Request for Information for the Offices of Food for Peace and Foreign Disaster Assistance | 72052118R00012

FAQs - USAID/Haiti RFI (FFP and OFDA) on Partnering with Haitian Civil Society and Faith-Based Organizations

1) What is this USAID/Haiti opportunity?

This notice is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by USAID/Haiti on behalf of the Offices of Food for Peace (FFP) and U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). It is designed to collect input that can help USAID plan and shape potential future approaches for partnering with locally based Haitian civil society organizations and faith-based or religious organizations on disaster preparedness, emergency response, and early recovery.

2) Is this a funding opportunity?

No. The RFI is strictly a market research and planning tool. It is not a Request for Applications (RFA) or a Request for Proposals (RFP), has no funding attached, and does not commit the U.S. Government to issue a future solicitation or make an award.

3) Does responding to the RFI guarantee a future award or solicitation?

No. USAID notes that information may be used to shape future programs, but nothing in the RFI guarantees that a follow-on solicitation will be issued or that any award will result.

4) Does responding provide any competitive advantage later?

No. The notice states that responding does not provide any competitive advantage in any future procurement.

5) Will USAID reimburse costs associated with preparing an RFI response?

No. USAID states it will not reimburse any costs related to preparing a response to this RFI.

6) What types of organizations is USAID particularly interested in hearing from?

The RFI emphasizes locally led development and strengthening local capacity. USAID expresses particular interest in organizations headquartered in Haiti and led by Haitians, including those active at the departmental level. The RFI also focuses on locally based Haitian civil society and faith-based or religious organizations.

7) What program areas does the RFI relate to?

The RFI relates to disaster preparedness, emergency response, resilience, and early recovery. USAID describes FFP and OFDA activities as including emergency food and non-food assistance intended to save lives, reduce suffering, prevent loss of life during crises, encourage resilience, and support early recovery after disasters.

8) Are complementary activities included, beyond immediate emergency assistance?

Yes. USAID notes that emergency assistance may be paired with complementary activities that affect food security, including agriculture and livelihoods, nutrition, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH).

9) Are there cross-cutting themes USAID is considering?

Yes. The notice mentions cross-cutting areas that may include gender equality, youth empowerment, and support to vulnerable populations.

10) What is USAID asking respondents to submit?

USAID requests short, specific snapshots of an organization’s capacity, geographic coverage, and experience. The questions focus on organizational profile and readiness to partner, including where the organization is based and serves, staffing and budget/revenue, relevant experience, and how the organization designs and delivers community-level activities related to preparedness, response, and recovery.

11) Do respondents have to answer every question in the RFI?

No. The notice states that respondents do not have to answer every question.

12) Are there word limits for responses to the questions?

Yes. Each question should be answered in 300 words or less.

13) What is the page limit for an RFI submission?

Responses are capped at 10 pages. USAID also allows optional supplemental attachments (such as studies or reports) up to an additional 20 pages.

14) What types of attachments are allowed?

The notice allows optional supplemental attachments, specifically mentioning studies or reports, up to 20 additional pages.

15) What information is USAID looking for about an organization’s profile and capacity?

Based on the notice, USAID is seeking information such as: where the organization is based and which geographic areas it serves; staffing size; budget or annual revenue; contact details and a donor-coordination point of contact; experience managing national or international funding (including general amounts and sources); and any prior organizational development training (planning, budgeting, financial management, or similar).

16) What information is USAID looking for about technical expertise and programming?

USAID asks about technical expertise and the types of community-level activities delivered; the organization’s perspective on priority community actions for disaster preparedness and early recovery; disaster response and recovery training received; innovative methods used to design and deliver humanitarian assistance; and approaches for collecting and using beneficiary feedback during program design and implementation.

17) Does USAID ask about legal status or government coordination in Haiti?

Yes. The questions include the organization’s legal registration status and whether the organization has collaborated with Haiti’s Direction de la Protection Civile (DPC), including what role it played.

18) What is the USAID Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool, and is it required?

USAID points respondents to the USAID Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool as a reference to help organizations understand how USAID may think about capacity. The notice presents it as a reference point, not as a stated submission requirement.

19) Will USAID answer questions about the RFI or provide feedback on submissions?

No. USAID states it will not answer questions submitted in connection with the RFI and will not provide feedback on submissions beyond an electronic confirmation of receipt.

20) What should NOT be submitted in response to this RFI?

USAID specifically instructs respondents not to submit proposals, applications for funding, statements of qualifications, resumes, or promotional materials. The notice says these will be discarded.

21) Should proprietary information be included in a response?

No. The notice warns organizations not to send proprietary information.

22) How do organizations submit their RFI responses?

Responses must be emailed as an attachment to usaidhaitioaa@usaid.gov.

23) Are hard copy submissions accepted?

Hard copy submissions are discouraged. The notice directs respondents to email submissions as attachments.

24) Are late submissions accepted?

No. The notice states that late submissions will not be accepted.

25) What is the deadline for submission?

The closing date and time referenced in the notice lists an original closing date of May 15, 2018.

26) What languages are accepted for this RFI response?

For this RFI only, USAID/Haiti accepts responses in English, French, or Haitian Creole.

27) If a future solicitation is issued, will it accept French or Haitian Creole submissions?

USAID cautions that any future RFA or RFP would require submissions in English only.

28) What kinds of funding experience does USAID ask organizations to describe?

The notice asks about experience managing national or international funding, including general amounts and sources.

29) What does USAID mean by "locally led development" in this context?

The notice emphasizes partnering with locally based Haitian organizations and strengthening local capacity as part of USAID’s broader self-reliance approach, with particular interest in organizations that are headquartered in Haiti and led by Haitians, including those active at the departmental level.

30) What will USAID do with the information submitted?

USAID/Haiti may use the information received to shape future programs and partnership approaches. However, the RFI does not commit USAID to issue any future solicitation or make any award.