USAID/Bangladesh and the Private Sector: Partnering to Fight COVID-19 | 72038820APS00001

FAQs: USAID/Bangladesh and the Private Sector - Partnering to Fight COVID-19 (72038820APS00001)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary USAID/Bangladesh funding opportunity designed to bring USAID, private companies, and other organizations together under a Global Development Alliance (GDA) model to address the COVID-19 crisis in Bangladesh. The intent is to create a practical pathway for public-private collaboration where private sector capabilities and incentives align with USAID development priorities.

2) What is the main goal of the program?

The program aims to support partnership-based projects that simultaneously (1) respond to the immediate COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh, (2) advance real business interests and operational objectives for private sector partners, and (3) contribute to USAID/Bangladesh strategic goals, including longer-term economic growth and poverty reduction that help sustain business success over time.

3) What is a Global Development Alliance (GDA) in this context?

In this opportunity, a GDA is a partnership model where USAID and private sector partners (and potentially other organizations) work together and leverage each other’s strengths. It is structured as a two-way leverage approach: USAID brings development expertise and in-country assets, while private partners bring market access, technical know-how, distribution channels, innovation, and resources.

4) What types of activities can be funded?

The opportunity allows for both immediate COVID-19 pandemic response interventions and activities addressing longer-term or secondary impacts of the pandemic. This includes direct outbreak response as well as efforts aimed at managing knock-on effects such as economic disruptions.

5) What are examples of "immediate response" activities mentioned?

Immediate response efforts may align with priorities in Bangladesh’s COVID-19 Country Preparedness and Response Plan (CPRP), which was jointly prepared by the Government of Bangladesh and the international community.

6) Can projects address the economic impacts of COVID-19?

Yes. USAID signals openness to alliances that address secondary impacts such as disruptions to food security and shocks to key industries, including the garments sector.

7) Are there cross-cutting social priorities that proposals can include?

Yes. Proposed alliances may incorporate cross-cutting priorities such as peace and stability, human rights, and gender equity. The opportunity recognizes that pandemics can intensify social vulnerabilities and inequalities.

8) How does this opportunity benefit private sector partners?

Private sector partners may gain access to USAID expertise, on-the-ground relationships, and operational assets that can improve effectiveness and scalability of a COVID-19 response, while also supporting business continuity and resilience.

9) How does USAID expect to benefit from partnering with the private sector?

USAID seeks to leverage private sector markets, technical know-how, distribution channels, innovation capacity, and resources to address urgent development challenges more efficiently, with an emphasis on market-led approaches.

10) How is this connected to Bangladesh’s "Journey to Self-Reliance"?

The opportunity is framed to support Bangladesh’s "Journey to Self-Reliance" by funding activities that provide immediate relief while also strengthening systems and capacities. The expectation is to reduce long-term dependence and improve resilience as COVID-19 continues to create negative impacts.

11) What award instrument types are expected under this opportunity?

The listed award instrument types are cooperative agreements and grants. Cooperative agreements typically involve a more collaborative relationship with the agency during implementation.

12) What does it mean that performance targets may be jointly agreed during implementation?

This opportunity emphasizes the alliance nature of a GDA, where final results and performance targets are expected to be jointly agreed upon by selected participants and USAID/Bangladesh during implementation. This reflects negotiated shared goals, contributions, and measurable outcomes among partners.

13) What activity categories does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is associated with activity categories that include agriculture and business and commerce, reflecting its combined public health response and economic stabilization intent.

14) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the competition is broadly open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may be included in the full announcement.

15) How many awards will be made?

The solicitation anticipates a limited number of awards.

16) What is the maximum award amount mentioned?

The stated award ceiling is $10,000,000, indicating the maximum anticipated funding level for an award under this announcement.

17) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is 72038820APS00001.

18) Which USAID office issued this opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development mission in Bangladesh (USAID-Dhaka).

19) When was the opportunity created and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was created on April 30, 2020, with an original closing date of April 29, 2021.

20) How should this opportunity be understood at a high level?

It is best understood as a partnership platform for blended public-private solutions that tackle COVID-19 in Bangladesh while strengthening economic resilience, supporting critical sectors, and advancing inclusive development priorities.