RFI-Investing in Diversified Agriculture-led Growth Poles for Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient Wealth Creation (Growth Poles Activity)

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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Malawi is in the process of designing an Activity tentatively called “Investing in Diversified Agriculture-led Growth Poles for Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient Wealth Creation (Growth Poles Activity)”. Given the critical nature of the activity, the Agency seeks contributions and comments from all interested organizations in this related portfolio. The following are the purposes of this Request for Information (RFI): 1.     To allow interested organizations and all stakeholders to review, comment, and provide suggestions on the proposed scope under the draft description of objectives; 2.     To solicit stakeholder responses to the questions below; and 3.     To increase USAID's knowledge of capabilities of potential partner organizations and solicit information that will enable USAID to better prepare a solicitation that meets the needs of host country Malawi, for this potential procurement. Through this RFI, USAID/Malawi is conducting market research by publicly consulting with interested organizations and individuals to provide information, opinions, and recommendations on approaches for the implementation of a contemplative activity to address inclusive, resilient and sustainable wealth creation, and commercialization of smallholder agriculture through private sector led approaches and growth poles development. The duration of a potential award is anticipated to be five (5) years with an estimated budget range between $30,000,000 and $40,000,000. We are requesting information, opinions, and recommendations on approaches for the implementation of the described activity. Stakeholder comments are requested to help refine the draft objectives and strategic approaches to ensure maximum development impact, provide feedback on key strategies associated with private-sector led engagement in Malawi, sound coordination with existing activities, and alignment with the Government of Malawi’s top priorities, while also supporting USAID’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). While there are no limits on the length of submissions accepted, we value concise issue-specific responses with reference to page and section numbers in the draft description of objectives. Eligibility criteria: USAID/Malawi will accept responses from all interested organizations or individuals. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY and is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a request for proposal/application/quotation, an invitation for bids or solicitation, nor any proposals/applications. If submitted in response to this request, they will not be considered. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and does not bind the Government. This RFI does not commit the U.S. Government to issue a solicitation. Furthermore, USAID/Malawi is not at this time seeking applications and will not accept unsolicited applications. Respondents are hereby notified that all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI, and release of this RFI shall not be construed as a commitment or as authorization to incur costs for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Responses to this RFI are strictly voluntary and will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the result of the review. If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced on beta.SAM.gov or www.grants.gov at a later date. It is your responsibility to monitor the indicated websites and interested parties are responsible for checking these websites for further information and updates. Respondents are advised that USAID is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information, answer questions, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. It should be noted that respondents to this RFI will not obtain any advantage and will not be precluded from participation in future solicitations, if any are issued. RESPONSES: Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI including any documents that support their comments. Respondents may provide responses through email or through attachments to email in Microsoft Word compatible format or Adobe Acrobat formats electronically to oaa-malawi-solicit@usaid.gov with a copy to lchimangeni@usaid.gov by not later than December 16, 2021 at 6:00 pm Lilongwe time . Responses to the RFI must be written in English, submitted in Microsoft Word compatible formats and use 12pt font. Please number each page consecutively and please include the title RFI-612-22-Growth Poles-01 in the subject line of your e-mail. Please note that there will not be a Q&A opportunity during this RFI. While there are no limits on the length of submissions accepted, we value concise issue-specific responses with reference to page and section numbers in the draft description of objectives. Responses must at a minimum contain the following: (1)  Name and address of the responding organization or individual; (2)  Primary point of contact, phone number and e-mail address. Responses may be used by USAID without restriction or limitation, therefore, proprietary information should not be sent. Again, your voluntary responses will be used to inform USAID’s strategy and activity design. The comments received may or may not be incorporated into any future solicitation. Please note again, that respondents will not receive individualized feedback. All submissions will be considered Government property and will not be returned. Again, USAID is not obligated to procure any of the services described herein, nor should the release of this request be construed as such a commitment on the part of USAID.

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