Request for Application (RFA)
Issuance Date: .................................................... 19.09.2016
Deadline for Receipt of Questions: .................. 05.10.2016
Closing Date/Time for Submission of Applications: 19.10.2016 / 16:00
SUBJECT: Request for Application (RFA) Number: RFA-005-2016
Improving Competitiveness and Market Access through value adding for Producer
Organizations (POs) working in Fruit and Vegetable Sector
USAID/Sweden Fostering Agricultural Markets Activity II (the Activity), a United States Agency
for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Sweden-funded activity, is
seeking applications from qualified, legally registered BiH non-profit, for-profit, and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) for a grant award to implement activities on Improving
Competitiveness and Market Access through value adding for Producer Organizations (POs)
working in Fruit and Vegetable Sector.
The applications must be received no later than 19.10.2016. Applicants must meet the
requirements of eligibility for this Request for Applications (RFA). This RFA solicits grant
applications to support sustainable economic growth, employment expansion, increased sales and
exports, increased household incomes in Bosnia & Herzegovina and increased potential to meet
EU standard requirements.
The Project invites eligible producer organizations to submit applications for the Improving
Competitiveness and Market Access through value adding for Producer Organizations (POs)
working in Fruit and Vegetable Sector.
The Project invites eligible producer organizations to attend an information session for this RFA
which will be organized on 06.10.2016 at 11:00 in Sarajevo (exact location will be defined later).
If interested to participate, please RSVP no later than 11:00 AM on September 29, 2016.
Attendance at this session is strongly recommended.
You are invited to submit an application for the Improving Competitiveness and Market Access
through value adding for Producer Organizations (POs) working in Fruit and Vegetable Sector.
The grants will be awarded and implemented in accordance with U.S. government regulations
governing grants under contracts and the Activity’s internal grant management policies.
The Successful Applicant will be responsible for ensuring achievement of specified grant
objectives. Please refer to Section 1 – Funding Opportunity Description for a complete statement
of goals and expected results.
This RFA consists of the following sections:
1. Section 1 – Funding Opportunity Description
2. Section 2 – Award Information
3. Section 3 – Eligibility Information
4. Section 4 – Application and Submission Information
5. Section 5 – Application Review Information
6. Section 6 – Award and Administration Information
7. Section 7 – Authority/Governing Regulations
8. Section 8 – Annexes
Pursuant to 2 CFR 200 Subpart E and 2 CFR 700.13, it is USAID policy not to award profit under
assistance instruments. However, all reasonable, allocable and allowable expenses, both direct and
indirect, which are related to the grant activity and are in accordance with applicable cost standards
2 CFR 200 Subpart E for non-profit organizations and educational institutions, and the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31 for for-profit organizations), may be paid under the Award.
The Activity reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted. Issuance of this
RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Activity, nor does it commit the
Activity to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Further, the
Activity reserves the right to reject any or all applications received if such action is considered to
be in the best interest of the U.S. Government. Applications are submitted at the risk of the
Applicant; should circumstances prevent making an award, all preparation and submission costs
are at the Applicant’s expense.
Applicants should submit any questions concerning this RFA in writing via email at
[email protected]. The deadline for receipt of requests for clarifications / explanations is
October 5th, 2016. No questions will be accepted after this date.
Applicants should submit applications in writing to the one of following addresses:
FARMA II
71000 Sarajevo
Fra Andjela Zvizdovica 1B/18
FARMA II
78000 Banjaluka
Prvog Krajiskog korpusa bb
FARMA II
75000 Tuzla,
Marsala Tita 34A/III
FARMA II
88000 Mostar
Kneza M. Viševića Humskog 11
In addition applicants should submit applications electronically, via email at [email protected].
The Closing Date for Submission of Applications is 19.10.2016 and the Closing Time for
Submission of Applications is 04:00 PM local BiH Time. Late applications will not be
considered.
Section 1 – Funding Opportunity Description
Background: The USAID/Sweden Fostering Agricultural Markets Activity II (FARMA II) in BiH
is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the
Government of Sweden. The purpose of the FARMA II is to create agricultural and agribusiness
opportunities by assisting producer organizations to adopt EU and international standards to
produce new products and expand market access and to assist BiH to implement food and
agricultural regulations that meet international requirements. The Activity will create agricultural
and agribusiness economic opportunities for BiH citizens by assisting agricultural producer
organizations in adopting the European Union (EU) and international food standards and new
production techniques, producing new high value products, and expanding market access.
