Deadline: 27 August 2019

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Southern Africa Rapid Response Fund for Acute Humanitarian Needs Resulting from Sudden-Onset Flooding and Cyclones.

In order to more rapidly and robustly respond to immediate needs of populations impacted by flooding and cyclone emergencies in southern Africa, USAID/OFDA seeks to strengthen rapid humanitarian response in four countries in southern Africa, focused specifically on shelter and settlements; logistics support; and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

Program Scope and Objectives

The scope and objectives of the program to be funded under the award resulting from this NFO are to:

• Maintain a thirty-six month (three year) Rapid Response Fund (RRF) Program with stand-by capacity whereby international organizations, and local organizations through sub-awards, will be supported to provide short-term, effective, and rapid interventions (maximum of 90 days from the start of each response) to meet acute emergency humanitarian needs related to cyclones and flooding in Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe as they emerge over the duration of the Award; and
• As needed, depending on the local humanitarian capacity that currently exists in these countries, build and strengthen the humanitarian response capacity of national nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) across the region to respond effectively and efficiently to emergency needs of target disaster-affected populations. In providing technical assistance on programmatic, administrative, and financial aspects of sub-award implementation, the applicant will be expected to provide response programs in such a way as to build capacity of local services and any national disaster entities, and not to undermine existing government Ministry activities for disaster preparedness or emergency response.

Award Information

Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide US $5 million in total USAID funding over a 3-year period.

Geographic Scope

The geographic priorities for this APS are: Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Under this APS, USAID/OFDA will only consider applications for rapid response mechanisms that will support activities in all of the above countries.

Eligibility Criteria

• Type of Organization
  • Non-U.S. NGOs (Foreign Organizations)
    • Indigenous Local or Regional Non-Profit Organizations
    • Indigenous Local or Regional Commercial (For-Profit) Organizations
    • Indigenous Local or Regional Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)
    • Other Non-U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)
  • U.S. NGOs
    • U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)
    • U.S. Native American Tribal Organizations
  • Foreign Public Entities
    • Public International Organizations (PIOs)
    • Foreign Governmental Organizations
  • U.S. Governmental Organizations
    • Other USG Departments and Agencies
    • U.S. state and local governments
• USAID/OFDA will not accept applications from individuals. All applicants must be legally recognized organizational entities under applicable law. Prior to beginning program implementation, applicants must complete all required steps (if any) with the host government to legally operate their program.
• USAID welcomes applications from organizations which have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.
• Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards.
• 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 responsibility determination assessment (Pre-award Survey) by the Agreement Officer (AO).
• The Recipient must be a responsible entity. The AO may determine a pre-award survey is required to conduct an examination that will determine whether the prospective recipient has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the program and comply with the terms and conditions of the award.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted electronically at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=317904