Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 294 12 000002
Apply for RFA 294 12 000002
- The West Bank, Gaza USAID West Bank in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "School Improvement Program" 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 Jun 15, 2012 and posted on Jun 11, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by The closing date of the funding opportunity will be posted and announced with the full solicitation package.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $20,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- United States Government, represented by the Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission to the West Bank and Gaza is seeking applications from qualified U.S. Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), Public International Organizations (PIOs), and U.S. for profit firms (provided they forgo profit) to implement a program entitled School Improvement Program . Pursuant to 22 CFR 226.81, it is USAID policy not to award profit under assistance instruments. However, all reasonable, allocable and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the agreement program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (22 CFR 226, OMB Circular A 122 for non profit organization, OMB Circular A 21 for universities, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31 for profit organizations), may be paid under the anticipated award. USAID welcomes applications from organizations which have not previously done business with USAID. Applicants must have established financial management, monitoring and evaluation, internal control systems, and policies and procedures that comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations. The successful applicant(s) will be subject to a responsibility determination issued by a warranted Agreement Officer (AO) in USAID. The Recipient must be a responsible entity. The AO may determine a pre award survey is required and if so, would establish a formal survey team to conduct an examination that will determine whether the prospective recipient has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills or ability to obtain them in order to achieve the objectives of the program.
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Opportunity Summary:
The School Improvement Program is a USAID (West Bank and Gaza Mission) grant opportunity designed to raise the quality of education and strengthen youth development in the most disadvantaged and marginalized Palestinian areas. The opportunity is grounded in the reality that many Palestinian communities face overlapping political, security, and socio-economic constraints that make basic service delivery difficult and increase everyday risks for residents. Because the Palestinian Authority has limited reach and capacity in some of these areas, the program is structured to deliver targeted support directly to schools to improve both learning conditions and student outcomes, especially where gaps in resources and opportunities are most severe.
At its core, the program aims to improve access to quality education while also reducing barriers that undermine youth development. It proposes a set of complementary interventions that address the school environment from multiple angles. First, it focuses on upgrading educational facilities through renovation, which can include repairs and improvements that make schools safer, more functional, and more conducive to learning. Second, it seeks to improve teaching and learning by strengthening teacher capacity through training (as appropriate), supplying educational materials and resources, and building stronger collaboration between schools and the surrounding community. Third, it expands structured opportunities for youth development beyond normal class hours by supporting extracurricular programming, career counseling, and skills-oriented training conducted at schools after hours. The overall intent is not only to improve academic instruction, but also to make schools stronger community anchors that support students socially and professionally as they transition into adulthood.
The solicitation describes several illustrative outcomes that applicants are expected to contribute toward. These include better human and physical education resources that help narrow achievement gaps between students in underserved areas and those in better served communities. It also emphasizes the creation and continuation of organized extracurricular and youth programs rather than one-off activities that fade when funding ends. Another key expected result is building durable networks that connect teachers, administrators, counselors, relevant officials, and community representatives around shared goals of improving education quality and youth programming in targeted schools. In addition, the program prioritizes stronger community involvement in school decision-making, recognizing that sustainable school improvement often depends on local ownership and consistent engagement. Over time, these combined efforts are intended to strengthen educational institutions so they can deliver better services and support to learners in challenging environments.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary education opportunity funded through USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas (CFDA 98.001). The funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement, meaning USAID expects substantial involvement in the program’s direction, oversight, or coordination compared with a more hands-off grant structure. USAID anticipated a single award, with an estimated total funding amount of $20,000,000. The award ceiling is $20,000,000 and the award floor is $4,000,000, indicating that proposals could vary in size but are expected to be significant in scope. The opportunity also requires cost sharing or matching, so applicants should expect to contribute resources (cash or allowable in-kind support, depending on the final solicitation terms) as part of the overall program budget.
Eligibility is focused on U.S.-based entities, including qualified U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), Public International Organizations (PIOs), and U.S. for-profit firms as long as they forgo profit under the assistance instrument. USAID policy under 22 CFR 226.81 does not allow profit on assistance awards, but it does allow reimbursement of reasonable, allocable, and allowable direct and indirect costs that comply with applicable U.S. Government cost standards (such as OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofits, OMB Circular A-21 for universities, and FAR Part 31 for for-profit organizations). USAID also notes that it welcomes applicants that have not previously worked with the agency, but it expects applicants to have strong systems in place for financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and internal controls that meet U.S. Government requirements. The selected recipient will undergo a responsibility determination by a warranted Agreement Officer, and a pre-award survey may be conducted to confirm the applicant has (or can obtain) the organizational capacity, accounting systems, operational controls, and technical capability needed to deliver results.
Key dates listed in the synopsis include a posted date of June 11, 2012 and a creation date of June 15, 2012. The closing date was not specified in the summary and was expected to be announced later with the full solicitation package. For assistance with accessing the full announcement, the listed contact is Sandy Sakran, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at phone number 972 3 511 4870.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): USAID School Improvement Program (West Bank and Gaza)
1) What is the School Improvement Program?
