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MSE Job Creation Initiative

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Issue Date: 6 March, 2017

Requests for Clarification Date: 6 April, 2017

Closing Date: 6 June, 2017 at 3:00pm Amman time

USAID Cooperative Agreement AID-278-LA-14-00001

CFDA No.: 98.001

Please read this document thoroughly

The USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project (LENS) is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by FHI 360.

A USAID-funded project implemented by FHI 360

Contents

I. BACKGROUND.................................................................................................................................3

1.1 Introduction to the USAID LENS Project..........................................................................................3

1.1.1 USAID LENS Objectives....................................................................................................................3

1.2 Overview of the Job Creation & MSE Capacity in Jordan.................................................................4

1.3 Anticipated Activities: Job Creation Support for MSEs....................................................................5

1.4 Anticipated Results..........................................................................................................................5

1.5 Geographic Scope............................................................................................................................6

1.6 Gender Equality and Inclusion.........................................................................................................6

1.7 Environmental Compliance..............................................................................................................6

1.8 Eligibility Criteria..............................................................................................................................7

1.9 Ineligible Activities, Goods and Services..........................................................................................7

1.10 Grant Parameters............................................................................................................................7

II. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION.............................................................................9

2.1 General Instructions........................................................................................................................9

2.2 Submission Instructions.................................................................................................................10

2.3 Technical Application Format........................................................................................................10

2.4 Cost Application Guidelines...........................................................................................................12

III. APPLICATION REVIEW AND EVALUATION CRITERIA......................................................................14

3.1 Preliminary Evaluation:..................................................................................................................14

3.2 Technical Application Evaluation Criteria......................................................................................14

3.3 Cost Application Evaluation Criteria..............................................................................................15

IV. SELECTION AND PRE-AWARD........................................................................................................16

4.1 Reservations..................................................................................................................................16

4.2 Monitoring & Evaluation................................................................................................................16

4.3 Audit Requirements.......................................................................................................................16

V. DISCLAIMERS.................................................................................................................................16

VI. LIST OF ANNEXES...........................................................................................................................17


The contents of this Request for Applications are the responsibility of FHI 360 and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) or the United

States Government


I. BACKGROUND

I.1 Introduction to the USAID LENS ProjectThe USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project (USAID LENS) is a five-year project to encourage the long-term economic growth and development potential of underserved Jordanian communities. The project will support the vitality and competitiveness of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) that are often at the heart of individual, family and community livelihood within vulnerable populations and will help empower local communities to design and implement collaborative local economic development (LED) initiatives.

I.1.1 USAID LENS ObjectivesIn its inter-related activities, the project will work with public and private sector partners at the municipal, governorate and national levels to develop local environments conducive to investment and MSE growth through the following core activities:

Promoting an enabling policy environment: USAID LENS will strengthen the overall policy environment by identifying and removing regulatory barriers to MSE growth and by ensuring that local officials have the mandate and administrative authority to carry out local economic development initiatives.

Building strategic local economic planning capacity: USAID LENS will work with local government officials to map the resources, assets and capabilities of municipalities and governorates. Assets mapping will be used to help local officials to pinpoint opportunities to plan and finance economic development in their communities, and guide the design and implementation of local economic development training within municipalities.

Building MSE capacity to enhance competitiveness and productivity: USAID LENS will work directly with MSEs in targeted sectors to identify market-based opportunities for growth and development. Analyzing value chains will help identify opportunities for entrepreneurs and firms to lower costs, grow their business and increase their use of information, services and technology. The project will work to build the capacity of business service providers, including associations and chambers, to help them provide better services and training to MSEs.

Fostering better access to finance: USAID LENS will encourage better MSE access to finance by working with developmental and micro-finance institutions to improve their service offerings to firms and individuals, as well as building the capacity of MSEs to borrow. The project will also help clarify the resources available to municipalities for local economic development and support their capacity to access available resources.

