The USAID Zambia Agriculture Diversification Support (ZADS) project seeks proposals from local qualified organizations to enhance Zambia’s agricultural sector, focusing on increasing efficiency, equity, and sustainability in food production. Proposals are due by September 3, 2024, with a project commencement expected by October 15, 2024. The project aims to transform subsistence agriculture into a commercially-oriented sector and alleviate rural poverty through improved agricultural practices, market systems, and nutritional outcomes. Key objectives include diversifying crops and livestock production, adopting sustainable farming practices, and strengthening market connections. The project will be implemented in five selected districts across three provinces, requiring collaborations with private and government sectors to enhance market access and profitability. A focus on climate-smart agriculture, gender inclusion, and youth engagement will guide project activities, addressing challenges such as food insecurity and malnutrition, which currently affect millions in Zambia. The contract includes a structure for performance evaluation, adaptive management, and requires continuous engagement with existing USAID programs to ensure cohesive development efforts in agriculture.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Zambia has issued Amendment #2 to the Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 72061124R00006 for the Zambia Agriculture Diversification Support (ZADS) activity. This initiative aims to transform Zambia's agricultural sector into a sustainable producer of nutritious food, addressing rural poverty and food insecurity in a country facing a high rural poverty rate of 79%. Eligible applicants are local organizations, defined as those legally operating in Zambia and majority-owned by Zambians. The amendment revises evaluation criteria, incorporates feedback from proposed offerings, and allows for up to $5 million allocated through a Grants Under Contract (GUC) mechanism with a total estimated cost of $24.4 million over a five-year contract period. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for July 17, 2024, with proposals due by September 3, 2024. Key objectives include increasing agricultural yields, enhancing market systems, improving dietary diversity, and engaging the private sector. Success will be measured through specified deliverables and outcomes. This project reflects USAID's commitment to fostering economic growth and resilience in Zambia, aligning with government efforts to improve agricultural productivity and market access.

The USAID Zambia Agriculture Diversification Support (ZADS) initiative seeks proposals from qualified local organizations to enhance Zambia's agricultural sector, focusing on improving food security, nutrition, and support for small agribusinesses over a five-year period with a budget of up to $24.4 million. The RFP outlines critical amendments, question deadlines, and proposal timelines. Key objectives include increasing agricultural production, strengthening market systems, and enhancing dietary diversity. Local organizations are mandated for eligibility, defined by ownership, management, and operational criteria. The contractor is expected to promote sustainable farming practices, facilitate technology transfers, and improve access to markets, while engaging in close coordination with existing USAID initiatives and adapting to Zambia's dynamic agricultural landscape. Expected outcomes emphasize market connections, nutritional improvements, and enhanced resilience against climate shocks. Ultimately, the project aims to transform subsistence farming into a commercially viable agricultural sector, fostering economic growth and reducing rural poverty. Proposals are due by September 3, 2024, following a pre-proposal conference scheduled for July 17, 2024. This document is pivotal for understanding USAID's framework in agriculture, partnership expectations, and compliance for grant funding opportunities.

The USAID Zambia Agriculture Diversification Support (ZADS) initiative seeks proposals from qualified local organizations to deliver technical services aimed at transforming Zambia's agricultural sector. The total estimated cost for the program is $24.4 million, with $5 million allocated for grants under contract. The target organizations must be locally organized, with majority ownership by Zambian citizens, and must operate within Zambia. The goal is to enhance agricultural efficiency, equity, and sustainability, focusing on improving food production and nutrition while increasing market competitiveness. The initiative aims to address challenges such as low productivity among smallholder farmers, limited access to markets, and high rural poverty rates. The RFP outlines expectations, including the adoption of sustainable farming practices, market systems development, and improvements in dietary diversity. Proposals must include methods for working within selected districts and demonstrating outcomes related to agricultural diversification, market systems engagement, and nutritional impacts. A pre-proposal conference is planned to clarify the application process, and offers are due by September 3, 2024. The awarded contract will be a fixed-price agreement with a five-year performance period, commencing on or about October 15, 2024, contingent on funding availability.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has issued Amendment 2 for RFP Number 72061124R00006 regarding the Zambia Agriculture Diversification Support Activity (ZADS). This document addresses queries from potential offerors regarding project parameters and submission guidelines. Key details include targeted districts in Copperbelt, Central, and Eastern provinces; a budget ceiling of $24.4 million over five years; and eligibility requirements highlighting that only local organizations can be prime contractors, while international entities may act as subcontractors. The solicitation emphasizes the importance of collaboration with existing USAID projects to enhance execution efficiency and avoid redundancy. Offerors are expected to develop innovative technical approaches within predetermined geographic zones, focusing on agricultural diversification, dietary diversity, and supporting local agricultural stakeholders. Clarity around financial obligations, such as the fixed-price contract structure and cash flow management, are outlined. Additionally, the document notes compliance requirements for environmental regulations and encourages incorporating climate-smart practices. Offerors must submit proposals by the defined deadline, adhering to specified page limits, and while no changes to partners are expected after project initiation, modifications can be discussed with prior approval. This RFP serves as a strategic opportunity for fostering local agricultural development and sustainability in Zambia.

