USAID/Afghanistan Election Observation Support Grant

USAID/Afghanistan is offering a grant to support international organizations experienced in election observation for the upcoming Afghanistan presidential and provincial council elections in April 2014. The grant aims to assess the elections based on Afghan law and international standards, prevent irregularities, boost public confidence, and uphold citizens’ voting rights. The grant will fund up to three awards totaling $6-12 million for a three-month period, extendable if needed. Interested organizations must have a strong track record in conducting international election observation missions, particularly in challenging settings. Expressions of interest should be submitted by October 30, 2013, to the designated USAID contacts.

Opportunity ID: 245093

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General Information

Document Type::	Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number::	306-14-0000
Funding Opportunity Title::	Request for Information (RFI)
Opportunity Category::	Other
Opportunity Category Explanation::	Request for Information (RFI)
Funding Instrument Type::
Category of Funding Activity::	Other (see text field entitled “Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity” for clarification)
Category Explanation::	International Election Observation Missions (EOMs)
Expected Number of Awards::	6
Assistance Listings Number(s)::	98.001 — USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement::	No
Version::	Synopsis 1
Posted Date::	Oct 23, 2013
Last Updated Date::
Original Closing Date for Applications::	Oct 30, 2013
Current Closing Date for Applications::	Oct 30, 2013
Archive Date::	Apr 30, 2014
Estimated Total Program Funding::	$ 12,000,000
Award Ceiling::	$12,000,000
Award Floor::	$0

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants::	Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification)
Additional Information on Eligibility::	International Organizations

Additional Information

Agency Name::	Afghanistan USAID-Kabul
Description::	USAID/Afghanistan is seeking expressions of interest from experienced international organizations with a solid track record of fielding international election observation missions (EOMs) for its planned support of international missions to observe Afghanistans presidential and provincial council elections. The elections, which are slated to occur on April 5, 2014, will be a critical milestone in Afghanistans continuing political transition and, if widely viewed as credible, transparent, and inclusive, will play a fundamental role in securing the countrys path towards democratic stability. The purpose of any support that USAID provides will be to 1) assess the conduct of the elections on the basis of Afghan law and international standards, 2) deter irregularities and electoral manipulation, 3) raise public confidence in the electoral process, and 4) promote the right of citizens to vote. This RFI is not binding on the part of U.S. Government and does not obligate USAID to issue a Solicitation, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the review, response and information exchange process with potential Offerors. USAID/Afghanistan anticipates issuing up to three awards to support international EOMs. The total of all awards will range between $6-12 million. The period of performance is approximately three months, beginning on February 1, 2014; with a possible extension should a run-off occur. USAID is interested in funding small-scale EOMs that combine long- and short-term observers and seek the widest geographic coverage possible, given security constraints. USAID expects that international EOMs will regularly communicate with the interested public about their findings, including through statements of preliminary findings, an assessment of any irregularities observed, and other statements at key points throughout the electoral process. Before the conclusion of the EOM, the organizations will prepare an independent, documented, and comprehensive report on the overall election process. USAID-funded international EOMs will be expected to liaise with local domestic election monitors and will be encouraged to partner with regional election observation groups, where possible. In addition, they will be expected to coordinate with other credible international observation missions. Interested organizations must have extensive experience and a proven track record fielding international EOMs, particularly in challenging, post-conflict environments. Please submit expressions of interest to Mr. Jonathan Palmer, Agreement Officer at jpalmer@state.gov and to Ms. Ousay Wahaj, Sup. Acquisition and Assistance Spec. at owahaj@usaid.gov and kabulaidoaamailbox@usaid.gov by October 30th, 2013, 4:30, PM, Kabul Time.
Link to Additional Information::
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Version History

Version	Modification Description	Updated Date
Synopsis 1

Package Status

Package No: 1