Building linkages: USAID LENS will work to create, strengthen and expand linkages among and between local institutions in the public and private sectors. Through this work, stakeholders will increase their ability to collaborate on prioritizing and planning for local economic development and investment implementation.

Additionally, the project will help connect firms with industry associations, chambers, and business service providers to help boost MSE competitiveness and access to new markets.


I.2 Overview of the Job Creation & MSE Capacity in Jordan

Job creation is one of the most pressing socio-economic issues facing Jordan today. The unemployment rate at the end of 2016 was nearly 16%, with higher rates among some populations and governorates. Women are particularly disadvantaged: approximately 25% of the female workforce is jobless compared to roughly 14% of males. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Jordanian businesses are microenterprises that employ fewer than 9 employees and do not earn sufficient revenue to hire. Only about 50% of MSEs hire any full-time employees at all and even those hiring numbers are limited.

The USAID LENS survey, and other research conducted by the program, identified the following as barriers that inhibit firm growth, and therefore job creation. Overcoming these barriers is paramount to enabling or encouraging firms to hire:

Informality - by becoming formal a micro enterprise creates formal employment for self and possibly others

Low levels of technology use (including in social media, book keeping, or financial planning) that could cut costs, improve efficiency or open new marketing or promotional avenues for firms

Low levels of cooperation across firms and corresponding challenges with costs to obtaining supplies or accessing transportation options

Low levels of owner market understanding, including of the relevance of standards and quality certifications for buyers that could otherwise buyers to buy more locally-produced products and services; as well as for the needs for different kinds of HR structures

A lack of access to new markets, or diversity in products, particularly among firms based outside of the Greater Amman Municipality

A lack of gender diversity within firms and sectors

Even where there may be growth, particularly within high growth sectors, other blockages in the labor market system inhibit hiring. These include:

Inability to compete on salaries with other major markets such as the Gulf, Europe and the USA, leading to “brain drain”.

Firms lack the HR structures and systems that encourage and enforce professional behavior on both the side of the worker and the employer.

Lack of linkages between the private sector and educational/training institutions in the education sectors, which lead to disconnections between skills of graduates and demands of employers, inability to get hired without access to ‘wasta’ or networks, and other issues. This is particularly limiting for the disadvantaged and underserved in more rural areas.

Significant gender gaps and discrimination in hiring, wages and promotions; unwelcoming working environments for women; the exclusion of women and youth from employment by inadequate services such as transport and day care.

Vision The purpose of this RFA is to help create more jobs in economic sectors that demonstrate sustainable growth and activity, and/or to place or pair potential workers with job opportunities. The outcome of this RFA will result in the placement or creation of a minimum of 1,500 jobs across the country.


Applicants should address how they would create at least 500 jobs through their proposed activities. USAID LENS will award up to the 3 grants through this mechanism.

I.3 Anticipated Activities: Job Creation Support for MSEs

Under this initiative, USAID LENS anticipates the development and implementation of activities that will drive and sustain job creation and placement. This may include, but is not limited to examples cited below:

Programs that create or encourage large-scale private and public sector procurement from MSEs that will generate new employment opportunities at the MSE level. Examples of this could include establishing public or private-sector initiatives that encourage large or medium-sized enterprises in Jordan procure goods and services from local MSEs.

Develop initiatives that support and promote locally-made goods, produce and services that will keep spending within the Jordanian economy, thus, generating more local jobs at the MSE level

Encouraging and leveraging investment opportunities that provide job creation opportunities across Jordan’s governorates and municipalities

Identifying high growth MSEs and their respective economic sectors that are looking to hire Jordanians but are unable to identify prospective employees.

Improving the efficiency and reliability of job placement

Enhancing gender awareness among MSEs and within their respective sectors to support business growth through gender equity and diversity within firms and across sectors

Identifying potential job candidates and assessing their skills based on the needs identified by MSEs and the Business Service Provider, or a local business association, chamber or community-based organization

Supporting or linking candidates to skills building/training activities (soft skills, life skills, and technical skills) as necessary, based on explicit and proven demand from MSEs.

