NRSM Request for Information | 72049219 EORFI 00001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72049219 EORFI 00001

USAID/Philippines issued this Request for Information (RFI) to gather practical input from stakeholders on a draft concept note for a planned project called the Natural Resource Security and Management (NRSM) Project. The point of the RFI is consultation, not funding. USAID is using it to invite feedback from a broad mix of public and private sector actors working on biodiversity, natural resources, governance, and related enforcement and market issues in the Philippines. The comments collected are intended to strengthen the eventual project design document by improving clarity, sharpening development impact, avoiding duplication, coordinating with other donor and USAID efforts, and aligning with Government of the Philippines priorities.

The concept behind NRSM has two main objectives. First, it aims to improve governance of natural resources and the landscapes and seascapes they come from, meaning the rules, institutions, enforcement, incentives, and coordination mechanisms that determine how resources are managed and who benefits. Second, it aims to reduce the drivers of natural resource insecurity by tackling both supply and demand dynamics. On the supply side, that includes reducing conservation crimes (such as illegal logging, illegal wildlife trade, illegal fishing, and other environmental violations). On the demand and economic side, it includes supporting development of the natural resources sector in ways that reduce pressure on ecosystems while improving legitimate livelihoods and market systems. USAID notes that the project results and structure are laid out in the attached concept note, and that feedback may lead to revisions through this RFI and additional consultations.

A key message throughout the announcement is that this is strictly an information-gathering step. It is not a Notice of Funding Opportunity and not a Request for Applications, and nothing submitted will be treated as an application or used to create any binding agreement. USAID also makes clear there is no commitment to issue a future solicitation or make an award, and it will not pay for the costs of preparing responses. Participation now also will not provide any competitive advantage later if USAID does release a formal funding opportunity. USAID does not plan to publish the responses it receives.

USAID is asking for concise, issue-specific written comments, limited to four pages, submitted by email to the Agreement Officer by the deadline listed in the RFI (the opportunity record shows an original closing date of November 25, 2019). Submissions must be emailed (no phone calls and no hard-copy delivery) and should use a specific email subject line: "Response to RFI No. 72049219-EO/RFI-00001, USAID Natural Resource Security and Management Project." USAID indicates it values comments that reference page and section numbers in Attachment A (the concept note), so respondents can directly address and improve specific parts of the draft.

To structure stakeholder input, USAID highlights six specific questions it wants respondents to address. These focus on identifying priority threats to biodiversity and natural resources in the Philippines and the underlying drivers of degradation; improving the project theory of change (referenced as being on pages 4 to 5 of the concept note); assessing whether the proposed outcomes and draft results framework are clear, feasible, and strategically sufficient; recommending specific interventions and suggesting how success should be measured; describing realistic roles for the private sector at both national and subnational levels; and providing examples of approaches that are not just effective in the short term but also sustainable and scalable across the Philippines.

In addition to written submissions, USAID scheduled an in-person "Industry Day" on November 6, 2019, at the Manila Diamond Hotel in Manila, running from 8:30 to 15:30 local time. Each organization could send only one participant. The conference was designed to do four things: explain USAID/Philippines program requirements related to natural resource security and governance; collect insights on best practices and standards that could shape the project requirements; create space for organizations to meet, network, and potentially form partnerships; and provide guidance on how to do business with USAID. Organizations planning to attend were instructed to email the participant name and contact details to the listed USAID contact (Ayko Parungao).

From the opportunity record, the basic listing details are: Funding Opportunity Title "NRSM Request for Information," Funding Opportunity Number 72049219-EO/RFI-00001, Opportunity Category Discretionary, Funding Instrument Type listed as Other, Activity Category Other, CFDA 98.001, and Agency listed as USAID/Philippines (USAID-Manila). No award ceiling or expected awards are provided because this is an RFI rather than a funding solicitation.

• The Philippines USAID-Manila in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NRSM Request for Information" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-10-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-11-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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