Deadline: 8-Aug-23
The South Asia Regional Energy Partnership Fund (SPF) is inviting applications to fund qualified organizations for supporting activities and programs consistent with the SAREP’s purpose of improving access to affordable, secure, reliable, and sustainable energy, and its four objectives.
The South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) is the flagship regional energy program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission to India (USAID/I). This five- year initiative (2021-26) will improve access to affordable, secure, reliable, and sustainable energy in six countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka—in line with these countries’ climate and clean energy priorities. The program is a key activity under the U.S. Government’s Clean Edge Asia -Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy initiative and aligns with USAID’s climate change priorities to advance equitable and ambitious actions to confront the climate crisis. The program helps the United States Government’s Indo-Pacific Vision and facilitates collaboration among the six countries in South Asia to accelerate the transition to clean energy, mitigate climate change, and promote energy security.
Objectives
SAREP seeks to encourage targeted action and drive systems change by engaging policymakers, regulators, utilities, private sector, investors, and think tanks among others, through four key technical objectives and three cross-cutting themes:
- Objective 1: Enhanced regional energy markets and integration. SAREP will facilitate development of regional power markets, improve coordination and planning, strengthen national and regional institutions, drive consensus on power trade, and institutionalize a supporting framework and mechanisms. The expected outcome is increased cross-border electricity trade in the region by transitioning to tri- and multilateral power trade and a regionally integrated grid that will lead to an energy-secure South Asia.
- Objective 2: Increased deployment of advanced energy solutions and systems, SAREP will enhance and accelerate deployment of clean energy technologies for transition to net zero emissions by helping partner countries reach near-term climate goals and avoid locking in longer-term emissions trajectories. These technologies include renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, off-grid, behind-the-meter technologies and smart appliances, electric vehicles, green hydrogen, and solutions and tools to support renewable energy integration including market products among others.
- Objective 3: High-performing modern utilities. SAREP will enable modernization of transmission, system operation and distribution utilities in the region to improve their technical, financial, and operational performance, grid resilience, enhance customer service, and promote adaptability to new technical advancements. The expected outcome is modern, financially viable utilities that enable clean energy transition and efficient energy markets.
- Objective 4: Transparent, best-value procurement and private sector investment mobilized. SAREP will facilitate increased private sector investments and enhance domestic and international finance for clean energy deployment. SAREP will also enable improved procurement processes and governance, adoption of best-value procurement practices, promote PPP models, and improve bankability of clean energy projects.
Themes
- While this RFA will open for activities related to any of SAREP’s objectives, specific focus will be on the following themes:
- Increasing regional partnership and promoting clean energy transition by involving legislators
- Invest mobilization by developing eco-system for investor-investee dialogue
- Modelling river flow in Bhutan/Nepal for better forecast and effective utilization of hydro generation
Funding Information
- In accordance with ADS 302, the total value of any individual grant to a U.S. organization, if any, must not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), which is $250,000. The applicable ceiling for grant awards to non-U.S. organizations is $500,000.
- Type of Grant Awards: The following type of grants may be awarded by SAREP:
- Fixed amount awards (FAAs): Up to $250,000 for non-U.S. organizations and not to exceed $250,000 for U.S. organizations
- Simplified Cost-reimbursement Grant (SIG): Up to $250,000 for non U.S. organizations and not to exceed $250,000 for U.S. organizations
- Standard cost-reimbursement grants (STGs): Up to $500,000 for non U.S. Organizations and not to exceed $250,000 for U.S. organizations
- In-Kind Grants: Up to $500,000
Types of Activities
To achieve the results outlined under the four technical objectives, the SAREP Partnership Fund will support the types of activities illustrated below:
- Pilot demonstrations Incubation support
- Feasibility studies, detailed project reports, and market assessments
- Knowledge management and dissemination
- Policy advocacy and consensus building
- Knowledge sharing, exchange, and institutional capacity development
- Developing business models and innovative solutions, and structuring of innovative
- Financial transactions to enable clean energy transition Design and deploy new decision-making tools
Ineligible Activities
- The SAREP Partnership Fund cannot be utilized for the following activities:
- Support expansion of capacity or extend the operational life of carbon-intensive fossil fuelbased energy projects (e.g., oil, fossil [natural] gas, and coal). Support for natural gas for household energy access projects, in particular clean cooking projects, can be considered, if no cleaner options are feasible
- Purchases of restricted goods, such as agricultural commodities, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, contraceptive products, pesticides, used equipment, or fertilizers without the previous approval of the USAID Task Order Contracting Officer (TOCO)
- Purchase of prohibited goods under USAID regulations, including but not limited to police or law enforcement equipment, abortion equipment and services, weather modification equipment, luxury goods, and gambling equipment
- Purchases of any equipment or services from specific companies, or their subsidiaries and affiliates, including Huawei Technologies Company, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, and Dahua Technology Company (“Covered Technology”)
- Purchases of goods or services restricted or prohibited under the prevailing USAID source/ nationality and other regulations; or from countries or suppliers as may be identified by USAID’s consolidated list of debarred, suspended, or ineligible subcontractors
- Construction, infrastructure, renovation, and rehabilitation projects. Definition of “Construction” for purposes of this manual means construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging and excavation) of buildings, structures, or other real property and includes, without limitation, improvements, renovation, alteration, and refurbishment. The term includes, without limitation, roads, power plants, buildings, bridges, water treatment facilities, and vertical structures
- Other costs unallowable under USAID rules and/or federal regulation 2 CFR 200 Subpart E. such as fees/profits by the recipient (including sub-awardees)
Eligibility Criteria
- The SAREP Partnership Fund grants can be provided to private sector / for-profit entities; not-for-profit organizations; nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); civil society organizations; business service organizations; industry, trade, or other private sector associations; educational/training or academic institutions; and think tank/research entities which are eligible to receive foreign funded grants in accordance with applicable local regulations. Government and or quasi-government (parastatal entities) are not eligible to apply for and receive grants funded under this RFA. All applicants will be bound by various USAID regulations as relevant and set forth in the US Code of Federal Regulations and Automated Directive System.
