Issuance Date: February 7, 2023
Request for Application: Increase Non-Chemical Fertilizer Production and Distribution to Farmers through
Skilled and Formalized Youth Groups
Request for Application Number: RFA-CATALYZE-217772-Ethiopia-2023-0056
The due date for submission of questions: February 15, 2023
Pre-application Conference Date: February 20, 2023
Closing Date for Receipt of Applications: March 3, 2023, at 17:00 EAT.
Total funding available (all grants): 1 million USD
Anticipated Number of Grants: Up to five grants
REF: USAID/CATLYZE Increase Non-Chemical Fertilizer Production and Distribution to Farmers through
Skilled and Formalized Youth Groups
Prime Contract Number: 7200AA19C00080
Subject: Palladium’s Request for Applications (RFA) Number RFA-CATALYZE-217772-Ethiopia-2023-0056
Dear Prospective Applicants,
USAID CATALYZE Market Systems for Growth (MS4G), an initiative funded by the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Palladium LLC, is inviting
qualified business solutions to increase access to non-chemical fertilizer through youth engagement
in Ethiopia under USAID Prime Contract #7200AA19C0080.
The RFA is comprised of the following sections, plus attachments:
I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
II. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
III. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
IV. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
V. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
Successful Applicants will be responsible for ensuring the achievement of the program objectives. Please
refer to the Program Description section of this RFA for a complete statement of goals and expected
results.
Subject to the availability of funds, CATALYZE MS4G intends to issue grants for up to 1 million USD in total
for results achieved from April 2023 to April 2024. Potential grantees will be expected to contribute either
in cash or in kind in line with the applicants' existing operational stage and available resources.
CATALYZE MS4G reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.
To be eligible for the award, applicants must provide all required information in their applications, including
the requirements found in any attachments to this RFA. Applications that are submitted late, or incomplete,
will not be considered. Awards will be made to the applicants whose applications best meet the
requirements of this RFA and the evaluation criteria contained herein.
If potential applicants have any questions, queries, or clarifications, they may forward them to the following
email address before the date stated on the cover page of this RFA:
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[email protected]. Answers will be shared through an amendment to
this RFA.
A pre-application conference related to this RFA will be held on February 20, 2023. If you want to join
the conference, please submit your expression of interest no later than February 19, 2023, to
[email protected].
CATALYZE MS4G requires that applications be submitted electronically (e-mailed) to
[email protected] no later than March 3, 2023, at 17:00 EAT.
Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of CATALYZE MS4G, nor
does it commit CATALYZE MS4G to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an
application. Further, CATALYZE MS4G reserves the right to reject any or all applications received.
Applications are submitted at the risk of the Applicant, and all preparation and submission costs are at the
Applicant's own expense.
Sincerely,
CATALYZE MS4G Grant Team
Attachments:
A. Full Technical Application Template
B. Full Cost Application/Budget Template
C. Fixed Amount Award (FAA) Template
D. ADS 303mav: Certifications, Assurances, Representations, and Statements of the Recipient
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SECTION I: FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
1. Program Description
USAID CATALYZE Market Systems for Growth (CATALYZE MS4G) focuses on creating transformative outcomes in
the food security and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sectors to benefit all Ethiopian people. To achieve these
goals, the activity mobilizes capital, increases access to finance, connects enterprises to markets, engages youth, and
supports stakeholders to self-advocate toward policy change which will promote opportunities for the private sector
community.
Additionally, CATALYZE MS4G ensures that women and young people have the skills and opportunities to contribute
to and benefit from private sector opportunities in food security and WASH. The activity incentivizes local capacity-
building efforts to enhance technical and professional skills and to better connect the supply and demand of labor.
2. Objectives and Scope
To mitigate the acute shortage of chemical fertilizer and increase access to alternative fertilizers that are
produced domestically, it is important to enhance the financial and workforce capabilities of local SMEs and large
enterprises involved in fertilizer manufacturing. Therefore, CATALYZE MS4G invites qualified, businesses, social
enterprises, agri-tech companies, service providers, and knowledge institutions to submit business plans to create
scalable and innovative solutions for increasing access to non-chemical fertilizer in different regions of Ethiopia
through job creation. These solutions should offer ideas and indicate a tangible increase to non-chemical fertilizer
production and distribution while bridging the gap between the demand for jobs and the supply of skilled labor.
