SAMPLE RFA

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA)

Issuance Date: May /21/2017

Deadline for Question:May /31/2017

Closing Date: June/25/2017- 3PM Afghanistan Local Time

Subject:Request for Applications (RFA) Number RFA-RADP-E-17-004

RADP-E Access to Finance Borrower Guide

Reference:Issued Under Regional Agriculture Development Program-East

(RADP-E) USAID Contract No. AID-306-C-16-00011

The Regional Agricultural Development Program East (RADP-E) is a five year USAID-funded program to expand sustainable agriculture-led economic growth in the eight target provinces of Ghazni, Kapisa, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Parwan, Wardak, and Kabul. Program activities will support the apricot, tomato, poultry and dairy value chains through the provision of training, technical assistance, and small grants targeting small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agricultural producers, input suppliers and agro-processors. RADP-E will identify private sector actors on either end of the farmer in each value chainthe commercial vendors of the goods and services that farmers need to grow higher volumes of quality produce, and the processors and traders who purchase farmers harvests.

A major objective of the USAID-funded RADP-E program is to link businesses with financial institutions and allow agriculture businesses within the geographic areas of RADP-E to access affordable and reliable finance.

RADP-E is seeking a service provider with specific skills and knowledge in conducting market research, competition analysis in the banking and financial sectors. In addition, applicant will demonstrate production and publication skills in order to achieve the objectives of this RFA. The service provider will assist RADP-E in developing and presenting information about different financial institutions offering regarding agriculture finance in the eastern region of Afghanistan targeting agriculture businesses. The RADP-E Access to Finance Borrower Guide aims to educate Agribusinesses about agriculture finance, and provide them with information about available financing in RADP-E target value chains and provinces. RADP-E expects to make one Fixed Amount Award (FAA) grant to a qualified service provider for this activity. The service provider will be responsible for specific deliverables (milestones) as described in this Request for Applications. The activity is divided into three stages:

Phase I: Design, approve and print the first edition of the borrower guide.

Phase II: Update, approve and print the second edition of the borrower guide.

Phase III: Update, approve and print the third edition of the borrower guide

For the purposes of this program, this RFA is being issued and consists of this cover letter and the following:

Section A Grant Application Instructions

Section B Special Grant Requirements

Section C Selection Process

Section D Program Description

Annexes

Applications must be received at the RADP-E offices in Kabul indicated at the top of this cover letter at the place designated below for receipt of applications. Applications and modifications thereof shall be submitted in PDF, word or other electronic format to the RADP-E Grants Department at Grants_RADPE@dai.com or hard copy to the following address:

RADP-E Office, Darya Village Hotel and Business Park

Hawa Shinasee Road Khwaja Rawash

Kabul Afghanistan

Mob: 0789753227

Award will be made to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) offers the best value.

Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of DAI, nor does it commit DAI to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Further, DAI reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant. All preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's expense.

Any questions concerning this RFA should be submitted in writing not later than the date and time specified for questions submissions to RADP-E Grants office by email to Grants_RADPE@dai.com. Applicants should retain for their records one copy of all enclosures, which accompany their application.

Thank you for your interest in USAID RADP-E grant activities.

Sincerely,

Robert Jacobi

Chief of Party

USAID RADP-East

RADP-E Access to Finance Borrower Guide

Table of Contents

Section A Grant Application Instructions4

1. Application Procedure4

A. Completion and submission of applications4

B. Preparation Instructions Technical5

C. Preparation Instructions Financial and Administrative Documentation5

B. Special Grant Requirements6

C. Selection Process8

D. Program Description10

Annex 1: Mandatory Standard Provisions17

Annex 2: Budget18

Annex 3: CV Form and BioData Form19

Annex 4: Financial Capability Questionnaire20

Annex 5: Instructions for Obtaining a DUNS Number - DAIS Vendors, Subcontractors and Grantees28

Annex 6:Self-Certification for Exemption from DUNS Requirement38

Section A Grant Application Instructions

1. Application Procedure

A. Completion and submission of applications

Eligibility Requirements

Successful awardees/applicants would be an Afghan organization/service provider with specific skills and knowledge in Afghanistan Banking & Finance sector with proven track record in market research, publications and capacity building expertise. The applicant would be financial associations, financial training institutions, consulting firms, universities, market research firms with significant experience and knowledge about Afghanistans financial and banking sector. All prospective awardees must be legally established in Afghanistan, must be organizations with a reputation for integrity and the highest standard of conduct, and a proven track record in providing similar services outlined in this RFA. They should be able to provide evidence registration and experience working in Afghanistan, ability for a rapid start-up, and have proven ability to handle and account for US Government funds.

Application Submission Requirements

RADP-E review committee will be responsible for reviewing all applications submitted under this RFA and management of the award and monitoring process. Applicants are required to submit a proposal of no more than fifteen (15) pages as outlined below.

Executive summary that explains the eligibility and key summary of the applicants unique ability to fulfill this scope of work. (1 page)

Program Description that details how the applicant will meet the Program Objective and each of the Key Activities. This should include a narrative program description about the methodology and approach with clear performance milestones/deliverables at which progress can be evaluated at each phase during the period of implementation. (7 pages)

Management and Staffing Plan that details how the applicant proposes to organize and conduct the development, design of the guide and field activities. This will include a brief statement on the qualifications of key staff/researchers/ designers (CVs to be attached but not counted towards the page limit). (5 pages)

Work-plan/chart that shows the key activities and outputs occurring during each phase over the period of implementation. (2 pages)

Supporting documents can include key staff CVs, training curriculum samples, documentation of registration, and other pre-existing materials that will be used as a basis for the training work.

Deadlines

Applications must be received at USAID/RADP-E Office, as indicated in the cover letter. Applications and modifications thereof shall be submitted in word or pdf (preferred) at Grants_RADPE@dai.com and all submissions must be submitted in English and budgets must be in the local currency (Afghani). Please hand delivers your application to the following address:

RADP-E Office, Darya Village Hotel and Business Park

Hawa Shinasee Road Khwaja Rawash

Kabul Afghanistan

Mob: 0789753227

Late Applications

All applications received by the deadline will be reviewed for responsiveness and programmatic merit according to the specifications outlined in these guidelines and the application format. Section C addresses the evaluation procedures for the applications. Applications, which are submitted late or are incomplete, run the risk of not being considered in the review process.

B. Preparation Instructions Technical

See application submission requirements above.

C. Preparation Instructions Financial and Administrative Documentation

1. Completed Budget. A sample budget is attached (see Annex 2)

2. Completed Financial Capability Questionnaire, (Annex 4) which includes:

a. Audited Financial Reports: Copy of the applicants most recent financial report, which has been audited by a certified public accountant or other auditor satisfactory to DAI. If no recent audit, a Balance Sheet and Income Statement for the most current and previous fiscal year.

b. Incorporation Papers or Certificate of Registration and Statute

c. Organizational chart

3. Documentation that the applicant has the ability to comply with the award conditions, taking into account all existing and currently prospective commitments of the applicant. The applicant must demonstrate its ability to segregate funds obtained from the award of a capital grant from other activities of the organization. A separate bank account is required should a grant award be made. (Docu