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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this USAID notice about?

This notice is a Request for Input (RFI) from USAID/Caucasus in Georgia related to the design of a forthcoming activity called the New Economic Opportunities Initiative. It is part of USAID's market research and program design process, meant to collect comments that can help shape the initiative's final scope and structure before USAID decides on an implementation approach.

2) Is this a funding opportunity or a request for proposals (RFP)?

No. USAID explicitly stated this notice is not a solicitation for funding and not a request for proposals. It is an input-gathering step to inform how the activity may be designed and implemented in the future.

3) What is the name of the planned activity?

The planned activity is called the New Economic Opportunities Initiative.

4) What is the primary goal of the planned activity?

The planned activity is aimed at rural and crisis-affected communities in Georgia, with a focus on improving rural incomes, reducing poverty, and strengthening food security.

5) What types of communities are intended to benefit?

The initiative is intended to support rural communities and crisis-affected communities in Georgia. It also intends to support internally displaced persons (IDP) communities (both long-established and more recently displaced groups) and communities distressed by natural disasters or other shocks.

6) What kinds of water-related constraints does the initiative plan to address?

A central component is addressing critical small-scale water constraints affecting households and agriculture. The notice cites examples such as localized irrigation, drinking water access, on-farm water management, and other community-level water issues that can directly limit productivity and resilience.

7) Does the activity include support for IDP communities?

Yes. The initiative is designed to support internally displaced persons (IDP) communities, including both long-established and more recently displaced groups, with the intent of helping them sustain livelihoods and household stability.

8) How does the initiative plan to help communities affected by disasters or shocks?

The activity is designed to assist communities distressed by natural disasters or other shocks by improving their ability to plan for, withstand, and recover from economic disruptions.

9) What kind of input is USAID requesting?

USAID invited feedback in five areas: (1) whether the project design and draft scope/program description are clear and logically structured; (2) whether the proposed target beneficiaries and their segmentation are appropriate and well-justified; (3) perspectives on outputs and results (including realistic deliverables and outcomes, how success should be measured, and what a reasonable budget might look like); (4) suggestions for the design of an Opportunity Fund; and (5) advice on the most suitable implementation mechanism under ADS 304 (contract vs. assistance agreement such as a grant or cooperative agreement).

10) What does USAID mean by assessing the clarity of the design and scope?

USAID asked commenters to review whether the project design and the draft scope of work or program description are clear and logically structured.

11) What beneficiary groups did USAID mention as examples of segmentation?

The notice referenced segmentation such as rural households, farmers, IDPs, and disaster-affected communities as examples of how beneficiaries might be grouped.

12) What does USAID want to know about outputs, results, and measurement?

USAID is seeking perspectives on proposed outputs and results, including what deliverables and outcomes are realistic, how success should be measured, and what a reasonable budget might look like to achieve the stated objectives.

13) What is the "Opportunity Fund" mentioned in the notice?

The notice describes an Opportunity Fund as a flexible funding mechanism within a project that can finance smaller, responsive activities or grants to address emerging needs or to pilot local solutions. USAID requested suggestions on how this fund should be designed.

14) What implementation approaches is USAID considering under ADS 304?

USAID asked for advice on whether the activity should be implemented through a contract or through an assistance agreement such as a grant or cooperative agreement, noting that these approaches are typically associated with different levels of USAID specification of deliverables and involvement.

15) When were submissions due?

Submissions were due by 1600 (4:00 PM) Tbilisi time on Monday, April 12, 2010.

16) When was the notice posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on April 5, 2010 and closed on April 12, 2010.

17) What should respondents avoid submitting?

USAID emphasized that respondents should not submit proposals, resumes, or corporate qualifications. USAID stated that such materials would be discarded.

18) Will USAID acknowledge receipt of submissions?

No. USAID noted that submissions would not be acknowledged.

19) Can USAID use the information submitted?

Yes. USAID stated that the Agency may use any information provided without incurring any obligation to the submitter.

20) Is cost sharing required?

No. The notice states that no cost sharing is required.

21) Who is eligible to respond?

Eligibility was described as unrestricted, subject to any clarifications in the full text.

22) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number associated with the notice is AID-RFI-114-10-006.

23) Who is the listed point of contact?

The contact listed is John F. Lord, Contracting/Agreement Officer.

24) What should someone do if they cannot access the announcement electronically?

The notice indicates that a phone number was provided for those who had difficulty accessing the announcement electronically, and it is associated with the listed contact.