subject: notice of funding opportunity (nfo) number: sol ... · subject: notice of funding...

Subject: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) Number: SOL-613-17-000010 Title: Integrated Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Family Planning (MNCH/FP) Program NFO Issuance Date: September 01, 2017 Deadline for Questions/Clarifications: September 08, 2017 by 4:00 p.m. Harare Time Closing Date: October 06, 2017 by 4:00 p.m. Harare Time The United States Agency for International Development’s Mission in Zimbabwe (USAID/Zimbabwe) is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. organizations to implement the program in the attached Program Description. Eligibility for this award is not restricted (see Section C of this NFO for eligibility requirements). Subject to the availability of funds, an award will be made to that responsible applicant whose application best meets the objectives of this funding opportunity and the selection criteria contained herein. While USAID intends to award one incrementally funded 5-year cooperative agreement, not to exceed $25,000,000, it reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted. USAID further reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase application budgets in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds. Award will be subject to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements and substantial involvement by USAID. Final authority for assistance awards resides with the USAID/Zimbabwe Agreement Officer. For the purpose of this program, this NFO is being issued and consists of this cover letter and the following: A. Program Description B. Award Information C. Eligibility Information D. Application and Submission Information E. Application Review Information F. Award and Administration Information G. Agency Contacts H. Other Information Issuance of this NFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. In addition, final award cannot be made until the funds have been fully appropriated, allocated, and committed through internal USAID procedures. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, the potential applicant is hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for award. The Application is submitted at the risk of the applicant; should circumstances prevent the award of a cooperative agreement, all preparation and submission costs are at the applicant’s expense.

NFO No. SOL-613-17-000010 Integrated Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Family Planning (MNCH/FP) program

of 50

Please send any questions to the point(s) of contact identified in section D. The deadline for questions is shown above. Responses to questions received prior to the deadline will be furnished to all potential applicants through an amendment to this notice posted to www.grants.gov. Thank you for your interest in USAID programs. Sincerely, /s/ Leona Sasinkova Agreement Officer USAID/Zimbabwe


of 50

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................5

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION ........................................................................ 25 1. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated ......................................... 25 2. Start Date and Period of Performance for Federal Awards ...................................................... 25 3. Substantial Involvement ........................................................................................................ 25 4. Title to Property..................................................................................................................... 25 5. Authorized Geographic Code .................................................................................................. 25 6. Purpose of the Award ............................................................................................................ 25

SECTION C: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION .................................................................................. 27 1. Eligible Applicants .................................................................................................................. 27 3. Other Eligibility Requirements ................................................................................................ 27

SECTION D: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION ................................................. 28 1. Agency Points of Contact ........................................................................................................ 28 2. Content and Form of Application Submission .......................................................................... 28 3. Application Submission Procedures ........................................................................................ 29 4. Technical Application Format ................................................................................................. 30 5. Cost/Business Application Format .......................................................................................... 34 Branding and Marking Standards ................................................................................................... 36 6. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System for Award Management (SAM) ........................................................................................................................................... 36 7. Pre-award Certifications, Assurances and other Statements of the Recipient ........................... 37

SECTION E: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION ................................................................. 43 1. Review and Selection Process ................................................................................................. 43 2. Merit Review Criteria ............................................................................................................. 43

SECTION F: FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION ............................................ 45 1. Federal Award Notices ........................................................................................................... 45 2. Deviations............................................................................................................................. 45 3. Standard Provisions ............................................................................................................... 45 4. Reporting Requirements ........................................................................................................ 45 5. Program Income .................................................................................................................... 48

SECTION G: FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS ........................................................... 49

SECTION H: OTHER INFORMATION ........................................................................................ 50


of 50

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACCROYNMS USED IN THIS NFO ADS Automated Directives System ANC Antenatal Care AOR Agreement Officer's Representative BEmONC Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care BEO Bureau Environmental Officer CBD Community-Based Distributor CBO Community-Based Organization CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CEmONC Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care CHW Community Health Worker COP Chief of Party CSG Community Support Group CSO Civil Society Organization DPT Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus DPT3 Full course of three DPT vaccinations DREAMS Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe EA Environmental Assessment EMMP Environment Mitigation and Monitoring Plan ER Environmental Review ERF Environmental Review Form ETAT Emergency Triaging Assessment and Treatment of sick children FCG Family Care Group FP Family Planning GOZ Government of Zimbabwe HCC Health Center Committee HDF Health Development Fund HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HMIS Health Management Information System HRH Human Resources for Health HTF Health Transition Fund IEE Initial Environmental Examination IFPS Improving Family Planning Services IMCI Integrated Management of Childhood Illness IR Intermediate Result IUCD Intrauterine Contraceptive Device LAPM Long Acting Reversible and Permanent Methods M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MCHIP Maternal and Child Health Integrated Project mCPR Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate MDG Millennium Development Goal MEL Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan MMR Maternal Mortality Ratio MNCH/FP Maternal, Newborn and Child Health/Family Planning MOHCC Ministry of Health and Child Care MUAC Mid-upper arm circumference OC Oral contraceptive PHC Primary Health Care


of 50

PMD Provincial Medical Directorate PSZ Population Services Zimbabwe RBF Results Based Financing RFA Request for Applications RMNCH Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child Health RMNCH-A Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child and Adolescent Health TA Technical Assistance U5 under-five U5MR Under-five Mortality Rate UDACIZA Union for Development of the Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe US United States USAID United States Agency for International Development USG United States Government VHW Village Health Worker ZDHS Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey ZNFPC Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council

SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

INTEGRATED MNCH-FP ACTIVITY USAID/ZIMBABWE


of 50

1 INTRODUCTION

Under the 2016 – 2020 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), USAID/Zimbabwe anticipates awarding a five-year $25 million cooperative agreement to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) at the national level and in Manicaland province. This award will be made through a full and open competition, under which any type of organization is eligible to apply. Building on the achievements of current USAID-supported activities, the purpose of the activity is improved maternal, youth, and child health and survival in beneficiary communities and populations. This activity will improve the health of women, youth, and children in Manicaland by strengthening maternal, newborn, child health and family planning (integrated MNCH-FP) service delivery throughout the continuum of care, i.e., from the home, to the community, to the primary care facility, and to the tertiary referral hospital. Continuum of care refers to a concept involving a system that guides and tracks patients over time through a comprehensive array of health services spanning all levels and intensity of care. Integrated MNCH-FP service delivery refers to combining together MNCH and FP health services in order to expand access to care, increase efficiencies, and improve health outcomes. The activity will also increase access to a broader range of family planning methods through outreach services at the national level. This activity will contribute to the attainment of the Mission’s Development Objective (DO) 2: Increased number of Zimbabweans living longer and healthier lives. This activity will support the Intermediate Result (IR) 2.4: Improved maternal and child health status in targeted populations as outlined in the CDCS. The overall purpose of this activity is improved maternal, youth, and child health and survival in targeted communities and populations. This will be achieved through the following intermediate results:

1. Improved quality of MNCH-FP services 2. Increased use of MNCH-FP services and targeting hard to reach populations 3. Strengthened community systems and linkages to integrated MNCH-FP services. 4. Improved capacity for policy implementation

These intermediate results are expected to be achieved through close collaboration with Zimbabwe’s MOHCC and provincial and district health managers in Manicaland, as well as the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC). This activity will incorporate the guiding principles of the CDCS and strategies that seek to strengthen health systems, improve service delivery quality, transform gender relations, and reduce barriers to improved health and health-seeking behaviors. 2 BACKGROUND Zimbabwe is a land-locked country in Southern Africa with an area of approximately 390,757 square kilometers. It is bordered by Mozambique in the east and northeast, South Africa in the south, Botswana in the west, and Zambia in the north and northwest. The country is administratively divided into 10 provinces: two urban and eight rural which are, in turn, sub-divided into 63 districts. The two urban provinces are Bulawayo and Harare; the eight rural provinces are Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Masvingo, and Midlands. The 2012 census survey reported that the majority of the population (67 percent of 14 million people) resided in rural areas. Demographically, Zimbabwe has a young population with 62 percent below the age of 25 years. Although Zimbabwe’s modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) is one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa with 67 percent of currently married women reporting current use of a family planning method, and a 66 percent use of a modern method according to the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey


of 50

(ZDHS), underlying health systems challenges undermine further progress in ensuring voluntary, informed choice and access to a broad range of contraceptives by all who need family planning (FP) services.1 The majority of Zimbabweans (73 percent) access FP services through the public sector. The preferred family planning methods in Zimbabwe continue to be highly skewed towards short-term methods, in particular oral contraceptives (OCs) with 40.9 percent of women reporting use of this method, according to the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). Supply-side factors that contribute to the skewed method mix include inadequately equipped facilities and insufficiently skilled personnel to provide long acting methods. Other factors such as limited time for provider-client interactions, heavy workload, and provider biases also contribute to the skewed method mix. Many primary health care facilities lack providers with the skills to offer integrated FP services, especially in remote, underserved areas. Post-delivery and post-abortion FP are significant service delivery gaps. Meeting the unique needs of the approximately 42 percent of women of reproductive age (between 15-24 years) is of vital importance. The 2015 ZDHS reported that 22 percent of adolescent girls aged 15-19 years had begun childbearing. The adolescent age-specific fertility rate continues to be high at 100 per 1,000 women. Adolescents face many challenges including teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, sexually transmitted diseases including Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), unsafe abortions, child marriage, and lack of access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. For many young women aged 15–24 years, pregnancy is the entry point to sexual and reproductive health services. Although the national maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has declined by 32 percent from 960 per 100,000 live births in 2010 to 651 per 100,000 live births in 2015, it remains unacceptably high—well short of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target of 174 per 100,000 live births. The major direct causes of maternal deaths in the country as reported by the national Health Management Information System (HMIS) in 2016 were hemorrhage (34 percent), hypertensive disease of pregnancy (16 percent), and sepsis (14 percent). The indirect causes included HIV/AIDS-related conditions which accounted for 11 percent of maternal deaths and malaria at 12 percent of maternal deaths in 2016. While 93 percent of pregnant women seek antenatal care (ANC), only 76 percent of these women have at least four ANC visits. Seventy-seven percent of pregnant women deliver in facilities with skilled birth attendants.2 With the relatively high level of utilization of health facility services during pregnancy, the high maternal mortality ratio suggests that part of the problem is in the quality of care provided at the health facilities. In Zimbabwe, abortion is legally restricted and complications from unsafe abortions are a major public health concern. Provisions for life saving post abortion care—for women who experience incomplete spontaneous abortion as well as those who have unsafe abortions—at primary care facilities are often absent, and women are generally referred to district and provincial hospitals for life saving health care. There is a need to build the capacity of health workers to ensure that they are able to provide the full package of post-abortion care and refer women for other services when necessary. The under-five mortality ratio (U5MR) declined from 84 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 69 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015. The infant mortality ratio (IMR) declined from 57 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 50 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015. The neonatal mortality rate has declined slightly

1 ZIMSTAT and ICF International (2016) Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey 2015: Final Report. Rockville, Maryland, USA: ZIMSTAT and ICF International

