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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Innovations for Forest Resources Management (InFoRM) - USAID/India (RFI)

1) What is the InFoRM opportunity?

Innovations for Forest Resources Management (InFoRM) is a USAID/India opportunity issued as a Request for Information (RFI). It is an information-gathering notice intended to collect practical input from the market, including organizational capabilities, expressions of interest, and ideas or approaches related to an attached concept paper also titled "Innovations for Forest Resources Management (InFoRM)."

2) Is this a grant or a funding solicitation?

No. This is an RFI, not a finalized solicitation for funding. It does not commit USAID to award a grant, cooperative agreement, contract, or any other funding instrument at this stage.

3) What is the purpose of issuing an RFI for InFoRM?

The RFI is used by USAID to test assumptions, learn what technical solutions and partnerships are feasible, and understand what implementing organizations can realistically deliver. The goal is to improve USAID's understanding of the market and refine the concept described in the attached concept paper.

4) How will USAID use the information submitted in response to the RFI?

Responses may be used to refine the concept and shape a final program design or a future procurement/assistance approach. The RFI itself is primarily an information-gathering step, but the input can influence how a later, formal solicitation (if issued) is structured.

5) What funding activity area does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is listed under an environmental funding activity area and is categorized as discretionary.

6) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity and what does it indicate?

The CFDA number listed is 98.001, which corresponds to USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas. This is a classification identifier associated with USAID overseas assistance activities.

7) What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?

The instrument type is marked as "Other," which aligns with the fact that this is an RFI. Because it is not a finalized solicitation, USAID has not committed to a specific instrument such as a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract.

8) Is cost sharing or matching required?

The notice indicates "Yes" for cost sharing or matching. This suggests that if the initiative proceeds to a later funding stage, USAID may expect some form of resource contribution from the recipient or partners. The specific structure and percentage would typically be defined in a subsequent solicitation, not in the RFI notice itself.

9) Who is eligible to respond to the RFI?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the RFI is open to any type of entity unless the full text of the announcement provides additional limits or clarifications.

10) What types of organizations might respond under "unrestricted" eligibility?

In general, unrestricted eligibility can include nonprofits, for-profits, universities, research institutions, and consortia, among others, as long as they can provide relevant information about capabilities and approaches tied to forest resources management and the concept paper.

11) What kinds of input are typically most valuable in an RFI response?

Based on the description of this RFI, strong responses are typically those that clearly explain organizational capabilities, proposed innovations or methods, where the organization has proven results, partnerships they can bring, and constraints or risks USAID should consider when designing a future program.

12) What is the concept paper and why does it matter?

The RFI references an attached concept paper also titled "Innovations for Forest Resources Management (InFoRM)." The concept paper is central to the RFI because it frames the ideas USAID is exploring and the types of input USAID is requesting. Specific information being sought and any formatting instructions are stated to be in the attachment.

13) Where are the full details of what USAID is seeking?

The announcement notes that full details are contained in an attachment. This means the specific questions, response format, submission instructions, and any additional requirements would be found in the complete RFI package rather than the summary information alone.

14) When was the notice posted and created?

The notice was posted on November 22, 2013, and the record shows it was created on December 13, 2013.

15) What is the closing date for submitting responses?

The closing date was extended from December 15, 2013 to December 20, 2013.

16) Which USAID office issued the RFI?

The issuing agency is USAID New Delhi (India).

17) Who is the point of contact for questions or access issues?

The listed point of contact is the Contracting Officer, Paul Aiyong Seong.

18) How can the point of contact be reached?

Paul Aiyong Seong can be reached by phone at 2419 8514 and by email at aseong@usaid.gov.

19) Does responding to the RFI guarantee future funding or selection?

No. Because this is an RFI intended to gather information, submitting a response does not guarantee funding, selection, or a future award. It is used to inform USAID's planning and potential future solicitation strategy.

20) Does the RFI specify a final program design or implementation approach?

No. The RFI is intended to help USAID refine the concept and understand feasible technical solutions and partnerships. A final program design or definitive implementation approach would typically be determined after USAID reviews RFI responses and, if it chooses to proceed, issues a subsequent solicitation.