Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 492 14 000002
Apply for RFA 492 14 000002
- The Philippines USAID Manila in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 11, 2014 and posted on Mar 17, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 30, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Restricted to Local Competition in accordance with ADS303.3.6.6.b(2)
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Opportunity Summary:
This USAID/Philippines notice is a Request for Information (RFI), not a call for full grant applications. USAID is testing ideas and gathering feedback from interested parties as it considers launching a future activity focused on strengthening the institutional capacity of Philippine universities and colleges so they can play a sustained, long-term role in marine conservation. The concept is designed to align with the Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) project, with an emphasis on improving how key coastal and marine resources are managed in ways that protect ecosystems while supporting livelihoods and local economies that depend on fisheries and healthy coastal environments.
The planned effort is intended to contribute to biodiversity conservation, improved ecosystem productivity, and the recovery of fisheries profitability across eight Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBAs) in the Philippines. A central approach referenced in the notice is Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), meaning the activity would support fisheries and coastal resource decisions that account for ecological relationships, human uses, governance, and long-term sustainability rather than focusing narrowly on single species or short-term extraction. In practical terms, USAID is signaling interest in university-driven or university-supported systems that can help generate evidence, train practitioners, strengthen local capacity, and improve the effectiveness of site-based marine conservation and fisheries management in these priority areas.
Strategically, the activity is framed as contributing to the U.S. Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for the Philippines (2011 to 2016), specifically Objective 3 (Environmental Resilience Improved) and Intermediate Result 3.2 (Natural and Environmental Resource Management Improved). USAID also links the concept directly to its Biodiversity Policy and makes clear that any future biodiversity-funded activity must meet required standards. Those standards include: having an explicit biodiversity objective and a clearly stated Theory of Change; being grounded in an analysis of the main drivers and threats behind biodiversity loss (and connecting that analysis to the Theory of Change); ensuring that site-based work is meant to produce positive biodiversity outcomes in biologically significant areas; and monitoring indicators tied to the Theory of Change so progress can be tracked and validated. USAID notes it has already drafted a Theory of Change for this university-focused marine conservation concept using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, and it is specifically inviting comments, suggestions, and enhancements to that draft framing.
On the administrative side, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number RFA 492-14-000002 and categorized as an earmark, with an anticipated funding instrument type of Cooperative Agreement or Grant under the Environment/Natural Resources program area (CFDA 98.001, USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). Cost sharing or matching is indicated as a requirement. Eligibility is described as restricted to a local competition consistent with USAID policy (ADS 303.3.6.6.b(2)), implying the primary intended respondents or eventual implementers are expected to be local entities in the Philippines, though the exact definition is referenced as being clarified in the full eligibility text.
Because this is an RFI and described as a pre-RFA step, USAID is not asking for complete applications at this stage. Instead, it is requesting written feedback submitted electronically by April 30, 2014 at 1800 hours Philippines time. Responders are instructed to send one electronic copy in Microsoft Word or PDF format via email to manila_roaa_rfa@usaid.gov with a copy to abcastillo@usaid.gov, using the subject line "Response to RFI." The listed point of contact for access issues is Abegail Castillo, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist at USAID Manila (phone 6323016000).
FAQs: USAID/Philippines RFI on University Capacity for Marine Conservation (Funding Opportunity No. RFA 492-14-000002)
1) Is this an open grant application?
No. This notice is a Request for Information (RFI), described as a pre-RFA step. USAID is not asking for full grant applications at this stage and is only requesting written feedback and input.
2) What is USAID asking for right now?
USAID is asking interested parties to provide written feedback, comments, suggestions, and enhancements related to a draft framing for a potential future activity. The notice specifically mentions USAID has drafted a Theory of Change using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation and is inviting input to strengthen that draft.
3) What is the purpose of the potential future activity being considered?
The concept being explored is focused on strengthening the institutional capacity of Philippine universities and colleges so they can play a sustained, long-term role in marine conservation. The intent includes improving evidence generation, training practitioners, strengthening local capacity, and improving the effectiveness of site-based marine conservation and fisheries management in priority areas.