2 ZIMSTAT and ICF International (2016) Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey 2015: Final Report. Rockville, Maryland, USA: ZIMSTAT and ICF International


of 50

from 31 to 29 per 1,000 live births between 2010 and 2015. Newborn deaths contribute up to 41 percent of under-five (U5) deaths. The three major causes of deaths among newborns in Zimbabwe are complications of prematurity, birth asphyxia, and sepsis. The major causes of post-neonatal mortality in children are pneumonia, HIV/AIDS-related complications, and diarrheal diseases, which may be associated with underlying malnutrition. Three percent of children under 5 years of age are wasted and 27 percent are stunted. While misinformation and misconceptions about health and FP are widespread in many communities, socio-cultural factors, primarily religious beliefs and practices, often shape people’s healthcare seeking behavior, particularly acceptance or rejection of modern healthcare services. Refusal of medical treatment and/or advice concerning MNCH services also contribute to maternal and child morbidity and mortality.3 Resistance to FP and formal MNCH services has direct, negative consequences on health outcomes. Religious teaching and church regulations of the Apostolic faith communities fundamentally shape healthcare seeking behavior and are known to have a negative impact on decisions to accept preventative health services, including formal health care for pregnant women, newborns, and sick children. There are differences in healthcare seeking behavior among Apostolic faith adherents that can be attributed to differences in religious teaching and church doctrine (regulations) as well as levels of adherence to these teachings and doctrines. The Apostolic community is not homogenous; the Apostolic religion comprises several sects, each with different interpretations of Apostolic teachings and practices. Many are polygamous and also practice child marriage.4 However, some programs and organizations—including Ensure (World Vision Zimbabwe), and OPHID Trust5 —have reported successes in reaching out to Apostolic communities with unbiased approaches that have engaged adherents around aspects of MNCH. Since 2000, the socio-economic situation in Zimbabwe has been characterized by recession and hyperinflation, which have had a negative impact on the delivery of social and health services. The 2010 National Health Accounts reported increased donor participation in health financing, though the sector remained relatively under-funded. The government budget per capita contribution to the health sector increased gradually between 2010 and 2013, but declined under the 2014 budget, from 9.9 percent in 2013 to 8.2 percent in 2014. This contributed to the significant fall in failing to meet the 15 percent target set by the 1989 Abuja Declaration. Actual disbursements fall far below the budgeted amounts, forcing most facilities to resort to user fees in order to keep their doors open. The employment costs (health staff salaries and allowances) represent more than two-thirds of the total budget allocated to the MOHCC. Despite this, the salaries and allowances paid by the Government are insufficient to ensure retention of qualified health cadres in their posts. The situation is compounded by lack of a well-established health insurance scheme to cover the poorest segment at community level or the informal sector. Consequently, a sustainable user-fee system for socially disadvantaged communities is a challenge. To improve equitable access and quality of health care, with an emphasis on women, newborns, children and adolescents, the Health Development Fund (HDF)—a multi-donor pooled fund for health in Zimbabwe 2016-2020—was established as a follow on from the Health Transition Fund (HTF). The World Bank also supports results-based financing (RBF) at primary care level as well as for some 3 UNICEF (2011) Apostolic Religion, Health and Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Services in Zimbabwe, Harare: Collaborating Center for Operational Research and Evaluation (CCORE) UNICEF, Harare: UNICEF Zimbabwe. Download from https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/ZIM_resources_apastolicreligion.pdf

4 UNICEF (2011) Apostolic Religion, Health and Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Services in Zimbabwe. Download from https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/ZIM_resources_apastolicreligion.pdf

5 OPHID (2014) Exploring the Forgotten Variable: Engaging, Listening and Learning from Apostolic Birth Attendants. OPHID Trust: Harare.

https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/ZIM_resources_apastolicreligion.pdf


of 50

maternity hospitals. Although there have been delays in HDF and related RBF disbursements, RBF has proven to be a strong motivation for health facility staff and has successfully engaged health center committees (HCCs) in determining priorities and decision making. There is emerging evidence6 that RBF is improving the quality of care in MNCH-FP with greater availability of commodities and consumables, and increased number of facilities providing long acting reversible FP methods. Although community involvement in health has been a pillar of primary health care since the Alma Ata Declaration in 1978 and the Bamako Initiative in 1987, community health structures and systems in Zimbabwe have been underdeveloped, and linkages between communities and health facilities are weak. A fragmented Village Health Worker (VHW) program and lack of community health orientation by service providers at the primary care facilities undermines the accessibility of MNCH-FP services to rural populations and the urban poor. Currently, every primary health care facility has at least two qualified nurses; 59 percent of administrative wards are serviced by an environmental health technician; and 60 percent of villages have access to a VHW. Coverage in new settlement areas is low and remains a critical gap, and health facility density overall is less than two primary health facilities per 10,000 population in all provinces, except Bulawayo. Most provinces have less than 10 health workers per 10,000 people and the majority of primary health care facilities are understaffed.7 Various cadres of volunteers at community level such as community health workers (CHWs) provide some linkages with the community, mainly in rural and peri-urban areas. The role of these volunteer CHWs is mainly prevention and health promotion. VHWs are supervised by staff at rural health facilities where they replenish their supplies and equipment. Many cadres of CHW exist that have received training and support from local CBOs and donor programs to address local priority health issues such as prevention of HIV/AIDS infection, nutrition and malaria. Overall the quality of care at all levels remains poor or suboptimal, there is a weak community health program resulting in missed opportunities, and lack of continuum of care along the lifecycle of individuals and across service delivery levels. There are barriers that impede access to services, including user fees, geography, and negative influence of religious and other socio-cultural barriers on care seeking. Insufficient number of skilled personnel trained to provide long-acting FP methods, inadequately equipped facilities and other factors such as limited time for provider-client interactions, heavy workload, and provider biases also contribute to the skewed method mix. It is important to broaden the available method mix. Modelling studies of the cost-benefit of family planning have shown that if investments are made to increase uptake of family planning, and in particular long-acting and permanent methods, the health system will save up to $1.85 for each dollar spent on family planning interventions.8

3. USAID INVESTMENT IN MNCH AND FP USAID Family Planning Activity Currently USAID/Zimbabwe is supporting a family planning service delivery activity with a goal to contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity through increased access to comprehensive, voluntary FP services to poor and underserved populations in Zimbabwe. This activity is providing a comprehensive range of high quality, affordable, client-centered FP services through two service delivery channels: 1) outreach model and 2) social franchising model. The outreach model provides clinical outreach family planning services through a network of mobile clinics across all

6 Assessment and redesign of RBF, HRH and PSM systems in Zimbabwe, report, December 2016

7 MOHCC (2015) Zimbabwe Services Availability and Readiness Survey.

8 www.wcgcares.org


of 50

provinces of the country. The social franchise model network strengthens FP service delivery in the private sector, supporting 50 social franchise partners in the southern region of the country. This new MNCH-FP integrated activity will build upon this FP private sector work, by expanding FP services to the public sector system. USAID Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Activity USAID/Zimbabwe is also supporting maternal and child health with a goal to increase access to high quality MNCH services and strengthen health services in Zimbabwe. This activity operates at the national level strengthening capacity of the MOHCC to formulate evidence-based national health policies, strategies, and programs to enhance scale-up of high impact MNCH interventions. In Manicaland, at the provincial and district level, the activity strengthens the capacity of the MOHCC to improve the quality of integrated MNCH services at health facilities (HFs) and in the community to support national level scale-up plans, as well as strengthens the capacity of CSOs to effectively implement MNCH activities and manage U.S. Government (USG) funding. USAID New Integrated MNCH-FP Activity For this new activity, USAID/Zimbabwe has decided to combine FP and MNCH services together in order to expand access to care, increase efficiencies, and improve health outcomes. Under the current FP activity, USAID/Zimbabwe is not offering support to strengthen the public sector system. With the new activity, USAID/Zimbabwe will be able to offer technical support within the public sector system for integrated MNCH-FP activities. There are many opportunities to integrate maternal, newborn and child health with family planning services, including antenatal care, birth and postpartum care, immunization, well baby and child health visits, and adolescent health. Integrating FP and MNCH activities is also in line with Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ) policy and is a best practice in the health sector. Alignment with Government of Zimbabwe strategies The GOZ has a number of relevant strategies, policies, and programs with which this activity is expected to align. Some of these policy documents are: National Health Strategy 2016-2020 – Equity and Quality of Health: Leaving No One Behind lays out the health agenda for five years from 2016 to 2020. The National Health strategy is structured around four priorities;

I. Communicable diseases II. Non-communicable diseases

III. Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCHA) IV. Public health surveillance and disaster preparedness and response.

The above structure is elaborated to include three main goals to: 1) strengthen priority health programs; 2) improve service delivery platforms or entities; 3) improve the enabling environment for service delivery.

The National Family Planning Strategy 2016-2020 guides the provision of quality integrated FP services within the framework of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights to Zimbabweans through creating an enabling environment, building linkages with other programs, expanding partnerships, and working with communities.

The National Child Survival Strategy 2016-2020. Child survival as an outcome, involves the interventions and activities of various stakeholders from different departments in the M0HCC, as well as the other government sectors at all levels, the implementing partners, donors and development partners. The Strategy takes into account the importance of coordination and collaboration linkages among the various stakeholders and programs.

Draft Community Systems Strengthening Strategic Framework - How to engage communities in the


of 50

Goal: Inclusive, accountable governance and a healthy, engaged citizenry drive social, political, and economic

development with equal opportunity for all

DO 1: Expanded inclusive and sustainable economic

opportunities DO 2: Increased number of

Zimbabweans live longer and healthier lives

DO 3: Improved

accountable, democratic governance that serves an

engaged citizenry

process of transforming the community-based health care approach in Zimbabwe. This includes engaging both formal and non-formal community structures, groups and individuals in assuming responsibilities for achieving the goals and objectives of health programs.

Zimbabwe Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health, and Nutrition Strategy (RMNCAH&N) 2017-2021. The RMNCAH&N Strategy puts together all prioritized initiatives to improve maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, including nutrition and HIV/AIDS related interventions. Initiatives to improve RMNCHA&N include promotion of primary health care, mitigation of challenges in human resources for health, and the creation of a favorable legal and policy environment.

National Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy (ASRH) II: 2016-2020. This Strategy provides multiple stakeholders with a guide to effectively respond to ASRH challenges. Empirical evidence also shows that the situation of young people requires significant innovations. The Strategy will implement such innovations ensuring effective engagement of adolescent and young people, challenging the status quo in policy alignment, addressing gender dynamics, , and taking into consideration the socio-cultural aspects of ASRH.

LINKAGES TO OTHER USAID PROGRAMING

USAID/ Zimbabwe’s programming is guided by the 2016-2021 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) whose goal and development objectives are listed below.

The full Results Framework for DO 2 follows:


of 50

DO 2

Increased number of Zimbabweans who live longer and healthier lives

IR 2.1

Accelerated HIV response for

epidemic control

Sub-IR 2.1.1

Increased quality and

use of prevention

Sub-IR 2.1.2

Increased quality and

use of testing services

Sub-IR 2.1.3

Increased quality and use

of treatment services

Sub-IR 2.1.4 Improved

quality and use of a range of supporting services for vulnerable populations

Sub-IR 2.1.5. Strengthened supply chain management

systems

IR 2.2 Enhanced coverage of

malaria control and elimination

measures

Sub-IR 2.2.1 Increased use of prevention

services

Sub-IR 2.2.2 Optimized case

management

Sub-IR 2.2.3 Enhanced

surveillance, monitoring,

and evaluation for data use and

decision

Sub-IR 2.2.4 Adapted strategies

appropriate to the

epidemiological context

IR 2.3

Increased coverage of quality services and

responsive systems for TB control

Sub-IR 2.3.1 Increased use of prevention

strategies focused on

more-at-risk populations

Sub-IR 2.3.2 Strengthened

case management

Sub-IR 2.3.3 Strengthened

TB operational and

management systems for

effective i d li


integration of TB and HIV

care and treatment


TB program management

and leadership

IR 2.4

Improved maternal and child health status in targeted

populations

Sub-IR 2.4.1

Improved quality of RMNCH

services

Sub-IR 2.4.2 Increased use of

RMNCH services and targeting of

hard-to-reach populations

Sub-IR 2.4.3 Strengthened community systems and linkages to integrated MNCH-FP

services

Sub-IR 2.4.4

Improved capacity for

policy implementation


of 50

Alignment with the Country Development Cooperation Strategy

This integrated MNCH-FP activity falls under DO2 and will play a key role in the achievement of the DO. It is designed to contribute to the attainment of Intermediate Result (IR) 2.4 Improved maternal and child health status in targeted populations. This activity will complement other USAID supported activities in HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. As the pattern of morbidity and mortality is complex and interrelated, the high burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria greatly impact MNCH. USAID/Zimbabwe HIV/AIDS programming (IR2.1), support for malaria control (IR2.2), and increased tuberculosis services (IR2.3) all benefit the health status of women and children in Zimbabwe. Manicaland Province includes five PEPFAR scale-up districts, including three Determined Resilient Empowered AIDS-Free Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) initiative districts. All seven Manicaland districts are at risk of malaria and are supported by the President’s Malaria Initiative. USAID supports a harmonized approach to health systems strengthening that cuts across the four IRs of DO2. This approach includes human resources for health, data use for decision-making, supply chain and logistics management, and implementation of policies and guidelines. Support to community health systems strengthening and strengthening the capacity for development of implementation policy and guidelines will also contribute to the Mission’s crosscutting themes of governance and engaging local leaders. Furthermore, the integrated MNCH-FP activity has linkages to USAID/Zimbabwe’s other DOs given the focus of maternal, newborn and child health and family planning interventions. Where opportunities emerge, the MNCH-FP portfolio must actively coordinate and collaborate with other USAID partners to address the issues faced by common beneficiaries. The integrated MNCH-FP is expected to coordinate as appropriate with activities under “Expanded inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities” (DO1) that have maternal and child health components by focusing on activities that encourage essential nutrition behaviors and practices, promoting exclusive breast feeding and hygienic food handling practices, providing micronutrient-enhanced supplementary food for pregnant and lactating women and young children, and building resilience. Good nutrition plays an essential role in reducing preventable maternal and child deaths. Nutrition interventions that target pregnant women and children, especially during the critical first 1,000 days period from pregnancy through a child's second birthday, can have significant positive effects on maternal and child mortality. The integrated MNCH-FP activity will also collaborate with “Improved accountable, democratic governance that serves an engaged citizenry” (DO3) in that it will work towards ensuring that HCC are functional for community engagement. HCCs are a governance structure that links the community and health facilities. The activity is expected to build relations and create dialogue with the community to address misinformation, attitudes, and practices harmful to health seeking behaviors. Moreover, the activity is expected to integrate the principles of participation, inclusion, transparency, and accountability (PITA). This activity will also expand community engagement to include youth and religious objector communities. 5. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Development Hypothesis If USAID/Zimbabwe strengthens community systems and linkages, improves quality of MNCH-FP services and reduces socio-cultural barriers to health seeking behaviors, then mothers, youth, and children


of 50

will live longer and healthier lives.

The purpose of the activity is improved maternal, youth, and child health and survival in beneficiary communities and populations. This purpose will be achieved by strengthening community systems and linkages; improving quality and youth friendliness of integrated MNCH-FP services throughout the continuum of care; and reducing socio-cultural barriers to improved health and health seeking behaviors.

Purpose and intermediate results

This activity will contribute to all the sub-intermediate results under IR 2.4 in USAID/Zimbabwe’s CDCS Results Framework:


of 50

Goal Improved maternal and child health status in targeted populations

Intermediate Result 1 Improved quality of MNCH-FP services

Intermediate Result 3 Strengthened community systems and linkages to integrated MNCH-FP services

Intermediate Result 2 Increased use of MNCH-FP services and targeting of hard-to-reach populations

Sub- IR 3.1 Improved functioning of Health Center Committees

Sub- IR 3.2 Strengthened household and individual links with integrated MNCH-FP services

Sub- IR 3.3 Strengthened VHW knowledge and skills to promote appropriate MNCH-FP health seeking behaviors

Sub- IR 1.1 Strengthened health worker knowledge, skills and attitudes to deliver high quality, integrated MNCH-FP services at facilities and outreach sites

Sub- IR 1.3 Increased # of facilities equipped to offer post-abortion (life-saving) care

Sub- IR 1.2 Increased # of primary health care facilities to meet standards of BEmONC services & referrals for CEmONC

Sub- IR 1.4 Increased access to a broader range of family planning methods through outreach services

Sub- IR 2.1 Reduced socio-cultural barriers to improved health and health seeking behaviors

Sub- IR 2.2 Improved community knowledge about danger signs in pregnancy delivery and newborns, and need to seek treatment

Sub- IR 2.3 Reduced misinformation, attitudes, and practices harmful to MNCH-FP

FP Only (Nationwide)

MNCH-FP Integrated

(Manicaland)

LEGEND

Intermediate Result 4 Improved capacity for policy implementation

Sub- IR 4.2 Improved national level health policies based on the activity’s lessons learned and best practices

Sub- IR 4.1 Increased capacity for policy implementation including advocacy to reduce other barriers to quality integrated MNCH- FP services by health providers


of 50

● Intermediate Result 1: Improved quality of MNCH-FP services

● Intermediate Result 2: Increased use of MNCH-FP services and targeting of hard to

reach populations

● Intermediate Result 3: Strengthened community systems and linkages to integrated

MNCH-FP services

● Intermediate Result 4: Improved capacity for policy implementation

The activity level intermediate results contribute directly to the IR 2.4 of DO2.

Intermediate Result (IR) 1

IR 1: Improved quality of MNCH-FP services. This IR is focused on improving the quality of integrated MNCH-FP youth-friendly services and will contribute to IR 2.4.1 and Sub IR 2.4.3 in the CDCS, which are focused on improving quality of MNCH service delivery. This activity is expected to support the Manicaland Provincial Medical Directorate (PMD) and district health managers in the province to build on the success of the current MNCH activity and scale up the recent gains in the quality of MNCH service delivery throughout the province. This activity will strengthen health worker knowledge, skills and attitudes to deliver high quality, high impact interventions including, but not limited to, Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC), Basic Emergency Obstetric and newborn Care (BEmONC), baby-friendly hospitals, kangaroo mother care for preterm and small newborns, post-abortion (life-saving) care, Emergency Triaging Assessment and Treatment of sick children (ETAT). The support to the MNCH platform will be further strengthened by 1) integrating technical assistance (TA) for FP; and 2) ensuring provision of the MOHCC’s package of youth-friendly services9, throughout the continuum from the individual in the community, to primary care, through referral to district hospitals and tertiary care at the provincial hospital. The World Health Organization describes adolescent friendly sexual reproductive health services as “services that should be ‘safe, effective and affordable; meet the individual needs of young people (adolescent males and females) who return when they need to and recommend these services to friends.”10 Furthermore, building on USAID’s existing family planning activity, family planning services are expected to be maintained nationwide to individuals in remote areas via outreach and mobile clinics, with a particular effort on youth. Family planning provisions are expected to increase the availability of long acting and permanent methods (LAPMs). Illustrative Activities under IR 1

• Train healthcare workers in interventions which include Basic emergency Management of Obstetric and Neonatal care, Comprehensive emergency Management of Obstetric and Neonatal care, emergency triage assessment and treatment (ETAT), post abortal care, and family planning service delivery

9 National Guidelines on Clinical Adolescent and Youth Friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Provision, 2016 Edition

10 WHO, 2002


of 50

• Provide LAPMs of family planning nationally • Train healthcare workers to provide MOHCC’s package of youth-friendly services

Intermediate Result (IR) 2 IR 2: Increased use of MNCH-FP services and targeting of hard to reach populations. This activity is expected to target populations that do not have easy access to reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services. People living in rural areas often have the most limited access to these services. In particular, the Apostolic and Church of Zion faiths are hard-to-reach populations, commonly associated with religious objections to preventative healthcare and western health services. The Recipient is expected to reach out to these groups, and the interventions they use should be incorporated into the work with HCCs and VHWs. The Recipient may use non-judgmental approaches and proven strategies for building relations with religious objector communities in Zimbabwe and for engaging in meaningful dialogue about provision of integrated MNCH-FP services acceptable to the communities. These strategies may include secondment of trained midwives to Apostolic birthing centers. To reduce delays in seeking health care for women experiencing danger signs in pregnancy and delivery, and for sick newborns and infants, the Recipient is expected to ensure that pregnant women and their families, community members, and community opinion leaders are informed and enabled to take timely and appropriate action when danger signs occur. Dialogue with the community may also address misinformation, attitudes, and practices harmful to integrated MNCH-FP health seeking behaviors. This IR will contribute to Sub IR 2.4.2 in the CDCS which is focused on targeting hard to reach populations. Hard-to- reach populations are difficult to reach with services, and this could be due to socio-cultural factors, lack of economic means, and social status within the community, or other reasons. Illustrative Activities under IR 2

• Build relations with religious objector communities • Facilitate dialogue with the community • Provide community appropriate information through dialogues/trainings on gender relations,

MNCH-FP best practices, etc. Intermediate Result (IR) 3 IR 3: Strengthened community systems and linkages to integrated MNCH-FP services. This IR will seek to strengthen the integration of a comprehensive package of integrated MNCH-FP services at the community and health facility level. This is expected to improve the linkages between the community and the health facilities thereby improving quality of service delivery. This IR will contribute to Sub IR 2.4.1, Sub IR 2.4.2 and Sub IR 2.4.3 in the CDCS. As Health Center Committees (HCCs) are key to ensuring community participation in primary health care and management and oversight of financial decision making, the Recipient is expected to work with CSOs to strengthen the capacity of HCCs to carry out their important role. Technical assistance to CSOs is expected to ensure better engagement of communities in improving their health and health care, by supporting strategies that 1) assist VHWs to establish community groups of volunteers who expand the reach of VHWs’ health promotion and integrated MNCH-FP service delivery activities to additional households; and 2) strengthen the representation and functioning of HCCs in Manicaland province. VHW are key volunteers in the community extending health promotion and some primary health care service delivery beyond the health center. This activity seeks to enhance VHW knowledge and skills to promote integrated MNCH-FP knowledge and appropriate health seeking behaviors by adults and youth, both male and female, and to build their capacity to form and facilitate sustainable community groups, that can endure without external support. The expected outcome is that members of these community groups will become opinion leaders and influencers among their peers, and will be able to promote health knowledge and healthy behaviors among their neighbors, thus extending the reach of primary health care to households throughout the community. The Recipient is expected to make particular effort to ensure that youth aged 15-24 years are represented on HCCs and are included as opinion leaders and influencers in their communities through youth-appropriate strategies. This activity will build on experience in Zimbabwe using community


of 50

structures to extend the reach of MNCH-FP knowledge and services throughout Manicaland province, including to religious objector communities and remote underserved communities.

Illustrative Activities under IR 3

• Provide technical assistance to CSOs to ensure better engagement of communities

• Train village health workers in health promotion and delivery of health services at community

level

• Assist VHWs to establish sustainable community groups

• Strengthen the representation and functioning of health center committees

Intermediate Result (IR) 4

IR 4: Improved capacity for policy implementation. Capacity for policy implementation to enhance integrated MNCH- FP services is a cross cutting outcome for all the IRs and all levels of implementation. Best practices in the health sector evolve over time as new evidence emerges. This affects policies, strategies and guidelines in delivering and implementing health activities at all levels in the continuum of care. Developing a policy, strategy or guideline is just the first step; for policies to contribute to the successful delivery of health services, they must be effectively implemented. Challenges to policy implementation can be rooted in a variety of causes, including opposition from key stakeholders, inadequate human or financial resources, lack of clarity on operational guidelines or roles and responsibilities for implementation, conflicts with other existing policies, lack of coordination and collaboration between parties responsible for implementation, or lack of motivation or political will. Capacity for policy implementation is important as it affects implementation of health programs at all levels. In the life of the activity, it is anticipated that more evidence will be generated from the activities at all levels (continuum of care) and used in policy dialogue at the national level. The activity is expected to generate evidence to influence MOHCC policy implementation nationwide, and support the MOHCC and Manicaland PMD to roll out successful strategies and approaches in the province. The Recipient is expected to be actively engaged in the community of health policy makers. Recipient participation at district, provincial and national level technical meetings and fora is therefore expected to enhance engagement and coordination with key stakeholders in MNCH-FP. This IR contributes to Sub IR 2.4.4 in the CDCS which focuses on improved policy implementation at the national level. Illustrative Activities under IR 4

• Influence policy decisions from lessons learned and best practices developed during the course of this activity

• Identify barriers to policy implementation, conduct policy studies, and hold discussions on policy implementation at health care facilities, district, provincial and headquarters level.

