Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 386 12 000003
Apply for RFA 386 12 000003
- The India USAID New Delhi in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/EI)" 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 26, 2012 and posted on Jun 1, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 16, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $9,170,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $9,170,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/EI) is a USAID grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA 386 12 000003) aimed at strengthening regional energy integration and expanding cross-border energy trade across eight South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The program sits in the energy sector and is designed to support practical, region-wide progress that helps countries coordinate policies and systems so electricity and other energy resources can move more efficiently across national borders. In plain terms, the initiative is focused on making it easier for South Asian countries to buy, sell, and share energy with one another by improving the enabling environment for cross-border trade.
USAID New Delhi (India) is the issuing agency for this opportunity, and the award is structured as a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement typically means USAID expects to be actively involved during implementation, working closely with the recipient on key decisions, technical direction, and coordination. The opportunity is categorized as an earmark and anticipates making a single award (Expected Awards: 1), indicating that USAID planned to select one main implementer responsible for leading the full program scope, likely coordinating with partners and stakeholders across the region.
The estimated total funding for SARI/EI is $9,170,000, with an award ceiling equal to the full $9,170,000 and an award floor of $3,229,000. This structure suggests USAID was prepared to fund a sizeable, multi-country effort, while also leaving room for applicants to propose approaches at different funding levels within the stated range. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to contribute their own funds as a condition of eligibility, which can broaden participation and allow organizations to focus on technical and programmatic capacity rather than fundraising commitments.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility details that may have been included in the full announcement’s “Additional Information on Eligibility†section. In practice, unrestricted eligibility can include nonprofit organizations, for-profit firms, universities, research institutions, and other qualified entities, provided they meet USAID’s standard requirements and any conditions outlined in the solicitation.
Key administrative details show the opportunity was posted on June 1, 2012, with a creation date of June 26, 2012. The original closing date was July 10, 2012, later extended to July 16, 2012, indicating a short application window typical of many USAID solicitations, with a brief extension likely intended to give applicants additional time to finalize submissions. The CFDA number associated with the funding is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas), which is the standard catalog listing for many USAID foreign assistance awards.
For support accessing the full announcement, the listed contact was Arun Sehgal, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, reachable by phone at +91 11 2419 8019. This contact information indicates the opportunity was administered through USAID’s India mission structure, even though the program scope covers a broader South Asia region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): SARI/EI USAID Grant (RFA 386 12 000003)
1) What is the South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/EI)?
SARI/EI is a USAID grant opportunity focused on strengthening regional energy integration and expanding cross-border energy trade across South Asia. The initiative is designed to support practical, region-wide progress that helps countries coordinate policies and systems so electricity and other energy resources can move more efficiently across national borders.
2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The goal is to improve the enabling environment for cross-border energy trade in South Asia. In plain terms, the program is about making it easier for countries in the region to buy, sell, and share energy with each other by strengthening coordination across policies, systems, and regional approaches.
3) Which countries are included in the SARI/EI program scope?
The opportunity covers eight South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
4) What sector does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity sits in the energy sector, with an emphasis on regional energy integration and cross-border energy trade.
5) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA 386 12 000003.
6) Who is the issuing agency for this opportunity?
USAID New Delhi (India) is the issuing agency for this grant opportunity.
7) What type of award instrument will be used?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement. This typically means USAID expects to be actively involved during implementation, working closely with the recipient on key decisions, technical direction, and coordination.
8) How many awards does USAID expect to make under this opportunity?
The opportunity anticipates making a single award (Expected Awards: 1). This suggests USAID planned to select one main implementer to lead the full program scope, likely coordinating with partners and stakeholders across the region.
9) What is the estimated total funding amount for SARI/EI?
The estimated total funding is $9,170,000.
10) What are the award ceiling and award floor amounts?
The award ceiling is $9,170,000 and the award floor is $3,229,000. This indicates applicants could propose approaches at different funding levels within the stated range.
11) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to contribute their own funds as a condition of eligibility.
12) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility details that may have been included in the full announcement’s “Additional Information on Eligibility†section.
13) What does “unrestricted eligibility†mean in practice?
Based on the information provided, unrestricted eligibility can include nonprofit organizations, for-profit firms, universities, research institutions, and other qualified entities, as long as they meet USAID’s standard requirements and any conditions in the solicitation.
14) Is this opportunity identified as an earmark?
Yes. The opportunity is categorized as an earmark.
15) When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on June 1, 2012.
16) What is the creation date listed for the opportunity?
The creation date listed is June 26, 2012.
17) What was the original closing date and was it extended?
The original closing date was July 10, 2012, and it was later extended to July 16, 2012.
18) What is the CFDA number associated with this funding?
The CFDA number is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
19) Who is the point of contact for questions or accessing the full announcement?
The listed contact is Arun Sehgal, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist.
20) What is the contact phone number provided for the opportunity?
The phone number provided is +91 11 2419 8019.
21) Why is USAID New Delhi listed as the issuing agency if the program is regional?
The contact and issuing details indicate the opportunity was administered through USAID’s India mission structure (USAID New Delhi), even though the program scope covers a broader South Asia region.
22) What kind of activities is SARI/EI meant to support?
The program is meant to support practical, region-wide progress that helps countries coordinate policies and systems for cross-border energy trade, so electricity and other energy resources can move more efficiently across national borders.
23) Does the opportunity indicate whether USAID will be involved during implementation?
Yes. Because the award is a cooperative agreement, USAID typically expects to be actively involved during implementation, including collaboration on technical direction, key decisions, and coordination.
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