U.S. Agency for International Development REDSO/ESA, Unit 64102, APO AE 09831-4102

R -- GRANT MAKING/CAPACITY BUILDING IN SUDAN SOL 623-98-P-037 DUE 070698 POC Contact Point: Larry Meserve, REDSO/ESA, Nairobi, Kenya, Tel: 254-2-751613, Ext 2600, Fax: 254-2-751462/748607/743204, E-mail: lmesrve@usaid.gov DESC: USAID/REDSO/ESA in Nairobi solicits applications from USAID-registered PVOs, NGOs and International Organizations currently working in opposition-held areas of Sudan to implement acapacity-building/grant-making program in Sudan. This description constitutes the Request for Applications. No other document will be issued. ACTIVITY PURPOSE: The purpose of this RFA is to obtain an organization to identify and implement "grass-roots" solutions, with practical rehabilitation applications, to improve the governance capacity of Sudanese civilians and civil society organizations. BACKGROUND: This program will contribute to USAID's objective to "Increase Participatory Democracy andGood Governance Practices in Opposition-Held Areas ofSudan and Reduce Heavy Reliance on Relief by Strengthening Local Capacities". In order to achieve this objective, USAID plans the following intermediate results: (1) Increased participation by civilians inlocal administration, including the management ofhumanitarian assistance,rehabilitation and small-scale economic recovery programs; (2) Increased levels of accountability and transparency, and greater respect for human rights, on the part of civi authorities; and (3) Increased capacity of indigenous organizations to foster democratization and good governance. The program will consist of three components: (1) an Umbrella Grantmaking/Capacity-Building program (the subject of this solicitation) for strengthening the governance capacity of grassroots Sudanese organizations, including cooperatives and NGOs,working to solve local rehabilitation problems; 2) a separate cooperative agreement or grant for governance training to the nascent civil administration in transparency, accountability, public finance, and respect for human rights; and 3) a separate contract for governance training to the leadership of opposition groups. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: For the Umbrella Grantmaking/Capacity-Building component, USAID anticipates awarding up to $4 million over a three-year period for a cooperative agreement to implement the activities described hereafter. The recipient shall: (1) analyze the existing economic capacities and vulnerabilities of civilians, including beneficiaries of relief programs; (2) analyze the current governance structures and civil relationships at the local level, with special attention paid to gender issues; (3) determine which geographic areas offer the best potential for impact; then (4) make grants to local Sudanese organizations to strengthen their capacity -- -- both in terms of organizational management and their ability to advocate with localauthorities -- to address local rehabilitationproblems. NOTE: Applicants might find that technical assistance would be appropriate with some of the sub-grants, in which case use of local and regional expertise is encouraged. NOTE: In the first phase of this program, USAID believes that Yei, Yambio, Kajo Keji, Tambura and Maridi counties are stable enough to benefit from this program, though work in stable areas of other counties such as Rumbek, Bor, Mundri, and Tonj may also be appropriate. Later the program will expand to stable areas of eastern Sudan. SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT: USAID operational involvement in implementation in the following areas: 1) Approval of the recipient's annual implementation plans; 2) Approval of a reasonable number of key personnel; and 3) USAID and recipient collaboration. SELECTION CRITERIA: (1) Demonstrated organizational experience in rehabilitation, capacity-building, and grants management, 20 points; (2) Quality of technical approach, including breadth of geographic coverage, 35 points; (3) Demonstrated experience of key personnel in transitional programs, 25 points; and (4) Cost Reasonableness, maximize resources for sub-recipients and technical assistance and minimize administrative costs, 20 points. APPLICANTS NOTCURRENTLY OPERATING A PROGRAM IN OPPOSITION-HELD AREAS OF SUDAN WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS/AUTHORITY: For U.S. organizations, 22 CFR Part 226, OMB Circulars and the USAID Standard Provisions as well as the authority under The Horn of Africa Recovery and Food Security Act of 4/1992 shall apply. Copies of these documents may be found on the Internet under http://www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus-opp and general counsel homepage. DEADLINES: For fax or email questions the deadline is no later than 12 pm Kenyan Time on June 11, 1998. For applications/proposals, the deadline for receipt is no later than 12 pm Kenya Time on July 6, 1998. Late or incomplete applications/proposals will not be considered. APPLICATION FORM AND CONTENT: All applicants shall submit in original and three (3) copies, the following: 1) Duly executed SF 424, 424a and 424b; 2) Activity description which clearly defines the results that the applicant hopes to achieve, beneficiaries, method of implementation and management plan; 3) A detailed budget with narrative describing the basis for costs and how they were derived; 4) Duly signed Required Certifications and Assurances: a) "Assurance of Compliance with Laws and Regulations Governing Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs; b) "Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters -- Primary Covered Transaction"; c) "Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters -- Lower Tier Covered Transactions"; d) Certification Regarding Drug Free Work Place Requirements"; and e) SF LLL " Restrictions on Lobbying"; 5) The Organization's Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), Duns and Bradstreet Number and Letter of Credit Number, if applicable; 6) A list of all contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements involving similar or related programs over the past three years; 7) A copy of the latest Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement with a U.S. Federal Agency and for those who do not have one they shall also submit copies of the applicant's financial statements for the past three years, projected budget, cash flow, organizational chart, and a copy of the organizations accounting manual; and 8) Past Performance References. FAX AND EMAIL SUBMISSIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. CONTACT PERSON: Larry Meserve, REDSO/ESA/Sudan Field Office, Unit 64102, APO AE 09831-4102. Courier address is USAID Towers, The Crescent Parklands, Nairobi, Kenya. Telephone No. 254-2-751613. Fax Number 254-2-751462 or 748697. Email address is LMeserve@usaid.gov. The preferred method of distribution of USAID procurement information is via the Internet or by request of a solicitation on a 3.5" floppy disk (WordPerfect 5.1/5.2 format). This CBD notice can be viewed and downloaded using the Agency Web Site. The RFA, once issued, can be downloaded from the Agency web site. The Worldwide Web address is http://www.info.usaid.gov. Select Business and Procurement Opportunities from the home page, then "USAID Procurement." On the following screen, select "Download Available USAID Solicitations." Receipt of this RFA through Internet must be confirmed by written notification to the contact person noted above. It is the responsibility of the recipient of this solicitation document to ensure that it has been received from Internet in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. (0154)

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