Supporting in the placement and linking of MSEs with potential employees and drafting the necessary contracts, providing administrative support to social security processes, or other administrative technical arrangements that may be required by the MSEs.

Examining and promoting policy ideas that are feasible and scalable, that are geared towards either job creation, or by proposing recommendations relating to regulatory burdens that limit the capacity of MSEs to hire new people

I.4 Anticipated Results

The applicant(s) will be expected to demonstrate how their proposed approach will increase the number of jobs, local firm-level revenue, establish new intra-private or public-private partnerships , and offer new support services to MSEs.1 The anticipated overall results for this entire RFA will be creation of

1 In the context of support services, applicants are expected, indeed, encouraged, to propose creative solutions to hiring, job creation and work placement. However, broad examples of support services may include – but are not limited to - creating


1,500 full-time jobs created by MSEs2 and filled by new graduates or existing workforce, with 500 of those filled by women. USAID LENS will award up to 3 grants, meaning that each applicant should have a minimum of 500 new jobs created.

I.5 Geographic Scope

USAID LENS works in the governorates of Irbid, Zarqa, Amman, Tafilah, Karak, and Aqaba. For this RFA sub-award opportunity, USAID LENS is seeking applications for activities to primarily kick-start their efforts within the confines of these geographies, but is also open to nation-wide initiatives.

I.6 Gender Equality and Inclusion

Across all of its initiatives, USAID LENS is committed to reflecting the principles of the US Agency for International Development’s 2012 Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and to assisting the Government of Jordan to realize the goal, established in the government’s Vision 2025 economic plan, of increasing women’s economic participation as a key element of the country’s sustainable development and GDP growth. This activity in particular is designed to have a positive impact on generating women’s employment and business opportunities, which should be emphasized in the application. Among other evaluation criteria, all proposals will be evaluated and scored with respect to their impact on the following aspects of women’s inclusion, participation and empowerment:

1) The number of jobs created for women.

2) The extent to which activities related to this grant specifically facilitate women’s economic participation and empowerment

I.7 Environmental Compliance

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 requires that the impact of USAID-financed activities on the environment is considered. The regulation in 22 CFR 216 requires that the potential environmental impact of USAID-financed activities is identified and that appropriate environmental safeguards are adopted. USAID LENS will conduct an Environmental Review (ER) checklist to screen grant proposals to ensure the funded proposals will result in no adverse environmental impact, work with selected grantees to develop mitigation measures, as necessary, and to specify grantees’ environmental monitoring and reporting requirements. Use of the ER checklist is called for when the nature of the grant proposals to be funded is not well enough known to make an informed decision about their

online or offline platforms for job seekers or work placement initiatives, the establishment of a skills matching program or initiative that can support MSEs in identifying candidates with the correct skills profile.

2 A full-time equivalent job is typically defined as a 40-hour work week but the definition for part-time is less clear especially when involving family members. Both full-time and part-time jobs will be counted and we will seek to convert to full-time equivalents in order to be counted under this indicator. The full-time equivalent (FTE) unit will be used to measure jobs created in a way that makes them comparable although they may work a different number of hours per week. New jobs are defined as work, occupation or employment opportunity created and filled with employees as a result of MSEs growth or start-up businesses. New jobs will also include informal sector jobs moving to the formal sector.


potential environmental impacts, yet due to the type and extent of activities to be funded, any adverse impacts are expected to be easily mitigated. Implementation of grant activities cannot go forward until the ER checklist is completed and approved by USAID. USAID LENS is responsible for ensuring that grantees develop and implement appropriate mitigation measures, when called for by the ERF or ER checklist process. Further details about USAID’s environmental compliance can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/204.pdf

I.8 Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for a grant, the following apply:

Applicants must be a qualified Jordanian entity, such as private, non-profit organizations (or for-profit companies willing to forego profits), including private voluntary organizations, universities, research organizations, professional associations, and relevant special interest association.

