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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - DRAFT EHELD Project (Excellence in Higher Education for Liberian Development)

1) What is the DRAFT EHELD Project opportunity?

The DRAFT EHELD Project (Excellence in Higher Education for Liberian Development) is a USAID/Liberia grant opportunity focused on strengthening higher education in Liberia as a pathway to national development.

2) Who is issuing this opportunity?

The issuing agency is USAID in Liberia (USAID Monrovia).

3) What sector or activity category does this funding support?

The funding activity category listed for this opportunity is Education, with an emphasis on improving the quality, relevance, and performance of Liberia's higher education system.

4) Is this a final solicitation or something earlier?

This notice is presented as a draft program description rather than a fully detailed final solicitation. It signals intent and provides summary information, while indicating that additional specifics and requirements are contained in an attached package referenced in the announcement.

5) What is the overall purpose of the EHELD Project as described in the listing?

The opportunity is intended to support education sector activities that improve the quality, relevance, and performance of higher education in Liberia. The listing connects stronger universities and tertiary institutions to workforce development and broader economic and institutional recovery.

6) What funding instrument type is being used?

The listing shows the funding instrument type as "Other." This suggests the award mechanism may not fit neatly into standard categories (such as a typical grant or cooperative agreement as labeled in some listings). Applicants would need to review the attached materials to understand the exact award structure and compliance expectations.

7) Is this opportunity discretionary or mandatory?

The opportunity is listed as discretionary.

8) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as "Unrestricted," meaning it is open to any type of entity. However, the announcement notes that applicants are still subject to any clarifications provided in the "Additional Information on Eligibility" section of the full text (referenced in the attached package).

9) Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The listing explicitly indicates a cost sharing or matching requirement. Applicants should expect to propose some level of financial or in-kind contribution, and should confirm allowable match types, documentation standards, and any minimum percentage or valuation rules in the attached package.

10) When was this opportunity posted?

The posting date (and creation date) are both January 25, 2010.

11) What is the application deadline?

The closing date is February 9, 2010, with submissions due by close of business Eastern Standard Time (EST).

12) How long was the listing intended to be active?

The archive date is March 11, 2010, which indicates the listing was intended to be active only for a short window.

13) How much funding is available according to the public listing?

In the summary fields shown, several budget-related items (such as estimated total funding, award ceiling, award floor, and expected awards) appear as zero. This typically indicates that the public summary record does not display the budget details, rather than confirming that no funds are available. The attached solicitation package is likely where funding levels, number of awards, and anticipated scale are described.

14) Does the listing specify the number of awards expected?

The summary fields display expected awards as zero, which usually reflects missing or undisplayed details in the summary record. The attached package is likely the source for the anticipated number of awards.

15) Where are the detailed requirements and program design information located?

The notice indicates that additional specifics, requirements, and program design information are contained in an attached package referenced in the announcement. The brief summary alone is not intended to contain the full set of instructions.

16) Who is the point of contact for this opportunity?

The primary point of contact provided for access issues is Richard Aaron, identified as the Contracting Officer. The phone number listed is (202) 216-6353.

17) Is an email contact provided?

An email field is referenced for the Agreement Officer, but it is not fully displayed in the information provided. Interested parties would typically rely on the attached announcement package or the official posting platform to obtain complete contact details.

18) What should applicants do if key details (budget, award type, requirements) are not visible in the summary?

Based on the notice, applicants should consult the attached solicitation package referenced in the announcement, since the summary record does not include many of the specifics (including budget details and full requirements).

19) What is the practical significance of this opportunity based on the description?

Practically, it signals USAID/Liberia's intent to support higher education strengthening activities in Liberia, with the expectation that improvements in universities and tertiary institutions will support workforce development and contribute to national development and recovery.