Illustrative Indicators

The following table outlines illustrative goal, outcome, and output indicators that should be reviewed during the development of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan for possible inclusion. These indicators are linked to USAID/Zimbabwe’s Performance Management Plan (PMP).


of 50

Goal Indicators

• Maternal mortality ratio • Infant mortality rate • Under five mortality rate • Modern contraceptive prevalence rate

Intermediate Result 1: Improved quality of MNCH-FP services

Illustrative Outcome Indicators

• Proportion of PHC facilities with the minimum required equipment and trained personnel to provide MNCH-FP services [HF assessment using a service readiness checklist]

• Proportion of maternal, perinatal, and child deaths occurring in the district that were reviewed in USG-supported districts

• Percent of pregnant women receiving at least four visits for pregnancy-related reasons • Proportion of PHC facilities consistently delivering MNCH-FP services that are youth friendly at

or above agreed minimum standards [Linked surveys] • Proportion of women transferred from PHC to a referral facility for complications of pregnancy

and delivery that had timely and appropriate referrals [Case Note Review] • Proportion of men and women who say they do not want more children who are using long acting

reversible or permanent contraceptive methods [Survey] • Proportion of PHC facilities consistently delivering MNCH/FP services at or above agreed

minimum standards [Linked surveys]

Illustrative Output Indicators

• Number of health workers trained in knowledge and skills to deliver high quality respectful MNCH/FP services [Activity reports]

• Number of cases of diarrhea treated in USG-supported programs • Number of institutional deliveries • Number of women giving birth who received uterotonics in the third stage of labor (or

immediately after birth) through USG-supported programs • Number of newborns not breathing at birth who were resuscitated in USG-supported programs • Percent of USG-supported facilities achieving 80% of clinical standards (using a standard list of

clinical standards) • Number of PHCs providing post abortion (lifesaving) care [Survey] • Number of PHCs providing youth-friendly services [Survey] • Couple Years protection in USG-supported programs

Intermediate Result 2: Increased use of MNCH-FP services and targeting of hard-to-reach populations Illustrative Outcome Indicators

• Number of infants who have died in the year prior to a survey in religious objector communities [survey]


of 50


• Number of persons from religious objector communities using MNCH/FP services in the community and at facilities by sex, age and type of services [Survey]

• Number of individuals (men, women and youth) empowered and informed for the transformation of gender relations [Survey]

• Proportion of individuals (female and males, adult and youth) reporting views that gender-based violence and/or forced sex are wrong [Survey]

• Proportion of men and women that can correctly identify 4 danger signs in pregnancy, delivery and post-delivery that require immediate transfer to a health facility [Survey]

• Proportion of infants born in the year preceding a survey who were exclusively breastfed from within an hour of birth during neonatal period [Survey]

Intermediate Result 3: Strengthened community systems and linkages to integrated MNCH-FP services Illustrative Outcome Indicators

• Proportion of (household heads, mothers, household members 15 years and above) that know their HCC representative [Survey]

• Proportion of community support groups (CSGs) providing timely reports to health facilities through their Village Health Worker [Monthly/Quarterly Service Reports]

• Number of female and male youth actively participating in community structures (HCCs, CSGs) [Survey]

• Number of individuals from communities without a health facility receiving MNCH-FP services through outreach [Outreach registers]

• Proportion of community members who reported to receive MNCH-FP services from community volunteers by age, by sex and by type of service [Survey]


• Number of Health Center Committees with balanced representation of the communities served [Survey]

• Number of Health facilities with funded transportation plans for obstetric emergencies [Survey] • Number of active community groups facilitated by Village Health Workers [monthly/quarterly

reports] • Number of active youth community groups [monthly/quarterly reports] • Number VHWs trained in the knowledge and skills to promote MNCH/FP health seeking

behaviors by adults and youth [activity reports; monthly/quarterly reports]

Intermediate Result 4: Improved capacity for policy implementation

Illustrative Outcome Indicators

• Number of guidelines for MNCH and FP/RH adopted at the national and local levels


• Number of fora, discussions, meetings held to discuss policy implementation at health care

facilities


of 50

6. ACTIVITY MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING

The applicant will submit a draft Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan with the application. This plan is expected to describe the M&E and learning approach for ensuring effective implementation and achievement of the required results. Learning will be used to make mid-course adjustments to the choice and implementation of interventions to ensure the intervention outputs achieve the desired outcomes. As a minimum, the draft MEL Plan will identify appropriate activity indicators for each level of the results framework; show data sources; and describe how performance monitoring data will be collected, collated and/or acquired to provide good tracking and regularly inform USAID/Zimbabwe and activity managers on activity performance. The draft plan will provide preliminary five-year performance indicator baselines and targets, which will be reviewed and possibly revised during work planning. The draft plan will propose indicators and targets for measuring quality improvement processes and outcomes, and gender specific indicators and targets. A section of the draft MEL Plan is expected to show how the applicant will implement USAID’s Collaborating, Learning and Adapting concept, including adapting programs and activities to emerging learning and the evolving context within Zimbabwe. This is an overarching approach across USAID/Zimbabwe’s Program Cycle activities, ranging from project design to implementation of activities. This approach supports the program in using the wide programmatic evidence base at its disposal in decision making, course-correcting activities and adaptive management, and ultimately improving the appropriateness and effectiveness of the program. Learning and adapting to the changing environment is particularly important in Zimbabwe because of the fluid social and economic context. Learning from diverse sources and employing adaptive management mechanisms increases the program’s ability to make use of opportunities and address challenges in a dynamic operating environment. CLA creates the conditions for fostering broader development success by:

• Collaborating: Facilitating collaboration internally and with external stakeholders to promote increasingly national-led socio-economic development; e.g., enhancing existing stakeholder engagement into learning platforms, substantially coordinating with other USG- or other complementary activities to ensure complementarity and reduce overlap, while also facilitating learning among activities (to reduce the collective cost while enhancing shared results faster); programs that are complementary to this activity; • Learning: Generating and feeding new learning, innovations, and performance information back into the program strategy to inform program management, design and implementation; and

• Adapting: Translating learning (from within the implementation experience or external sources) and considering changing conditions, along the lines of the risks, assumptions and game changers, into strategic and programmatic adjustments. (e.g. adjusting work plans to account for contextual shifts or tacit learning from a team’s experience, while clearly and explicitly capturing and sharing the rationale for adjustments along the way).

This could be achieved by enabling the MNCH-FP services in Manicaland to be a learning laboratory for knowledge sharing, through exchange visits and skills building practicums for key providers from the other provinces. Upon award, the USAID/Zimbabwe Agreements Officer Representative (AOR) and Health Office Strategic Information staff will provide guidance for finalizing the MEL Plan to ensure that the indicators are aligned with the Missions CDCS, its second development objective, Intermediate Result 2.4 and sub-IRs, and show a concrete plan to comply with the Mission’s reporting requirements. The successful


of 50

applicant will be expected to obtain AOR’s approval for the final MEL Plan within 90 days of award. The successful applicant shall develop a robust data collection system that includes adequate data quality controls and complies with all USAID/Zimbabwe data quality requirements, as outlined in ADS 201.3.5.8. Each indicator in the final MEL Plan will have a performance indicator reference sheet that provides detailed description of the indicator, the baseline, numerator and denominator where proportion/per cent measures are used and a data collection plan. The MEL Plan shall specify approximate dates for data collection, the method, type, and source of information to be collected, and shall report on these indicators in line with existing and future USG guidance. USAID/Zimbabwe plans to conduct evaluations of individual interventions/approaches and possibly of target populations or the implementation environment at different times and a comprehensive external evaluation of the activity during the fourth year of implementation. 7. IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH

a. Geographic Focus

This activity is expected to have a two pronged approach: 1. Manicaland province - Intensified implementation of integrated MNCH-FP activities. In

addition, this activity will support the MOHCC and Manicaland PMD to roll out successful strategies and approaches in the province.

2. National level - Nationwide FP service provision offering the full range of FP including LAPMs—through mobile clinics and outreach camps. In addition, this activity is expected to generate evidence to influence MOHCC policy implementation nationwide.

b. Coordination with Government Entities This activity is expected to work closely with the MOHCC, the Manicaland Provincial Medical Directorate and District health managers, to build capacity and enable government systems and processes for strengthening the quality of respectful, youth-friendly integrated MNCH-FP services. This activity will avoid creation of new implementation and reporting structures and instead work within the existing public sector health service, and with existing systems. The Recipient is expected to interact with government entities at all levels from health facility to national level through for example technical meetings and any opportunities which arise to enhance coordination.

In line with USAID Zimbabwe’s CDCS, this activity will address crosscutting themes of accountability and good governance, gender, and youth (sections c, d, and e): c. Local Capacity Development and Sustainability Community participation is crucial for primary health care, and is currently underdeveloped in Zimbabwe. This activity is expected to work with existing health sector structures and players in the community—HCCs and volunteers including VHWs—and strengthen their links with wider civil society. Local capacity may be developed by working with existing community based organizations, networks and groups to improve MNCH-FP knowledge and behaviors in the community, ensure timely referrals to facility services, and strengthen delivery of community integrated MNCH-FP information and services. Self-sustaining community groups facilitated by VHWs will extend the reach of MNCH-FP knowledge and services to more households and individuals in the community. To promote sustainability of community engagement in community health systems beyond the five-year activity, the community support groups may offer locally appropriate income generation activities for their members. The Recipient may identify and work with local CSOs/CBOs as well as identify local champions to effectively support community engagement in integrated MNCH-FP services and promotion of healthy MNCH-FP


of 50

behaviors. This activity is expected to work through sub-grants to the CSOs/CBOs that will provide and expand the community engagement including to youth and religious objector communities. The principles of participation, inclusion, transparency, and accountability (PITA) will be integrated throughout the activity. d. Gender

Gender refers to the social definition of what it means to be male or female; specifically the different roles, responsibilities, behavior, and attributes that a particular society considers appropriate for men and women11. Gender is an acquired identity, which is learned, changes over time, and varies widely within and across cultures.12 Gender norms and gender inequality can significantly influence health outcomes. Incorporating strategies to address gender equality and empower women and girls can lead to improved health and program outcomes, while failing to take gender equality factors into account such as women’s status in family and community and men and women’s roles in decision making can hinder successful scale-up of MNCH- FP interventions. Gender equality means equal opportunity for women and men of all ages to access and use resources and services within families, communities, and society, including deriving equal benefit from laws and policies and possessing equal decision-making power.13 Promoting gender equality, reducing gender-based violence, and advancing the status of women and girls is vital to achieving USAID’s development objectives. This activity is expected to mainstream and integrate gender into interventions and reporting and demonstrate compliance with USAID Policy outlined in ADS 205. This activity will adhere to the USAID Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy of March 2012.

e. Adolescents and Youth

USAID is committed to ensuring the integration of youth considerations into its activities. Adolescents and youth are key populations to be reached and engaged by this activity. This goes beyond implementing the MOHCC youth-friendly package and may include active and meaningful engagement of adolescents and youth in community structures and services. At inception of this agreement, this activity will develop a Youth Action Plan, reflective of USAID’s Youth in Development Policy to ensure appropriate strategies and approaches are used that meaningfully and promptly engage adolescents and youth in their primary health care and this activity. Systematic monitoring of gender and youth interventions, outputs and outcomes shall be an integral part of the MEL Plan. f. Sub-grants Working with local civil society organizations/community-based organizations is a key strategy to strengthening community systems and linkages to MNCH/FP services (Intermediate Result 1), and to reducing socio-cultural barriers to improved health and health seeking behaviors (Intermediate Result 3). The activity is expected to provide sub-grants to civil society organizations/community based organizations. The grants will be designed to contribute to achievement of key program results.

