DRAFT PROGRAM DESCRIPTION - Civil Society Sustainability Project (CSSP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is considering issuing a solicitation estimated at a value NTE $8,850,000 for a new five year activity entitled Civil Society Sustainability Project (CSSP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The purpose of CSSP it to strengthen and sustain civil society capacity to influence and oversee government policy development and implementation processes. In support of USAID’s efforts to develop local capacity and promote sustainability in BiH, eligibility to submit applications under this solicitation will be limited to local Bosnian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Foundations. Please see below definition of a local Bosnian NGO. As part of the process of designing and soliciting this new activity, USAID/BiH is sharing a draft of the Program Description, Instructions to Applicants and Evaluation Criteria for the purpose of soliciting comments on clarity and feasibility and to provide interested parties with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the expected requirements. This notice is solely intended to solicit comments on this impending activity and is NOT a Request for Application (RFA). Ideas contained herein may change during the USAID/BiH Mission’s ongoing program design, consultations and final approval processes. Interested parties shall submit all comments in regards to this draft Program Description in writing to baaron@usaid.gov and vhollosy@usaid.gov by March 8, 2013 4:00PM Bosnia and Herzegovina local time. Comments sent to any other e-mail addresses will not be considered. The e-mail transmitting the comments shall reference “CSSP – Comments on Draft PD” on the subject line of the e-mail. Only comments submitted in English will be accepted. Please note that telephone inquiries regarding this notice will not be accepted. Local Organization Definition: For specific purposes of this activity USAID defines a local organization as one which: 1) is organized under the BiH laws (Laws on Associations and Foundations); 2) Has its principal place of business in Bosnia and Herzegovina; 3) Is majority owned by individuals who are BiH citizens or lawful permanent BiH residents or be managed by a governing body, the majority of whom are BiH citizens or lawful permanent BiH residents; and 4) Is not controlled by a foreign entity or by an individual or individuals who are not BiH citizens or permanent BiH residents. Local organization does not include subsidiaries, affiliates, or member entities of organizations located outside of or organized outside of BiH. Local partners by this definition are not international organizations.

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