USAID/Sweden FARMA II’s methodology of working with private and public sector stakeholders
to identify market failures will ensure that the Activity team remains focused on addressing the
root problems inhibiting competitiveness. The project team will collaborate with numerous
partners and business development service providers (BDSPs) to build their capacity to introduce
ownership and provide sustainability within an indigenous ecosystem of BiH organizations.
Program Description:
I. Background on the specific grant activity
Although Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) largely depends on import of fresh and processed fruits
and vegetables in order to meet domestic needs for these produce, this agricultural subsector is still
one of the most significant subsectors in overall BiH agricultural production. In general, past
couple of years were unfavorable especially for local F&V processors, hence export of processed
products has been decreasing both in volume and value continuously. In the same time the situation
in imports is completely opposite as import has been increasing three to more than five times over
the course of the last three years. In 2015, the value of total import of fruits and vegetables (both
fresh and processed) amounted 176 million BAM of which 24% represented processed F&V, while
exports of F&V (both fresh and processed) for the same period amounted 125 million BAM1 of
which processed F&V participated with 10%. Main trade partners are regional countries, than the
following EU member states: Croatia, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Slovenia followed by Turkey
and Russian Federation.
During the past several years, fruit production has an increasing production trend, especially for
berries, raspberries in particular. On the other hand, vegetable production, except for the
production in protected area (in greenhouses) and production of gherkins, has slower development
trends or even has been reduced. While production of fresh F&V is more concentrated around
strong, large cooperatives and private companies, production of F&V for processing is mainly
organized through the farmers’ associations and smaller agriculture cooperatives who organize
1 Foreign Trade Chamber Official Data
primary production and buy up of produce for industrial use. Due to the highly seasonal
production, adverse climate conditions and short production cycle of some crops, there is an
increasing interest in increasing production in protected areas where producers can rotate several
crops throughout the longer period of time.
Industrial processing of fruit in BiH, other than Individual Quick Frozen (IQF) fruit, mainly
berries, involves production of fruit juices, jams and pulp (i.e., concentrated juice) and drying,
while the processed vegetables subsector is relatively more diversified and stronger. There are
increased market opportunities for processed products such as pasteurized vegetables, pickles,
ayvar, pepper fillets, vegetable stew, beetroot and tomato juice. In BiH there is a cultural
preferences for eating processed vegetables, especially pickled products. Pickles/gherkins are
leading pickled product and often its production volume is a major market limitation factor for
increase in production of other vegetable for processing such as peppers, egg plants, beet root,
chili peppers, etc. Larger quantities of gherkins proportionally are increasing market demands for
other processed vegetables (i.e. on top of 100 pieces of jars of gherkins a supermarket will order
60 jars of pepper and also smaller quantities of other products, hence gherkins are recognized as a
key products that pulls demand for other vegetable produce). Most of the pickled products that are
produced for domestic market are also exported to the EU. Natural and organic juices, jams and
marmalades have also strong export potentials as well as semi processed fruits distillates and fruit
concentrate.
Majority of fruit and vegetable processors base their production on domestic market needs. A few
processors are selling processed F&V on regional non-EU markets that still do not have strict rules
for food safety and quality. Only small number of firms export their products to other international
markets including the EU. Most of the processed products are sold through middle men and/or
distributors to supermarket chains.
Usually, potential buyers are identified through trade fairs, different B2B meetings and/or by the
direct contacts using various connection channels.
II. The purpose, goals and objectives of the activity
The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications to support the Activity in the achievement of its
program objectives. Producer organizations from F&V subsector in BiH still need extensive
support and assistance to be able to improve and increase their production, processing, product
quality, implementation of hygiene standards and satisfy market requirements. In some instances
increase in primary production is necessary in order to achieve economy of scale and improve
overall competitiveness. Also, these producer organizations need additional products
diversification because there are many opportunities to access niche markets opportunities that can
be satisfied with production of value added products.
Specifically, the purpose of this activity is to support value adding in production of F&V leading
to increased production, processing, diversification of production and improved income and sales
potential. With increased production of final products instead of export of product for further
processing abroad (industrial varieties and lower quality fruits and vegetables) local producer
organizations will be better positioned on local and export markets. In addition, by opening of new
market opportunities overall competitiveness of fruit and vegetable sector in BiH will be further
improved. The objectives of this activity are listed below:
Promotion of environmentally sustainable and more productive fruit and vegetable
production in compliance with the Code of Good Agricultural Practices in order to ensure
safe product for the human consumption;
Initiated activities to incorporate climate change adaptation and risk reduction strategies
into appropriate actions and promote environmental best practices;
Increased competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable sector in BiH by improving yields,
production and processing of good quality produce and in accordance to the EU standards;
Increase production of the most competitive F&V for which there is a high market demand
on the both domestic and international markets (i.e. sweet cherries, potato etc.);
Fulfillment of relevant quality standard requirements and necessary certification in order
to meet market demands and better market positioning;
Increase competitiveness of the F&V sector through improved yields, production and
processing of quality products;
Improve marketing, labeling and packaging of F&V products leading to better market
positioning;
Introduce new technologies to increase the quality and quantity of F&V;
Facilitation of export of F&V fresh and processed products.