4) How does this relate to fisheries and livelihoods?
The concept emphasizes improving how key coastal and marine resources are managed in ways that protect ecosystems while also supporting livelihoods and local economies that depend on fisheries and healthy coastal environments. It is intended to contribute to improved ecosystem productivity and the recovery of fisheries profitability.
5) Which existing USAID effort does the concept align with?
The planned effort is designed to align with the Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) project, with an emphasis on strengthening coastal and marine resource management.
6) What geographic or site focus is described?
The notice states the planned effort is intended to contribute across eight Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBAs) in the Philippines. The concept also stresses that site-based work should produce positive biodiversity outcomes in biologically significant areas.
7) What management approach is highlighted in the notice?
The notice references the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM). This approach supports fisheries and coastal resource decisions that account for ecological relationships, human uses, governance, and long-term sustainability, rather than focusing narrowly on single species or short-term extraction.
8) What results is the activity intended to contribute to?
The notice describes intended contributions to biodiversity conservation, improved ecosystem productivity, and the recovery of fisheries profitability, specifically across eight MKBAs in the Philippines.
9) How does this concept fit into USAID strategic objectives for the Philippines?
The activity is framed as contributing to the U.S. Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for the Philippines (2011 to 2016), specifically Objective 3 (Environmental Resilience Improved) and Intermediate Result 3.2 (Natural and Environmental Resource Management Improved).
10) What biodiversity policy requirements does USAID flag for any future activity?
USAID states that any future biodiversity-funded activity must meet required standards, including: (1) an explicit biodiversity objective and clearly stated Theory of Change; (2) being grounded in an analysis of the main drivers and threats behind biodiversity loss and connecting that analysis to the Theory of Change; (3) ensuring that site-based work is intended to produce positive biodiversity outcomes in biologically significant areas; and (4) monitoring indicators tied to the Theory of Change so progress can be tracked and validated.
11) Has USAID already prepared a Theory of Change for this concept?
Yes. USAID notes it has already drafted a Theory of Change for the university-focused marine conservation concept using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation and is inviting comments and enhancements to that draft.
12) What is the funding opportunity number listed in the notice?
The notice lists Funding Opportunity Number RFA 492-14-000002.
13) What type of award might be used if USAID launches a future activity?
The notice anticipates a funding instrument type of Cooperative Agreement or Grant.
14) What program area and CFDA number are referenced?
The notice places the opportunity under the Environment/Natural Resources program area and references CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
15) Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The notice indicates cost sharing or matching is a requirement.
16) Who is eligible to respond or potentially implement based on the notice?
Eligibility is described as restricted to a local competition consistent with USAID policy (ADS 303.3.6.6.b(2)). The notice implies primary intended respondents or eventual implementers are expected to be local entities in the Philippines, with the exact definition referenced as being clarified in the full eligibility text.
17) What should respondents submit for this RFI?
The notice requests written feedback submitted electronically. It does not request a complete application package at this stage.
18) What format should the RFI response be in?
Responders are instructed to send one electronic copy in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
19) How should the response be submitted?
Responses should be submitted via email to manila_roaa_rfa@usaid.gov with a copy to abcastillo@usaid.gov.
20) What email subject line should be used?
The notice instructs responders to use the subject line: "Response to RFI".
21) What is the deadline for submitting RFI feedback?
The deadline is April 30, 2014 at 1800 hours Philippines time.
22) Who is the point of contact for access issues?
The listed point of contact is Abegail Castillo, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist at USAID Manila.
23) What contact phone number is provided?
The notice provides the phone number 6323016000 for the listed point of contact.
24) Does USAID say this will definitely become a funded opportunity?
The notice presents this as an RFI to test ideas and gather feedback while USAID considers launching a future activity. It does not state that funding is guaranteed or that a full competition is already open.
25) What is the core role envisioned for universities and colleges?
The notice signals interest in university-driven or university-supported systems that can help generate evidence, train practitioners, strengthen local capacity, and improve the effectiveness of site-based marine conservation and fisheries management in the identified priority areas.
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