Broad Agency Announcement Increasing Protection for Vulnerable Groups in Haiti | Apply Online

FAQs: USAID BAA 521-DG-2015-02 - Increasing Protection for Vulnerable Groups in Haiti

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a USAID Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), number 521-DG-2015-02, titled "Increasing Protection for Vulnerable Groups in Haiti." It is a funding opportunity intended to partner with outside organizations to develop and scale solutions that improve protection outcomes for people at heightened risk in Haiti.

How is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) different from a traditional grant solicitation?

Based on the information provided, this BAA is not structured like a traditional solicitation with a single prescribed program model. Instead, it is framed as an open, collaborative research-and-development-style vehicle where USAID is looking for practical, innovative, and cost-effective interventions that can be researched, developed, piloted, tested, and scaled.

What is the main goal of the BAA?

The overall intent is to generate more strategic, focused, and results-oriented solutions that contribute to sustainable development outcomes related to protection, specifically for vulnerable groups in Haiti.

What kinds of approaches is USAID looking for?

USAID is looking for practical, innovative, and cost-effective interventions that are evidence-driven and grounded in scientific or research-motivated methods. The emphasis is on approaches that can be iteratively improved through learning, testing, and measurable performance.

Does USAID expect research and testing as part of the work?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a research and development style vehicle with an emphasis on interventions that can be researched, developed, piloted, and tested under real-world conditions, then adjusted based on learning and eventually scaled.

What does "collaboration" mean in the context of this BAA?

USAID signals interest in shared problem-solving and working jointly with organizations and companies. The notice references co-creating, co-designing, co-investing, and other collaborative models, where solutions may be refined with USAID involvement during development and testing.

Is this opportunity focused on service delivery programs?

The information provided suggests USAID is prioritizing experimentation, learning, and measurable performance rather than standard service-delivery proposals alone. Proposed interventions are expected to be research-driven and capable of being tested and scaled.

What is the activity category for this announcement?

The activity category is listed as "Science and Technology and other Research and Development," reinforcing the focus on research, innovation, and development-oriented approaches.

Is cost sharing required?

No. Cost sharing is not required, which can lower barriers to participation.

If cost sharing is not required, does USAID still value co-investment?

The announcement language indicates interest in co-investing and leveraging complementary resources or partnerships. While not required, bringing additional resources or partnerships may be relevant depending on the specific concept being proposed.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility language that may appear in the full announcement.

What kinds of organizations might be able to apply under "unrestricted" eligibility?

Based on the description provided, unrestricted eligibility typically allows a wide range of applicants, such as nonprofits, universities, research institutions, private sector firms, and other qualified organizations.

When was the BAA posted?

The posting date and creation date are both listed as June 3, 2015.

What was the deadline to apply?

The original and current closing date are both listed as June 3, 2016.

Is the opportunity still open?

No. The archive date is listed as July 3, 2016, indicating the opportunity is now closed.

How long was the opportunity open?

Based on the dates provided, it was active for about one year (from June 3, 2015 to June 3, 2016).

How much funding is available per award?

The award ceiling and award floor are both listed as 0. This typically indicates the funding amount was not predetermined in the public synopsis and would be defined later based on the merits, scope, and feasibility of proposed activities and any subsequent negotiations or agreements.

Does a listed ceiling/floor of 0 mean no funding is available?

Not necessarily. In this context, it usually means the public synopsis did not specify set minimum or maximum award sizes, and the actual amounts would be determined later based on the proposed work and later agreement terms.

What is the geographic focus of the work?

The opportunity is focused on Haiti, specifically on increasing protection for vulnerable groups in Haiti.

What population is the BAA intended to benefit?

The BAA is intended to improve protection outcomes for people at heightened risk (vulnerable groups) in Haiti.

What is USAID trying to achieve by using a BAA format?

The described intent is to encourage open, collaborative development of solutions that are strategic, focused, results-oriented, and capable of being tested and scaled, with decisions guided by evidence and learning.

What should an organization do if it needs help accessing the full announcement?

Organizations needing assistance accessing the full announcement were directed to contact the USAID Contracting and Agreement Officer listed in the notice.

Who is the contact person for this opportunity?

The listed USAID Contracting and Agreement Officer is Amy McQuade.

How can the contact person be reached?

Phone: 509-222-98917
Email: amcquade@usaid.gov