III. Expected results
It is expected that successful applicants will increase productivity and profitability at the farm and
processing levels and further throughout the entire F&V value chain. Further increase in
production and processing of F&V is expected and in parallel new market opportunities created in
order to secure safe placement of produced goods.
The results obtained therefore will include one or more of the following:
Increase in the new investment in the F&V value chain in BiH;
Increased production and exports of F&V fresh and processed products;
Applied new technologies that improves quality and quantity;
Better market access resulting with an increased sales;
Improved energy efficiency in the production leading to the better market
competitiveness;
Applied technologies that mitigate climate related changes and help production to adopt
to it;
Creation and/or increase of employment with new full time jobs;
Involvement of large number of women and young entrepreneurs in this activity;
Fulfillment of market requirements through the increased number of implemented
standards and obtained certificates that it proves;
IV. Illustrative activities
Target activities that will be supported with this RFA are described in the section below. FARMA
II will support funding of the activities that will strengthen the fruit and vegetable sector in BiH
by facilitating domestic production of high quality produce and in accordance to good agricultural
practices and EU food safety standards. Applicants may submit proposals that address one or
several of the target activities proposed below:
Improve efficiency and effectiveness in plantations and production areas through
installation of greenhouses, irrigation systems, protection nets and/or purchasing of
necessary equipment like sprayers, various tractor mounted equipment;
Improve primary production by contract farming through engaging large number of
individual producers/farmers into the value chain in order to be able to meet increased
market demand and improve quality of their product through introduction of new
technologies at their farms;
Support to new production and/or processing technologies which will lead to import
substitution and/or increased exports;
Support farmers and producer organizations to implement quality standards and obtain
relevant certification such as GlobalGap, Organic, ISO, HACCP, IFS and/or other relevant
standard required on both domestic and international markets;
Support to activities that will lead to improved production technologies and processing
capacities (i.e. sorting and grading equipment, vacuum packaging equipment, packaging
line, etc.) and improve efficiency, effectiveness and increase competitiveness of Producer
Organizations through specialization of production and orientation to competitive products
and/or new products such as organic or indigenous products development with clear market
demand linkages;
Support activities that provide direct and/or on-farm employment for large number of
people especially women and youth;
Provide better access of farmers to the technical assistance end education/training to ensure
better product quality and increased yields;
Improve knowledge and provide activities related to the development of work force;
Support to activities that involve training of potential cooperants, provision of inputs and
promotion of contract farming;
Improve marketing of products and market access identifying new and more profitable
markets through participation and exhibition at key fairs, organizations of trade missions,
etc. in order to improve sales.
FARMA II encourages applicants to consider and address in the application necessary measures
that proposes mitigation against environment and climate related risks, increase energy efficiency
as well as to pay attention to gender aspects and that higher number of total direct and indirect
beneficiaries are women and youth where possible.
V. Performance Monitoring Plan
To track achievements of these grant awards, the Activity will measure progress against total
number of jobs created in assisted producer organizations in fruit and vegetables value chain,
annual percent change in sales and exports, number of farmers and POs who have applied new
technologies or management practices as a result of this grant award. In addition, the Activity will
measure improvement in management practices, farmers’ holdings implementing at least one
strategy to mitigate against climate-related risks as a result of this grant award. It is expected that
applicants will include the same set of indicators in their project to measure achievements that will
be result of this grant award. The participation of woman in the proposed activities is strongly
encouraged, it will be evaluated and tracked separately.
Section 2 – Award Information
Subject to the availability of funds, the Activity intends to provide grant funds to support
Improving Competitiveness and Market Access through value adding for Producer Organizations
(POs) working in Fruit and Vegetable Sector.
It is expected that grants for Improving Competitiveness and Market Access through value adding
for Producer Organizations (POs) working in Fruit and Vegetable Sector will be allocated over a
one-year period. The anticipated period of performance of the grant is expected to be November
15, 2016 – November 15, 2017. The Activity anticipates awarding standard grants under this RFA.
The Activity’s grants shall not exceed 50,000 $ for a single award. Maximum amount for Craft
Organizations and/or Commercial Farming Households should not exceed 6,000 $.
