The United States Agency for International Development (hereinafter referred to as USAID or the Government is seeking applications for Cooperative Agreement (CA) to implement the Presidents Malaria Initiative (PMI) program component of the USAID/ Guinea Health Program. USAID is seeking applications in response to this RFA # 675-13-000001 for the PMI Program Component of the USAID/Guinea Health Program as described in Section C, Program Description, of this RFA. USAID anticipates awarding an approximately four-year performance-based Cooperative Agreement (i.e. will include performance targets and indicators). Total award funding will be up to US$ 18,428,129 million, subject to availability of funds, resulting from this RFA process, USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.USAID/Guinea is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. organizations and institutions, in the form of partnerships or teams (primes and subs) that include Guineans organizations and are interested in providing the services described in this solicitation. USAID does not want to see exclusive partnerships created with Guinean organizations. These organizations should be allowed to partner as they see best to maximize their opportunity to participate in this application process benefitting Guinea. This is a full and open competition, under which any type of organization, large or small commercial (for profit) firms, faith-based, and non-profit organizations from geographical code 935, are eligible to compete. In accordance with the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreement Act, USAID encourages competition in order to identify and fund the best possible applications to achieve program objectives. The authority for this RFA is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. The chosen recipient will be responsible for ensuring achievement of the program objectives. Please refer to the Program Description for the objectives and expected results. Pursuant to 22 CFR 226.81, 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 agreement 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 agreement.The preferred method of distribution of USAIDs RFAs is via Grants.gov, which provides a source for federal government-wide competitive grant opportunities. This RFA and any future amendments can be downloaded from that web site. The address is http://www.grants.gov. In order to use this method, an applicant must first register on-line with Grants.gov. If you have difficulty registering or accessing the RFA, please contact the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-472 or via email at
[email protected] for technical assistance. Applicants should retain for their records, one copy of all enclosures which accompany their application.For the purposes of this solicitation, this RFA is being issued and consists of this cover letter and the following:1. Section A Application and Submission Instructions; 2. Section B Selection Criteria;3. Section C Program Description;4. Section D Provisions, Certifications and Other Statements;5. Section E Annex- Reference DocumentsFor the purposes of this RFA, the term Grant is synonymous with Cooperative Agreement; Grantee is synonymous with Recipient; and Grant Officer is synonymous with Agreement Officer. If an organization decides to submit an application, both electronic and hard copies should be received by the closing date and time indicated at the top of this cover letter at the place designated below for receipt of applications. Applications received after the closing time may not be considered. The text of any application, less any essential annexes, cover pages, dividers, table of contents, executive summary, resumes and CVs, must not exceed 30 pages and the text on its own must be entirely responsive to all aspects of the RFA. Applications must remain valid for a minimum of 120 days.Applicants are requested to submit the technical and cost portions of their applications in separate volumes. An Award will be made to the responsible applicant whose application offers the greatest value to the U.S. Government based on this RFA. If you decide to submit an application, it should be received (a) electronically directly to USAID by email, to Salamata Ly at
[email protected], and Beatrice Conde at
[email protected] ; and (b) hard copies delivered to the following address (international courier or by hand):Office of Acquisition and AssistanceUSAID/GuineaPo Box 603, C/O American Embassy Centre Administratif de Koloma ConakryREPUBLIC OF GUINEAIssuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Further, the Government reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. In addition, final award of any resultant Cooperative Agreement cannot be made until funds have been fully appropriated, allocated and committed through internal USAID procedures. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for award.In the event of an inconsistency between the documents comprising this RFA, it shall be resolved by the following descending order of precedence:a) Section B Selection Criteriab) Section A Application and Submission Instructionsc) Section C Program Descriptiond) This cover letterAny questions concerning this RFA should be submitted in writing to: Salamata Ly at
[email protected] and Beatrice M. Conde at
[email protected]. Prospective applicants need to submit their questions or request for clarifications of any part of the RFA not later than the deadline specified on the first page of this letter, in order to be included in a USAID response in the form of an RFA amendment (listing all questions received and USAID answers). USAID/Guinea will not entertain any request for information after the date indicated above.Sincerely,Beatrice M. CondeRegional Agreement Officer