Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 114 15 000008
Apply for RFA 114 15 000008
- The Georgia USAID Tbilisi in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "USAID/Caucasus Improved Productivity of Georgias Hazelnut Industry Addendum to GDA APS OAA 14 000001" 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 Apr 28, 2015 and posted on Mar 5, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 18, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 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:
This funding opportunity is a special addendum issued by USAID/Caucasus (based in Tbilisi, Georgia) under its FY2014 to FY2015 Global Development Alliance (GDA) Annual Program Statement (APS No. APS OAA 14 000001). The addendum creates a targeted call for Concept Papers from prospective implementing partners specifically focused on strengthening Georgia's hazelnut industry. The effort is designed as a public-private partnership, developed in collaboration with the Ferrero Group, and is meant to align private sector capabilities with USAID development objectives in a structured alliance format.
The core purpose of the addendum is to increase the competitiveness of Georgia's hazelnut sector by improving agricultural productivity and strengthening market linkages. In practical terms, the solicitation is looking for approaches that help farmers and other value chain actors produce more and better quality hazelnuts, while also improving connections to buyers, processors, and export markets. The broader development framing is inclusive and sustainable economic growth, with competitiveness as the pathway: stronger farm performance and stronger commercial relationships are expected to translate into better incomes, more resilient rural livelihoods, and a more robust agricultural export sector.
The mechanism for support is a Cooperative Agreement under the agriculture funding activity category. USAID indicates it envisions making one GDA award through this addendum, but it reserves the option to fund multiple qualified applicants if that is necessary to meet the addendum's objectives. The total USAID funding anticipated ranges from USD 500,000 to USD 3,000,000, with a performance period of up to five years. The award ceiling is USD 3,000,000 and the award floor is USD 500,000, with an estimated total funding amount of USD 3,000,000.
A defining feature of this opportunity is the required private sector leverage typical of the GDA model. Under the underlying APS rules, alliances must mobilize private sector assets, expertise, resources, and contributions on at least a one-to-one basis. In this particular addendum, Ferrero has already committed to provide contributions that will equal or exceed the level of funding requested from USAID, signaling that proposals are expected to be built around meaningful co-investment and active private sector participation rather than standalone donor programming. Although the listing states "CostSharingOrMatchingRequirement: No," the GDA structure still requires the one-to-one leveraging of private sector resources as a core alliance principle, and applicants would need to design their concept accordingly.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full solicitation. Applicants are instructed that all terms and conditions of the parent FY2014 to FY2015 GDA APS apply, and the addendum should be read as a specialized call under that umbrella rather than a completely separate set of rules. The competitive process starts with submission of Concept Papers, which USAID typically uses to assess fit, feasibility, partnership strength, and alignment with objectives before inviting more detailed applications.
Key administrative details include Funding Opportunity Number RFA 114 15 000008 and CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). The opportunity was posted March 5, 2015, with an original closing date of May 5, 2015, later extended to a current closing date of May 18, 2015. Questions or access issues related to the full announcement are directed to the listed contact, Maya Chelidze, Acquisition Specialist, at the phone number provided in the notice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a special addendum issued by USAID/Caucasus (Tbilisi, Georgia) under its FY2014 to FY2015 Global Development Alliance (GDA) Annual Program Statement (APS No. APS OAA 14 000001). The addendum creates a targeted call for Concept Papers focused specifically on strengthening Georgia's hazelnut industry through a structured public-private partnership (alliance) model.
2) What is the main goal of the addendum?
The core purpose is to increase the competitiveness of Georgia's hazelnut sector by improving agricultural productivity and strengthening market linkages. The overall development framing is inclusive and sustainable economic growth, with a focus on better farm performance and stronger commercial relationships to support improved incomes, more resilient rural livelihoods, and a stronger agricultural export sector.
3) What kinds of activities or approaches is USAID looking for?
The solicitation is looking for approaches that help farmers and other value chain actors produce more and better quality hazelnuts, and that improve connections to buyers, processors, and export markets. In general terms, the focus areas are (1) productivity improvements and (2) market linkage strengthening within the hazelnut value chain.
4) What sector and country does this opportunity target?
The addendum is specifically focused on Georgia's hazelnut industry (the hazelnut sector/value chain in Georgia).
5) What is the partnership model for this opportunity?
The effort is designed as a public-private partnership under the Global Development Alliance (GDA) model. It was developed in collaboration with the Ferrero Group and is intended to align private sector capabilities with USAID development objectives in a structured alliance format.
6) What is the expected role of the private sector (and Ferrero) in this addendum?
A defining feature is private sector leverage typical of the GDA model. Ferrero has already committed to provide contributions that will equal or exceed the level of funding requested from USAID. This signals that proposed concepts are expected to be built around meaningful co-investment and active private sector participation, rather than standalone donor programming.
7) Is cost sharing or matching required?
The listing states "CostSharingOrMatchingRequirement: No." However, the underlying GDA structure requires alliances to mobilize private sector assets, expertise, resources, and contributions on at least a one-to-one basis. Applicants should design their concept papers accordingly to reflect the GDA leverage principle described in the parent APS and highlighted in this addendum.
8) What type of award will USAID use?
USAID intends to provide support through a Cooperative Agreement under the agriculture funding activity category.
9) How many awards does USAID expect to make?
USAID indicates it envisions making one GDA award through this addendum, but it reserves the option to fund multiple qualified applicants if necessary to meet the addendum's objectives.
10) How much funding is available?
The total USAID funding anticipated ranges from USD 500,000 to USD 3,000,000. The estimated total funding amount is USD 3,000,000, with an award ceiling of USD 3,000,000 and an award floor of USD 500,000.
11) What is the maximum project length (performance period)?
The performance period can be up to five years.
12) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full solicitation and the terms of the parent APS.
13) What must applicants submit to start the competition?
The process starts with submission of Concept Papers. USAID typically uses concept papers to assess fit, feasibility, partnership strength, and alignment with objectives before inviting more detailed applications.
14) Does this addendum have its own rules, or does it follow another solicitation?
All terms and conditions of the parent FY2014 to FY2015 GDA APS apply. The addendum should be read as a specialized call under that umbrella rather than a completely separate set of rules.
15) What is the funding opportunity number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA 114 15 000008.
16) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
17) When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 5, 2015.
18) What is the application deadline?
The opportunity originally closed on May 5, 2015, and was later extended. The current closing date listed is May 18, 2015.
19) Who should applicants contact for questions or access issues related to the full announcement?
Questions or access issues are directed to Maya Chelidze, Acquisition Specialist, at the phone number provided in the notice.
20) What is USAID trying to achieve in development terms through this hazelnut-focused alliance?
The addendum frames the work as inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Competitiveness is the pathway: improved productivity and stronger market linkages are expected to contribute to better incomes, more resilient rural livelihoods, and a more robust agricultural export sector.
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