor of 0, indicating there is no pre-committed funding attached to the APS itself. Any eventual funding for an alliance would need to be identified and requested through the specific USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office reviewing the concept.
What does it mean that the award ceiling and floor are both listed as 0?
It signals that the APS itself does not come with a dedicated, guaranteed amount of money. Funding would be determined at the operating-unit level (the USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office) if they decide to pursue an alliance and have or can request resources for it.
Who should organizations coordinate with when developing a GDA concept?
Organizations are expected to engage early with the relevant USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office they want to collaborate with. That USAID unit would receive the concept paper and would be the source of any eventual funding.
What types of activities or sectors can be supported under this APS?
The APS is broad and flexible in thematic scope. Eligible activity categories listed include agriculture, community development, disaster prevention and relief, education, employment and labor, energy, environment, food and nutrition, health, housing, natural resources, regional development, transportation, and science and technology/research and development, among others.
Does the APS fund one predefined project?
No. Rather than funding a single predefined project, this APS functions as a standing invitation for partners to propose alliance concepts that can be shaped and implemented with a relevant USAID operating unit.
Who is eligible to apply under this APS?
The eligible applicant pool is intentionally wide and includes small businesses and other for-profit organizations, nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), private and public institutions of higher education, public and Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).
Can for-profit companies participate?
Yes. Small businesses and other for-profit organizations are listed among eligible applicants, consistent with the APS focus on private sector partnerships.
Can nonprofits participate even if they are not 501(c)(3) organizations?
Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits that are 501(c)(3) as well as non-501(c)(3) entities.
Can universities or colleges apply?
Yes. Both private and public institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are Native American tribal organizations eligible?
Yes, Native American tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicants, with the note that this refers to tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required under this APS, aligning with the GDA model of shared investment and shared risk.
Does the provided information specify an exact cost share percentage or formula?
No. While cost sharing is required, the information provided does not specify an exact matching formula.
What kinds of contributions can count toward cost share or matching in a GDA?
The opportunity description indicates GDAs generally emphasize tangible partner resources such as cash and in-kind contributions. Examples mentioned include technical staff time, technology, distribution networks, data, facilities, and other assets that strengthen the alliance and support sustainability beyond the grant period.
What types of funding instruments may be used for awards under this APS?
The associated instrument types include cooperative agreements, grants, and "other." This suggests alliances could be structured under different assistance mechanisms depending on the nature of the partnership and the anticipated level of USAID involvement.
When was this opportunity posted, and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on February 20, 2014. The original and current closing date listed is November 18, 2015.
Was the APS open for submissions over an extended period?
Yes. The dates provided indicate the APS operated as an open window from posting (February 20, 2014) through the closing date (November 18, 2015), allowing time for concept paper submissions and relationship-building with USAID operating units.
What is the recommended first step for an organization interested in applying?
The practical first step described is to read the APS fully and then contact the USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office the organization wants to collaborate with, since that unit would be the destination for the concept paper and any eventual funding decisions.
Who is the listed contact for assistance accessing the announcement?
The contact name provided for assistance accessing the announcement is Ken Lee.
What is the main purpose of this APS overall?
The APS functions as a partnership-building framework rather than a one-time grant competition. It invites partners to bring forward development ideas that also make business sense, assemble alliances that contribute meaningful matching resources, and work with the appropriate USAID office to refine concepts into full applications when USAID determines there is a strong strategic fit and a viable path to funding and implementation.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Community Development Disaster Prevention and Relief Education Employment, Labor and Training Energy Environment Food and Nutrition Health Housing Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA)
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