Section 3 – Eligibility Information
Eligible organizations shall be able to comply with and achieve the proposed Program Description,
Tasks, and Results and have a satisfactory performance record and record of integrity and business
ethics.
Legally registered Bosnia & Herzegovina Organizations;
Non-profit/NGO, regional development agencies, public educational institutions (agricultural
faculties, institutes, private extension services);
Commercial and/or for-profit organizations that understand that no profit or fee will be allowed
under the grant agreement;
Any legal entity which is registered in the Farm Registry established within the entity or
cantonal ministries of agriculture, either as a company or at a minimum as an agricultural crafts
organization and/or Commercial Farming Household (RS);
In some cases, BiH public educational entities may be eligible for grants. Grants to educational
entities will be used to provide in-kind assistance only. Under any grants awarded to public
educational entities, FARMA II will conduct all procurement on behalf of the grantee and
transfer the equipment as an in-kind donation. The government organizations eligible would
include agricultural institutes and university faculties.
Eligible organizations must also adhere to the following requirements:
Demonstrate an ability to contribute to the objectives of the FARMA II project and perform
the activities proposed in accordance with USAID policies and practices;
Display sound financial, administrative, and technical management in the form of a system of
controls that safeguards assets, protects against fraud and waste, and supports the achievement
of the award’s objectives;
Representatives of the organization must sign all mandatory certifications.
Prior to the award of grant under this RFA, successful Applicants will be required to sign a
Certification Regarding Terrorist Financing certifying that the Applicant’s organization does not
provide and has never provided assistance to terrorists for terrorist activities. Successful Applicants
may also be required to sign other Certifications as applicable to the award. The Certifications are
attached as Annex A of this RFA.
Ineligible organizations include:
Entities that have misused USAID or the Government of Sweden funds in the past;
Organizations that advocate, promote or espouse anti-democratic policies or illegal
activities;
Political parties or institutions;
Organizations that intend to use the grant for religious objectives;
Public International Organizations;
Government organizations and institutions;
Individuals.
Ineligible Expenses:
FARMA grant funds may not be utilized for the following:
Profit
Military equipment
Surveillance equipment
Commodities and services for support of police and other law enforcement activities
Abortion equipment and services
Luxury goods and gambling equipment
Weather modification equipment
Private ceremonies, parties, celebrations, or "representation" expenses (entertainment
costs)
Purchases of restricted goods, such as certain agricultural commodities, motor vehicles,
pharmaceuticals, contraceptive products, pesticides, used equipment and fertilizers without
USAID’s Contracting Officer advance approval.
Purchases of goods or services from countries or suppliers as may be identified by USAID's
consolidated list of debarred, suspended, or ineligible subcontractors, System for Award
Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov / or the U.S. Department of Treasury Office
of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC)at http://sdnsearch.ofac.treas.gov/Default.aspx
Prior obligations of and/or, debts, fines, and penalties imposed on the Grantee.
Alcoholic beverages
Purchases or activities unnecessary to accomplish grant purposes as determined by the
FARMA Project.
Second hand equipment.
Section 4 – Application and Submission Information
Applicants should submit written applications to one of USAID/Sweden FARMA II offices, and
electronically via email at [email protected]. The Closing Date for Submission of Applications
is 19. 10. 2016 and the Closing Time for Submission of Applications is 04:00 PM Local BiH Time.
Late applications will not be considered.
For each proposed activity, the applicant will also propose target indicators from the following
areas:
Increased sales and/or exports and potential for income generation;
Increased access to international and/or domestic markets;
Increased number of on-farm-employment and /or direct and seasonal employees as a
result of activity implementation;
Increased number of women participating in this program;
Introduction of new products and/or implementation of the new production technology;
Increased yields and profitability due to the introduction of new crop varieties;
Introduction of international food safety standards or management systems;
Introduction of new crop or equipment insurance schemes;
Import substitution and/or increased export potential;
Implementation of measures to mitigate risk of climate change.
For the project to be funded by USAID/Sida FARMA II it should include the following elements,
as relevant:
Readiness to introduce new production technologies and to demonstrate its advantages (if
any) to selected value chain participants;
Readiness to provide assistance to young farmers and/or women (for example, in the
form of training) to increase the production of target produce. This activity will
contribute to mitigation of market distortion.
Openness to show others in the industry new practices that have been implemented as a
result of the project. This activity will contribute to mitigation of market distortion.
All applications in response to this RFA shall consist of a technical proposal and a budget proposal.
The technical proposal must be no longer than 25 pages in length. The applicant is expected to
demonstrate the following in the application:
Consistency with Project’s objectives: The applicant’s proposed results clearly feed into the
Activity’s performance management plan. The proposed indicators are objectively measurable,
clear and relevant to the Activity and the methodology for measuring results of the program is
appropriate and efficient. The proposed activities are consistent with and will contribute to
achieving the objectives stated in the RFA.
