Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Leader with Associates Award?
- Why do awards under this instrument not have to be competed?
- What sort of activities does the award fund?
- Who can use this procurement instrument?
- How does one go about accessing this mechanism for project implementation?
- Can this instrument be used for design purposes?
- Do I need to prepare any justifications for using this instrument?
- Does AID/W need to approve my program description?
- Can non-consortium PVOs receive funds under the mechanism?
- Can local NGOs apply for grants under the mechanism?
- Who is the CTO for this award?
1. What is a Leader with Associates Award? [top]
"Leader with Associates Award" can be likened to an Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) in the form of a cooperative agreement rather than a contract. Like an IQC, it is pre-competed to conduct certain activities. The term, "leader" refers to the portion of the award that is available for buy-ins from missions/bureaus and for rapid response design work. The rapid response feature lends funds to missions for immediate help with all aspects of design. Generally, funding for activities in non-USAID-presence countries is channeled through the leader award while funding for activities in USAID-presence countries is issued under an associate award. Associate awards are issued and fully managed by missions. For more details on the award and how to access it, please click here.
2. Why do awards under this instrument not have to be competed? [top]
Simply put, because the mechanism itself has already been competed, or "pre-competed." Pact and its consortium competed against numerous other organizations in a rigorous and open process to receive what is, in essence, a seal of approval to implement certain types of activities. No further justification or competition is required to support activity under this mechanism. For more details on the award and how to access it, please click here.
3. What sort of activities does the award fund? [top]
The CSL offers ready assistance to missions and bureaus in meeting requirements for assessments, strategy formulations, activity design, and, most often, program implementation itself. Activities falling within the following core areas may be funded under this mechanism:
- Establishing legal frameworks to protect and promote civil society
- Increasing citizen participation in policy processes, implementation and oversight
- Increasing institutional and financial viability of civil society organizations
- Enhancing the free flow of information
- Strengthening democratic political culture and gender equality
- Support to anti-sweatshop initiatives
For more information on these core activity areas, click here.
4. Who can use this procurement instrument? [top]
Any US Government Bureau or USAID Mission may use this grant mechanism. Examples of those who have taken advantage of this service are the US Embassy in Indonesia, the USAID Tanzania Mission, USAID's Global Development Alliance (GDA), and the State Department's Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).
5. How does one go about accessing this mechanism for project implementation? [top]
The process is designed to be streamlined and quick. It starts by contacting Ms. Christine Adamczyk, the CTO on the mechanism. For more details on the process, please click here.
6. Can this instrument be used for design purposes? [top]
Absolutely. In fact, the instrument has a specific fund called "Rapid Response" that was created just for this purpose. These funds can be used by missions and bureaus for short-term activities such as program design. More information on how to use them can be found here.
7. Do I need to prepare any justifications for using this instrument? [top]
No justification is necessary, since the CSL award was issued through full and open competition.
8. Does AID/W need to approve my program description? [top]
Yes. AID/W/DCHA/DG needs to concur that the program design is appropriate to the mechanism. For more information on the types of activities the award can fund, click here. Though approval is necessary, the process is streamlined and quick, and is detailed here.
9. Can non-consortium PVOs receive funds under the mechanism? [top]
Unfortunately, no. Under the mechanism, all awards are issued to Pact, which then either implements the program or issues sub-awards to consortium members to implement the program. Since USAID has "pre-competed" this mechanism, only PVOs that are members of the consortium can receive funding directly from the award. Local NGOs, however, may receive subgrants from Pact or any of its partner PVOs.
10. Can local NGOs apply for grants under the mechanism? [top]
The short answer is, unfortunately, "no" but the more detailed answer is "maybe." Under the mechanism, all awards are issued to Pact, which then either implements the program or issues sub-awards to consortium members to implement the program. There is no way for non-consortium NGOs to receive funds directly from the award the way Pact and its consortium members do. However, many projects funded through the mechanism do give subgrants to local NGOs. Indeed, many, such as Pact's IPD program in Zambia, were designed for that specific purpose. If you would like more information on using this mechanism to fund local NGOs, please contact Pact's technical advisor, Dan Spealman.
11. Who is the CTO for this award? [top]
Ms. Christine Adamczyk is the current CTO of the award. (She replaced Ms. Joan Larcom in January 2005.) She is the main contact for any inquiries about using this mechanism. Contact information for Ms. Adamczyk can be found on the contacts page.
