USAID South Sudan Safer Schools Support (5S) Project | Apply Online

USAID South Sudan Safer Schools Support (5S) Project: FAQs

1) What is the USAID South Sudan Safer Schools Support (5S) Project?

The Safer Schools Support (5S) Project is a USAID Mission to South Sudan funding opportunity under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended). It focuses on strengthening basic education in South Sudan, with emphasis on school safety, learning quality, and keeping education services running during shocks or emergencies.

2) What type of funding instrument is this opportunity?

This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. USAID uses a cooperative agreement when it expects substantial involvement during implementation.

3) What are the main objectives of the 5S Project?

The project intent is organized around four main objectives:

• Improve and expand access to safer education services for children and youth (including physical safety and broader protection concerns in and around schools).
• Make education more relevant and promote learner well-being (including psychosocial and protective dimensions, not only enrollment).
• Strengthen education quality and management at the payam level (a key local administrative level in South Sudan), emphasizing systems strengthening and local education governance.
• Include a crisis-response component (a Program Modifier or Rapid Response Mechanism) to address crises affecting the primary education sector and allow rapid pivots during disruptions such as conflict, displacement, or disease outbreaks.

4) What is the Program Modifier or Rapid Response Mechanism?

It is a built-in crisis-response component designed to address crises that affect the primary education sector. It indicates flexibility for the implementer to pivot resources or activities quickly when disruptions threaten schooling.

5) What is the expected funding amount and period of performance?

USAID indicates an intended total of approximately $105 million over five years.

6) How many awards does USAID expect to make?

USAID indicates an expected single award.

7) What do the listed award ceiling and floor mean for this opportunity?

Both the award ceiling and award floor are listed as $105,000,000. This implies USAID anticipated one large cooperative agreement at roughly that amount, subject to the availability of funds and internal USAID approvals.

8) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open to qualified U.S. NGOs, non-U.S. NGOs, and U.S. for-profit entities that agree not to take profit. The listing describes eligibility as “unrestricted” within those parameters.

9) Are for-profit companies allowed to apply, and can they earn profit?

For-profit firms are eligible to apply, but they must forgo profit because USAID policy does not pay profit under assistance instruments. However, reasonable, allowable, and allocable costs can be reimbursed consistent with applicable U.S. Government cost standards.

10) Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. A cost-sharing or matching requirement is indicated as “Yes,” meaning applicants should expect to contribute some level of non-USAID resources or documented leverage, as defined in the full application instructions.

11) What cost standards govern reimbursement and allowability of costs?

The notice indicates that reimbursement is subject to applicable U.S. Government cost standards, including 22 CFR 226 and relevant OMB circulars and FAR cost principles, depending on the organization type.

12) What does it mean that this is assistance “for a public purpose”?

The opportunity is described as support for a public purpose. The recipient is responsible for achieving the stated program objectives and results described in the full program description.

13) Does USAID encourage local partnerships in South Sudan?

Yes. USAID signals that applicants should draw on local expertise and institutions as much as possible. This points to partnerships with South Sudanese organizations, education authorities, and community structures as a core expectation rather than an optional add-on.

14) Are organizations new to USAID funding treated differently?

Organizations that have never received USAID funding are warned they may undergo a pre-award audit to confirm fiscal responsibility, financial controls, and, where relevant, an indirect cost rate.

15) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this RFA?

The posting is tied to Grants.gov and references Funding Opportunity Number RFA 668-13-000001.

16) How were applications required to be submitted?

Although the opportunity is tied to the Grants.gov posting, the required submission method is email (not hard copy or fax).

17) What email address was used for application submissions?

Applications were to be emailed to 5SSouthSudan@usaid.gov.

18) What language were applications required to be submitted in?

Applications had to be submitted in English.

19) What files were required as part of the submission?

Applicants were required to submit one technical application and one cost application as separate files, clearly labeled with the applicant information and the RFA title/number.

20) What was the application deadline?

The stated deadline for receipt was Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 5:00 PM local time in Juba, South Sudan.

21) What happens if an application is late, incomplete, or non-responsive?

Late, incomplete, or non-responsive submissions would not be reviewed.

22) Where did the application need to be received?

Applications needed to be received by USAID/South Sudan’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance (not USAID/Washington or any other location).

23) Who can legally commit USAID/U.S. Government funds for this award?

Only the Agreement Officer can legally commit U.S. Government funds.

24) Can applicants start spending money before the award is signed?

No. The notice cautions that applicants cannot incur reimbursable costs before a fully executed agreement or written authorization.

25) Are proposal preparation costs reimbursable?

No. The announcement states that preparation costs are at the applicant’s own expense.

26) Does USAID have to fund an application if one is submitted?

No. USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications.

27) How were questions and requests for clarification required to be submitted?

All questions were required to go through 5SSouthSudan@usaid.gov with a specific subject line referencing the RFA number and the organization name.

28) When were questions due?

Questions were due by February 22, 2013 at 5:00 PM Juba time.

29) How would USAID share answers that affect the competition?

USAID planned to share answers that materially affected competition via a Q&A posting and/or a formal amendment on Grants.gov.

30) Was there a pre-application conference?

Yes. A pre-application conference was scheduled for February 15, 2013 at 9:00 AM at the USAID Office in Juba.

31) Was attendance at the pre-application conference limited?

Yes. Attendance was limited to two representatives per organization, and advance registration by email was required.

32) Who was listed as a contact for access issues?

The notice lists Annastasia Wanjiru, Senior Regional Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, as contact support for access issues (with the phone number and email provided in the notice).