Feasibility of design. The proposed methodology reflects an understanding of the RFA’s program
description and scope of work. The designed interventions are appropriate and the
results/milestones are concrete and achievable. The implementation plan includes tasks/activities
that are clearly described and organized in a sequential and logical order; the proposed timelines
allow for the maximization of resources and time, and they are clearly assigned to personnel
Market Distortion. The proposed activity clearly defines how the potential market distortion will
be mitigated. The applicant is expected to demonstrate their readiness to mitigate the potential
market distortion which may occur because of financial assistance paid to the business giving the
business a competitive advantage over the similar businesses within the value chain. FARMA II
ensures clear, transparent and competitive procedures for grants and one of the key considerations
includes market distortion. Applications will be assessed and approved with a goal to avoid market
distortion or favoring one producer, business group or interest over another. In improving the
competitiveness of a fruits and vegetable producing and processing sector, grants will foster a level
playing field for competing and complementary producer organizations in the same value chain.
Sustainability/financial self-reliance. Proposals will be evaluated regarding the extent to which
the funded activity will result in building and strengthening the capacity of the local organizations,
and whether the activity itself is sustainable or will stimulate the economic sustainability of the
organization. The required cost share is minimum 50% of the total investment costs. The proposed
cost share elements are relevant to the objectives of the program and demonstrate the
organization’s commitment in investing resources in the program. The application includes a
logical and feasible proposal describing how the cost share commitments will be met. If program
income is expected: The proposal for collecting program income is efficient and realistic.
Gender Equality. Proposals will be evaluated regarding the extent to which the funded activity
will result in improving gender inequality within FARMA supported sub sectors and components.
In line with USAID’s Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy and the Swedish
Government’s Policy for Gender Equality and the Rights and Role of Women in Sweden’s
International Development Cooperation, FARMA II small grants will support opportunities to
empower, motivate and activate men and women to mitigate gender inequalities within the
FARMA II supported value chains. Given that the situation differs in different value chains and
local contexts, the FARMA II small grants fund will serve as a tool for substantial women’s
empowerment and mitigation of gender inequality.
Environmental consideration. For assistance provided under this SOW sub-contractor will
comply with USAID environmental requirements in accordance with CFR 216, namely the
FARMA II-approved Initial Environmental Examination and the FARMA II-approved
Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and the Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer
Use Action Plan (PERSUAP), as directed by FARMA II. Specifically, any technical assistance
(TA) must comply with the following:
1. FARMA II Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA), Section 7.3.1. (b), where all
TA must promote Good Agricultural Practices (GAP’s),
2. All pest management advices must comply with FARMA’s II approved Pesticide
Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP). Only pesticides approved in
the PERSUAP may be used and recommended during training events, including any
written material prepared by the implementer. It is USAID policy that all pest management
advices must follow the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The approved
pesticide list, in addition to the full PERSUAP, will be provided to the selected
implementer prior to the signing of the contract and shall be fully complied with.
In addition, FARMA II encourages applicants to consider and address in the application
necessary measures that proposes mitigation against environment and climate related risks
Desired Results. Grants will be awarded for activities that will have the greatest contribution to
increased competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable sector through implementation of new
technologies, Good Agricultural Practices, introduction of new products to the market, increased
sales and exports, increased on-farm and direct employment, climate change adaptation and risk
reduction and promote environmental best practices. Grant applications will specify activity
outputs and explain how and to what degree they are expected to generate these overall business
results objectives.
Application Process
All interested parties can apply for possible support from FARMA II’s Grant Fund for above
mentioned activities. In addition to the above project specific criteria, all applicants must meet the
following conditions:
1. Maximum amount requested from FARMA II should not exceed 50,000 $. Maximum
amount for Craft Organizations and/or Commercial Farming Households should not
exceed 6,000 $.
2. FARMA II participation should be 50% or less of the cost of the entire project
3. Used equipment CANNOT be financed.
4. The PO must also submit balance sheets and income statements (or other relevant
financial data) for the last 2 years, with evidence of successful business operation
5. FARMA II funds will be reimbursed to the applicant only after the purchase and
installation of equipment and after the submission of all required documentation such
as invoices, receipts etc. For the fixed amount awards FARMA II funds will be
reimbursed only after specific deliverable/milestone has been achieved.
The budget proposal shall be submitted as a separate file from the technical proposal. The required
format for applications is included as Annex B - Full Application Format and Budget Format.
