USAID/Indonesia Improving Local Governance and Service Delivery | 72049719RFI00003

FAQs: USAID/Indonesia Improving Local Governance and Service Delivery (RFI) - 72049719RFI00003

1) What is this opportunity?

This notice is a USAID Request for Information (RFI) related to a planned activity tentatively titled "Improving Local Governance and Service Delivery" in Indonesia. It was issued by USAID in Jakarta to gather input from the market and stakeholders to help shape a future, formal solicitation.

2) Is this a grant competition or a call for proposals?

No. Even though it may appear in a grants listings environment, this specific notice is not a funding competition. It is an information-gathering step and does not request applications, proposals, or bids for award.

3) What is USAID asking organizations to submit at this stage?

USAID is asking for written feedback and information that responds to the specific questions and prompts contained in the RFI document. The submission is intended to inform USAID's planning and design decisions.

4) Are budgets, pricing, or detailed technical proposals required?

No. The RFI states that organizations are not being asked to submit applications, proposals, technical approaches for award, or budget offers at this stage.

5) What is the purpose of submitting an RFI response?

The purpose is to provide input that USAID can use for internal planning, acquisition and assistance design, and refinement of the activity's scope. The RFI is meant to improve USAID's understanding of what approaches, capabilities, and considerations should be reflected in a later solicitation.

6) Will RFI responses be treated as confidential?

The notice describes submissions as confidential, indicating USAID expects to use the input for internal planning rather than treating responses as public proposals in a competitive process.

7) When would an actual funding opportunity be released?

The notice signals that USAID anticipated releasing a formal solicitation in early 2020. That later step is when USAID would typically publish the official rules for applying, including eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions.

8) What might the future solicitation be called (RFA or RFP)?

The notice indicates the later formal solicitation could take the form of a Request for Applications (RFA) for grants or cooperative agreements, or a Request for Proposals (RFP) for contracts. The exact instrument would be determined in the future solicitation.

9) What is the funding amount for this opportunity?

The listing includes an award ceiling of up to USD 40,000,000. Because this notice is an RFI (not an award competition), this figure is best understood as an indicative planning amount associated with the future activity rather than a guaranteed amount tied to the RFI itself.

10) How many awards will USAID make?

The number of expected awards is not specified in the summary. This leaves open the possibility of one large award or multiple awards, depending on USAID's final design.

11) Who can participate in this RFI?

Participation is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. The eligible applicant field is broad ("Others"), suggesting USAID is seeking wide-ranging perspectives from stakeholders with relevant experience.

12) What kinds of organizations are likely encouraged to respond?

Based on the broad eligibility description, respondents could include implementing partners, local entities, NGOs, firms, universities, consortia, and other stakeholders with relevant experience in Indonesian governance and service delivery.

13) What is the focus of the planned activity?

The central idea is to strengthen local governance across Indonesia while also improving the delivery of basic public services in communities nationwide.

14) What thematic areas could be included in the eventual program?

Based on the notice language ("enhance local governance" and "improve basic service delivery"), potential areas could include local government performance, accountability, transparency, citizen engagement, public financial management, service standards, planning and budgeting, and systems that connect local authorities to community priorities.

15) What sector/category is this opportunity listed under?

The activity is categorized under Law, Justice and Legal Services.

16) What does CFDA 98.001 mean in this listing?

The notice references CFDA 98.001, which is associated with USAID foreign assistance.

17) Where will the activity take place?

The notice implies a broad national footprint ("across the country"), suggesting it may work with multiple provinces and districts rather than a single pilot location. Specific geographies would be clarified in a future solicitation.

18) Where do we find the exact questions USAID wants answered?

The notice directs interested parties to the full RFI posted under the "Related Documents" section of the announcement. The specific prompts and response instructions are contained in that RFI document.

19) What are the key dates for this RFI?

The opportunity was created on September 15, 2019. The original closing date for RFI responses was October 4, 2019.

20) If we missed the RFI deadline, can we still apply for funding?

This RFI is not an application for funding. The notice indicates that a future formal solicitation was anticipated in early 2020; that later solicitation would be the stage where organizations could submit applications or proposals, if and when it is released.

21) Does responding to the RFI guarantee eligibility or an award later?

The notice frames the RFI as an input-gathering exercise for planning purposes. It does not describe any guarantee of eligibility, preference, or award tied to submitting an RFI response.

22) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this RFI?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 72049719RFI00003.

23) Who issued the RFI?

The RFI was issued by USAID in Jakarta, Indonesia.