Citizens’ Voice Project (CVP)

Request for Applications

(RFA)
February 2019

Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA)

Islamabad, Pakistan
Website: www.cvpa-tdea.org

1
Table of Contents

Section I: Program Description...................................................................................................................................... 3

Thematic Area # 1: Citizens’ Actions for Effective and Participatory Local Governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ..... 3
Thematic Area # 2: Citizens’ Voice for Strengthening Legislative Governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ..................... 5
Section II: Federal Award Information ........................................................................................................................... 8
A. Thematic Area # 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 8
B. Thematic Area # 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 8
Section III: Eligibility Information ................................................................................................................................... 9
A. Eligible Applicants ............................................................................................................................................ 9
B. Partner Vetting ................................................................................................................................................. 9
C. Cost Share ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
Section IV: Application and Submission Information ................................................................................................. 10
A. Prepration and Submission Guidelines............................................................................................................10
B. Technical Application Format ..........................................................................................................................10
C. Gender .......................................................................................................................................................... 13
D. Cost/Business Application Format ...................................................................................................................13
E. Data Universal Numbering System and System for Award Management .......................................................16
F. Submission Date and Time .............................................................................................................................16
G. Funding Restrictions........................................................................................................................................16
H. Pre-award Certifications, Assurances and Other Statements of Applicant/ Recipient .....................................17
I. Branding Strategy and Marking Plan ...............................................................................................................17
Section V: Application Review Information ……………………………………………………………………………………18
A. Selection Criteria ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….18
B. Evaluation Criteria ……………………………………………………………………………………………………...18
C. Best Value Decision.……………………………………………………………………………………………….......20
Section VI: Federal Award & Additional INformation ....................................................................................................21
A. Award Notices …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..21
B. Reporting …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….21
C. Environmental Protection and Compliance…………………………………………………………………………..22
Section VII: CVP Contacts ...........................................................................................................................................23
A. Points of Contact .............................................................................................................................................23
Section VIII: Other Information .....................................................................................................................................24
A. Award of Grant ................................................................................................................................................24
B. Conflict of Interest Disclosure ..........................................................................................................................24
Annexes ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25

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Section I: Program Description
Citizens' Voice Project (CVP) is a program to improve engagement between citizens and
government on priority program-supported initiatives to advance good governance objectives.

The authorizing legislation for the CVP is the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.1 The
award resulting from this solicitation will be subject to 2 CFR 2002 and 2 CFR 7003, USAID
Automated Directives System (ADS) 3034 and the provisions of Sub-award agreement.

The program has three main objectives:

 Policy advocacy and government oversight (strengthened voice);

 Organizational development and targeted training (enhanced capacity); and,
 Public-private connections, or linkages, between and among state and non-state actors
(improved accountability).

TDEA provides the opportunity to community-based organizations, Non-Governmental

Organizations, private sector and for-profit organizations to submit capacity statements and budget
employing out of the box thinking and innovative ideas for implementation of the program outlined in
this RFA. TDEA aims to empower people and organizations to initiate change from the grassroots
level.

Given the fact that thematic areas being solicited for applications represent very important topics,
other donors might also be funding similar interventions. Since TDEA does not fund extension or
expansion of existing projects, it will be the responsibility of applicant to ensure that duplication of
efforts is avoided and a matrix of comparison with the existing project, if any, being managed by the
applicant is provided separately by including it at the bottom of grant application. This matrix must
demonstrate the differences between the proposed and existing project as well as value addition
from the existing work. TDEA reserves the right to reject an application or subsequently cancel the
grant if duplication is revealed.

The outcomes expected in each area are behavioral and attitudinal changes and, over time, the
project will help to institutionalize changes in public decision-making mechanisms, program
planning and implementation, and oversight.

1
See https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/faa.pdf
2
See https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2017-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2017-title2-vol1-part200.pdf
3
See https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2017-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2017-title2-vol1-part700.pdf
4
See https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303.pdf
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A. Thematic Area # 1: Citizens’ Actions for Effective and Participatory Local
Governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

1. Background
A representative local government system is considered essential for transparent, efficient, and
responsive service delivery as well as to promote democratic culture and values at the grass-roots
level. Such a system also allows and enables people to hold their representatives accountable and
have their voices heard in the process of decision-making, which can have consequences for their
quality of life. In almost all established democracies, the local governments constitute an important
tier of governance, and are mandated and empowered to deliver the necessary public services, as
decided by the elected representatives of the people of the region.
Moreover, citizens’ access to state resources and equitable distribution of these resources for the
public’s well-being remains an abstract concept without an efficient and effective elected third-tier of
governance. Local governments provide a range of fora for engagement of marginalized groups of
society - including women, workers, landless people, religious minorities and youth, in particular –
as citizens and through reserved seats as local representatives. The local government systems in
Pakistan remain under-developed and weak due to inconsistent and problematic laws.
Reinvigorated systems will enable citizens to hold their representatives accountable and have their
voices heard in the process of decision-making, which have consequences for their quality of life.
In consideration of the new government’s focus on local government reforms, Grant Cycle-16 will
support civil society organizations (CSOs) in in public outreach, research and advocacy activities
towards reforming laws, policies, rules and regulations to ensure that local government systems
have the greatest potential to be transparent and accountable and to deliver services equitably and
effectively, thereby reducing factors in local communities that drive violent extremism.