1) Construction activities are not allowed under sub-grants. The definition of construction is available here: http://inside.usaid.gov/ADS/300/303maw.pdf. 2) All sub-grants must be completed six months prior to the end of the project.

11 http://www.who.int/topics/gender

12 http://transition.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/wid/pubs/Gender_Terminology_2.pdf

13 WHO, 2008

http://inside.usaid.gov/ADS/300/303maw.pdf


of 50

h. Measures to Ensure Effective Results

Given the potential for misuse or abuse of funds, the Recipient will have a management system in place that is capable of achieving the below:

1) Sub-grants – As part of the overall management of any sub-grants, the Recipient will ensure applicants are thoroughly vetted in terms of technical, operational capacity and past performance. The Recipient will have adequate oversight to validate sub-grantees results and corresponding expenditures.

2) Personnel – All activity personnel, including consultants, must be appropriately vetted in terms of technical capacity, past performance, legal status (e.g., police check) and trained annually on ethical standards and reporting requirements.

Activity results – The Recipient will have a robust system in place for validation of results, activities and associated expenditures. The above actions will ensure that activity resources are used in the most effective manner to achieve desired

[END OF SECTION A]


of 50

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION 1. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated Subject to funding availability, USAID intends to provide $25,000,000 in total USAID funding over a 5-year period. The ceiling for this program is $25,000,000. Actual funding amounts are subject to availability of funds. USAID intends to award one Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this NFO.. USAID reserves the right to fund any one or none of the applications submitted. 2. Start Date and Period of Performance for Federal Awards The period of performance anticipated herein is five (5) years. The estimated start date will be upon the signature of the award, on or about December 1, 2017. 3. Substantial Involvement USAID plans to negotiate and award an assistance instrument known as a Cooperative Agreement with the successful applicant for this program. A Cooperative Agreement implies a level of “substantial involvement” by USAID, in accordance with ADS 303.3.11. This substantial involvement will be through the Agreement Officer, except to the extent that the Agreement Officer delegates authority to the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) in writing. The intended purpose of the substantial involvement during the award is to assist the recipient in achieving the supported objectives of the agreement. The anticipated substantial involvement elements for this award are listed below (this list does not include approvals required by Standard Mandatory Provisions for U.S. or Non-U.S. NGOs or other applicable law, regulation or provision):

a. Approval of implementation plans annually, including planned activities for the following year and any subsequent revisions of the implementation plan;

b. Approval of all sub awards and concurrence on the substantive provisions of sub-awards; c. Approval of key personnel; and d. Approval of the M&E Plan – the M&E Plan will be developed in consultation with

USAID/Zimbabwe. During the initial project planning period, the recipient shall work closely with USAID/Zimbabwe to ensure that the M&E plan clearly links the Recipient’s activity with the objectives and targeted outcomes of the Program Description

4. Title to Property Property title under the resultant agreement shall vest with the recipient in accordance with the requirements of 2 CFR 200 for U.S. Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) or the Standard Provision entitled “TITLE TO AND USE OF PROPERTY” for Non-U.S. NGOs. 5. Authorized Geographic Code The geographic code for this program is 937 for the procurement of goods and services. This code includes the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, but excludes any country that is a prohibited source. 6. Purpose of the Award The principal purpose of the relationship with the Recipient under the subject program is to transfer funds to accomplish a public purpose of support of the Integrated Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Family


of 50

Planning (MNCH/FP) Program, which is authorized by Federal statute. The successful Recipient will be responsible for ensuring the achievement of the program objectives and the efficient and effective administration of the award through the application of sound management practices. The Recipient will assume responsibility for administering Federal funds in a manner consistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The Recipient using its own unique combination of staff, facilities, and experience, has the primary responsibility for employing whatever form of sound organization and management techniques may be necessary in order to assure proper and efficient administration of the resulting award.

[END OF SECTION B]


of 50

SECTION C: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants There are no restrictions on eligibility for this solicitation. Qualified applicants may be any U.S. or non-U.S. organization, individual, non-profit, or for-profit entity. Faith-based and community organizations that fit the criteria above are also eligible to apply. In support of the Agency’s interest in fostering a larger assistance base and expanding the number and sustainability of development partners, USAID encourages applications from potential new partners. Applicants must have established financial management, monitoring and evaluation processes, internal control systems, and policies and procedures that comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations. The successful applicant(s) will be subject to a risk assessment by the Agreement Officer (AO). USAID welcomes applications from organizations which have not previously received financial assistance from USAID. When considering making an award to an organization with limited or no previous USAID experience, or for any other reason determined by the Agreement Office, USAID/Zimbabwe may conduct a pre-award survey to determine the organization’s capabilities to complete the proposed activities. For Non-U.S. Organizations, the Pre-award Survey Guidelines and Support is available in the following link: http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303sam.pdf. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is not required under the NFO, though it is encouraged. Contributions can either be in cash or in kind and can include contributions from the Applicant, local counterpart organizations, project clients, and other donor (but not other U.S. Government funding sources). Cost sharing contributions must be verifiable from the recipient’s records. For U.S. organizations cost share is subject to the requirements of 2 CFR 200.306 and for non-U.S. organizations it is subject to the Standard Provision “Cost Share.” Information regarding the proposed cost share, if any, should be included in the SF 424 (for U.S. organizations only) and the Budget as indicated on those documents. If Applicant decides to offer any cost sharing, Applicant’s cost sharing plan should be discussed in the Budget Notes to the extent necessary to demonstrate its feasibility, applicability to the activity and provide details on how the cost sharing monetary values were estimated. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements Applicants can only submit one (1) application. Applicants are directed to review the other requirements for applications specified herein, including, but not limited to, Sections D and E herein.

[END OF SECTION C]

http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303sam.pdf


of 50

SECTION D: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Agency Points of Contact

Leona Sasinkova Agreement Officer USAID/Zimbabwe No. 1 Pascoe Avenue Belgravia Harare. Email: [email protected] Theresa Peta Acquisition & Assistance Assistant USAID/ Zimbabwe No. 1 Pascoe Avenue Belgravia Harare Email: [email protected] Land Lines: 250992/3 ext. 287

Questions and Answers: All questions regarding this NFO should be submitted in writing to [email protected] with a copy to Theresa Peta at [email protected] no later than the date and time provided as the Deadline for Questions/Clarifications in the Cover Letter for this NFO, as may be amended, to provide sufficient time to address the questions and incorporate the questions and answers as an amendment to this solicitation. Any information given to a prospective Applicant concerning this NFO will be furnished promptly to all other prospective Applicants as an amendment to this NFO, if that information is necessary in submitting applications or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective Applicant. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission

To facilitate the competitive review of the applications, the applications must conform to the format and submission requirements prescribed below. Applications must be submitted electronically in two separate volumes ((1) technical and (2) cost applications). Emails may contain up to 10 attachments/annexes (5MB limit per email). Multiple emails may be sent to accommodate the application size and content, but each must contain very clear identification of the attachment and instructions for assembling the application. Email submissions must include the following in the subject line: Technical Application under SOL-613-17-0000010, submitted by: [Applicant name] Cost/Business Application under SOL-613-17-0000010, submitted by: [Applicant name] Applications must be submitted to the following email addresses: [email protected] with a copy to Theresa Peta at [email protected]. Applicants are expected to review, understand, and comply with all aspects of the NFO.

mailto:[email protected]







of 50

Preparation of Applications: Each Applicant shall furnish the information required by this NFO. Applications shall be submitted in two separate parts: (a) Technical Application, and (b) Cost/Business Application. The applicant shall sign the application and certifications and print or type its name on the Cover Page of the technical and cost applications. Any erasures or other changes to the application must be initiated by the person signing the application. Applications signed by an agent on behalf of the Applicant shall be accompanied by evidence of that agent’s authority, unless that evidence has been previously furnished to the issuing office. Documents must be in Microsoft Word and Excel format. Signature pages must be converted to Adobe PDF format. Do not send files in ZIP format. Applicants who include data that they do not want disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the U.S. Government except for evaluation purpose, will: Mark the title page with the following legend:

“This application includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed – in whole or in part – for any purpose other than to evaluate this application. If, however, a grant is awarded to this Applicant as a result of – or in connection with – the submission of this data, the U.S. Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting grant. This restriction does not limit the U.S. Government’s right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in sheets {insert sheet numbers}”

and Mark each sheet of data it wishes to restrict with the following legend:

“Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this application.”

Applicants should retain for their records one (1) copy of the application and all enclosures that accompany it. 3. Application Submission Procedures It is the Applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary documentation is complete and received on time. If you experience difficulty with submission please contact Theresa Peta at [email protected]. For an application sent by multiple emails, please 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 (if more than one is sent) and of attachments (e.g. "No. 1 of 4", etc.). For example, if your cost application is being sent in two emails, the first email should have a subject line which says: “[Applicant name], Cost Application, Part 1 of 2". Our preference is that the technical application and the cost application be submitted as single email attachments, e.g. that you consolidate the various parts of a technical application into a single document



of 50

before sending them. If this is not possible, please provide instructions on how to collate the attachments. USAID will not be responsible for errors in compiling electronic applications if no instructions are provided or are unclear. All applications received by the submission deadline will be reviewed for responsiveness to the NFO and the application format. No addition or modifications will be accepted after the submission date. After you have sent your applications electronically, immediately check your own email to confirm that the attachments you intended to send were indeed sent. If you discover an error in your transmission, please send the material again and note in the subject line of the email that it is a "corrected" submission. Do not send the same email more than once unless there has been a change, and if so, please note that it is a "corrected" email. 4. Technical Application Format The technical application will be the most important factor for consideration in selection for award of the proposed Cooperative Agreement. The technical application should be specific, complete and presented concisely. The application should demonstrate the Applicant's capabilities and expertise with respect to achieving the goals of this program. The application should take into account the requirements of the program and evaluation criteria found in this NFO. Technical applications must not exceed 25 single-spaced typed pages, utilizing Times New Roman 12pt font, single spaced, typed on standard 8½” x11” sized paper with one-inch margins (both right and left) and each page numbered consecutively. Annexes should be numbered (e.g. Annex 1) and can include the resumes of key personnel, and other supporting documents as specified below. Note: If the full application exceeds 25 pages (excluding annexes, the table of contents, and the cover page), USAID/Zimbabwe may decide to consider and review ONLY the first 25 pages when evaluating the Application. The Technical Approach must clearly address the factors outlined in the evaluation criteria found in Section E below. Unless otherwise specified, all application documents must be in English. Application Contents: The Technical Application, at a minimum, must contain the following all of which count towards the 25 page limit (unless specified otherwise):

i. Cover Page (not to exceed one page; not included in the 25 page limit) A single page with the project title and NFO number, and the name of the organization applying as the lead or primary applicant clearly identified. Any proposed sub-awardees will be listed separately. In addition, the Cover Page must provide a contact person for the prime applicant, including this individual’s name (both typed and his/her signature), title or position with the organization/institution, address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address. State whether the contact person is the person with authority to contract for the applicant, and if not, that person will also be listed with contact information. If applicable, the TIN and DUNS numbers of the applicant must also be listed on the cover page.

ii. Table of Contents (not to exceed one page; not included in the 25 page limit) Listing all parts of the technical application with page numbers and attachments.

iii. Acronym List (optional and not included in the 25-page limitation)


of 50

iv. Program Abstract/Executive Summary (maximum of 2 pages) Summarizes key elements of the applicant’s technical strategy, management approach, implementation plan, expected results and monitoring and evaluation plan. The Program Abstract/Executive Summary should provide no cost figures other than the total amount of USAID funds requested.

v. Technical Approach This section should address the following:

• Proposed technical strategy and approach fully addressing how the applicant will achieve the results outlined in the Program Description over the 5-year life of the activity.