Applicants must be established and operating, and must be officially registered with the appropriate Jordanian supervisory body or ministry with headquarters based in Jordan.

Applicants must have experience in managing or implementing similar activities.

I.9 Ineligible Activities, Goods and Services

The following types of activities and services are ineligible and cannot be funded through this grant opportunity:

Equity financing and loans Construction services that include the development of new land or requiring construction or

building operations Profit, fees, etc.

I.10 Grant ParametersI.10.1 Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Anticipated

Subject to funding availability, USAID LENS intends to provide approximately JOD 1,062,000 in total funding under this grant opportunity.

USAID LENS intends to award 1-3 grant(s) pursuant to this RFA, subject to funding availability.

The grant mechanism for this opportunity shall be a simplified cost reimbursable grant, standard cost reimbursable grant, or fixed amount award.

USAID LENS reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.

http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/204.pdf


I.10.2 Anticipated Start Date and Implementation Period The anticipated start date is as soon as the application is approved for awarding. The implementation period must not exceed 18 months.

I.10.3 LeverageUSAID LENS has established a required leverage of at least 15% for this award. Leverage is the amount of contribution from the grantee. Applicants may propose leverage in cash, in-kind, or a combination of both. Leverage contributions may include cash, existing or additional investments, and/or in-kind support such as donated skilled and unskilled labor, donated employee time, transportation, donated supplies or equipment, and donated rent or office space. The nature and value of the leverage contribution must be adequately described in the budget and budget narrative. The proposed leverage contribution will be incorporated as part of the award.

I.10.4 Multiple Applications Multiple applications are not permitted under this RFA. An applicant may submit applications to this opportunity as well as other USAID LENS available

opportunities.

I.10.5 Coalitions Applications may be submitted by coalitions; however, one of the partner applicants must act as

the lead and submit the application on behalf of the partners. If awarded a sub-award, the lead applicant will be required to sign the agreement and assume

overall responsibility for management and reporting requirements described in the agreement. Eligibility criteria apply to all coalition members.


II. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

II.1 General Instructions Applicants are expected to review, understand, and comply with all aspects of this RFA.

Failure to do so will be at the Applicant’s risk. Each Applicant shall furnish the information required by this RFA.

Any questions concerning this RFA, including application submission questions, should be submitted by email to [email protected] by the Clarifications Deadline indicated on the cover page of this RFA. USAID LENS will provide consolidated responses to the requests for clarification. These responses will be posted on the www.jordanlens.org website.

Unless otherwise notified by an amendment to the RFA, no questions will be accepted after this date and time. Applicants must not submit questions to any other USAID LENS staff.

If family, relatives, or relations of USAID LENS staff that relationship must be disclosed.

Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on part of USAID LENS, USAID or FHI 360, nor does it commit USAID LENS, USAID or FHI 360 to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation or submission of an application. All preparation and submission costs are at the Applicant’s expense. Additionally, no final award will be made until funds are appropriated by our donor, USAID. While it is anticipated these funds will be committed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for an award.

USAID LENS reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted in response to this RFA. In addition, there is neither a guarantee on the number of awards to be issued nor on the total amount to be obligated.

Applications must be directly responsive to the terms and conditions of this RFA. USAID LENS may determine an application to be unacceptable if the application does not comply with all of the terms and conditions of the RFA. If an Applicant does not follow the instructions set forth herein, the Applicant’s application may be eliminated from further consideration or the application may be down-graded and not receive full or partial credit under the applicable review criteria.

By signing the grant application form, the applicant verifies that he/she has reviewed the USAID LENS Grants Manual (Annex A), which is also available on the USAID LENS website (http://www.jordanlens.org), and that the applicant’s management has read and understood its contents.

A solicitation workshop will be held to review the requirements, indicator requirements, formatting, and to answer questions. Date and location of the workshop will be announced on the LENS website.