2. Objectives
The projects will be funded to support activities to strengthen citizens’ voice through, among other
strategies, oversight of relevant provincial institutions and governments and/or advocacy for holding
local government elections and/or reforming relevant laws, policies, rules and regulations to ensure
that local government system can work in an efficient, transparent and accountable manner.

3. Results and Intermediate Results Expected

Grants under this theme are being awarded to contribute to the following higher level result:
 Confidence in political and electoral process

The applicants must design their projects with a clear focus in order to achieve intermediate
results contributing to one or more of the following:
• Relevant stakeholders at tehsil/district/provincial level conferences have greater
understanding of the local government system;
• Citizens have greater knowledge of rights, responsibilities and working of the local
government system;
• Citizens have greater awareness about a strong, effective and transparent local government
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 system and civil service reforms; and
• Citizens are able to engage in advocacy with the community and the government.

4. Illustrative Activities
Several broad categories with illustrative activities for achieving the objectives are listed below.
Please note that the applicants must remain within these defined categories. Numbers/ targets
mentioned for interventions in respective categories are indicative and TDEA may negotiate and
revise the activities or targets, as appropriate with successful applicants.
Illustrative activities for achieving one or more of the expected results are listed below.
Recognizing the socio-economic, cultural, and political diversity across regions and communities,
partner organizations may select one or more of the illustrative activities and/or suggest one or
more other activities most suited to their context for achieving their desired goals.

Some examples of activities that fall under this effort are:

• Stakeholder dialogues, seminars, policy forums, roundtables, conferences etc.;
• Activities designed to oversee the performance of relevant public bodies of concerned
provincial government;
• Meetings with political leaders, senior officers, and legislators;
• Public awareness campaigns through print, electronic, and social media;
Development and dissemination of awareness materials;
• Performance audit of the local governments in districts to provide for the basis of
advocacy;
• Public forums at the union council, tehsil and district levels to engage local Members of
Provincial Assemblies (MPAs), local government representatives (Nazim/Naib Nazim and
councilors) and political candidates of local governments;
• Activities concerning citizen engagement including women and youth for LG reforms; and
• Legislative drafting for preparing model local government law for KP.

Note: In all above activities wherever applicable, the grantee will focus on women, youth,
persons with disabilities and minorities.

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B. Thematic Area # 2: Citizens’ Voice for Strengthening Legislative Governance in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

1. Background
Responsive and accountable legislative governance is essential for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP’s)
legislature to perform its representative functions effectively, to enact pro-people legislation, and to
ensure legislative oversight of the executive for protecting rights and freedoms as well as for
improved delivery of public services. Given the recent merger of Federally Administered Tribal
Areas (FATA) into KP, it is essential to work closely with the legislature for improving its functional
requisite capacity, as it will enable citizens to effectively participate in the decision-making
processes that affect or shape their lives. To improve legislative governance, it is important to
effectuate citizens’ voices into meaningful changes and improvements in legislature processes and
procedures to enhance transparency, accountability, responsiveness, and effectiveness. More
participatory and transparent legislative governance will contribute to public trust in state institutions
and reductions in political frustration and violent extremism.

CSOs play an essential role in articulating citizens’ voice and channeling public demands, and then
engaging legislative bodies for procedural and substantive reforms. Furthermore, CSOs can identify
and advocate for more effective mechanisms for legislative oversight, law-making, solicitation of
constituents’ feedback, policy inputs, budget approval processes, and accountability of government
institutions. Such initiatives may involve hosting public dialogues, providing briefings for legislators,
conducting analysis of legislators’ performance or procedures of legislative bodies, offering
expertise for specific improvements, and initiatives aimed at public accountability of legislators. A
more consistent interface and engagement between legislators and citizens will also help
strengthen citizens’ voice to influence key decisions of the legislature.

CVP aims to strengthen citizens’ voice and public accountability in relation to the performance of
provincial legislators and related bodies by:

 Supporting efforts to analyze legislative procedures and systems; identify areas of

improvement and suggest specific steps for reform;
 Developing linkages and partnerships between and among legislatures/legislators and civil
society organizations to advocate and push forward the cause of improved legislative
governance;
 Engaging with relevant standing committees of the legislature for policy input and public
hearings.

2. Objectives
The projects will be funded to support activities for achieving the following objectives:

Objective 1: To strengthen citizens’ voice in public policy through, among other strategies,
analyses of legislative performance and advocacy for reforming relevant laws, procedures, policies
and practices for improved performance of the legislatures.

Objective 2: To improve linkages between and among government, political parties and non-
government actors for improved accountability of the legislatures and legislators.

