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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Sustainable WASH Systems BAA (USAID)

What is the Sustainable WASH Systems BAA?

The Sustainable WASH Systems BAA is a USAID Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) that invites partners to collaborate with USAID to improve the long-term sustainability of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in selected focus countries. It is designed to attract innovative, practical ideas that can be developed, tested, and scaled if they work.

What does USAID mean by "sustainable" WASH services in this opportunity?

In this announcement, sustainability is about what keeps WASH services functioning over time after initial implementation. The focus is on the full set of factors that allow services to last, including design, implementation, and ongoing learning and adaptation.

Is USAID funding a single, prescriptive project under this BAA?

No. The BAA is not structured around one pre-set project design. Instead, it is framed to encourage collaboration and co-creation, meaning USAID expects to jointly shape solutions with selected partners.

What kinds of organizations or people is USAID looking to work with?

The BAA invites participation from external organizations, companies, researchers, and even individuals who can contribute strong ideas, evidence, tools, or technologies relevant to sustainable WASH service delivery. Eligibility is described broadly as "others," with additional clarification referenced in the full text.

What is the main thematic focus of the BAA?

A central theme is systems-based thinking applied to WASH service delivery. USAID is interested in approaches that strengthen the overall service system rather than only supporting standalone interventions.

What does "systems-based thinking" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Systems-based thinking means looking beyond a single piece of infrastructure or one-off intervention and addressing the connected elements that determine whether WASH services last. The BAA highlights factors such as institutions, financing, operations and maintenance, supply chains, governance, community engagement, monitoring, and feedback loops for continuous improvement.

Is this opportunity only about new technology or hardware?

No. While tools and technologies may be relevant, the BAA emphasizes approaches that improve the underlying service system, including how programs are designed, implemented, and adapted based on learning.

What types of activities does USAID want to support under this BAA?

USAID emphasizes practical, cost-effective interventions that can be researched, developed, piloted, tested, and then scaled if successful. The activity category is science and technology and other research and development, signaling an interest in evidence generation, methods, and scalable models.

What is USAID trying to develop through this BAA besides individual interventions?

USAID is aiming to develop and test a methodology that helps its field missions design and manage WASH programs in ways that strengthen the factors that determine whether services last. The methodology is intended to support better program design, stronger implementation, and continuous learning and adaptation.

What funding mechanisms are anticipated?

The posting lists grants and cooperative agreements as the mechanisms. Cooperative agreements generally indicate substantial involvement by USAID in shaping and guiding the work with selected partners.

What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement in this posting?

Based on the description provided, cooperative agreements suggest USAID expects to be more substantially involved in the project’s direction and collaboration. Grants are also listed, indicating USAID may use either instrument depending on the selected concept and intended level of agency involvement.

What is an Expression of Interest (EOI) for this opportunity?

An Expression of Interest (EOI) is an early-stage submission used to gauge interest and identify promising concepts. It is typically a preliminary step that may occur before a full application process.

Can applicants submit something other than an EOI?

Yes. Applicants are invited either to provide feedback on the announcement or to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

What countries does this BAA focus on?

The announcement references "selected focus countries," but the specific countries are not listed in the information provided here.

What administrative identifiers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by USAID under Funding Opportunity Number BAA OAA SWS 2016 and falls under CFDA 98.001.

When was the opportunity posted and what was the closing date?

The posting was created and posted on January 20, 2016, and it lists a closing date of February 10, 2016.

How much funding is available under this BAA?

The listing shows an award ceiling of 0 and does not specify an expected number of awards. This often appears in BAAs when the agency is not committing to a fixed funding amount at the announcement stage or expects to define funding levels later based on concepts received, negotiations, or available resources.

Does the posting state how many awards USAID expects to make?

No. The listing does not specify an expected number of awards.

What does it mean that the award ceiling is listed as 0?

Based on the description provided, it may indicate that USAID is not setting a fixed maximum award amount at the announcement stage and may determine funding levels later depending on the concepts received and other factors.

What is the overall goal of the Sustainable WASH Systems BAA?

The overall goal is to generate and test innovative, field-relevant ideas that help USAID and partners understand what makes WASH services endure over time, moving from concept to real-world testing and broader adoption where appropriate.

What makes this BAA different from routine WASH service delivery programs?

The BAA emphasizes research, development, piloting, testing, and learning to develop evidence and scalable models. It is geared toward improving the system that supports long-lasting services, rather than focusing only on routine service delivery.