Trilateral Cooperation Food Security USAID, Brazil, Mozambique | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - USAID/Brazil Trilateral Cooperation Pilot (RFA 512 10 000004)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a USAID/Brazil funding announcement (RFA 512 10 000004) to pilot a trilateral cooperation model where the U.S. Government and the Government of Brazil jointly support development work in a third country.

2) What is the primary focus of the first phase of the program?

The first phase targets food security, with an emphasis on horticulture and school nutrition.

3) Which country is the initial beneficiary of this pilot?

Mozambique is selected as the initial beneficiary country.

4) What type of award will be made?

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which means USAID expects to stay actively involved in planning and oversight rather than simply providing funds with minimal engagement.

5) How much funding is available, and over what period?

The funding profile anticipates up to about $6 million over three years, beginning with an initial tranche of roughly $2 million. The notice also references an overall ceiling and estimated total funding of up to $8 million.

6) Is there a cost share or matching requirement?

Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should be prepared to contribute resources. The specific terms (including whether contributions may be cash or in-kind) depend on the full announcement.

7) What is the core purpose of the funded work?

The core purpose is to plan, coordinate, and implement the USAID-funded portion of a trilateral agreement for a Horticulture and School Nutrition (Food Security) program at designated sites in Mozambique, while deliberately leveraging Brazilian technical expertise.

8) What kinds of activities are expected at the start of the program?

The work begins with an assessment or study to identify crops appropriate for local conditions and markets and to clarify the nutritional needs of the target beneficiaries (likely including school-aged children and surrounding communities).

9) What agriculture and horticulture activities does the opportunity emphasize?

Based on evidence from the initial assessment, the program is expected to build or strengthen crop production systems, including improved plant selection, cultivation practices, harvesting methods, and processing capacity. The goal is to increase the availability of safe, nutritious foods.

10) How do school food programs fit into the project?

School food programs are a major delivery channel. The recipient is expected to help establish or strengthen school feeding or school lunch initiatives and link local horticultural production to improved nutrition outcomes.

11) What operational details are implied for implementing school feeding initiatives?

The opportunity implies attention to practical implementation needs such as supply chains, food handling, food preparation, storage, menu planning, and organizing providers who can reliably deliver meals at scale.

12) Is food safety and regulation part of the scope?

Yes. The program includes support to the Government of Mozambique to strengthen regulations, inspections, and enforcement across the food chain to ensure food safety. This includes developing and improving regulatory frameworks and building institutional capacity for oversight.

13) What makes this opportunity "trilateral" in practice?

The recipient is expected to coordinate among USAID, Brazilian counterparts, and Mozambican government and local implementers, while leveraging Brazilian technical know-how throughout and translating technical assistance into durable local systems.

14) Beyond Mozambique, what broader capacity-building goal is included?

The effort is also meant to deepen Brazil's ability to provide technical cooperation outside its borders, using Brazilian expertise in agriculture and food security as a key input to the work in Mozambique.

15) What long-term outcomes in Mozambique are envisioned?

The program aims to strengthen Mozambique's domestic workforce and institutional base, including agricultural technicians, producers, processors, school meal providers, and regulators who can sustain improvements beyond the project period.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Examples listed include nonprofit entities, for-profit firms (if they agree to forego profits), private voluntary organizations, faith-based organizations, universities, research institutions, professional associations, and relevant special interest associations.

17) Are for-profit companies allowed to apply?

Yes, for-profit firms may be eligible if they agree to forego profits, as stated in the opportunity description.

18) What kind of prior experience is expected from applicants?

A key expectation is demonstrated experience implementing international development projects. The opportunity places particular value on institutional capacity building in Africa related to plant selection, crop production and harvesting, school food programs, and development and enforcement of food chain regulations.

19) How many awards does USAID expect to make?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

20) When was the opportunity posted, and when was it due?

It was posted in July 2010 with an August 16, 2010 closing date.

21) What is the current status of the opportunity?

The opportunity was later archived in September 2010.

22) Which USAID office issued the announcement?

The issuing office is identified as USAID Brasilia.

23) Who is the listed point of contact, and what are they responsible for?

The listing provides a contact point (Ana Mendes) for access issues related to the full announcement.

24) What role does USAID play during implementation under a cooperative agreement?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, USAID expects to remain actively involved in planning and oversight during implementation.

25) What sectors does the implementing organization need to be comfortable working across?

The recipient is expected to operate at the intersection of agriculture, nutrition, and public-sector systems strengthening, including food safety regulation and enforcement, and the practical delivery of school meals linked to local production.