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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - USAID/Haiti Health AKSYON Activity (RFA-521-16-000006)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a USAID/Haiti Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Health AKSYON Activity, formally titled "Aksyon Kominote nan Sante pou Ogmante Nitrisyon (AKSYON)." It focuses on community health actions intended to improve nutrition outcomes.

2) Who issued the NOFO and when was it released?

The NOFO was released by USAID/Haiti on March 7, 2016.

3) What is the NOFO number?

The NOFO number is RFA-521-16-000006.

4) Where was the opportunity posted and where should applicants watch for updates?

The opportunity was posted on Grants.gov. USAID notes that the notice could be amended, and applicants are expected to monitor the Grants.gov posting for updates and amendments.

5) What type of award is USAID planning to make?

The funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement. USAID also notes that, for purposes of this notice, the terms "grant" and "cooperative agreement" may be used interchangeably, as may "grantee/recipient" and "grant officer/agreement officer."

6) What does it mean that this is a Cooperative Agreement?

It means the awardee should expect substantial engagement with USAID during implementation compared with a standard grant.

7) Is this a discretionary competition?

Yes. The competition is described as discretionary.

8) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 98.001.

9) How many awards does USAID expect to make?

USAID indicates it expects to make a single award.

10) Can USAID decide to make more than one award, or no award at all?

Yes. USAID explicitly reserves the right to fund one, multiple, or none of the applications depending on the quality of submissions and funding conditions.

11) What is the maximum (ceiling) amount of funding anticipated?

The award ceiling is $18,000,000, subject to availability of funds.

12) Does posting this NOFO guarantee that the US Government will make an award?

No. USAID states that posting the opportunity does not commit the US Government to make an award.

13) Will the Government reimburse costs for preparing or submitting an application?

No. The notice states that it does not obligate the Government to reimburse any costs associated with developing or submitting an application. Proposal preparation and submission costs are borne by the applicant.

14) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity). However, applicants still must meet the specific eligibility requirements and standards laid out in Section C of the NOFO.

15) If eligibility is unrestricted, are there still conditions an applicant must meet?

Yes. Applicants must comply with all required representations, certifications, organizational qualification requirements, and any other conditions USAID specifies in the eligibility section (Section C). USAID also emphasizes that applicants must submit all information required by the NOFO and follow the application instructions exactly to be considered.

16) How will USAID choose the awardee?

The award would go to the responsible applicant whose proposal best aligns with the activity objectives and scores highest against the selection criteria described in the full NOFO.

17) What were the deadline dates for questions and applications?

Key dates and deadlines were defined in Haiti time. Questions had to be submitted by March 25, 2016 at 4:00 pm, and applications were due by April 1, 2016 at 4:00 pm.

18) What time zone applies to the deadlines?

The NOFO states that deadlines are defined in Haiti time.

19) How did USAID handle questions from potential applicants?

USAID stated that questions received before the deadline would be answered for all potential applicants through an amendment posted on Grants.gov. This approach is intended to keep the competition fair by sharing clarifications broadly rather than privately.

20) What should applicants do to ensure they are using the correct application package?

Applicants are responsible for reading the entire NOFO, ensuring they have downloaded the full and correct opportunity package from Grants.gov, and using the correct electronic forms.

21) Are there any technical requirements mentioned for completing the electronic forms?

Yes. The notice highlights the need to use the correct electronic forms, including having the ability to open and save Adobe forms.

22) What happens if an applicant does not follow the instructions or fails to submit required information?

USAID emphasizes that to be considered for an award, applicants must submit all information required by the NOFO and follow the application instructions exactly.

23) Where should technical problems with Grants.gov be directed?

Technical issues related to Grants.gov registration or access are directed to the Grants.gov Helpdesk.

24) Where should programmatic questions be sent?

Programmatic questions are to be sent to the point of contact listed in Section D of the NOFO.

25) Who signed the opportunity notice?

The opportunity letter is signed by Marva Butler, the Contracting/Agreement Officer for USAID/Haiti.