II.2 Submission Instructions II.2.1 Applicants shall submit the following:

1. Technical Application a. Signed Mandatory Certifications (Annex B)b. Certificate of Registration or Incorporation Papers (Arabic originals or scanned Arabic

photocopies and English translation)c. Technical Proposald. Past Performance (Annex C)

2. Cost Applicationa. Budget (Annex D)b. Budget Narrative (Annex E)c. Bio data form for key personnel (Annex F)

II.2.2 The overall application shall consist of two (2) physically separated parts: 1) Technical Application; and 2) Cost Application. Technical Application documents shall not make reference to cost data in order for the technical review to be made strictly on the basis of technical merit.

II.2.3 All information (including both the Technical and Cost Applications) shall be submitted in English.

II.2.4 Cost applications shall be presented in Jordan Dinar.

II.2.5 Email submissions must contain a PDF and MS Word copy of the Technical Application and an Excel file of the Cost Application. All Technical and Cost Application documents must be properly labeled. Cost Application budget spreadsheet must be submitted in Excel with unlocked cells with visible formulas.

II.2.6 Applications should be submitted by email to [email protected] by the Application submission deadline indicated on page 1 of this RFA. Applicants may send applications in two (2) emails: one containing the Technical Application and one containing the Cost Application.


II.2.7 If the Application is sent in multiple e-mails, the Applicant should indicate in the subject line of the email whether the email relates to the Technical or Cost Application, and the desired sequence of multiple emails (e.g., “Technical Application/E-mail, 1 of 3’’) and of attachments (e.g., “Cost-Application, Attachment, 1 of 4)

II.2.8 The application must be signed by the Applicant’s authorized representative who will serve as the primary point of contact with the authority to negotiate and commit the Applicant to all the provisions of the application and any possible award.

II.3 Technical Application FormatThe Technical Application shall be straightforward, complete and concise, and should demonstrate the Applicant’s capabilities and expertise with respect to achieving the goals and objectives of the project. Technical applications should take into account requirements of the program and evaluation criteria found in this RFA. No cost data should be referenced in the Technical Application.

The technical application will be the most important part of consideration in selection for award of the proposed activity. It shall demonstrate the Applicant’s capabilities and expertise with respect to achieving the goals of this program. The application shall take into account and be arranged in the order of the technical evaluation criteria found in Section III: Application Review and Evaluation Criteria. The Initial Technical Application must be numbered and not exceed 20 pages. Pages in excess of 20 pages will not be read or evaluated.

Detailed information should be presented only when required by specific RFA instructions. The Organizational Information, CVs of proposed personnel, bio-data sheets, and portfolio of prior work examples are not included in the page limitation. No material may be incorporated in the application by reference, attachment, appendix, etc. to circumvent the page limitation.

The Technical Application shall be formatted as follows:

a. Spacing: Singled-spaced;b. Font: Times New Roman, 12-point;c. Margins: One (1”) margins on all sides;d. Paper Size: A4; ande. Any graphs, charts, exhibits, tables, etc. contained in the body of the concept

paper application shall be numbered and included in the stated page limits (see below). Table font may be reduced to Times New Roman, 10-point.

The Technical Application shall be formatted using the following sections:

1. Organizational Information (not part of page limit):o Applicant’s legal nameo Authorized Representative’s contact name and position or titleo Applicant’s E-mail address, physical address and telephone number

2. Technical Approach The Applicant shall demonstrate its understanding, ability, overall approach and methodology to


achieve the expected results of the project described in Section II. It should include the Applicant’s analysis of the important challenges and priority needs, approaches for addressing these challenges and priority needs, and key activities. Gender inclusiveness is considered as part of the overall technical approach, which should embed a brief gender analysis and explanation of gender gaps and inequalities that exist in the proposed activity area, should specify the reason for the gaps and inequalities and should include a strategy to address these. Opportunities to promote or achieve fairness in economic opportunity for both men and women of different ages should be highlighted.