Section 5 – Application Review Information
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria set forth below. The criteria have
been tailored to the requirements of this RFA. Applications should note that these criteria serve to:
(a) identify the significant matters which Applicants should address in their applications; and (b)
set the standard against which all applications will be evaluated.
To the extent necessary, the Activity may request clarification and supplemental materials from
Applicants whose applications have a reasonable chance of being selected for Award. The entry
into discussion is to be viewed as part of the evaluation process and shall not be deemed as
indicative of a decision or commitment upon the part of the Project to make an award to the
Applicants with whom discussions are being held.
The following evaluation criteria will be used in this RFA will:
1. Consistency with FARMA II objectives and overall project goals: especially introducing new
technologies to increase client sales and jobs.
2. Activity’s contribution to increased sales, exports, employment, and investment.
3. Sector-specific technical criteria
4. Results to be achieved: Are the results to be achieved linked to the grant objective
5. Compatibility with EU accession requirements. Compatibility with Section 613 of the US FY
08 Appropriations Act. FARMA II aims to increase exports in targeted agriculture and food
sub-sectors and facilitate partnerships with existing and new foreign investors, it is not
expected that investments and export promotion assistance under FARMA II will adversely
impact US companies or jobs since the majority of BiH agricultural and food exporters and
investors are regional and EU-based, a negligible share of their products are exported to the
US, and no US jobs loss is anticipated as a result of FARMA activities.
6. Feasibility of design and approach: the quality and feasibility of the application in terms of the
appropriateness of the proposed technology and innovativeness; proposed mechanisms for
monitoring and evaluation with objectively measurable indicators will also be appraised.
7. Management and programmatic capacity: evidence of the capability to undertake and
accomplish the proposed activities. The appraisal will be based on the background,
qualifications, reputation, appropriateness and skills of its key personnel, and the reputation,
and achievements of the organization in the past.
8. Potential for scaling up/replication
9. Potential for mitigation of possible market distortion: evidence of the applicant’s capability to
craft solutions that make the value of the activity higher than the cost of the activity. Provides
reasonable explanation on how the benefit received from the project contributes to the broader
farmers’ community.
10. Budget: the degree to which budgeting is clear and reasonable and reflects best use of
organizational and grant resources; Provides reasonable cost share consistent with the nature
of the proposed activity and the applicant’s ability to contribute and leverage funds to the
greatest extent possible; All members of the TEC committee will review the budget in detail
making sure that the proposed costs make technical sense, are directly linked to an activity,
and are reasonable and necessary costs.
11. Gender and youth awareness: the extent to which the funded activity includes a gender and
youth component or represents a strong commitment to women and youth as beneficiaries.
12. Environmental Compliance: addressing climate change adaptation and risk reduction strategies
into appropriate activities and promotion environmental best practices
The selection of the Applicant for award will be made by the Activity’s Grant Selection Committee
(GSC). Prior to the award of any resultant grant agreement, the Project must obtain prior approval
from USAID.
Section 6 – Award and Administration Information
Successful applicant(s) will receive written notice from the DCOP/Grants Manager informing the
applicant(s) that the Activity either intends to award a grant to the applicant without negotiation,
or that the Activity intends to engage the applicant(s) in further negotiations with respect to a
potential grant award. Negotiations conducted after the receipt of an application do not constitute
an obligation on the part of the Project to award a grant. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified
in writing by the DCOP/Grants Manager.
Any resultant award will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Prime Contract for the
USAID/Sweden Fostering Agricultural Markets Activity II (FARMA II), 2 CFR 200 Standard
Provisions for Non-U.S. Non-governmental Recipients.
Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Activity or the
U.S. Government, nor does it commit the Activity or the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred
in the preparation and submission of an application.
Funding
All grants will be negotiated, denominated and funded in Bosnian Marks (BAM). Payments will
either be made on a reimbursement basis in tranches corresponding to achievement of agreed
upon milestones or directly to vendor’s account after the completion of services or upon delivery
of equipment. The decision will be made by FARMA II as part of an eventual analysis of the
Applicant’s organizational capability to manage grant funds.
All costs funded by the grant must be allowable, allocable and reasonable. A cost-sharing
element from the applicant and/or an approved third party must be contributed to the grant
activity.
Grant applications must be supported by a detailed and realistic budget as described in Annex B.
Section 7 – Authority/Governing Regulations
FARMA II grants to non-U.S. organizations adhere to guidance provided under USAID’s
Automated Directive System (ADS), Section 302.3.5.6, “Grants Under Contracts,” ADS Chapter
303, “Grants and Cooperative Agreements to Non-Governmental Organizations,” and within the
terms of the USAID Standard Provisions applicable to Non-U.S. Non-Governmental Recipients.