In addition, the business plans should align strategies and policies for the agriculture sector and the aspirations of
youth.
The selected entities will be expected to design and deliver relevant job skills training, conduct regular follow-up to
ensure job retention, and facilitate placement of youth and women that result both in behavioral and systemic changes
in Ethiopia. Of those jobs created under the proposed activities, at least 51 percent must be filled by females and at least
50 percent must be in secondary cities. Bidders have broad latitude to accomplish the proposed goal through a variety
of means and approaches.
CATALYZE MS4G invites business plans which clearly emphasize the following guiding principles:
Increase Access to non-chemical fertilizer production: non-chemical fertilizer is organic in nature and
directly derived from plant parts and animal products through microbial activities and does not cause any harm
to the environment. CATALYZE MS4G supports initiatives with solutions to increase non-chemical fertilizer
production and distribution which increases access for farmers. The non-chemical fertilizer could include:
❖ Compost: this type of fertilizer is made from animal manure, green plants, dry matter, soil, and ash.
It is prepared in pits or above ground through a process called ‘controlled microbial composting.
❖ Biofertilizers: are substances that contain living microorganisms (i.e., bacteria, phosphorous
solubilizers, enzymes, etc.) which, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonize the
rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promote growth by increasing the supply or availability
of primary nutrients to the host plant.
❖ Vermicompost: this type of fertilizer has similarities with conventional compost making but uses
worms to speed up the decomposition process of the materials used to make the compost and the
quality is also improved.
❖ Lime (Calcium Carbonate): this is not technically a fertilizer, but it is considered a non-chemical
soil fertility amendment/treatment product used to correct soil acidity where soil PH is less than
seven. The regional governments of Oromia and Amhara have established lime-producing factories in
different locations to process lime and distribute it to farmers for soil acidity amendments.
❖ Liquid Fertilizer: Liquid non-chemical fertilizer is fertilizer manufactured from locally collected plant
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and animal wastes and industrial byproducts.
Increased access to non-chemical fertilizers through youth and women job creation and engagement:
business solutions shall be active and operational in production or distribution of non-chemical fertilizer in Ethiopia and
should do the following:
• Demonstrate how the initiative or proposal will enhance non-chemical fertilizer production and distribution
in Ethiopia.
• Describe how young people and women will be identified, trained, and placed in available jobs to increase the
production and distribution of non-chemical fertilizer. Applicants shall demonstrate the provision of training
to equip youth and women with the required technical (practical) and soft skill (business management,
financial literacy, and marketing) training to produce or distribute the different kinds of non-chemical
fertilizer.
• Demonstrate an ability to track, monitor and report on the farmers accessing non-chemical fertilizer and
youth benefiting from jobs created by the program to assess ongoing performance and immediate outcome
of project assistance.
• Place youth and women in full-time equivalent, decent jobs. Jobs can include wage or salary jobs, or self-
employment.
• Ensure that 51 percent of participants placed are women.
• Ensure that employees or entrepreneurs/self-employment retain the jobs for at least 6 months.
• Demonstrate sustainability and scalability. As part of their business case, applicants should demonstrate
how their initiatives will become independent of external funding and scale post-award.
3. Geographic Scope
This initiative is targeted to increase access to non-chemical fertilizers for Ethiopian farmers to improve agricultural
productivity. Hence, business solutions are expected to show the demand for their products and potential to create
youth jobs within the different regions of Ethiopia mainly in Oromia, SNNPR, Sidama, and Amhara regions.
4. Anticipated Outcomes
Through Fixed amount awards (FAAs) issued to one or more business solutions, each grant must achieve the
following outcomes:
• A minimum of 250 Youth jobs (Full-time equivalent jobs) created through the following areas of non-chemical
fertilizer production and distribution:
o Conventional compost
o Vermicompost
o Biofertilizer
o Lime production
o Liquid Non-chemical Fertilizer
• Increased access to non-chemical fertilizer to a minimum of 5,000 farmers in Ethiopia for improved
agricultural productivity.
5. Requirements
Full Applications must conform to the structure in Attachment A, Technical Application Format, which is described in
more detail in SECTION III of this RFA.