The Applicant shall provide evidence that job opportunities exist within Micro and Small Enterprises that they plan to work with, and the applicants should identify the firms and businesses that are willing to hire or take part in a dedicated platform or system proposed in the application. The applicant is expected to submit letters of intent or other forms of confirmation from a minimum of 50 firms willing to hire or take on new employees. Furthermore, the Applicant is expected to have already identified up to 100 job placement or creation opportunities, and should outline the details of these jobs. Proposed job creation opportunities can also be linked to investment opportunities by or with MSEs, but must be specified in the application to receive credit in the evaluation.

The Applicant shall clearly explain how it proposes to structure, design, manage and execute the project. The Applicant is expected to demonstrate, where relevant, direct investment and the resulting job opportunities. The Technical Approach must include a timeline or Gantt chart of project activities with sufficient detail that indicate progress towards the activities that need to be performed to achieve project objectives. A draft Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan shall be submitted with the application and shall include:

Specific, quantifiable performance indicators (outputs, outcomes, and impact) and targets for the overall objectives included in the original application and activities in annual work plans;

A description of monitoring systems to measure program progress against overall objectives; A plan for data collection and measurement of overall program outcomes and results, including

collection of baseline data, and for the use of data collected by the program to improve program planning and performance.

3. Key Personnel/Staffing PlanThe Applicant shall provide an overview of the proposed staffing plan and qualifications of proposed personnel. The Applicant shall include names, proposed role, relevant qualifications and summary of experience for each individual. At a minimum, the following position shall be considered key personnel:

1. Project Director

The Offeror must also include the CVs of key staff members involved in the Project. Each CV should not exceed two (2) pages. Note: CVs do not count towards the page limitation.

4. Organizational Capacity and Past Performance The Applicant shall provide information about the applicant organization and any proposed sub-partners, and the technical and/or managerial roles that each will implement. This section should provide evidence that the Applicant and any proposed sub-partners have the ability to successfully carry out a project comparable in scope and complexity to this RFA.

The Applicant shall submit, in the Annex, a list and brief description of up to five (5) completed or current project profiles where the Applicant has delivered or is delivering similar services. For any sub-partner that


will be responsible for over 20% of program implementation, a similar list shall be provided. This will not count against the page limitation. Please use the Past Performance Reference Form template in Annex C.

II.4 Cost Application GuidelinesUSAID LENS will evaluate the Cost Application separately for cost effectiveness and realism. While there is no page limit for this portion, Applicants are encouraged to be as concise as possible, but still provide the necessary details.

The Applicant shall propose costs it believes are realistic and reasonable for the work in accordance with the Applicant’s Technical Application. The Applicant shall provide a complete budget based on cost elements described below using Annex D - Budget Template.

Guidelines

1. Cost Application shall be presented in Jordan Dinar. 2. All costs must be budgeted as direct costs. Indirect costs will not be accepted.3. If the Applicant proposes a fringe benefit rate on salaries, it must be supported by an

established written policy. Please provide a detailed explanation in the budget narrative.4. For employee salaries – List employee name (when identified), functional position and duration

of assignment (in terms of person days), and daily rate. The daily rate is derived by dividing base annual salary exclusive of fringe benefits, incentives, bonuses, overtime, allowances and differentials by 260 days. Payroll records may be requested to support budgeted costs.

5. Applicant must include a completed and signed biodata form (Annex F) for any proposed staff named in the budget.

6. Travel and Transportation – Provide the number of trips, origin and destination of trips, estimated air fares, and other costs such as taxi fees.

7. Per Diem – Offerors shall budget per diem associated with travel and transportation with their established written policy that shall not exceed the U.S. Department of State Standardized Regulations for per diem, which may be accessed electronically at the following internet address: http://aoprals.state.gov/web920/per_diem.asp

8. Other Direct Costs. While indirect costs are not allowed, direct costs can be accepted if it can be converted to direct costs such as office rent, office supplies, etc. USAID LENS can support highly rated applicants in converting indirect costs to direct costs. For Other Direct Costs applicants must itemize and provide complete details of other direct costs, including unit prices that may be incurred.