- Grantees should be registered in any of the countries not expressly prohibited in ADS 310 and should be legally authorized to operate in the country/ies where performance of grant activities are proposed.
- ADS 310 states that Grants/cooperative agreements using USAID program funds may be made/entered into without regard to the nationality of the prime recipient as long as that organization is not otherwise restricted by statute, regulation, Agency policy, or administrative determination (i.e., suspension and debarment) from receiving assistance.
- SAREP grantees must be compliant with requirements set forth in the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 22, Part 228, Automated Directives System (ADS) Chapter 303, ADS 591, and 2 CFR 200 Subpart E for Cost Principles and Subpart F for Audit Requirements. To be eligible for funding grantees must:
- Have no real or apparent conflicts of interest that could jeopardize the impartiality of the selection process or arise and affect project implementation. Applicants will be required to proactively declare any such potential conflicts so that they are mitigated in advance of applicant consideration. Any such conflicts can be personal, business, or finance related
- Be legally authorized to receive foreign funded grants and conduct activities in the country
- For which application is made and accordingly demonstrate compliance with all applicable local legal and regulatory requirements such as but not limited to:
- In the case of India, comply with applicable provisions of the Foreign
- Contributions Regulations Act FCRA and have an active and valid FCRA registration valid at least for 6 months as of the date of application
- In the case of Nepal, comply with provisions of The Social Welfare Act, 2049
- (1992), and / or Associations Registration Act, 2034 (1977) and / or The Income Tax Act, 2002 (2058), as may be applicable
- In the case of Bhutan, comply with regulations and norms of Civil Society
- Organization Authority (CSOA), Bhutan and the Bhutan Royal Monetary Authority, as may be applicable
- In the case of Sri Lanka, have the mandatory registrations and approvals from the relevant Government Ministry. In addition, comply with regulations specified by External Resources Department under the Ministry of Finance and provisions specified by Voluntary Social Service Organizations (Registration and Supervision) Act, No. 31 of 1980 as amended, as may be applicable
- In the case of Maldives, comply with regulations and provisions of Ministry of Youth, Sports & Community Empowerment and the Associations Act 1/2003, as may be applicable
- In the case of Bangladesh, comply with the provisions of Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulations Act, 2016, as may be applicable.
- Entities must submit documents to support their eligibility to receive foreign grants.
- Have internal controls and processes to safeguard assets and protect against fraud and waste
- Have written and well-articulated ethics/conflict of interest policies
- Have sound financial systems and accountability with up-to-date accounts consistent with Local laws and regulations
- Be willing to abide by all applicable USAID regulations and complete, sign, and abide by all Required certifications, including the Branding and Marking requirements
- Be willing to report on achievements and outputs in line with RTI’s approved monitoring and evaluation plan
- Already has or commit to secure a SAM Unique Entity ID (UEI) number if the anticipated Grant award is $25,000 or more. The UEI number has replaced the now redundant DUNS number. The UEI number can be obtained at www.sam.gov (Submit copy of UEI number or proof of registration in SAM.Gov for UEI number in case the UEI number has not been obtained)
- Be willing and able to ensure compliance regarding environmental monitoring and Mitigation The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, Section 117, requires that the impact of USAID-funded activities on the environment be considered and that environmental sustainability be considered in designing and carrying out development programs. The environmental impacts of USAID-financed activities must be identified prior to a final decision to proceed and appropriate environmental safeguards are adopted for all activities. SAREP will provide guidance post award to each grant recipient develop an environmental monitoring and mitigation plan that is fully compliant with USAID regulations.
Ineligible
- The following types of applicants will not be eligible for receiving grants from SAREP:
- Any Public International Organization, unless approved by the USAID/India Mission
- Director Government or quasi-Government (parastatal entities)
- Entities that have a previous record of misusing U.S. Government funds
- Political parties or partisan political organizations
- Organizations or groups that promote any illegal activities
- Applicants engaged in or proposing activities that may have a negative environmental impact, unless such negative environmental impacts are an incidental byproduct of activities that otherwise advance the purposes of the Partnership Fund and can be effectively mitigated
- Applicants that have child protection, human trafficking, or exploitation violations and are in violation of international human rights standards
- Applicants that are affiliated with RTI or any of its officers, directors, or employees
- Any entity and/or it’s key personnel that appear on the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Blocked Persons
- Any entity with members directly or indirectly involved in money laundering, acts of terrorism, gambling, or drugs
- Any entity that is undergoing bankruptcy or restructuring under a legal or regulatoryprocess
- Any entity which based upon the due diligence to be conducted by RTI, appears to be ineligible for receiving the Grant under this RFA or carry out the proposed activities out of the amount of the Grant to be given under this RFA
For more information, visit USAID.