• Comprehensive, yet concise summary of the proposed overall strategic and technical approach, showing an understanding of the development context in Zimbabwe.

vi. Management and Staffing

The MNCH/FP Program will require a full and dynamic staffing plan designed to implement the desired activities. USAID wishes to promote the use of local and regional expertise; thus, applicants are encouraged to include among staff qualified Zimbabweans and African professionals in their staffing plan. There are five key personnel positions envisioned under this project: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party or Program Manager, Financial Management and Operations Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor, and Technical Director. They are outlined below with illustrative roles and responsibilities that may be considered as a starting point. The Applicant must strive to keep the number of full-time expatriate staff to a minimum. Qualifications for the Chief of Party

The Chief of Party is a critical position and requires an exceptional individual who can provide expert overall leadership, management and vision to the integrated program. The Chief of Party will have overall responsibility for coordination of all project activities and staff. S/he will have primary responsibility of serving as the key liaison with USAID, the Government of Zimbabwe, implementing partners, and other stakeholders. S/he will have the leadership qualities, technical expertise and experience, management experience, interpersonal skills and relationships to fulfill the requirements of the program description. At a minimum, the COP must have the following qualifications:

• 7-10 years of demonstrated successful leadership in managing large, complex programs

within the private sector in a developing country context; • Previous experience as Chief of Party preferred • Demonstrated leadership in fostering successful partnership approaches and relationships

among a variety of varying organizations/institutions; • Master’s degree in public health or other relevant degree related to project’s outcomes;

Persons with a related degree must demonstrate practical experience in health or MNCH-FP related programming;

• Demonstrated experience in working with commercial and non-government organizations to yield results toward common goals;


of 50

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; and, • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with senior

level government officials, donors, private for profit and non-profit sectors.

Qualifications for the Deputy Chief of Party

The Deputy Chief of Party will be supervised by and will support the Chief of Party in managing the day-to-day work of the program and in supervising and supporting its team of technical and administrative staff. The Deputy Chief of Party shall have:

• At least 5 years demonstrated experience in working with commercial and non-government organizations to yield results toward common goals;

• Master’s degree in public administration or other relevant degree related to project’s outcomes; • Capacity to provide management oversight to the project; and • Ability to organize and work with teams to produce high quality project deliverables on time and

according to budget.

An understanding of how USAID country programs are organized, supported and managed in the MNCH-FP area is an added advantage.

Qualifications for the Financial Management and Operations Director The Financial Management and Operations Director will be responsible for the overall the accounting, finance and administration components of the program. S/he will ensure financial reporting is in accordance with USAID contractual requirements and will oversee program procurement activities. S/he will oversee the effective and appropriate use of financial resources of the project, and develop effective mechanisms to monitor the expenditures and liquidations of the project. The Financial Management and Operations Director shall have:

• At least 7 years of experience working as a finance and administration manager. • Familiarity with managing programs that are donor funded (especially with those that are USG

funded). • Extensive financial and administration experience working with non-governmental organizations. • A master’s degree or higher in accounting, finance, commerce or related field.

Familiarity with USAID financial and administration regulations, policies, and practices is an added advantage. Qualifications for the Technical Director The Technical Director will be responsible for management of the element related to maternal, newborn and child health and family planning issues of the project, staffing, work planning and reporting. The Technical Director shall have:


of 50

• A medical degree with additional post-graduation qualifications (e.g. post graduate degree in public health, obstetrics and gynecology or pediatrics) is strongly preferred.

• A minimum of 7 years progressively responsible, professional-level experience managing public health and health delivery with emphasis on RH/FP/MCH; clinical skills and experience is required. Experience working in Zimbabwe on health–related activities strongly desired.

• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the major issues affecting FP/RH/MCH in all geographical regions of Zimbabwe, with in-depth knowledge of the implementation of FP/RH/MCH programs in Zimbabwe.

• Demonstrated understanding of programs and organizational aspects of major international donors, organizations, foundations and private sector organizations that support Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Family planning.

Qualifications of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor will be responsible for designing and implementing systems to ensure appropriate tracking and assessment of all project activities. S/he will have primary responsibility of reporting on project outputs and outcomes and for ensuring quality of interventions. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor shall have:

• Experience in using research and monitoring information for decision making and program adaptations.

• At least 7 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of MNCH-FP or similar programs. • Demonstrated experience in developing and managing data collection systems. • Ability to develop and implement quality assurance systems. • Master’s degree or higher in monitoring and evaluation, public health, epidemiology,

statistics or related field. The personnel specified above are considered to be essential to the work performed under this cooperative agreement. Prior to replacing any of the specified individuals, the Recipient should immediately notify both the USAID/Zimbabwe Agreement Officer and AOR with reasonable advance notice and submit written justification (including proposed substitutions’ resume) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the activity. No replacement of key personnel will be made by the Recipient without the written consent of the Agreement Officer. The proposed distribution of functions across personnel should be supported with demonstrated capacity and experience. The Applicant should also strive to keep the number of full-time expatriate staff to a minimum. Proposed key personnel must have demonstrated relevant knowledge, experience and skills for their planned areas of responsibility. Note: USAID reserves the right to determine relevance of education and experience. Applicants should specify the qualifications and abilities of proposed key personnel relevant to successful implementation of the proposed technical approach. Resumes may not exceed three pages in length and should be in reverse chronological order starting with most recent experience. Each resume should be accompanied by a signed letter of commitment from each candidate indicating his/her: (a) availability to serve in the stated position; (b) intention to serve for a stated term of the service; and (c) agreement to the compensation levels which correspond to the levels set forth in the cost application. Three professional references (with name, email address and phone number), must also be included for each individual.


of 50

USAID reserves the right to consult additional references if necessary. The Applicant has the discretion to determine the proper number and mix of additional long-term personnel, short-term technical assistance, and other staffing arrangements to cost-effectively carry out the objectives of this activity. Three current and relevant professional references must be provided for all proposed key personnel and USAID/Zimbabwe reserve the right to contact additional references if necessary.

vii. Organizational Capacity Applicants must include a section on their current organizational knowledge, capability, experience and operational systems, ability to deliver the desired interventions, and sustainability strategy. 5. Cost/Business Application Format The Cost Application must be submitted separately from the Technical Application. While there is no page limit for the Cost Application, the applicant is encouraged to be as concise as possible while still providing the necessary details. Required Forms: The Applicant must sign and submit the cost application standard form number SF-424 and SF-424A. Standard Forms can be accessed electronically at www.grants.gov. Information about consortiums: If the Applicant has established a consortium or another legal relationship among its partners, the Cost/Business application must include a copy of the legal relationship between the parties. The agreement should include a full discussion of the relationship between the Applicant and Sub-Applicant(s) including identification of the Applicant with whom USAID will work with for purposes of Agreement administration, identity of the Applicant which will have accounting responsibility, how Agreement effort will be allocated and the express agreement of the principals thereto to be held jointly and severely liable for the acts or omissions of the other. Required budget spreadsheet and narrative: The Cost Application must include a budget and a detailed budget narrative. The applicant must provide an electronic copy of the budget (in Microsoft Excel), with calculations shown in the spreadsheet, and an electronic version of the budget narrative that discusses the costs for each budget line item (preferably in Microsoft Word). The budget must clearly demonstrate how funds will be used to support the activities proposed in the applicant’s technical application. The budget must display unit costs and costs by year (for the entire 5-year period), and must include sub-cost applications for each component. The budget narrative must explain all costs and the basis of those costs contained in the budget, including reference to sources used to substantiate the cost estimate (e.g. organization's policy, payroll document, and vendor quotes, etc). Suggested budget line items include but are not limited to the following:

1. Salaries - Please provide a separate line item for each proposed individual and identify each by name, title and the level of effort and salary rate. Also include position descriptions for all employees and consultants whose compensation will be charged as a direct cost to the agreement.

2. Fringe Benefits – Please provide a breakdown of proposed fringe benefits. This breakdown must include the rate at which the benefit is charged and the base against which it is applied. The narrative must include a detailed breakdown comprised of all items of fringe benefits (e.g., unemployment insurance, workers compensation, health and life insurance, retirement, etc.) and


of 50

the costs of each, expressed in dollars and as a percentage of salaries. 3. Travel and Transportation – This includes all travel, lodging and per diem needed to implement

the project. The application should indicate the number of trips, domestic and international, and the estimated costs, and specify the origin and destination.

4. Equipment and Supplies – This includes all equipment and supplies needed to implement the project. The application must include the total number of units and unit cost for each item.

5. Implementation Costs – This includes costs associated with implementing activities under the project (workshops, development of information materials, etc.).

6. Monitoring and Evaluation – This includes costs associated with monitoring the project implementation and assessing its performance against the desired results, including site visits, data collection, and external evaluations.

7. Training Costs - If there are any training costs to be charged to this agreement, they must be clearly identified.

8. Other Direct Costs - This includes communications, report preparation costs, passport and visa fees, medical exams and inoculations, insurance (other than insurance included in fringe benefits), office rent, branding/marking supplies, etc. The narrative should provide a breakdown and support for all costs.

9. Indirect Costs (if applicable) – See 2 CFR 200.414(f) for more information on charging indirect costs, how to calculate modified total direct costs (MTDC), and the factors affecting allowability of costs. See below for more information on indirect cost rates.

10. Subawards (if applicable) – A detailed breakdown of all costs for each partner organization (subaward) must be included.

Indirect Cost Rates: If the applicant has established a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) with the U.S. Government, it must be included with the application. Applicants without a NICRA must submit one of the following:

• Reviewed Financial Statements Report: a report issued by a Certified Public Account (CPA) documenting the review of the financial statements was performed in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services; that management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework and for designing, implementing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation. The account must also state the he or she is not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial statements; or

• Audited Financial Statements Report: An auditor issues a report documenting the audit was conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), the financial statements are the responsibility of management, provides an opinion that the financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the company and the results of operations are in conformity with the applicable financial reporting framework (or issues a qualified opinion if the financial statements are not in conformity with the applicable financial reporting framework.

Evidence of Responsibility: Applicants should submit information that the Agreement Officer can use to determine the Applicant:

a. Has adequate financial resources or the ability to obtain such resources as require during the performance of the award;

b. Has the ability to comply with the award conditions, taking into account all existing and currently prospective commitments of the Applicant;

c. Has a satisfactory record of performance. Past relevant unsatisfactory performance is ordinarily sufficient to justify a finding of non-responsibility, unless there is clear evidence of


of 50

subsequent satisfactory performance; d. Has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics; and e. Is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive a Cooperative Agreement under applicable laws

and regulations. Upon consideration of award or during the negotiations leading to an award, Applicants may be required to submit additional documentation deemed necessary for the Agreement Officer to make an affirmative determination of responsibility. Branding and Marking Standards There are no alternate branding and marking standards for this award. If selected for award Branding Strategy and Marking Plan will be requested from the apparently successful applicant so it can be incorporated in the agreement. Past Performance Information

Past performance is defined as relevant information regarding the applicants’ performance under a previous award. Applicants shall provide detailed past performance information for up to five most relevant current or previous awards performed within the last three years that are similar in size, scope, and objectives to what is described in the Program Description. For each of these, Applicants must submit the following information: • Agreement, Grant, contract, order or other identifying information • Agency or entity providing the funding • Description of the program or scope of work • Primary location(s) of program or work • Period of performance • Skills/expertise required • Dollar value • Type of agreement, contract, order or grant, e.g. fixed-price or cost reimbursement • Contact information for two persons, including name, job title, phone numbers and email address Past performance information must be submitted for all proposed subrecipients. Each Applicant should submit no more than 5 relevant and recent (within the last three years) past performance information data sheets for the entire prime/subrecipient team. Relevant experience is defined as experience in one or more of the following technical areas:

• Family Planning and • MNCH

The combined experience of the prime and subrecipient will be counted as relevant. Relevant past performance of the prime recipient and any subrecipients will be taken into consideration. Cost Sharing or Matching: The applicant will not be responsible for cost share under this award. If the applicant wishes to propose cost share, it must be clearly detailed in the budget and budget notes. For more information about cost share and resource leveraging under USAID agreements, see ADS 303.3.10. 6. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System for Award Management (SAM)


of 50

All applicants (unless the applicant is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c) or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) are required to:

1. Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; 2. Provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and 3. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it

has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

USAID may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time USAID is ready to make an award, USAID may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. You must also register with SAM. SAM is the primary registrant database for the U.S. Federal Government. SAM collects, validates, stores and disseminates data about the federal government's trading partners in support of the contract award, grants and the electronic payment processes. Additional information is available at https://fedgov.dnb.com and www.sam.gov. 7. Pre-award Certifications, Assurances and other Statements of the Recipient In addition to the certifications that are included in the SF-424, applicants must provide the following certifications, assurances and other statements. Complete copies of these Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements are in ADS 303.3.8 found at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303mav.pdf.