3. Results and Intermediate Results Expected

Grants under this theme are being awarded to contribute to the following higher level results:
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  Confidence in political and electoral processes

The applicants must design their projects with a clear focus in order to achieve intermediate
results contributing to one or more of the following:

 Improved interaction between civil society and legislators/legislatures;

 Increased public accountability of legislatures and legislators;
 Broadened citizen participation and inclusiveness in law-making and executive oversight
functions (both at provincial and federal levels).
 Improved and strengthened legislative procedures and rules to, among others, improve
transparency/information sharing, build integrity systems and eliminate possibilities of
conflict of interest;
 Greater transparency in the activities and performance of legislators as well as legislative
bodies;
 Improved performance of legislators/legislatures in terms of law-making and executive
oversight; and
 Voice and complaints of citizens are more easily heard and responded by both
legislative bodies and legislators.

4. Illustrative Activities
Several broad categories with illustrative activities for achieving the objectives are listed below.
Please note that the applicants must remain within these defined categories. Numbers/ targets
mentioned for interventions in respective categories are indicative and TDEA may negotiate and
revise the activities or targets, as appropriate with successful applicants.

Illustrative activities for achieving one or more of the expected results are listed below. Recognizing
the socio-economic, cultural, and political diversity across regions and communities, partner
organizations may select one or more of the illustrative activities and/or suggest one or more other
activities most suited to their context for achieving their desired goals.

• Meetings with political leaders, legislators and members of standing committees both at
the federal and provincial levels;
• Activities related to submitting complaints to relevant legislative bodies including
legislative committees;
• ‘Meet the legislator’ programs;
• Workshops and seminars with university students for reforms in legislative governance;
• Compilation of Report Cards at constituency level to evaluate the performance of
legislators and dissemination of the same to the general public and relevant
stakeholders;
• Review of legislative performance and analysis of the underlying causes that explain the
relatively weak legislative governance;
• Establishing mechanisms for information exchange between legislatures and civil
society groups or networks of civil society groups;
• Enhancing civil society participation in the legislative and executive oversight processes
at various stages through available forums or mechanisms at federal and provincial

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 levels to convey citizens’ voice and demands, as articulated through evidence-based
and participatory methods e.g. Charter of demands;
• Briefings or training workshops for legislators, which may preferably be organized in
partnership with the secretariats of legislatures;
• Engagement with legislators or legislatures for procedural improvements or setting good
examples for improved legislative governance;
• Review and analyze mechanisms of how pro-people legislation can be integrated in the
legislation and identify gaps in the current system; and
• Establishing partnerships/linkages with legislators or relevant legislative bodies at the
federal and provincial levels to establish appropriate forums where citizens and civil
society groups could ask questions, seek answers, raise concerns about performance of
legislators and suggest reforms with the aim of strengthening legislative transparency
and accountability.

Note: In all above activities wherever applicable, the grantee will focus on women, youth,
persons with disabilities and minorities.

(End of Section I)

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Section II: Federal Award Information

A. Thematic Area # 1: Citizens’ Action for Effective and Participatory Local

Governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
1. Number of Grants
Up to 3 grants, preferably Fixed Amount Awards will be awarded under this grant cycle. TDEA,
however, reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of grants depending upon the
results of solicitation.

2. Funding Allocation/Grant Size

Total funding allocation for this cycle is PKR 37,089,000 with up to PKR 12,363,000 allocated per
grant. TDEA reserves the right to modify the allocation and targets in the interest of the program.

3. Timeframe and Duration

The grant period will be between March 2019 and October 2019 for a maximum of 8 months for
performance and one month for close out.

4. Geographical Focus
Applications are invited from eligible organizations for KP.

B. Thematic Area # 2: Citizens’ Voice for Strengthening Legislative Governance in

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
1. Number of Grants
Up to 2 grants, preferably Fixed Amount Awards will be awarded under this grant cycle. TDEA,
however, reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of grants depending upon the
results of solicitation.

2. Funding Allocation/Grant Size

Total funding allocation for this cycle is PKR 24,726,000 with up to PKR 12,363,000 allocated per
grant. TDEA reserves the right to modify the allocation and targets in the interest of the program.

3. Timeframe and Duration

The grant period will be between March 2019 and October 2019 for a maximum of 8 months for
performance and one month for close out.

5. Geographical Focus
Applications are invited from eligible organizations for KP.

(End of Section II)

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Section III: Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants

Pakistani NGOs, CBOs, civil society organizations, educational institutes and other not-for-profit
organizations are eligible to apply. Private sector organizations are also welcome to apply for grants
but fees will not be paid under these awards. Government of Pakistan or quasi-public/parastatal
entities will not be considered for direct awards. However, NGOs can apply in partnership with the
government entities, and the organizations must have active a basic financial system, active
registration with government of Pakistan.

Individuals, political parties, public international organization, foreign-based organizations, faith-

based organizations whose objectives are discriminatory and/or serve religious purposes, and
informal alliances without legal status are ineligible. Organizations must not be directly affiliated
with TDEA or USAID or any of its Directors, Officers or employees; Must not be in the various
prohibitive or restrictive lists of GOP, US Government and the UN; Must not be an organization
whose previous awards were terminated by TDEA or USAID on performance grounds and the
organization and its key personnel must never have been convicted by a court of competent
jurisdiction in Pakistan or fine of more than Rs. 50,000 or imprisonment or both.

An organization can only submit one application against a thematic area.

2. Partner Vetting

Grant awards funded by TDEA are subject to vetting to help mitigate the risk that TDEA funds and
other resources inadvertently provide support or benefit to individuals or entities that are terrorists,
supporters of terrorists or affiliated with terrorists, while also minimizing the impact on TDEA
programs and implementing partners. The CVP will follow strictly all USAID regulations related to
vetting, including especially 2 CFR 701 Partner Vetting Pre-Award Requirements.5

Accordingly, any award resulting from this assistance solicitation is subject to vetting. An applicant
that has not passed vetting is ineligible for award.

3. Cost Share

Although there is no requirement that applicants propose a specific cost share, cost sharing is an
important element of the TDEA-recipient relationship and applicants are encouraged to contribute
resources from its own, private or local sources for the implementation of this program.
Contributions can be either cash or in kind.

(End of Section III)

5
See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2016-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2016-title2-vol1-part701.pdf

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Section IV: Application and Submission Information
A. Preparation and Submission Guidelines

The TDEA grant process is web-enabled, allowing for applications to be submitted on-line.
Instructions to submit applications electronically on-line in response to this RFA are found on the
online Grant Management Information System (GMIS) accessible through project website at
http://www.cvpa-tdea.org.

If your organization decides to submit an application, it must be received by the closing date and
time indicated at the top of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The applicant must provide
all required information in its application, including the requirements found in any attachments to
this RFA. Applicants should retain for their records one copy of all enclosures which accompany
their applications.

To be eligible for award, the application should be prepared according to the structural format set
forth below in (2) Technical Application Format and (3) Cost/Business Application Format.

TDEA will consider only applications conforming to the format prescribed below. All applications
received by the closing date and time indicated on the (NOFO) will be reviewed for responsiveness
and programmatic merit in accordance with the specifications outlined in these guidelines and the
application format. Section - V addresses the selection criteria and procedures for the applications.
As part of the application, applicants shall acknowledge receipt of any amendments to this RFA.
TDEA will not be liable for consequences if receipt acknowledgement is not provided.

Applicants are required to provide references as footnotes for any primary or secondary data that
they use for this application. Also, TDEA is strictly against plagiarism and any applications which
are found to be totally or partially similar in content with another application might be disqualified.

In the event this solicitation is updated or cancelled and RFA is withdrawn, a notice will either be
published on CVP’s online GMIS or an email notification will be issued to your organization.
Therefore, applicants are strongly recommended to keep visiting GMIS for any updates.

If there are problems in downloading the RFA from the Internet, please email cvp.appshelp@cvpa-
tdea.org for technical assistance.

Prospective applicants who have questions concerning the contents of this RFA shall submit them
in writing Grants Management Committee (GMC) at cvp.gmc@cvpa-tdea.org by email ONLY.

B. Technical Application Format

Technical applications shall be written in English language, must not exceed 15 pages, utilizing
Times New Roman 12-font size, single spaced, typed in standard 81/2 x 11 paper size, justified text,
with one-inch margins top and bottom as well as right and left, and each page numbered
consecutively (page numbers placed in footer of the document). Cover letter, dividers, table of
contents, annexes (e.g personnel resumes, past performance information, certificates, forms,
acronym list etc.) will not count toward the page limitation. Any pages that exceed the page

11
limitation will not be furnished to the Evaluation Committee. There is no page limit on attachments
or cost application.

The technical application will have more significance and importance in the selection of a
successful applicant. It should demonstrate the applicant's capabilities and expertise with respect to
achieving the goals of this project. Therefore it should be specific, complete and presented
concisely. It should take into account and be arranged in the order of the technical evaluation
criteria specified in Section - V.

The suggested outline for the technical application is:

a) Cover Page
b) Table of Contents
c) Technical Approach
d) Management Plan
e) Past Performance

Besides the details below, "help text" has also been provided in the grant application template to
convey TDEA's expectations from the applicants in each area. Please note that this text is mainly
derived from the assessment matrix used for evaluation of applications.
a) Cover Page

A single page with the project title and RFA number, the names of the organizations/institutions
involved, and the lead or primary Applicant clearly identified. Any proposed sub grantees (or
implementing partners) should be listed separately. In addition, the Cover Page should 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, postal/ office address, landline and
mobile telephone, fax numbers and e-mail address. State whether the contact person is the person
with authority to contract for the Applicant, and if not, that person should also be listed with contact
information.

It should also list type of lead organization (NGO/CBO/Private Sector/ Other - specify),
law/regulation under which it is registered with Government of Pakistan, date of such registration
and corporate website, if any. Detail of primary bank account with account number, bank and
branch will also be required to establish banking experience. Attach copies of certificates and
reference letters as annexes.

Title of proposed activity, duration, geographical coverage (province, district, tehsil and union
councils - as specified in Section - II) and relevant thematic area must also be listed on the cover
page.

b) Table of Contents
List all parts of the technical application, with page numbers and attachments. This will also serve
as a checklist to ensure that all relevant documents have been included with the application.

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c) Technical Approach

The technical approach must demonstrate an in depth understanding of the development

challenges in implementing the program, as described in Section - I. The approach should outline
specific activities and explain how and at what pace they are intended to achieve the program's
objectives. Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative yet realistic approaches that are
appropriate in the context of their target areas.

The applicants shall also submit a brief on "Post-Project Management and Sustainability of the
Project Benefits". Explaining how the applicant plans to ensure that the project interventions and
benefits will sustain after the completion of project. What measures the applicant will take in the
post-project period to monitor project interventions and to provide assistance to the project
beneficiaries. Also indicating recurring cost, if any, needed to manage post- project operations and
how this cost will be managed by applicant organization.

d) Management Plan
Applicants should propose a management plan and describe how the plan will contribute towards
achieving the objectives and results described in the program summary/ program description. The
proposed plan should specifically state and justify the composition and organizational structure of
the entire project team. It should also describe how the technical expertise and experience of all
staff members will achieve the expected results in the program summary/ program description.
Potential partners in the implementation of the award and the services to be provided by each
partner institution or organization shall be described. Existing technical and operational expertise
are also to be provided.
e) Institutional Capacity

Particular attention will be given to applicant’s demonstrated effectiveness in organizing and

managing development programs. Applicants must have the requisite experience in effective
coordination of multi-component projects involving multiple institutions and diverse pools of
expertise.

f) Past Performance

Applicants must provide evidence of pertinent past performance and clearly describe examples of
successful development and implementation of programs similar what is required under this RFA.

Applicants may attach as an Annex, a summary of the five most recent donor- funded contracts or
grants as well as the name, address, email address and telephone number of the Project Officer,
activity manager or other contact persons. Include the following for each award (as provided in the
application template):

1) Name and address of awarding organization or agency;

2) Amount of award;
3) Term of award (begin and end dates of services/program);
4) Contact information of responsible technical representative of funding organization or agency;
and,
5) Brief description of the program.

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As an annex to this section, applicants shall also submit a brief on "cross cutting issues like Gender
and Environmental Protection" elaborating on how the proposed project addresses these concerns.

C. Gender

Given the critical role of women in development, it is essential that institutions competing for an
award demonstrate knowledge and capacity to address gender-based constraints. Based on the
different needs and roles of men and women, strategies for addressing these needs and for
ensuring women's full participation in all proposed activities must be part of the
methodology/proposed approach. In addition to explicitly addressing women's needs and
participation, the proposed methodology/approach shall also address: (a) how will gender relations
affect the achievement of sustainable results; and (b) how will proposed activities affect the relative
status of men and women. Furthermore, the program strategy shall demonstrate how activities will
be monitored, tracked and evaluated to measure the impact on women and on gender relations. All
people-level results and indicators must be gender disaggregated.

USAID's Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy available at

http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1870/GenderEqualityPolicy.pdf, outlines the
USAID Operational Principles of the Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy. The
applicants are required to consult this document and design their interventions for gender equality
and female empowerment accordingly.

D. Cost/Business Application Format

The Cost/Business Application is to be submitted under separate cover from the technical
application. The cost application will not be scored for short-listing. TDEA will assess the general
reasonableness, cost realism, arithmetical accuracy; allow ability and allocability according to
applicable regulations and conformity with the proposed program design. However, the applicants
must ensure that they remain within the funding allocation for a sub award as provided in the
Section - II.

The following sections describe the documentation that applicants for a grant must submit to TDEA
prior to award. A basic template for the budget has been attached as an annex to this RFA whereas
the supporting information which is not included in that template will be separately required. While
there is no page limit for the cost application, applicants are encouraged to be as concise as
possible, but still provide the necessary detail to address the following:

1) Budget: which provides in detail the total estimated amounts for implementation of the project
your organization is proposing.
2) Budget narrative: that provides detailed budget explanations and supporting justification of each
proposed budget line items. It must clearly identify the basis of cost elements, such as market
surveys, price quotations, current salaries, historical experience, etc.

3) Additional information required under this RFA.

14
 The program budget should be in Pakistani Rupees containing the following categories:
a) Direct Labor - Direct salaries, wages and benefits. Provide annual salary history for at least the
three most recent years for all identified and proposed long-/short-term key and non-key
personnel.
b) Supplies and Equipment - Differentiate between expendable supplies and nonexpendable
equipment.
c) Travel and Per Diem - Proposed per diem must be in accordance with the Applicant's
established policies and practices.
d) Other Direct Costs - This could include miscellaneous costs such as communications, utilities,
report preparation costs, etc.
e) Cost-Share - If cost share is proposed, applicants should estimate the amount of cost-sharing
resources to be mobilized over the life of the Agreement.

Additional supporting information required:

a) Accounting and internal control system information:

i. Fiscal Year End
ii.
Accounting System in Place □ Yes □ No
iii. Computerized Accounting system □ Yes □ No
iv. □ Yes □ No
Accounts ever audited? (If yes, please attach reports of last three years)
v. Ever had USAID audit/ Audit under FRCA guidelines or A-133 as □ Yes □ No
applicable. (If yes, please attach latest available report)
vi. Program funded by some other grant also □ Yes □ No
vii.
□ Yes □ No
Organization chart attached (attached brief CV of key full time personnel)
viii. Program activities less than one year. □ Yes □ No

b) What kind of projects have you implemented during the last three years?
Donor/ Funding Total
Project Services Provided Project Year Budget
Source
(Rs.)

c) What are the major funding sources of applicant organization? This information is required to
determine whether the applicant has received or is receiving US Government funding and whether
there are any associated audit requirements?

i.
ii.
15
iii.

d) Month wise Allocation of Funds (that will be requested from TDEA)

Please provide monthly bifurcation of the funds requested from TDEA. This must be consistent with
the Activity/Implementation Plan. Add as many columns as needed in line with project duration or
use a spread sheet separately. This information is critical to manage cash flows at TDEA.

Month wise
Total Bifurcation of
Activity/ Deliverable Units
Required Funds the Budget
1 2 3 4 5

Total

e) Please note that it is in the interest of the applicants to submit any additional evidence of
responsibility deemed necessary for TDEA to make a determination of responsibility. The
information submitted should substantiate that the applicant:
 Has adequate financial, management and personnel resources and systems, or the ability to
obtain such resources as required during the performance of the award;
 Has the ability to comply with the award conditions, taking into account all existing and currently
prospective commitments of the applicant, nongovernmental and governmental;
 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 subsequent
satisfactory performance; and
 Has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics.

An award shall be made only when TDEA makes a positive determination that the applicant
possesses, or has the ability to obtain, the necessary management competence in planning and
carrying out assistance programs and that it will practice mutually agreed upon methods of
accountability for funds and other assets provided by TDEA. For the organizations that are new to
TDEA, or organizations with outstanding audit findings, it may be necessary to perform a pre-award
survey.

E. Data Universal Numbering System and System for Award Management

The CVP will not be able to make a grant award to any applicant until the applicant has complied
with all applicable requirements of the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System for
Award Management (SAM). Each applicant is required to:
16
1. Get a DUNS number; and
2. Register in the SAM, which eliminates the need to enter the same data multiple times and
makes doing business with the U.S. government more efficient.

F. Submission Date and Time

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before 4 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 to
avoid bandwidth and online system related technological issues. TDEA bears no responsibility if an
applicant remains unable to submit the application due to technological errors associated with
online system at the closing date. The applications must be received before the closing date & time
at the designated website/GMIS. Uploading correct files and templates in the designated system
areas is also the responsibility of the applicants. Any incorrect attachment will not be entertained
and might result in rejection of the application as incomplete. Chief of Party will finally determine as
to whether a replacement attachment could be obtained from the applicant after the closing date.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered for award. Telegraphic, hard copy through
surface mail/ courier or fax applications (entire proposal) are not authorized for this RFA and will not
be accepted. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications much before the end date to avoid
any technological issues related to network bandwidth etc. The online system will auto-lock at the
end time and will not accept any further applications.

G. Funding Restrictions

Awards will be made to responsible applicants whose applications offer the greatest value,
technical, cost and other factors considered. Applicants are specifically advised that until an
executed document is received and duly signed by the Chief Executive Officer, TDEA or Chief of
Party for Citizens’ Voice Project, no project expenditures will be paid by TDEA.

Activity types that will not be supported under this solicitation include:

• Partisan activities or the ones which encourage or support sectarian, linguistic, religious and
racial divides;
• Legal fees for court cases against public bodies;
• International travel;
• Scientific “non-applied” research;
• Direct service delivery;
• Activities that are in violation of national laws; and
• Any other activities, which cannot be justified in view of the selected theme or project
objectives.

H. Pre-award Certifications, Assurances and Other Statements of Applicant/ Recipient

Pre-award certifications separately available on project website/GMIS will have to be submitted at a

later stage (Not to be submitted with grant application).

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I. Branding Strategy and Marking Plan

USAID is the prime funding institution for the grants under this solicitation. USAID’s policy is that
programs, projects, activities, public communications, or commodities implemented or delivered
under co-funded instruments – such as grants, cooperative agreements, or other assistance
awards that usually require a cost share – generally are ―co-branded and co-marked. TDEA will
put in required provisions in the award document and will provide necessary technical assistance to
successful applicants in this regard.

(End of Section IV)

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Section V: Application Review Information
A. Selection Criteria

The technical applications will be evaluated in accordance with the Technical Evaluation Criteria set
forth below. Applicants shall organize the narrative sections of their technical applications in the
same order as the selection criteria. Technical evaluation of applications will be based on the extent
and appropriateness of proposed approaches and feasibility of achieving the strategic objectives, in
accordance with the following criteria.

