PSDAG
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING FOR PRIVATE SECTOR ADVOCACY IN AGRICULTUREGRANTS
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING FOR PRIVATE SECTOR ADVOCACY IN AGRICULTUREGRANTS
TARGETEDREQUEST
FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)#IRG-RFA-17-03
FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)#IRG-RFA-17-03
USAID
Contract No AID-696-C-14-00002
Contract No AID-696-C-14-00002
Program
Description
Description
Rwanda
Private Sector Driven Agriculture Growth (PSDAG) is a 5-Year project funded by
USAID Rwanda that started in August, 2014. The project is implemented by
International Resources Group (IRG), a wholly owned subsi
Private Sector Driven Agriculture Growth (PSDAG) is a 5-Year project funded by
USAID Rwanda that started in August, 2014. The project is implemented by
International Resources Group (IRG), a wholly owned subsi
diary of Engility
Corporation. The goal of PSDAG is to increase smallholder farmers’ incomes by
promoting private sector investments that contribute to the Government of
Rwanda’s (GoR’s) Vision 2020 aim of “transforming agriculture into a
market-oriented, competitive, andHigh-value sector.”
The
PSDAG program is seeking to develop strategic partnerships with the private
sector to increase investment in agriculture and to expand economic
opportunities for smallholder farmers through more competitive value chain
market systems. PSDAG will strengthen the capacity of agribusinesses, farmers
and private sector associations to respond to market opportunities by
supporting increased adoption of technologies and management practices,
including ICT solutions, to upgrade productivity and strengthen relationships within
the market system.
PSDAG program is seeking to develop strategic partnerships with the private
sector to increase investment in agriculture and to expand economic
opportunities for smallholder farmers through more competitive value chain
market systems. PSDAG will strengthen the capacity of agribusinesses, farmers
and private sector associations to respond to market opportunities by
supporting increased adoption of technologies and management practices,
including ICT solutions, to upgrade productivity and strengthen relationships within
the market system.
The
PSDAG program is developing strategic partnerships with the private sector to
increase investment in agriculture.As detailed in its Annual Program
Statement (APS)No. IRG-APS-17-01, the PSDAG Value Chain Competitiveness
Fund (VCCF) is a grant fund designed to leverage private sector investment by
reducing risk in investing in innovative or new technologies or capacity
building. Under the APS and this RFA, PSDAG will build private sector capacity
to engage with government though strengthening the advocacy capacity of
associations representing private sector actors throughout the value chain.
PSDAG program is developing strategic partnerships with the private sector to
increase investment in agriculture.As detailed in its Annual Program
Statement (APS)No. IRG-APS-17-01, the PSDAG Value Chain Competitiveness
Fund (VCCF) is a grant fund designed to leverage private sector investment by
reducing risk in investing in innovative or new technologies or capacity
building. Under the APS and this RFA, PSDAG will build private sector capacity
to engage with government though strengthening the advocacy capacity of
associations representing private sector actors throughout the value chain.
Objective
of this RFA
of this RFA
PSDAG
seeks to improve the business enabling environment for prospective and current
private sector investors in agriculture, especially for local investorsaiming
to take advantage of local and/or regional market opportunities. To achieve
this, PSDAG will offer technical assistance and capacity building aimed at
strengthening the functional and operational efficiency of eligible
institutions and associationsto engage with government. PSDAG interventions
aimed at promoting the private sector will help ensure input of investors into
GoRpolicy efforts to increase investment. These activities will complement
efforts by the GoRandprivate sector institutions and associations, including
the Rwanda Chamber of Agriculture and Livestockof the Private Sector
Federation, related private sector agriculture-focused associations, and any
other private sector entity interested in fosteringeffective Public Private
Dialogue (PPD) and policy advocacy activities.
seeks to improve the business enabling environment for prospective and current
private sector investors in agriculture, especially for local investorsaiming
to take advantage of local and/or regional market opportunities. To achieve
this, PSDAG will offer technical assistance and capacity building aimed at
strengthening the functional and operational efficiency of eligible
institutions and associationsto engage with government. PSDAG interventions
aimed at promoting the private sector will help ensure input of investors into
GoRpolicy efforts to increase investment. These activities will complement
efforts by the GoRandprivate sector institutions and associations, including
the Rwanda Chamber of Agriculture and Livestockof the Private Sector
Federation, related private sector agriculture-focused associations, and any
other private sector entity interested in fosteringeffective Public Private
Dialogue (PPD) and policy advocacy activities.
