R -- IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROGRAM, THE MICROENTERPRISE INNOVATION PROJECT

Notice Date

November 17, 2000

Contracting Office

Raquel Powell Agreement,/Contracting Officer, US Agency for International Development, PO/B/PCE, Ronald Reagan Building, Room 7.09-142, Washington, DC 20523-1700

ZIP Code

20523-1700

Solicitation Number

RFA-FS: RFA G/EGAD/MD-01-A-002

Point of Contact

Point of Contact: Janell Mobley, Phone (202) 712-0030; Facsimile (202) 216-3228

E-Mail Address

Janell Mobley (JMobley@usaid.gov)

Description

17. On or about December 1, 2000, Request for Applications for Business Development Services (RFA-BDS) RFA G/EGAD/MD-01-A-002 will be issued by the Office of Microenterprise Development in the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) Bureau for Global Affairs (G/EGAD/MD). The RFA-BDS will request Cooperative Agreement proposals from a wide range of organizations including U.S. PVOs, cooperatives, financial institutions, international organizations, developing country organizations, and for-profit firms. The purpose of the Cooperative Agreements (CAs) is to increase the business skills and market access of resource-poor microenterprise owners for the purpose of increasing their income-earning and asset-building capacity. The overall objective is a more vibrant microenterprise environment in terms of more start-ups, increased profitability and productivity, increased ability to withstand market variability, and faster growth. For the purpose of this RFA, business development services include a broad range of products and services. These could include, but are not limited to: (a) marketing assistance; (b) business training, mentoring, advisory, and information services; (c) business linkages; and (d) productivity-enhancing technologies. Proposals should demonstrate potential for assisting poor microentrepreneurs via the development of diverse, competitive markets for innovative, high quality, replicable, efficient, and effective business development products and services. The Office of Microenterprise Development is particularly interested in receiving applications from organizations that facilitate the development of markets for the delivery of business development products and services rather than simply providing such products and services directly to microenterprises. Applicants must have demonstrated capacity to implement microenterprise development programs. While for-profit firms may submit applications, it is USAID's policy not to award fees/profits under assistance instruments. Cooperative Agreements will be fully or incrementally funded, depending on the availability of funds. Satisfactory progress will be measured in terms of achievement of specific program targets set for the local implementing organization. The progress will be verified by assessments conducted by G/EGAD/MD. Approximately 3 to 7 Cooperative Agreements will be awarded. Proposed programs must: 1) total not more than $750,000 of USAID funding, 2) cover a period of 2 to 3 years, 3) contribute at least 25% of the proposed program's cost in cash or in kind cost-share, and 4) receive USAID Mission concurrence for each proposed country. Interested applicants should request the RFA in writing by faxing (202) 216-3228 or writing via the U.S. Postal Service to the Office of Microenterprise Development, Economic Growth and Agricultural Development Center, Bureau for Global Affairs, United States Agency for International Development, RRB Room 2.11-021, Washington, D.C. 20523-2110. Attention: Janell Mobley. Any mail sent by courier should be sent to Janell Mobley at the Office of Microenterprise Development, Economic Growth and Agricultural Development Center, Bureau for Global Affairs, United States Agency for International Development, RRB Room 2.11-024, Washington, D.C. 20523. The preferred method of distribution of USAID procurement information is via the Internet or by request of a application 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 form the Agency web site. The Worldwide Web address is http://www.usaid.gov. Select Business and Procurement Opportunities from the home page, then "USAID Procurements." 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 application 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."

Web Link

CURRENT CBD NOTICES (http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/announce/cbd/)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001121/RSOL010.HTM (W-322 SN5069T4)