1. Assurance of Compliance with Laws and Regulations Governing Nondiscrimination in Federally

Assisted Programs (This assurance applies to Non-U.S. organizations, if any part of the program will be undertaken in the U.S.);

2. Certification Regarding Lobbying (22 CFR 227); 3. Prohibition on Assistance to Drug Traffickers for Covered Countries and Individuals (ADS 206,

Prohibition of Assistance to Drug Traffickers); 4. Certification Regarding Terrorist Financing (Implementing Executive Order 13224); 5. Certification Regarding Trafficking in Persons (Implementing Title XVII of the National Defense

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, required prior to award); 6. Certification of Recipient; 7. Key Individual Certification Narcotics Offenses and Drug Trafficking, (ADS 206.3.10) when

applicable; 8. Participant Certification Narcotics Offenses and Drug Trafficking (ADS 206.3.10) when

applicable; 9. Representation by Organization Regarding a Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Criminal

Conviction; and 10. Other Statements of Recipients.

7. Funding Restrictions USAID policy is not to award profit under assistance instruments. However, all reasonable, allocable and

https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/

https://fedgov.dnb.com/

http://www.sam.gov/


of 50

allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the agreement program and are in accordance with applicable cost principle under 2 CFR 200 Subpart E. of the Uniform Administrative Requirements may be paid under the anticipated award. 8. Solicitation Provisions 1. Branding Strategy – Assistance (June 2012) a. Applicants recommended for an assistance award must submit and negotiate a "Branding Strategy," describing how the program, project, or activity is named and positioned, and how it is promoted and communicated to beneficiaries and host country citizens. b. The request for a Branding Strategy, by the Agreement Officer from the applicant, confers no rights to the applicant and constitutes no USAID commitment to an award. c. Failure to submit and negotiate a Branding Strategy within the time frame specified by the Agreement Officer will make the applicant ineligible for an award. d. The applicant must include all estimated costs associated with branding and marking USAID programs, such as plaques, stickers, banners, press events, materials, and so forth, in the budget portion of the application. These costs are subject to the revision and negotiation with the Agreement Officer and will be incorporated into the Total Estimated Amount of the grant, cooperative agreement or other assistance instrument. e. The Branding Strategy must include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) All estimated costs associated with branding and marking USAID programs, such as plaques, stickers, banners, press events, materials, and so forth.

(2) The intended name of the program, project, or activity. (i) USAID requires the applicant to use the “USAID Identity,” comprised of the USAID

logo and brandmark, with the tagline “from the American people” as found on the USAID Web site at http://www.usaid.gov/branding, unless Section VI of the RFA or APS states that the USAID Administrator has approved the use of an additional or substitute logo, seal, or tagline.

(ii) USAID prefers local language translations of the phrase “made possible by (or with) the generous support of the American People” next to the USAID Identity when acknowledging contributions.

(iii) It is acceptable to cobrand the title with the USAID Identity and the applicant's identity.

(iv) If branding in the above manner is inappropriate or not possible, the applicant must explain how USAID's involvement will be showcased during publicity for the program or project.

(v) USAID prefers to fund projects that do not have a separate logo or identity that competes with the USAID Identity. If there is a plan to develop a separate logo to consistently identify this program, the applicant must attach a copy of the proposed logos. Section VI of the RFA or APS will state if an Administrator approved the use of an additional or substitute logo, seal, or tagline. (3) The intended primary and secondary audiences for this project or program, including direct beneficiaries and any special target segments. (4) Planned communication or program materials used to explain or market the program to beneficiaries.

(i) Describe the main program message. (ii) Provide plans for training materials, posters, pamphlets, public service announcement,

billboards, Web sites, and so forth, as appropriate.


of 50

(iii) Provide any plans to announce and promote publicly this program or project to host country citizens, such as media releases, press conferences, public events, and so forth. Applicant must incorporate the USAID Identity and the message, “USAID is from the American People.”

(iv) Provide any additional ideas to increase awareness that the American people support this project or program. (5) Information on any direct involvement from host-country government or ministry, including any planned acknowledgement of the host-country government. (6) Any other groups whose logo or identity the applicant will use on program materials and related materials. Indicate if they are a donor or why they will be visibly acknowledged, and if they will receive the same prominence as USAID.

f. The Agreement Officer will review the Branding Strategy to ensure the above information is adequately included and consistent with the stated objectives of the award, the applicant's cost data submissions, and the performance plan. g. If the applicant receives an assistance award, the Branding Strategy will be included in and made part of the resulting grant or cooperative agreement. (END OF PROVISION) 2. Marking Plan – Assistance (June 2012) a. Applicants recommended for an assistance award must submit and negotiate a “Marking Plan,” detailing the public communications, commodities, and program materials, and other items that will visibly bear the “USAID Identity,” which comprises of the USAID logo and brandmark, with the tagline “from the American people.” The USAID Identity is the official marking for the Agency, and is found on the USAID Web site at http://www.usaid.gov/branding. Section VI of the RFA or APS will state if an Administrator approved the use of an additional or substitute logo, seal, or tagline. b. The request for a Marking Plan, by the Agreement Officer from the applicant, confers no rights to the applicant and constitutes no USAID commitment to an award. c. Failure to submit and negotiate a Marking Plan within the time frame specified by the Agreement Officer will make the applicant ineligible for an award. d. The applicant must include all estimated costs associated with branding and marking USAID programs, such as plaques, stickers, banners, press events, materials, and so forth, in the budget portion of the application. These costs are subject to the revision and negotiation with the Agreement Officer and will be incorporated into the Total Estimated Amount of the grant, cooperative agreement or other assistance instrument. e. The Marking Plan must include all of the following:

(1) A description of the public communications, commodities, and program materials that the applicant plans to produce and which will bear the USAID Identity as part of the award, including:

(i) Program, project, or activity sites funded by USAID, including visible infrastructure projects or other sites physical in nature;

(ii) Technical assistance, studies, reports, papers, publications, audio-visual productions, public service announcements, Web sites/Internet activities, promotional, informational, media, or communications products funded by USAID;

(iii) Commodities, equipment, supplies, and other materials funded by USAID, including commodities or equipment provided under humanitarian assistance or disaster relief programs; and


of 50

(iv) It is acceptable to cobrand the title with the USAID Identity and the applicant's identity.

(v) Events financed by USAID, such as training courses, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, fairs, workshops, press conferences and other public activities. If the USAID Identity cannot be displayed, the recipient is encouraged to otherwise acknowledge USAID and the support of the American people.

(2) A table on the program deliverables with the following details:

(i) The program deliverables that the applicant plans to mark with the USAID Identity; (ii) The type of marking and what materials the applicant will use to mark the program

deliverables; (iii) When in the performance period the applicant will mark the program deliverables, and

where the applicant will place the marking; (iv) What program deliverables the applicant does not plan tomark with the USAID

Identity , and (v) The rationale for not marking program deliverables.

(3) Any requests for an exemption from USAID marking requirements, and an explanation of why the exemption would apply. The applicant may request an exemption if USAID marking requirements would:

(i) Compromise the intrinsic independence or neutrality of a program or materials where independence or neutrality is an inherent aspect of the program and materials. The applicant must identify the USAID Development Objective, Interim Result, or program goal furthered by an appearance of neutrality, or state why an aspect of the award is presumptively neutral. Identify by category or deliverable item, examples of material for which an exemption is sought.

(ii) Diminish the credibility of audits, reports, analyses, studies, or policy recommendations whose data or findings must be seen as independent. The applicant must explain why each particular deliverable must be seen as credible.

(iii) Undercut host-country government “ownership” of constitutions, laws, regulations, policies, studies, assessments, reports, publications, surveys or audits, public service announcements, or other communications. The applicant must explain why each particular item or product is better positioned as host-country government item or product.

(iv) Impair the functionality of an item. The applicant must explain how marking the item or commodity would impair its functionality.

(v) Incur substantial costs or be impractical. The applicant must explain why marking would not be cost beneficial or practical.

(vi) Offend local cultural or social norms, or be considered inappropriate. The applicant must identify the relevant norm, and explain why marking would violate that norm or otherwise be inappropriate.

(vii) Conflict with international law. The applicant must identify the applicable international law violated by the marking.

f. The Agreement Officer will consider the Marking Plan's adequacy and reasonableness and will approve or disapprove any exemption requests. The Marking Plan will be reviewed to ensure the above information is adequately included and consistent with the stated objectives of the award, the applicant's cost data submissions, and the performance plan. g. If the applicant receives an assistance award, the Marking Plan, including any approved exemptions, will be included in and made part of the resulting grant or cooperative agreement, and will apply for the term of the award unless provided otherwise. (END OF PROVISION)


of 50

3. Conscience Clause Implementation (Assistance) – Solicitation Provision (February 2012) (a) An organization, including a faith-based organization, that is otherwise eligible to receive funds under this agreement for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, or care—

1) Shall not be required, as a condition of receiving such assistance— (i) to endorse or utilize a multisectoral or comprehensive approach to combating

HIV/AIDS; or (ii) to endorse, utilize, make a referral to, become integrated with, or otherwise participate

in any program or activity to which the organization has a religious or moral objection; and 2) Shall not be discriminated against in the solicitation or issuance of grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements for refusing to meet any requirement described in paragraph (a)(1) above.

(b) An applicant who believes that this solicitation contains provisions or requirements that would require it to endorse or use an approach or participate in an activity to which it has a religious or moral objection must so notify the cognizant Agreement Officer in accordance with the Mandatory Standard Provision titled “Notices” as soon as possible, and in any event not later than 15 calendar days before the deadline for submission of applications under this solicitation. The applicant must advise which activity(ies) it could not implement and the nature of the religious or moral objection. (c) In responding to the solicitation, an applicant with a religious or moral objection may compete for any funding opportunity as a prime partner, or as a leader or member of a consortium that comes together to compete for an award. Alternatively, such applicant may limit its application to those activities it can undertake and must indicate in its submission the activity(ies) it has excluded based on religious or moral objection. The offeror’s proposal will be evaluated based on the activities for which a proposal is submitted, and will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably due to the absence of a proposal addressing the activity(ies) to which it objected and which it thus omitted. In addition to the notification in paragraph (b) above, the applicant must meet the submission date provided for in the solicitation. (END OF PROVISION) 4. Prohibition on Providing Federal Assistance to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality

Agreements – Representation (May 2017)

(a) Definitions. “Contract” has the meaning given in 2 CFR Part 200. “Contractor” means an entity that receives a contract as defined in 2 CFR Part 200. “Internal confidentiality agreement or statement” means a confidentiality agreement or any other written statement that the recipient requires any of its employees or subrecipients to sign regarding nondisclosure of recipient information, except that it does not include confidentiality agreements arising out of civil litigation or confidentiality agreements that recipient employees or subrecipients sign at the behest of a Federal agency. “Subaward” has the meaning given in 2 CFR Part 200. “Subrecipient” has the meaning given in 2 CFR Part 200. (b) In accordance with section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions), Government agencies are not permitted to use funds appropriated (or otherwise made available) for federal assistance to a nonfederal entity that requires its employees, subrecipients, or contractors seeking to report waste, fraud, or abuse to sign internal


of 50

confidentiality agreements or statements that prohibit or otherwise restrict its employees, subrecipients, or contractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information. (c) The prohibition in paragraph (b) of this provision does not contravene requirements applicable to Standard Form 312, (Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement), Form 4414 (Sensitive Compartmented Information Nondisclosure Agreement), or any other form issued by a Federal department or agency governing the nondisclosure of classified information. (d) Representation. By submission of its application, the prospective recipient represents that it will not require its employees, subrecipients, or contractors to sign or comply with internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting its employees, subrecipients, or contractors from lawfully reporting waste, fraud, or abuse related to the performance of a Federal award to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information (for example, the Agency Office of the Inspector General). (END OF PROVISION)