The
expected outcomes from the partnerships formed as a result of this grant are
the following:
expected outcomes from the partnerships formed as a result of this grant are
the following:
- Support
 of existing public-private dialogue process and other similar existing
local
forums to bolster interactions between Rwanda private and public sectors;
forums to bolster interactions between Rwanda private and public sectors;
- The
 reform agenda for agriculture adequately reflects private sector concerns
 and Interests;
- Increased
 private sector contribution to business enabling environment policy
 making;
- Improved
 dispute resolution mechanisms; and
- Increased
 trust in business relationships (repeat customers, renewed contracts).
Illustrative
List of Activities to be Supported
List of Activities to be Supported
Under
this RFA, PSDAG may support between 4 to5private sector entities that are
interested in strengthening the capacity of their institutions. Number of
awards are limited by PSDAG funding availability. Activities may include, but
are not limited to the following:
this RFA, PSDAG may support between 4 to5private sector entities that are
interested in strengthening the capacity of their institutions. Number of
awards are limited by PSDAG funding availability. Activities may include, but
are not limited to the following:
- Improve
 capacity of institutions to build membership base and provide services in
 a sustainable manner;
- Improve
 outreach and policy monitoring capacity, including evidence-based policy
 analysis to support policy advocacy activities;
- Conduct
 public/private dialogue activities;
Type
of support PSDAG can provide through this grant are the following:
of support PSDAG can provide through this grant are the following:
- Technical
 assistance through local and international expertise;
- Capacity
 building and mentorship for institutional staff and members;
- Support
 for outreach programs to member base to support policy advocacy
 initiatives.
Examples
of goods and services that are NOT funded by this grant: ongoing operational
expenses such as salaries, rent, and utilities; seed, pesticides, fertilizer,
and other agricultural commodities; land purchase or land rehabilitation;
direct provision of inputs; direct provision of extension services;
construction or rehabilitation of roads; any form of construction of buildings;
procurement of vehicles, including motorcycles; provision of funds for
on-lending; individual scholarships; pharmaceuticals; alcohol or other luxury
goods; used goods of any type.
of goods and services that are NOT funded by this grant: ongoing operational
expenses such as salaries, rent, and utilities; seed, pesticides, fertilizer,
and other agricultural commodities; land purchase or land rehabilitation;
direct provision of inputs; direct provision of extension services;
construction or rehabilitation of roads; any form of construction of buildings;
procurement of vehicles, including motorcycles; provision of funds for
on-lending; individual scholarships; pharmaceuticals; alcohol or other luxury
goods; used goods of any type.
Private
Sector Leverage:
The applicant will be expected to contribute a minimum cost-share for the
proposed activity. Cost-share requirements will vary on a case by case basis,
but generally a minimum of 50% is expected. In certain cases, some goods and
services ineligible for direct funding under the VCCF could be considered as
part of the applicant’s cost share requirement. All projects related to the
cost-sharing grant must have quantifiable goals and results that can be
measured and reported.
Sector Leverage:
The applicant will be expected to contribute a minimum cost-share for the
proposed activity. Cost-share requirements will vary on a case by case basis,
but generally a minimum of 50% is expected. In certain cases, some goods and
services ineligible for direct funding under the VCCF could be considered as
part of the applicant’s cost share requirement. All projects related to the
cost-sharing grant must have quantifiable goals and results that can be
measured and reported.
Evaluation
Criteria
Criteria
Applicants
will be evaluated on:
will be evaluated on:
- How
 well the applicant defines the activities, how well the applicant presents
 the suitability of the activities to the purpose of this grant – i.e.
 strengthening their institution or association to provide sustainable
 services to their members and/or improving their ability to provide
 advocacy and public/private dialogue services to the private sector.
- How
 well the investment aligns with PSDAG objectives to increase private
 sector investment that is inclusive of smallholder farmers.
