Grants to Enhance the Logistics Chain for the Delivery of Essential Goods

Deadline: 03-Sep-21

The USAID Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) Activity through its Energy Evolution Challenge grant facility seeks applications to fund, in the form of grants, qualified organizations/companies to demonstrate innovations in portable solutions to enhance the logistics chain for the delivery of essential goods.

The purpose of the grant is to demonstrate innovations and to encourage investments in green energy applications in portable energy solutions in the logistics chain anywhere in the country, including the USAID CDI sites: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran and Zamboanga. The grant will support private entities that have a coherent plan to demonstrate any or a combination of the following:

Innovations in utilizing portable energy solutions in the logistics chain such as delivery, storage, packaging and shipment-tracking of essential and temperature-sensitive goods
Streamlined processes that result in a more sustainable, smarter, secure and more connected logistics chain;
Multi-sectoral engagement and coordination in the effective delivery of temperaturesensitive goods to the end-users

Objectives

To respond to the challenges in the efficient and timely delivery of temperature-sensitive goods in both rural and urban areas in the Philippines, USAID ESP Activity, through its Grants Under Contract, titled “Energy Evolution Challenge,” aims to encourage green energy investments in portable energy solutions to enhance the logistics chain. This grant is targeting organizations, as defined for this request, may help to achieve, at a minimum, one of the following objectives:

Provide portable, decentralized and energy efficient cold storage solutions to strengthen the logistics chain. Compact carriers, portable and decentralized cold storage units are currently some of the effective solutions in the fast delivery of essential goods to challenging sites in both urban and rural areas.
Ensure uninterrupted power supply by integrating clean, alternative energy sources for portable energy solutions. The effective and timely delivery of essential goods such as food and pharmaceuticals to end-users can be achieved through reliable and uninterrupted power supply from clean, alternative sources of energy.
Streamline the delivery process to make it more energy-smart and sustainable. Applicants may propose strategies to ensure the timely and efficient movement of perishable goods and may include logistics platforms for tracking systems for a seamless coordination, transparent and intelligent data-driven logistics.
Reduce the carbon footprint of the cold chain logistics system. Applicants may propose technological innovations with low global warming potential in the logistics chain process. This may include solutions for zero-emission distribution of goods, mobile cold storage units, decentralized energy efficient systems, natural refrigerants or equipment replacement.

Funding Information

Anticipated awards: One grant nationwide or in any of the USAID CDI sites
Duration of award: Up to PhP25,000,000
Funding amount for the award: Twenty-four (24) months with potential for extension but not exceeding the Activity life-ofproject ending on October 2025

Expected Indicators

Anticipated results for this grant may include, but are not limited to;

The application of green energy technologies, particularly portable energy solutions, in the efficient and timely delivery of essential, temperature-sensitive goods
Process and/or systems development for a more efficient and sustainable logistics chain
A quantifiable carbon footprint reduction resulting from the deployment of green energy technologies in the logistics chain
Technical training and skills development in green energy applications in logistics chain management
Policy recommendations and/or policy enhancements in the use of green energy technology in the logistics chain
A combination of any of the anticipated results of this grant

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements to qualify for funding under this RFA:

USAID ESP Activity grant support may be extended to energy innovators, technology providers, enterprises, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, businesses, commercial establishments, academic institutions, and research institutions, that meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Demonstrated experience working in the energy industry in the Philippines
  Applications meet minimum evaluation criteria for:
  - Soundness of technical approach
  - Understanding of local context, and
  - Qualifications of proposed personnel
- Demonstrated financial capacity to manage USG grants
- Cost realism of the budget
- Past performance / proven track record