U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. EMBASSY CHAD, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SECTION
Fiscal Transparency Innovation Fund Project
Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Embassy Chad, Fiscal Transparency Innovation Fund (FTIF)
CFDA Number: 19.662
Date Opened: August 21, 2020
Federal Agency Contact: NdjamenaGrants@state.gov
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The United States Embassy in N’Djamena has obtained a FTIF grant of $100,000 for the development of a website for the publication of Tender Notices by the General Directorate of Public Procurement Control (DGCMP). The website will allow the DGCMP to publish all calls for tenders for public contracts for Public Works, Supplies and Services, and Intellectual Services. The website will reduce government spending by increasing competition for public procurement through greater visibility for all potential bidders. The website will also fight corruption and encourage public scrutiny of government spending in line with global best practices. A bidding progress tracking tool will encourage the media and the public to hold the government accountable for awarding contracts on time, transparency, and fairness.
Key Objectives
- Reduce the costs of publishing Chadian government tenders and procurement.
- Support financial transparency and increase public and media participation in governance.
Expected Outcomes
- Develop a stand-alone government procurement website accessible by the public
- Train DGCMP agents and prepare training guides to ensure site sustainability
- Coordinate with ARMP and Ministries to ensure appropriate data is loaded onto the website to facilitate research and statistical analysis
- Teach Ministry procurement agents data preparation best practices
Project Details
The project implementer will have six months to develop the website and six months to train DGCMP agents, troubleshoot bugs, and make necessary site adjustments. The total project budget is up to $100,000, and some funding may be earmarked for long-term website maintenance and equipment purchases. The project implementer must be a non-government actor.
The project will begin with a call for proposals which will be published on the website of the United States Embassy in N’Djamena (https://td.usembassy.gov/) in order to recruit a website developer, who will work with the DGCMP and the Embassy to design a site comprising:
- A searchable database for all government tenders with various filtering categories including Ministry, bid status, and tender type
- A digital repository of procurement legislation in Chad
- Full qualification and eligibility conditions for each tender, to include the schedule, scope, and budget of the project; submission deadlines; and all documentation relating to the tenders to eliminate initial in-person dossier reviews
- A repository of tender winners
- A mechanism for digital applications with tracked submission timestamps and limited content modification permissions
The implementer must also include a training module to allow DGCMP agents to update and maintain the site regularly as new tenders become available and old ones are awarded.
Once awarded, the successful website design bidder will have six months to build the site and an additional six months to serve as technical advisor, while DGCMP will begin functional website operation.
Activities that are not typically funded include but are not limited to: FTIF funds may not be used for any military or paramilitary purposes. These resources also generally may not be used to support police, prisons, or other law enforcement forces or foreign intelligence services.
Background Information: The Department of State supports fiscal transparency through targeted grants to partners worldwide. Chad is one of only 16 countries to receive Fiscal Transparency Innovation Fund support for 2020. The United States Embassy in Chad Political and Economic Section solicits proposals from non-governmental organizations for this project.
II. Award Information
Funding Instrument Type: Grant
Floor of Award Amounts: $50,000
Ceiling of Award Amounts: $100,000
The U.S. Embassy Chad Political and Economic Section reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described in the absence of worthy applications or under such other circumstances as it may deem to be in the best interest of the United States Government. Funds may be disbursed in several tranches.
Project and Budget Periods: Local grants projects must be completed in one year or less. The Political and Economic Section will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards, beyond the initial budget period, on a noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the applicants, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the United States Government.
III. Eligibility Information: Unrestricted
Applications are encouraged from all sectors: committed and organized civil-society organizations, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. Applicants are encouraged to provide cost sharing from additional sources in support of proposed projects; applications should explain clearly other likely sources of funding or in-kind participation.
IV. Application Submission and Deadline
Proposals should be submitted via email to the United States Embassy in Chad Political and Economic Section to NdjamenaGrants@state.gov. Proposals will also be accepted in hard copy and should be delivered to: United States Embassy in Chad, Political and Economic Section, ATTN: Fiscal Transparency Fund Proposal.
Applications are accepted in English and French; however, final grant agreements will be concluded in English. Please note that we cannot guarantee the return of original documents.
V. Review and Selection Process
Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below. The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project and determine the likelihood of its success. The criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Applications will be reviewed based on their completeness, coherence, clarity, and attention to detail.
Applicants must submit a full project description, including a detailed narrative that outlines the plan of action, describing the scope of the proposed work and how it will be accomplished. The narrative should be accompanied by a detailed budget that includes all program costs and clearly indicates the proposing organization’s cost-share and/or in-kind participation.
Relevant web site construction and maintenance experience, including links to previously constructed sites, is useful. A mock-up of the implementer’s vision for this website design project will be viewed favorably by the review board.
Application Evaluation Criteria:
Goals and Objectives: The application is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving project goals.
Strengths and Innovation: Applicant clearly describes how its proposal will address the requested program within the proposed time frame and articulates an innovative strategy or plan. The project accounts for the realities of operating in Chad, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizational Capacity: The organization has relevant expertise in website development, project implementation, and training, and demonstrates the ability to perform the proposed activities.
Sustainability: The organization demonstrates a clear plan to sustain project activities beyond the performance period of the grant.
Budget and Budget Justification: The budget and narrative justification are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results and the plan for services is realistic.
VI. Award Administration
Award Notices: The grant award shall be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer (GO). The Grants Officer (GO) is the U.S. government official delegated the authority by the U.S. Department of State Procurement Executive to write, award, and administer grants. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient. Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified in writing.
Deadline of Submission: Proposals are accepted not later than September 18, 2020.
Reporting Requirements: All awards issued under this announcement will require both program and financial reports on a frequency specified in the award agreement. The disbursement of funds may be tied to submission of these reports in a timely manner. All other details related to award administration will be specified in the award agreement.