- To
 what extent the activities will be inclusive of women, youth and persons
 with disabilities.
- Value
 for money; the number of beneficiaries and other expected results (see
 Section 6) relative to the size of the grant request.
- The
 innovation of the activities to be financed.
- The
 extent to which the applicant is leveraging private sector financing or
 partnership for their contribution (higher applicant’s leverage
 contribution will receive higher scores).
Eligibility
Requirements
Requirements
- Submit
 a complete application with required documents per Section 8 and Section 9
 of the RFA;
- Must
 bea legally registered organization. Membership-based associations
 registered with thePrivate Sector Federation’s Rwanda Chamber of
 Agriculture and Livestockare preferred. Types of eligible entities are:
- Agricultural
 based associations;
- NGOs
 (non-profit);
- Foundations,
 research institutes and universities; and
- Legally-organized
 associations/syndications of the above organizations;
- Investment
 contributes to PSDAG objectives under this RFA as detailed in Section 2;
- Demonstrate
 willingness to contribute a minimum of 50% (in-kind or otherwise) toward
 the total cost of the proposed project activity.
Expected
Results and Indicators of Performance
Results and Indicators of Performance
Prospective
grantees are expected to track some of the following results as indication of
performance of grant activities. The nature and extent of the monitoring will
be: i) determined by the type of project/investment; and ii) negotiated prior
to approval and/or disbursement of grant but may include any or all of the
following:
grantees are expected to track some of the following results as indication of
performance of grant activities. The nature and extent of the monitoring will
be: i) determined by the type of project/investment; and ii) negotiated prior
to approval and/or disbursement of grant but may include any or all of the
following:
Direct
indicators of performance:
indicators of performance:
- Number
 of agricultural and nutritional enabling environment policies analyzed,
 consulted on, drafted or revised, approved, and implemented with USG
 assistance;
- Number
 of public entities assessed for capacity in executing their roles and
 responsibilities;
- Number
 of private and civil-sector stakeholders (organizations and individuals)
 responding to calls for input on relevant reforms;
- Percentage
 of stakeholders agreeing that consultative process was effective in
 soliciting their input (%);
- Number
 of beneficiaries with new market linkages as a result of USG assistance;
- Number
 of for-profit private enterprises, producers’ organizations, water users’
 associations, women’s groups, trade and business associations and
 community-based organizations (CBOs) that applied improved
 organization-level technologies or management practices with USG
 assistance
- Number
 of members of producer organizations and community based organizations
 with USG assistance;
- Number
 of for-profit private enterprises, producers’ organizations, water users’
 associations, women’s groups, trade and business associations, and
 community-based organizations (CBOs) receiving USG food security related
 organizational development assistance;
- Number
 of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including farmers,
 receiving agricultural related credit as a result of USG assistance;and
- Number
 of MSMEs receiving business development services from USG assisted
 sources.
Indirect
indicators of performance:
indicators of performance:
- Value
 of gross farm incomes of assisted farmers;
- Value
 of new private sector investment in the agriculture sector or food chain;
- Value
 of targeted agricultural commodities exported with USG assistance;
- Value
 of domestic sales;
- Value
 of incremental sales (collected at farm-level) attributed to FTF implementation;
- Number
 of hectares under improved technologies and management practices as a
 result of USG assistance; and
- Number
 of individual who have received USG supported short term agricultural
 sector productivity or food security training.
Applications
and Grant Award Process
and Grant Award Process
The
PSDAG project team will review applications submitted in response to this RFA
on a monthly rolling basis for 3 months, or until PSDAG allocated funding has
been fully obligated. The process for reviewing applications is as follows:
PSDAG project team will review applications submitted in response to this RFA
on a monthly rolling basis for 3 months, or until PSDAG allocated funding has
been fully obligated. The process for reviewing applications is as follows:
- Applications
 will be screened to determine if they meet the minimum eligibility
 requirements.
- Eligible
 applicationswill be reviewed by a Grants Evaluation Committee (GEC); it is
 anticipated that applications will be reviewed starting on the first of each
 month.
- Once
 all reviews are completed, the GEC will meet and select the most
 competitive applicants.