[END OF SECTION D]


of 50

SECTION E: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. Review and Selection Process Responsive applications shall be reviewed in two parts: 1) A Selection Committee (SC) comprised of USAID employees and technical experts will review technical applications in accordance with the merit review criteria described in the following section; and 2) thereafter, the cost/business application of the apparently successful applicant will be evaluated to determine reasonableness and allocability of costs in the budget in accordance with ADS 303.3.12. The Government may make award on the basis of the initial applications received, without further discussions or negotiations. Therefore, each application should contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right (but is not under obligation to do so) to enter into discussions with one or more applicants in order to obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the activity description, budget, or other aspects of an application. The award decision will be made by the Agreement Officer. 2. Merit Review Criteria The Selection Committee (SC) will review technical applications in accordance with the merit review criteria described below. The merit review criteria listed below are presented by major category. Applications will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in this section. The applications will be evaluated using an adjectival rating system. The major evaluation factors for this award are technical approach, management and staffing, and organizational capacity. The strength of the technical approach will be considered the most important criterion. Management and staffing and organizational capacity are considered of equal importance as second tier criteria. These criteria have been tailored to the particular requirements of this NFO to allow USAID to choose the highest quality application. These criteria: a) identify the significant areas that applicants should address in their applications; and b) serve as the standard against which the Selection Committee (SC) shall evaluate all applications. USAID will award to the Applicant whose application best meets the project description thus achieving the highest technical merit. a. Technical Approach The technical approach will be evaluated in terms of the extent to which it convincingly demonstrates understanding of the development context in Zimbabwe as well as an integrated vision for meeting the anticipated results and specific activities as outlined above. Specifically, USAID will evaluate the proposed conceptual approach, methodology, and techniques for the implementation and evaluation of project activities and responsiveness to the Zimbabwe context. b. Management and Staffing Evaluation under this factor will focus on the extent to which the management and staffing approach (including key personnel) convincingly demonstrate applicant’s ability to achieve the objectives and results described in the activity description and ability to operate independently and timely to deliver the results of the project. c. Organizational Capacity


of 50

The evaluation will focus on the current organizational knowledge, capability, experience and operational systems necessary to deliver the desired interventions. This will include the extent to which the collaborating community structures/partners possess the minimum institutional capacity to implement the project, and the quality and feasibility of the applicant’s sustainability strategy.

[END OF SECTION E]


of 50

SECTION F: FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices The Cooperative Agreement signed by the Agreement Officer is the authorizing document, which shall be transmitted to the Recipient for countersignature to the authorized agent of the successful organization electronically, to be followed by original copies for execution. Award of the agreement contemplated by this NFO cannot be made until funds have been appropriated, allocated and committed through internal USAID procedures. While USAID anticipates that these procedures will be successfully completed, the applicant is hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for the award. Notification will also be made electronically to unsuccessful applicants pursuant to ADS 303.3.7.1.b. USAID/Zimbabwe will consider requests for additional information pursuant to ADS 303.3.7.2. 2. Deviations No deviations are currently contemplated to the standard provisions for the cooperative agreement resulting from this NFO. 3. Standard Provisions For U.S. organizations, the regulations found in 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 700 will apply (see http://www.ecfr.gov/). The USAID Standard Provisions for U.S. Nongovernmental Organizations will also apply, found at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303maa/. For non-U.S. organizations, the Standard Provisions for Non-U.S. Nongovernmental Organizations will apply, found in full text at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303mab. 4. Reporting Requirements The Recipient must adhere to all reporting requirements listed below. All reports shall be submitted by the due date for approval by the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) designated by the Agreement Officer. The Recipient will consult the AOR on the format and expected content of reports prior to submission. The following reports and related requirements will be included in the cooperative agreement issued as a result of this NFO:

A. Program Reporting:

1. Annual Work Plan: Based on this program description, the Recipient shall prepare and submit a detailed annual work plan to guide the implementation process with a breakdown of activities and timelines and anticipated progress in the achievement of the activity results (consistent with the Activity MEL Plan), as well as the associated costs. The Recipient shall ensure a collaborative process in work plan development, consulting beneficiaries, partners, USAID and other relevant stakeholders in preparing the annual work plan to ensure complementarity and shared ownership. In addition, the

https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303mab


of 50

AOR may work with the Recipient to define particularly relevant sections of the work plan that would enhance implementation, such as key assumptions and risks (as well as plans to mitigate and update these), lessons learned and work plan adjustments going forward.

2. Quarterly Reports: The Recipient shall submit quarterly reports that include narratives of quarterly achievements, and progress against the work plan, and agreed upon performance indicators. A format for the quarterly report shall be approved by the AOR. The quarterly report shall describe and assess the overall progress to date based upon agreed performance indicators. The reports shall also describe the accomplishments of the Recipient and the progress made during the past quarter; include information on key activities, both ongoing and completed during the quarter (e.g., meetings, trainings, workshops, significant events, subcontracts, and grants). The quarterly reports should provide information on the extent to which gaps between males and females were closed; what new opportunities for men and women were created; what differential negative impacts on males/females were addressed or avoided; and what needs and gender inequalities emerged or remained. The Recipient shall notify USAID of developments that have a significant impact on the award-supported activities. The quarterly report provides the opportunity to discuss impacts of learning on the program, updates in key assumptions and the underlying development hypotheses. Also, notification shall be given in the case of problems, delays, or adverse conditions which materially impair the ability to meet the objectives of the award or which may have an impact on the development hypothesis or theory of change for the activity, and/or other activities (USG-funded or not) which might be informed by such learning. This notification shall include a statement of the action taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation. 3. Annual Report: Annual performance reports on the project activities and progress against indicators are the responsibility of the Recipient and are needed by USAID/Zimbabwe to provide timely input to the USG’s Operational Plan. To the extent possible, the annual performance report should cover activities and results through the end of the fiscal year, and should review the cumulative experience, learning, adaptations and the implications of these for the year.

4. Final Report: The report shall summarize the accomplishments of the agreement, methods of work used, and recommendations regarding unfinished work and/or program continuation, as well as key learnings from the total implementation experience. In addition the report should specifically address how the activity addressed gaps between males and females were closed; what new opportunities for men and women were created; what differential negative impacts on males/females were addressed or avoided; and what needs and gender inequalities emerged or remained. It shall cover the entire period of the award and include the cumulative results achieved, an assessment of the impact of the program, lessons learned and recommendations, any particularly notable impact stories (or challenges), and detailed financial information. It should be grounded in evidence and data. The final/completion report shall also contain an index of all reports and information products produced under the award.

B. Financial Reporting

The Recipient shall also prepare quarterly financial reports showing the amount of funding and level of effort spent and accrued during the quarter, cumulative spending, and estimates for the next quarter. The quarterly activity and financial reports are to be submitted within 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter to the AOR at USAID/Zimbabwe.

● In accordance with 2 CFR 200.327 the Federal Financial Reporting Form (FFR) will be required on a quarterly basis. The FFR must be submitted by the end of the following


of 50

month for which the quarter is due. Example: Reporting Quarter 1 October 1 – December 31; the FFR is due January 30.

● Pipeline and Accrual reports

C. Close-out and Disposition Plan

Six months prior to the completion date of the agreement, the Recipient will submit a close-out plan for AOR approval. The close-out plan will include, at a minimum, an illustrative inventory of equipment and other capital expenditures, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.343, a delivery schedule for all reports or other deliverables required under the cooperative agreement and a timetable for completing all required actions in the close out plan, including the submission date of the final inventory of equipment and other capital expenditures to the Agreement Officer. D. Environmental Considerations

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, Section 117 requires that the impact of USAID’s activities on the environment be considered and that USAID includes environmental sustainability as a central consideration in designing and carrying out its development programs. This mandate is codified in Federal Regulations (22 CFR 216) and in USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) 204, which require, in part, that the potential environmental impacts of USAID-financed activities are identified prior to a final decision to proceed and that appropriate environmental safeguards are adopted for all activities. No activity funded under this Cooperative Agreement will be implemented unless an environmental threshold determination, as defined by 22 CFR 216, has been reached for that activity, as documented in an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), or Environmental Assessment (EA) duly signed by the Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO). Hereinafter, such documents are described as “approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation.” The activity environmental compliance obligations under these regulations are specified in the Zimbabwe Health IEE http://gemini.info.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/39281.pdf posted on the USAID Environmental compliance database http://gemini.info.usaid.gov/. The Recipient shall be responsible for implementing all IEE conditions pertaining to activities to be funded under this solicitation. 1) In addition, the Recipient must comply with host country environmental regulations unless otherwise directed in writing by USAID. In case of conflict between host country and USAID regulations, the latter shall govern. 2) As part of its initial Work Plan, and all Annual Work Plans thereafter, the Recipient, in collaboration with the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative and Mission Environmental Officer or Bureau Environmental Officer, as appropriate, shall review all ongoing and planned activities under this Cooperative Agreement to determine if they are within the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation. 3(a) If the Recipient plans any new activities outside the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation, it shall prepare an amendment to the documentation for USAID review and approval. No such new activities shall be undertaken prior to receiving written USAID approval of environmental documentation amendments. 3(b) Any ongoing activities found to be outside the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation shall be halted until an amendment to the documentation is submitted and written approval is received from USAID.

http://gemini.info.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/39281.pdf

http://gemini.info.usaid.gov/


of 50

4) Cost and technical proposals must reflect environmental documentation preparation costs and approaches where applicable. These will include costs towards the preparation of Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP). During the post award stage, the Recipient will be expected to comply with all conditions specified in the approved IEE. 5) USAID anticipates that environmental compliance and achieving optimal development outcomes for the activities will require environment management expertise, the following will be included:

a) Approach to developing and implementing an EMMP b) Approach to providing necessary environmental management expertise. c) Illustrative budget for implementing the environmental compliance activities/EMMP. For the purpose of this solicitation, the budget should reflect illustrative costs for environmental compliance implementation and monitoring in their cost proposal

6) If a sub-grant is included under proposed activities, the Recipient must use the Environmental Review Form (ERF) or Environmental Review (ER) checklists to screen grant proposals to ensure that the funded proposals will result in no adverse environmental impacts, to develop necessary mitigation measures and to specify monitoring and reporting. Implementation of sub grant activities cannot go forward until the ERF or ER checklist is completed by the Recipient and approved by USAID. The Recipient is responsible for ensuring the mitigation measures specified by the ERF or ER checklist process are implemented and addressed in reports. 5. Program Income If the successful applicant(s) is/are a non-profit organization, any program income generated under the award(s) will be added to USAID funding (and any cost-sharing that may be provided, if applicable), and used for program purposes.

[END OF SECTION F]


of 50

SECTION G: FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS Any questions regarding this NFO may be addressed to: Theresa Peta Acquisition & Assistance Specialist Email: [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. The Agreement Officer for this award is: Leona Sasinkova Agreement Officer USAID/Zimbabwe No. 1 Pascoe Avenue Belgravia Harare, Zimbabwe Email: [email protected] The Financial Office for this award is: Financial Management Office USAID/Zimbabwe No. 1 Pascoe Avenue Belgravia Harare, Zimbabwe Email: [email protected]

[END OF SECTION G]






of 50

SECTION H: OTHER INFORMATION USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.

[END OF SECTION H]

[END OF NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY]