Issuance Date: 3 February, 2015RFA Clarification Questions Due: 19 February, 2015; 1600 Closing Date and Time for Application Submission: 12 March, 2015; 1600 Addis Ababa Local Time Subject: Request for Applications (RFA) Number: USAID-Ethiopia- RFA-663-15-000006 RFA Title: Social and Behavior Change Communication for Health (SBCC- Health Project) EthiopiaLadies and Gentlemen: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for Assistance Agreements from all U.S. and non-U.S. qualified organizations (other than those from foreign policy restricted countries) for funding to support a program entitled Social and Behavior Change Communication for Health (SBCC- Health Project) Ethiopia. The overall goal of the program is to build the capacity of Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) with regards to SBCC interventions while also developing effective messages and coordinating SBCC messaging across stakeholders. The authority for the RFA is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and the Grants and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977. While for-profit firms may participate, pursuant to 22 CFR 226.81, it is USAID policy not to award profit under assistance instruments such as cooperative agreements. However, all reasonable, allocable, and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the grant program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (22 CFR 226, OMB Circular A-122 for non-profit organization, OMB Circular A-21 for universities, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31 for-profit organizations), may be paid under the Cooperative Agreement.USAID expects to award one Cooperative Agreement based on this RFA. Subject to the availability of funds, USAID intends to allocate approximately $22.2 million funding to be allocated over a Five (5) year period. USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.The Government of Ethiopia laws require prior registration for a foreign and local organization in order to implement programs or conduct any business in Ethiopia. Any apparently successful applicant must provide a copy of the certification of registration and license from the appropriate Ministry/Agency of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia prior to the start of implementation of the program. All local institutions or affiliates of international organizations must be registered as a legal entity in Ethiopia. Local registration is not a requirement at application time, but it is required prior to the implementation of the program.Applicants under consideration for an award that have never received funding from USAID will be subject to a pre-award audit to determine fiscal responsibility, adequacy of financial controls and established an indirect cost rate. Award will be made to the responsible applicant whose application offers the greatest value to the U.S. Government. Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. All guidance included in this RFA takes precedence over any reference documents referred to in the RFA. If there are problems in downloading the RFA from the Internet, please contact the Grants.gov help desk at 1.800.518.4726 or
[email protected] for technical assistance. Applications shall be submitted in electronic copy to
[email protected] with a copy to Tsegereda Gebremedhin at
[email protected] . Applications submitted in hard copy format are accepted if submission in electronic format is not practicable as described in Section IV. Applications must be received by the closing date and time indicated at the top of this cover letter. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered for award. To make sure that your application package is delivered to us, please ensure that your email attachments are not more than 2 MB in size. If they are more than 1 MB in size you may submit your technical/cost applications and any attachments in separate emails. Telegraphic or fax applications (entire proposal) are not authorized for this RFA and will not be accepted. Any questions concerning this RFA must be submitted in writing to
[email protected] , with a cc to Tsegereda Gebremedhin at
[email protected] not later than 1600, Local Time, Monday, February 17, 2015. Sincerely,Anthony E. AmersonDirectorOffice of Acquisition & Assistance