- Whether
 approved or not approved, the applicant will receive written confirmation
 of the result from PSDAG.
- PSDAG
 staff will complete due diligence and final budget negotiations, including
 site visits, interviews and evaluations to confirm eligibility and
 capacity of the applicant. This process will include environmental impact
 assessment of the project, financial viability and management capability
 of the organization, among other criteria.
- Approved
 grantees will sign a Grant Agreement. PSDAG staff will then begin to work
 with the grantee to implement and monitor all activities.
PSDAG
may offer its support in-kind or in Rwandan France (RFW), and the disbursement
may be staggered based on milestones reached and/or agreed upon financing
schedules.
may offer its support in-kind or in Rwandan France (RFW), and the disbursement
may be staggered based on milestones reached and/or agreed upon financing
schedules.
Request
for Application (RFA) Instructions
for Application (RFA) Instructions
Organizations
or associations which are interested by this specific grant opportunity and
meet the eligibility criteria are required to request full RFA documents(including
Grant application template and the Budget and payment schedule) and
application instructions by sending an email to: grants@psdag.org.
or associations which are interested by this specific grant opportunity and
meet the eligibility criteria are required to request full RFA documents(including
Grant application template and the Budget and payment schedule) and
application instructions by sending an email to: grants@psdag.org.
Applicants
will need to complete and submit: Grant Application Template, Budget and
Payment Schedule, and their registration documents.
will need to complete and submit: Grant Application Template, Budget and
Payment Schedule, and their registration documents.
Note
that PSDAG will not contribute to funding the acquisition of assets or services
already commissioned or ordered by the applicant when any payment has already
been made to the vendor or is scheduled to be made before the grant is approved.
that PSDAG will not contribute to funding the acquisition of assets or services
already commissioned or ordered by the applicant when any payment has already
been made to the vendor or is scheduled to be made before the grant is approved.
Submission
of Applications
of Applications
Applications
will be reviewed on a first-come rolling basis. Applications may be submitted
to PSDAG at any point up to the closing date of this solicitation. Completed
application forms should be submitted on or beforeJune 30, 2017 at 17:00
hours Rwanda local time. Applications should be submitted electronically
to: grants@psdag.org or delivered to the
PSDAG offices located at KG 684 St, No. 19, Kacyiru, Kigali.
will be reviewed on a first-come rolling basis. Applications may be submitted
to PSDAG at any point up to the closing date of this solicitation. Completed
application forms should be submitted on or beforeJune 30, 2017 at 17:00
hours Rwanda local time. Applications should be submitted electronically
to: grants@psdag.org or delivered to the
PSDAG offices located at KG 684 St, No. 19, Kacyiru, Kigali.
Applicants
who are selected will be notified and will be informed on next steps of
pre-award assessment.
who are selected will be notified and will be informed on next steps of
pre-award assessment.
Bidders’
Conferences
Conferences
The
project will hold two (2) pre-application question and answer conferences on Thursday,
April 27, 2017and the second one on Thursday, May 4, 2017at the
PSDAG training room located at the PSDAG offices inKacyiru, Kigali, at 11:00
am to 12:30 pm. This conference will allow interested applicants the chance
to ask questions about the RFA. Interested parties that would like to attend
this workshop must confirm their attendanceby sending the participant’s name
and the organization’s name to grants@psdag.org.
Maximum of 2 representatives may attend from each organization. When confirming
attendance, please indicate if the person has any special needs to access the
conference. No reimbursement for costs of attendance will be met. This event
will start promptly.
project will hold two (2) pre-application question and answer conferences on Thursday,
April 27, 2017and the second one on Thursday, May 4, 2017at the
PSDAG training room located at the PSDAG offices inKacyiru, Kigali, at 11:00
am to 12:30 pm. This conference will allow interested applicants the chance
to ask questions about the RFA. Interested parties that would like to attend
this workshop must confirm their attendanceby sending the participant’s name
and the organization’s name to grants@psdag.org.
Maximum of 2 representatives may attend from each organization. When confirming
attendance, please indicate if the person has any special needs to access the
conference. No reimbursement for costs of attendance will be met. This event
will start promptly.
 
			 
			