The USAID Zambia Agriculture Diversification Support (ZADS) activity aims to enhance Zambia’s agricultural sector, making it more efficient, equitable, and sustainable, with a total estimated cost of $24.4 million. This solicitation seeks proposals from local organizations for a fixed-price contract, lasting up to five years. Amendments to the Request for Proposals (RFP) provide answers to questions and update evaluation criteria, with a focus on grants under contract mechanisms to allocate $5 million for diverse agricultural production. Key objectives include increasing the variety of crops produced, enhancing market systems, and improving food security by promoting sustainable practices and market access. The project will focus on five selected districts within three provinces: Copperbelt, Central, and Eastern. Notable outcomes expected from the work include improved agricultural yields, increased participation in value chains, enhanced dietary diversity, and the establishment of functional outgrower schemes. Performance monitoring and adaptive management are emphasized to address the changing dynamics in Zambia’s development landscape. The contractor must ensure alignment with national goals and collaborate with existing USAID projects for effective implementation and sustainability of the agricultural interventions.

The document serves as Amendment 3 and outlines responses to Round Two questions received under the USAID Zambia Agriculture Diversification Support Activity (ZADS) RFP Number 72061124R00006. It addresses concerns related to financial risks, proposal submission requirements, deliverable approval processes, and budget templates associated with the contract. Key points include clarification that the contract will be fixed price with subsequent price redetermination, the proposal does not require binding language, and deliverables will be measured against baseline surveys. The document further clarifies that the contractor must set aside $5 million for Grants Under Contract (GUC) funding, explicitly prohibiting construction activities under GUCs, and confirming that payments will be based on results rather than activity completion. Additionally, it encourages transparency for local entities, emphasizing the necessity for documentation that validates their local status while removing page limits on business proposals. This structured Q&A format aims to ensure clarity and support for interested parties responding to the RFP, reflecting USAID’s commitment to effective partnerships in agricultural diversification initiatives in Zambia.

The document provides responses to questions related to the USAID Zambia Agriculture Diversification Support Activity (ZADS) RFP Number 72061124R00006. It addresses important aspects of the proposal process, including the validation and execution of surveys, subcontractor limitations, responsibilities regarding grants, and the nature of proposed activities, such as irrigation system rehabilitation. Key points include confirmation that all surveys must be conducted by a third-party and the lack of restrictions on the number of subcontractors. It clarifies that grant execution is limited to the prime contractor and outlines that certain activities like small-scale construction are not allowed. The document also states that offerors must adhere to a specified budget format for consistency and details the evaluation process regarding financial capacity and conflict of interest scenarios. It emphasizes the contribution of ZADS to the existing Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) while addressing the need for adaptable planning in light of potential crises in the operational environment. Overall, the responses aim to provide clarity and direction for bidders to ensure compliance with USAID regulations and to enhance the effectiveness of project proposals under ZADS.

