USAID/Sri Lanka Social Cohesion and Reconciliation | RFI 383 GVP 17 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFI 383 GVP 17 002

USAID/Sri Lanka Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (RFI 383 GVP 17 002) is a pre-solicitation request for information issued by USAID-Colombo to shape a future cooperative agreement focused on peacebuilding, social cohesion, and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. The central aim is to improve relationships across long-standing social, ethnic, religious, and political divisions and to support the emergence of a shared national identity among all Sri Lankans. USAID signals that the eventual activity is expected to work across multiple layers of society, including national institutions and processes, sub-national governance structures, and community-level stakeholders, with the idea that durable reconciliation requires reinforcement at each of these levels rather than isolated projects in a single sector or location.

The notice is not yet a full funding solicitation; it is a formal Request for Information meant to gather practical, experience-based input from the public before USAID finalizes program design. USAID specifically asks for responses to two prompts. First, respondents are asked to identify examples of peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka that have been notably successful or unsuccessful, with an emphasis on recent years. For each example, USAID wants the key factors that drove positive impact or contributed to weak or negative results. This signals an interest in learning what has actually worked on the ground in Sri Lanka, what has failed, and why, including factors such as political buy-in, community legitimacy, inclusiveness, conflict sensitivity, implementation quality, coordination, and sustainability. Second, respondents are asked to name and justify who the real "change agents" are at sub-national and community levels, meaning individuals, groups, organizations, or communities that have demonstrated genuine commitment and capability to advance peace and reconciliation. The question is framed broadly to encourage input beyond traditional elites and beyond formal institutions, suggesting USAID is open to partnering with a range of actors if they have credible track records and local legitimacy.

Administrative details in the opportunity listing indicate the anticipated award size and structure. The funding instrument type is planned as a cooperative agreement, which typically implies close engagement between USAID and the award recipient during implementation, including collaboration on technical direction and oversight. The opportunity category is discretionary and the activity category is listed as community development, reflecting a likely emphasis on locally grounded approaches and social outcomes rather than purely infrastructural or service-delivery outputs. The expected number of awards is one, with an award ceiling of USD 12,000,000, indicating USAID may be planning a single, relatively large mechanism rather than multiple smaller grants. Eligibility is broad and includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and organizations, US 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding higher education institutions), individuals, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, which suggests USAID is keeping the field open to a variety of implementers and consortium arrangements, depending on the final solicitation.

The RFI was created on November 30, 2016, with responses due by December 12, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. US Eastern Time. Submissions were to be emailed to Mr. Anuradha Pingama, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at srilankaprocurement@usaid.gov. Questions about the RFI could be directed to the Contracting Officer, Mr. Robert Parnell, at rparnell@usaid.gov, by the same December 12 deadline. USAID also emphasizes standard government procurement language: issuing the RFI does not commit the US Government to release a future solicitation, does not promise any award, and does not reimburse any costs incurred by respondents in preparing or submitting information. In other words, this is a market research and program design step meant to improve the relevance and effectiveness of a potential future USAID-funded reconciliation initiative, not a request for full proposals at this stage.

• The Agency for International Development, Sri Lanka USAID-Colombo in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "USAID/Sri Lanka Social Cohesion and Reconciliation" 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 Nov 30, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 12, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $12,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses.

Apply for RFI 383 GVP 17 002

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