If award is not made on the initial applications, TDEA may request clarification and supplemental
materials from applicants whose applications have a reasonable chance of being selected for
award. The entry into discussion is to be viewed as part of the evaluation process and shall not be
deemed by TDEA or the applicants as indicative of a decision or commitment upon the part of
TDEA to make an award to the applicants with whom discussions are being held.

B. Evaluation Criteria

A Technical Review Panel designated by the project will review the grant applications. This panel
will form a short list and provide its recommendations to the Grants Management Committee, using
the criteria shown in this Section. The criteria set forth will serve as the basis for evaluating the
technical Applications. Grants Management Committee will review the short list and forward their
recommendations to the Chief of Party (COP). The COP will have these recommendations
endorsed by the Chief Executive Officer of TDEA and finally, USAID will approve the selection. The
various functional elements of the technical criteria are assigned weighted scores, so that the
Applicants will know which areas require emphasis in the preparation of Applications. The process
of award after closing date may take from six to eight weeks. Please note again that the following
guidelines mentioned under "help text" provided in the grant application template is the key to
achieve a good passing score.

Applicants should note that these criteria:

(1) Serve as the standard against which all Applications will be evaluated; and
(2) Serve to identify the significant matters which Applicants should address in their
Applications.

The relative importance of each criterion is indicated by the number of points assigned; a total of
100 points is possible.

Application Sections and their Relative Review Weight

Application Sections Review Weight
a. Technical Approach 55
b. Management Plan 15
c. Institutional Capacity 15
d. Past Performance 15

Total Possible Review Points 100

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1. Technical Approach - 55 points

This is the single most important evaluation factor. Particular attention will be given to evaluating
the applicant's responsiveness to the program summary/ program description and realistic linkages
between expected results and the applicant's proposed interventions. Applicants must demonstrate
understanding of key issues, challenges and opportunities.

2. Management Plan - 15 points

Particular attention will be given to the extent to which the proposed management structure and
approach will ensure program effectiveness and efficiency in achieving maximum benefits and
results. The Management Plan must consist of a clear and concise description of how internal
management plans, organizational structures, lines of communications and partnerships amount to
a timely and integrated project implementation strategy.

3. Institutional Capacity - 15 points

Particular attention will be given to applicant’s demonstrated effectiveness in organizing and

managing development programs. Applicants must have the requisite experience in effective
coordination of multi-component projects involving multiple institutions and diverse pools expertise.

4. Past Performance - 15 Points

Particular attention will be given to past achievements as evidenced by verifiable success in

implementing similar programs. In articulating past achievements, applicants should explain why
and how similar achievements are relevant for the current program. .

As mentioned above, proposed budgets will primarily be reviewed to determine if the overall costs
proposed are realistic for the work to be performed, if the costs reflect understanding of the
requirements, and if the costs are consistent with the technical application.

Although there is no requirement that applicants propose a specific cost share, cost sharing is an
important element of the TDEA-recipient relationship and applicants are encouraged to contribute
resources from its own, private or local sources for the implementation of this program.
Contributions can be either cash or in kind.

C. Best Value Decision

Award will be made to the Applicant whose application offers the best value to TDEA. Best value is
defined as the expected outcome of a process that, in TDEA's estimation, provides the greatest
overall benefit in response to the requirement.

For this RFA, technical application merits are considered significantly more important than cost
relative to deciding which Applicant might perform the work best. Cost realism, effectiveness and
reasonableness will be the determining factors in the event that the applications receiving the
highest ratings are closely ranked. Therefore, after the final evaluation of the application, TDEA will

20
make the award to the Applicant whose application offers the best value to the project considering
technical, cost and other factors.

Other areas of review and discussion will vary according to the circumstances pertaining to the
application.

Grant applications must score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 to merit further consideration.
However, for applicants who score between 50 to 60 marks as a result of technical evaluation,
TDEA may consider awarding selected and targeted interventions by partly funding the
interventions proposed, with or without modifications. USAID reserves the right to reduce the ceiling
of qualifying marks if the anticipated number of quality applications is not received or additional
funding becomes available. This revision could either be for one specific thematic area or the cycle
as a whole. USAID and/or TDEA also reserve the right to modify the tenure, cost, and geographical
area(s) and may require changes in the applicant's approach to align it with overall project goals,
available funding allocation, as well as for improving the quality of output. Depending on USAID
approval and availability of funds, TDEA may award more than the allocated number of grants in
this solicitation. The Citizens' Voice Project office will acknowledge the receipt of applications
through its online system.

(End of Section V)

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Section VI – Federal Award & Additional Information
A. Award Notices

Awards will be made to responsible applicants whose applications offer the greatest value,
technical, cost and other factors considered. Applicants are specifically advised that until an
executed document is received and duly signed by the Chief Executive Officer, TDEA or Chief of
Party for Citizens’ Voice Project, no project expenditures will be paid by TDEA.

In the event of an inconsistency between the documents comprising this RFA, it shall be resolved
by the following descending order of precedence:

(a) Section V - Selection Criteria;

(b) Section IV - Application and Submission Information;
(c) Section I - The Program Summary/ Program Description;
(d) Cover Letter.