The provided government file outlines a structured format for tracking contracts related to federal and local RFPs and grants. It includes a series of entries detailing unique contract numbers, financial amounts, contracting entities, and a brief description of work performed. Additionally, it addresses challenges faced during execution and the corresponding corrective actions taken. The document emphasizes quality awards and certifications connected to the contracts, along with relevant points of contact, including phone numbers and emails for further inquiries. This framework is essential for ensuring accountability and transparency in government contracting processes, demonstrating the importance of documenting performance metrics and issues encountered. By aggregating this information, the file serves not only as a record of expenditures but also as a mechanism for improving future contracts and addressing potential inefficiencies. Overall, the document underscores the commitment to effective management of government resources and regulatory compliance in contracting activities.

The document outlines the mandatory budget format required for federal and state/local RFPs, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive financial breakdown for year one of a proposed project. It categorizes expected costs into various line items including labor, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, and indirect costs, along with a section for sub-awardees and sub-grants. Each section requires itemization of rates, level of effort, and total estimated costs, allowing for the inclusion of additional worksheets if more sub-awardees are proposed. The overview highlights the importance of clear budgetary planning for grant applications, ensuring that all potential costs are accounted for to aid in the evaluation of proposals. The structure facilitates standardized reporting, promoting transparency and comparability across budgets. Overall, this information is essential for organizations seeking funding, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines while detailing financial expectations.

The document outlines a mandatory budget format for year one funding requests within federal RFPs, federal grants, and state or local RFPs. It requests detailed financial information categorized into several key expense items: labor, fringe benefits, allowances, travel, equipment, supplies, other direct costs (including subcontracts), sub-grants, indirect costs, and expected interim profit. For each category, it calls for itemized data, including rates, level of effort (LOE), and total costs, ensuring that all figures are presented in US dollars. The budget template is structured for multiple subawardees, allowing for additional worksheets as needed. Specific entries for travel include international and local aspects, per diem, and transportation, while equipment expenses differentiate between expendable and non-expendable assets. Overall, the document emphasizes clarity and thoroughness in fiscal planning to support project applications, critical for securing funding aligned with governmental expectations and compliance requirements within the context of grant proposals. Each budget component must reflect genuine needs and cost-saving measures that uphold transparency and accountability in federal funding initiatives.

The Feed the Future Indicator Handbook (November 2023) details performance and tracking indicators for the U.S. government's Feed the Future initiative, aligned with the Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) for FY 2022–2026. It introduces standard performance indicators, which are mandatory for reporting by Operating Units (OUs) and implementing partners (IPs) to track progress against poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition among target populations, particularly within the Zone of Influence (ZOI). The handbook specifies three data collection levels: ZOI level, activity/implementing mechanism (IM) level, and national level. Key topics include how to monitor the agricultural sector, assess women's empowerment, and measure resilience in communities. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for custom indicators to track specific outcomes and address the complexities of market system development. Data sourced from both primary and secondary methods is crucial for establishing baselines and monitoring changes over time. The document underscores the importance of clarity in reporting, accountability in achieving targets, and the collection of disaggregated data to ensure meaningful analysis. Overall, the handbook serves as a comprehensive guide for effective monitoring and evaluation in food security efforts, aimed at fostering sustainable development and improving nutrition outcomes globally.

The USAID/Zambia Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Plan (2023-2027) aims to address malnutrition and improve nutritional outcomes among women and children in Zambia. Despite previous efforts, malnutrition remains a significant issue, contributing to child and maternal deaths. Key statistics from the 2018 Zambia Demographic Health Survey reveal high rates of stunting, underweight, anemia, and food insecurity, affecting national health and economic development. The government has set ambitious goals to reduce underweight prevalence and stunting by 2026 as part of its 8th National Development Plan. The plan highlights the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to nutrition, integrating efforts across health, agriculture, and education sectors. Collaboration with local partners, the private sector, and international donors is essential for leveraging resources and achieving sustainable improvements. USAID's investment strategies include increasing access to nutritious foods, enhancing agricultural production, and promoting better nutrition practices through community engagement. The document underscores the need for a robust governance framework, capacity-building initiatives, and ongoing evaluation to ensure effective implementation of nutrition programs. Key indicators for monitoring progress and outcomes are also identified, reflecting a comprehensive approach to improving Zambia's nutrition landscape.