For full proposal click on the following link: www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=13090&mode=VIEW

Description:
Improve the quality and sustainability of teacher education and student performance in the targeted geographical areas of Sindh, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (proposals for funding) from U.S. or non-U.S. non-profit or for-profit nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other qualified non-USG organizations to implement a program Links to Learning: Education Support to Pakistan (ED-Links). Please refer to the Program Description (RFA section C) for a complete statement of goals and expected results. The authority for this RFA is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

Subject to the availability of funds, USAID/Pakistan plans to provide a maximum of $90,000,000 to be allocated over a five-year period. USAID intends to award a single cooperative agreement as a result of this solicitation. Cost sharing is required at 3%.

Pursuant to 22 CFR 226.81, it is USAID policy not to award profit under assistance instruments. However, all reasonable, allocable, and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (22 CFR 226, plus OMB Circular A-122 for non-profit organizations, OMB Circular A-21 for universities, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 31 for for-profit organizations), may be paid under the award. USAID/Pakistan reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.

For the purposes of this program, this RFA is being issued and consists of this cover letter and the following:

1. Section A - Application Format;
2. Section B - Selection Criteria;
3. Section C - Program Description;
4. Section D - Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements of Applicant/Recipient; and
5. Section E - Attachments

To be eligible for award, the applicant must provide all required information in its application, including the requirements found in any attachments to this www.grants.gov opportunity. Any future amendments to this RFA can be downloaded from www.grants.gov. It is the responsibility of the recipient of the application document to ensure that it has been received from www.grants.gov in its entirety.

Any questions concerning this RFA should be submitted in writing to the undersigned, via email to pkcontract@usaid.gov. The deadline for submitting questions is April 11, 2007, 8 AM Islamabad time.

Applications and modifications thereof shall be submitted with the name and address of the applicant and the RFA number (referenced above) inscribed thereon, via email, to pkcontract@usaid.gov. Applicants shall submit their applications by e-mail attachment formatted in Microsoft Word (up to 2MB limit per email), with hard copies sent separately. Faxed proposals are not acceptable. Applicants shall confirm with the undersigned that their e-mail submissions were successfully received by the required due date.

In addition to the submission of applications via email, an original and two (2) hard copies of the technical applications, and an original and one (1) hard copy of the cost proposals, shall be sent to:

By Air Courier:

USAID/Pakistan
Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: 92-51-2082636

If you decide to submit an application, it must be received by the closing date and time indicated at the top of this cover letter at the place designated below for receipt of applications. Email copies must arrive by the due date and hard copies must arrive by 5:00 pm Islamabad time Friday, May 4, 2007. Both are required. Applications will be accepted for consideration as long as they arrive at USAID/Pakistan by the time stipulated. See RFA Section A.1.b regarding late applications. In the event of inconsistencies between the hard copy and email versions of the proposal, the email version shall prevail. Applicants are requested to submit the technical and cost portions of their applications in separate volumes and emails so that they may be reviewed separately.

Award will be made to that responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) best meets the requirements of this RFA and the selection criteria contained herein. Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of USAID, nor does it commit USAID to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Further, USAID reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. In addition, final award of any resultant cooperative agreement(s) cannot be made until funds have been fully appropriated, allocated, and committed through internal USAID procedures, and the USAID/Pakistan Operational Plan is approved. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for award. Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant, and all preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's expense.

In the event of any inconsistency between the sections comprising this RFA, it shall be resolved by the following order of precedence:

(a) Section B - Selection Criteria;
(b) Section A - Grant Application Format;
(c) Section C - The Program Description; and
(d) This Cover Letter.

Applicants should take account of the expected delivery time required by the proposal transmission methods, and are responsible to ensure that proposals are received at USAID in Islamabad by the due date and time specified above.

Applicants should retain for their records one copy of all enclosures which accompany their application.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely,

Karin Kolstrom
Agreement Officer
USAID /Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan