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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - USAID TRANSFORM/Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) RFA 663-15-000016

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a USAID Addis Ababa discretionary health funding opportunity released as Request for Applications (RFA) 663-15-000016 for the TRANSFORM/Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) program. USAID plans to fund an implementing partner through a Cooperative Agreement under CFDA 98.001.

2) What is the purpose of the TRANSFORM/PHCU program?

The purpose is to fund an implementing partner to manage and carry out activities that support the Government of Ethiopia in rolling out the Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP), with a stated end goal of ending preventable child and maternal deaths.

3) What type of award instrument will be used?

USAID plans to use a Cooperative Agreement (an assistance instrument). USAID also notes that assistance awards are administered under 22 CFR 226, USAID ADS 303, and applicable standard provisions.

4) Is this opportunity competed?

Yes. USAID describes the RFA as a full and open competition.

5) What legal authorities govern this RFA?

The RFA is grounded in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended) and the Grants and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977.

6) What does it mean that this opportunity is a Leader with Associates (LWA) arrangement?

Under the Leader with Associates model, USAID expects to make one mission-specific "Leader Award" to a single recipient. That Leader Award includes terms that allow USAID Missions or other USAID operating units to issue future "Associate Awards" to the same recipient without running a new competition, as long as those Associate activities fit within the scope of the Leader Award.

7) What is the difference between the Leader Award and Associate Awards?

Applicants compete now only for the Leader Award. Associate Awards may be issued later to the same recipient (if funded and if within scope), and they would require separate applications after the Leader Award is in place.

8) Are Associate Awards guaranteed if an organization wins the Leader Award?

No. USAID explicitly describes Associate Award amounts and counts as estimates and provides no guarantee that any Associate Awards will be made, or that they will be made in specific amounts.

9) What is the "Design and Implement" approach referenced by USAID?

USAID describes this as a "Design and Implement" approach, meaning the recipient is expected to refine activity design details while implementing, in close collaboration with USAID and national counterparts.

10) How much funding is USAID estimating for this program?

USAID estimated total contributions of up to $120 million over five years beginning no later than March 2016. Within that estimate, the Leader Award was expected to be up to $72 million, and the combined value of Associate Awards issued during the same five-year period was estimated not to exceed $48 million.

11) What is the award period and timing for this opportunity?

USAID estimated a five-year period beginning no later than March 2016 and anticipated making the Leader Award between January and February 2016.

12) Can Associate Awards run beyond the Leader Award period?

Yes. USAID states Associate Awards could run up to five years each and, although they must be awarded during the Leader Award period, they may extend beyond the end date of the Leader Award.

13) What are the award floor and ceiling?

The award floor is listed as $0, and the ceiling is tied to the overall $120 million estimate described by USAID.

14) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open to any type of organization, including large or small entities, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, universities, and for-profit firms, including partnerships and consortia, as long as they are eligible under geographic code 935.

15) Can for-profit organizations apply, and can they earn profit?

For-profit organizations may compete and may receive reimbursement for allowable costs. However, USAID states it does not pay profit under assistance instruments like cooperative agreements, consistent with 22 CFR 226.81.

16) What cost principles and standards apply to reimbursable costs?

USAID states that reimbursable costs must be reasonable, allocable, and allowable and must follow applicable cost principles and standards, including 22 CFR 226; OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofits; OMB Circular A-21 for universities; and FAR Part 31 for for-profit entities.

17) Is there a cost share (matching) requirement?

Yes. A 10 percent cost share requirement applies. USAID also states it encourages cost sharing to the maximum practicable extent, and proposed cost share is considered as part of determining overall value.

18) Are applicants required to be registered and licensed in Ethiopia at the time of application?

No. Registration is not required at the time of application. However, Ethiopian law requires foreign or local organizations to be registered and licensed in Ethiopia to implement programs or conduct business, and any apparently successful applicant must provide proof of certification of registration and licensing from the appropriate Ethiopian ministry or agency prior to award/start of implementation.

19) What additional requirements may apply to organizations that have never received USAID funding?

Organizations that have never received USAID funding may be subject to a pre-award audit to confirm fiscal responsibility, assess financial controls, and establish an indirect cost rate.

20) How will applications be evaluated?

USAID states applications are evaluated and selected based on which submission offers the greatest value to the U.S. Government, with technical merit weighted much more heavily than cost.

21) Do applicants need to submit separate technical and financial proposals?

Yes. Applicants must submit separate technical and financial volumes.

22) How and where were applications submitted for this RFA?

Submission is electronic. For this RFA, applications were to be emailed as attachments to caddis@usaid.gov with a copy to tgebremedhin@usaid.gov by the closing date.

23) What was the application deadline?

The closing date stated for application submission was October 6, 2015.

24) Was there a pre-application conference?

Yes. USAID planned a pre-application conference at the American Embassy in Ethiopia and indicated it would post a transcript online.

25) How were clarification questions handled?

Clarification questions had to be sent in writing to the designated contacts by the stated deadline and to the specified email addresses only, with the RFA number and title included in the subject line.

26) Does issuing the RFA guarantee that USAID will make an award?

No. USAID emphasizes that issuing the RFA does not guarantee an award.

27) Will USAID reimburse proposal preparation costs?

No. USAID states it does not reimburse proposal preparation costs.

28) What conditions apply to the final award decision?

USAID notes that any final award is contingent on funds being appropriated, allocated, and committed through USAID internal procedures.

29) What regulations and policies will govern administration of the award?

USAID indicates the agreement would be administered under 22 CFR 226, USAID ADS 303, relevant OMB circulars, and USAID standard provisions for U.S. and non-U.S. nongovernmental organizations.

30) Where were the full solicitation and amendments made available?

The full solicitation and amendments were made available through Grants.gov, and applicants were expected to register there if using that platform to access the announcement.