Kenya Self-Reliance Development Coalition (KSDC) | RFI KEA 2020 001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Kenya Self-Reliance Development Coalition (KSDC) - USAID/Nairobi (RFI KEA 2020 001)

1) What is the Kenya Self-Reliance Development Coalition (KSDC) opportunity?

This is a USAID/Nairobi notice tied to Kenya that focuses on engaging local Kenyan organizations around a "coalition" concept aimed at advancing self-reliance. Based on the listing details provided, it is described as a discretionary opportunity aligned with USAID program interests in Kenya.

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RFI KEA 2020 001.

3) Is this a grant, a cooperative agreement, or something else?

The funding instrument type shown is a Cooperative Agreement. Cooperative agreements are generally used when USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation (for example, engagement in technical direction, work planning, coordination, and learning), rather than a more hands-off relationship.

4) Is this a standard competitive funding opportunity announcement?

The available record does not look like a typical announcement with clearly defined award sizes, number of awards, and full instructions in the public text. Multiple critical details appear to have been placed in an "attached document" that is not included here.

5) Does "RFI" mean this is a Request for Information rather than an application for funding?

The opportunity number begins with "RFI," which commonly stands for Request for Information. RFIs are typically used to collect input from stakeholders, identify capable organizations, and help shape a future program design before a formal solicitation is issued. Based on the information provided only, this may have been an informational or market-research step rather than a direct request for full applications for funding.

6) Who is the issuing agency and which office is associated with the opportunity?

The notice is associated with USAID/Nairobi.

7) What is the main purpose or theme of the opportunity?

The title and summary indicate a coalition-style effort intended to advance self-reliance in Kenya by engaging local Kenyan organizations. A coalition approach typically implies collaboration among multiple local actors to coordinate development activities, strengthen local leadership and ownership, and improve the ability of Kenyan institutions and communities to sustain results over time.

8) What kinds of organizations were expected to be involved?

The short description references "Local Kenyan organizations." The narrative also notes that a coalition often involves multiple local actors such as civil society groups, community-based organizations, local NGOs, and other Kenyan entities. Exact eligibility and participation rules are not provided in the text shown and were likely in the missing attachment.

9) Are international organizations eligible to apply?

The public details provided do not specify whether international organizations can apply directly or only participate as sub-awardees/partners. The eligibility category is listed as "Others," and the description emphasizes "Local Kenyan organizations," suggesting prioritization of Kenyan-based entities. Any definitive rule would normally be stated in the referenced attached document.

10) Does the opportunity require a consortium or partnership?

The coalition framing suggests some form of multi-actor coordination, but the provided information does not confirm whether an applicant must apply as a consortium or whether a single organization could apply while convening or managing a coalition. That level of detail is not included in the text provided.

11) What sectors or technical areas does the opportunity cover?

The activity category is listed as "Other." The coalition framing suggests it could cut across multiple sectors and may include coordination, capacity strengthening, partnership building, joint problem-solving, and shared measurement and learning. Specific sectors, outcomes, or thematic priorities are not defined in the record provided and were likely described in the attached document.

12) What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this opportunity?

The CFDA/Assistance Listing number shown is 98.001. This is a broad USAID foreign assistance listing commonly used as an umbrella identifier rather than a narrow, sector-specific listing.

13) How much funding is available (award size or ceiling)?

The award ceiling is shown as 0 in the source record. This typically indicates the posting did not present a defined award ceiling in the listing itself, or that the funding parameters were intended to be provided in the attached document.

14) How many awards were expected to be made?

The expected number of awards is blank in the listing details provided. This often happens when the notice is not a standard competitive funding opportunity with defined award counts, or when those details are contained in an attachment not included here.

15) What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The opportunity was created on February 28, 2020. The original closing date was March 27, 2020.

16) Where are the submission instructions and required formats?

The public description repeatedly references "See attached document." Based on the information provided only, the core submission instructions, required formats (such as concept notes or capability statements), evaluation factors, and any templates would have been contained in that attachment.

17) What evaluation criteria would USAID use to review responses?

Evaluation criteria are not included in the text shown. The listing indicates that details were likely provided in the attached document referenced in the short description.

18) What does a cooperative agreement imply for implementation and oversight?

With a cooperative agreement, USAID typically anticipates substantial involvement during implementation. This can include collaboration on work planning, active participation in technical direction, and support for coordination and learning. The exact nature of USAID involvement for this specific activity is not described in the text provided.

19) Is this opportunity tied to Kenya specifically?

Yes. The notice is linked to Kenya, references local Kenyan organizations, and is associated with USAID/Nairobi.

20) What information is missing that would be needed to apply or respond correctly?

Based on the text provided, several important elements are missing from the listing itself, including: the detailed program objectives, the specific type of submission requested (if any), eligibility rules, coalition structure expectations, geographic focus within Kenya, deliverables, evaluation criteria, and clear funding parameters. The record indicates these details were likely contained in an attached document not provided here.

21) What is the safest summary of this notice based on what is provided?

The safest summary is that USAID/Nairobi sought to engage and potentially partner with local Kenyan organizations through a coalition mechanism to support Kenya-focused self-reliance development aims, using a cooperative agreement structure, with the detailed requirements and funding parameters referenced in an attachment.

22) If the attached document becomes available, what additional clarity would it provide?

Based on the description, the attached document would likely clarify target sectors, expected outcomes, geographic focus within Kenya, the intended coalition membership or governance model, required deliverables, submission instructions, and whether the notice was strictly an RFI (information-gathering) or intended to lead directly to an award.