6. Schedule
CATALYZE MS4G anticipates awarding one or more Fixed Amount Award (FAA) grants as a result of this solicitation
process. The expected performance period for the first round is between April 2023 to April 2024.
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7. Project Guidance and Post-Award Support
During the grant period, the Grantee will report to the CATALYZE MS4G Grants Team for overall guidance related
to this grant, to appropriate technical staff for technical matters, and to the M&E team regarding monitoring
deliverables. CATALYZE MS4G will provide the following to the selected Grantee(s):
• Project activity brief
• Simplified report template
• Kick-off meeting
8. Monitoring
CATALYZE MS4G will monitor the implementation of the grant to enable sound oversight and management;
examples of such monitoring include:
• Monthly meetings with Project Team
• Quarterly Program Reviews
o Accomplishments in prior period
o Planned activities for the upcoming period
o Identification of any problematic issues
o Action items list, if any
o Modification of deliverables, if required
SECTION II: ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To be considered eligible for a grant award, prospective grantees must:
• Have or be able to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number unless an exemption applies
(awards less than $25,000 performed by foreign entities overseas).
• Be legally registered as a not-for-profit or for-profit organization in accordance with the laws of
Ethiopia and is in good standing, legally licensed, and up to date on all applicable taxes.
• Certify that it is not affiliated with any political party nor engaged in any partisan activities.
• Submit all mandatory documents prior to the deadline stipulated in the RFA.
• Certify that it is receptive to participating in learning opportunities and commitment to
participating in capacity building.
For more information on eligible sectors and geographic scope, refer to Section 1 Objectives of this RFA.
Note: GSA has developed a useful interactive PDF tool that guides through the most common scenarios about UEI
(https://www.fsd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=af05f8fb1b44851006b09796bc4bcb6d)
SECTION III: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Activity Name: Increase Non-Chemical Fertilizer Production and Distribution to Farmers through Skilled and
Formalized Youth Groups
CATALYZE MS4G will award up to five grants resulting from this solicitation to the responsible applicant(s) that
demonstrate the capability to carry out activities conforming to the project objectives and within the funding and other
parameters set by this RFA.
This solicitation does not commit CATALYZE MS4G to make an award. Palladium may at its sole discretion (a) accept
or reject any or all applications, at any step, in part or in full, without assigning a reason; and (b) waive informalities or
irregularities in applications received.
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FULL APPLICATION
a. Cover Sheet
The applicant provides basic contact information and information regarding the status of the organization. General
information includes these elements:
i. Legal Name of Organization
ii. Mailing Address
iii. Physical Location
iv. Contact Information
v. Organization’s Legal Representative
vi. Tax ID number (or other local ID required for organizations to be eligible)
vii. UEI number, for grants expected to exceed $25,000
b. Instructions for Preparation of the Technical Application (maximum 15 pages total,
excluding annexes)
The Technical Application should be submitted in the English language, and attached with the following annexes,
using the template included as Attachment A to this RFA:
i. Project Description (Maximum 8 pages):
Describes the proposed program activities and overarching program elements, such as the objective of the
grant and the linkage to the project objectives, or how the proposed activities will contribute to these
objectives; results and indicators for measuring results, intended beneficiaries, and plans for disseminating
activity deliverables. Outline how the proposed elements will support progress toward organizational
sustainability.
ii. Project Implementation Plan (2 pages):
This section may be a Gantt chart of planned activities and a timeline with a brief narrative.
iii. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (2 pages):
Describes the monitoring and evaluation methods implemented by the recipient as well as the tools used
to measure and evaluate the program activities, targets, and results.
iv. Project Milestone Schedule (1 page):
Milestones are for a verifiable product, task, deliverable, or goal of the recipient. The milestones will
generally have three parts: (1) a description of the product, task, deliverable, or goal to be accomplished;
(2) a description of how the recipient will document the completion of the product, task, deliverable, or
goal; and (3) the amount that the prime contractor will pay the recipient for the deliverable. Some
milestones may also have dates indicating when the milestone is expected or required to be completed.
Milestones must be objectively verifiable regarding completion and quantity and within the recipient’s span
of management, and control to complete as designed.
v. Experience and Capacity (2 pages):
The applicant lists previous and ongoing experience implementing similar or related activities. This is a
critical factor in assessing the capacity of the grantee to implement the activity. The applicant also provides
contact information of at least three references that can speak to the applicant's performance and
capabilities.
c. Instructions for Preparation of the Cost Application
As part of the Cost Application and in addition to the Budget Template (Attachment B), the applicant shall include
the following:
i. Transmittal Letter
The application must be signed by an individual authorized to commit to the organization.
ii. Organizational Information and Certifications
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The applicant shall submit the following annexes to the cost application:
• “ADS 303mav: Certifications, Assurances, Representations, and Other Statements of the Recipient”
found in Attachment D of this RFA.
• Copy of the organization's chart and bylaws and power of attorney of the authorized signer.
• Copy of the organization’s legal registration under the laws of Ethiopia.
• Copies of the last annual financial report(s) completed by an authorized/certified accountant.
iii. Budget Narrative and Detail
This section should include a summary of the information provided in the application budget forms and includes the total
grant funding request. The applicant must provide a budget, a budget narrative, and adequate cost and historical or
unit pricing data to establish a reasonable cost and the assurance that the recipient will not realize any profit above the
actual cost.
The applicant shall include a budget narrative that breaks down proposed costs in sufficient detail corresponding
to the attached budget template to permit cost analysis. The budget shall be denominated in local currency
only.
Cost estimates must be submitted in Excel format using the attached budget template. The file must
be unprotected and there should be no hidden columns/rows/cells. Each cost element must include a basis for
estimate or rationale. Any budget submitted without the accompanying narrative or in a different template will
not be accepted and the application will not be considered. Please note that applications will be judged
based on the efficiency of costs vs. proposed performance targets. Applicants are also encouraged to
highlight any financial or in-kind contributions they may co-invest in the activities.
The budget template contains the following budget categories:
a. Salaries (activity staff)
The applicant shall provide the individual’s name, position title, the unit (days), the number of units (i.e. the
level of effort), the unit salary or consultant fee, and the total salary or consultant fee. Unit salaries shall
be stated in days. Benefits, fees, and indirect costs should not be included in the unit salary.
b. Fringe Benefits
This could include social security, health insurance, and other mandatory withholdings for relevant grantee
staff.
c. In-Country Travel and Transportation
Travel and Transportation include per diem and shall be broken down by traveler, vehicle, number of trips,
and the corresponding number of days of per diem. Include a basis of estimate for each trip.
d. Other Direct Costs (ODCs)
As part of the detailed budget breakdown, the applicant shall submit details of all other direct costs (ODCs)
required for undertaking the award grant. ODCs include costs of direct program implementation, as well
as costs for communication, meetings, expendable supplies and materials, report preparation/reproduction,
and publications. Include a basis of estimate for each item.
As illustrative examples only, program implementation costs could include the following (or many others):
• Marketing costs: The applicant should provide details of marketing costs that would promote its services.
Illustratively, marketing costs could include events, signage, and promotional print materials.
• Assurance costs: The applicant should provide details of costs for quality improvement/assurance that could
include supervisory visits and monitoring mechanisms.
NOTE: USAID Policy Prohibits the Payment of Fee/Profit to recipients under assistance instruments.
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Submission of the full Application:
Full applications must be submitted no later than 17:00 EAT, March 3, 2023, electronically (via email) to CATALYZE-
[email protected] using the subject line “Subject: Increase Access to Non-Chemical
Fertilizer RFP-0056”
IMPORTANT NOTE: Technical and financial applications should be submitted in two
separate electronic files.
SECTION IV: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
The application must be fully completed in all aspects in each step. An application may not be considered if it is
received after the submission deadline. Costs associated with the preparation of the full application shall be at the
expense of the applicant.
EVALUATION OF FULL APPLICATIONS
CATALYZE MS4G intends to issue a grant to the organization(s) considered to provide the best strategic fit, technical
approach, past performance/organizational capacity, and gender considerations for the overall project. The criteria
below will serve as the basis upon which the application will be evaluated. Selection will also be based on the
capabilities of the organizations as detailed in the application.
a. Evaluation Criteria
The technical applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria, which are listed below and are listed in
order of importance, with the most important listed first with additional details.