The School Improvement Program is a USAID (West Bank and Gaza Mission) grant opportunity designed to raise the quality of education and strengthen youth development in the most disadvantaged and marginalized Palestinian areas. The program is designed around the reality that many communities face overlapping political, security, and socio-economic constraints that make basic service delivery difficult and increase daily risks for residents.
2) What problem is this program trying to address?
The opportunity targets education quality and youth development challenges in areas where resources and opportunities are most limited. It is also designed for contexts where the Palestinian Authority has limited reach and capacity, which can make consistent delivery of basic services harder in some communities.
3) What are the main goals of the program?
The program aims to improve access to quality education and reduce barriers that undermine youth development. It also aims to strengthen schools so they can serve as stronger community anchors supporting students socially and professionally as they transition into adulthood.
4) What types of activities or interventions does the program support?
The synopsis describes a set of complementary interventions, including:
- School facility improvements through renovation (repairs and improvements to make schools safer, more functional, and more conducive to learning).
- Teaching and learning improvements by strengthening teacher capacity through training (as appropriate), providing educational materials and resources, and improving collaboration between schools and surrounding communities.
- After-hours youth development opportunities, such as extracurricular programming, career counseling, and skills-oriented training conducted at schools after normal class hours.
5) Does the program focus only on academics?
No. While improving instruction and learning conditions is central, the program also emphasizes youth development through structured extracurricular activities, career counseling, and skills-oriented training, with the goal of supporting students socially and professionally.
6) What outcomes are applicants expected to contribute toward?
The solicitation lists illustrative outcomes, including:
- Improved human and physical education resources that help narrow achievement gaps between underserved students and those in better served communities.
- Creation and continuation of organized extracurricular and youth programs (not one-off activities that end when funding ends).
- Durable networks connecting teachers, administrators, counselors, relevant officials, and community representatives around shared goals.
- Stronger community involvement in school decision-making to promote sustainability and local ownership.
7) What does the program mean by strengthening schools as community anchors?
Based on the synopsis, the program intends for schools to play a broader role than classroom instruction alone by improving the school environment, building collaboration with the community, and offering after-hours programs that support students and youth development.
8) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement. This means USAID expects substantial involvement in the program's direction, oversight, or coordination compared to a more hands-off grant.
9) How much funding is available?
USAID anticipated a single award with an estimated total funding amount of $20,000,000.
10) What are the award ceiling and floor?
The award ceiling is $20,000,000 and the award floor is $4,000,000. This indicates proposals may vary in size, but are expected to be significant in scope.
11) Is the program expected to make one award or multiple awards?
The synopsis states USAID anticipated a single award.
12) Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity requires cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants should expect to contribute resources as part of the overall program budget. The synopsis notes this may include cash or allowable in-kind support, depending on the final solicitation terms.
13) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The synopsis identifies the funding source as USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas with CFDA 98.001.
14) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is focused on U.S.-based entities, including qualified:
- U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs)
- Public International Organizations (PIOs)
- U.S. for-profit firms, as long as they forgo profit under the assistance instrument
15) Can for-profit organizations apply?
Yes. U.S. for-profit firms may apply as long as they forgo profit under the assistance instrument. USAID policy under 22 CFR 226.81 does not allow profit on assistance awards.
16) If profit is not allowed, what costs can be reimbursed?
While profit is not permitted on assistance awards under 22 CFR 226.81, USAID allows reimbursement of reasonable, allocable, and allowable direct and indirect costs that comply with applicable U.S. Government cost standards. The synopsis references examples such as:
- OMB Circular A-122 (nonprofits)
- OMB Circular A-21 (universities)
- FAR Part 31 (for-profit organizations)
17) Does USAID welcome applicants that have not previously worked with the agency?
Yes. USAID notes it welcomes applicants that have not previously worked with the agency. At the same time, it expects applicants to have strong systems for financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and internal controls that meet U.S. Government requirements.
18) What organizational capacity does USAID expect applicants to have?
The synopsis indicates applicants are expected to have strong systems in place for:
- Financial management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Internal controls aligned with U.S. Government requirements
19) What is a responsibility determination and who conducts it?
The selected recipient will undergo a responsibility determination by a warranted Agreement Officer. The synopsis also notes a pre-award survey may be conducted.
20) What is a pre-award survey and why might it be required?
The synopsis states a pre-award survey may be conducted to confirm whether the applicant has (or can obtain) the organizational capacity, accounting systems, operational controls, and technical capability needed to deliver results.
21) When was the opportunity posted and created?
The synopsis lists a posted date of June 11, 2012 and a creation date of June 15, 2012.
22) What is the application closing date?
The closing date was not specified in the summary. The synopsis indicates it was expected to be announced later with the full solicitation package.
23) Who is the contact person for help accessing the full announcement?
The listed contact is Sandy Sakran, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist.
24) What phone number is provided for the opportunity contact?
The phone number listed for the contact is 972 3 511 4870.
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