A written award mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful applicant(s) within the time for
acceptance specified either in the application(s) or in this RFA (whichever is later) shall result in a
binding agreement without further action by either party. Before the application's specified
expiration time, if any, TDEA may accept an application, whether or not there are negotiations after
its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. Negotiations or
discussions conducted after receipt of an application do not constitute a rejection or counteroffer by
TDEA. Since the funding allocation is limited and defined, TDEA may only award to the applicants
deemed as “the best” for the program objectives while not awarding a grant to any otherwise
qualified applications.

ADS 303mat, Standard Provisions for Fixed Amount Awards to Nongovernmental Organizations will
apply.

B. Reporting

CVP grantees will be required to submit electronic narrative to the CVP on a pre-determined
schedule, which will be specified in each grant agreement. In particular, grantees will be required to
provide evidence of the completion of activities and milestones, including but not limited to
photographs and signed participant lists with individual phone numbers. Grant applicants should
note that the CVP implements rigorous monitoring and verification of grant project activities, and
grant recipients will be required to facilitate monitoring and other visits from CVP personnel and
sub-contractors.

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C. Environmental Protection and Compliance

TDEA requires an evaluation to ensure that any environmental impacts resulting from the project
implementation are mitigated. Filling of the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) checklist
available in Section - VIII, provides a system to the applicant to ensures that environmental (i.e.,
natural resource or public health) impacts of program activities are identified and mitigation
measures are proposed at the design stage, prior to the irreversible obligation of TDEA funds.
Subsequently, over the tenure of grant, these environmental mitigation measures are to be a
standard component of program management in accordance with 22 CFR 216.

(End of Section VI)

23
Section VII – CVP Contacts
A. Points of Contact

If there are problems in downloading the RFA from the Internet, please email cvp.appshelp@cvpa-
tdea.org for technical assistance.

Prospective applicants who have questions concerning the contents of this RFA shall submit them
in writing Grants Management Committee (GMC) at cvp.gmc@cvpa-tdea.org by email ONLY.

(End of Section VII)

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Section VIII – Other Information
A. Award of Grant

TDEA may award a grant resulting from this RFA to the responsible applicant whose application
conforming to this RFA offers the greatest value (see Section V of this RFA). TDEA may (a) reject
any or all applications, (b) accept other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one
application, (d) accept alternate applications, (e) award more or less than the number of grants
indicated in this solicitation (f) award no grant as a result of this solicitation and (g) waive
informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

TDEA may award a grant on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions or
negotiations. Therefore, each initial application should contain the applicant's best terms from a cost
and technical standpoint. As part of its evaluation process, however, TDEA may elect to discuss
technical, cost or other pre-award issues with one or more applicants. Alternatively, TDEA may
proceed with award selection based on its evaluation of initial applications received and/or
commence negotiations solely with one applicant.

B. Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Identifying and managing conflict of interest is central to shaping ethical culture in non-profit
organizations such as TDEA.

TDEA's conflict of interest policy sets out guidelines on how to deal with such situations in order to
protect its organizational interests /reputation and to prevent its work from being compromised as a
result of familial or business connections of its employees and partners, ranging from donors,
grantees and civil society organizations. The aim and objective of this policy is to protect TDEA, its
Board Members and employees from potentially damaging instances of impropriety arising from
conflict of interest issues.

Please note that entities affiliated with Directors, Employees or Officers of TDEA have to disclose
this information upfront with the application. Please mention the name of TDEA's Director, Officer or
Employee and type of their affiliation with your organization. If relatives of Directors, Officers or
Employees of TDEA are working with your organization in any capacity (board, management or
staff), please disclose the names and designations of both your employee and their TDEA affiliated
relative in the "Conflicts of Interest Declaration" section of Technical Application.
Any affiliation with USAID or its staff needs to be treated in a similar manner.

(End of Section VIII)

25
Annexes (separately available on project website)

A. Technical Application Template

B. Work Plan (Activity Implementation Plan) Template

C. Past Performance Template

D. Cost Application (Budget) Template

E. Application Review Criteria and Scoring System

F. Instructions for Obtaining a DUNS Number

Information is provided in the document titled Pre-award Certifications,
Assurances and other Statements (see Annex G).

G. Instructions for Registering in the SAM Registration

First, register on the NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) website:
(https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx). See the FAQs
at https://fsd.gov/fsdgov/answer.do?sysparm kbid=074c13d06f26e14045b1648
26e3ee42d&sysparm (search=ncage). Then, register your organization in SAM
at https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM.

H. USAID Standard Provisions

See https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303mat.pdf

J. USAID Pre-award Certifications, Assurances and other Statements

See https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303mav.pdf

K. USAID ADS Chapter 320 Branding and Marking

See http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/320.pdf

L. USAID Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Information

See https://www.usaid.gov/our work/environment/compliance/22cfr216

M. USAID Partner Information Form (Form 500-13)

See https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-500-13

N. USAID Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants

See https://www.usaid.gov/forms/omb-1890-0014 Applicants' completion of this survey is
voluntary, and is not a requirement of the RFA.

26