Description

USAID/Malawi has developed a Request for Information for the purpose of knowing: 1) ways to strengthen incentives and disincentives to counter illegal, and unsustainable firewood and charcoal production; and 2) which organizations, including the private sector, are promoting alternative, efficient energy technologies coupled with behavior change strategies to reduce demand for charcoal and firewood use for domestic and/or industrial energy needs. USAID/Malawi seeks information to help inform interventions aimed at Sustainable Management of Priority Forests and Bordering Watersheds to increase forest cover, promote land-based emissions reductions and support livelihoods. The Request for Information is provided in the following pages. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.209(c), the following clause is incorporated into this RFI:

FAR 52.215-3 - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR SOLICITATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES - (OCT 1997)

1. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
2. Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.
3. This solicitation is issued for the purpose of obtaining information from interested parties regarding the design process of USAID/Malawi’s next forestry management activity.

This is a Request for Information. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government to issue any solicitation or notice of funding opportunity, or ultimately award a contract or assistance agreement on the basis of this RFI, or to pay for any information voluntarily submitted as a result of this request.

In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. Responses to this RFI are strictly voluntary and USAID will not pay respondents for information provided in response to this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned and respondents will not be notified of the result of the review.

If a Solicitation or Notice of Funding Opportunity is issued, it will be announced on the Federal Business Opportunities website http://www.tbo.gov or https://www.grants.gov, as applicable, at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that Solicitation or Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement separately from any response to this announcement. This RFI does not restrict the Government's acquisition approach on a future Solicitation or Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Responses

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI in Microsoft Word compatible formats and submitted via email to OAA-Malawi-Solicit@usaid.gov by not later than July 6, 2018 at 17:00 hrs Malawi local time. Please include the title RFI-612-18-SMPFBW in the subject line of your e-mail. Responses should be sent as email attachment in English. Please do not submit applications, proposals, resumes, promotional materials, and statements of qualifications.

Responses are limited to five (5) pages and shall include, at a minimum the following:

1. the name and address of the organization;
2. primary point of contact, phone number, and e-mail address.

After USAID reviews and considers any responses, a decision will be made regarding whether and how to proceed with a new activity.