SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development
- Notice Date
- 12/3/2012
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Washington D.C., USAID/Washington, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 7.10-006, Washington, District of Columbia, 20523, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20523
- Solicitation Number
- SOL-OAA-13-000017
- Point of Contact
- Claudia O. Koziol,
- E-Mail Address
-
PoweringAg@usaid.gov
(PoweringAg@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Dear Interested Parties: The purpose of this notice is to announce that United States Government, represented by the Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and Environment (E3) will be seeking proposals from industry and other interested parties around the world on the attached program initiative outlined below. Issuance of this Notice does not constitute a binding commitment on the part of the Government to issue a Solicitation, nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission. Thank you for your consideration of this USAID initiative. We look forward to your organization's participation. Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development 1. Objective The objective of the Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development initiative is to improve agricultural productivity and value by increasing access to clean energy solutions to those along the agricultural value chain that suffer from no, or poor quality, grid power in developing countries. The program aims to foster innovative clean energy technologies and business models and catalyze private sector investment to enhance access to the clean energy inputs required for the agricultural value chain while simultaneously mitigating CO2 emissions from agricultural intensification. Furthermore, the energy/agriculture nexus provides an excellent opportunity for economic empowerment of women and gender sensitive approaches and all applicants will be required to address gender impacts of proposed programs. 2. Areas of Interest The Grand Challenge for Development model reflects an understanding that there is seldom just one way to solve complex development problems. In this regard, this CFP is designed to attract a diverse range of market-driven approaches to accelerate the design and deployment of clean energy solutions for farmers and agribusinesses. The specific clean energy needs of farmers and related agribusinesses vary widely among different geographic regions. Countries differ significantly with respect to their natural resources, existing infrastructure, trade relations, energy policies, income levels, and maturity of clean energy markets. For these reasons, PAEGC is designed to support a wide range of activities that build on Applicants' individual strengths and the particular market environments in which they operate/plan to operate. It is expected that proposals received through this solicitation will respond to one, two, or all three of the following areas of need - "Clean Energy Demand Generation," "Clean Energy Technology Innovation," and "Clean Energy Business Model Development." Technology and Business Model Innovation The partners anticipate that individual awards between $300,000 and $1,500,000 will be available for the following activities: •Clean Energy Demand Generation. PAEGC supports efforts to design affordable, scalable approaches to increasing farmers' and agribusinesses' demand for clean energy technologies that increase their productivity and profitability. PAEGC financial support may be used for designing and piloting innovative demand generating activities, social marketing, and behavior change strategies to overcome the risk aversion associated with applying new technologies to long-standing agricultural practices. •Clean Energy Technology Innovation. PAEGC support is available for development and/or adaptation of affordable technologies focused on clean energy generation, storage, and more efficient end-use within the agriculture sectors of developing countries that have potential for achieving commercial scale. This support may be for new technologies that are still in the incubation/demonstration stage, and/or existing technologies that are modified to respond to the demands of a specific target market. Successful Applicants will be able to clearly articulate the nature of the technology, its strengths and weaknesses over current/alternative practices, as well as opportunities and barriers to its commercial deployment within the identified target markets. •Clean Energy Business Model Development. It is not only weak demand and technology constraints that hinder the adoption of clean energy solutions. PAEGC is also looking for innovative business solutions that make clean energy technology affordable and accessible to farmers and agribusinesses. PAEGC support may be used to develop and test, for example, new service delivery options; payment arrangements; financing; marketing techniques for energy service businesses that would improve their financial sustainability. 3. What Will Not Be Funded It is important for Applicants to note that there are certain types of activities that are not eligible for funding through this PAEGC solicitation. These include: •Activities focused on improving energy access without an identified benefit to the agriculture sector, or agricultural projects without a clean energy component; •Project ideas that are managed from or include activities to be implemented in ineligible countries; •Approaches that reinforce harmful gender norms; •Activities focused on research and development for a product without a clearly defined market demand or credible commercialization prospects; •One-off renewable energy installations or pilot projects to support proven technologies for proven applications - unless they include an innovative component(s) that clearly outline realistic potential for replication and/or ability to achieve commercial scale; •Projects that are based solely on fossil fuel-based generation technologies. Please note: Hybrid technologies that couple fossil fuel-based power generation with clean energy generation are acceptable; •Projects focused on increasing utilization of mechanized agriculture utilizing fossil fuel based technologies, e.g., tractors; •Projects that jeopardize the resiliency of agricultural practices or supply chains; and •While it is understood that policy and trade reforms are often critical for technology development/deployment and for increasing energy access, such issues are better addressed through more conventional international development programs and/or bi-/multi-lateral negotiations. Thus, proposed remedial interventions of this nature will not be eligible for funding.
- Web Link
-
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- Record
- SN02940883-W 20121205/121203233940-a2d99829b29fc180dcc626b681e8f4d5 (fbodaily.com)
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