PSDAG
ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT (APS)
No. RTI-APS-18-01
ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT (APS)
No. RTI-APS-18-01
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To:
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Prospective
Applicants |
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Subject:
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Annual
Program Statement and Request for Applications |
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APS
Number: |
RTI-APS-18-01
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From:
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Private
Sector Driven Agricultural Growt |
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Issuance
Date: |
December
11,2017 |
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Closing
Date: |
September
30,2018 |
1.
Overview of Private Sector Driven Agricultural Growth Project
Overview of Private Sector Driven Agricultural Growth Project
The
Rwanda Private Sector Driven Agriculture Growth (PSDAG) project is a 5-Year
project funded by USAID Rwanda that started in August 2014. The project is
implemented by Research Triangle Institute (RTI). 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, and high-value
sector.” PSDAG has two main objectives: 1) Assist the GOR to Increase Private
Sector Investment; and 2) Facilitate Increased Private Sector Investment in
Upgrading Agricultural Value Chains. The project’s Private Sector Engagement
Strategy is based on a facilitative, market systems approach to inclusive agriculture
development that catalyzes investment in productivity-enhancing technologies,
builds the capacity of partners to grow their businesses and contributes to
improved livelihoods and economic opportunities for Rwanda’s farmers.
Rwanda Private Sector Driven Agriculture Growth (PSDAG) project is a 5-Year
project funded by USAID Rwanda that started in August 2014. The project is
implemented by Research Triangle Institute (RTI). 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, and high-value
sector.” PSDAG has two main objectives: 1) Assist the GOR to Increase Private
Sector Investment; and 2) Facilitate Increased Private Sector Investment in
Upgrading Agricultural Value Chains. The project’s Private Sector Engagement
Strategy is based on a facilitative, market systems approach to inclusive agriculture
development that catalyzes investment in productivity-enhancing technologies,
builds the capacity of partners to grow their businesses and contributes to
improved livelihoods and economic opportunities for Rwanda’s farmers.
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 has prioritized four core value chains: Irish
potatoes, beans, maize, and horticulture. PSDAG may support agribusiness in
other value chains with commercial potential, such as poultry, dairy,
aquaculture, soybean, and floriculture. PSDAG will consider the following
aspects when evaluating projects in new value chains(except for tea or coffee):
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 has prioritized four core value chains: Irish
potatoes, beans, maize, and horticulture. PSDAG may support agribusiness in
other value chains with commercial potential, such as poultry, dairy,
aquaculture, soybean, and floriculture. PSDAG will consider the following
aspects when evaluating projects in new value chains(except for tea or coffee):
- Support
development of Feed the Future and GoR priority value chains; - Utilize
or pilot innovative technologies and strong business models that can be
scaled to support smallholder incomes; - Focus
on strategies that integrate women, youth, and Persons with
Disabilities (PWD) at any stage of their development; and
PSDAG
will also work on cross-cutting components that have linkages with value chain
activities, such as Access to Finance, Communications, and Information
Communication Technology. Funding to support the 2018 APS falls under the PSDAG
Value Chain Competitiveness Fund (VCCF), a grant fund designed to leverage
private sector investment by reducing risk in investing in innovative or new
technologies or capacity building. Partners must demonstrate financial
commitment to the activities.
will also work on cross-cutting components that have linkages with value chain
activities, such as Access to Finance, Communications, and Information
Communication Technology. Funding to support the 2018 APS falls under the PSDAG
Value Chain Competitiveness Fund (VCCF), a grant fund designed to leverage
private sector investment by reducing risk in investing in innovative or new
technologies or capacity building. Partners must demonstrate financial
commitment to the activities.
2.
Purpose of Annual Program Statement
Purpose of Annual Program Statement
The
purpose of this Annual Program Statement (APS) is to set forth the objectives
for the PSDAG project for FY2018 (October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018) and to
solicit interest from eligible organizations, private sector value chain
actors, and cooperatives seeking to partner with PSDAG to provide innovative
solutions for upgrading the selected value chains.
purpose of this Annual Program Statement (APS) is to set forth the objectives
for the PSDAG project for FY2018 (October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018) and to
solicit interest from eligible organizations, private sector value chain
actors, and cooperatives seeking to partner with PSDAG to provide innovative
solutions for upgrading the selected value chains.
