Supporting Digital Transformation in the Peruvian Amazon | 72052724RFI00004

FAQs: Supporting Digital Transformation in the Peruvian Amazon (USAID/Peru RFI)

1) What is "Supporting Digital Transformation in the Peruvian Amazon"?

It is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by USAID/Peru to gather input from organizations and stakeholders to inform the early design of a planned activity focused on supporting digital transformation in rural Amazonian areas of Peru.

2) Is this a grant solicitation or a notice of award?

No. This is not a grant solicitation and not an award announcement. It is a pre-solicitation information-gathering step intended to support USAID's program design process before any future competitive procurement or assistance process is finalized.

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 72052724RFI00004.

4) Who issued this RFI and where?

It was issued by USAID/Peru in Lima.

5) When was the RFI issued?

The RFI was issued on April 5, 2024.

6) When are responses due?

Responses are due by April 29, 2024 at 5:00 pm Lima local time.

7) What is USAID trying to accomplish through the planned activity?

The concept is to strengthen conditions for economic growth in rural Amazonian areas of Peru by supporting digital transformation, especially in territories associated with alternative development where communities are transitioning from illicit economies toward legal livelihoods.

8) What does "digital transformation" mean in the context of this RFI?

USAID signals interest in approaches that use digital tools, systems, services, skills, and enabling infrastructure to help rural communities and local economies become more productive, connected, and competitive, particularly in areas undergoing transitions toward licit economic development.

9) Why is USAID issuing this RFI?

USAID provides three main reasons: (1) to request comments and critiques on a draft activity description referenced as being in Section III of the RFI document; (2) to solicit concrete ideas, strategies, and approaches to facilitate digital transformation in Amazonian territories connected to alternative development, aimed at economic development; and (3) to request capability statements from interested entities.

10) What kind of feedback is USAID requesting on the draft activity description?

USAID is seeking comments and critiques intended to improve the preliminary program logic, including suggestions for improvements, identification of gaps, and flagging of risks.

11) What types of ideas and approaches does USAID want organizations to propose?

USAID is seeking concrete ideas, strategies, and approaches for facilitating digital transformation in Amazonian territories where alternative development activities have been implemented, with the intent that these approaches contribute to economic development in those areas.

12) What is a capability statement in this RFI context?

A capability statement is described as a concise but credible summary of an organization's relevant experience and ability to implement similar work. The RFI indicates this typically includes information such as technical competencies, geographic presence, partnerships, staffing, past performance, and the ability to implement in Peru's Amazon context.

13) Who is the primary audience for responding to this RFI?

Organizations and stakeholders that can provide locally grounded recommendations, practical digital transformation strategies, and strong evidence of capability in rural Amazon contexts are the primary audience. The notice particularly emphasizes entities positioned to implement at scale if a formal competition is launched.

14) Are there restrictions on what types of organizations can respond?

The RFI states it is "not restricted to any organization category" and lists eligible applicants as "unrestricted." However, USAID also indicates an intention to restrict any eventual opportunity to local entities as defined in USAID policy (ADS 303.6).

15) What does USAID mean by intending to restrict an eventual opportunity to "local entities"?

The notice states that while the RFI itself is unrestricted, USAID intends that any future opportunity may be restricted to local entities as defined in USAID policy (ADS 303.6). The RFI highlights the importance of demonstrating credible local capacity and readiness.

16) Can responding to the RFI affect eligibility for a future competition?

Yes, potentially. USAID reserves the right to limit competition to only those entities that submit strong capability statements in response to this RFI, which indicates that RFI responses could be consequential for consideration in a later, formal competitive process.

17) What is the opportunity category and instrument type?

The notice lists both the opportunity category and the instrument type as "Other."

18) What is the activity category associated with this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as community development.

19) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 98.001.

20) Does the notice include funding amounts or an award ceiling?

The listing shows an award ceiling of 0 and expected awards of 1, which is consistent with an RFI posting rather than a funded award at this stage.

21) Is there a Spanish version of the RFI?

Yes. A Spanish courtesy version is available in an annex.

22) Which version controls if there are differences between the English and Spanish versions?

The English version controls in the event of discrepancies.

23) Who signed the RFI?

The RFI is signed by the Regional Contracting and Agreement Officer for USAID/Peru, Andre-Guy Soh.

24) What geographic areas and communities are emphasized?

The framing highlights rural Amazonian territories of Peru, explicitly including areas where alternative development activities have been implemented and where communities have shifted away from illicit economies toward legal livelihoods.

25) What is the simplest way to understand the purpose of this RFI?

It is an invitation to help shape a forthcoming USAID activity focused on digitally enabled economic development in Peru's Amazon, with particular attention to areas tied to alternative development and transitions toward licit economic opportunities.