9. Activity Costs – Itemize and provide complete details of activity costs and cost breakdowns. If a training is proposed, include costs for training venue, training materials, training facilitation, meals/refreshments, etc.

10. Amounts will be subject to revision based on evaluation of reasonableness and availability of funds.

11. Leverage - Applicants shall provide details on their investment to this activity, either through cash or in-kind contributions that leverage USAID LENS resources, including the donors, a narrative explanation of the contributions and other information allowing us to evaluate cost efficiency of the proposed contributions

The Applicant shall provide a Budget Narrative. The Budget Narrative shall include a concise description and justification for each line item cost. Be sure to include data and/or methodologies to support cost

http://aoprals.state.gov/web920/per_diem.asp


estimates and rationale used to determine fair and reasonable. The budget narrative shall be presented in such a way as to be easily referenced from the budget and should provide sufficient information so that FHI 360 may review the Cost Application for reasonableness.

All projected costs must be in accordance with the organization’s standard practices and policies.

Cost Applications including budget information determined to be unreasonable, incomplete, unnecessary for the completion of the proposed project or based on a methodology that is not adequately supported, may be deemed unacceptable.

III. APPLICATION REVIEW AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

III.1 Preliminary Evaluation: USAID LENS will first evaluate applications according to the following criteria:Administrative compliance – verification that the application is complete and that the application file includes all items required.

Eligibility – verification that the applicant and the proposed activities are eligible according to the eligibility criteria described in Section 1.8.

Applications that meet administrative compliance and eligibility criteria will then be eligible for Technical Application Evaluation.

Award(s) will be made to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) offer the greatest value, cost and other factors considered. Technical factors will be considered significantly more important than cost factors. The Technical and Cost Applications will be evaluated and scored in accordance with the Evaluation Criteria set forth below.

III.2 Technical Application Evaluation CriteriaThe Technical Application evaluation criteria are presented below in descending order of importance. The bullet statements listed under each technical criterion are illustrative, but not exhaustive, of the considerations that make up that criterion. These criteria serve to identify the significant matters that the Applicants should address in their applications and set standards against which all Applicants will be evaluated.

Criterion Maximum Points

1. Technical Understanding and Approacha) Overall approach (40)b) Gender Inclusiveness and Integration within the overall

approach (15)

55 points

2. Personnel/Staffing Plan 20 points

3. Organizational Capacity and Past Performance 25 points

TOTAL 100 points


1. Technical Understanding and Approach (55 points)Evaluation of the Technical Approach will be based on the following:

(a) Evidence of a clear understanding of the project context.(b) The quality and feasibility of the proposed strategy and methodology to achieve the desired

results.(c) Evidence/market information demonstrating the potential for job creation among Micro and

Small Enterprises.(d) Demonstrated linkages with other players in the market (demand-side), including but not

limited to formal agreements/MoUs with the private sector regarding Job opportunities.(e) Support for assumptions made in the proposal.(f) Integration of gender equality and inclusion into proposed activities.(g) Implementation plan and proposed timeline are realistic and include all proposed elements of

activity.(h) The quality and feasibility of the monitoring and evaluation plan.

2. Personnel/Staffing Plan (25 points)The Applicant's proposal shall be scored based on:

(a) The demonstrated quality of the proposed personnel, including key personnel.(b) The strength of the proposed staffing plan and qualifications of the team as a whole (including

any sub-Awardee personnel) to support the proposed technical approach.

3. Organizational Capacity and Past Performance (25 points)The Applicant's proposal shall be scored based on:

(a) Evidence that the Applicant has the organizational capacity and prior experience to successfully implement the proposed intervention. This includes past experience in local economic development initiatives and building linkages between graduates/unemployed and employees; and strengthening market linkages.

(b) As noted in the technical approach section, applicants are expected to provide a list of past projects or activities related to the work in the application.

