IFRP-2016-RFA-00001 | Apply Online

FAQs: USAID International Food Relief Partnership (IFRP) Grant Opportunity (IFRP-2016-RFA-00001)

1) What is the funding opportunity ID for this grant?

The funding opportunity is identified as IFRP-2016-RFA-00001.

2) Which agency is offering this grant?

The grant opportunity was released by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the International Food Relief Partnership (IFRP) program.

3) What is the main purpose of this solicitation?

The solicitation focuses on operational food assistance. USAID is seeking proposals to support the transportation, delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable, prepackaged food commodities to intended recipients.

4) Is this opportunity intended for research or long-term development programming?

No. The focus is operational food assistance rather than research or long-term development programming.

5) What types of activities are applicants expected to propose?

Applicants were expected to demonstrate the ability to move packaged foods through supply chains and deliver them to intended recipients. Activities typically include logistics planning, shipping and in-country transport arrangements, warehousing and handling, last-mile delivery strategies, distribution systems, and basic monitoring and reporting to confirm commodities reach target populations.

6) What kinds of food commodities are involved?

The solicitation specifically references shelf-stable, prepackaged food commodities.

7) What is the funding activity area for this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized under the Food and Nutrition funding activity area.

8) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 98.008.

9) What type of award instrument will USAID use?

The instrument type is a grant. Funds would be awarded to eligible organizations to carry out proposed activities under USAID and IFRP program requirements.

10) What is the anticipated maximum funding amount per award?

USAID indicated an anticipated award ceiling of $2,500,000 per award.

11) How many awards did USAID expect to make?

USAID projected up to 20 awards, indicating an intent to fund multiple implementers.

12) What does the plan to make multiple awards suggest about the program structure?

Funding up to 20 awards suggests USAID expected several distinct distribution efforts across different locations, partners, or operational contexts, depending on needs and proposal quality.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations holding U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education.

14) Are institutions of higher education eligible if they are nonprofit?

No. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations other than institutions of higher education.

15) What types of organizations did the solicitation indicate interest in?

The description notes interest in applications from U.S. private voluntary organizations and international organizations, reflecting the humanitarian nature of the work and the reliance on organizations with field presence and distribution networks.

16) What organizational capabilities were expected to be demonstrated in proposals?

Proposals were generally expected to show capacity in humanitarian logistics and commodity distribution, strong systems for accountability and controls, and an ability to operate in challenging environments where food relief is needed.

17) What kinds of logistics components are implied by "transportation, delivery, and distribution"?

In practical terms, the solicitation implies end-to-end commodity movement and delivery, including supply chain planning, shipping, in-country transport, warehousing and handling, last-mile delivery planning, distribution mechanisms, and basic monitoring and reporting.

18) What kind of monitoring and reporting was expected?

The notice references basic monitoring and reporting to ensure commodities reach the target populations.

19) When was the solicitation posted?

The solicitation was created and posted on May 6, 2016.

20) What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was June 9, 2016, at 12:00 noon Eastern Daylight Time.

21) Where should applicants look for full implementation details and submission instructions?

Applicants were directed to consult the official Funding Opportunity Description referenced in the notice for full implementation details, technical requirements, and submission instructions.

22) Who was the point of contact for inquiries and additional information?

All inquiries and requests for additional information were directed to Benjamin C. Vogler.

23) What email address was provided for questions?

Questions were directed to IFRP@amexdc2.com.

24) What is the overall emphasis of a strong application based on this notice?

Based on the notice, a strong application would emphasize practical operational capacity to deliver shelf-stable, prepackaged foods through real-world supply chains, including logistics planning, storage and handling, last-mile delivery, distribution systems, and basic monitoring and reporting, alongside strong accountability and control systems.