Opportunity Information: Apply for 72051823RFI00001
The opportunity titled "Fostering Accountability through Investigative Reporting" (Opportunity Number 72051823RFI00001) is a USAID/Ecuador market research notice in the Democracy and Governance sector. It was posted on May 17, 2023 and closed on May 31, 2023 at 5:00 PM local time. Rather than offering funding through a competitive grant or contract at this stage, USAID/Ecuador is using this notice to gather input and better understand what kinds of organizations and approaches might be suitable for a potential future activity focused on investigative journalism and accountability.
This announcement is explicitly structured as two related tools: a Request for Information (RFI) and a Sources Sought Notice (SSN). Through the RFI portion, USAID/Ecuador is asking interested parties to provide feedback on a draft Activity Outline for a prospective program. Through the SSN portion, the Mission is trying to identify organizations that may have the capability, experience, and capacity to deliver the kinds of services envisioned, should USAID decide to move forward with a formal procurement or assistance process later. In practical terms, the notice is designed to help USAID refine its thinking, validate assumptions in the draft outline, learn what has worked in similar contexts, and map the landscape of potential implementers.
A key point is that this is not a solicitation and does not represent an offer of funding. USAID states clearly that the RFI/SSN is for information-gathering only and is not a Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Applications (RFA), Invitation for Bids (IFB), or any other formal mechanism that would lead directly to an award. Responses are not treated as offers and cannot create any binding agreement with the U.S. Government. USAID also emphasizes that submitting information does not obligate the government to issue a future solicitation or make an award, and that respondents will not be reimbursed for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting their input. This is consistent with federal acquisition guidance (including FAR 15.201(e)) that governs market research communications.
Eligibility is listed as "Unrestricted," meaning there is no stated limitation in the notice itself on what types of entities may respond. The funding instrument type and activity category are listed broadly as "Other," and the award ceiling is shown as 0, reinforcing that this is not a funding announcement with a defined budget. The notice is associated with CFDA 98.001, a common umbrella assistance listing used for USAID foreign assistance activities. Although the record includes an "AgencyName" reference to "Colombia USAID-Bogota," the narrative text repeatedly identifies USAID/Ecuador as the issuing mission and directs responses to USAID/Ecuador contacts, so the intended context for the activity is Ecuador and the Mission's democracy and governance portfolio.
For organizations or individuals that wanted to participate, USAID invited submissions in either English or Spanish. Responses were to be sent to the USAID/Ecuador Democracy and Governance Office contact, Miguel Atuesta, at matuesta@usaid.gov by the closing deadline, with the email subject line or title referencing "USAID/Ecuador Investigative Journalism RFI." The notice also indicates that full details were contained in an attached document (the RFI/SSN attachment), implying that the draft Activity Outline and any specific questions or response instructions were provided there, beyond what is included in the short synopsis.Apply for 72051823RFI00001
- The Colombia USAID-Bogota in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fostering Accountability through Onvestigative Reporting" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-05-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the title and opportunity number for this notice?
The notice is titled "Fostering Accountability through Investigative Reporting" and the Opportunity Number is 72051823RFI00001.
2) What type of announcement is this (grant, contract, or something else)?
This is not a grant or contract solicitation. It is a market research notice that combines two tools: a Request for Information (RFI) and a Sources Sought Notice (SSN). The purpose is to gather input and identify potential capable organizations for a possible future activity.
3) Is this a funding opportunity right now?
No. USAID states the RFI/SSN is for information-gathering only and does not represent an offer of funding.
4) Does responding to this RFI/SSN create any legal commitment or agreement?
No. Responses are not treated as offers and cannot create any binding agreement with the U.S. Government.
5) Will USAID definitely issue a future solicitation or make an award?
No. USAID emphasizes that submitting information does not obligate the government to issue a future solicitation or make an award.
6) Will respondents be reimbursed for the costs of preparing or submitting a response?
No. USAID indicates respondents will not be reimbursed for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting information.
7) What is USAID trying to learn or accomplish with this notice?
The notice is designed to help USAID/Ecuador refine its thinking about a potential activity focused on investigative journalism and accountability. USAID is seeking to validate assumptions in a draft Activity Outline, learn what has worked in similar contexts, and map the landscape of potential implementers.
8) What are the two components of the announcement (RFI vs. SSN)?
The RFI portion asks interested parties to provide feedback on a draft Activity Outline for a prospective program. The SSN portion is used to identify organizations that may have the capability, experience, and capacity to provide the services envisioned, if USAID later decides to proceed with a formal procurement or assistance process.
9) Which sector is this notice associated with?
The notice is in the Democracy and Governance sector.
10) What thematic focus is implied for the potential future activity?
Based on the title and synopsis, the potential future activity would focus on investigative journalism/investigative reporting and strengthening accountability.
11) Who is issuing this notice (which USAID Mission)?
The narrative text identifies USAID/Ecuador as the issuing Mission and directs responses to USAID/Ecuador contacts. Although an "AgencyName" reference appears as "Colombia USAID-Bogota" in the record, the described context and points of contact are consistently USAID/Ecuador.
12) What country context does the notice target?
The intended context is Ecuador, within USAID/Ecuador's democracy and governance portfolio.
13) When was the notice posted and when did it close?
It was posted on May 17, 2023 and closed on May 31, 2023 at 5:00 PM local time.
14) Who was the point of contact for submissions?
The notice directs responses to the USAID/Ecuador Democracy and Governance Office contact, Miguel Atuesta.
15) What email address was provided for submissions?
Responses were to be sent to matuesta@usaid.gov.
16) What subject line should have been used when submitting a response?
The email subject line or title was to reference "USAID/Ecuador Investigative Journalism RFI."
17) What languages were accepted for submissions?
USAID invited submissions in either English or Spanish.
18) Who was eligible to respond?
Eligibility is listed as "Unrestricted," meaning the notice itself does not state limitations on what types of entities may respond.
19) What is the funding instrument type and activity category listed for this opportunity?
The funding instrument type and activity category are listed as "Other," reflecting that this is not a standard grant/contract award notice.
20) What does an award ceiling of 0 mean in this context?
The award ceiling is shown as 0, reinforcing that this is not a funding announcement with a defined budget and that no award is being offered through this notice.
21) What CFDA listing is associated with this notice?
The notice is associated with CFDA 98.001, described as a common umbrella assistance listing used for USAID foreign assistance activities.
22) Is this notice an RFP, RFA, IFB, or other formal solicitation?
No. USAID states it is not an RFP (Request for Proposals), RFA (Request for Applications), IFB (Invitation for Bids), or any other formal mechanism that would lead directly to an award.
23) Where were the detailed instructions and the draft Activity Outline located?
The synopsis indicates that full details were contained in an attached document (the RFI/SSN attachment), implying that the draft Activity Outline and any specific questions or response instructions were provided there.
24) What guidance does USAID cite for market research communications like this?
The synopsis notes that this approach is consistent with federal acquisition guidance for market research communications, including FAR 15.201(e).
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