Evaluation Details Information Maximum
Criteria Source Score
1 Technical Approach Compelling strategy, and business solution to Technical proposal 50
(Business Solution) increase access to affordable non-chemical
fertilizer while engaging youth and women. The
business solutions shall have a clear strategy for
the production, distribution, and productivity of
the non-chemical fertilizer.
2 Technical Approach Business solution’s presence and scalable Technical proposal
(Geography) approach to expand to secondary cities or more and other 20
testimonial
documents
3 Technical The business solution shall clearly show youth Technical proposal 30
Approach (Youth engagement and its potential to create and other
engagement) sustainable jobs references
Total 100
To be considered, applicants must score 70 or above. CATALYZE MS4G will select up to five of the highest-scoring
applicants to receive a grant.
SECTION V: AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
a. Award Notices
Successful applicants can expect to receive the following upon approval by USAID:
• A notice of USAID approval.
• Draft Fixed Amount Award grant agreement.
b. Award Administration Standards
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Grants resulting from this solicitation will be administered by the approved Project Grants Manual, and the
following regulations (as applicable):
• FAR Part 31 – Cost Principles for For-Profit organizations used to negotiate award amounts and terminations
per 2 C.F.R. 200.201 (b)(1))
• Automated Directives System (ADS) Chapter 303 Grants & Cooperative Agreements to Non-Governmental
Organizations: 303.3.25 Fixed Amount Awards to Non-Governmental Organizations
• A Mandatory Reference for ADS Chapter 303: 303_mak Fixed Amount Award Entity Eligibility Checklist – as
adapted by Palladium
• A Mandatory Reference for ADS Chapter 303: 303_mat Fixed Amount Awards to Non-Governmental
Organizations - as adapted by Palladium
• ADS 302.3.4.13 Grants Under Contracts (GUCs)
• 2 C.F.R. 200.1 Definition Fixed Amount Awards
• 2 C.F.R. 200.201 Use of grant agreements (including fixed amount awards), cooperative agreements, and
contracts (as referenced in ADS 303.3.25.a.)
• 2. C.F.R. 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles for non-profit and educational organizations – used to negotiate
award amounts and terminations per 2 C.F.R. 200.201 (b)(1))
c. Reporting
CATALYZE MS4G reserves the right to audit documentation of results at any time, as the project conducts Monitoring
and Evaluation (M&E) verifications. CATALYZE MS4G will obtain both the fintech platform sales agents and enterprises’
approval to release information in publicly reported success stories, periodic reports, and lessons learned reports. The
grantees may be required to submit additional reporting periodically (reporting format will be provided by CATALYZE
MS4G). Participating grantees agree to comply with and respond to CATALYZE MS4G requests for information.
d. Deliverables required for success fee payment
CATALYZE MS4G will work with apparent successful offerors (ASOs) to finalize a Milestone Payments Schedule with
clear milestones and verifiable deliverables for which payments under the FAA will be made.
e. Branding & Marking Requirements
Successful applicants will be required to submit a Branding Strategy and a Marking Plan that complies with the approved
Branding and Marking Plan for the project and must follow the mandatory standard provision entitled “MARKING AND
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS UNDER USAID-FUNDED ASSISTANCE (DECEMBER 2014)” (for standard cost type
grants) or “MARKING AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS UNDER USAID-FUNDED ASSISTANCE (JULY 2015)" (for
FAAs) in preparing the Branding and Marking Plan.
f. Environmental Compliance
The grants program anticipates funding only activities that fall under the categorical exclusions of “USAID Environmental
Guidelines.”1 Therefore, if all activities under a specific grant are identified as categorical exclusions, the project will not
conduct any additional environmental assessment or will not require prior review by USAID’s environmental officer.
However, in instances where the proposed activity may directly affect the environment outside the exclusions, the project
will seek guidance from the COR, to ensure compliance with 22 CFR 216 and the “USAID Environmental Guidelines.”
CATALYZE MS4G will ensure all stipulated environmental measures and conditions in the award are implemented
throughout the life of the award, and that timely amendments are undertaken, as needed, by obtaining the relevant USAID
Environmental Officer’s prior approval in writing to ensure compliance with 22 CFR 216 and the applicable USAID
Environmental Guidelines.
1
22 CFR 216
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