(c) A clear and compelling justification for inclusion of proposed implementing partners, if any, and clear description of roles and responsibilities of each.

(d) The evidence of technical and managerial resources and expertise in program management and institutional experience in managing similar programs in the past.

III.3 Cost Application Evaluation CriteriaThe Cost Application will not be scored, rather it will be evaluated for general reasonableness, cost effectiveness. allow ability, and allocability. Cost effectiveness will also be determined by considering the number of jobs created for the overall budget, or a metric of the cost per job created.

The Applicant’s cost application will be evaluated to ensure it is a realistic financial expression of the proposed project and does not contain estimated costs which may be unreasonable or unallowable. To


the extent that they are necessary, negotiations will then be conducted with the apparently successful applicant(s) whose application, after discussion, presentation and negotiation, has a reasonable chance of being selected for award. Award(s) will be made to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) offer the greatest value, cost and other factors considered. Technical factors will be considered significantly more important than cost factors.

IV. SELECTION AND PRE-AWARD

IV.1 Reservations Based on the volume of applications submitted, USAID LENS will require time to process

applications and conduct an evaluation of all eligible and technically sound applications. USAID LENS does not commit to a deadline for review and response, but will inform all applicants of their status.

USAID LENS reserves the right to conduct an initial internal technical evaluation of applications, which may include a site visit, phone interview, or other information gathering actions.

If the technical review results in a finding of an eligible application, a Grants Evaluation Committee (GEC) will review a sub-set of the applications that best-meet USAID LENS technical focus.

Based on the technical recommendation, USAID LENS may contact the applicant to fulfill eligibility requirements and/or refine the proposed activities before the applications are shared with the GEC for approval.

All applications that are approved by the GEC must still undergo further due diligence assessments and be submitted to USAID for approval. This is a lengthy process and can require a significant investment of time from the applicant.

The successful applicant(s) will be subject to a pre-award assessment (PAT) of financial and organizational management capacity to determine whether or not it has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the program and comply with the terms and conditions of the award. USAID LENS will support organizations in understanding and meeting these requirements for highly rated applications.

IV.2 Monitoring & Evaluation Applicants will be required to report on specific indicators that align to USAID LENS objectives as this is an essential part of reporting that the grant achieved its stated objectives. USAID LENS will provide reporting templates and instructions, and the project will provide support to the grantee in completing these reports, including directly collecting the information from the grantee if needed.

IV.3 Audit RequirementsGrant recipients expending more than $750,000 (US NGOs) and $300,000 (non-US NGOs) of USAID funds during their fiscal year will be subject to an annual audit in accordance with ADS 591: Financial Audits of USAID Contractors, Recipients and Host Government Entities.


V. DISCLAIMERS

Applicants will NOT be reimbursed for the cost incurred in preparation and submission of an application. All preparation and submission costs are at the applicant’s expense.

Issuance of this grant opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of USAID LENS.

USAID LENS reserves the right to independently negotiate with any applicant, or to make an award without conducting discussions based solely on the written applications if it decides it is in its best interest to do so.

USAID LENS reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications received. USAID LENS reserves the right to check applicant’s donor references. USAID LENS may cancel solicitation and not award. USAID LENS may reject any or all responses received. USAID LENS reserves the right to disqualify any application based on applicant failure to follow

RFA instructions. USAID LENS may choose to award only part of the activities in the grant opportunity, or issue

multiple awards based on the grant opportunity activities. USAID LENS reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be corrected prior

to award determination to promote competition. These Instructions to applicants will not form part of the application or of the grant agreement.

They are intended solely to aid applicants in the preparation of their applications.

VI. LIST OF ANNEXES

Annex A: LENS Grants Manual

Annex B: Mandatory Certifications

Annex C: Past Performance Form

Annex D: Budget Template (Excel)

Annex E: Budget Narrative Template

Annex F: Biodata Form

[End of RFA]

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