Basic Education Quality and Transitions | 72052021RFA00006

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72052021RFA00006

USAID Guatemala is soliciting applications for a Basic Education Quality and Transitions project through a Cooperative Agreement, meaning the awardee should expect close collaboration with USAID during implementation rather than operating with complete independence. The opportunity is posted as a discretionary funding notice on Grants.gov (Funding Opportunity Number 72052021RFA00006) under the education category (CFDA 98.001). USAID plans to make a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with an award ceiling of up to $30,000,000, selecting the applicant that best aligns with the stated objectives and performs strongest against the merit review criteria in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), subject to a formal risk assessment.

Eligibility is broadly open and not restricted by applicant type, as long as the applicant meets the standards described in Section C of the NOFO and submits all required information. In practical terms, any qualified organization can compete, but the application must still satisfy USAID compliance requirements and demonstrate the technical and organizational capacity to deliver an education-focused program centered on improving basic education quality and supporting student transitions (as indicated by the project title). Because the instrument is a Cooperative Agreement, applicants should anticipate USAID involvement in key aspects of the activity, such as approvals, coordination, and ongoing oversight, consistent with how USAID typically manages assistance awards.

The competition uses a multi-tier, two-phase Request for Applications process consistent with USAID policy (ADS 303.3.6.1(c)). Phase 1 is a Concept Paper stage that is open to all eligible applicants; USAID screens these submissions and identifies the strongest concepts. Phase 2 is by invitation only for those selected from Phase 1, and it requires a full application plus an oral presentation. This structure is designed to reduce burden on applicants initially while allowing USAID to focus full proposal development on the most competitive approaches.

Administrative and registration requirements are an important part of this opportunity. Applicants must comply with unique entity identifier requirements and maintain active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) as detailed in Section D.6.f of the NOFO, and USAID notes that these registrations can take weeks, so starting early is essential. The NOFO may be amended, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking Grants.gov to ensure they are working from the most current version and have received the full posting; USAID explicitly states it is not responsible for transmission or conversion errors that could occur when downloading or viewing the documents.

Questions must be submitted to the points of contact listed in Section D by the deadline stated in the NOFO. USAID will distribute responses to timely questions to all potential applicants through a formal amendment posted on Grants.gov, which is intended to keep the competition fair and ensure all applicants receive the same clarifications. Technical problems with Grants.gov registration or access are directed to the Grants.gov Helpdesk (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov), reinforcing that applicants should separate platform issues from programmatic questions to USAID.

Key dates included in the source information show the opportunity was created July 13, 2021, with an original closing date of August 16, 2021, though applicants are cautioned that amendments can change details, so the official posting should be treated as the controlling reference. Finally, USAID emphasizes standard federal funding disclaimers: publishing the NOFO does not guarantee an award, does not commit the government to reimburse proposal or preparation costs, and all application development and submission costs are borne by the applicant.

• The Agency for International Development, Guatemala USAID-Guatemala City in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Basic Education Quality and Transitions" 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 Jul 13, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 16, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for 72052021RFA00006

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