In
Year 4, PSDAG will scale its investment strategy by focusing on
locatingfinancial opportunities that are available for prioritized and
profitable agriculture investments and aligning technical assistance and other
activities to assist private partner’s capacity to attract and leverage these
financial opportunities.
Year 4, PSDAG will scale its investment strategy by focusing on
locatingfinancial opportunities that are available for prioritized and
profitable agriculture investments and aligning technical assistance and other
activities to assist private partner’s capacity to attract and leverage these
financial opportunities.
Table
1 Potential Areas of Technical Assistance
1 Potential Areas of Technical Assistance
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Technical
Assistance |
PSDAG
Collaboration |
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Access
to Finance |
Partners
will be supported to become investor-ready for either long-term debt or equity. This activity will both increase the private investment and volumes of loans.
Help
private investors identified through MINAGRI and RDB investment units to make strategic investments
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New
Market Identification |
PSDAG
will provide partners with information on new markets market opportunities
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Quality
Standards and Food Safety: |
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3.
Applications
Applications
To
receive a grant, applicants must respond to a Request for Application (RFA).
Grant funding is very limited and awards are anticipated to be small,
(<$25,000 USD) and awarded as in-kind services to successful applicants. In
FY2018, PSDAG will prioritizeapplications that support technical assistance aligned
with the areas identified in Table 1. Applications submitted that do not align
with the areas identified above or unsolicited applications may be considered
by RTI subject to available funding.
receive a grant, applicants must respond to a Request for Application (RFA).
Grant funding is very limited and awards are anticipated to be small,
(<$25,000 USD) and awarded as in-kind services to successful applicants. In
FY2018, PSDAG will prioritizeapplications that support technical assistance aligned
with the areas identified in Table 1. Applications submitted that do not align
with the areas identified above or unsolicited applications may be considered
by RTI subject to available funding.
Table
2 Partnership Mechanism and Timeframe
2 Partnership Mechanism and Timeframe
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Mechanism
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Timeframe
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In-Kind
Services Grant
PSDAG
will competitively award grants to successful applicants per the terms of the RFA. |
RTI-RFA-18-01
is included as Annex 1 to the APS and is immediately available for applications. See terms and instructions on applying as detailed in the RFA. Interested applicants can request the full RFA and application template by sending an email to: grants@psdag.org. Applications are generally reviewed on a monthly rolling basis and are subject to the availability of funds. PSDAG may choose to release additional RFAs at a later date.
Awards
are anticipated to be made in-kind to successful applicants, with PSDAG procuring services on behalf of partners. |
PSDAG
encourages business models that:
encourages business models that:
- Have
high private investment potential. - Have
clearly defined and quantified a verifiable market / buyer opportunity; - Improve
linkages between value chain stakeholders (agro-input suppliers,
producers, aggregators/traders, commercial buyers, and logistics/transport
companies); - Utilize
investment in technology to provide stakeholders improved access to goods
and services, improve quality of goods and services, and / or improve
productivity; - Provide
platforms of scale to reach large numbers of small holder farmers; - Improve
farm gate and agribusiness sales and income; - Increase
access to clean energy for agriculture; - Support
greater participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Examples
of goods and services that may be funded include but are not limited to: training activities;
technical assistance through expert consultancies;export facilitation;
association/cooperative development; international standard certifications;
product and model development for Financial Institutions; design and analysis
support for investment in sustainable ICT solutions (ex. management information
systems (MIS), work flow and communications platforms, mobile payment, etc.);
and educational outreach campaigns concerning agri-business. Please note that
PSDAG will procure the services, such as for business development services,
under separate Request for Proposals, which will be issued as needed.
of goods and services that may be funded include but are not limited to: training activities;
technical assistance through expert consultancies;export facilitation;
association/cooperative development; international standard certifications;
product and model development for Financial Institutions; design and analysis
support for investment in sustainable ICT solutions (ex. management information
systems (MIS), work flow and communications platforms, mobile payment, etc.);
and educational outreach campaigns concerning agri-business. Please note that
PSDAG will procure the services, such as for business development services,
under separate Request for Proposals, which will be issued as needed.
Examples
of goods and services that are NOT funded by the VCCF: 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 the VCCF: 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.
4.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To
be eligible and competitive, partners must meet the requirements outlined in
each individual RFA. In addition, partners must meet the following minimum
eligibility requirements:
be eligible and competitive, partners must meet the requirements outlined in
each individual RFA. In addition, partners must meet the following minimum
eligibility requirements:
- Submit
an application in response to a RFA with required documents according to
instructions contained in the RFA. - Be
a U.S. or Rwandan nongovernmental organization that is legally registered
and recognized under the relevant country laws. Types of entities are: - Private
enterprises or firms; - Agricultural
based associations and cooperatives; - NGOs
(non-profit); - Foundations,
research institutes and universities;and - Legally-organized
associations/syndications of the above organizations. - Demonstrate
that the proposed investments contribute to PSDAG’s Objective 1 or 2
results and the specific objectives of the RFA. - Demonstrate
ability to provide adequate cost-sharing of new project investment.
Ineligible
organizations and individuals include:
organizations and individuals include:
- Non-U.S.
international organizations; - Individuals
- Organizations
that are not legally registered under applicable regulations - Any
public international organization (PIO); - Government
entities and employees; - Political
parties, groupings, or institutions or their subsidiaries and affiliates;
and - Organizations
and individuals that advocate, espouse, or promote anti-democratic
policies or illegal activities.
5.
Number and Amount of Awards
Number and Amount of Awards
Subject
to the availability of funds, PSDAG intends to award grants to fund
eligible.Any awards resulting from this APS are expected to be in the range of
USD$3,000-$25,000. Awards for amounts greater than USD $25,000 and/or greater
than 1 year, will be considered on a case by case basis. The total value of
funds available is not expected to be more than $150,000 USD and may be subject
to changes in availability of funding.
to the availability of funds, PSDAG intends to award grants to fund
eligible.Any awards resulting from this APS are expected to be in the range of
USD$3,000-$25,000. Awards for amounts greater than USD $25,000 and/or greater
than 1 year, will be considered on a case by case basis. The total value of
funds available is not expected to be more than $150,000 USD and may be subject
to changes in availability of funding.
6.
Types of Awards
Types of Awards
The
type of award will be determined by PSDAG based on the nature of the activity,
the value of proposed activities, and the applicant’s administrative and financial
systems, and internal reporting requirements.
type of award will be determined by PSDAG based on the nature of the activity,
the value of proposed activities, and the applicant’s administrative and financial
systems, and internal reporting requirements.
A
Grant
refers a mechanism used to transfer funds (or other valuables) from USAID PSDAG
to a partner for the implementation of programs that contribute to PSDAG’s
goals and objectives. If a grant is awarded, PSDAG may consider one of four
different grant mechanisms: standard, simplified, fixed amount award, or
in-kind grants.It anticipated that Year 4 activities under the 2018 APS will be
funded under VCCF grants and mainly in-kind services grants, whereby PSDAG
procures the services on behalf of the partner.
Grant
refers a mechanism used to transfer funds (or other valuables) from USAID PSDAG
to a partner for the implementation of programs that contribute to PSDAG’s
goals and objectives. If a grant is awarded, PSDAG may consider one of four
different grant mechanisms: standard, simplified, fixed amount award, or
in-kind grants.It anticipated that Year 4 activities under the 2018 APS will be
funded under VCCF grants and mainly in-kind services grants, whereby PSDAG
procures the services on behalf of the partner.
A
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is an agreement between PSDAG and its
partner to each complete (and fund) specific activities that contribute to
PSDAG’s goals and objectives. Under MOUs, no funds (or other valuables) are
transferred from PSDAG to its partner. However, PSDAG may offer to provide
technical assistance under an MOU to help its partners achieve their goals. It
is not likely, but possible that PSDAG may choose an MOU instead of a grant
award to support its 2018 APS partnerships.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is an agreement between PSDAG and its
partner to each complete (and fund) specific activities that contribute to
PSDAG’s goals and objectives. Under MOUs, no funds (or other valuables) are
transferred from PSDAG to its partner. However, PSDAG may offer to provide
technical assistance under an MOU to help its partners achieve their goals. It
is not likely, but possible that PSDAG may choose an MOU instead of a grant
award to support its 2018 APS partnerships.
7.