These provisions can also be accessed through the USAID external website at
http://transition.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/303.pdf.
ADS 303 references three additional regulatory documents:
A. 22 CFR 226 Administration of Assistance Awards to U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations
B. OMB Circular A-122: Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations
C. FAR 31.2 Cost principles for Commercial Organizations
D. OMB Circular A-133: Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations
Full text of these circulars can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/. FARMA II
is required to ensure that all organizations receiving USAID grant funds comply with the guidance
found in these circulars, as applicable to the respective terms and conditions of their grant awards.
Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of FARMA II, nor does
it commit FARMA II to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application.
Further, FARMA II reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. All application
preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's expense and risk. Awards are subject to
availability of funds.
Section 8: Annexes
Annex A: Certifications
Annex B: Full Application Format and Budget Format
Annex C: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
Annex A: Certifications
USAID/Sweden FARMA II Certifications, Assurances and Other Statements of Offerors
This attachment contains all of the certifications that applicants may be required to sign under the
Project during the negotiation for a potential grant agreement. A description of the certifications
is listed below, along with instructions regarding the applicability of each certification to the grant
award. The DCOP/Grants Manager and Grants Specialist will ensure that all required
certifications are signed by the applicant.
Name of Certification Applicability to NGOs Applicability to Host Government Organizations
Description
Assurance of Compliance with Laws and Regulations Governing Non-Discrimination in Federally Assisted Programs
Required for all US grantees and non-US organizations if any part of the program will be undertaken in the United States.
Only if any part of the program will be undertaken in the United States.
Assures that no person in the US will be discriminated against any activity funded by USAID
Restrictions on Lobbying Required for grants over USD100,000
Required for grants over USD100,000
Certifies that no Federal funds have been paid or will be paid by or on behalf of the grantee to any person for the purposes of influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, an officer, employee, or Member of Congress in connection with awarding the grant
Certification Regarding Terrorist Funding
Always required Not required Provides USAID with assurances that it is not entering into an assistance agreement with an organization that provides or has provided assistance to terrorists for terrorist activity
Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
Included in all RFAs and grantees’ completion of the survey is voluntary
Not required Note: Survey not included in this Attachment but will be included in each RFA
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
Required for US grantees only
Not required
Other Statements of Recipients
Required, though some sections may only apply to US grantees
Required, though some sections may only apply to US grantees
Certification Regarding Terrorist Financing, Implementing Executive Order 13224
By signing and submitting this application, the prospective recipient provides the certification set
out below:
1. The Recipient, to the best of its current knowledge, did not provide, within the previous ten
years, and will take all reasonable steps to ensure that it does not and will not knowingly
provide, material support or resources to any individual or entity that commits, attempts to
commit, advocates, facilitates, or participates in terrorist acts, or has committed, attempted to
commit, facilitated, or participated in terrorist acts, as that term is defined in paragraph 3. The
Certification in the preceding sentence will not be deemed applicable to material support or
resources provided by the Recipient pursuant to an authorization contained in one or more
applicable licenses issued by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
2. The following steps may enable the Recipient to comply with its obligations under paragraph
1:
a. Before providing any material support or resources to an individual or entity, the Recipient
will verify that the individual or entity does not (i) appear on the master list of Specially
Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, which list is maintained by the U.S. Treasury’s
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and is available online at OFAC’s website :
http://www.treas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/sdn/t11sdn.pdf, or (ii) is not included in any
supplementary information concerning prohibited individuals or entities that may be
provided by USAID to the Recipient.
b. Before providing any material support or resources to an individual or entity, the Recipient
also will verify that the individual or entity has not been designated by the United Nations
Security (UNSC) sanctions committee established under UNSC Resolution 1267 (1999)
(the “1267 Committee”) [individuals and entities linked to the Taliban, Usama bin Laden,
or the Al Qaida Organization]. To determine whether there has been a published
designation of an individual or entity by the 1267 Committee, the Recipient should refer to
the consolidated list available online at the Committee’s website:
http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/committees/1267/1267ListEng.htm.
c. Before providing any material support or resources to an individual or entity, the Recipient
will consider all information about that individual or entity of which it is aware and all
public information that is reasonably available to it or of which it should be aware.
d. The Recipient also will implement reasonable monitoring and oversight procedures to
safeguard against assistance being diverted to support terrorist activity.
3. For purposes of this Certification-
a. “Material support and resources” means currency or monetary instruments or financial
securities, financial services, lodging, training, expert advice or assistance, safehouses,
false documentation or identification, communications equipment, facilities, weapons,
lethal substances, explosives, personnel, transportation, and other physical assets, except
medicine or religious materials.”