Request for Application and Grant Award Process
Request for Application and Grant Award Process
The
PSDAG project team will receive and review GrantApplications submitted in
response to this APS and attached RFAson a rolling basis beginning with the
release until the closing date listed on each RFA. The process for
reviewing Grant Applications is as follows:
PSDAG project team will receive and review GrantApplications submitted in
response to this APS and attached RFAson a rolling basis beginning with the
release until the closing date listed on each RFA. The process for
reviewing Grant Applications is as follows:
- A
Grant Application that follows the requirements laid out in the RFA can be
submitted to the PSDAG office by the potential grantee for an initial
review of the minimum eligibility criteria noted in the RFA
(electronically or hard copy). - A
PSDAG Grant Evaluation Committee will review and evaluate applications. - PSDAG
staff may conduct site visits, interviews and evaluations to determine
further eligibility to receive a grant. Reviews include environmental
impact of the grant project and financial management capability of the
organization, among other criteria. - Once
all reviews are completed, PSDAG submits the proposed grant scope and
budget to USAID for final award determination. - Whether
approved or not approved, the applicant will receive written confirmation
of the result from the PSDAG Grants Evaluation Committee. - Approved
grantees will sign a Grant Agreement to receive the award. PSDAG staff will
then begin to work with the grantee to implement and monitor all
activities.
Please
refer to each specific RFA for Grant Application instructions.
refer to each specific RFA for Grant Application instructions.
Note,
an applicant may choose to not request grant funding but rather suggest an MOU.
The process and application for applying is the same but the partnership will
be formalized under an MOU, not a grant. Partners that are ineligible
organizations and individuals (see Section 4 Minimum Eligibility Requirements)
may be eligible for an MOU.
an applicant may choose to not request grant funding but rather suggest an MOU.
The process and application for applying is the same but the partnership will
be formalized under an MOU, not a grant. Partners that are ineligible
organizations and individuals (see Section 4 Minimum Eligibility Requirements)
may be eligible for an MOU.
8.
Project Performance Indicators
Project Performance Indicators
PSDAG
will track the following results indicators as headline measures ofits
performance. All partnerswill be expected to advance some or all of these
resultsindicators. In addition, all awards will be expected to actively monitor
and report on the results of indicators relevant to their project.
will track the following results indicators as headline measures ofits
performance. All partnerswill be expected to advance some or all of these
resultsindicators. In addition, all awards will be expected to actively monitor
and report on the results of indicators relevant to their project.
- Value
of gross farm incomes of assisted farmers; - Value
of new private sector capital investment in the agriculture sector or food
chain; - Value
of exports of targeted agricultural commodities; - Value
of domestic sales of value-added agricultural products; - Value
of incremental sales (collected at farm-level); - Number
of beneficiaries with new market linkages; - Number
of farmers, private enterprises, and others that applied improved
technologies or management practices; - Number
of hectares under improved technologies and management practices; - Number
of MSMEs, including farmers, receiving USG assistance to access loans; - Value
of Agricultural and Rural Loans’ - Number
of MSMEs receiving business development services. - Number
of full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs created with USG assistance - Number
of persons trained by PSDAG to promote investment in agriculture - Number
of institutions including public agencies and financial institutions
receiving PSDAG technical assistance to promote investment in agricultural
sector - Number
of persons trained with USG assistance to advance outcomes consistent with
gender equality or female empowerment through their roles in public or
private sector institutions or organizations
It
is to be emphasized that any activity that PSDAG will fund must have a
concrete, realistic expectation that it will create impact over time. For
example, if support for the expansion ofthe
productioncapacitiesofabusinessisproposed–for
examplebyprovidingagrantforadditionalequipment– the applicant for PSDAG funding
must clearly demonstrate that thecapacity
expansionrespondstoaclearunfilleddemandinthemarketforthecompany’sproducts.Or,ifan
applicant proposes to provide skills training to unemployed persons, it must be
clearlydemonstrated that market demand exists for these skills, so that upon
completion of training participants arehighly likely to be hired.
is to be emphasized that any activity that PSDAG will fund must have a
concrete, realistic expectation that it will create impact over time. For
example, if support for the expansion ofthe
productioncapacitiesofabusinessisproposed–for
examplebyprovidingagrantforadditionalequipment– the applicant for PSDAG funding
must clearly demonstrate that thecapacity
expansionrespondstoaclearunfilleddemandinthemarketforthecompany’sproducts.Or,ifan
applicant proposes to provide skills training to unemployed persons, it must be
clearlydemonstrated that market demand exists for these skills, so that upon
completion of training participants arehighly likely to be hired.