(i) “Training" means instruction or teaching designed to impart a specific skill, as
opposed to general knowledge.
(ii) “Expert advice or assistance" means advice or assistance derived from
scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge.
b. “Terrorist act” means-
(i) an act prohibited pursuant to one of the 12 United Nations Conventions and
Protocols related to terrorism (see UN terrorism conventions Internet site:
http://untreaty.un.org/English/Terrorism.asp); or
(ii) an act of premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against
noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents; or
(iii) any other act intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to a civilian, or to
any other person not taking an active part in hostilities in a situation of armed
conflict, when the purpose of such act, by its nature or context, is to intimidate a
population, or to compel a government or an international organization to do or
to abstain from doing any act.
c. “Entity” means a partnership, association, corporation, or other organization, group or
subgroup.
d. References in this Certification to the provision of material support and resources shall not
be deemed to include the furnishing of USAID funds or USAID-financed commodities to
the ultimate beneficiaries of USAID assistance, such as recipients of food, medical care,
micro-enterprise loans, shelter, etc., unless the Recipient has reason to believe that one or
more of these beneficiaries commits, attempts to commit, advocates, facilitates, or
participates in terrorist acts, or has committed, attempted to commit, facilitated or
participated in terrorist acts.
e. The Recipient’s obligations under paragraph 1 are not applicable to the procurement of
goods and/or services by the Recipient that are acquired in the ordinary course of business
through contract or purchase, e.g., utilities, rents, office supplies, gasoline, etc., unless the
Recipient has reason to believe that a vendor or supplier of such goods and services
commits, attempts to commit, advocates, facilitates, or participates in terrorist acts, or has
committed, attempted to commit, facilitated or participated in terrorist acts.
This Certification is an express term and condition of any agreement issued as a result of this
application, and any violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral termination of the agreement by
USAID prior to the end of its term.
Certification of Recipient:
By signing below the recipient provides certifications and assurances for the Certification
Regarding Terrorist Financing Implementing Executive Order 13224 above.
RFA/APS No.
Application No.
Date of Application
Name of Recipient
Typed Name and Title
Signature and Date
Other Statements of Recipient
1. Authorized Individuals
The recipient represents that the following persons are authorized to negotiate on its behalf with
the USAID/Sweden Fostering Agricultural Markets Activity II project and to bind the recipient in
connection with this application or grant:
Name Title Telephone No. Facsimile No.
2. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
If the recipient is a U.S. organization, or a foreign organization which has income effectively
connected with the conduct of activities in the U.S. or has an office or a place of business or a
fiscal paying agent in the U.S., please indicate the recipient's TIN:
TIN: ________________________________
3. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number
Applicability: This applies to US grantees only.
(a) In the space provided at the end of this provision, the recipient should supply the Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number applicable to that name and address. Recipients should
take care to report the number that identifies the recipient's name and address exactly as stated
in the proposal.
(b) The DUNS is a 9-digit number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services. If the
recipient does not have a DUNS number, the recipient should call Dun and Bradstreet directly
at 1-800-333-0505. A DUNS number will be provided immediately by telephone at no charge
to the recipient. The recipient should be prepared to provide the following information:
(1) Recipient's name.
(2) Recipient's address.
(3) Recipient's telephone number.
(4) Line of business.
(5) Chief executive officer/key manager.
(6) Date the organization was started.
(7) Number of people employed by the recipient.
(8) Company affiliation.
(c) Recipients located outside the United States may obtain the location and phone number of the
local Dun and Bradstreet Information Services office from the Internet Home Page at
http://www.dbisna.com/dbis/customer/custlist.htm. If an offeror is unable to locate a local
service center, it may send an e-mail to Dun and Bradstreet at [email protected].
The DUNS system is distinct from the Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) system.
DUNS: ________________________________________
4. Type of Organization
The recipient, by checking the applicable box, represents that -
(a) If the recipient is a U.S. entity, it operates as ☐ a corporation incorporated under the laws of
the State of, ☐ an individual, ☐ a partnership, ☐ a nongovernmental nonprofit organization,
☐ a state or loc al governmental organization, ☐ a private college or university, ☐ a public
college or university, ☐ an international organization, or ☐ a joint venture; or
(b) If the recipient is a non-U.S. entity, it operates as [ ] a corporation organized under the laws of
_____________________________ (country), ☐ an individual, ☐ a partnership, ☐ a
nongovernmental nonprofit organization, ☐ a nongovernmental educational institution, ☐ a
governmental organization, ☐ an international organization, or ☐ a joint venture.